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* -i; r&; ?v^ • . -VT£i < - : -& % W 1 617 North La Brea Avenue, Los Angeies, Calif. Subscription Rate, #10.00 Per Year. .he Hex Ojfjfice DIGEST "HONOR BOX” The Biggest Grossing Release Of The Past Week This Week WARNERS wins with 'HIGH SIERRA' 115%
Vice-Prcs. in Charge of Production Executive Producer Associate Producer Director JACK L. WARNER HAL WALLIS MARK HELLINGER RAOUL WALSH
IDA LUPINO HUMPHREY BOGART
Screenplay Featured ALAN CURTIS JOHN HUSTON ARTHUR KENNEDY W. R. BURNETT JOAN LESLIE HENRY HULL JEROME COWAN From Novel MINNA GOMBELL by BARTON McLANE W. R. BURNETT ELIZABETH RISDON CORNEL WILDE DONALD MacBRIDE PAUL HARVEY Photographer ISABEL JEWELL TONY GAUDIO WLLIE BEST SPENCER CHARTERS HENRY TRAVERS —
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^JUe OnAuAisuyL DIGEST l/UeeJzhf, ENTERTAINMENT An Editorial by ROBERT E. WELSH
The modest Editor last week murmered about the fact that it is release of life’s problems through zanie laughs, or complete the picture industry needs no legislative chiding—Senatorial abandonment of today’s calendar by adventure into glorious or otherwise—to tell it that heavy-handed propaganda, no mat- history, the first requirement of money-making entertainment ter for what side of an argument, is not selling theater tickets. is to take the customer away from his own daily problems. He just invited the attention of the pundits to the box office Above all, don’t aggravate those problems by preaching figures. And mentioned some of the pictures that were proving and especially sermonizing so effectively about the tragedies of the surprises. some other characters that he returns to his home feeling worse This week, judging from advance reports which are unani- than before he paid the exhibitor his four bits. mous, he can add another one to the case history: "Tall, Dark and Handsome.” ^ jjc He mentions this picture’s current surprises because it points the way for another "easy lesson.” Is this treason to intelligence? That is this simple fact: We don’t think so. Let the fact be granted that as a medium It does not take a million or more dollars to make a hit at- of propaganda and education the screen ranks with the press, traction. And producers or directors who start off with the belief and with the radio. that they MUST have a million or more to stand up in compe- tition with the tops, are not only often kidding themselves, but But let it also be stated that the salaries which keep the in- in many ways affecting the economic structure of the industry. dustry going, the dividends which hold and create stockholders, And so we come back to the two fundamental facts: are based upon one thing: Selling tickets. STAR values are of tremendous value, because they give By all means let’s have our propaganda, if you can find the harried exhibitor, who has little opportunity to allow "word- enough exhibitors whose cash returns to Hollywood—that of-mouth” selling to get him money, the ability to count on means you and you, and me—do not depend on SELLING some definite factors. tickets. So, star value cannot be ignored. BUT—
There is also ENTERTAINMENT value. The lack of it can cause pictures with star assets to do nose-dives on runs fol- There are highbrow reviews of the arts, literature, and the lowing the opening ballyhoo in selected spots; its presence can state of the cosmos, that do not expect to sell their wares at the cause pictures without stellar aristocracy to BUILD up and up. corner drug store newsstand. There are propagandists endowed with millions who flood the mails with their "messages,” and send them to you free. What is entertainment? Of course the fellow who could answer that in a few words Let the Hollywoodians who have the same urge to deliver or a thousand words would be their "messages” to mankind, worth the national debt to the work out some similar system. picture industry. The com- DISTRIBUTORS’ BATTING AVERAGE FOR 1940 But let’s not force it on the panies could combine to pay % exhibitor. He has troubles his salary. * enough with the alleged en- 1. Metro-Goldwyn Mayer 47 Releases 101 But some guesses can be 2. United Artists 21 Releases 100 tertainment you so frequently 3. Tewntieth Century-Fox 48 Releases 93 made. . deliver him, that neither en- 4. Warners-First National 46 Releases 91 And at the risk of being 5. Paramount 42 Releases : 87 tertains nor sells the custom- 6. Universal 50 Releases 78 definitely accused of prole- ers, most of whose money is 7. RKO-Radio 48 Releases 77 tarian intelligence we put as 8. Columbia 41 Releases 75 going back to you. 9. Republic 25 Releases 70 the first word in the definition: Unless you don’t care about 10. Monogram 26 Releases 66 ESCAPE. money. *Does not include "Gone With the Wind,” 388%, sold under special We don’t care what variety contract, and produced by David Selznick. Now withdrawn And that might be a good from general release. of escape you offer—whether ‘hought. — —
4 BOX OFFICE DIGEST Ike. jtujldUfhte*.: Covers the Picture News Front in a Quick Glance
Hollywood’s highlight of the recent week acter. . . Both come from the front line quite a campaign on among the rumor- is pretty obviously the move which has Bill trench sector of the industry—the place riters to get David hitched to a full-time
LeBaron stepping out of Paramount’s top where you sell ’em . . . Both have a back- production job now that Jock Whitney has producer berth, and B. G. DeSylva stepping ground of more practical efficiency in get- picked up his "Gone With The Wind” in. . . And the surprise caused. . . Not so ting a dollar’s worth of return for a dollar marbles and gone back to less worrisome much because LeBaron dropped the reins, spent than has always been the pattern of pastimes than the backing of trillion dollar that is something that has been hinted at, the Hollywood mind. . . Both have the per- epics. . . So far they seem to have picked and possible, for some time. . . But because sonalities that command respect while gain- on almost every company in the business of Buddy DeSylva taking on the headaches ing good-will and popularity among associ- except Republic and Monogram as Selznick’s that go with the executive direction of a ates and subordinates. . . Few there are next landing field. studio’s entire program. . . It is no cinch, among this industry’s veterans who have mah friends. . . It is one thing to concentrate travelled the country on sales work as many on one or two pictures a year, and another years as Ned Depinet and retained so much RUNNING IN A CIRCLE JUST TO to accept the grief that comes when spread- good will, few in studio control who should CATCH STUDIO HIGHLIGHTS ing a budget allowed by the purse-holders be expected to have his wide knowledge of Bill Perlberg, who must be feeling over some fifty pictures. . . If you don’t the theater man’s desires. . . So interesting pretty happy these days over "This appreciate the heaviness of the task, check days seem in store for Radio. . . Harry Thing Called Love ’ with David Selznick on his days as RKO Edington, it would appear, went in on a and its husky box office figures, can have another reason to feel cheerful when chieftain . . . Or. for more current testimony, promise to deliver the biggest of stars to you consider the possibilities of a Jack you might speak to Darryl Zanuck. . . Or the company to make its pictures automatics. Benny picture as his next . . bait for exhibitors Hal Wallis. . . Theirs are jobs that should . But Harry discovered that selling stars
. . . For that be spelled in capitals, with the letters and buying stars are two different things. . . matter. Bill should be all-out happy just over the spaced, something like this: J-O-B-S. . . . When you sell the star, your job is done; fact that he is now hang- Buddy DeSylva is today’s top Broadway when you buy a star your job has just begun. ing his chapeau on a Zanuck hatrack, with memories of producer in point of money hits, with Columbia in the past . . . Perl- enough coin coming in from mass produc- SAM GOLDWYN FINALLY SMOKES berg and Jack Benny made a quick hop cross country and tion of hits to make it unnecessary to bor- THE PEACE-PIPE WITH UNITED back last week to look over New York’s row headaches. . . DeSylva must now start sensational stage hit, the Gosh, there really was some news around revived thinking of release schedules, the voracious "Charlie’s Aunt” . . . Sounds like
town in the recent . . appetites of distributing and theater or- week or so. Sam Gold- fun just to say, "Jack Benny in 'Charlie’s and ganizations, while trying to keep the weather wyn United Artists got together in a Aunt ”... There’s a hint of box office news deal that avoided further expensive court coming up from eve cocked on quality and showmanship . . . Columbia, too, in a Fred actions, and enables both parties to set Astaire picture, It’s a hefty two-shouldred burden. with Cole Porter lyrics . . . their plans for future activity without being That’s a combination . . . Even better box
entangled in too many "if’s.” . . . Sam can RADIO-RKO ALSO GIVES office news is the starting of Alfred go ahead with plans for individual produc- Hitchcock’s next A STUDIO HIGHLIGHT Radio picture . . . The title tion, and make his release arrangements is "Before the Fact,” with Cary Grant and While Paramount is making its shift in where he desires, United can bear down loan Fontaine for the marquee . . . Eddie helmsmen, there comes also the news of a on its production schedules without the Small is lining up his forces, with assign- similar move at Radio-RKO. where Ned bothersomeness of figuring that they might ments to Directors Ralph Murphy and Tim
Depinet. the company’s executive, still get Sam back on the . top moves sales sheets. . . Whelan . . . Reported that George Schaefer
into . It will be interesting direct charge of studio operations. . to see where Sam is so enthusiastic over the way that Frank lands, it is Harry Edington preparing to step aside. . . and a safe bet that he already Ross-Norman Krasna-Jean Arthur combi- has idea Almost seems to parallel the decision by some of that landing place; it will nation has worked that he is already talking
which brought Frank Freeman be interesting to see . Paramount how United shapes up new deal . . Zanuck is quick to cash in on from Eastern fields to Hollywood pastures. the coming year’s selling list without its two "Tin Pan Alley’s” great reception with an-
. it top . . With the likelihood that will have producers of recent campaigns, David nouncement of another one to team Alice Selznick equally good results, because Freeman and and Sam Goldwyn. . . And, speak- Faye and John Payne, "The Straight Left,” Depinet are much alike in executive char- ing of David Selznick, there seems to be story with a prize fight background.
“FANTASIA” given the picture an extremely successful New York run—still on and to have started it off well in Hollywood. The question to be faced is, of the lifters theatre tickets in the hinter- Walter Disney’s latest has finally reached Hollywood. Because of how many eyebrow buy lands. special and expensive new sound equipment it will remain a road the show proposition for some time. Your reviewer must confess that nature may have put him in classification. is din, noise, symphonic "Fantasia” isn’t really for review in a motion picture trade publi- low-brow There so much and roar for over two hours, that he was tired. So tired, when it was over. cation. True, it is produced on celluloid, but there the contact almost admired the cartoon technique, the outstanding Technicolor ef- ends. It is a new form of entertainment, an experimental one, that He the trick and will require many ballots to be taken before a verdict can be given fects,, but the acrobat in the circus doesn’t do same over for picture showmen. over again. And this production is acrobatics sugar-coated with ap- The production could be reviewed in the music pages and feel peal to the superior intellects. more at home. But they would not be the pages catering to the aver- "Fantasia” can be put another way: It is like eating an eight age run of picture ticket buyers, they would be—to put it bluntly course meal with five or six of the courses caviar, a couple or so of the highbrow pages. them corn. And we do hanker occasionally for roast beef or fluff Apparently there are enough of those elevated foreheads to have desserts. 5 FEBRUARY 8, 1941 *1Ua Bax &Uica; 'High Sierra' Hits High Peak; 'Miss Bishop' Strong
United Artists’ second release this week Of 7 New Releases in the Past Week. 2 Ran 7 New Releases Not in the Last Issue Through Okay, is a new Hal Roach production "ROAD Over 100%, 2 Came % We Est. SHOW” which doesn’t seem to be faring and 2 Were Very Weak. 1. High Sierra WAR 115 110 well, 2. Cheers for Miss Bishop UA 105 95 any too only averaging 82%. Of WARNERS—2 Releases 3. Road Show UA 83 ... 85 course, this picture is lacking in marquee
. ... 82 ... 90 4. Three on a Honeymoon ..WAR names. The cast is headed by Adolph Men- re- Warners-First National have two new 5. Six Lessons from jou, Carole Landis and John Hubbard who leases, one an outstanding box office attrac- Madame LaZonga UNIV 80 80 all in all not mean at a box office. PAR 75 ... 75 do much tion, while the second one is getting by but 6. Life With Henry 7. Bowery Boy .... REP .... 68 ... 65 Charles Butterworth and Patsy Kelly are not as strongly as expected. featured. Warners’ ace producer and director team, Walsh respect- Mark Hellinger and Raoul rection. and well handled in production. It 1 Release have turned out several of War- UNIVERSAL— ively, who is an entertaining comedy. The fact that it makers, including such hits ners’ top money is not doing better at the box office may be Universal’s series of musical comedies "Roaring Twenties” and "They Drive as the due to a lack of interest in George Brent that J oe Sanford has been producing for box office by Night,” have delivered another and Ann Sheridan, or to a lack of oomph in the last year and a half continue on their which on its first hit in "HIGH SIERRA,” its exploitation to date. merry way and the latest, "SIX LESSONS aver- openings is doing quite well at a 115% FROM MADAME LAZONGA” 80%, marquee age, especially considering that the seems to be the best box office picture of UNITED ARTISTS—2 New Releases names in the picture are not automatic this series. draws. Lupe Velez and Leon Errol, who recently who United Artists has two new releases from Humphrey Bogart with Ida Lupino, registered well their independent producers this week, the in RKO’s "Wildcat” series rapidly in the past six has advanced so are co-starred in this one. The featured cast first of which has opened well, while the months, co-star in this thrilling crook melo- second seems rather weak. includes Helen Parrish, Charles Lang, Wil- drama which transfers its locale from the production for liam Frawley, Eddie Quillan and Big Boy Sierra hang out. Richard A. Rowland’s first big city to the High Williams. John Rawlins directed. United Artists is "CHEERS FOR MISS Alan Curtis, Arthur Kennedy, Joan Les- BISHOP.” This is a "word-of-mouth” pic- lie, Barton MacLane and Henry Travers 1 ture. It is consistently hitting over that PARAMOUNT—Also Release head the featured cast. Exhibitors as a whole 100% mark, but its possibilities seem to be should receive good box office results from Paramount’s new release this week is an determined by the territoy or the exploita- this one and where action pictures are popu- entertaining programmer, the latest in the tion. It is definitely not for Main St., but it lar it will be especially strong. famous Henry Aldrich series, "LIFE WITH has solid values. No further proof of that Mark Hellinger was associate producer HENRY,” 75%. While the Aldrich series is needed than news that Mr. Van Schmus, to Hal Wallis, R. A. Walsh directed. doesn’t seem to be a very good first run at- of the Radio City Music Hall has set in his Warners’ second release for this week traction, the pictures are well received in playing time. Van Schmus has the world’s "HONEYMOON FOR THREE” on its the subsequent runs, neighborhood houses largest theater, the most successful on week initial openings is not any too strong, only and small town bookings. by week grosses, and he can’t afford to lull averaging 82%. Jackie Cooper, as usual heads the cast himself because he must make profits for Ann Sheridan and George Brent are co- and seen in support are Leila Ernest, Eddie the stockholders. starred. The featured cast includes Charlie Bracken, Fred Niblo, Hedda Hopper and "CHEERS FOR MISS BISHOP” is based Ruggles, Jane Wyman, Johnny Downs and Kay Stewart. on the popular novel by Bess Streeter Aid- Walter Catlett. Henry Blanke produced Ted Reed produced and directed under reality feminine under Hal Wallis’ supervision and Lloyd rich. "Miss Bishop” is in a William LeBaron’s supervision. Chips” and consequently being a very Bacon directed. "Mr. in di- sentimental story will undoubtedly do its The picture has been well guided REPUBLIC— 1 Release budding on word-of-mouth advertising.
Martha Scott, who has received much Republic’s new release this week is 22 FEATURES "GOING DOWN” publicity recently through her outstanding "BOWERY BOY,” 68%, which is a fair Was Now roles in "Our Town” and "Howards of Vir- programmer but entirely lacking in marquee 1. Kitty Foyle RKO.___143.— 140 ginia,” very capably portrays the illustrious names. It will probably be best suited to 2. Love Thy Neighbor PAR ...144 139 3. Comrade X MGM — 141-— 138 "Miss Bishop.” fill in with a big percentage picture—or as 4. Flight Command MGM 121. 113 There is an excellent cast of featured a good booking for the Saturday kiddies’ 5. Hudson’s Bay FOX — 118 .112 players headed by Edmund Gwenn, who matinee. The featured cast is headed by 6. Chad Hanna FOX — 118 112 never fails the audience. Louise Campbell, Jimmy Lydon, Dennis 7. You’ll Find Out RKO ...106 102 8. Son of Monte Cristo UA — 107... 100 If the exhibitors will give "Miss Bishop” O’Keefe Helen Vinson, and Roger Pryor. 9. Go West MGM 100 — 97 showmanship treatment they will be well William Morgan directed and Armand ... 105. 92 10. Victory PAR — rewarded at the box office. Furthermore this Schaefer acted as associate producer. 11. Four Mothers WAR ...103 92 is the type of picture that will make friendly 12. No, No, Nanette RKO.— 92.— 88 their theatres. 13. South of Suez WAR ... 84 82 patrons at 7 FEATURES 14. Melody Ranch REP— 80 .... 78 Tay Garnett directed for Producer R. A. "GOING UP” 15. Texas Rangers PAR — 78 .... 76 Rowland. Old-time exhibitors will remember Was Now 16. East of the River WAR — 78 ... 75 1. Philadelphia Story 176 181 Dick Rowland as the former head of First MGM 17. Night Train ..FOX— 76... 74 2. Santa Fe Trail WAR.__.146 __.148 National for many years. The United Artists 18. Remedy for Riches RKO ... 75 ... 72 3. This Thing Called Love COL ___126.___132 first pic- 19. Behind the News . REP— 72 ... 70 executives are so pleased over his 4. Thief of Bagdad UA .122 124 26. World in Flames PAR— 72____ 70 ture for them that they have signed him to 5. Maisie Was a Lady MGM 81____ 87 Little 70.— 67 6. Trail of the Vigilantes __ 81 21. Men RKO— make three more pictures in the coming UNIV 83 22. Queen of Destiny RKO.— 68 ... 65 7. She Couldn’t Say No WAR 65 ... 67 year. —
6 BOX OFFICE DIGEST 'Western Union' Smash Hit for the Masses TWENTIETH CENTURY-FOX
The Digest’s Box Office Estimate Current Reviews We Est. 125% 1. Western Union FOX 125 Vice-Pres. in charge of prod. Darryl F. Zanuck 2. Back Street , UNIV 125 Associate producer Harry Joe Brown 3. You’re the One PAR 90 Director Fritz Lang Screenplay Robert Carson 4. Road Show UA 85 Stars Robert Young, Randolph Scott, 5. Buck Private UNIV 85 Dean Jagger, Virginia Gilmore 6. The Mad Doctor .. PAR 80 Featured: John Carradine, Slim Summerville, 7. The Monster and the Girl PAR 70 Chill Wills, Barton MacLane, Russell Hicks, Victor Kilian, Minor Watson, George Chand- 8. Meet the Chump UNIV ... 70 ler, Chief Big Tree, Chief Thundercloud, 9. Nobody’s Children COL 65 Dick Rich, Harry Strang, Charles Middleton, 10. Secret Evidence - PDC 65 Addison Richards, Irving Bacon. 11. Robin Hood of the Pecos REP 65 Photographers Edward Cronjager, Allen M. Davey 12. Petticoat Politics REP 65 13. Fantasia DISNEY yy Time 93 minutes They can haul out the Zanuck drums again, and sound all the loud noises the cym- graph operator, and the object of affections style, that is, it takes situations that might bals can give. "Western Union” hits all between Scott and Young. be the most normal of Western action for the notes in the entertainment scale. It will Scott’s is the fat part of the picture, and an ordinary horse opry and by his sense of be a box-office natural, and a luscious gift the statement can be definitely made that his pictorial backgrounding, his timing, spotting to Twentieth stockholders. performance will advance his star value tre- close-ups, etc., gives them magnified The elements that make such enthusiasm mendously. It is a restrained performance strength. Zanuck, and Harry Joe Brown, possible are many. First, it is the great, that might have been swashbuckling, and who was associate producer, must have given beautiful, actionful outdoors, with the never- Scott in this sort of Technicolor takes on him maximum cooperation on this, for there failing theme of men against odds. Second, added appeal. are scenes of beauty and power on location all this has been done against a Technicolor All the cast is a delight. Dean Jagger’s sites that could only have been secured by background combining restfulness with career will be helped along, particularly front office assurance that the best was none sheer enchantment in such fashion as to pro- since he plays straight without the need of too good. Robert Carson’s screenplay and voke a flood of adjectives. And, third, Brigham Young characteristics. Jagger can- dialogue tells its story straightforwardly, fourth, and fifth, Fritz is Lang a director of not only act, but his voice has a peculiarly and allows its characters to talk intelligently. ace quality, the cast is great, the scripting ingratiating charm on the sound track. Timing is such that even when Scott says intelligent, and there is a musical back- Robert Young, with one of those tough roles the trite "Hands up!”—or something akin ground that is an aid. not a detriment. with which he should be familiar by now to that— it doesn’t seem hokey. In common with many people, your re- the boy who gets only half the sympathy Darryl Zanuck and his associate Harry viewer has been wondering where the ro- turns in his customary fine job. And this Joe Brown can feel very happy. "Western mance could be found in a story of "Western Virginia Gilmore youngster has now Union” will sell car-loads of tickets. Union.” Well, the romance is the same clinched the fact that she is many miles Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Let that have always we had, of men who brave ahead of being just an accident. We have them know that "Western Union” doesn’t the wilds and the Indians, only this time opportunities seen her in parts with better mean a commercial story—the first comers their task is not merely driving covered wag- than could naturally be expected for the will start the ball rolling into a ticket aval- ons, but also that of stringing talking wires. heroine in a he-man yarn such as this, but anche. Previewed January 30th. This becomes a new story when we see it she hasn’t failed us yet. through the eyes of Dean Jagger, as Edward Support has been well-selected, from some WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: Creighton, who pioneered the hard-won of our best. There is John Carradine, for progress of the singing wires, and those who a moment or two; we have Slim Summerville REPORTER: "If audiences like good, solid, tense entertainment, crowded with logical action aided him or sought to harass him. for comedy; Barton McLane in a corking and painted on a Western screen, this show fills is characterization; and even the Indians Randolph Scott his principal aide, but heavy the bill and overflows the cup.” Scott lives under a cloud of previous out- are real and good, Chief Thundercloud
VARIETY : "A burly action picture, and very lawry. Robert Young is the tenderfoot, remember "Geronimo” — getting a fine dudish in its Technicolor trappings, is 'Western Harvard-labelled, who comes through when scene. There’s Chief Big Tree, so real as Union.’ It has about everything in the line of the chips are flying. to be a relief from most screen Indians. down and the bullets are general entertainment to make it one of 20th Fox’s Virginia Gilmore is Jagger’s sister, a tele- Fritz Lang’s direction is in his "Fury” best bets of the season for both men and women.”
THE DIGEST IS THE FACT PAPER + OF THE INDUSTRY FEBRUARY 8, 1941 7 'Back Street' May Be Heavy For 1941 Diet
UNIVERSAL garet Sullavan handling Irene Dunne’s Carlson’s fine job will advance his career; he marquee chores. is the fellow you hope will win the girl. The Digest’s Box Office Estimate The city slicker comes to the small town. Bruce Manning, in his initial production 125 % This particular slicker happens to be Charles assignment at Universal, has also served as Boyer, who extends his overnight visit for collaborator on the screenplay. Despite his Producer __ . Bruce Manning Director Robert Stevenson a week or more when his eyes meet those dated subject, he has a money picture that Screenplay Bruce Manning, Felix Jackson of Margaret Sullavan. Miss Sullavan is a will start his producer record at Universal Based on novel by Fannie Hurst cocky miss of the town, a step-daughter, who off with a bang, and when he gets his teeth Stars Charles Boyer, Margaret Sullavan really seems to be getting along well with into such subjects as he wrote so often for Featured: Richard Carlson, Frank McHugh, Tim romance by association with Richard Carl- Deanna Durbin, you can expect even more Holt, Frank Jenks, Esther Dale, Samuel S. son, youngster with ideas about horseless noise. Hinds, Peggy Stuart, Nell O’Day, Kitty carriages. Director Robert Stevenson, who came here O’Neil, Nella Walker, Cecil Cunningham. Photographer William Daniels Miss Sullavan falls for Boyer, and he from England for an assignment with David Art Director Jack Otterson reciprocates, but the trouble is that the Selznick, which turned out to be a loan-out Time 89 minutes latter has a fiancee back somewhere in the to RKO for "Tom Brown’s School Days,” East. Even at that, he forgets the fiancee for handles his scenes very much on the The woman appeal inherent in any "other a few minutes, actually plans to marry Mar- "stagey” side—that is, each scene is a lifting woman” yarn, particularly one with the back- garet, but, darn it, the gal misses the boat. and lowering of the curtain, without full ground of "Back Street,” given excellent So the paddle wheels churn down the river consideration for motion picture pace. The production such as Bruce Manning has ac- while our heroine stands on the dock. result is a sense of heaviness, not entirely corded this new Universal version, will un- Years later they meet again, on a New necessary. doubtedly result in figures on the black side York street corner, in a snowstorm. The Aside from Frank McHugh’s top per- of the ledger for exhibitors playing the eventuality — Miss Sullavan becomes the formance, mention should be made of good picture. For, there is also the Boyer-Sullavan other woman, with a luxurious apartment, supporting jobs turned in by Frank Jenks value. and spoodles of furs. Because poor Charlie and Tim Holt. But the picture is a problem for 1941 had meanwhile become married, and was Jack Otterson’s art direction had to cover audience diets. It is slow-paced in motion, also a father, Boyer vouchsafes the question quite a span of years as the story unfolds, a bit bewildering in characterization, and a of getting a divorce from his lawfully and the results he achieved are aces. trifle on the hammy side every now and wedded spouse once, but nothing comes of Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Pretty then in direction. it. And even after he lets her down badly safe woman’s picture. If you double bill, However, the women who turn out for on one occasion and Miss Sullavan returns get a haywire comedy with it. If not, just the box office line to see how the wrong to the home town, with definite plans to sell those women who still remember the sort of women live and die, and who may marry the likeable auto genius, nothing hap- book, and are waiting to buy tickets again. like to point out to hubbies the things that pens. Because Boyer shows up. Previewed February 4th. befall the man who strays from the path, All of this puts quite a burden on Charles will probably again chuck their coin in. Boyer for the audience appeal of the picture, WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: This new version, while retaining the because it must depend on how the women underlying theme, is not quite the "Back palpitate over Mr. Boyer, on how many REPORTER: "The master craftsmanship which is evidenced in every Street” story that John Stahl produced and excuses the men will make for him and for foot of 'Back Street’ makes of it an absorbing, beautifully done film, with for Universal. So. aside from the Miss Sullavan. Both of the stars turn in directed deep human appeal.” values in the title and theme, it must be grand performances, with Frank McHugh considered pretty much as a new picture. close on their heels in a part that starts as VARIETY: "'Back Street,’ Fannie Hurst’s most widely read novel, comes to the screen in its sec- This time it is Charles Boyer in the origin- brisky comedy, but ends by giving this fine ond edition for full potential entertainment value al John Boles characterization, with Mar- actor meaty moments of seriousness. Richard and the assurance of box office riches.” 'You're the One' Good Audience Bet
PARAMOUNT hesitate to drag in many of the moth-eaten ing that praise. Telling the story wouldn’t The Digest’s Box Office Estimate gags. But, as Jerry Colonna puts it in one mean much, and listing the orchids would 90 % dialogue line topping a situation, "It’s old, be like using one paragraph to give the high- but it’s reliable.” lights of about six weeks of the old Palace Written and Produced by Gene Markey The picture has its box office values in Theatre of regretted Director — ..Ralph Murphy memory. Featured: Orrin Tucker, Bonnie Baker, Albert the radio following that goes hot for Orrin Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: A crazy Dekker, Jerry Colonna, Edward Everett Hor- Tucker’s music, for Bonnie Baker’s individ- collection of laugh hokum, whose box office Cornell, Walter Catlett, Don ton Lillian ualistic style, and for Jerry Colonna at last values you can best judge yourself by your Castle, Teddy Hart, Renie Riano, Eddie Con- getting some real footage. It takes on its knowledge. Not for critics, if have rad, Tom Dugan, Clarence Wilson, Mariska but you Aldrich, Charles Lane. added strength in the fact that the balance one of those "mass” audiences they’ll have Photographer Ted Tetzlaff of the cast has been hand-picked for veteran a heck of a good time. Previewed Jan. 29th. Time 81 Minutes troupers who know the job of getting laughs. WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: There isn’t much sense to the proceedings Its weakness is that the collection of this REPORTER: "Looking at Gene Markey’s 'You’re the One’ is like looking into Christmas in "You’re the One,” but there are plenty sort of talent practically forced Writer a stocking. It’s full of delightful surprises and you of laughs. isn’t heft to story in getting of the There much the Markey, the utmost out never know what’s coming next.” outline, but apparently Producer-Writer musickers and the comics, to confine him- VARIETY: "Followers of Bonnie Baker and Gene Markey and Director Ralph Murphy self to the slenderest of story outlines, just Orrin Tucker’s rhythms on the radio and records just decided they had a 1941 vaudeville sufficient to change scenes. But Ralph Mur- will like their favorites’ venture into a different show on their hands, and were satisfied to phy manages to hold it together, to give medium Bolstered by a streling melange of mad make it a fast-stepping bill, even if some- it pace, and who is worrying much about comedians, couple have been given a showmanly what disconnected. sense these days? film debut under the guidance of Gene Markey. The Baker-Tucker fans should form a ready-made And in search of anything and everything We won’t attempt to tell the story, or to theatre audience to which the followers of Jerry to tickle the risibilities, they didn’t even give due praise to all the cast credits deserv- Colonna will be added.” 8 BOX OFFICE DIGEST 'Road Show' Gets Lot of Slapstick Laughs
HAL ROACH-UA tion that the critics would like in a 1941 lands him in a home for mental patients. The Digest’s Box Office Estimate picture. There he meets Menjou. Menjou’s part 85% However, despite the fact that everything is three quarters Menjou, one quarter the Producer-Director Hal Roach is pretty much according to the patterned hammy, tongue-in-cheek, John Barrymore, Belgrade, Langdon, Screenplay Arnold Harry book in comedy construction, since every- but all the way a delight. And, if you pos- Mickell Novak thing is in fun, few of the cash customers sess the experienced imagination of a vete- Based on Novel by Eric Hatch Featured: Adolphe Menjou, Carole Landis, John are apt to complain about the fact that the ran exhibitor, you know what things can Hubbard, Charles Butterworth, George E. picture’s construction is really that of a happen when John Hubbard gets into a nut Stone, Patsy Kelly, Willie Best, Margaret series of shorts. house with a companion such as Menjou. Roach, Polly Ann Young, Edward Norris, The story is on the screwball side. It pro- Maybe it could have been a better picture, Marjorie Woodworth, Florence Bates, the in a Charioteers. vides a romp for Adolphe Menjou, with the possibilities, but it will sell a lot of Photographer Norbert Brodine meaty role that he takes into both his hands. enjoyment as it is. Time 85 Minutes Also Roach has added a cast that knows its Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: A bit wild and wooly near-slapstick fun. Just too long for its values, and not a critic’s There is a lot of good fun in "Road listen to the better known names: Patsy picture. But the package encloses a lot of Show.” and it probably will mean little or Kelly, Charles Butterworth, George E. laughs. Previewed Feb. 5th. nothing one way or another to cash audience Stone, Willie Best, and then add on that desires to report that it is they are all experienced in the good old loosely con- WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: structed, and the laughs rather more spas- broad "make-em-laugh” technique. technical standpoint modic than continuous. The important point For straight purposes there is the person- REPORTER: "From a almost everything is the matter with 'Road Show,’ is that the laughs are there. able team of Carole Landis and John Hub- yet for approximately two-thirds of its length, Hal Roach directed this one himself, with bard, who satisfy, without having any op- there is no denying that it contains a lot of slap- production assistance from Gordon Douglas portunity to do more than that. happy if unsmooth, entertainment, with a copious and Hal Roach, Jr. Producer Roach draws The story premise of "Road Show” is as quantity of laughs.” from his years of success in delivering screwbally as the things that follow in its VARIETY : "Here is such a slather of slap- laughs to provide individual sequences that celluloid telling. Hubbard, on the way to stick farce as the screen has dished out but seldom are sure fire; Director Roach develops the the altar for the hitching rite, and realizing since the old neo-Sennett days and the heyday of Hal Roach’s brand of filmsillycals. It is screwball sequences to many moments of top fun. But that the gal is just a gold-digger after his from the first turn of the camera, and keeps up puts an insanity act to escape the somewhere between Producer Roach and money, on the pace most of the way to spell joyous and wel- Director Roach there wasn’t that coordina- bridle. But the trouble is that this act also come entertainment for the mob.”
'Buck Private' Timely Universal Comedy
UNIVERSAL up by allowing the story and the players to We have talked about Abbott and Cos- go the limit in search of hilarity. There are tello and told you our definte opinion that The Digest’s Box Office Estimate moments when it does not make sense, but they are picture bets who should be held 85% who cares about sense if you are too busy for the screen. But the picture also gives laughing. vocal moments from the radio-wise And- Associate Producer Alex Gottlieb rews Sisters, in Director Arthur Lubin who are spots for top warb- The stars sockeroo value in selling a Original Screenplay Arthur T. Horman ling. scene, the theme, are both a break for Di- Featured: Lee Bowman, Alan Curtis, Bud Abbott, The story? Oh, well, you know the one Lou Costello, Andrew Sisters, Jane Frazee, rector Arthur Lubin, who has been knocking about the is you Nat Pendelton, Samuel S. Hinds, Harry at that door to the "A” department basing boy who drafted. Didn’t Strang, Nella Walker, Elliott, Shemp Leonard his case on so many limited "B” pictures see it in nineteen something-or-other? The Howard, Mike Frankovitch, Dora Clemant. that did pretty well, and the job he has Photographer Milton Krasner only differences are the people who do the open. Art Director Jack Otterson turned in will keep the door telling. Time 84 Minutes
Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Not a Universal beat the gun on this picture super-A, but we think it is hot for mass audi- about the problems of your boys and mine ALL MAJOR FEATURES ences. Previewed Jan. 28th. who are going into this and that connected RELEASED IN 1941 with defense, and they did it in a clever ....RKO.... .140 manner. The picture, making no attempt to This Thins; Called Love COL .. .132 High Sierra ...WAR... 115 WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: be an epic, but just sitting down in mess- Flight Command MOM 113 Ft ...112 Hudson’s Bay .... >X.. . hall with the boys in the army, sold REPORTER: "With 'Buck Privates,’ Universal can be Cheers for Miss Bishop CA. 105 for plenty of money. Son of Monte Cristo UA...... 100 fires a roaring salvo of sock entertainment that is Victory ..._ - PAR ... 92 It coast. also establishes the fact that the screen Road Show - ... 83 going to have them laughing from coast to Three on a Honeymoon ...WAR...... 82 should not lose Abbott and Costello. Vete- At the same time it is tinged with just enough of Maisie Was a Lady ...MOM...... 82 rans of the show business will tell you that Ellery Queen, Master Detective COL...... 82 the patriotic flavor to stir the pulses. On both Six Lessons from Madame LaZonga UNIV...... 80 they Its is riotous. have many routines that are standard Texas Rangers Ride Again PAR ... 78 counts it is a real winner. comedy Life With Henry PAR ... 75 favorites—but who is going to answer an Its zest and pace are terrific, and it has captured Invisible Woman ..UNIV...... 74 audience that still gets close to the hysteric .. RKO...... 73 completely the spirit of the army camps and de- Where Did You Get That Girl UNIV. ... 72 point over their handling of those routines. Lucky Devils UNIV...... 72 fense-minded America.”
Phantom Submarine ... COL...... 72 Universal beat the starting gate on the She Couldn’t Say No ..WAR ... 70 'Buck conscriptee subject, so let’s see what they Michael Shayne, Private Detective ....FOX...... 70 VARIETY: "Universal has a winner in Barnyard Follies .. REP ... 69 all, they de- Privates,’ first of the crop of pictures dealing light- did with their subject. First of Bowery Bov - . REP...... 68
Her First Romance MONO...... 66 cided that the customers did not want to ly or seriously with Uncle Sam’s rookie draftees. Pride of the Bowery MONO...... 63 take this conscription problem too seriously. The Old Swimming Hole MONO .... 60 It has vim and vigor, swing and sing and boogie- That was a good idea. So they followed it woogie beat.” FEBRUARY 8, 1941 9 'The Mad Doctor' Goes Pretty Mad
PARAMOUNT chew up the scenery. There are high personality to the reporter’s role. In the moments, especially an effective opening support, top performance comes from Mar- The Digest’s Box Office Estimate 80 % reel or so, but in endeavoring to go all-out tin Kosleck, who will be remembered for for horror and bang away at its macabre the talked-of Doctor Goebbels characteriza- points, the ninety minutes of its running tion in "Confessions of a Nazi Spy.” Kosleck Producer George Arthur Director Tim Whelan become trying on patience. is a real actor, and should be seen more Screenplay Howard J. Green Don’t book it if your audiences are not often. Ellen Drew. John Howard Stars ... Basil Rathbone, prepared to suffer. For the Rathbone role Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: A sort Featured: Barbara Allen, Ralph Morgan, Martin is that of a mad psychiatrist, who blends of horror hash. Previewed Feb. 4th. Kosleck, Kitty Kelly, Hugh O’Connell. Photographer Ted Tetzlaff frequent murder with his moonings profes- Time 90 Minutes sionally. Rathbone’s trick is to marry women WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: " They handed Tim Whelan, who has such with money, then dispose of them by means REPORTER: 'The Mad Doctor’ is sock horror melodrama, made one of the top efforts of its type excellent credits on his list as the Charles that bring no suspicion his way. Psychiatry by the beautifully imaginative direction of Tim Laughton, "Sidewalks of London,” a tough is the means by which he entices his victims. Whelan and the stunning performance of Basil assignment on this one. He has made the It’s an easy life, if you like murder as Rathbone.” utmost of the good things in his material, Rathbone does. But he brings on his doom VARIETY: "Horror fans are going to find while not quite able to overcome the weak- when he selects Ellen Drew for the next 'The Mad Doctor’ to their liking. How other ticket nesses. victim, and that choice brings in John How- buyers will greet the opus is problematical. It Chief weakness is a lengthy and wander- ard, reporter, who unravels the killer’s past. should play out satisfactorily in general situations. Its long running time, 90 minutes, will ob- ing story, which is not at all helped by the Ellen Drew struggles with a part that gives draw jections although in a large part necessary to give fact that its central character gives Basil her none the best of it, while John Howard the proper growing tension to the story without Rathbone an eagerly seized opportunity to can do no more than contribute his likeable leaving loopholes.”
'Secret Evidence' Good Low Budget lob
PRODUCERS The story is one of those "shadow of the WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: past” things, this time Marjorie Reynolds The Digest’s Box Office Estimate REPORTER: "Well-drawn and nicely balanced being the victim. Just after she has become 65 characterizations, unusual in this type of melo- % engaged to a newly appointed assistant dis- drama. combined with skillfully handled produc- trict attorney, back from the past comes a tion and competent direction, give to 'Secret Evi- Producer —— E. B. Derr released convict, former fiance, and with a dence’ a quality which lifts it well above its antici- hold over her because of knowledge of her Associate Producer Paul Page pated bracket.” brother’s complicity in the crimes that sent Director William Nigh him to prison. VARIETY: "Exhibitors will have a time mak- Kline Screenplay — Brenda ing 'Secret Evidence’ pay out. Whatever worth is It is an interesting basis for a story, and Bennett given feature by some hard trouping of a few cast Original Story Edward the development of it has been handled to members is smothered under such corny writing extract full values in suspense. Featured: Marjorie Reynolds, Charles Quigley, and direction that the results brought alternate Ward McTaggart, Kenneth Harlan, Donald Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: good applaute and laughs, but in the spots, from Curtis, Howard Masters, Bob White, Kitty A wrong McHugh, Bud Buster, Charles Phipps, Doro- bet in its price range. Previewed Feb. 2nd. the preview audience.” thy Vaughan, Boyd Irwin.
Photographer Arthur Martinelli
Time 63 Minutes
In "Secret Evidence,” E. B. Derr has de- livered a picture in the low-budget group that gives evidence of the same instinctive touch in casting and story handling that he used to show in the top money field. It will
be remembered that it was the Derr regime at Pathe that gave us Ann Harding in "Holiday,” among other hits, and if mem- ory serves, it was also Derr who brought Clark Gable to the screen in a picture called "Painted Desert.”
"Secret Evidence” is an unpretentious melodrama, chiefly enjoyable because of its cast, and a closely knit story that maintains intelligent suspense.
Marjorie Reynolds carries the burden of the action, and turns in a performance clear- ly indicating that she is worthy of more fre- quent opportunities. There is a newcomer, TWO GUESTS 'W ONE PRICE Ward McTaggart, playing a soft-spoken racketeer, who will bear watching. Charles Quigley capably rounds out the top spots. THE HONOR
It is gratifying to note the business being established by "High Sierra” throughout the nation. My sincere thanks to all those with whom I was associated in its production.
—Mark Hellinger.
"High A WARNER BRO tox WINNER
enacted
Coming: "STRAWBERRY BLONDE”
Management SAM JAFFE, INC.
:hers picture 5=5 Editor’s Not**: This page, which will be a weekly feature, is a supplement to the service delivered by our statistical publications, BOX OFFICE ANNUAL, and THE MID-YEAR SUMMARIES. ... It naturally does not give the complete coverage of the field that those publications do, since there are many producers,
directors, players, etc., whose best pictures may be coming up later in the year. . . .
Producers and Directors Associate Producers Pictures % Jack; Conway 3 Pictures % .12 232 John Ford 1 178 Sam Zimbalist 1 ..232 King Vidor .2.. 146 1 .202 William H. Pine Alfred Hitchcock . 2 . .146 Joseph Mankiewicz 2 .156 Michael Curtiz 3. ..144 Lou Edelman .... 1 153 George Cukor . 2 . ..141 Leo McCarey ...... 1 .143 Rouben Mamoulian . 1 . .138 1 .138 Gottfried Reinhardt . William Seiter .1 _137 Laurence Weingarten — 2 136 Irving ... Cummings 2 . ..132 Hunt Stromberg 3 127 Victor Schertzinger .2 131 Arthur Freed — 2 127 Mervyn LeRoy . 1 . 130 Bob Fellows .... 4 124 Ludwig Berger . 1 . 124 2 123 William Wyler .2 123 Nunnally Johnson 3 120 Frank Borzage 2 121 William Cagney 1 ..1 19 Mitchell Leisen .1 121 3 .115 W. S. Van Dyke 3 120 David Lewis 1 -114 Bob Leonard .2 120 Sidney Franklin . 2 113 Sidney Lanfield 1 119 B. P. Schulberg ..... 1 .. ..113 William Keighley .4 118 George Haight 1 112 Garson Kanin 2 117 Lester Cowan 1 .112 Henry Koster 1 115 Harlan Thompson 2 .1 10 Walter Lang .2...... 114 Kenneth Macgowan ..... 5 .110 Clarence Brown 1 .... 113 Robert Lord 3 .109 Busby Berkeley .2 112 Harry Joe Brown 4 .108 Lewis Milestone .1 112 Joseph Pasternak 4... 108 Henry Hathaway .2 111 Jack Skirball — . 1 .107 Henry King .109 . ... 4 107 George Marshall ...109 Jules Levey 1 .106 Michael Powell 2 109 ...... 4 105 Anatole Litvak 4 ... 108 Victor Saville 2 103 Alexander Hall 2 108 Bill Perlberg 1 102 Fritz Lang 1 .....107 Milton Bren . ... 1 101 Norman Taurog .3 107 H. C. Potter ..1... 105 Edward Ludwig Producer-Directors .. 1 103 Raoul Walsh . 2 102 Pictures % Tim Whelan ..2 ...... 102 ] 202 George Seitz ...... 3 100 Charles Chaplin - ...... 1 184
.... 1 ... .135 Mark Sandrich — ...2 133 Howard Hawks 1 126 William Seiter ...... 1 .113 Actors Wesley Ruggles 2 112 Gregory La Cava 1 .112 Pictures % ... 1 107 Charles Chaplin ... 1 .... 184 David Butler 2 _. 101 Clark Gable 3 ... 166 1 .101 Spencer Tracy 4 165 Gary Cooper 2 160 Errol Flynn 3_— .....147 William Actresses Powell 1 • . 141
Claudette Colbert 2 177 Charles Boyer 1 . 140
Irene Dunne 1 .143 Mickey Rooney 3 139
Bette Davis 2 .134 Cary Grant .... 4 139
Judy Garland „ 3 133 Jack Benny . 2 133
Madeleine Carroll .... . 3 132 Bob Hope 2 .... 132
Norma Shearer 1 130 James Cagney 3 ... 129 Myrna Loy 2 130 Nelson Eddy 2 .... .127 Alice Faye ...... 3 129 lames Stewart 4 126
Deanna Durbin ...... „ 2 126 Laurence Olivier 2 1 24 Jeanette MacDonald .... 2 126 Robert Taylor 2 ...... 123 Olivia de Havilland ... 2 122 Bing Crosby 3 ...... 120 Hedy Lamarr 2 120 Tyrone Power 3 ...... 120 loan Crawford ... 2 118 Den Ameche . - 4 — 118
Paulette Goddard . 2 115 Henry Fonda 2 -.110
Eleanor Powell 1 .115 Fred Astaire 2 - -110 Rosalind Russell 2 114 George Raft 2 108
Dorothy Lamour 5 113 Allan Jones 1 106 Jean Arthur 2 .112 Joel McCrea 3 106 Ginger Rogers 2 112 Fredric March .. 1 ...... 105
Mae West 1 - 112 Pat O'Brien .8 ...... 103 Carole Lombard 2 107 Kay Kyser 1 — 102 Loretta Young 2 .107 Edward G. Robinson 3 ...101 I hanhs to the showmen throughout the country
who have joined the newspaper and trade critics
in their enthusiastic approval of
Now in Fourth Weefc at Four Star Theatre os ngeles ; L A
Booked fnto /Vlusic IH[all, Mew ^ork City, for A/I arch A ly appreciation to the press and every=
one connec ted with the production
"CHEERS FOR MISS BISHOP”
Z/au (f^ ’uroiM
Management NOLL GURNEY
Now in Fourth Week, Four Star Theatre, Los Angeles
'Cheers for Miss Bishop'
A RICHARD ROWLAND PRODUCTION RELEASED THRU UNITED ARTISTS axtfia J^cott
plays ELLA BISHOP
Management NOLL GURNEY
'Cheers for Miss Bishop' A RICHARD ROWLAND PRODUCTION RELEASED THRU UNITED ARTISTS « . :
o 8 oo'
W C0 1940
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M M i i ! i i I i i i MM od^ Jdx ‘:T3 i : : : 1 i !i s « i is? i 6m« : ilf S « >» Mini jfc 03 • O u rt g fco X O 4J 2 ^ ~ p u «« 2^Id g'JCh C2 —4) £ >4 u •o 4> 3 cc Q .£ ^ > iu X = . u 5 41 s a —X m . o g„2 o 4) a 41 41 o 4Jf_^ 55 .£(j£- C p 03 _. „ 3 5 jj CCQ 1 C r- a CC/3 ^ S^Si-x-aa-KcJ -.5^ u u 03 c 4!>° THE MONSTER AND THE GIRL tiality than the parts he is getting in some for the director, the result comes out as one PARAMOUNT of these concocted off-the-cuffs. of the "no holds barred,” let 'em laugh, WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: jobs. does The Digest’s Box Office Estimate REPORTER: "'Robin Hood of the Pecos’ A good bet in the price bracket quoted to not measure up to its predecessors is due to its 70 % you. It will send a lot of them out chuckling flimsy story content and that the title role gives Director Stuart Heisler Rogers far too little opportunity to display his on the nights when you have been worrying Original Screenplay Stuart Anthony talents.” about how the percentage picture at the top Featured: Ellen Drew, Robert Paige, Paul Lukas, " VARIETY : 'Robin Hood of the Pecos’ can’t Joseph Calleia, Onslow Stevens, George Zuc- would satisfy. be classed up among the better Roy Rogers ve- co, Rod Cameron, Phillip Terry, Marc Law- hicles but will satisfy the Saturday matinee kid rence, Gerald Mohr, Tom Dugan, Willard WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: audiences and other western fans who aren’t too Robertson, Minor Watson, George F. Meader, critical of story material. Ample riding and shoot- REPORTER: "Of all the zany comedies in Cliff Edwards, Emma Dunn, "Skipper.” ing help to compensate for some dull sequences which Hugh Herbert has appeared, this is the Photographer Victor Milner that slow down the movement.” zaniest and just about the most hilarious. In it, Time Minutes 64 Herbert uses his usual screwball characterization as the 'sane’ foundation from which he reaches Paramount did not aim any higher than out trying to pretend he is crazy.” the title of this one, and they just about NOBODY’S CHILDREN VARIETY: "'Meet the Chump’ probably will made that grade. If your circuit includes COLUMBIA rate as the best Hugh Herbert starrer yet to come one of those houses where they go hook, off the Universal lot and rolls un a high score for The Digest’s Box Office Estimate line and sinker—plus the war tax—for titles zaney comedy that is practically guaranteed to 65 % shell such as "Monster and the Girl,” you will crack the of any sour puss.” do business. And probably satisfy them. Producer Jack Fier Director Charles Barton But don’t give it to the patrons who ex- Screenplay Doris Malloy pect a touch or two of intelligence their in Featured: Walter White, Edith Fellows, Lois Wil- entertainment unless you are ready to meet son, Billy Lee, Georgia Caine, Janet Chap- the complaints at the door, and to accept man, Lillian West, Ben Taggert, Mary Gor- PETTICOAT POLITICS the loss of some business for your next don, Dorothy Adams. REPUBLIC Photographer Benjamin Kline week’s show while they recover. Time 63 Minutes The Digest’s Box Office Estimate There’s everything in it for a Welsh rare- "Nobody’s Children” is just one of those 65 % bit nightmare from gorillas, to gangsters, things. Even at a low budget it has been to eccentric science that toys with the ape Associate Producer Robert C. North produced sufficiently well to serve its pur- and human brains, right on to an electro- Director Erie C. Kenton pose, when you are prepared for audiences cution. Orig'nal Screenplay Edward Adamson, that wish to suffer and thrill with the plight Taylor Caven Red meat, but exceedingly on the raw Featured: Roscoe Karns. of orphans. It has an exploitation angle in Ruth Donnelly, Spencer side. Charters. George Ernest, Lois Ranson. Polly the fact that it is based on a radio feature Moran. Alan Ladd, Teff Corey. Harry Woods, WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: that people tell us is very popular. Paul Hurst, " Claire Carleton, Pierre Watkin, REPORTER: 'The Monster and the Girl,’ Director Barton knows his children and Charlie Moore. which Paramount filmed as 'D.O.A.,’ is wildly gets the best from them. It is not good en- fantastic, utterly unbelievable, and, once in a Photographer Jack Marta audiences an- while, roughly overboard on theatrics. And yet, tertainment unless you have Time by virtue of the fact that Director Stuart Heisler xious to weep. 66 Minutes is one of the most superb story-tellers working in FELLOWS SAID: pictures—which he first showed in 'The Biscuit WHAT THE OTHER The poorman’s Hardy family discards Eater’ and proves here—'The Monster the REPORTER: "The picture won’t have audi- and legitimacy in of its this one, and the Higgins Girl’ is never dull, never boring or tiresome.” ences knocking down doors to see it because enterta’nment values, but those that do see it will group, now without the Gleasons, just goes VARIETY: "In its class : 'The Monster and the g ve its h'ect matter considerable thought.” for the laughs at any and all cost. It’s a Girl’ is a chiller-diller that will send fans of goose- senimental tale, not VARIETY: "A simple, good number in the series for audiences pimplv melodrama from the theatres amply sat- too well done but amply serving its purpose.” isfied.” none too critical, but anxious to get a laugh for their ticket money. Yarn which has been directed very much ROBIN HOOD OF THE PECOS MEET THE CHUMP on the broad side, and played with aban- REPUBLIC UNIVERSAL don, has Roscoe Karns, the new Higgins family head, kidded into running for mayor, The Digest’s Box Office Estimate The Digest’s Box Office Estimate with his opposition a choice collection of 70 % 65 % mugs. Ruth Donnelly, as his wife, and good Associate Producer-Director Joseph Kane Associate Producer Ken Goldsmith old reliable Spencer Charters, highlight Screenplay Olive Cooper Director Edward CFne the support. Original Story Hal Long Screenplay Alex Gottlieb Star Original Story Hal Hudson. Otis Garrett Roy Rogers WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: Featured: George Hayes, Marjorie Reynolds, Cy Star Hugh Herbert Featured: Lewis Howard, Jeanne Kelly, Anne Kendall, Leigh Whipper, Sally Payne, Eddie VARIETY: "Second in the new series of Hig- Acuff. Nagel, Kathryn Adams, Shemo Howard, Robert Strange, William Haade, Jay gins Familv comedies at Republic, 'Petticoat Poli- Novello. Richard Lane, Andrew Tombes, Hobart Cav- tics’ sets a laugh-pace that will be hard to match anaugh, Charles Halton, Martin Spellman, Photographer Jack Marta in future features of this group. Geared in a’I Ed Gargan. Time 5 Minutes departments to bring full entertainment values Photographer Elwood Bredell fo the fami'y trade, picture speds through its 66 Art Director Jack Otterson "Robin Hood of the Pecos” is a routine minutes without a letdown and is just what the Time 59 Minutes job in the Roy Rogers series. It will not exhibitor needs for the Saturday night trade to bolster claiming to a more pretentious helo to increased popularity, but neither The same week that previewed "Road product quality.” will it damage. The kids at the Saturday Show” in which the hero pretended to be will difficult to recognize matinees will probably take it, while know- crazy to escape the marital knot, also REPORTER: "It be 'Petticoat Politics’ as one of Republic’s Higgins ing that their hero will give them a more brought "Meet the Chump,” which rests its Family series, which has built itself through honest next time fortunes Herbert attempting the tightly knit adventure yarn the on Hugh family audience appeal—and bright comedv. This out. same act. And since the combination is one has the comedy, but it is of such ancient vin- Rogers is a better actor and screen poten- Herbert for the screwball, and Eddie Cline tage that it has long since become vinegar. r NeujL lfosiJz jbailtf New-l \ \ 7 7 7 (Now in Second Week at Roxy) Atvdt Scuyi: IT’S A RIOT AT THE ROXY IF YOU’VE ALREADY USED UP YOUR Daily Variety: MOVIE ALLOWANCE Hollywood Reporter: FOR THE WEEK, BEG H. Bruce Humberstone gets himself a This is the outstanding directorial effort handsome director’s credit, stepping up BORROW OR STEAL to date by H. Bruce Humberstone, dem- amongst the top pilots of the biz for onstrating an exceptional mastery of pace, understanding of entertainment values FROM NEXT WEEK’S situation and characterization, equally and the skillful craftsmanship to get them BUDGET. BUT HOW- effective with both dramatic and comedy across with precision and unerring tempo. situations. It has all the ear-marks of a EVER YOU MANAGE winner. THE PRICE DON’T MISS IT —Kate Cameron Director H. Bruce Humberstone rates bravos from the New York reviewers who claim this is the best of all possible gangster satires. ED SULLIVAN ^itectedt by, Management BERG-ALLENBERG Agency, Inc. ** bro^ SURPR,st SENSATION I HELD OVER AT ROXY THEATRE, NEW YORK SMASH WEEK A TALLDARK^IAIOSONE U/Ltl Cesar ROMERO * Virginia GILMORE Milton BERLE * Charlotte GREENWOOD SHELDON LEONARD • FRANK JENKS • STANLEY CLEMENTS BARNETT PARKER Directed by H. BRUCE HUMBERSTONE Associate Producer Fred Kohlmar • Original Screen Play by Karl Tunberg and Darrell Ware Music and Lyrics by Leo Robin and Ralph Rainger • Dances Staged by Nicholas Castle and Geneva Sawyer /y. Now Playing— LOEW’S STATE and Grauman’s CHINESE LIBRARY MAR 5 1941 ^Ute &osx. Office JfiTifiM If Hid? ho Rep&Ul: ms AND SCIENCES 'Back Street' Tops Week's New Releases See Page 5 7i4e [icvx. O^ice DIGEST "HONOR BOX” The Biggest Grossing Release Of The Past Week This Week UNIVERSAL wins with 'BACK STREET' 128 Producer Director BRUCE MANNING ROBERT STEVENSON Screenplay BRUCE MANNING FELIX JACKSON Based on Novel by FANNIE HURST Photographer WILLIAM DANIELS Featured FRANK McHUGH TIM HOLT FRANK JENKS ESTHER DALE SAMUEL S. HINDS PEGGY STUART CHARLES BOYER MARGARET SULLAVAN RICHARD CARLSON ^ke feo#, Qjjjjice *7lie O+tJhjAbupL DIGEST ^iAiUtctuie 'WeeJzly PRODUCER-DIRECTORS An Editorial by ROBERT E. WELSH Box Office Digest has long been an advocate—maybe we decade if the 1920 desire and willingness of creators to share could call ourselves a pioneer—of producer-director deals as the the worries had been given a chance. solution for the worries of many major companies. And we know of a couple of companies that would have We do not say ALL of the companies, because where organ- saved themselves belly-ache pains in recent years if it had not ization has been built and executive direction is right, the com- been for some of those million dollar flops. panies have not been in such dire need. But in the past year or so the producer-director idea gained And we do not exactly mean ' producer-director” in the more solid ground. We like to feel that Box Office Digest had limited sense that it applies only to directors who do the two something to do with its progress. jobs, because there is a closely parallel situation with its good However, we will be compelled to start apologizing if some points where a writer teams with a director, or a capable current trends are not curbed. associate producer with a director, having discovered that they have the ability to work in a team. We can sum up the reasons for those possible apologies: But the time seems to be ripe to talk about some of the In the first place, if a top executive makes a producer-direc- aspects of this situation that will soon be making trouble. tor deal, after okaying the story basis—possibly also giving some mutual thought to the star values on a picture SHOULD 5jC HE ifc — THEN TAKE HIS HANDS OFF. And the condition that prompts this thought can be stated If he hasn’t the confidence to let the producer-director go very briefly: through after fundamentals have been agreed upon, he should Not all of the directors ambitious enough, and possessed of never have given that individual a producer-director deal in the sufficient self-confidence, to accept producer-director-partner- first place. ship deals are going to come out at the right end of the horn. Secondly: Do not let the distribution department horn in Which brings us back to a problem that must be twenty years so close to the deal that the producer-director finds himself need- old in this industry. ing a battery of lawyers, a couple of FBI men, and a crystal At least our memory tells us of the days in the 20’s when gazer to find out when he is going to make some money. more than one enterprising individual tried to put together Don’t scare those creators—or you will be right back where combinations of top flight directors willing to invest their own you started. money on their own ability. ^ ^ But always, there came the stumbling block: "We can’t The top pictures of today are being made by such a variety trust those fellows handling the distribution. We can’t believe of talents that it would be foolish to pin any particular label on their figures. We can’t out-talk their lawyers.” the word "Success.” * * * We have our top studio executives who give a great share We believe that attitude—and there was always evidence to by their willingness to get behind an IDEA, and the ability to be produced to prove that it was not entirely mistaken—cost assemble the right talent to place that idea on the screen. We the picture industry many years of progress, and quite a few have able associate producers who combine some of this knack dividends. with the ability to team up with Because the creators said: writers and directors. We have "Oh, shucks, it’s better to push DISTRIBUTORS’ BATTING AVERAGE FOR 1940 the producer-director set-up. the SALARY up, since I know % We have our stars with a defin- reads each what the check l. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ... 46 Releases 100 ite Fort Knox value at box __ 21 Releases 99 week, than to grapple with the 2. United Artists offices. 3. Twentieth Century-Fox ... 48 Releases .... 93 accountants who can’t even tell 4. Warners-First National ... 46 Releases ... 90 But all tendencies of the pic- 5. 42 Releases .... 87 me what it was six months Paramount ture business should be aiming 6. Universal 50 Releases 78 ago. at letting 7. RKO-Radio 48 Releases .... 78 those contributing There would have been few- 8. Columbia 41 Releases 75 factors work freely, share in 9. Republic .... 25 Releases .... 70 er million dollar flops made by 10. Monogram 26 Releases 65 profits, be willing to take losses directors who had half a heart from errors BUT NOT BE *Does not include "Gone With the Wind," 388%, sold under — in the job—because of execu- special contract, and produced by David Selznick. FORCED TO FIGHT tive interferences—in the last WITH EACH OTHER. — 4 BOX OFFICE DIGEST 'Ike. jLitfkUfUt&i: Covers the Picture News Front in a Quick Glance The preview situation in this hamlet its Signal Corps work through his labors in ner’s were trying to hear Rin-tin-tin bark . . . Few remember that and A1 sing . . known as Hollywood is getting into a mess sound reproduction Jolson on celluloid . When Highlighter the it was the Major who went through those the award was made the happiest man we . . . If your humble had idea correct, the switch from past methods birth-pain struggles with sound when War- saw in the room— if we except bashful was made to make previews more intelligent Nathan Levinson—was Darryl Zanuck, the chairman of the Academy’s technical and less ballyhoo . . . That is, to serve group, purpose for which the preview is intended Academy Winners and a chairman who takes his job seriously. a showing for the WORKING press . . . OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION And not for the autograph givers . . . But "Rebecca,” Selznick-United Artists. JOGGING HERE AND THERE now the companies seem to have decided on BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR James Stewart, "The Philadelphia Story, Metro. AROUND THE STUDIOS a new system which makes them low-budget, BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS . . . All of which is very fine B-junkets Ginger Rogers, "Kitty Foyle,” RKO. Guessing at a release date for "Citizen in that it gives a reporter a free meal and BEST PERFORMANCE BY SUPPORTING Kane” seems to be getting something like a couple—more or less—of cocktails, but it ACTOR forecasting the sunny California weather . . . Walter Brennan. "The Westerner,” Goldwyn- is taking on too much of the colorful hues None of the evidence yet shows that Hearst United Artists. last of a small time junket . . . One preview BEST PERFORMANCE BY SUPPORTING has softened, but there are now prospects week found a group of critics rousted from ACTRESS that all the talk slipping into syndicated Wrath, 20th- their seats, chosen as the result of experience Jane Darwell, "The Grapes of columns may build an advance sale for the in reviewing to make room for a couple of Fox. DIRECTORIAL picture . . . After that it will be up to RKO Governors and a score or more of the di- John Ford, "The Grapes of Wrath,” 20th-Fox. as a fifty-two week organization to worrv rector’s guests . . . Another found a house ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE STORY about the future . . . Interesting to hear to his audience Glazer manager forced to explain "Arise My Love,” Paramount. Benjamin that Monta Bell is in a producer’s berth that the preview would be delayed because and John S. Toddy. under the . . SCREENPLAY REGARDLESS OF SOURCE new Paramount set-up . the last bus had not arrived from the studio "The Philadelphia Story,” Metro. Donald Og- Monta’s record, dating well beyond the . . title of the pic- . And this after the main den Stewart. squawkie days, has plenty evidence of audi- ture had appeared on the screen, then sud- ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY ence knowledge . . . The colony is giving McGinty,” Paramount. Preston denly been choked by the projectionist . . . "The Great praise to Welford Beaton’s new "Spectator” Sturges. , What is the analysis of such happenings? . . . . . ART DIRECTION—Black-and-White . Just semi-professionally, as it were, we can’t the companies get down to the Why Cedric Gibbons, Paul Groesse, associate, "Pride want to add our own congratulations on the pre- straightforward WORKING PRESS and Prejudice, ” Metro. score of the fine typographic style, rhe gen- view system of Brand at Twentieth, ART DIRECTION—Color Harry eral effect which makes it easier than ever Vincent Korda, "Thief of Bagdad,” Korda- which satisfies all . . . Or is it because some to travel along with Welford’s pungent United Artists. the pic- of the top executives are afraid of SOUND RECORDING styl e—and agree or disagree just as you ture’s reviews unless they are dressed up in Douglas Shearer, "Strike Up the Band,” Metro. happen to feel. free lunch? . . . They’d better think it over CINEMATOGRAPHY—Black-and-White George Barnes, "Rebecca,” Selznick-United Art- . . . Because some of the reviews on which they place the most importance are written ists. CINEMATOGRAPHY—Color ODDS AND ENDS THAT deadlines . . . by the boys who have to meet George Perinal, "Thief of Bagdad," Korda- COME TO MIND And even ham and cheese on rye won’t United Artists. compensate for a missed deadline. ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE "Gone With the Wind” is now out in gen- Leigh Harline, Paul J. Smith, Ned Washington, eral release, and we can’t figure whether "Pinocchio,” Walt Disney. to include it in ACADEMY AWARDS GET USUAL BEST MUSIC SCORING the regular Digest figures, or just set it aside as a weekly box itself BUZZ OF TALK Alfred Newman, "Tin Pan Alley,” 20th-Fox. by BEST SONG . . . The popular price runs are just dupli- There is nothing new in stating the fact "When You Wish Upon a Star,” "Pinocchio,” cating the sensational totals of the bally- Walt Disney, by Ned Washington and Lee that the tovm is still expressing its opinions hooed road show engagements . . . Shrewd Harline. about the Academy Awards . . . That hap- FILM EDITING Leo McCarey has placed Todd Karns, twen- pens almost every year . . . But we have an Anne Bauchens, "North West Mounted Police,” ty year old son of Roscoe Karns under a idea that before another twelve months roll Paramount. personal contract, following his clicking in around there may be some action on a new SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENT an Andy Hary spot ... If we can add two 20th-Fox for 20th Century silenced camera de- method of classification . . . All awards and two. taking McCarey’s picture judge- veloped by Daniel Clark, Grover Laube given were earned, that is admitted unani- and Robert W. Stevens. ment and the pater Karns’ own acting ability, mously, but there is something screwy about SHORT SUBJECTS—Cartoon that sounds like a solid investment ... You "Milkv Way,” Metro. the classifications . . . Here is one of the won’t catch MGM nodding . . . They are One-Reel questions: "If 'Rebecca’ was the best pic- sitting in reserved seats on the Technicolor "Quicker’n a Wink,” Pete Smith Specialty, best ture, why was not Alfred Hitchcock the Metro. bandwagon, maybe as a bit of added insur- director?” . . . And then, "If John Ford Two-Reel Short ance against the new selling policies . . . was the best director, why was not 'Grapes 'Teddy the Rough Rider,” Warner Brothers, "Cimarron,” purchased from RKO. is the Gordon Hollingshead. of Wrath’ the best picture?” . . . Fortunately, latest of their subjects to be rumored for SPECIAL EFFECTS neither Ford nor Hitchcock are the type to the tints . . . With the possibility that it will Lawrence Butler, Jack Whitney, "Thief of Bag- worry about awards, nor the craftsmen to dad,” Korda-United Artists. marquee Clark Gable and Norma Shearer need them . . . To coin a phrase, ''their SPECIAL AWARDS . . . Mitchell Leisen is wrapped up in that work speaks for them.” ... It was a de- Col. Nathan Levinson. Special award for his Columbia big deal negotiated by Charlie outstanding service to the industry and the served award to give Major Nathan Levin- Feldman which brings Marlene Dietrich to Army during the past nine years. effort has . . . son recognition for the he con- Bob Hope. for his outstanding service to the the Gower Street lot Leisen is a pretty tributed technically to aid of the Army and film industry. safe insurance policy. FEBRUARY 28, 1941 5 •Ike. Bo*. 6$ce: 'Back Street' Gets Top Money; 'Blonde' Is Strong Of 8 New Releases in the Past Week, John Howard with Barbara Allen and Frank Morgan featured. Tim Whelan directed and 2 Ran Over 100%, 2 Came Through 8 New Releases Not in the Last Issue George Arthur produced under William LeBaron’s supervision. Okay, and 4 Were Very Weak. % Est. Back Street .... UNIV .. 128 . 125 Strawberry Blonde WAR 123 .135 Mad Doctor PAR 81 ... 80 FOX—2 Releases Flight from Destiny WAR 80 ... 85 Girl in the News FOX . 73 ... 75 Ride, Kelly, Ride 71 ... 70 FOX Twentieth Century-Fox’s first release this Devil’s Command COL . 70 ... 70 UNIVERSAL— 1 Release week is another English importation, "THE Phantom of Chinatown MONO 67. ... 65 GIRL IN THE NEWS.” 73%, which was Universal Pictures takes top honors this made by the same Fox London unit that week with the new release "BACK produced "Night Train.” Margaret Lock- STREET” which following its world premier wood, who is starred in this murder mys- a couple of weeks ago at Miami, Florida, important openings and is currently averag- tery melodrama, is about the only name in cities ' broke in about thirty important key ing 123 < which is practically 15% ahead the cast that is familiar to American audi- with excellent results, averaging 128' f . of Walsh’s big hit of last month "High ences. Carol Reed directed and Edward Sierra”—but of course there is a difference Most exhibitors will remember that Uni- Black produced. in the marquee values. versal filmed Fannie Hurst’s "BACK Twentieth Century-Fox’s second release STREET” some eight or nine years ago Rita Hayworth, who has gained consider- this week is another Sol Wurtzel program- co-starring Irene Dunne and John Boles. able attention in the past few months, por- mer, "RIDE, KELLY, RIDE,” 71%. Due This time Charles Boyer and Margaret trays the Strawberry Blonde and other fea- to the lack of marquee names this one can Sullavan are the tops in the famous love tured players include Alan Hale, Jack Car- best be spotted in as filler. Eugene Pallette, melodrama. The featured cast includes son and George Tobias. Marvin Stephens, Rita Quigley and Mary Richard Carlson, Frank McHugh. Tim Holt Bill Cagney acted as associate producer Healy head the featured cast. Norman and Frank Jenks. to Hal Wallis. Foster directed. Bruce Manning, who has been responsible several for so many of the past Deanna Durbin "STRAWBERRY BLONDE” had bad openings due to adverse weather con- scripts was recently elevated to producer- ditions and it is our opinion that future COLUMBIA— 1 Release ship by Universal and "BACK STREET” on bookings this picture will climb consider- is his first picture-—an excellent box office ably higher. Columbia’s only new release this week, attraction that will make money for both "THE DEVIL’S COMMAND,” 70%, is the studio and the exhibitor. Mr. Manning Warner’s second release this week is also wrote the screenplay, in collaboration f another of the Boris Karloff horror pictures. "FLIGHT FROM DESTINY,” 80 /j . This Felix which of course was with Jackson, rather unusual heavy melodrama, is what Amanda Duff and Richard Fisk are fea- based on Fannie Hurst’s best seller. might be called a perfect critic’s picture but tured. This insignificant programmer from not particularly box office for the masses Robert Stevenson, one of England’s fore- the Irving Briskin unit is passable for a due to its heavy theme and lack of ticket- most directors who recently came to Holly- filler or for a bank night booking if you selling names. wood, handled the fine direction on "BACK don’t play to too many kiddies. STREET.” The entire cast is superb, but the players do not have any particular box office value as they are all featured players instead of MONOGRAM—Also 1 Release WARNERS—2 Releases star names. Geraldine Fitzgerald and Thom- as Mitchell are co-featured and the support- Monogram’s new release this week "THE Warners-First National presents two new ing cast includes Jeffrey Lynn, James releases this week, the first an outstanding Stephenson and Mona Maris. Vincent Sher- PHANTOM IN CHINATOWN,” 67%, box office success, while the second is a man directed and Edmund Grainger was (which incidentally is the third murder the associate producer. much better than average programmer. melodrama in the week) is another program- Walsh’s "STRAWBERRY Raoul mer in the series featuring Keye Luke. BLONDE” co-starring Jimmy Cagney and Grant Withers and Lotus Long are in the Olivia de Havilland has had a number of PARAMOUNT— 1 Release cast. Capable Phil Rosen directed and Paul Malvern produced. Paramount’s only new release this week is another one of those horror pictures, 8 FEATURES "GOING DOWN "THE MAD DOCTOR,” which is just get- UP” Was Now ting by at an 80% average. Of course there 6 FEATURES "GOING High Sierra WAR . 115 112 are types of houses where they liked "Drac- Was Now Son of Monte Cristo ...... UA . 100 .. 95 ula” and "Frankenstein” in which this pic- You’re the One PAR . 90 „ 87 Kitty Foyle RKO 140.143 ture will probably better although Three on a Honeymoon WAR 85 80 do much Mr. and Mrs. Smith RKO 118 .123 it is South of Suez WAR 82 .. 80 not particularly good for the nabes as it Come Live With Me MGM .104 107 Remedy for Riches COL .. 72 .. 70 is a bit too heavy for the children. Maisie Was a Lady .. MGM ... 84 .... 86 San Francisco Docks UNIV .. 72 .. 70 Buck Privates UNIV 82 86 Drums of the Desert MONO 62 60 Basil Rathbone is starred and the roman- Escape to Glory COL 81 83 tic leads are portrayed by Ellen Drew and . 8 BOX OFFICE DIGEST 'Footsteps In the Dark' Presents New Errol Flynn WARNERS The Digest’s Box Office Estimate 110 % Executive Producer Hal Wallis Current Reviews We Es t. Associate Producer Robert Lord Director . Lloyd Bacon Foofsteps in the Dark WAR 110 - Wexley Screenplay Lester Cole, John Lady Eve PAR 105 From the Play by Lazio Fodor, Bernard Merivale, Jeffrey Dell A Girl, A Guy, and a Gob RKO 90 Stars Errol Flynn. Brenda Marshall Blondie Goes Latin COL 80 Featured: Ralph Bellamy. Alan Hale. Alien Jenkins, William Frawley, Lee Patrick, Lu- Melody for Three RKO 75 cile Watson, Roscoe Karns, Grant Mitchell, Flying Wild MONO 65 Maris Wrixon, Noel Madison, Jack LaRue, Turhan Bey. Photographer Ernie Haller Time 93 Minutes the second half of the picture up to the best even with Ernie Haller on the camera. Lloyd Bacon takes Errol Flynn over the early reels. The script goes a little too hay- Lucille Watson and Allen Jenkins top the comedy hurdles in ''Footsteps in the Dark.” wire thus putting the burden entirely on support, with Rosco Karns, Ralph Bellamy and merrily, too. It would seem to be a the director. and Jack La Rue getting good moments. picture which Flynn played with his tongue The yarn finds Flynn a full-fledged mem- Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Not a in his cheek, while Bacon used all th“ wiles ber of Society’s Who’s Who, with a pen- Flynn million dollar epic, but a good aud- of his long experience to be certain that not chant for dabbling in crime detection. Fie ience bet that his fans will welcome. Pre- a possible laugh was lost. actually writes detective stories, but must viewed Feb. 26th. let The general effect is that everybody seems lead a double life because he couldn’t WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: to be having a good time, and it is a safe his blue-blooded relatives know his shame. simple, very excellent spring- bet that audiences will too. Even if it is That’s a and REPORTER: "This is just about the most en- not a swashbuckling epic of the conventional board for a lot of fun. You don’t need us tertaining tongue-in-cheek mystery affair of the new order yet made. It is hilarious satire which Errol Flynn offerings. to tell you that murders start happening, takes all the sacred cows of the old-time film de- is in the "Thin that there are dumb cops involved, that "Footsteps in the Dark” tective varn formula and manhandles them un- Man” classification of mysteries, which puts Flynn is in continual hot water trying to lead mercifully via the laugh route.” the accent on the laughs, and doesn’t worry his double life while relatives ponder his VARIETY: "This is a farced murder mystery, any too much about the plot. As a matter eccentricities. which means it’s played for laughs instead of sus- has the role opposite of fact, they could have given Director Brenda Marshall pense. As such a whodunit, 'Footsteps in the Dark’ Bacon a little more strength in plot to hold Flynn, playing capably, but not looking her rings the bell it aims at.” 'Blondie Goes Latin'—With Song and Dance COLUMBIA Mummert, and capable Jonothan Hale as the fuss-budget boss. The Digest’s Box Office Estimate ALL MAJOR FEATURES A supporting cast somewhat above the 80% RELEASED IN 1941 grade of previous episodes adds to the values Robert Sparks Philadelphia Producer of "Blondie Goes Latin.” Ruth Terry and Story . MGM .181 Kitty hoyle Director ...... Frank R. Strayer R K< ). 143 Tito Guizar give value to the songs, Eddie This Thing Called Love COL...... i:o Screenplay Richard Flournoy, Karen DeWolf Back Street UNIV 128 Acuff is on for good comedy moments. Original Quinn Martin hand Strawberry Blonde WAR .123 Based on Comic Strip bv Chic Young Incidentally, Miss Singleton also does a Mr. and Mrs. Smith RKO .123 Flight Command ..MGM . .115 Stars Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Sims little vocalizing and dance stepping, and High Sierra WAR 112 Ruth Terry, Tito Guizar, Jonathan .... Featured: Hudson’s Bay FOX . 109 right well she does it. too. Hale, Danny Mummert, Irving Bacon, Janet Come Live With Me MGM .107 Cheers for Miss Bishop UA .105 Burston. Kirby Grant, Joseph King, Eddie The events of this chapter all happen Son of Monte Cristo ... UA. .. 95 Acuff, Daisy. because the boss invites Dagwood and Blon- Tall, Dark and Handsome FOX .. 90 You’re the One PAR .. 87 Photographer Henry Freulich die for a yachting vacation, and the trouble Victory PAR .. 87 Time 68 Minutes Maisie a ... starts when Dagwood fails to go ashore to Was Lady MGM ... .. 86 Buck Privates UNIV 86 close a business deal and must hide himself Mad Doctor PAR 81 They have backed up the standard and Three — on a Honevmoon WAR .. 80 here, there and everywhere about the yacht. Ellery popular gags of the Blondie series in Queen, Master Detective COL ... .. 80 — Six Lessons from . That’s skeleton enough, the rest is gags and Madame LaZonga UNIV . 80 I* light from Destiny Blondie Goes Latin” with song and dance. WAR . 80 music. Texas Rangers Ride Again .... PAR . 78 The result is a pretty good hour or so of Invisible Woman UNIV . 78 Suggestion: entertainment for those welcome customers Exhibitor’s Booking Top Road Show UA 76 Life With Henry quality for the series, with the music giving PAR . 75 we call of "the family audience.” Romance the Rio Grande FOX . 73 in . Girl the News . Producer Robert Sparks and Director it added appeal. Previewed Feb. 19th. FOX 73 Lucky Devils UNIV 72 Phantom Submarine COL . 72 Frank Strayer are in full stride now in the FELLOWS SAID: WHAT THE OTHER Holden Hoofs FOX . 72 handling of this series. They are not bash- Keeping Company MGM ... . 71 Ride. Kelly, REPORTER: "The film is better produced and Ride FOX... . 71 ful about using hoke, when hoke will get more expertly and expensively cast than any of Where Did You Get That Girl UNIV . 70 a laugh; and by this time they know their Convoy RKO . 70 its predecessors. It combines good story, action, She Couldn’t Say No WAR . 70 players, and the comic strip characters they Michael Shayne, excellent music—and good old corn.” Private Detective ...FOX . 70 Let’s Make .... . represent, so well that Music RKO 70 they seldom miss aim Land of Liberty VARIETY: "Followers of the screen adven- ..MGM . 70 when gunning for that laugh. The Case of the Black Parrot ..WAR . 70 tures of Chic Young’s Blondie, Dagwood, Baby Devil’s ... Command COL . 70 The cast is also happily at home, with Barnvard Dumpling and Daisy are in for some surprises. Follies REP . 69 Bowery Boy . Penny Singleton They will chuckle and roar at the familiar mis- REP .. 68 and Arthur Lake more in Saint Palm Springs RKO . 67 haps that befall the Bumpstead family, but whether and more welcome as assurance of a bushle- Phantom of Chinatown MONO 67 Her First they will like the mixing of the swell gags with Romance MONO . 66 basketful of screwy laughs. And, of course, Pride of the song and dance numbers which are allowed to run Bowery MONO . 63 The Old Swimming Hole MONO . 60 we still have Larry Simms and Daisy, Andy too long remains to be seen.” 9 FEBRUARY 28, 1941 Barbara Stanwyck Clicks in 'The Lady Eve' 105% through the ability of Barbara Stanwyck to way, but when you are playing with tinsel shock PARAMOUNT put over a role that could have so easily as thin as this, you inevitably get that fallen apart. That little gal is an actress for when the plot must round up to a semblance The Digest’s Box Office Estimate our money, any day, in light frothy comedy of reality and common sense. Paul Jones Producer or heavy drama. When you combine Stan- Miss Stanwyck and her father, Charles Written and Directed by Preston Sturges wyck with the Sturges particular quality of Coburn, are introduced as a pair of unique Screenplay Based on Story by Monckton Hoffe skill in finding Co- Stars Barbara Stanwyck, Henry Fonda topping a scene, or even his card sharks. She baits the suckers, and Featured: Charles Coburn, Eugene Pallette, Wil- a new approach to a gag sequence, you have burn reels them in. This is established and liam Demarest, Eric Blore, Melville Cooper, something. You would have had something then, lo and behold, Henry Fonda comes Janet Beecher, Robert Greig, Luis Alberni. better had the story had more strength. into view. He is the son of wealth, but girl Photographer Victor Milner Time 90 Minutes Of course, by now, you will like to hear shy. In no time Barbara has him eating out what the story is about. Well, stating it of her hand. Of course, the gal falls in love it is viewpoint profession, and The Paul Jones-Preston Sturges team has roughly, a Preston Sturges with the boy, forgets her farce should be. Comedy of reckoning when her come up with another entertaining picture, on what a bedroom then comes the day rules the waves for three quarters of the character is exposed. sparkling with the originalities in direction the lapse of time, and a new story that marked "The Great McGinty.” But Comes in which Barbara wins him back, largely we cannot go all the way with the critics because she so much resembles the girl he who consider it the best of the series. At fell in love with in the early reels. the same time we are compelled to back- Brief Beviews It is Barbara Stanwyck’s picture, and she track a bit to declare that you apparently to town with the role. It takes a couple cannot get this producer-director combina- goes UNDER TEXAS SKIES recognize after the tion together without finishing up on the of reels to Henry Fonda heavy epics he has been identified with, but right side of the entertainment ledger. (Republic) he is seen to swell advantage as a frustrated Chief trouble, if anything, with "The son of Midas. Charles Coburn stands out Lady Eve” is that it is a "contrived” story. An okay job in the action field, with Bob in support, with Eugene Pallete William Things happen, and characters act, just as Livingstone, Bob Steele, and Rufe Ravis, the Demarest, Eric Blore. and Melville Cooper, the man at the typewriter keys desires them Republic "Three Mesquitters” trio, provid- all good troupers and true, rounding out a to unfold. ing the action. You will not be surprised fine cast. But chief virtues are many—first, those by any originality in the plot, but neither Sturges touches in direction which are caus- will your audiences for this type of action Exhibtor’s Booking Suggestion: Good ing critics to toss off the phrase, "the entertainment be disappointed. The pro- audience, and a swell laugh bet to balance Lubitsch touch;” second a superb cast, ducers know their stuff in this field. with a more meller subject. Previewed Feb. topped by a Barbara Stanwyck performance 2th. that is a gem. As a matter of fact, we guess we must YOUNG BILL HICKOCK WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: come to the realization that, on its own, this (Republic) REPORTER: "Every male who ever stretched picture would be getting a blanket okay his neck to look after a shapely leg, every female from us. It must be the comparisons with Roy Rogers who should be getting a who ever baited a trap for a man, will delight "The Great McGinty” and "Christmas in chance at better things, carries this chapter in Preston Sturges’ 'The Lady Eve’—it may well become one of the big screen hits of the year.” July” that have us using the qualifying in his Republic history through to satisfac- words. And that isn’t entirely fair, though tory results. Screenplay and direction have VARIETY: "Maintaining his swift-won repute addition longer repute it may help to keep Mr. Sturges from been capably handled in the manner of for smart direction, in to as a screen writer, Preston Sturges in 'The Lady swallowing all the haphazard adjectives experienced concocters of horse opera thrills, Eve’ has mined some of the oldest entertainment tossed at his brow. and Rogers combines the heroics with en- values of stage and film to show how much pay "The Lady Eve” gains its greatest values tertaining melody. dirt there yet is left in these tailings.” 'Dead End Kids' in Timely Aviation Yarn MONOGRAM again. And this time in an aviation yarn rector William West made the most of his The Digest’s Box Office Estimate the timeliness of which should help business blushing budget. for Monogram exhibitors. 65% Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Juven- The producers and the players combined Producer Sam Katzman ile entertainment, fine for those matinees. in an entertaining job, too. It really seems Associate Producer Pete Mayer Previewed Feb. 24th. Director William West to be aimed at the Saturday matinee juven- Original Screenplay A1 Martin ile rooters, but such, has its balance of as WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: near-thrills and comedy to give plenty of Featured: Leo Gorcey, Bobby Jordan, Joan Bar- "Good direction and nice per- clay, Dave O’Brien, George Pembroke, Sun- satisfaction. REPORTER: formances, plus some amusing comedy, give the shine Sammy Morrison, David Gorcey, Don- It appears that most of the gang got jobs picture much-needed help, since the story itself ald Raines, Eugene Francis, Bobby Stone, in an aeroplane factor, but none of that hard is unconvincing, spotted with too many incredible Herbert Rawlinson, Dennis Moore, Forrest labor for Leo Gorcey. So what happens? situations suffers from dialog which is Taylor, Bob Hill. and much Well the toughies come upon evidence of weak and seemingly haphazard when it is not Photographer Fred Jackman, Jr. stilted forced.” sabotage. Well, that’s a different thing with or Time 63 Minutes Leo, he goes to work with the gang to ruin VARIETY: "'Flying Wild’ has a juvenile that dirty gang of spies. And the boys do flavor, in addition to the tough East Side Kids who carry majority of the story burden on stout We are no longer certain whether to call the job in typical rough and tumble Dead shoulders, and as such will furnish some hilarious them The Dead End Kids, The East Side End Kid fashion. entertainment for youthful audiences in the sub- Kids. or Just Tough Kids, but here they are Adult support is in good hands, and Di- sequent trade houses.” REBECCA Academy Awg/iA JjQSi the &e4t Ptoduxrfiost &j 1940 ll/iilt (f'icUctu&e ta tlte. rn.ake.nA, and the. uo-teAA 19 4 0 ACADEMY AWARD ^weniietlt Qe4i£u>ui-fyo4c, QlateJjulLf, AchwwleAcj&'l the Achievementi u Best Direction THE GRAPES OF WRATH” u For the Best Performance by a Supporting Player For the Best Musical Score "TIN PAN ALLEY” R&it ^ecitnlocd AcJ*teve*tve*it Blimpless Silent Camera DANIEL CLARK GROVER LAUBE CHARLES MILLER ROBERT STEVENS 194 0 ACADEMY AWARD RKO Radio- PictuA&i thanks the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on the Occasion of its Thirteenth Annual Awards .... a+ul GamyicUiAateA, for the Year’s Best Perforcance in 19 4 0 ACADEMY AWARD — FEBRUARY 28, 1941 13 'Girl, Gob and Guy' Has Plenty Laughs RKO-RADIO which he does not appear. Combining with two words when we report that he is known 90% Director Richard Wallace, he has put all as Coffee Cup, one of those do and dare fel- the years of his career and Wallace has lers who will do anything in a pinch. Lucille The Digest’s Box Office Estimates — many years too—into giving lessons to many is the girl who is semi-tied-up to him, but Harold Lloyd Producer budding producers on the timing, the milk- you—and Murphy—know all along that he Director Richard Wallace ing, the exhausting of a comedy situation. is too irresponsible to be a safe mate for Writers Frank Ryan, Bert Granet, Grover Jones Stars George Murphy, Lucille Ball The result of the combination of talents anyone. O’Brien is the solid romantic in- Featured: Edmond O’Brien, Henry Travers, Frank- is a picture that will give a ton size load of terest, winning out in the end. Cleveland, Kathleen lin Pangborn, George laughs, but which might have been better if Howard, Marguerite Chapman, Lloyd Corri- Producer Lloyd has insured his picture story structure had given it a faster opening, gan, Mady Correll, Frank McGlynn, Douglas with a corking supporting cast of troupers Nella Walker, Richard and built to a topper finish. Weaver, Frank Sully, who know their timing and their laughs. Lane, Irving Bacon, Rube Demarest. And one important result of the picture George Cleveland a character trouper who is the manner in which it establishes George will be grabbed some day from obscurity Gag-conscious to the n’th degree, "A Girl, Murphy as a comedian. Murphy’s role will just as Walter Brennan was, takes full ad- a Guy, and a Gob” winds up its alloted time do him a lot of good with the fans. Mebbe vantage of a fine opportunity. on the screen as a picture that will bring his home lot will realize that the boy has a some of those "out-loud” laughs back lot more on the ball than they have yet Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Critics to many a theater. It has sufficient situation extracted. may haggle about story strength, but the and gag moments of hilarity to make most The story is a skeleton triangle one, with mass customers will be happy with the customers forget that the story isn’t really so the emphasis on the laughs, which finds laughs. There are typical Lloyd sequences hot. George Murphy the gob, Lucille Ball the without Lloyd that rocked house at "A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob,” is Harold girl, and Edmund O’Brien the guy. Mur- — the Lloyd’s debut as a producer of pictures in phy’s characterization can best be told in the preview. Previewed Feb. 28th. 'Dr. Christian' Adds Music to His Methods STEPHENS-LANG-RKO tent performance as the healer of River’s who has become a prominent symphony The Digest’s Box Office Estimate End, whose problems are more often the conductor, and the youngster whose life 75% patching up of human worries than of problems are involved in this marital split. Producer William Stephens human maladies. The music accent is in the Dr. Christian heals all. , Erie Kenton Director C. introduction to the screen of thirteen year Erie Kenton turned in a fine job of direc- Original Screenplay Walter Ferris, Lee Loeb old Schuyler Standish, a really promising tion in mixing his story with the music to Star Jean Hersholt is the fact Featured: Fay Wray, Walter Woolf King, Schuy- prodigy. And that because of get full benefits. ler Standish, Patsy Lee Parsons. Maude that, in addition to his wizardry with the Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Adds Eburne, Astrid Allwyn, Irene Ryan, Donnie violin, the youngster also has personality new value to the series. Previewed Feb. 26th. Leon Tyler, Andrew Tombes, Irene Allen, and the ability to act without seeming to Shirley, Alexander Leftwich. WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: Photographer John Alton act. REPORTER: "With 'Melody for Three,’ Wil- Time ..... - 67 Minutes' Producers Stephens-Lang have backed the liam Stephens attains full stature as a topflight aver- star up with a supporting cast above producer. This oicture is much more than merely All our series pictures seem to be going age for the series. Walter Woolf King, Fay the best of the Dr. Christian series, which it is, by for musical additions in recent weeks, and Wray, and Astrid Allwyn get the best op- a considerable margin. It is well able to stand on its own feet, without benefit of series buildup, as Dr. Christian is not going to be the excep- portunities, with Maude Eburne carrying on delightful entertainment.” tion. In "Melody For Three” we get all the in her successful way as the medico’s house- top family audience values of the Dr. keeper. VARIETY: "As the latest in the 'Dr. Christian’ series turned out by Stephens-Lang for RKO re- Christian formula, plus a skillful blending The story has Dr. Christian patching up lease, 'Melody for Three’ offers excellent family of music. the tangled family affairs of a music teach- entertainment, spotted with good music, to qualify Jean Hersholt is on hand for his consis- er in River’s End, her estranged husband for supporting brackets in all situations.” FOR REVIEWS ^ THAT SAY ^ SOMETHING ^ « ©o © © Q ^ O W 02 Ul 'O , rr -O ro IN M eg oq CN) eg Ol CN1 r-! -3 m OO ^ ^ r, ^ n ^ n (N « M © ©^ y.xo J> 0 ^fc»K 0 X>c!K» © : C3 S >W V 3J z H S5 — c *rt © ^ >i> (S^ o >>Q i*|a£ l W ,„CQ - 2 o I- * c 6 » r- •*-* "0 V-« ‘U .5 * W 0~3 a > iJ'S «5 «j- § S ©> £ .: S S2.5JJ 3 ^ u - 2 2^ c 30 =^SO ss-a^w : aw? _JS ert nJ ”13 'u ?M- (Si 2*0 . 3O >. . c/> ; . 2 O ? u— <« u." o "otj >* I* 3«° ~ ofl : a 223 c « a# o C .. 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A WARNER BROS. PICTURE L I B R A R y MAR 14 1941 7/te feojc Ojfjfice ACM Of MOTION PICTURES ACTS /#] SCIENCES R&pxvUl: Fox 'Western Union' Hit of Week Jlie. &&x, O^ice DIGEST "HONOR BOX’’ The Biggest Grossing Release Of The Past Week This Week 20th CENTURY-FOX wins with 'WESTERN UNION' 130% Associate Producer Vice-Pres. in Charge of Production HARRY JOE BROWN Director DARRYL F. ZANCUK FRITZ LANG Screenplay ROBERT CARSON Photographers EDWARD CRONJAGER ALLEN M. DAVEY Featured JOHN CARRADINE ROBERT YOUNG SLIM SUMMERVILLE RANDOLPH SCOTT CHILL WILLS BARTON MacLANE RUSSEL HICKS VICTOR KILIAN MINOR WATSON GEORGE CHANDLER CHIEF BIG TREE CHIEF THUNDERCLOUD DICK RICH HARRY STRANG CHARLES MDDLETON ADDISON RICHARDS IRVING BACON DEAN JAGGER VIRGINIA GILMORE . < /<4e Qo-k Qjjjjice ^Ue ynAuAsbupl DIGEST ^idstuictiae 'ItJeeJzbf. GOOD NEWS An Editorial by ROBERT E. WELSH There are technical complications in the operation of the Then conditions became TOUGH. new "five in a block” method of selling pictures which still have So the men who know the industry, distribution, exhibition, some exhibitor groups complaining; there are new cost factors and production, went back to work. Business began to pick up. in selling which have distributors buying aspirin. It picked up too well for the good of the cause. But we feel, reporting from Hollywood, that the general The sellers discovered that they could hoist percentages on effect of the new set-up is such as to make it the best news that definite hits to unbelievable figures, and still, glory be, they exhibitors have had for many a season. could get rid of the junk by just making enough exhibitors take For the simple reason that it has producers on their toes as it by just compelling the exhibitor to buy tripe in order to get they never have been since the early wide open competitive days the caviar. of the industry. As if any picture should ever be conceived, made, and of- Nobody knows just how the method is going to work out, fered to an exhibitor without a sincere belief that it would make only experience can tell that, but everybody knows that it is money for him. But it was being done. going to be tough on the fellow who takes a chance on padding his program with cheaters. And that is GOOD NEWS to exhibitors. The times have changed. We are again back to a period * * * when operations are NOT too easy. Joe Schenck coined the oft-repeated phrase, "There is noth- The big boys are worried. Worry is good for them. And for ing the matter with this business that good pictures can’t cure.” the exhibitor. But as often as it has been repeated, and as platitudinous as You don’t have to read between the lines to sense the trend, it may become, it remains a fact. just read the odds and ends of single columned headlines. Watch The occasions when things have got bad in this industry have the announcements of new associate producer deals that almost been those times when things got TOO EASY for the pro- every studio is making, as they mend their fences. Notice the ducers. frequency of star-director-story deals. And the frequency of In our cradle days we were prosperous—but also highly announcements of pictures in Technicolor—just to add that competitive and always worried. The fast-thinker who could extra measure of showmanship insurance. make a 750 foot "Battle of Manila” subject and surprise the Not to mention the least—the gradually decreasing number customers with new thrills, got his reward. The fellow who of corn-husky B’s, and the increase in the number of moderate thought of a "Perils of Pauline” or a "Hazards of Helen” raked budget pictures which the reviewers find themselves describing the coin in faster than he could count it—same with exhibitors. as B-olus, or near-A’s. The pioneers who broke the ice for feature length pictures All of this sums up to the reason for our cheerful sermon with the original Famous Players gambled on their courage, but this morning. made their fortunes. And so did the exhibitors. * * Then came the pre-1929 davs. When the boys went Exhibitors can pav money when they get attractions. Ex- cockv and decided that all this difficult and competitive show- hibitors wrestle with the wolf when they have to take programs manship could be avoided by that are like a bottle of milk: buying all the theaters in the An inch of cream at the too, country. And forget the ex- DISTRIBUTORS’ BATTING AVERAGE FOR 1940 and if you take the cream off, hibitor. % nothing but whitened water Things had got TOO 46 Releases 100 beneath. 1 . Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 2. United Artists . .... 21 Releases.. 99 EASY. Hollywood is on its toes 3. Twentieth Century-Fox 48 Releases 93 Well, all what hap- we know 4. Warners-First National 46 Releases ... 90 rio-ht now. It has been forced pened. It can probably be 5. Paramount 42 Releases ... 87 there. And while still 6. Universal 50 Releases 78 we have summed up in the statement Releases 78 7. RKO-Radio 48 to learn our trading lessons in that Receivers, Trustees, and 8. Columbia 41 Releases .... 75 9. Republic 25 Releases 70 the new method, we can’t go lawyers got more revenue out 10. Monogram ... 26 Releases 65 far of the picture business for a wrong if the manufactur- *D®es not include "Gone With the Wind,” 388%, sold under ing is span of years than any group special contract, and produced by David Selznick. end bearing down on connected with its operation. BOX OFFICE. 4 BOX OFFICE DIGEST *7^e JlifltiujMe*.: Covers the Picture News Front in a Quick Glance Oh well, but no ho hums ... As the worst headaches of a new production execu- near-miracle ... So there is no word left . . gold Editorial on the preceding page indicates, tive . Every studio has potential to describe feelings when recovery turned to things are happening around Hollywood mines in material purchased since its earliest profits ... So a lei of orchids to Nate Blum- that make days, and every sincere executive tries to berg, guiding the destinies of the entire . . . Not those obvious earthquakes a spread eagle headline, but the important do the digging that will bring out the ore company, and a bountiful share to Cliff . . . But times change, and audience desires Work, who has modestly piloted the studio occurences that make pictures . . . Deals here, deals there, deals everywhere, as the . . . All too often a piece of material that activities . . . We think we said it before, boys strengthen their fences and add to would have been big money a few years ago, but we don’t mind repeating, Cliff is one of if properly presented, has been outdated those rarities, a production executive who allure . . . Lubitsch moving to Twentieth after completing his United Artists picture, either by a change in taste or because a does not want his picture in the papers . . . couple of other studios have stolen its idea Something big will happen if the rumors on a three year deal . . . Claudette Colbert, is gosh how the box office loves that gal, also in various forms . . . Then there the come true that Mark Hellinger is going to traveling to Westwood as one of Charlie problem of stories that were brought for join Zanuck’s organization, having departed particular stars who were top money attrac- from Warners . . . There’s a team of show- Feldman’s packages . . . William Dieterle getting lined up on his big one for RKO and tions at the time of purchase-—and who may men that should spark together . . . That bringing Simone Simon back to the screen not be with the company now, or, whisper it, Barbara Stanwyck gal is about the busiest may no longer even be top money stars . . . person in town . . . She has "The Lady Eve” . . . Harold Lloyd’s first for RKO liked so well that he is talking a new deal, which The best of luck Buddy, in your prospecting breaking in the key Eastern spots, Capra’s may combine pictures in which he appears among them thar hills . . . It’s a tough life, "John Doe” coming up for preview this but you have proven that you can take it, week, and now we hear that Warners are with those he produces . . . David Selznick. and, if there is none listening just now, we hot on a deal . . received our now on his own as the Jock Whitney com- . Just New bination is being smoothed out of existence, might whisper that your show record also York report on "That Night in Rio” at the it . . buying important story properties, which is proves that you can get . Let’s turn Roxy and find that in the face of a blizzard the page ... It brings up the news that that is compared with the fabulous one of like the rumble before the storm . . . Zanuck gives Fritz Lang, following "Western Jack Benny is so hot on the radio that he 1888—everyone who grew up in New York Union,” a contract calling for exclusive is forced to run to the desert to get away will tell you what his grandparents said services—and they used to say at MGM that from the sponsors . . . Which doesn’t sur- about that blitzsnow—the picture sold to prise your Highlighter . . . As long as we standing room only signs over the week-end Lang was hard to handle . . . Maybe he just made the mistake of being right too often. have known the show business we have never . . . There, my friends, is what the picture known a top comedian—and popular sing- business needs . . . Attractions that not only GOSH, LET’S STOP AND ers might be included—whose secret of suc- pull ’em away from the free radio, but BREATH . . CATCH OUR cess was not an evident desire, hoke or no through the blizzards . Let’s have more Hollywood is bristling with too much hoke in his material, to SATISFY that cus- like that . . . Arthur Eddy has us all hopped action, so suppose we take a pause and see tomer . . . it’s a "something that comes across up about the new Louella Parsons air shows, it what is happening out in the field . . . Well, the footlights, and can also penetrate the which pick up on the air March 28th . . . the picture business is in one of those cycles air . . . George M. Cohan always had it . . . Sounds like a knockout, with the program which makes money for everybody—except You felt that he was sweating his shirt limp based on adaptations of important new pic- the distributor with a good new attraction to give you the money’s worth for the ticket tures, and the stars who appear in the pic- . . . it tures . . . to release . . . Holdovers ... In the key you had bought Sophie Tucker had recreating their screen roles The . . is city first runs . . . Which is the red meat . A1 Jolson, gosh, when he went down William Esty Agency handling the show, of the industry’s sustenance, since there is on his knees for "Mammy” he wasn’t selling which will be heard on the Coast at 7 P.M. no sorrier feeling than to realize that a pic- the hooey, he was telling the audience, "I’m going the limit to try to make you happy.” ture could have got a tremendously bigger SHORTS COMING BACK gross if the possibilities had been exhausted . . . Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Jack Benny — sell it over INTO THEIR OWN SPOT on the first runs . . . But at the same time, -who are among those who can comes the headache . . . Because holdovers the ether waves . . . Bob Burns has that in- This industry was founded on the appeal are like a dam that backs up other pictures gratiating knack of makinq vou feel that of a varied show, one reelers to begin with, in eccentric ways ... It plays the dickens be is giving his all to make YOU happy . . . later two reelers, and even occasionally three with all the labor you have put into national It’s a showman’s instinct that many over- reel epics ... It is worth while to note that publicity, and the money into dated national night stars who turn nonchalant after a most distributors and chain operators have advertising, and it has a possible hit attrac- temporary success would do well to cultivate. decided that the competitive buying of the tion gathering dust on many exchange new "five-in-a-grcup” system is very likely to shelves until the holdovers get out of the UNIVERSAL HOLDS ITS HEAD bring the short subject back into the sun- way . . . Top current holdovers, according; UP THESE DAYS light . . . The boys are figuring that open to our reports, are "Strawberry Blonde,” That was interesting news telling of the market buying will get the prices for top A "Tobacco Road,” "Back Street” and "West- new seven year contracts for the top Univer- attractions what they deserve, while making ern Union” with "So Ends Our Night” and sal executives, approved by the company’s it difficult for the exhibitor to pad the bill "The Lady Eve” breaking the holdover tape directors, and prompted by the remarkable with a hunk of celluloid in the B minus class in Eastern spots. recovery from nowhere to a place in the . . . With the result, that to get his money LET’S GO BACK AND LOOK sun that those executives have accomplished back, and to round his bill out for a full THE STUDIOS OVER ... It is not so long ago when nobody would evening of entertainment, the exhibitor will Buddy De Sylva, in the harness as Para- give you a plug nickel for your hopes of do some trading for meritorious shorts . . . mount tops, is looking over the old story rescuing the floundering Universal ... It And, of course, there are definite limitations properties with ideas towards the future, was surprising news to hear very early that in the government ukase against forcing its deficit . . . That was a junk shorts on feature deals. we are told . . . Gosh, that is one of the Universal had cut MARCH 10, 1941 5 *7<4c A>* Office: 'Western Union' Runs High in Week of Holdovers Of 12 New Releases In The Past Week, under William LeBaron’s supervision as well as collaborating on the original story 3 Ran Over 2 Came Through 100%, 12 Releases Not In The Last Issue with Virginia Van Upp. Okay, And 7 Were Very Weak. % Est. Exhibitors in all types of houses can ex- Western Union PAR ... 130.. .125 pect excellent results on this one. Andy Hardy’s Private Sec’y.. -MGM 128.135 Virginia PAR 126.115 So Ends Our Night „ . 96 ..100 UA UNITED ARTISTS— 1 Release FOX— 1 Release Blondie Goes Latin .. COL 81.. 80 Play Girl RKO 72 . 80 United Artists’ release is Twentieth Century-Fox’s only release this this week "SO Trial of Mary Dugan MGM 72.. . 80 ENDS OUR NIGHT” which serves as the is Darryl F. Technicolor week Zanuck’s new Petticoat Politics REP 68 . 65 first production from the new David Loew- western epic "WESTERN UNION” which Meet the Chump UNIV 68 ... 70 Arkansas Judge REP 67. 65 A1 Lewin producing unit. This rather heavy on its opening figures is averaging 130% Father’s Son WARO 67. .. 65 anti-Nazi melodrama is rather long and consequently is the Box Winner and Honor Horrors Chamber of MONO... 65 ... 65 follows series this week. the of previous anti-Nazi pic- "WESTERN UNION” has been backed tures which likewise haven’t done very well at the box office, with the exception of by a terrific exploitation campaign and is al- Others in the featured cast are ready being held over for second and third Fay Hold- MGM’s "Escape.” The first figures received en, Sara Haden and Ian Hunter. on weeks and promises to be a consistent money- "SO ENDS OUR NIGHT” have been George B. Sietz again directed for the rather spotty maker for both the studio and the exhibitors. depending a great deal on Joe Cohn-Carey Wilson unit. Randolph Scott and Robert Young are the location and clientele of each individual "ANDY HARDY’S PRIVATE SECRE- exhibtor and to date the picture is only co-starred with Virginia Gilmore, who re- TARY” is much longer hour minutes) ceived such favorable comment for her work (1 40 averaging 96% which is not so bad; still on than the average picture in this series, ex- the other in "Tall, Dark and Handsome,” as their hand this was a very costly pro- hibitors should book a short second feature duction new leading lady. Dean Jagger ("Brigham with a big cast headed by Fredric with this one to allow for a turn-over. Young”) heads the big featured cast which March and Margaret Sullavan. second is include John Carradine, Slim Summerville, MGM’S release the "TRIAL OF The featured cast includes Francis Dee, which, years Barton MacLane, and numerous others. MARY DUGAN” ago, brought Anna Sten, Erich Von Stroheim and Glen stardom to Norma Shearer when it was first Ford, Harry Joe Brown acted as associate pro- who really carries the lead and re- produced. However, this time it ceived ducer to Darryl Zanuck and Fritz Lang has been most of the critics’ raves. filmed as a "quickie” is quite very capably directed this costly western and not as "SO ENDS OUR NIGHT” was based strong in epic. marquee values, although it may on Erich Maria Remarque’s sensational novel pull up from its present Needless to say, exhibtors in so-called 72% average on "Flotsam” and John Cromwell directed for future bookings. western theaters as well as in the nabes can producers Loew and Lewin. Robert Young and expect even stronger business on this one Laraine Day are co- Exhibitors had better play safe and book and should arrange for extended playing- starred and the featured cast includes Frieda a much lighter feature with this one, pre- time. Inescourt, John Litel and Marsha Hunt. ferably a comedy or a musical. Norman McLeod directed for producer Edward Knopf. MGM—2 Releases The picture will satisfy but can best be COLUMBIA—Also 1 Release MGM has two new releases, one of which booked as a filler. Columbia’s new release is the latest in the is a box office natural, while the second is a Blondie series, "BLONDIE GOES rather weak programmer. LATIN,” which with the addition of music "ANDY HARDY’S PRIVATE SECRE- PARAMOUNT— 1 Release and dancing seems to be the best of the TARY,” 128%, has only had a few openings Paramount’s new release this week, the series yet as the first box office figures show but is keeping up the high standard set at Technicolor special, "VIRGINIA,” seems to this picture running 82%. the boxoffice by the previous Andy Hardy be a box office natural judging by the first As usual, Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake pictures. figures received from quite a large number and Larry Simms are starred, being ably As usual, Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone of key cities. is "VIRGINIA” currently supported by a good featured cast of players and Ann Rutherford head the cast, plus a averaging 126% and with all the second and headed by Ruth Terry, Jonathan Hale and new addition this time in the person of third week hold-overs this picture is receiv- Tito Guizar, formerly of Paramount. In- Kathryn Grayson, MGM’s new singing find, ing it looks quite certain it will that hold that cidentally, the addition of Tito Guizar to they to develop into another whom hope figure bit stronger. or go a the cast should help this picture considerably Judy Garland or Deanna Durbin. Fred MacMurray and Madeleine Carroll in the Central and South American markets. are co-starred in this modern story about Producer Bob Soarks and Director Frank the old South. Wilson, after Marie a long Strayer, who handled this series from the absence, scores a terrific hit as does also Ster- 6 FEATURES "GOING DOWN beginning are also responsible for this new ling Hayden, Paramount’s new find whom Blondie. they are grooming for stardom in the near Was Now * Continued on page 10 future. Little Caroline Lee, who made such Mr. and Mrs. Smith ... RKO .123 .121 a hit with Mr. MacMurray and Miss Carroll Tall, Dark and Handsome...FOX .. 90 .. 86 Victory ... PAR .. 87 _ 84 in "Honeymoon in Bali” is also in the 2 FEATURES "GOING UP” Maisie Was a Lady MGM .. 86 .. 83 "VIRGINIA” featured cast along with the ...... Was Now You’re One PAR 87 80 Helen Broderick, Paul Hurst and Louise Lucky Devils ..UNIV. _ 72 .. 70 Strawberry Blonde Beavers. WAR 123 127 High Sierra WAR ...112 114 E. H. Griffith both produced and directed — — — 6 BOX OFFICE DIGEST 20'th's 'That Night in Rio' Socko Money Hit TWENTIETH CENTURY-FOX The Digest’s Box Office Estimate 155% Current Reviews We Est. Associate Producer Fred Kohlmar That in Rio Director Irving Cummings Night FOX 155 Screenplay George Seaton, Rage in Heaven MGM 80 Bess Meredyth, Hal Long Double Date .. 75 Additional Dialogue by Samuel Hoffenstein UNIV Based on Play by Rudolph Lothar, Hans Adler Murder Among Friends FOX 75 Adapted by Jessie Ernst Lone Wolf Takes a Chance COL 70 Stars Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Trail of the Silver Spurs MONO 60 Carmen Miranda Featured: S. Z. Sakall, J. Carrol Naish, Curt Bois, Leonid Kinsky, Carmen Miranda’s Orchestra, Frank Puglia, Lillian Porter, Miria Montez, ers, directors and players, they play it out so many pictures of late, turns in a corking Georges Renavent, Edward Conrad, Fortunio without a bad line, or a stalling moment. performance. Carrol Naish goes Latin Bonanova, Flores Brothers. J. And that is something to do when you for the occasion, and makes his role stand Photographers Leon Shamroy, combine farce with music. out. Curt Bois, whom you may remember Ray Rennahan from "Golden Boy,” does a walloping ec- About this time we should probably tell Time 90 Minutes centric. Then, there is reliable Leonid Kin- you something about the subject matter of sky. the picture. Well, its structure is strictly Zanuck put everything into this one You can well imagine that music played musical in order to get under way, and it from soup to nuts; from flashy table deco- an important part in the general strength has no trouble rolling with the luscious rations of Technicolor at its showiest, of such a picture, and Alfred Newman did Carmen Miranda socking home with hips through the appetizers of sex and beauty, not let Twentieth down. It is a fine job. and hooray an opening number, then when on to the delicious salads of music, and Carmen Miranda’s own orchestra, billed plot develops it becomes sex farce. With all — wrapped it up in that rarity—an intelligent that way "Carmen Miranda’s Orchestra” the pleasurable spice of sex farce, but with- musical comedy story. —gives the Latin background that holds the out the rough edges. tempo of many scenes. It is our considered opinion, even under Mack Gordon and Harry Warren get the have met Carmen in the opening a bit of fresh enthusiasm since this review We credits on the music and lyrics, and it is in flash, along with her a is being written fifteen minutes and hundred and after view- our opinion the most delightful ASCAP ing the picture, that present ticket-buyers one dancers, etc., and then arrives Don contribution to the screen that we have Ameche his picture name is Larry Martin desires will make it the top Twentieth — money heard in a long time. You will be buying the picture of the year, —apparently the male star of the Rio show. and will challenge most records. that will come along before Don has been lassoed, and haltered, by Car- New Year’s Camera honors, for a rather unusual job Eve, 1941. men, but she still has Latin jealousy in her in its musical comedy effects, are shared heart whenever he smiles at another pretty have by Leon Shamroy and Ray Rennahan. And We used the trite word "every- woman. "Jealousy” is a mild word for her when you see the picture you will realize thing” in describing its show angles. Well, tantrums. we cannot wind without a word for it may be an obvious word, but it tells the why up whole story. Three of the top musical folk Well, it happens, plausibly premised and the Art Direction of Richard Day, Joseph of the screen are headlined: Don Ameche, believeable, that Ameche must double for C. Wright; the set decorations by Thomas Alice Faye, and Carmen Miranda. They the local Casanova, a Baron married to Alice Little; the gol-durndest most enticing cos- are backed up with lyrics and music that Faye. And she loves her baron. Which tumes the screen has seen in many a moon, gets or- really sock the ear. Behind those two fac- brings on all sorts of fast-thinking maneuv- by Travis Banton. Hermes Pan the tors you can start listing the other assets, ers. complications including stock exchanges chids for the swell dance numbers. and not state them all in a single breath. and bedrooms, before all ends happily for Fred Kohlmar, just a freshman in the all concerned. And that includes two Don Let’s try: Twentieth College, after his many years at Ameche’s the American entertainer and — other studios, has added a bold-faced credit Irving the baron. Cummings has so many money to his list. pictures on his record that we hesitate It is definitely the sort of material in Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: A whale to hint at comparisons, but it is our feeling which Don Ameche can go to town any day Will top "Tin Pan Alley,” be- that this time he topped them all. Use of of a show. in the week, and will register solidly with Previewed "business” that keeps chuckles constant, cause of all the added factors. his following. Alice Faye gosh, what a timing of gag situations that milks them to — March 6th. beauty that gal is in Technicolor—comes the utmost, backgrounding with the utmost through like a million. Surprise of the pic- in visual effect, summed into a picture that WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: ture is Carmen Miranda. No one needs to will go into the Cummings memory book. be reminded that Carmen is an eyeful REPORTER: "If rave reviews are of material aid in selling a picture— premise fondly be- And then the Technicolor. In keeping with standing still or in motion—but this time a lieved bv the professional critical fraternity the it is she plays an acting part, alternating excit- subject, showmanlike on the musical "That Night in Rio” will be high on the list of side, with deference to a South American able Portuguese with acceptable English, the season’s ranking money-makers.” theme. Reds are red, blues are blue, and and just wrapping you up when she is sell- VARIETY: "Everything even the most captious greens are green. ing a song. The South American star is The effect—which, of may demand of a musical is delightfully blended course, might not have been so good for a definitely set, after this picture, as a rank- in this high-roof combination. 'Night in Rio’ inciting rhythm and music, pretty girls, comedy dramatic subject—in this case is dazzling ing money bet for picture marquees. has romance stepped up to a high pink pitch, brilliant and cheering. You really have the feeling Not the least of the picture’s virtues is clowning, lavish production, including a stunning that you are looking at a $4.40 per ducat in the ace high supporting cast assembled parade of fashions deftly woven into the narrative, New York stage show. and Technicolor pictorial beauty never excelled. by Zanuck and his associate producer, Fred All in all, it gets 20th-Fox off again on the van Then there is the item of script dia- S. round-faced and Kohlmar, Z. Sakall the of 1941-42 filmusicals, with an entry setting a fast logue. Honest to goodness, between script- fluttery character whom you have seen in pace and headed for big and well deserved coin.” MARCH 10, 1941 7 'Rage in Heaven' Depressing Morbid Yarn MGM you find the crime has been committed. It a kitten, then kill himself. And you can isn’t good horror stuff, because it isn’t frank- underline that last word. The Digest’s Box Office Estimate 80% ly Karloff-Lugosi all-out horror. It is just Oscar Homolka, not very prominent in Producer Gottfried Reinhardt psycopathic. the action, gives the picture what sane mo- Director W. S. Van Dyke ments it has. It won’t help Ingrid Bergman. Thoeren You, Mr. Exhibitor, are asked to entice Screenplay Christopher Isherwood, Robert Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Strictly Original Novel James Hilton entertainment seeking ticket buyers with for the psycopathics, if you have enough of Stars Robert Montgomery, Ingrid Bergman eighty minutes of insanity. Probing into a such customers. Previewed March 4th. Featured: George Sanders, Luvile Watson, Oscar diseased mind. Montgomery is the chap who Homolka, Philip Merivale, Matthew Boulton, is ill, his obsession is the unfounded idea THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: Fredric Worlock, Francis WHAT Aubrey Mather, " Compton, Gilbert Emery, Ludwig Hart. that Ingrid Bergman, his wife, and George REPORTER: 'Rage in Heaven’ -^resents a Photographer Olivier T. Marsh Sanders, his best friend, are still in love difficult sales problem. Exhibitors who concentrate Time 82 Minutes with each other. This leads, through many solely on 'horror’ angles wil not be doing the at- traction full justice. It is equally an appealing, tortuous moments to a climax in which Mont- Robert Montgomery is one of the most off-center love story. Critics will draw compari- gomery plans his own suicide so as to throw personable stars on the MGM roster, and, sons with 'Night Must Fall’ and it is not unlike guilt of murder on Sanders. 'We Are Not Alone,’ a previous Hilton novel that what is more important, he is tops as an fared badly at the film box offices.” actor. Just why MGM with the possible Just to give it to exhibitors in quick flash- — VARIETY: "Tragic drama of a peculiarly to connivance of Montgomery—has decided es: The action opens on an insane asylum ’ sombre pattern, this is not what the average pic- lose no opportunity to kill him off at the . . . Montgomery actually kills a kitten . . . ture patron calls entertainment. It deals with neu- rotic box office is one of those mysteries of life. don’t squirm ... it allows the star to die, jealousy and a psychiatric study of paranoic insanit" played with dreadful conviction bv Rob- "Rage in Heaven” starts off with a title thus removing him from the picture, long, ert Montgomery in a role remindful of that so bad that it could be called "premeditated long before the end title is flashed. So, it other oblique masterpiece of his, Metro’s 'Night ” murder,” and when the celluloid unwinds can be said, they have Montgomery kill Must Fall.’ 'Double Date Gets Its Slapstick Laughs UNIVERSAL none too hot, but pretty certain to give personel helps to smooth out a number of satisfaction in its classification. The Digest’s Box Office Estimate rough corners. Una Merkel, who should be 75% Glenn Tryon directed, and he must have seen more often, clicked with this reviewer. pump-primed his script to get the laughs. Associate Producer Joseph G. Stanford Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: All the tricks of timing that he used to know A good Director Glenn Tryon family audience bet in its proper spot on Screenplay Scott Darling, Erna Lazarus, so well when he was a pretty popular the bills. Previewed March 6th. Agnes Christine Johnston. comedian himself are in evidence. And it Original Scott Darling, Erna Lazarus is not imaginative to figure that many of Stars Edmund Lowe, Una Merkel THE SAID: the laughs—and some of the situations get WHAT OTHER FELLOWS Featured: Peggy Moran, Rand Brooks, Tommy the of the cooperation REPORTER: "Undistinguished as the yarn is, Kelly, Hattie Noel, Waller. loud kind—came out Eddy it manages to come off as pretty fair entertainment between director and players, and may be a Photographer John Boyle through Tyron’s presentation and the careful pro- Art Director Jack Otterson surprise to the script. duction of Joseph G. Sanford.” Time 59 Minutes The story presents Peggy Moran and Rand VARIETY: "What happens when two young Brooks, adolescent sweethearts, with a prob- people try to break up the romance of a middle- "Double Date” goes enthusiastically for lem on their hands. This is to keep Edmund aged couple results in Universal having another the good old motto: "Make ’em laugh, and Lowe, his father, from marrying her aunt, nifty program offering. Production, direction writing and casting make pretense at don’t give a darn how you do it—so long Una Merkel. The kids just don’t think the no grandeur and consequently bring home the bacon in a light, as they laugh.” As a result it sums up as an elders can be trusted to handle their own breezy manner that will satisfy the paying cus- entertaining modest budget picture, not too affairs. tomers while they await the more elegant first strong because the story basis provided was The cast is excellent, and its experienced features.” 'Murder Among Friends' Fine lob in 'B' Class 20th CENTURY-FOX emphasis on getting laughs, after providing The cast turns in a neat job, with Mar- The Digest’s Box Office Estimate themselves with a fairly plausible premise. jorie Weaver and John Hubbard giving 75% Murders happen wholesale, but as the title personable performance as the amateurs who Associate Producers Ralph Dietrich, says, it is all "murder among friends.” You are on the trail of the guilty one. Support Walter Morosco take them seriously to get the mo- is capable, Director Ray McCarey enough with Eddie Conrad contributing Original Screenplay John Larkin mentary thrill, but you really are waiting for an especially good comedy bit. Stars Marjorie Weaver, John Hubbard the laugh that comes at every twist and Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Neat Featured: Cobina Wright, Barrie, Doug- Jr., Mona turn. little package of fun. Previewed March 4th. las Dumbrille, Sidney Blackmer, Lucien Lit- Premise of the story is the idea of a group tlefield, Truman Bradley, Bill Halligan, Eddie WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: Conrad. of men taking out a joint insurance policy REPORTER: "A particularly bright and amus- Photographer Charles Clarke which will pay a fortune to the survivor, ing little comedy-mystery is 'Murder Among Time 67 Minutes or survivors, in twenty years. imagina- Your Friends,’ and, having been given excellent pro- tion can tell you the possibilities that can duction by Ralph Dietrich and Walter Morosco, This new trick of kidding the murder follow from such a premise when the friend- it looks like a million instead of a budget —icture, mysteries is bringing up some very good ly joint holders start exiting from life until which means it will go into theatres as the bottom half of a dual and, in all likelihood, give more entertainment from the B-plus ranks, and only a few are left to suspect. genuine satisfaction than some of the $2,000,000 "Murder Among Friends” will take rank It’s a script job, brought to the corking films it will be hooked up with.” with the best of the current crop, while screen in adept fashion by young Ray Mc- VARIETY: "A snappy whodunit that never suffering from a lack of marquee names. Carey, who uses all of his experience in veers from its entertainment course, 'Murder The original screenplay by John Larkin, ranks to time line and situa- comedy each Among Friends’ adds up to worthy double bill and direction by Ray McCarey place all the tion. fare on every count.” THE HONOR BOX WINNER (lobetit Ifauncj, 'Western Union' THE HONOR BOX WINNER Randolph Scott 'Western Union' 10 BOX OFFICE DIGEST Fox Clicks With 'Western Union' Week's Best * Continued from page 5 is better than most of the series and will tank towns where these radio favorites have make a good filler especially in the sticks and their biggest following. RKO— 1 Release Frank MacDonald directed and Armand Schaefer produced. RKO-Radio’s new release this week is an exceptionally clever little B picture, "PLAY BRIEF REVIEWS UNIVERSAL— 1 Release GIRL,” 72%, that isn’t going over very Universal’s new release is a new Hugh strongly, probably on account of the lack of "THE TRAIL OF THE SILVER SPURS” Herbert comedy, "MEET THE CHUMP,” marquee names—Kay Francis and Jimmy (Weeks-Monogram) 68%. This feature will make a good light Ellison are co-starred. Kay Francis has been Another chapter in the adventure of the filler with a heavy melodrama such as "So dead at the box office for the past two or Range Busters, and one that maintains the Ends Our Night”; but don’t book it with three years, even before her Warner Bros, satisfactory entertainment pace of this group Hal Roach’s "Road Show”, which was re- contract ended. Jimmy Ellison, since leaving of low budget action pictures. Has all the leased the same week, because of the simi- the Hopalong Cassidy series, has had some formula Western elements, and also benefits larity of plot. Lewis Howard, Jane Kelly very good leads but has never been backed by some good range warbling from John and Anne Nagel are featured. Edward Cline up with sufficient publicity and thus his King. If preview reactions in Hollywood directed and Ken Goldsmith produced. name is not particularily strong at the box are any criterion this George Weeks series office. released through Monogram should be a WARNERS— 1 Release The supporting cast includes Mildred good buy in its price class. The story this Warners-First National’s only new release time uses a ghost town of the West for its Coles, Nisei Bruce and Kane Richmond. is another programmer from the Bryan Foy Denver mint Frank Woodruff directed and Cliff Reid background, a robbery of the unit, "FATHER’S SON.” 67%. This one its plot premise, the Range Busters as produced for the Lee Marcus program unit. for has no particular first run value but will marshals, and all Linited States undercover get by okay in the nabes, particularily for REPUBLIC—2 Releases their talents to mix the action with the a Friday-Saturday booking as it was a Booth Republic has two programmers this new laughs. Tarkington story and his stories have an week, neither of special importance, but appeal for the family trade. both of which will make satisfactory fillers. "LONE WOLF TAKES A CHANCE” John Litel and Freida Inescourt are fea- best of is The these "PETTICOAT POL- (Columbia) tured. Ross Lederman directed and William ITICS” which is the latest in the Higgins They are letting this series get down into Jacobs supervised. Family series. However, this time the Glea- the strictly quickie class. On that basis son family has been eliminated and has "Lone Wolf Takes a Chance” gets by, pro- MONOGRAM— 1 Release been substituted by Roscoe Karns, Ruth vided you don’t pay too much, and use it Monogram’s only new release is an Eng- Donnelly and Polly Moran. for its proper spot on the bill. Some good lish importation, "CHAMBER OF HOR- Erie Kenton directed for Producer Robert Eric Blore saves the show, which starring Leslie Banks. If you comedy by RORS,” 65 % , North. otherwise is just one of those things you have one of those houses where they liked- Republic’s second release is another of find written on cuffs . . . We’d hate to try "Dracula” and "Frankenstein,” book this the Weaver Brothers and Elviry series, the to tell you the story— it’s something like a one as your second feature; otherwise leave "ARKANSAS JUDGE,” 68%. This one fifteen reel serial. it on the shelf. 'Ilte/ie Ane. Only A fyew- 2>ayd • To Correct your credits for the FIVE YEAR CHAMPIONS issue of Box Office Digest. • Save us the worry of possible mistakes by phoning NOW—to hear what we will print. • The number is WEbster 5373. y\ s *1 «»Q s: fcfi H 2 00 0) M H > o o tt ' ' S X) 3 Ci : T o l o o cn cn 2 3 W o 3. w cl o o 3 Mf- *a 50>T Cft 1 o » to h— o? s» 1—1 V {1) <*°°''cQ o 0 O (D o cn 'to r* o r1 ?r CD & o y 0 unJ CO 1940 in o o x^o © cJ> o u< cux O o o^ eiJpiW 2 3fc o' c >0 r^. ' r ‘- »— «— v _ r' f^: *-<•—• — •— v£ uv- r- l/ ^j- <>1 cn cm cnj CNCCcCf 'r>»VO v^ ,r >0 rt. r<5 ro ^ ^ ^ - r> cc n o h o c o oor^vC' T-rr C'C'«JNts'O ^ m CM tj- t -r -T -r H ('I f'J ^ O) ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ OCcOo°OC°COOoO X ^«a^ : ! . 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E“!MpS >, I £S— 3 ci g„ ;°£a^|^ O C H u u C , Ji C „- & > o. p .__-----u 3^ . _ ° - P3 rt p - u O O o .°r d cc — J=. 3 ^ c-;- rt rtC5 0o u E HS ^^c^cj-'HC^c^EECE^OpQ'O.AVl / a ) 1941 Producers and Directors Associate Producers Pictures % Pictures % George Cukor .-1 181 * Joseph Mankiewicz ..1 181 Sam Wood .....I 1 143 David Hempstead - ____1 143 2 A1 Hall .. ...1 130 William Perlberg .....1 130 Fritz Lang ....1 130 Harry Joe Brown ___1 130 Robert Stevenson ....1 Bruce Manning __1 128 128 George B. Seitz ....1 128 William Cagney 1 127 Raoul Walsh . ...2 121 Mark Hellinger .....1 114 Alfred Hitchcock ____1 121 Kenneth Macgowan 1 109 Frank Borzage ....I 115 R. A. Rowland ____1 101 Irving Pichel ..1. 109 J. Walter Ruben ...2 100 Tay Garnett .....l 101 Producer-Directors Pictures % E. H. Griffith 1 126 Clarence Brown 1. 107 Actors Pictures % Actresses Cary Grant 1 181 James Stewart 2 144 Pictures % Randolph Scott 1 130 Ginger Rogers .....1 143 Mickey Rooney 1 128 Rosalind Russell ...1 130 Charles Boyer 1 128 1 Olivia de Havilland .... 1 .... .127 James Carney 127 Madeleine Carroll 1 126 Fred MacMurray 1 126 Carole Lombard 1 ...121 Robert Montgomery 1 121 Ida Lupino 114 Robert Taylor 1 115 Margaret Sullavan 112 Humphrey Bogart 1 114 1 Hedy Lamarr . ...1 107 Paul Muni 109 Martha Scott .1 101 Robert Young 2 101 All Major Features Released in 1941 Philadelphia Story ..MGM.... .181 RKO 14.1 F.OX .130 This Thing Called Love COL .130 Andy Hardy’s Private Secretary. MOM .128 UNIV . 128 Strawberry Blonde WAR .127 Tall Dark and Handsome FOX 86 IV 86 PAR 126 UN PAR ... 84 Mr. and Mrs. Smith . RKO ..121 Maisie Was a Lady MOM ... 83 Flight Command MOM . 115 R 81 WAR .114 Mad Doctor PA COI. ... 81 Hudson’s Bay FOX ..109 PAR ... 80 Come Live With Me MOM . 107 Lucky Devils UNIV ... 70 v ... 80 Cheers for Miss Bishop UA ..105 Three on a H one moon WAR Did You Get That Girl UN IV ... 70 Ellery Queen. Master Detective COI. ... 80 Where So Ends Our Night UA .. 96 Six Lessons from Madame LaZonga IJN1V 80 Convoy RKO ... 70 Son of Monte Cristo UA.. .. 95 She Couldn’t Say No ...WAR ... 70 Flight from Destiny WAR ... 80 Michael Shayne, Private Detective ...FOX ... 70 Texas Rangers Ride Again PAR ... 78 Let’s Make Music RKO ... 70 Invisible Woman UNI V ... 78 Land of Liberty ...MGM ... 70 Road Show UA . ... 76 The Case of the Black Parrot WAR 70 Life With Henry PAR ... 75 Devil’s Command COL ... 70 Romance of the Rio Grande FOX ... 73 REP ... 69 Girl in the News FOX...... 73 REP ... 68 Phantom Submarine COL ...... 72 REP ... 68 Golden Hoofs FOX...... 72 Meet the Chump UNIV 68 RK< ... 72 Saint in Palm Springs RKO ... 67 Trial of Mary Dugan MOM ... 72 ... 67 MOM 71 Phantom of Chinatown MONO Arkansas fudge REP ... 67 Ride, Kelly, Ride FOX ... 71 WAR ... 67 Her First Romance MONO ... 66 Pride of the Bowery MONO ... 63 Chamber of Horrors MONO ... 65 The Old Swimming Hole MONO 60 MARJORIE RAMBEAU as ‘Sister Bessie' Management BILL WOOLFENDEN, Inc. Agency A TWENTIETH CENTURY - FOX PICTURE ° p Howard Barnes, first string critic of The 1941 New York Herald Tribune, who writes this appraisal of all the WHUO tu merits of TOBACCO A nsE&" C n p,arlFS°!y ^ap*ed by ^ 1 ROAD, is recognized on the novM S^WanT whldh®" * «»»« y as one of the finest fcVord a d .Presented Century-Po*^, ? critics of the cinema in this country. * The“er Ser ® the It is interesting to note that Mr. j$>V 85SS 1 uL,:- ” e Tier • ney • • wTf/? Barnes has maintained not only a high We reproduce Mr. Barnes’ review of TOBACCO ROAD in its entirety not only because of its importance and in- terest to the industry, but because we believe it so truthfully represents the sincere effort that went into the mak- ing of the year’s most anticipated mo- tion picture. good.’ c&j&g * «- ather than • ;'«s£t drawn b ’ ;the b rren far ScriPt acres, fr°m morAmo e heavilyh has!s Dn»,»ude’s? evenen original p,,i, from +if new r* flr + to sell E k e from ?ie ?*«<*• p,av S hypocr S the 0ne itical - latter - who tasty, m’#> I Sister ! a r6^ found Ung nP 0/ sly Ci0U5 hua uyiflg a comiS? H wmpSSd f,° band ^th ? ’ ^his aR a t- e height seems superb, and x»rji, utomobile nf to mo/ pr s ' " nw - stafds, J„K As the ST* aufC.^5 * s&Si U tag. ht Jos t May You can i haPPP end her hareim m l ’ wha ^ just 00 old 11 ® film significance intn fu a s much it* to marrvVtV , hut ard - y«h to. work B°nd "?nty threa h as S h^ JlJJ whh e Ford ’ y B1Ile deserted has done nnl Meanwhile £ May’s sistP? ?Jt G f his ’ alth°u umphant most was fc ie Sh all pieces of c? tri-’l cks her rng the taging in an d stones nd throw motion Pn^, been- 1 *l at wer ? Now Playing well as re engrossing rsuasi ve, s coarsely full of ln P w as / Pf and all th ;J LOEWS STATE n n the c m lheater in Van GRAUMANS CHINESE ;^-gi"- Theatres * IgrLainment R A R V u 1 8 24 1941 ^Ue feojc Office MIXR m # «® ft® KepxvUl: W fl.'] 'Nice Girl?' Wins Honors For New 'U' See Pcufe 5 m*% 617 North La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, , Subscription Rate, $ 10.0 Ibe Ojjjjiee DIGEST "HONOR BOX” The Biggest Grossing Release Of The Past Week This Week UNIVERSAL wins with 'NICE GIRL?' 126% Producer Director JOSEPH PASTERNAK WILLIAM SEITER Art Director Photographer JACK OTTERSON JOSEPH VALENTINE Featured Screenplay ROBERT STACK RICHARD CONNELL ROBERT BENCHLEY GLADYS LEHMAN HELEN BRODERICK ANN GILLIS ELIZABETH RISDON NANA BRYANT Based on Play by GEORGE BILLINGS TOMMY KELLY PHYLLIS DUGANNE MARCIA MAE JONES DEANNA DURBIN WALTER BRENNAN ANNE GWYNNE FRANCHOT TONE ^Jlte. flax, Ojjjfice < 7he, OnAuAfrufi DIGEST ^Utuvctlae 'WeeJzhf, UPS AND DOWNS An Editorial by ROBERT E. WELSH An exhibitor who prefers that his name be not mentioned, constitutes entertainment, he may hold on to some anaemic since no wise exhibitor desires to be quoted in any way that star too long, or miss out on hopes for a coming youngster. might start those vigilant hounds, the film salesmen, on his "He may be just a genius one year, and in the next twelve trail, writes us an interesting letter on the new "five in a group” months still a genius, but a genius out of luck. Too many of the method of selling. shots he calls go wild to hold his average. His thoughts go this way: "It seems to me that in all the "But under the past system of block booking, when he re- comment I have heard in the industry about the possible effects gains his touch, when he can’t seem to do anything wrong, when of the consent decree new method of selling that one interest- the dice always roll right, it takes a full season for his company ing angle has been overlooked. to begin to cash in fully on what has happened. "Let me explain: It is common experience of all in this "Because last year’s leader—the fellow at the top of the business that the leadership in proportion of hits on a program heap when a new selling season rolls round in the Fall—is get- varies from year to year. One year MGM will lead the parade, ting the plums in money and choice play dates. the next it might be Fox, and in others, Warners, and I suppose you could go over a ten or fifteen year span and find that prac- * * * tically all majors have had their turn. what does this fact of history bring about in the oper- "Now "We are just talking now about past performance booking’s ation of exhibitor buying? effect on the production heads. But what of the companies that "When he had to buy an entire program from top com- have had a run of bad seasons, have completely overhauled panies, and without seeing the pictures, relying solely on the their production set-up, and really start to go places? It also campaign book and the sales department’s enthusiasm—he was takes them a year to cash in. always buying on the basis of past performances, or rather of "With the five in a group method of selling, and with the the one PAST SEASON’S PERFORMANCE. exhibitor given an opportunity to see the pictures he buys, all "It was natural psychology. Some one program stood head this will be changed. and shoulders above all his other buys in the past season. Cling- "I think that is one reason why Darryl Zanuck is so busily ing to some hope that he was using buying sense he made cer- active lining up his producer array. He is out to get the jump tain that he would get program no matter what the THAT on the field when the day rolls around for that block of five difficulties, and then do his trading on the others. booking. If he keeps on spreading top brains around the organi- "But what happened all too often? zation he is insuring that all of his groups of five will stand on their own in the competitive market. •I* •i* " So I say: "Last year’s banner program very frequently became the "For the exhibitor no longer forced to rely on his last year’s next season’s dud—and particularly so since he had probably ledgers entirely in the matter of this year’s buying, the new been hopped up to make it his method will be a relief. If he most expensive buy. can’t pick his grouos then, in "That was the exhibitor’s DISTRIBUTORS’ BATTING AVERAGE FOR 1940 competition, it will be because worry. But there is another % his own showman’s judgement 100 is at fault. side of the picture. The pro- 1. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ... 46 Releases ... Releases 99 ducer’s. 21 3. Twentieth Century-Fox ...... 48 Releases 93 "For the top majors who "We can take it for granted 46 Releases 90 have fought it out in recent .. .42 Releases 87 that all Hollywood is TRY- . 50 Releases 78 years for the leadership, it at all times to make hit ING . 48 Releases 78 means a stern test. pictures. No one in a produc- 8. Columbia 41 Releases 75 ... 25 Releases 70 "For the companies that tion seat deliberately loafs on 10. Monogram 26 Releases 65 the job, though he may make are on the up-grade, it means *D®es not include "Gone With the Wind,” 388%, sold under errors of judgement, he may special contract, and produced by David Selznick. they won’t have to wait so get screwy ideas as to what long to be rewarded.” 4 BOX OFFICE DIGEST *74e jtUfUujJit&i: Covers the Picture News Front in a Quick Glance The week was marked by moves from screen. . . And, still speaking of movement, the highest bidder, with the successful bid- over Ted Tetzlaff, veteran Paramount cinema- der buying two assets, Benny, and a prized here to there. . . Mark Hellinger moves tographer, after long and illustrious service time . . . period . . That’s a deal . John from Warners to Twentieth Century. . . . behind the lens, steps up into a director’s Wayne doesn’t get much time to idle these Fred Kohlmar moves from Twentieth to Par- berth. . . Part of Frank Freeman’s well-liked days—hasn’t had much in fact since John was amount . . . The Mark Hellinger move policy of rewarding the faithful with oppor- Ford limelighted him in "Stagecoach” . . . pretty well forecast ever since it became tunities they have earned. Latest deal is to top the cast of Cecil De known that he had presented his resignation Mille’s next big one, "Reap the Wild Wind” . . . Aside from Wayne’s tremendous prog- to Warners, even though it was known that TECHNICOLOR SHOWS WAY ress as an actor and a star value, he could have had his choice of other prize wonder if is ON ANNUAL REPORTS anybody ever gave consideration to the offers. . . But the Fred Kohlmar shift a fact that the kids who their puzzle, coming just after Zanuck had given made him No. Technicolor has issued its annual report 1 Western star when he was in him plums to guide in "Tall, Dark and Monogram to stockholders in the form of a brochure horse oprys have now grown into the age Handsome,” and "That Night in Rio”. . . that is lengthy, fully explanatory, and com- that exhibitors figure gives them the bulk At any rate, Twentieth can be congratulated prehensive to every stock- ... A copy goes of their business? . . . The Pipeline reports at grabbing Hellinger from the competition, holder . . . We would like to see some pic- on the Arthur Hornblow, for Hellinger, ever since he broke in "learn- Jr. -Paramount ture company issue such an annual report nearing special, "I Wings” are ing” the production game on less important Wanted hot tell some day, one that would really the . . . Lucky Humberstone, who hasn’t pictures, and then graduated to the big always stockholders what was happening to their got the breaks that opportunities, has been going like a house should apply to the money . . . Or, are picture companies annual nickname he got way back in assistant di- afire. . . That totals up now to LeBaron, reports just supposed to be required read- rector days, is getting his reward Lubitsch, and Hellinger as reinforcements for "Tall, ing for puzzle fans? .. . Speaking of Tech- Dark and Handsome” with assignment to a for the Twentieth production staff. . . And nicolor, we are not surprised that showman coming big one "Sun Valley.” they still have Harry Joe Brown, whose box Buddy DeSylva, new Paramount chief, is office record is a pretty healthy one. . . The going to make stage producer Buddy De- shifting around also brought Jerry Wald his Sylva’s Broadway hit, "Louisiana Purchase” STILL RIDING AROUND opportunity as an associate producer at in the color medium . . . Buddy is too shrewd a THE STUDIO CIRCUIT Warners. . . Wald, like Hellinger, is also a builder of shows to neglect the added star former newspaper man. . . . Though, in values in Technicolor for such a subject Paramount announces a change of title Hellinger’s case the word "former” should . . . Besides, the spectacle of Bob HoDe on their fine attraction. "The Hardboiled not be used, he is still an important news- blushing in Technicolor should alone be Canary” ... It will now be "There’s Magic paper man. along with the new chores. . . worth the price of admission . . . David in Music” . . . Much more fitting for the Jerry Wald abandoned a fine reputation in Selznick is warming up like a stake subject being sold . . . Incidentally, it is New York when he joined the pictures and horse at the starting gate . . . The The Digest review, alone among the trade started piling up a good list of screen credits signing of famous W. Somerset Maugham papers, which said in its opening paragraph as a writer. for an original is his latest news . . . That about the original misnomer, "That title makes about four top vehicles already in always makes us shudder” ... It sounded BUT THERE WERE MOVES the works ... It won’t be long now before like selling Suzanne Foster with Mae West technique . . . AND MORE MOVES you hear the starting bell . . . The "Citizen The studios are beginning Kane” release decision is still in the "on to buy into Broadway shows with renewed it An all around week of movement was. agin, off agin, Finnigan” stage . . . What frequency, and Paramount, banking on . . . Ann Sheridan jogs back to Warners, a mess for George Schaefer to steer his Buddy De Sylva’s uncanny knowledge of strike. . . what constitutes settling a lengthy sit-around We company out of . . . As a sidelight—Hearst’s a Broadway hit may be ex- think it a wise move for the player to get present good will tour of Mexico, and the pected to go in for its share . . . Last week back on the screen as soon as possible, and millions of dollars of columnar publicity they took a piece of the new Laura and S. J. grab some of the luscious parts that are he is giving its tourist attractions and oub- Perelman show . . . This makes the second coming ud. . . Before too many others get lic officials is not a oarticularly hapny fore- stab in the dark for Paramount, the first them, with always the possibility that some cast for the fate of "Citizen Kane” below turning out very successfully with "The of them will hit the jackpot. . . Tack Moss the Rio Grande if the publisher pulls the Lady in the Dark” . . . Bill LeBaron’s first and Henrv Hathaway complete their move strings he will be able to. assignments at Twentieth have been set, one to Walter Wanger’s organization by actually a drama "Miss Pilgrim’s Progress,” the hanging their hats on the hatracks, taking other a musical with a prize fight back- their coats off and going to work. . . We have TRAVELLING HERE AND ground, "A Straight Left” . . . That ought always known what Hathaway has on the THERE AT THE STUDIOS to make a great combination, Dave Hemp- ball, and Jack Moss proved at Paramount stead with his fine production record of hits, —notably with "The Biscuit Eater”—that Zanuck lost no time lining up the next and Ben Hecht on the story, at RKO . . . he has plenty in production guidance. . . one for Fritz Lang’s direction following his With the tough assignment of breaking in Moves, moves, moves. . . Tay Garnett over hit with "Western Union” . . . Keep your a new star, French importation, Michele to RKO to direct "Unexpected Uncle”. . . eyes on Eddie Small, whose last was "Son Morgan . . . Speaking about Technicolor’s Russ Hayden from his role of "Lucky” in of Monte Cristo” . . . He is lining ud a annual report to stockholders above, we the Hopalong Cassidy series to a Columbia definite enlarged program for United Art- forgot the slightly trivial financial detail contract, leaving Harry Sherman to find a ists next season, and buying some important that the stockholders got news that profits new oardner for Bill Boyd. . . Which Harry properties . . . After another year with were up . . . All this despite a voluntary says he has in an honest to goodness cowboy Jello he will be boss of his own choice time one cent a foot reduction in print prices and rodeo champ, yet to be unveiled on the period on the air, and can sell himself to made last year. , — . MARCH 18, 1941 5 ni» 6{licc: 'Nice Girl?' Clicks - -• 'i I s® j For Pastemak-Seiter-Durbin Trio Of 6 New Releases In The Past Week, Only satisfactory filler but can’t be depended on for very much of a draw. 1 Ran Over 100%, 1 Came Through 6 New Releases Not in the Last Issue Okay, And 4 Were Very Weak. % Est. COLUMBIA—Also 2 Releases Nice Girl? UNIV.. 126 130 Footsteps in the Dark WAR.. 98 110 Columbia Studios have two new releases 1 UNIVERSAL— Release Face Behind the Mask COL 73 ... 75 this week, both of which are programmers The Great Mr. Nobody WAR 72 ... 75 Boston Blackie COL 71 70 from the Irving Briskin unit. Universal takes top honors this week with You’re Out of Luck ..... MONO 62 ... 65 The first of these is "THE FACE BE- the new Deanna Durbin production "NICE HIND THE MASK,” 73%, another of GIRL?” which on its first openings is the horror series, starring Peter Lorre. averaging 126 % better than 10% above Columbia’s second release is "BOSTON Deanna’s last picture "Spring Parade” BLACKIE”, 71%, starring Chester Morris which probably indicates that Deanna’s average. When Flynn appears in Warner with Rochelle Hudson and Constance many fans prefer her in a story with an Brothers’ big western epics such as "Dodge Worth featured. Robert Florey directed and American background. City”, "Santa Fe Trail”, etc., the figures Ralph Cohn produced. Miss Durbin has an excellent supporting generally run from 130% to 140%; yet in These two Columbia programmers will cast headed by Franchot Tone, Walter Bren- straight modern stories Flynn doesn’t seem make good Friday-Saturday booking or else nan, Robert Stack, Bob Benchley, Helen to pull so well. However, considering the spot them in on a bank night. Broderick and Ann Gillis. Joseph Pasternak, difference in production costs and ex- who has produced the entire Durbin series, hibitor’s film rentals, 98% is quite a passable also handled this one and the old reliable figure. 1 Release Bill Seiter, who also directed Deanna in MONOGRAM— Seen opposite Mr. Flynn is Brenda Mar- "It’s A Date”, directed this one. shall, who was also his leading lady in Exhibtors can expect much better results Monogram’s only release this week, "The Sea Hawk”. The featured cast is on this one than on the last Durbin. "YOU’RE OUT OF LUCK”, 62%, is an- headed by Ralph Bellamy, Alan Hale, Al- other of the Frankie Darro kid series that len Jenkins and Bill Frawley. is probably intended for the Saturday mat- Releases WARNERS—2 Robert Lord acted as associate producer inees. There are no names of importance in to Hal Wallis and Lloyd Bacon very cap- the supporting cast. Howard Bretherton Warners-First National Studios have two ably directed this modern mystery society directed for Producer Lindsay Parsons. new releases this week, one a fairly good yarn. attraction and the second a rather weak programmer. Warners’ second release this week is 7 FEATURES "GOING DOWN” "FOOTSTEPS IN THE DARK”, the another Byran Foy programmer "THE Was Now new Errol Flynn picture, on its first few GREAT MR. NOBODY,” 72%. This stars This Thing Called Love COL 130 127 openings is not any too strong at a 98% one Eddie Albert of "Four Daughters” Andy Hardy’s Private Secretary fame with Warner Brosthers’ new find, Jo MGM 128 124 Ann Leslie,, in the feminine lead. Alan Strawberry Blonde WAR 127 . 124 2 FEATURES "GOING UP” Hale and John Litel are featured. Virginia PAR 126 123 Was Now High Sierra WAR 114 112 This was originally sold to exhibitors Hudson’s Bay FOX 109 106 Buck Privates UNIV . . 86 88 under the title, "The Stuff of Heroes”. Flight from Destiny WAR 80 78 Maisie Was a Lady MGM .. 83 85 "The Great Mr. Nobody” will make a very FOR REVIEWS THAT SAY ^ SOMETHING THE HONOR BOX PICTURE produced by JOE PASTERNAK T A NEW UN THE HONOR BOX PICTURE WILLIAM SEITER directed "NICE GIRL” "HIRED WIFE” "IT’S A DATE” preparing "BELIEVE MY HEART” JOE PASTERNAK WM. A. SEITER Production Production L PICTURE — 8 BOX OFFICE DIGEST Money Already in the Bank for Capra's 'John Doe' WARNERS-FIRST NATIONAL The Digest’s Box Office Estimate Current Reviews We Est. 165% Meet John Doe WAR 165 Road to Zanzibar PAR 145 Producer-Director Frank Capra Topper Returns UA 90 Screenplay Robert Riskin The Round Up PAR 80 Man Betrayed REP 80 Based on a Story by Richard Connell, Robert Presnell Sleepers West FOX 75 The Penalty MGM 75 Stars Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck Back in the Saddle REP 75 Featured: Edward Arnold, Walter Brennan, Spring Mr. Dynamite UN1V 70 Byington, James Gleason, Gene Lockhart, Rod La Rocque, Irving Bacon, Regis Toomey, J. Farrell MacDonald, Warren Hymer, Harry and the support, in Capra manner, is ex- Gene Lockhart, who never misses, has a Holman, Andrew Tombes, Pierre Watkin, Stanley Andrews, Mitchell Lewis, Charles cellent. good spot. He is a fluttery mayor who just Wilson, Vaughan Glasser, Sterling Holloway, Gary Cooper has the toughest part since flutters in and out of the story, but he never Mike Frankovich, Knox Manning, John B. misses selling he is representing John Doe—in other his scenes. It was a treat to see Hughes, Hall Johnson Choir. words, the average American. It is a con- that grand old trouper—who also teaches Photographer George Barnes fused and never very well defined role. We at USC—J. Farrell MacDonald, show the are never very certain whether Gary is just youngsters how to get every inch out of an There is no news, and not even critical a dumbell, or someone with qualities that eighteen inch role judgement, in stating the fact that Frank should cause Barbara Stanwyck to fall in Robert Riskin has written a screen play Capra has delivered a money picture to love with him. that will combine with the picture’s values Warner Brothers. "Meet John Doe” will be Barbara the meaty role of Stanwyck has to make it probably the top money picture tinkling box office automatic machines with the piece, the characterization that must of the year, despite our worries about the a merry tune. give its speeches. heart to override the She fact that it isn’t the best picture Frank Capra That leaves a reviewer little to talk about is inveigles a smart aleck newspaper gal who has made. But it will do, and do plenty, un- except his personal reactions to the picture circulation Cooper into a frame-up deal for til a more symmetrical whale comes along. as a whole, and particularly to the perform- purposes, then finds she has been a dirty ances the director has gained from the trickster, and also has the worry of having The story: Well, it starts on a screwy troupers. fallen in love with the victim. She gets a basis, which is part of the reason for the So we guess we will have to approach the topper scene at the climax that will be re- trouble in keeping it moving after the first picture that way. membered as long as picture-makers re- three reels, and that basis consists of Bar- Well, as to the personal reactions—we member pictures. bara, discharged and disgruntled newspaper had a heck of a good time for most of the Cooper and Miss Stanwyck carry the pic- columnist, concocting a fake letter in which running time, but we also had our moments ture plus the directorial touches that Cap- a certain John Doe promises to jump off when we thought Capra was going over- — ra can give to any scene. the highest building in town on Christmas board to deliver a message, with the result Eve. She finds Gary Cooper, who is a lame- that proceedings were on the off-edge of And then there is the support. armed baseball pitcher, willing to promise being too talky. The opportunities for the supporting cast anything to get treatment for his ailing This "message” stuff is a sort of combina- are spotty, since the thin story line must wing. The heavy is Edward Arnold, pub- tion of "God Bless America” and a home- carry on with Gary and Barbara. Flowever, lisher of the newspaper, who suddenly spun biblical tapestry "Love Thy Neighbor.” they give a fine opportunity for Edward realizes that the John Doe movement might It is a very good idea. We all believe in it. Arnold, for a repressed heavy characteriza- transport him to the White House on a sort But this time it is laid on with laquer, and it tion—with a flash reformation in one speech of Hitler program. So—Gary is the dupe is told in the life of a confused dumbell, at the end and it is a welcome new Arnold. — for most of the way, Barbara the girl, who John Doe, who is supposed to be typical of Jimmie Gleason puts his teeth into a casual suddenly realizes that she has done her man the real America. If that John Doe class role that develops into an actor’s delight wrong, and all ends happily. takes the lesson one way, we will not have scene when he plays about half a reel of a any arguments; if they realize the truth drunk, and boy, he goes to town. We may Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Has had that Capra and Riskin are telling them what have used the phrase a few times before, the greatest build-up of any picture of the saps they are, then you still don’t have to but are going to repeat it: They will start year. Can’t miss for top money. So don’t worry, because they are probably just those rediscovering that Jimmy Gleason is an get too concerned about this critic’s worries. saps. actor. Previewed March 12th. By this time you have probably gathered They will probably also discover Regis the idea that your reviewer is trying to say Toomey. He has a long speech—too long that he enjoyed a great picture, a bit over- a speech, to tell the truth, on the "Love Thy WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: long and talky, but with too much under- Neighbor” theme, but what a job he does lining of the Stars Stripes. poor man’s and with it. REPORTER: "It is to be enthusiastically re- And, frankly, while this picture is in ported that Frank Capra and Robert Riskin have Spring Byington is in a mother role, as and definitely set—for big money, we still turned out another modern-day film masterpiece. Miss Stanwyck’s parent, so neatly handled 'Meet John Doe’ is a courageous social document, have our doubts about letting talk run that you are willing to vote her the universal perhaps the most courageous ever attempted on away with motion pictures for the sake of the screen. Likewise, it is a great entertainment, mother. With sparse footage, it is one of selling a "message.” emotionally stirring, magnificently enacted and the most appealing characterizations Miss About this time a reviewer is compelled stunningly presented. It will earn millions at the Byington has given the screen. box office.” to decide that he is just a bit pixillated to be even a trifle captious about a Frank Walter Brennan is present as a hobo pal VARIETY: "Frank Capra produces another picture. is there in of Gary Cooper, with his usual efficiency, Capra The Capra touch of his great film documents and great popular the handling of the scenes; the stars, Gary though he hasn’t the opportunities one ex- entertainments. It will be a prodigious money- Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck, are great pected from the advance ballyhoo. maker and a showman’s pride.” MARCH 18, 1941 9 Crosby-Hope-Lamour Trio, Click Again PARAMOUNT gets plenty of moments to give the audience Dorothy can get to the other side of Africa that allure in natural course of the a certain millionaire. happen The Digest’s Box Office Estimate the to marry They 145 % story.— Miss Lamour warbles only one num- to catch Bing and Bob at the time when ber "You’re Dangerous”—but it is a good the team, which is, incidentally, always Produced by Paul Jones one, and it is probably better to send one planning to buy return trip tickets to the Director Victor Schertzinger than to burdened with States they can the price, Stars: Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour number home be when maneuver Featuring: Una Merkel, Eric Blore, with Douglas three or more so-so melodies. For the is temporarily flush with money. The girls Dumbrille, Iris Adrian, Lionel Royce, Buck sake of the freshmen—and, incidentally, the pull a racket, get the boys started on a Leigh Whipper, Ernest Whitman, Woods, exhibitors—we might mention that Miss La- safari across Africa, and for no particular Noble Johnson, Joan Marsh, Luis Alberni, mour’s physical charms are not neglected. reason the story gets moving. Robert Middlemass. Photography Ted Tezlaff Even without a sarong. For equally inconsequential reasons, the Lyrics and Music ..Johnny Burke and Then there is a welcome appearance from story wanders off so that we can have a Jimmie Van Heusen Una Merkel. Earlier in the week Miss Mer- couple of hilarious reels with Crosby and Time 87 minutes kel turned in a fine job in a Universal pic- Hope alternately gods and finally potential "Hay-wire and Handsome” is probably ture, and about this time you will probably cannibal fodder in the African wilds. The the phrase that best describes "The Road to find the critics re-discovering that that gal picture is crisp with laughs throughout, but Zanzibar”. Hay-wire it certainly is, but is a trouper. these scenes are tops in old-fashioned belly- handsome, in the sense of a full carload of Support is fine, but the story structure is laughs. laughs, it is doubly certain. Paramount has such that it is carried by the principals, and Producer Paul Jones is piling up his a top money-maker, and all concerned with the bulk of that on a sort of "Primrose and credits on the joyous side of the Paramount the production a bold faced credit for their Dockstader” team routine— in white face, ledger. records. however—between Crosby and Hope. The lyrics by Johnny Burke, music by A group of the top entertainers in the Director Victor Schertzinger has shown Jimmie Van Heusen, include numbers that show business get together on "The Road his usual skill in blending music with motion you will be buying on the records if you to Zanzibar,” backed by adroit direction and picture, but goes further in clinching honors can’t get by the BMI barrier. They have an ace-high gag line script. It may gradually with his handling of patter laughs. The been spotted well, they are few enough in dawn on you that you are only seeing an general effect is that Crosby and Hope were number to give them audience value, and illustrated elongated radio script, but who having a heck of a good time, and since the they are good. cares—the illustrations are good, and the audience also gets that feeling, give the Exhibtor’s Booking Suggestion: A top script is great. proper bouquets to the direction that money picture. Previewed March 10th. Bing Crosby and Bob Hope team up to brought about the effect. WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: REPORTER: "One of the greatest pieces of en- toss the lines back and forth for most of You have the reviewer up a stump when tertainment that was ever offered theatres for he starts to tell the story. As a matter of the picture’s footage and there can be no dating and extended runs.” doubt that the duo is a permanent. There fact, there isn’t any. We are introduced VARIETY: "Following 'Road to Singapore’ is a lesson in timing for any comedian in to two Americans, stranded in a synthetic with this companion piece, 'Road to Zanzibar,’ Paramount demonstrates that it has found a hit watching these real troupers—and hearing Africa. Bing is the brains of the team, Bob comedv formula in the Bing Crosbv-Bob Hooe- them as they take a brittle piece of story is the "Fearless” who does the work—and — Dorothy Lamour combination and the treatment material and make it sparkle. For our Bing gives him every sort of job from being of material with the riotous abandon given by money, you can give us reels and more expelled from a cannon to trying to fly with- Director Victor Schertzinger and the reoeat reels of Crosby and Hope throwing those out wings. script bell-ringer by Frank Butler and Don Har»- man. This is ton-layer comedy stuff for anv man’s lines back and forth at each other. Into the action enter two girls, Dorothy theatre and will keep audiences in gales of laught- forget also has Lamour and Una Merkel. They are trying And don’t —the marquee er. As a coin getter, it will stand up amongst the that Dorothy Lamour allure. And Dorothy to scrape up the money so that the beauteous elect of the season.” 'The Penalty' Artistic But Doubtful B. O. MGM Entertainment values are a problem. fact that his father wants him back in his The Digest’s Box Office Estimate Where they will take their drama straight way of life. The FBI knew this and the 75 % and comparatively heavy, it will click. Where parole was really bait for a trap. .... Chertok Producer Jack they prefer the current streamlined blend Bucquet’s direction handles this combina- Director Harold S. Bucquet of tongue in cheek and meller they will tion of tough environment, the kid’s refor- Screenplay Harry Ruskin, John C. Higgins From Play by Martin Berkeley not be so hot. mation under the influence of a normal life, Stars Edward Arnold, Lionel Barrymore MGM has given it a top cast, including and the thrills of FBI law enforcement with Robert Featured: Gene Reynolds, Marsha Hunt, Edward Arnold, Lionel Barrymore, and the skill that he has evidenced in all his Sterling, Emma Dunn, Veda Ann Borg, Rich- Gene Reynolds, with the prize opportunity MGM productions. Jack Chertok’s bow as ard Lane, Gloria De Haven, Grant Mitchell, Phil Silvers, Ralph Byrd. of going of course, to the latter youngster a feature producer shows that he knows Photographer Harold Rosson in a story of this sort. how to put together the right elements. Time 70 Minutes The story is a blend of crime, and thrill- Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Date it ing meller. with the joys and honesty of with a musical or screwy comedy. If play- The basic story premise of "The Penalty” the rural life. Raymond is the son of a ing singles, spot it for the adult nights. has been used so often that you should not notorious killer, Edward Arnold, for whom Previewed March 11th. be fooled by just hearing it boiled down. the FBI have no love. But the kid thinks WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: It is just about the tough little kid who his dad is the greatest man in the world, REPORTER: "It is a gem of entertainment which bathes its audience in a flood-tide warmth. reforms in the right environment. Regener- and readily accepts his tutoring in the fine of 'The Penalty’ outshines many vaunted specials ation formula No. 3X. arts of being tough. He lands in a reform- and is certain to become a sleeper hit.” But it has always been good, and it has atory, however, while his wily father still VARIETY: "This story of the weaning awav never been done better than in this picture eludes arrest. Eventually Gene is paroled of a son from blind loyalty to a ruthless criminal under the finessed direction of Harold Buc- to a farm. father is given an intense sense of reality which holds susoensful interest every foot of the way. It quet, with able assistance from a corking Comes the regeneration, but always hang- will stand up in either spot of the program in al- cast, a skillfully constructed screenplay. ing over Raymond like a shadow is the most every situation.” 10 BOX OFFICE DIGEST Mystery Peps Roach's Latest 'Topper Returns' HAL ROACH-UA Roy Del Ruth handled the directorial back as the screwy married couple, Carole The Digest’s Box Office Estimate 90% reins, which is pretty automatically assurance Landis and Dennis O’Keefe divide the ro- of success in the comedy field. He has used mantic honors. Mention must also be made Producer Hal Roach Director Roy Del Ruth every trick of his long experience to keep of the welcome presence of Eddie "Rochest- Original Screenplay Jonathan Latimer, the proceedings moving fast, to extract the er” Anderson in the cast. You probably Gordon Douglas last drop of laughter from a situation. And don’t need our word for it that he gets his Based on Characters by Thorne Smith it can be reported that Joan Blondell is a share of laughs. Additional Dialog Paul Gerard Smith thoroughly Stars Joan Blondell, Roland Young, delightful wraith, with the very WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: Carole Landis large possibility that she will draw better REPORTER: "Hal Roach has met with greater Featured: Billie Burke, Dennis O’Keefe, Patsy office. than Constance Bennett at the box success in the 'Topper’ series than in any other Kelly, H. B. Warner, Eddie (Rochester) It’s a murder mystery, with Joan the early of his feature-length comedy efforts. As far as Anderson, George Zucco, Donald MacBride, victim, screen novelty is concerned, Topper has encount- Rafaela Ottiano, Trevor Bardette. and then trying her darndest ered a cropper, for solid roars of laughter are no Photographer Norbert Brodine throughout the rest of the picture to help longer to be expected when trick photography Time 88 Minute- the early characters solve the crime. Of causes a wraith to erase itself. Consequently, "Topper Returns” and this time she goes course she makes just about as much humor- 'Topper Returns,’ third of the Roach group for a mystery tale with accent heavily on the ous trouble as she does good. places more pronounced accent upon the mystery element of the tale fabricated by Jonathan Lati- comedy. There is also a new ghost, Joan Script by Jonathan Latimer and Gordon mer and Gordon Douglas, peoples it with com- Blondell. is fine Douglas a corking job, with the pletely wacky characters, and entrusts the direc- Completely screwy, the picture goes high, Broadway hand of Paul Gerard Smith evi- tion to the very accomplished Roy Del Ruth.” wide and handsome for laughs and gets dent in an "additional dialogue” contribu- VARIETY : "Picture runs the gamut of hilarity in them abundance. It is definitely a "top- tion. and should prove equally as effective at the box per” comedy hit. Roland Young and Billie Burke are again office as have previous films of this type.” 'Sleepers West' Starts Fast; Slows For Curves 20th CENTURY-FOX straight-lined as such a premise would sug- is Lynn Bari, newspaper reporter. Edward The Digest’s Box Office Estimate gest, it becomes involved in two or three Brophy and Don Costello, as the typical 75% story lines, necessitating a super-abundance ordinary dicks, and Louis Jean Heydt, a Wurtzel Executive Producer Sol M. of characters, and finally reaching the point husband running away from home troubles. Director Eugene Ford where you are not particularly concerned And top worry is the witness, Mary Beth Screenplay .. Lou Breslow Based on a Novel by Frederick Nebel over anything that might happen. Hughes, always willing to sip from the The Character 'Michael Shayne’ by Brett Halliday The book character of Michael Shane, bottle. Star Lloyd Nolan private detective, has been borrowed by the Performances are good, until the players Featured: Lynn Bari, Mary Beth Hughes, Louis screen writer for a script based on a Fred- seem to get confused themselves. Don Cos- Jean Heydt, Edward Brophy, Don Costello, Ben Carter, Don Douglas, Oscar O’Shea, erick Nebel novel. Lloyd Nolan is seen for tello, of the detective team, deserves a spe- Harry Hayden, Hamilton MacFadden, Ferike the second time as the unconventional de- cial mention. Boros. tective, and pleasingly so. Lynn Bari is Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Rates Photographer Peverell Marley efficient as a newspaper gal, with Mary Beth only fair B fodder. Previewed March 13th. Time 74 Minutes Hughes getting some fine acting moments. WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: REPORTER: "Second of the 'Michael Shayne’ "Sleepers West” gets off to a flying start, Basis of the action is the fact that Lloyd detective series at 20th-Fox, 'Sleepers West,’ is a and some good early reels, then finds itself is train for San Nolan aboard a bound fast-moving yarn that packs plenty of entertain- in its feet. getting tangled up own The Francisco, sheperding an imDortant witness ment for its market.” too result can be tabbed fair entertainment, but whose testimony he knows will save an inno- VARIETY : "Too manv characters and story dilute the strength of this potion, but. not up to the caliber of most recent Fox B’s. cent man at a murder trial. The complica- much despite this too-muchness, the drama of what hap- The story is another one of those attempts tions enter into the plot because of the pres- pens on a train ride to an assortment of passengers to tell a "Grand Hotel” yarn on a railroad ence of a number of other passengers aboard and crew has enough entertainment to travel com- train. But instead of being as simple and the train who have ideas of their own. There fortably as a second section of the bill.” 'Back in the Saddle' Top Autry Picture REPUBLIC fight with an unscrupulous copper mine Supporting cast is excellent, with Smiley The Digest’s Box Office Estimate quota of whose debris is poisoning the vital streams. Burnette on hand for his usual 75% in a clear- Starting slowly on the gun play, it event- laughs. Addison Richards turns Associate Producer Harry Grey with plenty of that, and is cut gambler characterization. Director Lew Landers ually winds up Suggestion: good Original Screenplay Richard Murphy, topped by a smashing scene when his friends Exhibitor’s Booking A March Jesse Lasky, Jr. rescue the star from dire trouble—a mob bet in the Autry series. Previewed Star Gene Autry has him at bay in the jailhouse—by causing 10th. Featured: Smiley Burnette, Mary Lee, Edward OTHER FELLOWS SAID: a stampede of cattle through the town’s WHAT THE Norris, Jacqueline Wells. Addison Richards, REPORTER: "For the second time in recent Arthur Loft, Edmund Elton, Joe McGuinn, street. months, Gene Autry benefits from ace directorial Edmund Cobb, Robert Barron. Director Lew Landers has turned in a handling by Lew Landers. His supporting cast, Photographer Ernest Miller workmanlike job. particularly in his ability too, is considerably more than competent, and the Time 71 Minutes is crack Western entertainment, distinctly to maintain pace despite the fact that the result to the credit of Republic and Associate Producer in the picture is with eight vocal numbers. "Back in the Saddle” rates high enriched Harry Grey.” of these, with one solo Autry roster, both as an action western and Gene gets most VARIETY : "A combination of widely-known for its musical offerings. And there is an spot going to little Mary Lee, and another prairie ballads, the singing of Gene Autry and shoot-em-down action put 'Back in the abundance of both the action and the mel- to Jacqueline Wells. typical Saddle’ up among the film cowpoke’s best in his in its seventy minutes of running time. The better than average script, as West- ody Republic series. Sure-fire meat for all followers of The action occurs this time through erns go. is the work of Jesse Lasky, Jr., and desert drama, picture should win in a walk among Gene’s efforts to help the cattlemen in their Richard Murphy. the houses catering to the Western trade.” — MARCH 18, 1941 11 Wayne and Dee Register in 'Man Betrayed' REPUBLIC Big Town to investigate the death of a who is the daughter of the big shot. But friend, allegedly a suicide. accompanied by an exciting train of melo- The Digest’s Box Office Estimate His investigation starts a train of action dramatic happenings. 80 % that bring him into contact with Miss Dee, Wayne is in full stride as the back country Associate Producer Armand Schaefer lawyer, getting the shadings of the rural Director John H. Auer character together with being able to handle Screeplay Isabel Dawn the melodramatics when necessary. The role Original Jack Moffitt — signifies a welcome return to activity by Adaptation Tom Kilpatrick "MR. DYNAMITE” UNIVERSAL Miss Dee, and we hope to see her more Wayne, Francis Dee Stars John The Digest’s Box Office Estimate frequently this season. 70% Featured: Edward Ellis, Wallace Ford, Ward The veteran character wonder, Edward Bond, Harold Huber, Alexander Granach, Associate Producer Marshall Grant Ellis Barnett Parker. Director John Rawlins —remember "A Man to Remember”? Original Screenplay Stanley Crea Rubin —turns in the performance that you would Marta Stars Lloyd Nolan, Irene Hervey Photographer Jack expect of that trouper. Featured: J. Carrol Naish, Robert Armstrong, Time 81 Minutes Ann Gillis, Frank Gabv, Elizabeth Risdon, Balance of the cast is largely a round Monte Shemp Howard, Cliff Nazarro, up of the tried and true henchman players (Sonny) Brewer. of John Wayne and Frances Dee make a Photographer John Boyle Hollywood, with that fine actor, Wallace Ford, in comparatively role. great top team for ability and personality, Art Director ..Jack Otterson present a minor Time 63 Minutes and when you combine those appealing John Auer directs in staccato tempo, not "Mr. Dynamite” is strictly off the cuff, neglecting his comedy moments, and rates factors with a swell job of direction by John aimed at no higher market than the one extra for his individual H. Auer, you are pretty certain to come an bow important to which it will probably be sold. In that out with good entertainment. contribution to a successful picture. market it will satisfy. That is what has happened in "A Man Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: In Re- The picture has the advantage of good Betrayed”. It will ring the bell for Re- it troupers. Lloyd Nolan, Irene Hervey and public’s Grade A budget class, and worth public. for meller audiences. Previewed March 9th. J. Carroll Naish carry the top credits and And all this despite the fact that the they take the picture in smooth strides. story offers little that is new, and the screen- It all concerns a visit to the big city WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: play does quite a bit of wandering, chief by Lloyd Nolan, a baseball pitcher, which REPORTER: "In point of production, 'A Man trouble being a surplusage of minor char- finds him, while on a sightseeing tour sud- Betrayed’ is one of the finest films to come out acters. denly involved with spies, murder, and what- of Republic. It is, beyond question, the top jobs It is a yarn of corrupt big city politics not. Things happen, alright, and thev of Associate Producer, Armand Schaefer and and rackets, probably based in a large serve to maintain tempo, but they don’t all Director John Auer. It misses bursting into full blaze only through writing deficiences, which this part on slightly disguised conditions over add ud to much. reviewer feels will be overlooked by the paying a stretch of years in Kansas City, of WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: home patrons.” the author, Jack Moffitt. REPORTER: "That Universal deemed 'Mr. Dynamite’ worthy of a press preview is a more The fictional city of the picture is thor- baffling mystery than the picture itself pro- VARIETY: "'A Man Betrayed’ seems destined oughly corrupt, with a big boss, Edward pounds.” to show its best returns in those general run sit- uations where lack of a suitable title will not prove Ellis, owning all the strings and doing all VARIETY: "Spies, a carnival atmosphere and general competent work in production, direction too big a handicap and the box office value of the pulling. John Wayne enters in this and Dlaving make 'Mr. Dynamite’ sturdy support- the John Wayne and Francis Dee names will situation as a rural lawyer, arriving in the ing fare.” carry the most weight.” Harry Sherman Steps Out With 'The Round-Up' HARRY SHERMAN-PARAMOUNT on the basis of the money and the effort perienced eye displayed in all his out-door The Digest’s Box Office Estimate expended. Tighter scripting would undoubt- productions, enhanced it with production 80 % edly have helped, however. values aplenty, and as usual, that knowledge Producer Harry Sherman Associate Producer Jospeh W. Engel Richard Dix and Preston Foster draw the of the photographic delights desired by pa- Director Lesley Selander two top male roles and both have their box trons of Westerns. Lesley Selander’s direc- Screenplay .... Harold Shumate office values, that of Dix long established, tion gets full values from his script. Based on a Story by Edmund Day and that of Preston Foster connected so Ruth Donnelly is on hand for many of the Stars Richard Dix, favorably Preston Foster, Patricia Morrison with the recent winner "North laughs, while followers of radio will re- Featured: Don Wilson, Ruth Donnelly, Douglas West Mounted Police.” Patricia Morison spond to a chance to see familiar announcer, Dumbrille, Jerome Cowan, Betty Brewer, shares the important honors and registers Don Wilson, teamed up with her for the Morris Ankrum, Richard Curtis, William with charm and ability. comedy. Wilson does a good job, too. Haade, Weldon Hevburn, Lane Chandler, It is repeat the Lee "Lasses” White, the King’s Men. probably a late date to Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Okay Photographer Russell Harlan story of "The Round-Up,” and it is equally bet in the super Western class. Previewed Time 90 Minutes probable that the skeleton has been stolen a March 1 1th. hundred times for yarns of city palaces and WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: "The Round-Up” is a sturdy old veteran foreign capitals. It’s the triangle, which REPORTER: "Less of a Western in the accept- of the box offices, playing up and down the brings the former lover back to home ed tradition of such offerings, and more of a country successfully for a generation, and for his scenes to bring about trouble former period piece set against pioneer backgrounds, the right doing well on the screen. So it is a sweetheart, Patricia Morison, and her ranch picture emerges as a tribute to its producer. Sher- pleasure to report that the streamlined 1941 husband, Richard Dix. man should be in line for more important higher- budgeted product for Paramount.” version produced by Harry Sherman for The West of the story is the old West, of Paramount release will not let the veterans marauding Indians and constant menace, VARIETY: "All the experience gained by down. which balances against the storms of human Sherman in producing the Hopalong Cassidy Westerns for Paramount, a class series in the field, The picture runs long——ninety minutes emotions of jealousy and suspicion in the is brought into play to fetch 'The Round-Up’ to probably as a means of insuring it considera- triangle. the screen. A virile drama that merits the 'West- tion for the top of the bills where it belongs Sherman has told his tale with the ex- ern’ brand only because of its locale.” Producers and Associate Producers Directors Pictures % Pictures % Joseph Mankiewicz 1 181 George Cukor 1 .181 David Hempstead 1 143 Sam Wood 1 .143 Harry Joe Brown 1 130 Fritz Lang 1. .130 Bruce Manning ___1 128 Robert Stevenson 1. .128 William Perlberg __ .....1 127 A1 Hall 1. .127 Joseph Pasternak 1 126 William Sieter .1 .126 William Cagney 1 124 George B. Seitz .1 .124 Mark Hellinger ....1 112 Alfred Hitchcock 1 . 121 Kenneth Macgowan 1 ...... 106 Raoul Walsh 2 .118 R. A. Rowland .. ,__1 101 Frank Borzage ... 1 . 115 J. Walter Ruben .....2 100 Irving Pichel .1 .106 Tay Garnett 1 . 101 Producer-Directors Pictures % E. H. Griffith ...... 1 123 Clarence Brown 1 107 Actors Pictures % Actresses Cary Grant .....1 181 Pictures % James Stewart .....2 144 .... 1 130 Ginger Rogers 1 143 Randolph Scott 1...... 128 Rosalind Russell 1 127 Charles Boyer .....1. 124 Deanna Durbin 1 126 Mickey Rooney .. .1.. 124 Olivia de Havilland 1 124 James Cagney .....1 123 Madeleine Carroll 1 ...123 Fred MacMurray __._. 1 _... .121 Carole Lombard 1 121 Robert Montgomery Taylor 1 115 Ida Lupino 1 112 Robert _____ 1 _ .....112 Margaret Sullavan 2 .... 112 Humphrey Bogart 1 106 Hedy Lamarr 1—- ...107 Paul Muni 2 ...101 Martha Scott 1- 101 Robert Young All Major Features Released in 1941 Philadelphia Story ..MGM 181 Kitty Foyle ....RKO 143 Western Union FOX 130 Back Street UNIV 128 Buck Privates ..UNIV 88 This Thing Called Love ...COL . 127 Handsome FOX 86 Girl? UNIV 126 Tall Dark and Nice 8d Blonde 12J Maisie Was a Lady MGM Strawberry WAR PAR 84 Hardy’s Private Secretary MGM 124 Victory Andy PAR 81 Virginia PAR 123 Mad Doctor Latin COL 81 Smith RKO 121 Blondie Goes Mr. and Mrs. PAR 80 MGM 115 You’re the One Flight Command 80 112 Three on a Honeymoon WAR High Sierra WAR ...UNIV ... 70 Six Lessons from Madame LaZonga UNIV 80 Lucky Devils Live With Me MGM 107 ... 70 Come Detective COL 80 Where Did You Get That Girl UNIV 106 Ellery Queen, Master Hudson’s Bay FOX Convoy RKO ... 70 105 WAR 78 for Miss Bishop UA Flight from Destiny ... 70 Cheers She Couldn’t Say No . ...AVAR 98 Rangers Ride Again - PAR 78 Footsteps in the Dark WAR Texas Michael Shayne, Private Detective ...FOX ... 70 UNIV 78 . Invisible So Ends Our Night UA 96 Woman Let’s Make Music RKO ... 70 HA 76 . 95 Son of Monte Cristo UA Road Show Land of Liberty ...MGM ... 70 Life Henry PAR 75 With The Case of the Black Parrot WAR ... 70 of the Rio Grande FOX ^ Romance COL ... 70 FOX 73 Girl in the News REP ... 69 73 Face Behind The Mask COL REP ... 68 COL 72 Phantom Submarine REP ...... 68 Great Mr. Nobody WAR 72 FOX ...UNIV ... 68 Golden Hoofs Saint in Palm Springs RKO 67 Girl RKO 72 Play Phantom of Chinatown MONO ... 67 Dugan MGM 72 Trial of Mary REP ... 67 MGM 71 Keeping Company WAR ... 67 Ride, Kelly, Ride FOX 71 Her First Romance —.MONO ... 66 Boston Rlackie COL 71 Pride of the Bowery MONO ... 63 Chamber of Horrors MONt i ... 65 You’re Out of Luck MOV i ... 62 The Old Swimming Hole MONO ... 60 ' ^Ihe Qojc Ojfljice Rejiatitb: 'Road lo Rio' Sings Merry Money Tune r ea Avenue. Los Angeles, Calif n Rate, # 10.00MPer JsF *7lie &OJC- Office DIGEST "HONOR BOX” The Biggest Grossing Release Of The Past Week This Week FOX wins with 'THAT NIGHT IN RIO' 135% Vice-Pres. in Charge of Production Associate Producer Director DARRYL F. ZANUCK FRED KOHLMAR IRVING CUMMINGS ALICE FAYE CARMEN MIRANDA Screenplay GEORGE SEATON Featured BESS MEREDYTH HAL LONG S. Z. SAKALL Additional Dialogue CURT BOIS SAMUEL HOFFENSTEIN LEONID KINSKY FRANK PUGLIA Based on Play by RUDOLPH LOTHAR LILLIAN PORTER HANS ADLER MIRIA MONTEZ Adaptation GEORGES RENAVENT JESSIE ERNST EDWARD CONRAD FORTUNIO BONANOVA Photographers LEON SHAMROY FLORES BROTHERS RAY RENNAHAN Carmen Miranda’s Orchestra I. CARROL NAISH — — *7he fee#. Office *7he. OrtAiiAt'Ufi DIGEST ^idlinxUiue 'Weekly irS A SCREWY BUSINESS An Editorial by ROBERT E. WELSH We warned our patient readers several weeks ago that we We can take another aspect of that word: CONFIDENCE. might use the above heading so often that the type would wear Let it be granted that there have been a hundred and one out. cases of producers whose efforts to skirt the danger line, or to Well, the type is still holding up, and the thought is going cross it, have brought on verbal battles with Joe Breen. stronger. Lat it be granted that occasionally individuals—and you can It’s a screwy business that lets Joe Breen get away from the include your humble writer—have got sore when his office important task that he has performed in the past several years. made a ruling. That’s our statement, and the justification for using the But no picture maker has ever lost the CONFIDENCE that standing head above. Joe Breen was dealing with one as with another. He played no * 4= * favorites. We don’t know just why Joe Breen resigned from his post They always knew that Breen spoke by logic and by the as chaperon for the motion picture industry, and any guess we book. make is not much more authoritative than the other fellow’s. They always knew that he did not make a decision because Of course, all the rumors come to our desk ^nd our ears, he did not like the way the other fellow parted his hair. just as they do to anyone living in the Hollywood fog. Most * * * of them have Breen, with a natural desire for advancement, So why does the industry lose the services of this man to moving into this or that important executive position with this the post of some one company? or that company. Can it be possible that the same top executives who were Which may be an advantageous move for Breen—but it weeping in their wine a year ago about the loss of the foreign still doesn’t make sense to us that the industry as a whole market, and begging the exhibitor to mortgage his home to repeat it, THE WHOLE INDUSTRY—will let a man go to save their stables, have become a little cocksure again? the service of ONE company, when he is so sadly needed where Profit statements have kept on going up, while the foreign he is, in the service of all companies. market may soon be limited to Greenland. Defense industries * * * are fattening payrolls, while army camps have dragooned boys And why is he so sorely needed: who are compelled to seek motion pictures for their brief hours We could give a dozen reasons, but one word out of Mister of relaxation. Webster’s collection sums them all up: Has the industry—or whatever section of it that makes CONFIDENCE. the decisions—decided that the moment is right to turn loose Which happens to be something that you cannot buy; you with anything and everything, from here to heckandgone, and have to earn it. GET THE CASH! Let pictures go up and sway a little down in moral content, We hope not. For the sake of all of us who work in the let columnists have their fun about the idea that girls can’t wear industry and who were down so low in those years before the sweaters anymore on the screen, let the quips fall where they Legion of Decency set-up was arranged. may—whether in good humor But it is possible that we of or maliciousness the industry are not even THE AMERICAN PUB- elephants. The elephant never DISTRIBUTORS’ BATTING AVERAGE FOR 1941 LIC HAS HAD A SOLID forgets; we never remember. CONFI- FEELING OF % We doubt if any industry DENCE IN JOE BREEN. paying its top executives so l. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 15 Releases 95 And when you say "the 2. United Artists . 6 Releases 95 much money—if any do—can American public” you say 1 3. Warners-First National 13 Releases 94 equal the motion picture 4. Twentieth Century-Fox 13 Releases 90 "mothers, fathers, and all who 5. Paramount . . 13 Releases 89 group’s record of being able to 6. are interested in keeping this Universal . _ .13 Releases 83 REPEAT on mistakes. 7. RKO-Radio ... 10 Releases - _ 82 world from becoming a worse 8. Columbia .... 9 Releases 80 If you ask us to call the world.” It’s a world with a 9. Republic 6 Releases 71 record we will not have to 10. Monogram 7 Releases 65 poor enough excuse for living worry about getting editorial right now. ideas for weeks to come. — — 4 BOX OFFICE DIGEST *7<4e JtUfltLjJde*.: Covers the Picture News Front in a Quick Glance It never rains but it pours, and we are company will be first in the field with its with "Pot O’ Gold” ... It is a craftsman’s not speaking about the current California group-of-five to show to exhibitors in thirty- job of entertainment making, but who could dis- . . weather, which is not a fit subject for two exchange centers . (That’s the law) take a business-like budget and live up to cussion, but about the happenings of the . . . It certainly shows preparedness, and it the glories of the James Roosevelt ballyhoo? week in our fine little industry . . . News more emphatically shows confidence and THAT PESKY OLD PREVIEW • fell like bombshells across the waters . . courage • . . Because Depinet will be the SITUATION IN HOLLYTOWN First, of course, there was the Joe Breen one to take a few things on the chin while By instinct, nature, or some sort of hill- resignation, talked about on the page pre- learning lessons for the other fellows . . . billy curse that was put upon us in our ceding this . . . And, of course, a flock of But meanwhile, some of the States which cradle, we are pretty certain to call for the rumors in its wake . . . Most of our best were largely responsible for the new set-up, loan of Paul Revere’s nag when the dignity rumor boys have Joe taking an important because of continuous agitation against of the press is assailed . . . We may not executive post with RKO in production . . . Block Booking, are now passing legislation qualify as a Minute Man. but give us Two But we have been around so long that we telling the film salesmen that they are all Minutes, and a broadly spraying shot-gun, first flurry wrong if . never get very heated about the they obey Uncle Sam ... It seems and we will stand to the cause . . However, of rumors . . . Let’s wait until we hear what the exhibitors in those areas now like that we think the boys of the press in Hollywood a man named Breen has to say about his ol’ demon Block Booking . are going a trifle nutty about their preview own plans- LET’S TAKE A TRIP AROUND argument . . . For the very important first BUT WHILE ON THE SUBJECT THE STUDIO NEWS FRONT reason, that both sides of the fence are OF RADIO-RKO What’s happened to this George Raft occupied by NEWSPAPER MEN . . . Some They seemed to try to hog the headlines that every picture seems to bring on a are the ones who graduated to better salaries last week . . . First, the announcement that personal feud with fellow troupers? . . . as studio publicity directors, the others are the organization would distribute future Sam First it was Humphrey Bogart, now it is the ones who are kith and kin, and blood- • Goldwyn pictures . . . Which is money news, Edward G. Robinson . . Have they been brothers of the studio publicity directors . • . because Sam may not make many pictures feeding this lion on too much raw meat, or So, we make our first point, that the boys but when he does make one he goes the is all the rest of the profession out of step doing some quarreling are brothers under limit to try and make it an attraction . . . in the parade? . . . Don’t get too nervous the skin . . . So then we come up with an Then, the strange news from New York that about those rumors of a Capra-Riskin divi- humble suggestion: "Why don’t the boys on Johnny O’Connor and Fred Meyers, ace sion to go separate paths . . . The two are both sides of the fence get together and bookers, buyers, and otherwise important one in sincere—and the record says, very assault the FRONT OFFICES in strong execs of the RKO theater system, had turned successful—collaboration • . . But there are array?” . . . Then find out what it is all in joint resignations . . It is hard to believe problems involved in this producer-director- about, and just use a dash or two of mutual that the company would let two men go who writer all package set-up which, when compli- agreement and common sense to straighten rate at the tops in their field . . . While we cated with the tax situation, make it neces- the matter out . . . Our second thought is don’t have the pleasure of knowing Mr. sary to do some thinking . . . Take our bet: that some of the boys better be careful lest Meyers, we do know Johnny O’Connor, You will see plenty more Capra-Riskin they inform those Eastern bosses too em- since he started learning his job the hard annual hits . . . One of our favorite writers, phatically that previews do not have to be way, as an exchange booker—mebbe some- Norman Krasna, and by that word "favorite” caught in Hollywood ... It is never a very times selling posters, too,—and we have Your Highlighter always means a fellow who good idea to let the boss know that it is watched his career with interest because it delivers, is involved in that "Flame of New just as easy to have a home-office guy do seemed to us that every step he made over Orleans” bust . . . The review does not say the job as to have a distant cousin . . It is the last twenty years was always a prepara- so. but we probably have the privilege of giv- even worse when the cousin is located in tion in training for the next bigger step . . . ing expression here to the thought that some- Hollywood, which, at its best, is just rated Then, out here at the studio, we find Lee thing must have happened between script a screwy town by doddering managing Marcus, chief Keeper of the B’s for the past and direction . . . Of course, the truth is, we editors. couple of years, turning in one of those have no right to mention such opinions ODDS AND ENDS THAT WIND resignation slips . . . Followed closely by about other people’s business . • . But that’s UP A BUSY NEWS WEEK Bob Sisk, who has a fine associate producer a failing. Judy Canova and Republic patched up record ... It just doesn’t seem to add up STILL RIDING THE BICYCLE their quarrel ... If that is important to any- when you consider that this B organization AROUND THE FILM FACTORIES body . . . Tough break for a reg’lar, Thomas at RKO has been the tryingest darn group WY like the news that George Marshall Mitchell, to be a hospital visitor because of budget slaves in the industry for these has closed a deal with RKO to start with he held on to the reins when the horses many months, and that as a result of that direction of "Valley of the Sun” . . . To bolted in a scene ... A trouper always holds trying have come up with more original ideas repeat a phrase we seem to be fond of, on . • . Paul Malvern, one of the boys who and surprise sleepers than more strongly Marshall is another picture worker with the knows how to make those action pictures bankrolled competition . habit of delivering the goods . . . But some- move, and make them for the price, steps GROUP-OF-FIVE SELLING times he gets the good breaks, sometimes into a Universal berth . . . Zanuck has WILL SOON GET THE TEST the bad ones . . . The furore created by the something in that idea of bringing Laurel The calendar pages are turning, and it re-discovery of Marlene Dietrich gained him and Hardy together again . . . The "some- will not be long before the industry will be the notice he has always deserved on "Destry thing” being up his sleeve in the knowledge finding out whether the Government-decreed Rides Again” . . . Folks who knew their of what length he plans to make the pictures. method of selling its butter and eggs is picture making — timing, gags, and such' . . . Sad to hear about Harold Franklin’s going to be workable, or whether it will minor things a chap learns over years of passing . . . Since his early days in Buffalo, friends. creak and wheeze . . . Ned Depinet, of that hard work—realized what he did with "Hold as Shea’s major-domo, Harold made • will same RKO organization we have been talk- That Co-Ed” for Fox . . We don’t think . . And there are a lot of us who ing about above, has announced that his he is going to get the break he deserves remember, Harold. 5 APRIL 26, 1941 < 1Ue. £o*. Office.: 'That Night in Rio' Sings For Big Money at the Boxoffice Of 6 New Releases In The Past Week, 2 Ran PARAMOUNT— 1 Release 6 Releases Not In The Last Issue Over 100%, 1 Came Through Okay, Paramount’s release this week is "POWER % Est. 80' f, the first of a new series of And 3 Were Very Weak That Night in Rio FOX .135 ...150 ... DIVE,” thrilling aviation melodramas to be produced The Great Lie WAR 126 130 by P.C.A.—Picture Corporation of America FOX— 1 Release Sis Hopkins REP 82 85 —a newly formed company headed by Wil- liam D. Thomas, formerly associate producer Power Dive PAR 80 85 Twentieth Century Fox’s new release is to Harold Hurley of Paramount. Mr. musical . .. Darryl F. Zanuck’s big Technicolor Wild Man of Borneo MGM .. 74 75 Thomas’ contract calls for P.C.A. to deliver extravaganza "THAT NIGHT IN RIO” productions starring Repent at Leisure RKO 66 70 three modern aviation which on its first bookings, the majority of Richard Arlen for Paramount release. which were in Holy Week, is doing very is averaging well at 135 % average. This first, "POWER DIVE,” quite satisfactorily at 80' b, which includes co-stars of This sparkling musical two some important first run houses. Naturally, Alice two or three days of Holy Week, this picture Fox’s top headliners, Faye and Don when this one reaches the nabes it should is only averaging 126' 1 to date but will prob- Ameche, along with that popular newcomer do considerably better, especially in houses ably take a considerable jump in the next from the New York stage, Carmen Miranda, where action pictures are popular. has in favor with her week or two since it is an ideal woman’s who gained so much Jean Parker is seen opposite Mr. Arlen picture, and will pull strong houses right rhumbas and congas and other Latin mus- and the supporting cast includes Helen down the line. ical numbers. Mack, Roger Pryor, Don Castle and Cliff Edwards. The supporting cast is headed by J. Car- Seen opposite Miss Davis is George Brent, rol Naish, and includes S. Z. Sakall, Leonid with Mary Astor also strongly featured. fames Hogan very capably directed and Kinsky and not forgetting Carmen Miranda’s Other prominent players are Lucille Watson, John Rogers acted as associate producer. own orchestra. Hattie McDaniel, Grant Mitchell, and Jer- ome Cowan. Fred Kohlmar acted as associate producer MGM— 1 Release to Darryl Zanuck and Irving Cummings Henry Blanke, who recently scored with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has a new pro- directed. Incidentally this hit marks Irving Sea Wolf,” also "The produced "THE grammer from the Toe Cohn unit this week, Cummings’ seventh consecutive year as a GREAT LIE” under Hal Wallis’ supervision "THE WILD MAN OF BORNEO,” 74%, Fox director. with Edmund Goulding directing. which will make an average filler. Frank Due to the outstanding music and the Morgan and Billie Burke are co-starred and beautiful color photography, some of which the featured cast includes Mary Howard, was actually filmed in Rio, plus the big ex- Donald Meek, Marjorie Main and Bonita ploitation campaign back of this picture Granville. Robert Sinclair directed. REPUBLIC Also 1 Release and the showman-like direction of Irving — Cummings, exhibitors should book "RIO” RKO—Also 1 Release Republic’s new release this week is the as soon as possible and give it both preferred RKO-Radio Studios have only one release time as well as added play dates. big expensive musical production "SIS this week, "REPENT AT LEISURE,” 66%, HOPKINS,” which is getting by fairly well a rather weak programmer from the Lee at an 82% average, but still considerably unit. While this department store — below what the studio had expected consid- Marcus WARNERS -1 Release it is lacking in ering the cost of the production. story is rather amusing marquee names and will have to be booked Warner Bros. -First National came through with a much stronger attraction. with another big Bette Davis hit this week The picture as a whole is very entertaining, but it is still hard to sell a feminine tomboy in "THE GREAT LIE” which, like Bette’s Kent Taylor and Wendy Barrie are co- two recent releases, "All This Heaven to American audiences. Both Mabel Nor- and starred, Cliff Reid produced and Frank Too” and "The Letter,” is another office mand and Martha Raye had their cycle box Woodruff directed. natural. As the majority of the bookings which eventually came to an end Mr. Yates on the "THE GREAT LIE” include at least Republic Studio is trying very hard to sell Judy Canova as the new comedienne of 1941; but so far the box office results are not any too encouraging. Miss Canova is undoubtedly very talented but would prob- 7 FEATURES "GOING DOWN” 6 FEATURES "GOING UP” ably be better off in supporting roles than Was Now as a star. Topper Returns UA 92 88 Was Now Hardy’s Secretary.. 130 133 Bad Man . MGM 90 88 Andy MGM — Miss Canova has an excellent supporting The Sea Wolf ..WAR — 116 .118 cast in Bob Crosby, Charles Butterworth, Adam Had Four Sons COL .86 84 Jerry Colonna and Susan Hayward. Buck Privates UNIV. 103.__.108 The Penalty MGM 80 76 Son of Monte Cristo UA.... 85.. .. 87 "SIS HOPKINS” has plenty of entertain- Las Vegas Nights PAR 80 — 76 ment value including many spectacular mus- Free and Easy MGM 71.— 73 Murder Among Friends FOX 73— 70 ical numbers all of which will please your 62 Mr. Dynamite UNIV. 68 ... 70 audience "IF” Judy Canova’s name will get Flying Wild MONO 64 them past the box office. 6 BOX OFFICE DIGEST 'Great American Broadcast' Solid Entertainment 20TH CENTURY-FOX The Digest’s Box Office Estimate 120 % Current Reviews We Est. Associate producer Kenneth Macgowan Director Archie Mayo The Great American Broadcast FOX 120 Original screenplay Don Ettlinger, Edwin The Flame of New Orleans UNIV- 90 Blum, Robert Ellis, Helen Logan The Wagons Roll at Night Stars Alice Faye, Jack Oakie, WAR. 85 John Payne, Cesar Romero A Very Young Lady FOX 75 Featured: The Four Ink Spots, James Newill, The Devil Commands Nicholas Brothers, Wiere Brothers, Mary COL. 75 Beth Hughes, Eula Morgan. William Pawley, The Roar of the Press MONO. 75 Lucien Littlefield, Edward Conrad, Gary The Face Behind the Mask COL. 75 Breckner, Mike Frankovich, John Hiestand, Eddie Acuff, Mildred Gover, Syd Saylor, The Singing Hill REP. 75 Eddie Kane William Halligan, Frank Orth, The Great Train Robbery REP. 70 Herbert Heywood. The Big Boss COL. 65 Photographers Leon Shamroy, Peverell Marley Ranch in Arizona Lyrics and music Mack Gordon, Harry Warren Tumbledown MONO. 60 Time 92 minutes Without any pretensions at epic produc- tion size aside its grandiloquent title — from and who has never seemed so much at After which, we are not allowed to forget —"The Great American Broadcast” turns home. About that time you remember that some hot specialties. One is a trio, Zanuck- out to be one of the satisfyingly enter- most a very capable and personable fellow named discovered, the Wiere Brothers. They are taining pictures of the year, and a definite John Payne not only does a good job hold- as refreshingly new as the first time you money-picture. ing the plot together, but he also contrib- ever saw the Ritz Brothers—not the last title throws off balance with its The you utes a few warbles. time. Then there are the Four Ink Spots, hint that picture heavy his- the might be sell quite It is about time we told you something who, our operatives inform us, tory of the birth and growth of radio, or else about the picture. Well, it seems way back a few of those recordings that keep people a hodgepodge of spectacular specialties. It yonder when radio was an amateur nut fad, home from the theaters. They are good, and is not very accurate or serious history, nor a chap named Payne got the idea that it well spotted. Top that group with the Nich- is it a Technicolor jamboree. But, and might become a great industry if it would olas Brothers, wizards of eccentric dancing, emphatically, director and cast have com- sell entertainment. The only entertain- who could work all night for our money bined for a hefty ninety minutes of darn ment he had was a neat gal friend, Alice and we would still be asking for more- good fun. Faye, who was willing to chirrup for noth- Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: A money And if our mail means anything, that is ing just to help the good cause along. The picture. That about says it all. Preview what exhibitors can sell these days- only backing he had was the none-too- April 23rd. The picture has the basic entertainment bright Jack Oakie, who did, however, know qualities that made for the success of "Ti n WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: something about kilowatts. And then, there "Continuing the film cavalcades Pan Alley” and other Zanuck hits. With REPORTER: is that sleek Cesar Romero, hovering in the of American hit tunes, so successfully inaugurated just enough plot to keep it moving, and background. It is not news to either 20th- with 'Alexander’s Rag Time Band’, 20th Century- direction by Archie Mayo that keeps the Fox now turns attention to the story of radio’s Fox nor exhibitors that Romero is definitely plot sugar-coated, it relies on melody and growth since the crystal sets of 1917. The result is one of those audience likes. He repeat here. Great laughs to send you home happy. When a lively musical entertainment called 'The What happens? You can see there is a American Broadcast’—as surefire a box office sock that the melody is in the hands of you say recent perfect gang-plank for music and enter- show as has emerged from Hollywood in Alice Faye, with able pinch-hitting assist- months.” won’t be bothered too ance by John Payne, and the laughs are on tainment, and you all the boys love Alice, VARIETY : "One of the undertakings in which the broad shoulders of Jack Oakie, you much to know that untangled before the 20th Century-Fox executive guidance functions the picture for anyone who a knot that must be sort of sum up best and its top players perform most brightly is fade-out. knows his pictures- the film devoted to phases of the show world. 'The Alice Faye gets extra moments of sing- Scripting must have been a tough job. Great American Broadcast’ deserves to stand amongst the top rank in Darryl Zanuck’s length- ing, and does one of her best jobs. Which trying to combine something of history with entertaining fea- the values ening list of successful, widely is like saying that the vocal moments the hokum of heart interest and about tures based on music and the radio. It sparkles, of melody, or probably the group of orchids from Miss Faye are fine. But then you it has draw names, captivating music, a smart come up with the necessity of mentioning should go to Archie Mayo and the name collection of specialties and sound dramatic in- Jack Oakie, who can hog almost any scene, quartette at the top of the credit list. terest, splendidly presented.” + THE DIGEST IS THE FACT PAPER 4 OF THE INDUSTRY APRIL 26, 1941 7 Universal's 'Flame of New Orleans' Not So Hot UNIVERSAL Jack Otterson did his job, the players try above the background for a few more lines their best, The Digest’s Box Office Estimate Joe Pasternapk fell down as pro- than the rest, but she is still left gasping. 90% ducer when he decided this was a story, and The story is about a gal in New Orleans all the folks in the executive office went who starts to take a banker, hitches him to Producer .... Joseph Pasternak boom-boom when they assigned a story that the marriage halter, and then gets in a mess Director Rene Clair is supposedly of typical Americana to a re- of trouble. Trouble is right — we haven’t Written by Normal Krasna cently Stars Marlene Dietrich arrived Gallic, Rene Clair, who prob- figured it out yet. ably should have been seasoned in the wood Apparently, with the hypnotism of the Featured: Bruce Cabot, Roland Young, Mischa before approaching the cash customers of Auer, Andy Devine, Frank Jenks, Eddie Clair name, and that so-nice French touch. America. Of course, we all know that Rene Quilan, Laura Hope Crews, Franklin Pang- Universal set out to make a "different” pic- born, Theresa Harris, Clarence Muse, Mel- Clair is the darling of the aesthetes. But ture. They sure did make it different. ville Cooper, Anne Revere, Bob Evans, Emily those birds don’t pay off at the cash Fitzroy, Virginia Sale, Dorothy Gitta Adams, windows. Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: For the Alpar, Anthony Marlowe. spots where the title, the star, and the sexy It is pretty difficult to decide whether the Photographer Rudy Mate posters can sell, worth just that; elsewhere, Art Director Jack Otterson producers actually started out with a story, if you must face the customers as they come Time 78 minutes or just felt satisfied to give Clair some acro- out, don’t get excited. Previewed April 23rd. batics, while combining the alluring title with the Dietrich appeal. But about the time you WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: "The Flame of New Orleans” is not such figure that it is just designed to be a parade a brilliant flame. Of course, it has the ad- for Dietrich as a woman who always gets REPORTER: "Expectations of exceptional en- tertainment in 'The Flame of New Orleans’ are vantage of one of those "hot” titles, and her man, you realize that Miss Dietrich has due for a sharp disappointment. For a show pro- when you combine the title with Marlene not been given a very well written character- duced by Joe Pasternak, directed by Rene Clair, Dietrich you have something that used to be iztion. And after that disillusioning feeling, written by Norman Krasna and starring Marlene called sex, but is now designated more mod- you suddenly realize that all the other char- Dietrich, the picture doesn’t come off a: antici- pated.” estly as glamour, you have something to sell. acters are walking around in a dream. VARIETY: "Highly romantic fluff about a not But the producers gave you little more Imagine having Andv Devin". Mischa too nice lady in the early days of New Orleans, than Jack Otterson’s exceptionally fine art Auer, Eddie Quillan, and Frank Tenks in a 'The Flame of New Orleans’ should cut a capable direction, and a group of bewildered actors picture for comedy relief—gosh, how much swath through the hearts of the femmes who make up the larger portion of matinee audiences, in search of a plot, and probably willing to relief was needed—-and finding those troup- mainly because of the elegance in which it is sign clearance papers for the sake of a couple ers playing parts that cou Id be called dressed and the many delightful moments that of lines of dialogue. "extras.” Laura Hope Crewes struggles appear along its course.” 'Wagons Roll at Night' Tells All Circus Stories WARNERS date it on the critical nights. There is al- and Charley Foy turn in good jobs. The Digest’s Box Office Estimate ways a safe value in circus flamboyancy, For that matter all concerned seem to 85% there is always a thrill to see the fellow who have been hitting cn high, and that includes, goes into the cage with the lions. with emphasis, Director Ray Enright. He Associate producer Harlan Thompson cellophanes the job so that there are a dozen Director Ray Enright And then there are other meat stock Screenplay Fred Niblo, Jr., Barry Trivers moments when you fee! that it is going to ingredients in the soup—the country boy Suggested story by Francis Wallace become a picture But the plot has a perfect who becomes a champ lion teaser, the semi- Stars Humphrey Bogart, Sylvia Sidney, telegraph system that always tells you too far Eddie Albert, Joan Leslie siren of the circus who might almost win him in advance just what will happen, so that except that no well-trained audience will Featured: Sig Rumann, Cliff Clark, Charley Foy, even players and director can’t help you mut- Frank Wilcox, Ridgely, Clara Blandick, ever expect that she will win, there is the John tering sotto-voice. "I wish it would happen Aldrich Bowker, Garry Owen, Jack Mower, gal of rustic purity sublime for whom, gol and be over with.” Frank Mayo. darn it, we are rooting. And there’s a villain. Humphrey Bogart tops the credit Photographer Sid Hickox Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: At a Time 84 minutes list, and tries to play this part, but he is the budget price booking has meller values and most wierdly drawn character in an attempt — color above B grade for the audiences that every circus picture that has been to get a drop of sympathy while getting a About want this sort; for the critical just one of ton of menace that we have seen in some made, from "Polly of the Circus,” through — those things. Previewed April 22nd. a by-path to "Variety,” and a slight detour to time. Clyde Beatty’s Universal lion picture, and It’s a corny job for corny customers—and WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: stumbling on the heels of "Chad Hanna,” in that bracket may satisfy. REPORTER: "Warners has a high-powered in can take a share of pride "The Wagons impressively roFing Top honors, as we have mentioned, go to sales organization capable of Roll at Night.” They have all contributed. 'The Wagons’ out to cop box office coin. While Humphrey Bogart, but the piece is held In fact, they were too generous with their the attraction falls short of being completely satis- together by the ingratiating personality of contributions, to the extent that an eighty- factory entertainment, its cast is headed by sound Eddie Albert. He makes it almost human, marquee names.” four minute meller becomes so troubled in even if the script tries its darndest to make unravelling its plot that you feel you have him sub-dumb. Sylvia Sidney troupes with VARIETY : "Avoiding the pitfalls encouraged sat through a of two hours. minimum predecessor films dealing with circus trouper skill through her siren role. That in numerous life, 'The Wagons Roll at Night’ tells an absorbing, Which is not to say that the picture will little known gal. Joan Leslie, is a name to standard melodrama of big top and corny folk not have its welcome spots. Provided they write down in the book. The kid is good. focused upon the handling of a dangerous lion do not charge you too much, or you do not Cliff Clark, Sig Rumann, Clara Blandick act.” THE HONOR BOXWIi r ONE PAPER in eMoiuuA/ood TALKS FACTS T MANY PAPERS In ^allywaadt JUGGLE WORDS DIGEST is the FACT paper 1 APRIL 26, 1941 1 'Face Behind the Mask' Possible B Sleeper (Columbia) Another one of those Columbia pictures George E. Stone stands out in the generally that has ben playing around the country ecellent supporting cast. The Digest’s Box Office Estimate plenty before being given to the tender 75% mercies of the critics . . . They made a mis- Peter Lorre name, but there is some . . take this time though, because it is close to ... . Wallace MacDonald Producer And there is no doubt about him as an being a sleeper in the small budget group Director Robert Florey actor . . . • So take that fact and add the item . . There isn’t selling value Screenplay Allen Vincent, Paul Jarrico much in the that Robert Florey has given it A direction, Story ... Arthur Levinson From radio play by Thomas Edward O’Connell that the cast is a neatly selected group of WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: Peter Lorre Stars troupers . . . Story, from an original by REPORTER: "Something of a surprise pack- Levinson, is a Featured: Evelyn Keyes, Don Beddoe, George E. Arthur has Lorre, who man age as supporting fare is Columbia’s unsung and Stone, John Tyrell, Stanley Brown, A1 Sey- figuratively and literally behind a mask be- unheralded 'The Face Behind the Mask’. A lot Charles of movie-goers are due to discover this little show mour, James Seay, Warren Ashe, cause his face has been terribly distorted by Wilson, George McKay. for themselves and wonder why Hollywood failed Photographer Franz F. Planer fire, and who must fight his way back . . . to make more to-do about it.” 'Very Young Lady' Mainly for the Kiddies 20TH CENTURY-FOX now turns out as a merger of the three sweet to taste but it doesn’t hold up as well Deanna Durbin formulae to serve Jane as a piece of steak. The Digest’s Box Office Estimate 75% Withers. It falls into its own classification Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Just a without the necessity of comment. kiddie filler. Previewed April 22nd. Associate producer Robert T. Kane You will pretty well know the plot when Director Harold Schuster we tell you the springboard. Jane, at a classy Screenplay Ladislas Fedor, Elain Ryan WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: Original play Ladislas Fodor finishing school, gets an adolescent crush for " Star Jane Withers one of her professors. Oh, you have heard REPORTER: 'A Very Young Lady’ is a very Featured: Nancy Kelly, John Sutton, Janet Beech- it before? Well, we won’t take up your slight story. It remains to be seen how Jane With- er, Richard Clayton, Carlson, Charles June time. ers fans, accustomed to considerably more robust Halton, Cecil Kellaway, Marilyn Kinsley, Jo fare, will accept this offering.” excellent Ann Ransom, Catherine Henderson, Lucita The picture has a good cast, and Ham, June Horne. production values. In addition to Jane VARIETY : "A human little drama of en- Photographer Edward Cronjager Withers turning on all the zip that she gaged girls and their romantic leanings which will Time 80 minutes posseses, the supporting roles as can be seen be recognized by all parents with such a youngster from the cast list above, are in tried and true in their homes. 'A Very Young Lady’ gives 20th Century-Fox an opportunity further advance Twentieth’s "A Very Young Lady” is very hands. Production values are good. to Jane Withers along her maturing career and jump young in appeal. Made once before as But it sums up as 1929 saccharine, which from the tomboyish stage into the 'growing up’ "Girl’s Dormitory” with Simone Simon, it is a way of saying that sugar is always phase.” 'The Great Train Robbery' Unique Western (Republic) This is a freak from Republic which a Robbery” . . . But don’t take anything away number of the company’s customers have from the writers, director, players The Digest’s Box Office Estimate and who in 70% already discovered to be a moneymaker make it stand up . . . Strictly a freak—but its bracket . . . There is something about the what a great title for a freak. Producer-director Joseph Kane title, for one thing, that sells; there is a Original screenplay Olive Cooper, Garnet story that has of the railroading to WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: Weston, Robert T. Shannon enough live up to the title, but the sure framework REPORTER: "Republic slipped this one out Featured: Bob Steele, Claire Carleton, the without preview or fanfare, since Milburn of a fast-paced Western with its touch of into market Stone, Helen MacKellar, Si Jenks, Monte which astounded Republic exchange men have mystery . . The title is probably doing most Blue, Hal Taliaferro, George Guhl, Jay been sweating to keep pace with the call for book- Novello, Dick Wessel, Yakima Canutt, Lew of the selling, since almost everybody who ings for the step-child.” Kelly, Guy Usher. ever read a picture columnist in the past VARIETY: "'The Great Train Robbery’ fills industry’s Photographer Reggie Lanning twenty years has heard about the the bill for thrills and will be especially to the lik- Time 59 minutes birth with Thomas Edison’s "Great Train ing of juvenile audiences.” FOR REVIEWS ^ /W THAT SAY ^ OWc* SOMETHING ^ 12 BOX OFFICE DIGEST . . . BRIEF REVIEWS . . . "TUMBLEDOWN RANCH IN could a reporter do but follow the trail? Photographer Benjamin Kline ARIZONA" . . . Newspaper stories have a difficult time Featured: Otto Kruger, Gloria Dickson, John presenting anything new, but Rosen’s direc- Litel, Don Beddoe, Robert Fiske, George GEORGE WEEKS - MONOGRAM tion, a top performance by Ford, and an Lessey, Joe Conti. The Digest’s Box Office Estimate intelligently written script, give this the right 60 % A program filler on the gangster style touch, and give Monogram customers a bar- that has already played out most of its Producer George Weeks gain buy. play-dates before giving Hollywood a chance Director - Roy Luby Story by Milton Raison WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: to see it. It probably won’t have many REPORTER: "One of the more ambitious offer- more play-dates to worry about except where Featured: Ray Corrigan, John King, Max Ter- ings from Monogram, 'Roar of the Press’, has been hune, Sheila Darcy, Marian Kerby, Quen they buy at footage prices . . . They put carefully produced by Scott Dunlap and comes off Ramsey, James Craven, John Elliott, Jack politics, gangsterism, "The Last Mile,” to- as a zestful, believable newspaper varn.” Holmes, Steve Clark, Sam Bernard. gether, along with the long-lost brother of Photographer Robert Cline VARIETY: "Fine acting bv Wallace Ford in a the Governor, who has the fatal decision Time 60 minutes newspaper story that has a fresh slant and plenty in his hands, and it comes out just as messy of action ought to give 'Roar of the Press’ a good At the price are probably paying as description. you chance at first run bookings and, most certainly, a our for this George Weeks Western series re- warm reception from fans in the secondary spots. leased through Monogram you are most like- Scott R. Dunlap, who produced, and Phil Rosen, WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: who directed, rate cheers for their effective work.” REPORTER: "Melodramatic fiction with a po- ly getting more than your money’s worth . . . litical background, the plot of 'The Big Boss’ This is not one of the top numbers of the never rings true, and the picture cannot hope to series, Producer has safe but Weeks a form- rise above secondary program billing in subsequent ula in the "Three Musketeer” angle, he "THE DEVIL’S COMMAND” runs.” paces his pictures to the satisfaction of the (Columbia) VARIETY: "'The Big Boss’ comes off as con- action . . . audiences The story tries too hard ventional but acceptable program entry for the The Digest’s Box Office Estimate this time, which may let it down a bit in the general runs because of good performance and 75 % capable direction.” kiddie audience appreciation . . . Plot is a sort of rodeo versioned "Yankee in King Director Edward Dmytryk Arthur’s Court” which throws a cowpuncher Screenplay Robert D. Andrews, Milton Gunzbury Original William Sloane back a couple of decades . . . They will Star Boris Karloff either like the novelty or they will wonder "THE SINGING HILL” what it is all about. Featured: Richard Friske, Amanda Duff, Anne Revere, Ralph Penney, Dorothy Adams, Walt- (Republic) WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: er Baldwin, Kenneth MacDonald, Shirley The Digest’s Box Office Estimate REPORTER: "George Weeks’ 'Range Busters’ Warde. 75 % keep right on riding along. 'Tumbledown Ranch Photographer Allen G. Siegler in Arizona’ is the sixth screen adventure for the Time 66 minutes Associate producer Harry Grey intrepid dare-devils, and it should do all right for Director Lew Landers Screenplay itself when it hits the action market for which it There must be more theaters in the United Olive Cooper Original Lasky Richard Murphy was made.” States selling horror than are selling clean Jesse Jr., Stars Gene Autry fun . . . VARIETY: "Sixth in the Range Busters series, This one falls in the category of this is a trivial little western strictlv for the juve pictures made for those houses ... It is not Featured: Smiley Burnette, Virginia Dale, Mary Lee, Spencer Charters, Gerald Olivier Smith, trade.” quite as good as Universal’s knowledge of George Meeker, Wade Boteler, Harry Stuffs, the formula, but who ever knows what will "ROAR Cactus Mack, Jack Kirk. OF THE PRESS” get by with these horror fanatics? . . . Don’t Photographer William Nobeles Time minutes (Monogram) be surprised to learn that the story concerns 73 another doctor, that the medico is Boris The Digest’s Box Office Estimate A pretty good number in the Gene Autry 75 Karloff . . . We wonder when the American % perennials . . . We have found familiarity Medical Association will get around to pass- with the all Producer names of these mentioned in Scott R. Dunlap ing resolutions about the dirty double lives Director Phil Rosen the credit list on the writing chores, we have all these doctors lead on the screen. Screenplay Albert Duffy seen plenty of director Lew Landers’ work, Original Alfred Block and when you add Gene and Smiley, along Stars Jean Parker, Wallace Ford WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: with a capable production effort by Harry REPORTER: "For those who insist upon being Featured: Prouty, it . . . Jed Suzanne Kaaren, Harland scared when seeking entertainment, Columbia offers Grey, sort of sums it all up It’s all Tucker, Evalyn Robert Frazer, Dor- Knapp. 'The Devil Commands’, a moderately terrifying about those unfortunate ranchers who are othy Lee, John Holland, Maxine Leslie, Paul item that doesn’t succeed in making much sense.” always in trouble—either with rustlers, or Fox, Betty Compson, Matty Fain, Eddie Fost- er, Charles King, Frank " over-greedy cattle lords, or with bankers. O’Connor, Dennis VARIETY: 'The Devil Commands’ is not for Moore, Robert Pittard. This time it is the bankers. don’t worry, the kiddies. For almost an hour a mood of ex- But Photographer Harry Neumann pectancy, of something terrifying and cosmically Gene straightens everything out- Time 72 minutes important that is about to happen, is created by the sustained suspense of this Boris Karloff goose- Th is is a dandy picture that should have WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: flesher. Of its kind, the picture qualifies as ade- REPORTER: "Still leading Western stars by been allowed more budget money and more quate entertainment.” a number of notches in popularity, Gene Autry time in the shooting . . . Because direction, deserves the increased care of handling his pro- story and scripting, and casting are all on ductions, here so ably demonstrated by Associate the A side . . And don’t think that we "THE BIG BOSS” Producer Harry Grey.” are apologizing for the budget and the time, VARIETY: "About as fine a Gene Autry musi- because the entertainment values are there (Columbia) cal Western as any Republic has ever produced regardless of the adding machines ... It is The Digest’s Box Office Estimate is "The Singing Hill”. The film has been given excellent production, feminine a newspaper yarn, with Wallace Ford in the 70 % a swell lead, smooth direction, and five grand new songs. There can be center spot as a reporter whose honeymoon Director Charles Barton little doubt that this one will assay high at the is interrupted by a . . . else murder What Original screenplay . Howard J. Green box office.” ! r ^Jlui hj&GA THE EXHIBITOR ISuuA, IT WAS THE CUSTOM THAT HE WAS JUST SOLD! BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS SAID THAT HE DOESN’T HAVE TO BUY HIS BANANAS IN A BUNCH HEREAFTER, BUT CAN PICK FIVE OF THE PIECES OF FRUIT THAT HE DESIRES. WHICH ALSO MEANS — THAT THE EXHIBITOR IS MORE THAN EVER INTERESTED IN THE STRAIGHT - FROM - THE - SHOULDER REVIEWS, AND THE BOX OFFICE FACTS THAT HE GETS FROM ONLY ONE SOURCE— BOX OFFICE DIGEST ^UUi U the DIGEST'S Ijeasi Producers and Directors Associate Producers Pictures % Pictures % George Cukor 1 181 Victor Schertzinger 1 161 Joseph Mankiewicz 1 181 Sam Wood --1 143 David Hempstead 1 143 John Ford 1 138 Paul Jones 2 141 Norman Taurog .... 1 136 John Considine 1 136 Irving Cummings ... 1 135 Harry Joe Brown 1 132 George B. Seitz .....1 ...133 Bruce Manning 1 .126 Fritz Lang .....1 132 William Perlberg 1 125 Robert Stevenson 1 128 William Cagney 1 124 Edmund Goulding 1 ...126 Joseph Pasternak 1 . .120 A1 Hall .. ...l...... 125 Fred Kohlmar 2 ...1 10 William Seiter 1 120 Mark Hellinger 1 110 Preston Sturges ...1 120 Alex Gottleib 1 108 Alfred Hitchcock ..... 1 118 Henry Blanke 3 . 107 Michael Curtiz ... 1 118 Kenneth Macgowan 1 103 Raoul Walsh .....2 117 2 ... J. Walter Ruben 100 Frank Borzage .... .1 115 Irving Pichel 1 103 Producer-Directors Pictures % Frank Capra 1 162 Alexander Korda 1 133 E. H. Griffith 1 120 Actors Clarence Brown 1 107 Pictures % Cary Grant 1 181 Gary Cooper . 1 162 Bing Crosby 1 — 161 Actresses Bob Hope 1 161 James Stewart 2 144 Spencer Tracy . 1 136 Pictures % Don Ameche .. —— . 1 135 2 135 Ginger Rogers 1 143 Mickey Rooney — Barbara Stanwyck 142 Laurence Olivier 1 ... _. 133 1 132 Alice Faye .. 1 .. -135 Randolph Scott 1 126 Vivien Leigh 1 133 Charles Boyer 1 124 Bette Davis 1 __ 126 James Cagney Rosalind Russell ...1 125 Fred MacMurray 1 120 Fonda 1 120 Olivia de Havilland 1 ... . 124 Henry G. Robinson 1 1 18 Deanna Durbin 1 120 Edward 1 ...115 Madeleine Carroll ...1 120 Robert Taylor Bogart 1 110 Carole Lombard 1 1 18 Humphrey Costello — 1 108 Ida Lupino 1 110 Abbott and 1 103 Hedy Lamarr 1 107 Paul Muni Margaret Sullavan 2 106 Robert Young 2 102 , — ON M CC oc fN K I § OtCO- Ph OPhOOOOOOO o WZWU zwz^zzzzz kcop CKC-OCCCC O S S sssss O O © O o - E w : S - E J c OJ Si c OQ = Spp 's 1941 £0 L : ^ ni o!2 ’>, p5 (U “cl. c X wx ep; in J> J 0 >C^Cc2 CcCC C 50 nOO^nOSOOOO<< : : : : :> :3 : -S D O ^ ^ D D rt b£ : : O qj :S3 > C . o i ~b rt Released gsjj u +-> - rt w <« £ - re „ £ 32 <<-> P. c'g ^ J 3 “• CQ' >* n, - C C o aj a> cQQ : P .i: tfl *-•->—_(Jw ca.N£b£‘V ;Jj; g.£„« . 2 ° ° = g.Et colu' *"* ~ Cl ^ +. o ~ G % , 7: c re -* X '_, Crtrt^o cqc/)^ © $ o CZ © < © e- in Features V3. O H 03 © ©^ > © c © rt u ucc T3 2 bt u o 06 lu Major CN V© \D tj CO co O ro rvj (M fNJ x^x WEEK ? l4JeeJ&i Jlcuu^U /, /, /, And, strange as it seems to critical ears, it was not a subtle situation, but just one for healthy human roars *7he TtleeT&i , ... In the old vulgar days they used to call them "belly-laughs” ... It came when Jack Oakie, in long When Joe Pasternak, Marlene Dietrich, and Nor- man Krasna can get together on a job and out with underwear, prances around his bedroom singing "'Give come nothing more than the non-inflammable "Flame of New My Regards to Broadway” . . . By the way, did anyone Orleans.” . . . But, maybe bigger than that disappoint- else ever think of what a George M. Cohan the screen ment, the realization that the picture was directed by would get from Jack Oakie, even though he may be Rene Clair, French director, who has been touted by our intelligencia as the guy from whom American di- physically considerably too robust? rectors should take lessons . . . Possibly we expected too much . . . But the picture shows that the next time some- one should count up the marbles—and call off the fancy premieres—before setting the release date. *7lie Tt/eeJ&i ottafifuf, QcouAence This kid, Joan Leslie, who is seen in Warner’s "The Wagons Roll at Night” . . . The youngster has not only *7lte IdJeeJzk feelt AUlU , , the fresh wholesomeness of a real American girl to greet your eyes, but in every inch of celluloid shows trouping Do you remember all the fanfare about the four skill . . . She sparkles every scene in which she appears, or was it forty-four, or only two or three—sound tracks and they are all opposite veteran troupers, and most that brought "Fantasia” to a supposed to be startled world? . . . And do you know enough about addition to in those tough two-shot close-ups . . . We don’t know total the amount of billboard space, LIFE and TIME the cute girl, but we will give her a wish: "Never let spreads, gurgles and whoopees that were disgorged them call you an oomph girl, or a replica of some other about that phenomenon of science? . . Now that it turns star . . . Keep along the pathway you are trodding and out to be necessary to let the lowly ordinary exhibitor that path has a sign saying 'Going Places’.” show the picture so that some money can come back to the coffers —what is the statement? . . . Those same marvelous engineers have found a way to give you the same result on one track for cash paying customers . . . Sounds as though those fellows could make omelets without eggs. ^Hte. B (l&pxvitl: 'Ziegfeld Girl' Wins This Week *74e H&x. Office. DIGEST "HONOR BOX” The Biggest Grossing Release OI The Past Week This Week MGM wins with "THE ZIEGFELD GIRL" 148% Screenplay MARGUERITE ROBERTS SONYA LEVIEN Original Story by WILLIAM A. McGUIRE Photographer RAY JUNE Musical Numbers Directed by BUSBY BERKELEY Producer Director PANDRO S. BERMAN ROBERT Z. LEONARD JUDY GARLAND JAMES STEWART LANA TURNER HEDY LAMARR Featured TONY MARTIN IAN HUNTER EDWARD EVERETT HORTON PHILIP DORN PAUL KELLY EVE ARDEN DAN DAILEY, JR. AL SHEAN FAY HOLDEN FELIX BRESSART ROSE HOBART BERNARD NEDELL ED MCNAMARA CHARLES WINNINGER JACKIE COOPER ^Ue fecwc Office *7he. Otulu&bufi DIGEST ITbiitinctcwe lAJeeJzLf, DIAGNOSIS An Editorial by ROBERT E. WELSH Last week we remarked in our rumbling manner that the of caviar. The booker’s problem is to try and hold tight to that industry should not be surprised that theater business is falling Mr. and Mrs. Smith—maybe with a kid or two—who attend the off when the nation has lifted a million or so boys of the ticket- picture theater twice a week with the force of ingrained habit. buyng age from their home communities and transplanted them But how can the booker nourish the habit if cycles hit him to inaccessible camps to live the life of military monks while below the belt, and all of a sudden he must be feeding the same awaiting occasional brief periods of liberty. food too often to the same customers? We also had some thoughts about the fact that the girl Mr. and Mrs. Smith have the right to get tired of the man, friends back home, for whom these movie customers used to the wife, the bedroom, the imminent divorce, or strange pay the freight, may be sitting home in too great numbers at married-in-name-only” situation. free radio. the The folks in Hollywood who make the pictures would too, defense And the additional fact—that the new money from if they had to pay cash for the same thing several times a month. expenditures is going two ways: The youngsters are putting it * * * into jalopies and the brew of hops and malt, and the oldsters into paying their debts. The marriage cycle is just a current example. Many more factual arguments not absolve Hollywood But those do could be mentioned, as they always could every couple of years in connecton with the falling blood pressure of from all blame or so in this industry’s history. We’ve had the gangsters, the box offices. pseudo patriotic epics, the discovery of famous men of science * * * and invention, the wave of propaganda films. But there is another reason, of less importance, that is not We will hazard a few guesses at other reasons for the helping the ticket-taker just now. anemia. And these suggestions are made in the face of the The companies are not using intelligence in their release fact that the current run of picture offerings is hitting a pretty date spotting of free lance stars and intra-studio borrowed good average of entertainment value. luminaries. will nominate for the first point in our diagnosis: We The pictures may be produced months apart, but all too for a The industry has again gone CYCLE crazy. And often nowdays, by the time the official release dates place them cite and, if care, show some horrible example we will you— you on the booker’s shelf he is asked to be a Houdini to keep a screwball marriage farces. letters from exhibitors—the cycle of star from competing with himself—or herself. The peculiar part about it is that most of the current marital That isn’t good business. It isn’t even good sense. argument pictures are pretty good entertainment. But so is The exhibitor has bought two or three programs in bulk at caviar as an appetizer. So too, at various times are oysters, the start of the season. Most of them were just titles, a few olives, crepes suzette, and even corned beef. But who in the n->med stars. But when he gets his notice from the exchange heck wants to approach the dining table for every meal that the picture is available for booking he suddenly recalls that getting any one of those same another exchange notified him things every time? early that morning of the avail- If you will talk to some of ability of a picture with the DISTRIBUTORS’ BATTING AVERAGE FOR 1941 the circuit bookers for big same star. chains, the ones who try to use % It seems to an humble editor judgment in routing pictures that major companies with 1 . Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 17 Releases 96 around the wheel, you will 2. United Artists 8 Releases 95 very important investments in 3. 90 hear their problems in trying pieces of product could talk 4. Warners-First National 16 Releases ...... 88 to separate two or three good 5. Paramount - .... 13 Releases .... 88 these things over with each 6. Universal 18 Releases ____ 82 married squabble pictures by odier, and do a little spacing 7. RKO-Radio 13 Releases 82 at least a week or so in order 8. Columbia 12 Releases 77 of release dates. Releases 70 to give the customers some- 9. Republic 7 For their own sakes, for that 10. Monogram 9 Releases 63 thing between their hors- of rhe exhibitor, and for a little d’orves of caviar and a dessert fairness to the stars involved. 4 BOX OFFICE DIGEST *7^e JiUfUlUjht&i: Covers the Picture News Front in a Quick Glance News Highlight of the week in which course of five years on which Box Office Romero to definite A classification, and from there were plenty of interesting items was Digest gave its estimate as a large interro- all we hear the move is more than justified undoubtedly confirmation of the appoint- ? . . . still by his gation point— We think we had growing fan following. . . When a ment of our recently retired chaperon, Joe the best answer. . . One of the many evils feller can gain a following out of some of Breen, to the important post of General of war is the fact that just now the producers those B’s, that’s sumpin’. Manager at the RKO-Radio studios seem to be kidding themselves that the Specific titles do not mean so much in an public’s mind is so occupied with war that IT’S NOT ALWAYS SUCH industry such as this—which has so many they are running wilder and wilder in the A SCREWY BUSINESS hair-splitting ones but we guess the one — tendency for near-smut that masquerades in Something happened out here in Holly- bestowed on Breen will do just as well until Hollywood as "sophistication.” . . . They’d wood last week which gives some evidence another one comes along. . . And that will better not deceive themselves. . . dan- The that this industry is not always on the screw- be as soon as the Board of Directors meet ger signals will soon be hoisted. . . ball side. . . After seven to name him a vice-president. . . But what’s a title or two. or three or four when it is the DE SLYVA GOING TO TOWN importance of the job that counts? . . . RKO ON "LOUISIANA PURCHASE” H i A seven years is seven times is definitely on the road towards unit pro- That most valuable piece of box office 4K9 aSRt seven in this industry for duction, with individual responsibility for property, "Louisiana Purchase” gets nearer ft one job—a writer was ad- individual pictures. . . A combing of the and nearer to the starting gate. . . Buddy vanced a step to producer market for top attractions, an intensifying of DeSylva, producer of the Broadway stage responsibility for the moderate budget pic- sensation, and now Paramount production tures on proven individuals. . . Essentially chief, must have gotten a squint at "That lows who hop around op- that means a lot of separate companies oper- Night in Rio” and rushed out of the office portunely from one studio to another, with ating under a single roof and a single trade- with pen in hand and dotted line trailing the capable, consistent, and loyal workers be- mark. . . It calls for a man at the top who behind to nab Irving Cummings as director. ing forgotten in the shuffle. . . RKO is the is a co-ordinator, who has the confidence of studio that did the deed last week, and . . . And he has done right well for himself, John all whose work will merge into one whole Twist the writer. . . It would take a column too. . . "Louisiana Purchase” is definitely of for the company’s sake. . . George Schaefer of this or less valuable space to list all the stage, created for the stage. . . . To more made no mistake in picking his man. . . . maintain the strength of that "Broadway the fine jobs Twist has done for RKO in Joe Breen has that cooperating ability, he theater” feeling in transference to the screen those seven years, both originals and collab- holds that confidence of all with whom he orations. . . buried in the life-saving has not always been easy, or successful. . . Mostly comes in contact. . . Both in his intelligence "That Night in Rio,” while not stemming job of doing something intelligent and un- and his integrity. from the stage, was pretty evidently con- usual for B budget production values he has consistently come up with surprise after sur- RANDOM THOUGHTS ABOUT ceived at achieving the same object that prise each year. . . Twist’s first production BUSY HOLLYWOOD WEEK the $4.40 Ti mes Square musical does—an old round delightful couple of hours, and let will be "Four Jacks and a Queen” from his own original and screenplay. . . Incident- Well, the boys hive had to call in Old plot whirl where it may. . . Cummings has ally, there is another writer veteran on that Doc Freeman, the medico from Gawgia, suh, the touch. . . His deal with Paramount cov- list record be to try and straighten out the local preview ers the one picture outside commitment he RKO whose should checked by the higher ups. . is the name. . . is able to make under his long-term Zanuck . Jerry Cady muddle. . . If anyone can You’re welcome; good advice given at all do it, Y. Frank Freeman tie-up. hours. is probably the man. . . And it is about time that RAMBLING HERE AND THERE some definite course was AROUND THE STUDIOS ONE TYPE OF PRODUCT DOING NO COMPLAINING decided upon. . . . The Quite a number of shifts and deals this twists and turns of the few past week. . . Wes Ruggles closes to direct There is one type of merchandise offered weeks have been on the one at MGM, which gives good promise by this industry which goes on and on edge of the journeys to since the atmosphere will be so different he through the years — serials — and always here, there and hellangone may be able to forget his griefs in bringing holds its head up with a profitable smirk for to catch up with the pictures, more com- "Arizona” to the screen for Cohn. . . Out producer, distributor and exhibitor. . . This panies slipping weak sisters out into general in Culver City also Norman McLeod signs was borne in on us again last week when we Eastern release without previewing because a termer with MGM, and there are hints that journeyed to Film Row in Los Angeles and of lack of faith in their product, doubling he may get that prize assignment "Panama heard the raves of Columbia exchange work- up of fairly important previews on the same Hattie” . . . Rumor has it that Howard ers over "The Spider Returns,” which is night, one headache after another. . . As Hughes may revive his shelved script on Larry Damour’s latest contribution to the head of the Producers the Paramount chief- "Queer People,” with Leo McCarey at the program. . . The Cohn organization is so hot tain will now try to iron it out. . . The jury helm. . . Remember what a furore that yarn that Darmour went out on the limb with a is still out on the box office fate of "Citizen caused a decade or so ago? . . . Shucks, wad of dough to buy screen rights to the Kane,” judging from our early reports—-too the industry has learned a lot more about Dopular radio serial. "Captain Midnight”. . . this few to guess at the verdict. . . If you were how to "take it” since those days. . . We are It has often proved a lucky thing for to take the New York figures alone the pic- our own best ribbers now. . . Vic Shapiro, up-and-down business that some companies ture could be rated at around 200%, but capable veteran of the publicity and adver- had some bread winners like serials and there are scattered precincts around the tising fields, both in home office and studio, Western heroes. . . And when you think of country where all is not so well on the Welles starts an independent organization, with the the number of years that Darmour and front. . . Well, to say it again, "Citizen Screen Writer’s Guild for Number One Columbia have been associated the import- Kane” was one of the few pictures in the client. . . Twentieth is stepping up Cesar ance begins to dawn on you. MAY 15, 1941 5 7<4e Box MGM's 'Ziegfeld Girl' Tops; Boxoffices Still Far Off Of 12 New Releases In The Past Week, One it was certainly a help to Bruce Cabot who 12 New Releases Not In The Last Issue Ran Over 100%, Five Came Through gets the best break of his career in this Six Okay, And Were Very Weak . % Est. picture. Immediately following the preview Ziegfeld Girl MGM 148 150 he received several offers from major studios EDITOR’S NOTE: With the arrival of That Uncertain Feeling UA... 97 ...110 and he has just recently signed up with Walt- Easter a month ago and the conclusion of Flame of New Orleans UNIV ... 87. ... 90 er Wanger for two United Artists produc- Wagons Roll At Night . 83. ... the Lenten Season, exhibitors were looking WAR 85 The People vs. Dr. Kildare ...MGM.. 80. ... 75 tions. forward to a big pick-up in business. But the Model Wife ... ..UNIV 80 90 The featured cast is headed by Roland exact opposite has taken place with box They Met In Argentine ... — RKO 73. Young, Mischa Auer, Devine, Black Andy Frank offices falling off nationally from 15% to Cat UNIV 72. .. 75 Jenks and Laura Crews. Clair, Mutiny in the Arctic ..UNIV... 70. ... 75 Hope Rene 25%—and all this in spite of the money Dead Men Tell __.__FOX... 70. ... 75 who directed several pictures abroad, didn’t being spent on national defense. Roar of the Press MONO 70. ... 75 do so well on this, his first American made Naturally most exhibitors are quite Strange Alibi ...WAR...... 66 65 picture. alarmed over the situation; we are only "THE FLAME OF NEW ORLEANS” bringing this fact to the attention of our will DARE,” which its first bookings is aver- probably get by in the more sophisti- Hollywood readers, particularity producers, on aging a little better than the last "Dr. cated houses but will not do so well on its directors and stars, as the current figures we 80%, Kildare.” general runs, particularly in the "sticks” are receivng are below par. We believe , As usual Lionel where it will be better to double this one that the figures on such pictures as "That Lew Ayres, Barrymore Laraine with a much stronger box office picture. Night In Rio,” "Men of Boys Town;” and Day head the cast and the fea- tured Universal’s second release, "MODEL "Back Street,” "The Great Lie,” "Nice Girl,” players include Bonita Granville, Alma WIFE,” co-starring Joan Blondell and Dick and "The Devil and Miss Jones” would be Kruger and Diana Lewis. Harold Bucquet Powell, is continues as director of this series. doing fair on its first runs at an much higher if conditions were normal; so 80% average but will probably do much if you think your picture is running below better in the nabes as this one is aimed at par, look at the other fellow’s and you will U.A.— 1 Release family audiences. note that all pictures, even with the biggest Supporting Mr. and Mrs. Powell are of star names, are away below normal. United Artist’s only new release this week Charles Ruggles, Lee Bowman and Billy Gil- is the new Sol Lessor production, "THAT bert. Leigh Jason produced and directed UNCERTAIN FEELING,” starring Merle MGM—2 Releases from his own original story. Oberon and Melvyn Douglas and it is doing Universal’s third release, "THE BLACK top release this week is "THE fairly well at a 97% average; much better MGM’s CAT,” 72%, is a little better than the aver- is the than Mr. Lessor’s last United Artists release ZIEGFELD GIRL,” 148%, which age programmer from this studio. This "Our Town”—all of which proves that Honor Box Winner. While this makes murder-mystery-melodrama stars Basil Rath- the public is still buying star values and "THE ZIEGFELD GIRL” the fourth big- bone with Hugh Herbert, Broderick Craw- still is not that the domestic comedy angle is still popu- gest release of the year, 148% ford, and Gale Sondergaard in supporting lar. The featured cast is headed by Burgess any too strong considering the fact that roles. Meredith, Alan Mowbray, Harry Daven- "The Great Ziegfeld” ran considerably With Universal releasing "Man Made practically all its bookings. port and Eve Arden. Ernest Lubitsch acted above 200% on Monster” and "Horror Island” in the last course, this picture with its excellent mar- as producer-director on this Sol Lessor- Of two weeks and "THE BLACK CAT” this quee title and fine studded cast, is bound United Artist release. week, it rather looks as if they were trying all houses; Incidently, Mr. Lubitsch, upon comple- to pull good business in type of to give exhibitors plenty of horror thrillers. tion of "THAT UNCERTAIN FEELING”, still if conditions were normal it would But judging from general exhibitor reports probably be pulling considerably higher and resigned from the Lessor organization and it also looks as if the public is getting fed runs. is now associated with Mr. Zanuck at getting longer exended up on so much of this type of entertainment Twentieth Century-Fox. James Stewart, Judy Garland, Lana Turn- along with many similar releases of the same Don’t book this one too close to Warner’s er are co-starred and the featured cast is calibre from Paramount, Columbia and headed by Tony Martin, Jackie Cooper, "Affectionately Yours” which was released Monogram. the following week as both pictures star Ian Hunter, Edward Everet Horton and Universal’s fourth and last release this Merle Oberon and it will probably be better Charles Winninger. Pan Berman produced week, "MUTINY IN THE ARCTIC.” this big Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer special and to keep them a few weeks apart. 70%, is another of the Richard Arlen-Andy original Robert Leonard, who directed the Devine series. These pictures apparently "Ziegfeld”, also directed this one. UNIVERSAL—4 Releases have little first run value but make excellent It has been the opinion of many of the ^Continued on Page 15 critics as well as leading exhibitors that if Universal Pictures have four new releases this big super-special had been filmed in this week two of which are holding fairly Technicolor that it would have enhanced well, considering present conditions, while 9 FEATURES "GOING DOWN” the box office value considerably. the second two are just fair programmers. Was Now MGM’s second release is another of the Universal’s top release is the new Joe Meet John Doe WAR— 162... 155 Joe Cohn-Carey Wilson "Dr. Kildare” series Pasternak production. "THE FLAME OF Men of Boys Town MGM— .136.— 131 That Night in Rio — FOX— 135— 131 —"THE PEOPLE VS. DOCTOR KIL- NEW ORLEANS,” which at 87% is doing The Great Lie WAR— 122... 118 practically the same business as Marlene Sea Wolf WAR— 115 -.112 Dietrich’s last starring vehicle "Seven Sin- Pot O’ Gold UA... 106 .102 1 FEATURE "GOING UP” ners.” Blondie Goes Latin COL ... 78 — 76 73 Was Now "THE FLAME OF NEW ORLEANS” You’re the One . PAR 75. — Lady From Cheyenne UNIV. 90 ... 92 Horror Island UNIV 72.... 70 may not do Miss Dietrich much good but — — 6 BOX OFFICE DIGEST Powell-Loy Go Slapstick in MGM's 'Love Crazy' MGM The Digest’s Box Office Estimate 130 % Producer Pandro S. Berman Current Reviews We Est. Director Jack Conway Screenplay William Ludwig, Love Crazy _ __ . MGM __ 130 Charles Lederer, David Hertz Original David Hertz, William Ludwig One Night In Lisbon PAR 115 Stars ... William Powell, Myrna Loy Sunny __ . RKO 100 Featured: Gail Patrick, Jack Carson, Florence Bates, Sidney Blackmer, Sig Rumann, Vladi- She Knew All the Answers COL 85 mir Sokoloff, Donald MacBride, Sara Haden, Kathlen Lockhart, Fern Emmett, Joseph Too Many Blondes UNIV 75 Crehan, George Meeker, Clarence Muse, Elisha Cook Jr. Lady From Louisiana REP 75 Photographer Ray June Scattergood Baines Pulls the Strings RKO 65 Time 100 minutes Redhead 65 "Love Crazy” is whacky, to the extent of MONO being whacky-whacky. If any two players other than William Powell and Myrna Loy had been in it the picture would have fallen into the intermediate ranks as "just another All this happens because Powell and Loy no need to apologize to the ancestors of married life farce.” bicker to the point of thinking they want many of the gags. When you consider what But as it is, Jack Conway’s fast-paced a divorce and lawyer-friend Sidney Blackmer he has accomplished with the material giv- direction combines with the stars to make advises Powell that he can avoid a lot of en, it must be recorded that the scripters an evening of entertainment that may not be complications by feigning insanity. Unfor- let h im down. the tops, but will at least send them out tunately Powell does such a good job that Producer Pandro Berman evidently mixed happy. That’s plenty these days. And the the authorities take him seriously and he his entertainment elements with an eye on box office draw is in very safe hands with lands in the place behind the high walls. the war-weary audience, and the results will the magic of those two top names for your Incidentally, the picture is on thin ice be on the right side of the ledger. marquee. when touching on this insanity theme. On Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Not Most fortunate several occasion is just skirts the edge of item concerned with the really Powell-Loy top standard, but so screw- story is that it has two riotous comedy scenes being unpleasant. Bulk of the picture’s bally that it should hit the present taste of spaced just where they meaty opportunities go to Powell, and he do the most good the customers. Previewed May 12th. at the start and nearing the finish wire. The uses them to the fullest. From straight SAID: opening one finds Powell, already in a jam Powell, to crazy Powell, and on to a WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS REPORTER: "Nothing has been missed that because a former flame, Gail Patrick, is in "Charlie’s Aunt” female impersonator will draw a roar of honest mirth even to a lot of the same elevator with him, caught with his Powell, he is the spark-plug. Myrna Loy physical slapstick and several gags so surefire that head betwen the sections of the elevator is her own assured self at this sort of thing. they will never age.” door while the "lift” bounces In support, Gail Patrick turns in an effective up and down VARIETY: "Those disciples of sophisticated erratically. It is played all-out for Sennett performance, while Jack Carson—being seen comedy William Powell and Myrna Loy, here turn slapstick, and it is great. Second situation more and more frequently these days to broadest farce, the screwiest assignment they ever have had, it for laugh follows the Sennett trail for a hilarious makes a role as a "likeable rat” stand out. and romp on heavy payoff. It’s a coin picture because of the names chase, Powell reappearing in his wife’s apart- Jack Conway’s direction milks the comedy and the content, which is antidotal for the encircl- ment in female guise, etc. scenes with every resource of a veteran, and ing gloom.” 'Scattergood Pulls Strings' Pleasing Family Fare BRANDT-RKO that Clarance Buddington Kelland has been up charge of murder. Scattergood takes the Digest’s The Box Office Estimate selling with Scattergood all these years from boy in, then unravels the father’s case. 65 % the pages of American Magazine. In Direc- Best values in the picture came through Producer Jerrold T. Brandt tor Christy Cabanne he has a cooperator Cabanne’s ability to wring the tops of emo- Director Christy Cabanne who knows how to milk these "milk of hu- tion from his tear jerker scenes without go- Screenplay Christy Cabane, Bernard Schubert Based on stories by Clarence Budington Kelland man kindness” things to the utmost, and in ing overboard to the bathos point. Support is Stars Guy Kibbee star. Guy Kibbee he has a real Scattergood. excellent, with Monte Blue and Emma Dunn seen to especial advantage. Featured: Bob Watson, Susan Peters, James Cor- This story again finds the Kelland char- ner, Emma Dunn, Dink Trout, Monte Blue, acter a local Mr. Fix-It who takes on all the Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: They Carl Stockdale, Paul White, Fern Emmett, world’s troubles in his own mild way, but will go for it strong in the nabes. Previewed Lee "Lasses” White, Ann Shoemaker, Gor- 8th. don Hart, Howard Hickman, Earl Hodgins. always leaves everybody happy no matter May Photographer how knotty the original problem. He is con- Jack Mackenzie WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: Time 69 minutes cerned this time with the problem of a run- REPORTER: "The first of this series produced away boy, a role handled with great natural A fine family picture, even better than the by Jerry Brandt, was an excellent show. The sec- skill by young Bobs Watson. As a sort of ond is a better one. It will steal the bill from excellent predecessor which started off this side-issue he fixes up the romance of the many a more pretentious offering.” modest budget RKO series. It will find juveniles, Susan Peters and Connors. many a welcome spot. James VARIETY: "This is a simple, folksy, country- philosophy type of drama which has been geared Producer Jerrold Brandt has adhered to It seems that Bobs has run away from for the dual bill audience, and, as such, will fill his initial policy of keying his series waifs, also the to the a state institution for but has the bill nicely as a programmer in the secondary same home-spun, homefolk, Vermont spirit shadow of a father who is under a framed- runs.” tB^F^ #«n INTO OHB ^ Alice ** ©AK*E m» PAVAE Cesar U4»lE«° i ** Directed by Archie Mayo tSS'S- s e ori^r! S “»^» Lyrics and music of the smash hit songs «”“ P“° by Mack Gordon ^SaSj M H and Harry Warren Jgk ®ile 4 NOW °o lAST NIGHT" GRAUMAN’S CHINESE and LOEW’S STATE ARCHIE MAYO Directed "The Great Amc ALICE FAYE ican Broadcast 10 BOX OFFICE DIGEST 'One Night in Lisbon' Better Than The Title PARAMOUNT In recording the fact that the picture goes or more about Edmund Gwenn, whose char- The Digest Box Office Estimates over as entertainment a minus mark must acterization of an English diplomat does a 115% also be chalked up for the fact that quite a great deal to give the picture its back-bone Producer-Director Edward H. Griffith bit of this entertainment is on that slightly of sincerity while the rest are the ribs of Screenplay . Virginia Van Upp dustry line where the Hays office tries to risibility. Original Play John Van Druten keep watch. is Griffith his Stars Fred MacMurray, Madeleine Carroll Since the paying public not Director Edward shows top up on release dates and the day and date skill throughout, particularly in handling of Featured: Patricia Morison, Billie Burke, John of picture executive shifts, there may be the chuckling intimate scenes. Loder, Dame May Whitty, Edmund Gwenn, many who will say: "See, that’s what hap- Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: On its Reginald Denny, Billy Gilbert, Marcel Dalio, pened quit his job.” Bruce Wyndham, Jerry Mandy. when Joe Breen own, as entertainment, a good bet. Problems title in in others Fred MacMurray is an American aviator, are the semi-war some spots; Photographer Bert Glennon one of that fly nights the ultra-spicines of so many of the lines. Time 97 Minutes band who the lone delivering bombers to England; Madelleine Previewed May 7th. "One Night in Lisbon” tries to skirt a Carroll is doing her share for the Isle as a WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: difficult problem. The records have shown, volunteer chauffeur in the diplomatic serv- REPORTER: "World War II is too close to America’s daily consciousness to be acceptable mo- probably since this picture was started, that ice. tion picture entertainment. Hollywood’s several pictures concerning war and refugee prob- Boy meets girl first under the thrilling blasts at foreign dictators, and the horror of their lems are not selling. Still, the picture cannot intimacy of an air raid shelter during an persecutions have not done well at the box office. comes producer-director Edward H. Griffith, dodge its title while it tries valiantly to be alarm. Boy decides that he wants girl. Now armed with a clever script by the brilliant Vir- entertainment that could stand on its own There is an ex-wife. Patricia Morison, in the ginia Van Upp, to show how the current conflflict feet, war or no war. procedings to complicate matters. And for can be treated as a background to entertainment It succeeds as entertainment, thanks large- some reason or other there is a hint of spies that the public will accept. Griffith’s solution is amazingly simple. He never allows the war to be- ly to a corking performance by Fred Mac- towards the end that is never entirely justi- come other than a background for a light comedy- Murray. How it will succeed as office fied in its relationship to the entertainment box romance.” lure depends on selling it so that the might- that preceeded. VARIETY : "This is as slick and engaging a be customers don’t think they are being lured The cast is a hand-picked group. In addi- love tale as has come out of Hollywood romance to another one of those war worries. They tion to the fine work by the stars, you do hoppers in a long time. A romantic comedy, it is both comic and romantic in a peculiarly charm- might figure that they can stay home with not need our word to assure the performances ing way and will find welcome amongst all kinds the radio and the columnists and know of the supporting cast listed in the credits and shades of audiences from the big towns to authentically what "happens in Lisbon.” above. Though we should stop for a word the cross-roads.” Vt 'She Knew All The Answers' Packed With Laughs COLUMBIA But here, there is a story and a fine script- But the nub of the subject is in the direc- The Digest’s Box Office Estimate ing job, delightful playing in the comedy tion. Richard Wallace went to town on this 85% vein by the cast, and all topped by sure-fire one. He gets believable characterizations Producer ... Charles R. Rogers direction from Richard Wallace. out of a comedy, he keeps it moving smooth- Assistant producer William A. Pierce ly, and he remembers the Number One rule If the slightest of faults can be found with Director Richard Wallace of a laugh picture—he tops every scene with the picture as entertainment, it is that old Screnplay Harry Segall, Kenneth Earl, a gag, or a line, or a bit of suspense as to debbil "overlength.” It could have been Curtis Kenyon what will happen in the next scene. trimmed to accentuate its real values. Original Jane Allen And when he has something broad to Stars Joan Bennett, Franchot Tone Franchot Tone’s performance makes one work with, he milks it. The two highlights feel that he has never played anything but Featured: John Hubbard, Eve Arden, William are Joan Bennett’s amateurish efforts to Tracy, Pierre light comedy in his life, and that he knows Watkin, Almira Sessions, Thurs- struggle with telephone switchboard and its ton Hall, Grady Sutton. all the tricks of that trade. It is one of the multiplicity of cords; and a later sequence best jobs that Tone has contributed to the when Joan is trying to teach Franchot how Photographer Henry Freulich screen, both because it is so unexpected, and to get along without eye-glasses. Time 85 minutes because of skill in handling it. Yes, Rogers and his long-time aide, Assist- Charles Rogers has given Columbia a pic- The real surprise of the picture, however, ant Producer Bill Peirce, can take a deserved ture that is definitely an audience natural. is Joan Bennett. Miss Bennett has not had bow for meeting current desires. Its box office temperature will depend on the advantage of a really good role in a two factors, first, the possible value in the long, long time. But here, going back to Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: You can Franchot Tone- Bennett Joan combination as the first principles of her early comedy per- safely go out on the limb about it as enter- ticket sellers; second, the amount of heat sonality days she really sparks the pic- tainment, but put advance pressure on to you can generate out of the enthusiastic ture right along in high gear. get your money’s worth. Previewed May word-of-mouth build-up that the picture de- 2 1st. John Hubbard continues to improve in serves, and will undoubtedly get. And that acting assurance and in evidences of versa- FELLOWS SAID: is a selling title. WHAT THE OTHER saying tility. There were many who were REPORTER: "Charles R. Rogers’ first produc- 'She Knew All the Answers” is unique in some months back that John Hubbard was tion for Columbia is a neat business comedy. Pre- an appreciative audience, the show one respect— it is the first light comedy in just a flash in the pan—we say it will be a viewed before chalked up enough laughs to assure profitable busi- many months that actually has a story basis. flash that will be around for a long time. ness in its play dates.” Most of our recent previews have given the Dependable Eve Arden is on hand, with bright- impression that all that is needed for a pro- her knack of handling straight lines "over VARIETY : "A comedy of extraordinary ness and high entertainment value, this tale of a ducer to start a light comedy or screwball the shoulder” that adds something to them girl and a boss and a playboy, once titled "A farce is a fragment of idea, director an a every time. William Tracy should not be Girl’s Best Friend Is Wall Street,” should find wide and players who can get by with anything. forgotten for creditable mention. welcome where sheer amusement is wanted.” 11 MAY 15, 1941 Herbert Wilcox Clicks With Musical 'Sunny' RKO-RADIO formula. In addition it has a completely that should erase memories of a couple of The Box Office Digest’s Estimate rounded out cast that is delightful, and that Wurtzel B’s inflected on them some years 100 % is topped off by some of the best musical ago. Producer-director Herbert Wilcox numbers that can be heard today, even Not until we check the program did we Associate producer Merrill G. White though their birthdays were many years ago. realize that a "Major Montgomery Stone” Screenplay Sig Herzig seal trainer, other than that re- Anna Neagle is seen to excellent advant- was none From musical comedy by Otto Harbach, markable fellow, Benny Rubin. There is Oscar Hammerstein, Jerome Kern age in the title role. The surprise standout of something wrong with an industry whose Star Anna Neagle the show is John Carroll, who takes a staight musical comedy lead role and makes production guiders don’t realize the amazing Featured: Bolger, Carroll, Edward Ev- possibilities in the Benny Rubin Ray John it stand out with his combination of person- untapped erett Horton, Grace Hartman, Paul Hartman, ality and his singing. This reviewer remem- talents. Frieda Inescort, Helen Westley, Benny Rubin, bers Carroll’s singing fom his Monogram Muggins Davies, Richard Lane, Martha Exhibtor’s Booking Suggestion: Sure-fire Tilton. days in E. B. Derr productions, but at that audience bet for these days. Previewed May time the trade critics used to dismiss it with Photographer Russell Metty 16th. suspicions of "dubbing.” Time 97 minutes WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: When you get to the character and com- "Sunny” is easily the best of the trio of edy roles you reach for pleasant adjectives REPORTER: "By far the best of the Anna brought pictures Herbert Wilcox has made since again. Helen Westley, as the crabby old Neagle filmusicals that Herbert Wilcox has us, 'Sunny’ is headed for a bright box office transferring his British production activities rich Aunt Barbar, is grand. Every line she future.” to Hollywood. It is all-around audience delivers rolls them in their seats. Of course, entertainment for the bulk of the cash cus- that is no new trick for Helen Westley. Ray VARIETY : "Musical-minded ticket buyers will tomers. Bolger and his dancing are the mainstay of find this version of 'Sunny’ to their liking. Tune- the musical numbers. No need to talk about fully strung together with the melodies of the old stage piece, picture is showmanly handled in all There is more of reality in "Sunny” than reliable Edward Everett Horton. The Hart- departments to give full value to the Jerome Kern in in the previous Wilcox musicals, which had man’s, top-flight comedy dancing team music and the particular talents of its cast head- story outlines too much on the unreal stage the metropolitan centers, register with a sock liners.” 'Too Many Blondes' Falls to Make 'B' Grade UNIVERSAL enough opportunity. Shemp Howard, in The Digest’s Box Office Estimate particular, makes his brief moments a stand- 75% THE BATTING AVERAGES out. Associated producer Sanford Joseph G. Weekly changes in the standings shown Iris Adrian, formerly just seen in minor Director Thornton Freeland : n Digest’s feature "THE BATTING roles, shows definite appeal, and an extreme- Screenplay Maxwell Shane, Louis S. Kaye AVERAGES” have been so few recently ly unique appearance. She is a Mae West Original Maxwell Shane type, yet more human. that the feature will hereafter appear only Stars .. .Rudy Vallee, Helen Parrish when important changes, or a sufficient The story concern the married life of Featured: Lon Chaney Jr., Jerome Cowan, Shemp number of changes make it of interest. Rudy and Helen, which is about to be Howard, Iris Adrian, Eddie Quillan, Irving Bacon, Jeanne Kelly, Pavo Moreno, Gus busted up by a divorce because she resents Schilling, Dorothy Lee, Carmela and Jose This will probably be every other week the attentions of blonde friends of his pre- Cansino, Dinorah Rego, Humberto Herpera or so for a while, but of course when the marital days. Action revolves around the and Orchestra. fact that they continue to live together while new season’s product begins to hit the they save up enough money for the divorce. Photographer Milton Krasner it will undoubtedly be resumed as market You do not need our information that they Art Director Jack Otterson a weekly feature. Time 60 minutes end the sixty minutes all hunky-dory again. Thornton Freeland does his best as direc- Even as a B offering, "Too Many Blondes” tor, and manages to spark whatever live does not come off with anything to boast material he has. But they didn’t give him about. Principal reason for this is an anae- on the screen as well as on the air. And much of a frame-work. mic story and script which leaves it to a that applies to whether he is singing or act- hard-working, personable cast to carry the ing. Vallee has that Crosbyish manner that Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Except burden. And if it had not been for the val- bespeaks a showman who knows how to sell for the Vallee name possibilities, just an- iant work of that cast it would have been — his stuff. other filler. Vallee has some good songs, just too bad. and repeats "Man on the Flying Trapeze” Some day some wary producer will find for a hit scene. Previewed May 13th. Technicaly speaking, the picture was prob- the spot and the method of handling for ably planned as a musical, but the result on Vallee. WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: the screen is a gagged-up hash of comedy REPORTER: "In the modest-budget musical with some music that never seems to know Balance of the cast also works hard. field, 'Too Many Blondes’, starring Rudy Vallee, where it is heading, and does not care Helen Parrish, in a rather negative role, is much will prove a winner.” whether it gets there. more than adequate. Lon Chaney, Jr., Eddie Quilan, and Shemp Howard spark the com- VARIETY: "'Too Many Blondes’ is a mild little comedv with music that is The condolences must go to the cast, and edy scenes so that you do find yourself slated for spotty reception in its supporting bill play dates, but be- particularly to Rudy Vallee. The latter is a getting many enjoyable laugh moments cause of its short running time and a number of showman to his finger tips, you can feel it out of the picture. But they do not get good laughs, will manage to please sufficiently.” F, °m2°‘h «NTURy.FOX F°R NE *T SEASON! cenTURY \ — SMB WeeJ&i Qaad ^Utxudxfttt: The good thought is for the cockles of your Editor’s heart, because the week can prompt a few words of deserved recognition for a grand lady of the screen Helen Westley. . . To be more prosaic, for a consistent 'WeehX : scene-saver. . . In Herbert Wilcox’s "Sunny” Miss Westley does a job that really can’t fit anything but the When a natural born showman like Rudy Vallee can word: "Terrific!” . . . With less opportutniy, in another suffer visually before audiences that have known him preview of the week, Republic’s "Lady From Louisiana,” principally over the air in such an anemic piece as "Too Miss Westley turned in the same audience capturing Many Blondes” . . . Seems as though, somehow, there work. . . Of course, there is no news in proclaiming should be the formula or set-up to take advantage of one Helen Westley’s ability, but we just thought you’d like of the show-world’s top sellers in the past decade. . . . a tip-off on some characterizations worth seeing. Vallee should play himself, the Vallee that made his fol- lowing. . . In "Too Many Blondes” he plays a straight role that a half a dozen neophytes in Hollywood could have handled. . . Except for a couple of song spots. . . . That’s just buying a personality and throwing it away. * 7lie lAteeJzk Vital Statiltiol: Something should be placed in the archives this week to record the fact that Harry Sherman previewed his THIRTY-FIFTH Hopalong Cassidy, for delivery to VJeeJ&i Qltee>iJjul ^Uaucflit: Paramount. . . That must be some sort of record. . . The interesting part to your Editor, though, is not the cold Joan Bennett . . . Digest reviewers have so often figures, but his memory of the number of years that found fault with Joan Bennett’s cold-as-ice characteriz- Harry Sherman tried to peddle Clarence Mulford’s ations that it had probably almost become a habit. . : . "Hopalong” character around Hollywood and with just But any probabilities were jarred this week by the finesse a brush-off. . . Any success Harry has earned in recent years was earned the hard way—and by FAITH in his and bubble with which she handles a light comedy role merchandise. in Charles Rogers’ picture, "She Knew All the Answers” ... It is an ebullient, delightful performance. . . . Keep it up, Joan. . . Incidentally, Franchot Tone will help audience liking with his characterization. . . So perhaps it is about time to say a word for Director Richard Wall- ace, who hasn’t always received the best of assignments in recent years, but who goes to town with this one. V « On CO fi '-D'O Oio-'I'-OroC'lCNCgC ^*-3 0 pkOH^oaioc^scoiJboddd — rH '-ooooopoooPPoc>ooooo in 3 S f^rN rs f'^t^ rs ^*t>' rN ^KtstN^ ,^ rs ^' ts rN ,NtN fNN tsts lNNfN o © -j Jxi Jdg>> jx j>>^§ Jo 0>P*Cq*JS0*CX p-oo^o5^~ 0 Qrrc5?o<<~ru: © © © © < © b > ia Features 'CO. o v H u O 3.' « X s 'o o X a a -C •c b£ u- cfl £ X Major All 15 MAY 15, 1941 'Lady From Louisiana' Colorful Action Picture REPUBLIC and director on this one, and again shows very good, with Ray Middleton doing the The Box Office Digest’s Estimate that he has skill not yet fully recognized in heavy, and Helen Westley a sort of Carrie 75% Hollywood. Nation who gives you laughs aplenty, stand- is present to Essentially the story is just the old West- ing out. Henry Stephenson Associate producer-director Bernard Vorhaus ern formula of the bad-baddy town which advantage. Screenplay . Vera Caspary, Michael Hogan, Guy Endore Westley is the needs cleaning up. Helen Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Will be Original Edward James, Francis Faragoh reform minded character and John Wayne Stars John Wayne, Ona Munson a money-making action bet, meller dressed the comes to town to do the mop boy who up with skillful direction and colorful pro- Featured: Ray Middleton, Henry Stephenson, job. up duction values. Previewed May 16th. Helen Westley, Jack Pennick, Dorothy Dand- a very big but this is not a Paul But—and — ridge, Shimen Ruskin, Jacqueline Dalya, WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: Scardon, James H. MacNamara, James C. one-street cow-town, it is New Orleans of a Morton, Maurice Costello. fabulous era, with its French quarter, its REPORTER: "When Republic sets out to make with overflowing a big-scale production, the scale is really big. Marta Mardi Gras, and even an Photographer Jack 'Lady From Louisiana’ purports to tell a true story of that ol’ debbil Mississippi for an extreme- Time 83 minutes of the rise and fall of the Louisiana lottery in the ly climax. effective melodramatic plush days of New Orleans in the early ’90’s. It is There is colorful atmosphere and action John Wayne is right at home in the part. a finale that will send them out talking about 'Lady From Louisiana,’ and its sales values will aplenty in Republic’s "Lady From Louis- He has played it many times and just trans- ” undoubtedly double the film’s grosses.” iana and with John Wayne’s name value fering it to New Orleans doesn’t bother topped by excellent production values, it Wayne any. Ona Munson does a good job VARIETY: "Romantic, exciting and fast-mov- ing in its melodramatic unfoldment under Bernard should prove one of the company’s hits for opposite him, though not entirely in char- Vorhaus’ skillful pilotage, 'Lady From Louisiana’ the year. picture her acter as audiences remember stands among the best and most entertaining offer- Bernhard Vorhaus acted as both producer "Gone With the Wind” role. Support is ings turned out by Republic.” 'Ziegield Girl' Tops BRIEF REVIEW ^Continued from Page 5 RKO— 1 Release 'Redhead' RKO-Radio’s only new release this week MONOGRAM fillers for the nabes and grinds where action is their new South American musical, The Digest’s Box Office Estimate pictures are popular. "THEY MET IN ARGENTINE,” which 65% Producer was supposed to be a special, but turned out ...I, E. Chadwick Anne Nagel and Don Terry are featured. Associate producer Herman Wohl so poorly that it wasn’t even previewed for Ben Pivar produced and John Rawlins Director Edward Cahn the local Hollywood press. Screenplay Conrad Seiler, Dorothy Reid directed. Based on novel by Beth Brown Considering the time and money spent on Stars — June Lang, Johnny Downs this picture it should have gone over much Featured: Eric Blore, Weldon Fleyburn, Anna Chandler, better, but outside of the musical numbers Frank Jaquet, Zarova, Baron 2 Releases Emerson, Harry Burns, Donald Thompson. WARNER— there is little entertainment value in the Photographer Andre Barlatier and picture. James Ellison and Maureen O’Hara Benjamin Kline Warners-First National have two releases are co-starred and the supporting cast in- Time 64 minutes this week. The first of which is rolling along cludes Robert Barrat and Albert Viela. a This new version of Monogram’s "Red- fairly well while the second is fairly weak newcomer from the South American screens. head” comes off as fair program fodder, with little incitement to grow any more programmer. Lou Brock produced and Leslie Goodwins enthusiastic . . . Producer Chadwick appar- and Jack Hively co-directed. "THE WAGONS ROLL AT NIGHT,’’ ently took what should be a lightly sexey, and therefore appealing, theme and handled 83%, is Humphrey Bogart’s first picture it with the rivets of formula. . 1 Release . Johnny since "High Sierra” but is not nearly as FOX— Downs is a bright light, Eric Blore uses his strong at the box office, probably due to the Twentieth Century-Fox’s only new release moments to fine . advantage. . June Lang weakness of story which deals with a circus is another in the Charlie Chan series, is okay to look at . . . Tells the story of the —carnival background, and then again "DEAD MEN TELL,” which is just doing playboy who cooks up a deal with a gal in so-so at a average. Warners gave "High Sierra” a terrific ex- 70% trouble to nick his father for dough by mak- ing one of those "marriage in name only” ploitation campaign and didn’t push "THE Harry Lachman directed for associate pro- bargains. . . There comes the time when they ROLL AT NIGHT” any too ducers Walter Morosco and Ralph Dietrich. WAGONS really begin to love each other, and when strongly. she has seemed to make him a reasonable MONOGRAM— 1 Release facsimile of a man. Sylvia Sidney, after her long absence from WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: " the screen, returns as Mr. Bogart’s leading Monogram’s new release this week, "THE REPORTER: 'Readhead’ is so hopelessly lady with the romantic leads portrayed by ROAR OF THE PRESS,” 70 %, is much amateurish in every department that a reviewer is left with nothing Eddie Albert and Joan Leslie. Ray Enright better than the recent releases from that to say about the acting, direc- tion, writing or production. Even in the independ- directed for Producer Harlan Thompson. studio, both in production value and mar- ent market, this picture has precious little to offer quee names. As the title implies, it is an- as an entertainment item.” Warner’s second release, "STRANGE other newspaper yarn and co-stars Jean VARIETY: "This is a mild programmer which ALIBI,” 66%, is a rather weak programmer Parker and Wallace Ford. will have to rely chiefly on the performances and from the Brynie Foy unit. It is entirely lack- relative name values of June Lang and Johnny Downs to pull through in lesser ing in marquee names. Arthur Kennedy and The supporting cast includes Jed Prouty, the situations for which it is geared. Production is hampered by Joan Perry head the featured cast. Better Susan Kaaren and Harlan Tucker. Phil uninspired yarn which Edward Cahn’s direction spot this one in on a bank night. Rosen directed for Producer Scott Dunlap. fails to hurdle.” @ THE HONOR BOX WINNER @ 2\o(jzxt 2. 21zotiaxcl DIRECTED "ZIEGFELD GIRL" A METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER PICTURE maim CALIF., MAY 26, 1941 R ' 94, ;.‘ y ; r *®8 BO Honors c>ee Pacje. 5 Brea Avenue, Los Angeles. Calif, n Rate, §10.00 Per Year fUe Box. Office DIGEST "HONOR BOX” The Biggest Grossing Release Of The Past Week This Week COLUMBIA wins with "PENNY SERENADE" 131% Vice-Pres. in Charge of Production Producer-Director Associate Producer HARRY COHN GEORGE STEVENS FRED GUIOL From Story by MARTHA CHEAVENS Screenplay MORRIS RYSKIND Photographer JOSEPH WALKER Featured EDGAR BUCHANAN ANN DORAN EVA LEE KUNEY LEONARD WILLEY CARY GRANT IRENE DUNNE BEULAH BONDI — *Jke B *7<4e OnduAbupl DIGEST 'WeeJzlq. CURE OF THE BLUES An Editorial by ROBERT E. WELSH After this present discussion we promise not to worry our man who works out of a single exchange. readers with any more talk about the current box office slump, We used to do it in this business—and we made money and its possible causes. They probably have better ideas about at a time when the top gross in France for a domestic million it in Sioux Falls than we have in Hollywood, anyway. dollar hit would not total enough francs to pay off the mortgage So this is the swan’s breath. on a Chic Sale domicile. couple intellect A of years or so ago our wizards of were We used to do it in this business—and we made money telling us that the industry was going to the dogs because the at a time when all of Latin America put together would not pay foreign market had disappeared. off the gaffers handling Mr. Edison’s invention on the pro- Lo, and behold, the financial statements showed everybody duction. We used to sell to and for AMERICA! making more money than ever before after that supposed for- And one of our most valuable weapons was the home town eign market did its Houdini act. boy, attached to an exchange as an exploitation man and ex- hibitor contact, who ate up his twenty-four hours trying to figure So everybody was happy, except the sucker exhibitor who selling stunts to get another extra dollar for York, which had paid more than he should because he was sorry for Holly- New paid his salary; for Hollywood, which always needed more wood’s loss of the foreign market. money; and for the exhibitor, who welcomed his help. Now comes something else again. * $ On top of fine financial statements for the last fiscal periods fiscal periods always to match whatever the author —those seem What did these boys cost? desires—there comes the present season. In a half dozen key centers they were well paid top-line It is bad. And the current entertainment is pretty good. showmen. In most of the country they were ambitious pluggers, ready to utilize every suggestion of the home office; able to But it is principally bad because the bosses have discovered adapt the suggestions to peculiar local conditions. that while losing the FOREIGN market only resulted in health- ier audits, they have now lost a great big piece of the AMERI- The latter group didn’t get so much money. market. Through draftees, defense workers, all those of CAN But every time an "economy” wave hit the industry, they the ticket-buying age. were the first ones to be fired! It was the most—simple of ex- And—omigosh— !!! —suddenly the AMERICAN market ecutive tasks to sit at a New York desk and say "We have to becomes important! cut the budget—here’s at least six thousand four hundred dol- lars that is a cinch. Fire the exploitation men!” It has been quite a shock to a number of our Hollywood masterminds who for five years or more have been listening to Then the major generals followed through: "We can cut the silly intellegensia who had them convinced that the way to off about ten or twenty percent of those salesmen. Heck, we’ll success was to gain the approv- get along without them.” al of New York, Boston, Lon- We fired the soldiers in the Paris critics. Well, front line trenches, and we don and DISTRIBUTORS’ BATTING AVERAGE FOR 1941 that is all water over the dam. concocted new bonuses for the What to do about it is the % generals. problem. Now the generals are trying 1 . Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 18 Releases 95 Our answer is naive, and 2. United Artists 8 Releases 92 to fight the war on their own, 3. Twentieth Century-Fox 16 Releases 88 simple, and fundamental in the with inadequate Panzer divi- 4. Warners-First National 16 Releases 88 show business. 5. Paramount 14 Releases 87 sions. GET BACK TO SHOW- 6. RKO-Radio 13 Releases 83 And they aren’t doing so 7. Universal 19 Releases 81 MANSHIP! 8. 14 Releases 81 well. 9. Republic 8 Releases 69 And, as the first step, get Read the figures that the 10. Monogram 9 Releases 63 back to realization of the value box office tells—and draw of the publicity-exploitation your own conclusions! — 4 BOX OFFICE DIGEST *7^e Covers the Picture News Front in a Quick Glance To showmen of all sorts—from studios to as President of the Screen Dirctor’s Guild deal . . . This time it is for a serial, "Jack theaters to what-have you—the news High- . . . That’s a pretty nice slate the boys lined Holt of the Secret Service.” . . . The Dar- light of the week is undoubtedly that un- up, too ... 1st vice-president, Ernst Lubitsch; mour-Holt team was one of the most con- heralded decision of the United States 2nd vice-president, Norman Taurog; secre- sistent money-makers in the medium-budget Supreme Court in connection with the laws tary, William A. Seiter; treasurer, Tay field that any distributor has known over an of two States which prohibit ASCAP from Garnett; assistant treasurer, Phil Rosen . . . unbelievable span of years . . . With serials setting a price on the value of entertain- The ship of state is in safe hands. very hot just now—and particularly good ment created by its members . . . At this Latin American bets, compared with what great distance from the White City it is BIG DOINGS AHEAD FOR they did in England and Continental mar- difficult to do any analysis from the press RAGDAD-BY-THE-PACIFIC kets—the team should pick up the chips association reports, surprisingly skimpy in where they left off a few months ago . . . June is practically upon us, and it won’t their coverage of a very important matter Bill Koenig gets a contract renewal at be long now before the exhibitors of the . . . All previous court decisions—and there Twentieth-Fox—not entirely a surprise—In- Motion Picture Owners Association will des- have been many — in connection with cidentally, they tell us in whispers that one cend on Hollywood for the annual conven- ASCAP have been based upon the strength of the reasons Zanuck is so willing to sock tion . . . Then we will hear things and the of the copyright laws, the strongest on the home that Techicolor showmanship in his exhibitors wil see things . . . The exhibitors legislative books . . . And the knowledge big ones is the efficiency with which Koenig will not be at all bashful about convention that individual writers could not chase down worked out the handling of the color medi- speeches and personal interviews which tell violations of their copyright in four corners um so as to scare away some of the cost what is wrong with the product Hollywood of the nation, so they were entitled to gain bugaboos. is delivering; the producers will be anxious to this protection by grouping in an organ- shove forth for screening their prize babies. it . . . ization . . . What does mean now? STRIKES AND SUCH LIKE And both sides will have headaches trying If an organization cannot set a standard rate, to schedule studio and stage visits without HAPPEN HERE, TOO which gives varying awards anyway as de- production schedules going whacky . . . And termined by the popularity of the song, will With the newspaper headlines, and the without hurting anybody’s feelings . . . Sub- the writers be expected to set their own editorial pages, devoting plenty of space scribers who have written Box Office Digest prices, haphazardly, and ASCAP become to strikes in defense industries, you wouldn’t within the last month indicate that the at- merely a collecting agency? . . . And what expect the picture business to stay outside tendance will be big . . . but some of the will be the routine of costs for producers, the limelight would you? . . . So this week boys put in a proviso and say, "I’ll be there picture theaters, and places of entertain- we had our Walt Disney strike . . . First if business doesn’t go entirely to the bow- ment of various sorts? . . . Gosh, it’s a result being to postpone the preview of the wows.” . . . But even those worriers will be it puzzle . . . Guess we’d better leave to awaited "Reluctant Dragon.” ... A week here . . . Who could resist? —and a customer the lawyers. ago it was the Schlesinger plant, quickly at that—the opportunity to tell Hollywood settled by the producer’s capitulation . . . JOGGING AROUND FROM off in its own domain? . . . Wonder just Disney says he is ready to bargain with any what the angle is in the announcement that HERE TO THERE IN HOLLYTOWN recognized majority group in his big plant, MGM will make a picture called "Young Any individual’s problems with a draft but he stands like Stonewall Jackson against America,” after Twentieth-Fox is pretty well board are his own, and strictly between him- the closed shop . . . All this happened on along on its "Young Americans?” . . . The self and Uncle Sam, so there is no thought the heels of the blast from a Federal Jury latter is a story of the 4-H clubs . . . They of criticism in recording that we got a in New York which accuses George Browne, say the stories are entirely different—but out of an item in the Hollywood czar of IATSE from studio to projection chuckle you would need lots of faith in your eye- room, and his Hollywood man. Willie that is funny in itself . . . Citizen-News sight to be certain of detecting the differ- million or so Welles is quoted by that paper as Bioff, of extorting some half Orson ence on a marquee between "Young Amer- saying: "I anxious to serve the govern- from the studios in 1938 with threats of am ica” and "Young Americans.” production ment in any way if they can find some a complete blackout on —and possibly projectionists allies over the coun- LIGHT work that I can do.” . . . Ye gods! ADDING UP THE WEEK’S try . . . The rank and file is doing a lot of . . . this the Boy Wonder who sets up Isn’t PERSONAL ITEMS his own business deals, who produces his buzzing . . . Good news to hear that Monty pictures, who directs his pictures, who writes William A. Seiter’s future pictures at Uni- Banks is nearing the starting gate on direc- his pictures, who stars in his pictures, and versal will be on a producer-director basis, tion of the first Laurel-Hardy feature for to . . . still has spare energy for the radio and the an assignment that is not entirely new Twentieth, "Forward March.” Sounds title capable Seiter . . . Norman Manning gets a like money in the star names and com- theater? . . . And who does a pretty work- break with the assignment of Valentine bination, and like laff entertainment with manlike job at all those tasks . . . Ye gods! Joe to photograph his next picture, soon to Banks at the helm . . . Even back down the . . . Wonder what sort of job Orson would star was start . . . Valentine, one of our best, has years when Monty was only the he consider to be LIGHT work? . . . The writers and the producers are getting no- been no small contributing factor to the pro- givine us some of our choicest belly-laughs where fast in their efforts at an agreement gress of Deanna Durbin from adolescence to —and with Laurel and Hardy in the harness that will have some semblance of perman- young womanhood ... In fact, putting it that the result should be something to start chuck- way seems to be an understatement unusual ling about now . . . Everybody has the low- ence . . . With all due respect to a number Val- Goldwyn of close friends, we are not shocked in the . . . But juggled schedules meant that down on that Bette Davis—Sam slightest over anything that happens as a entine couldn’t take over the next Durbin, Willie Wvler squabble, but everybody’s low- result of trying to regiment creative brains so Manning gets the break . . . And so do down differs from the other fellows . . . So Sullavan and Charles Boyer who we won’t hazard a guess . . . Will probably . . . George Stevens wins two honors this Margaret in Manning production be settled in a day or so. anyway, and the week, both important . . . He did the pro- will star the Bruce is going the build-up duction-direction chore on our week’s Honor for Universal . . . Larry Darmour columnar publicity is not doing Box Winner, and a few days ago was elected back to pay-dirt with his new Jack Holt for the picture any harm. . MAY 26, 1941 5 Ho*. &Mice: 'Penny Serenade' Sings Happy Tune at the Boxoffices Of 8 New Releases In The Past Week, The featured cast is headed by Eddie 2 Ran Over 100%, 1 Came Through 8 New Releases Not In The Last Issue Bracken, Albert Dekker and Billy Gilbert. Okay, And 5 Were Very Weak William Wellman produced and directed % Est. under William LeBaron’s supervision. COLUMBIA 2 Releases — Penny Serenade COL 131 135 Great American Broadcast ..FOX 111 .120 Columbia has two new releases this week, one the Honor Box Winner, and the second Reaching for the Sun ...PAR 80 100 a better than average programmer. MGM—Also I Release Her First Beau COL 75 75 George Stevens’ production "PENNY Washington Melodrama MGM ... 74— 70 MGM’s new release is a Frank Morgan SERENADE” has opened in a large number Ride on Vaquero . FOX ... 71 .... 75 program picture, "WASHINGTON MEL- of important key city runs from const to ODRAMA,” 74%, and while it is entertain- coast and is doing exceptionally well—131% Double Date UNIV 71— 75 ing and well produced it is lacking in mar- —which means hold-over dates in most cases. Great Train Robbery ...REP 66 70 que names, thus it will have to be spotted While 131% is a little below what we had in as a filler. estimated, still box office conditions have last been dropping off quite severely in the The featured cast is headed by Ann two or three weeks. Rutherford, Kent Tayor, Don Daily Jr. and Lee Bowman. S. Sylvan Simon directed and "PENNY SERENADE” is Producer- BROADCAST,” 111%, which deals with Edgar Selwyn produced. Director George Stevens’ first vehicle for the history of radio. Columbia, and co-stars that popular team Alice Faye, fresh from her triumph in Irene Dunne and Cary Grant with an excel- "That Night in Rio” is co-starred with John lent featured cast headed by Beulah Bondi, Payne, who also played opposite Alice in Edgar Buchanan and Ann Doran. "Tin Pan Alley.” Jack Oakie and Cesar UNIVERSAL— 1 Release Exhibitors can always count on Dunne Romero head the featured cast which also and Grant bringing in box office results and includes the Four Ink Spots, Mary Hughes, Universal’s new release is "DOUBLE "PENNY SERENADE” lives up to tbit The Nicholas Bros., and many others. DATE,” 71%, a fair programmer co-starring role. Edmund Lowe and Una Merkel, with Peggy Archie Mayo directed and Kenneth Mac- Columbia’s second release, "EISR FIRST Moran and Rand Brooks featured. This gowan was associate producer to Mr Zan- BEAU,” 75%, is much better than the light comedy drama will make a good filler uck. average programmer coming out of Coluru- for the nabes and that is about all. b ; a of recent date. It co-stars Jackie Cooper If Ascap music was not barred from Glenn Tryon directed and Joe Sanford with Jane Withers (courtesy of Twentieth N.B.C. and C.B.S. "THE GREAT AMERI- produced. Century-Fox Pictures) in a juvenile romantic CAN BROADCAST” would probably be comedy which will undoubtedy do much bet- pulling much better business as national ter when it hits the neighborhood runs. hook-ups with song plugs always boost the box office. The supporting cast includes Edith Fel- REPUBLIC—Also 1 Release lows, Josephine Hutchinson and William Twentieth Century-Fox’s second release Tracy. Ted Reed directed and Ben Kahanne this week is another Sol Wurtzel program- Republic’s release this week, "THE produced. mer, "RIDE ON VAQUERO,” 71%, which GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY,” 66% comes is the latest in the Cisco Kid series starring under the heading of strictly a western and Cesar Romero. Needless to say this western stars Bob Steele. Real old-timers in the film series has little first run value in the key FOX—Also 2 Releases business will probably remember the sensa- cities but it is well received in the nabes and tion that was created by Thomas Edison’s western territories. Twentieth Century-Fox Studios also have original "Great Train Robbery” which was two releases this week, the first a musical Mr. Romero’s supporting cast includes produced as a one reeler. special, while the second is a fair program- Mary Beth Hughes, Lynne Roberts, Chris- this one. mer. Pin Martin and Robert Lowery. Herbert Joe Kane produced and directed Leeds directed. Fox’s best release is Darryl Zanuck’s new musical, "THE GREAT AMERICAN 8 "GOING DOWN” PARAMOUNT— 1 Release FEATURES Was Now 155 144 Paramount’s only release this week is Meet John Doe WAR UA 102 100 4 FEATURES "GOING UP” "REACHING FOR SUN,” and Pot O’ Gold THE 80%, That Uncertain Feeling UA 97 85 Was Now is a fairly entertaining romance with a big Topper Returns UA 84 80 Ziegfeld Girl MGM 148-150 factory background. The picture was orig- People vs. Dr. Kildare MGM - 80— 78 80 76 Bad Man MGM 84.— 86 inally sold under the title "F.O.B. Detroit.” Sis Hopkins REP The Wagons Roll at Night... WAR ... 83.— 85 The Penalty MGM 76— 74 Joel McCrea is starred with Ellen Drew as They Met in Argentine RKO 73—. 75 Wild Men of Borneo MGM 72— 70 his new leading lady. 6 BOX OFFICE DIGEST 20th's Blood and Sand' Smash Dramatic Hit TWENTIETH CENTURY-FOX The Digest’s Box Office Estimate 150 % Producer Darryl F. Zanuck Associate Producer Robert T. Kane Current Reviews We Est. Director Rouben Mamoulian Blood and Sand 150 Based on novel by Vicente Blasco Ibanez FOX Star Tyrone Power Caught in the Draft PAR 145 Featured: Linda Darnell, Rita Hayworth, Nazi- Billy the Kid MGM 140 mova, Anthony Quinn, J. Carrol Naish, John Carradine, Lynn Bari, Laird Cregar, Vicente Million Dollar Baby WAR 90 Gomez, William Montague, George Reeves, Adventure in Washington Pedro De Cordoba, Fortunia Bonanova, Vic- COL _ 75 tor Kilian, Michael Morris, Charles Stevens, Shining Victory WAR 75 Ann Todd, Cora Sue Collins, Russell Hicks. Time Out For Rhythm COL 75 Photographers Ernest Palmer, Ray Rennahan Technicolor director Natalie Kalmus Associate Technicolor director Morgan Radelford Time 123 minutes There should be no news in the statement We aways seem to like this Linda Darnell, This is the first production to carry Rob- that "Blood and Sand” is a box office pic- and she is sweetly real in her performance of ert Kane’s credit line since his return from ture. The original silent version—way down Tyrone’s faithful spouse here, and more England and he can feel will proud of his the years proved that fact; the first selling — than sweet when sugared with Technicolor. new bow in his native land. The production of the Ibanez novel when originally issued Rita Hayworth has the next toughest role values are the highest. So a nod to Ernest and its consistent reader popularity since to handle, a siren of the calculating but Palmer and Ray Rennahan on the cameras, then, has maintained the tradition of associ- never-missing type. She turns in a perform- Alfred Newman for a haunting musical ating the word "success” with the title ance that will advance a career already going score, and Richard Day and "Blood and Sand.” Joseph C. along pretty smooth paths. Wright for an art direction job that must So, therefore, the news awaited is that have been herculean. be which concerns what Darryl Zanuck has Support is so good that it should not that word, except in the J Swerling, on the screenplay, had no given to box offices in 1941. That is pocket- mentioned with footage opportunities given each easy task. He must maintain the romantic book news. And it is good. Very good. matter of player. Nazimova comes into her own, as the flavor in dialogue of a Latin subject; he must, at the time, "Blood and Sand” is a solid hit as drama, grand actress she has always been, in the same give speeches that American a superb job as production, a double- role of Tyrone’s mother—who has seen audiences will accept from these players barreled socko as showmanship. It can be her husband’s dying blood mixed with the whom they know. And his structure sold to the limit without fear of comebacks. sand of the arena, and now must await a must build towards a story that is more a similar fate for her son. theme than a plot. He surmounted the First of all, there is the inherent value in obstacles with credit. the title and the background of memories Other roles are well spotted with sure- In case you have forgotten the story—it it evokes. Second, there is Tyrone Power fire troupers. Anthony Quinn makes an im- is the eternal struggle of women for their for the marquee. There is the colorful glitter pression as a rival matador; J. Carroll Naish men. This time the men have the blood of a theme unusual; dramatic, it is granted, gives another evidence of his amazing ver- of matadors in their veins, the women have but far away from the dramas of today’s satility in characterizing a broken veteran the blood of matadors in their sad memories. newspaper headlines. There is the sympa- of the bull ring; John Carradine. Lynn Bari, Ty’s father was the greatest of all matadors, thetic understanding of Mamoulian’s direc- Laird Cregar, Pedro Cordoba make their Ty sets out to revenge his death by becom- tion, his painstaking skill in creating, hold- appearances well worth while. ing the greatest in his generation. He suc- ing, and getting the most out of each chang- In sequences showing Tyrone Power and ceeds, but success takes him away from his ing mood of the picture. Then, you can Linda Darnell as youngsters, Rex Dowling women—mother and wife—to the arms of a wrao thse items all up in a package labelled and Ann Todd register to audience appre- grab-all. In the end his blood, too, is Technicolor, and a package that benefits by ciation. splashed fatally in the sand while the crowd its Latm background to present an unusually cries lustily for the next match to begin. effective use of color. Mamoulian has apparently labored pain- Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Solid hit; worth selling for all you’ve got. stakingly on each sequence even before set- show in between some of the musicals and the ting foot on a stage to direct the first scene. Spot screwball farces. Previewed May 19th. There is a keying of the mood, even to the use of the predominant color in different FOR REVIEWS SAID: sequences, that is especially effective. That WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS keying also apolies to the angles chosen for THAT SPEAK Reporter: Mark this down on your pad. "Blood the photography. DOLLARS AND "SENSE” and Sand” will do about all the business it is currently possible to do on a picture, both here in We rate Tyrone Power’s performance as America and in any foreign country that is still one of the tops of his career. Particularly playing Hollywood product.” because, while not entirely losing the Power personality, and never attempting any falsely VARIETY: "This potent drama of love and artificial Spaniard, still he becomes in heart danger, pride and death, if given its natural line and character the man whom Ibanez wrote of exploitation, may well be one of the foremost about. grossers of the year.” — MAY 26, 1941 7 Hope-Lamour 'Caught In the Draft' B-O Natural PARAMOUNT realize that it is all in the spirit of good fun, daughter of a regular Army Colonel, Dor- The Digest’s Box Office Estimate that Hope has just been set to the task of othy Lamour. Making good 145% on a big bluff clowning around for you for eighty-five to the girl he finds himself without intention Producer B. G. DeSylva minutes or so, and gosh, how you like it. enlisted Director David Butler in the army. Miss Lamour hasn’t Stars Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour the fullest of oppor- That’s all there is, there isn’t any more. Featured: Lynn Overman, Eddie Bracken, Clar- tunities, as might be expected of the female Just get Hope in the army and you know ence Kolb, Paul Hurst, Ferike Boros, Phyllis lead in an army camp story. But it was wise where the laughs will be. Plot purposes Ruth, Irving Bacon, Arthur Loft, Edgar casting, for picture and for box office, be- Dearing. make it necessary to round up the picture Story and screenplay Harry Tugend cause her presence gives the picture that with a semi-serious danger sequence that can Additional dialogue Wilkie C. Mahoney unique Lamour touch. The feeling that any be forgiven, since pictures must end some- Photography Karl Struss guy would be a sap who didn’t fall in love where, mustn’t they? Time 82 minutes with her. Of course, there are no sarongs This is the first Paramount picture your cash The customers at the Alexander around any army camp, but there is a Holly- present previewer has caught with the credit probably had intimations that they were wood opening which gives opportunity for title: "Produced by B. G. De Sylva.” There going to see a preview, the palpitating sophomores but they did not to view Dorothy are no words of ours needed to tell Producer know just what it would be. The spontan- in a cute swim suit. —now top executive—De Sylva that he is eous outbursts that Support is chiefly in the greeted the "Bob Hope hands of Lynne rolling in high, the box office tingle in the and Dorothy Lamour” names on the main Overman and Eddie Bracken—a pair of very next few weeks would drown our words out title, topped by guffaws at the title, give the safe troupers. Overman, in particular, play- anyway. gest tip-off ing the on what this picture will do for without necessity of heavy character Harry Tugend contributed not only the box offices. make-up, makes a good straight for the original story but an excellent screenplay, It’s a natural. stars are hot anyway, Hope gags. Bracken clicks again, a habit the The with Wilkie C. Mahoney turning in a but what could be hotter boy is getting. than a pair of hot journeyman’s quota of laugh lines on the stars and a hot title for these days? There are other excellent jobs in the sup- additional dialogue assignment. And the picture measures up to the most port. One scene—milked to the utmost Exhibitor’s optimistic expectations as all-out laugh enter- has Edgar Dearing playing a recruiting ser- Booking Suggestion: Don’t wait, don’t write, tainment. Director David Butler is right at geant, Bob and Dorothy, the other two in don’t walk—skeedaddle to the nearest home with this laugh and be merry type of the action, and it got howls. There is a Paramount exchange for your dates. subject, and he doesn’t miss a bet in the youngster, Phyllis Ruth, in for a bit as a Previewed May 23rd. timing and milking of a script that is replete nurse, who will bear watching. She is the WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: with gags. Each situation is played for the cutie-cutie type, without being a dumb Dora Reporter: "No critical appraisal of "Caught most, and then some, and then only dropped —and there are always spots in the comedy in the Draft” need be very important to Para- to move on to another one at the proper tick script sadly in need of girls can do who mount after its reception Friday night by the of the split-second watch. that well. Glendale preview audience. The studio executives The stars apparently had a very good There are no songs in the picture, which and publicity boys knew they had an attraction with the wild ovation of cheers that greeted the time—at least they give the audience one. is probaby just as well. The audience would first title—and the second, carrying the name of Bob Hope takes on a tricky characterization probably have been ready to greet them, the film. They knew they had a hit along about in that of a Hollywood movie star whose but they would have thrown the laughs off half way, when laughter was drowning out some of last desire is to serve in the army, not entire- pace. the lines. Its hit calibre was decisively proven by the applause ly because of lack of courage but because of Since there must always be a story, we’ll at "The End.” a deathly alergy to loud noises. The part tell you what ther** is of this one. Bob Hope Variety: "Paramount’s 'Caught in the Draft’ might have gone off on the wrong slant is a romantic Hollywood idol, with a com- is 82 minutes of enormous bellv laughter, flippancy and fo!-de-rol; 82 minutes without the Hope personality, because it is plex against noises—particularly gunfire. of clever and brilliant writ - n COLUMBIA viewed hit, "She Knew All the Answers.” Reynolds. The Box Office Digest’s Estimate It has one great entertainment advantage The picture has considerable 75% audience it is out of the formula that has shadowed appeal, through being a combination of the Producer Charles R. Rogers sure fire’s, Associate producer William A. Pierce so much of the past year’s Hollywood the tough kid angle, a bit of the Director Alfred E. Green product. Your audiences will welcome the Annapolis formula, and glossed over with Screenplay Lewis R. Foster, Arthur Caesar feeling that they are seeing how a unique its Washington atmosphere. From story by Jeane Spencer, Albert Benham group of people eat, drink, sleep, and live Charles Rogers, and his associate pro- Stars .... Herbert Marshall, Virginia Bruce with a sort of "behind the scenes” feeling. ducer, William A. Pierce, have two to their Featured: Gene Reynolds, Samuel S. Hinds, Ralph credit now that will not disappoint Columbia Morgan, Vaughan Glaser, Charles Gene Reynolds, turning in a fine perfor- Smith, Dickie Jones, Pierre Watkin, J. M. stockholders. mance, keys the picture. He is the boy Kerrigan, Tommy Bond, Billy Dawson, Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Good Charles Lind, Mary Currier. fighting up from a drab background, against family bet. Previewed May 22nd. Photographer Henry Sharp, Allen G. Siegler obstacles, tough as they come, but tamed THE SAID: Time 84 minutes eventually to the discipline of the Senate WHAT OTHER FELLOWS REPORTER: "'Adventure in Washington’ "Adventure in is page boys. There is an excellent group of Washington” a sort of must be reckoned one of Columbia’s finest releases, "Boys Town” of the national capital. It is youngsters in his support as the page boy of immense appeal to young and old.” given value by the fact that behind the fore- group. VARIETY: "Columbia’s 'Adventure in Wash- ington’, although it is without a pulsing, passionate ground of the Senate page boys there is the Action permits considerable intimacy with love interest ought to fetch customers handsomely natural interest in the doings and human the workings of the legislators. Herbert up to the box office window, for it is a warmly- habits of the nation’s law-makers at work. Marshall is capable as usual in a Senator human. gentle, tolerant and stirring pictue of the The picture will give general satisfaction role; Virginia Bruce effective as a radio dramatic lives led by page boys in the United States Senate. It is distinguished by good pro- to family audiences, while not rising to the commentator who has considerable to do duction, an excellent story and the splendid per- heights of Charles Rogers’ previously pre- with the regeneration of Marshall’s protege, formance of young Gene Reynolds.” — 8 BOX OFFICE DIGEST 'Billy the Kid' Horse Opry on Grand Scale MGM the picture is automatically set to get at The Box Office Digest’s Estimate while the stranger will think he is seeing a box offices. 140 backdrop. Anyone who knows pictures will % Billy the Producer Irving Asher Kid is given the vaguest of snort at the studio taken exteriors, and the Director backgrounds here. David Miller He seems to be an accept- frequent hobby horse sequences where a Screenplay _ Gene Fowler ed tough hombre, but no mention is made of couple of characters will talk for five min- Story Howard Emmett Rogers, any notches on his gun except to establish utes Bradbury Foote jouncing up and down before a projec- the fact that he killed Star Robert Taylor a man who shot his tion background. father back in youngster days, when he and The story? Well, Featured: Brian Donlevy, you’ve heard about Ian Hunter, Mary How- Bri an Donlevy were boyhood pals "Billy the Kid.” This time he just drifts ard, Gene Lockhart, Lon Chaney Jr., Henry The result of O’Neill, Guinn Williams, Cy Kendall, Ted this vague background into the range war in time to get hired by Adams, Frank Conlan, Frank Puglia, Mitchell characterization is that Taylor has to work villain Lockhart, to be intrigued by Mary Lewis, Dick Curtis, Grant Withers, Joe Yule, like the dickens with steely, glowery looks Howard, to be influenced by the valiant Earl Gunn, Eddie Dunn, Carl Pitti, Kermit to establish the fact that he is the center Englishman, Ian Hunter, to be prodded Mavnard, Ethel Griffies, Chill Wills, Olive Blakeney. of the action while the plot going round and towards the course of righteousness by boy- round about him is straight San Fernando hood chum, Brian Donlevy, and lay down Photographers Leonard Smith, Valley. his hfe because he avenged the death of William V. Skali But entertainment values are saved by Time 94 minutes Ian Hunter. Taylor’s work, and by a fine job from Brian Sounds complicated? Naw, it’s simple. Just If they keep on making "Billy the Kid” Donlevy. The duo, plus the scenery and the as simple as the fact that until they decide versions he will probably be a canonized Technicolor, hold it together for a picture to kill Billy off for the fadeout they never saint before Hollywood turns to dust. about which the customers won’t complain do let him get his hair mussed. Metro dresses him up this time in Tech- too much. nicolor, borrows the Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Marquee State of Arizona for Support is excellent, with Gene Lockhart, backgrounds, and gives values and production assure it for money. Robert Taylor the Ian Hunter. Lon Chaney, Jr., and Guinn tough assignment of being a toughie to the Williams getting the best opportunities. Not hot for the women who are getting audience after Pre- having been a hero on the Mary Howard does as best she can with a bewildered by this new Robert Taylor. marquee for drawing power. neutral role. viewed May 22nd. And the picture ends up as a glorified, in Director David Miller did not get a break WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: fact, magnified, VC^estern, without any evi- on his first ace assignment. The story is REPORTER: "It just doesn’t seem to matter dence of the it still skill that veteran makers of ordinary Gower street, the script a bit worse, what you do to a Western comes out a horse western, and whether you spend $500,000 or even oprys show every week for one tenth and probably because of complications be- the money. more to make one, they all seem to wind up with tween long shots taken on location and about the same story that has the same entertain- Don’t mistake us. The picture will be a exterior shots of close action taken on stages, ment values.” money-maker. Big money. Our slightly he never did have a chance to give the script VARIETY: "Men are bound to like the pic- roughened sensibilities are due to the fact anything. ture. to natronize it heavily, and women will that the great probably like it also, for it has much more of all Leo heaved and sighed, huffed There is a peculiar theatric effect about 'round dramatic appeal than the pattern which the and puffed, and couldn’t do a job to measure the backgrounds. the Anyone who has seen title might suggest. Strong cast, headed by the up to the money spent or the money that actual locations will revel in their beauty. Taylor-Donlevy names will help greatly.” 'Million Dollar Baby' Has Its Moments WARNERS did not see the danger signal "Overlength” sure-fire that it would probably be impossible The Digest’s Box Office Estimate ahead, with its accompanying bugaboo, story to miscast him; he wraps up this role playing 90 % troubles. in competition with such wily veterans as Executive Producer Hal Wallis is Associate Producer ... David Lewis The picture overlength. That is definite. Helen Westley and May Robson. Director ... Curtis Bernhardt The story trouble is two-fold. One fault is The story finds May Robson trying to Screenplay —Casey Robinson, Richard Macaulay, that Jeffrey Lynn and Ronald Reagan, both right a wrong committed by her deceased Jerry Wald. vying for the favor of Priscilla Lane, are father and give a million dollars to Priscilla Original Leonard Spigelgass there Stars Priscilla Lane, Jeffrey Lynn both made so definitely likeable and equally Lane, department store worker. But deserving of the girl, that the scripters are complications about making the gift. Featured: Ronald Reagan, May Robson, Lee Pat- rick, Helen Westley. George Barbier, Nan and the audience—run into troubles trying Miss Robson goes to live in the boarding Wynn, John Qualen, Walter Catlett, Fay to iron the situation out. house conducted by Helen Westely in order Helm, Richard Carle, John Ridgely, Maris The second fault is the attempt to com- to learn more about the girl’s character. Wrixon, James Burke, Charles Halton, John And when the transfer of the million is Sheffield. bine comedy with preachiness. Everything finally made, Priscilla temporarily loses the Photographer Charles Rocher is crisp, sharp and refreshingly different un- ^'* me 100 Minutes til the element of platitudes intrudes. man she loves, and all sorts of things hap- pen. That’s when we get the "happiness For three quarters of its route "Million Director Curtis Bernhardt’s work has a through poverty” theme. Dollar Baby rolls along as rollicking enter- definite uniqueness. He manages, and in Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Despite tainment. If you happened in on the pic- this qualification he enters the field of Pres- its faults, stacks up as fun above the aver- ture at its start, and were suddenly called ton Sturges, to get the human, or seemingly age. Previewed May 21st. away at that three-quarter point you would real, outlook on situations that may have SAID: leave reluctantly. been screened time and time again. WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS Reporter: "From an original story by Leonard But the remaining few reels found the The cast is tops. Priscilla Lane is a knock- Spigelgass, once titled "Miss Wheelwright Dis- necessity of going preachy on the joys of out in a role that is tailored to her measure. covers America,” Warners has made a very funny poverty, Dollar is and as a result the action drags, She has a vim and effervescence that jump show, now called "Million Baby”—which while the a gilt-edged boxoffice entertainment buy.” scripters try in vain to wind it up. from the screen to the audience. Jeffrey Variety: "Here is a rollicking bit of nonsense Ordinarily, if a picture is just plain bad Lynn, in a tough assignment, loosens up to that hides a lot of heart beneath its foolishness it is easy to forget it; but "Million Dollar such extent that you find yourself wishing and seems destined to capture a considerable Baby” in so quantity of its title dollars at the boxoffice. many ways sparkles with origin- he will get the girl. It is the first time that ality of 'Million Dollar Baby’ is brimful of fun and some presentation, its cast is so happily at Lynn has really looked at home before a spicy lines that gathered gasps from the preview home, that you resent the fact that someone camera. Ronald Reagan’s personality is so audience.” MAY 26, 1941 9 'Shining Victory' Well Made For the Class Trade WARNERS a woman doctor, Geraldine Fitzgerald. He characterization of his assistant. Barbara resents having a feminine helper, in fact is The Digest’s Box Office Estimate O’Neill, playing the jealous neurotic so 75% seems to resent almost everybody and every- real as to be remembered with something of thing for Executive Producer Hal Wallis the course of the picture while his a shudder after you have forgotten some of Associate Producer Robert Lord one track mind seeks his scientific goal. the other characters. Capable Donald Crisp Director Irving Rapper and Montagu Love give that touch of class But love finds its way to the master and Screenplay Froelik Howard Koch, Anne to the casting that you can always expect assistant, just are to Original Play ___.A. J. Cronin and when they about when you read their the credit Stars James Stephenson, Geraldine Fitzgerald win personal happiness and professional names on title. Featured: Donald Crisp, Barbara O’Neil, Montagu success through his final experiments, a Love, Sig Rumann, George P. Huntley, Jr., jealous fellow worker, Barbara O’Neill, sets Richard Ainley, Bruce Lester, Leonard And production values are all topped by Mudie, Doris Lloyd, Frank Reicher, Hermine fire to his laboratory. Geraldine saves his a superb photographic contribution from Sterler, Billy Bevan, Clare Verdera, Crawford precious records at the cost of her life. He James Wong Howe. Kent, Alec Craig. sets off for China to find happiness in the Photographer James Howe Wong medical missionary work which had been her Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Not mass Time 86 Minutes goal. entertainment, but a fine bet for class audi- it quite to entertain- "Shining Victory” is technically a fine No, doesn’t add up ences. Previewed May 20th. achievement; as entertainment, it presents ment. WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID:. some problems, because of its basic theme, But it is technically a very excellent job of though skillful handling has been given that REPORTER: "There can be little criticism of picture making. Irving Rapper, newly ele- theme. the manner in which this A. J. Cronin story has vated to a director’s worries, definitely ex- been translated to the screen. The picture ; shows The story, by A. Cronin, is a sort of J. hibits imagination, ability to create a mood, the care and inteligence expended upon its mak- medical "Dr. Chips” in pace and intelligence. ing. It is uniformly well performed able and to get the best from his players. Rapper by an Its principal character, portrayed by cast, and directed with distinction by Irving Rap- James has arrived in one jump. per. Yet exhibitors must face the fact that audi- Stephenson, is a medico seeking a miracle ence appeal is limited for any such medical study.” cure for the feeble-minded. This isn’t exact- Two superb performances highlight the ly cheerful entertainment thought. And no picture, with the support not far behind. VARIETY: "'Shining Victory’ is distinguished by top flight performances, easy direction and attempt is made to lighten it in the script. Stephenson measures up fully to the adjec- production, and neat scripting to mark it as a Stephenson has buried himself in a Scot- tives bestowed on him in "The Letter,” and capable dramatic entry sure to find favor with tish sanitarium, where he is given as assistant Miss Fitzgerald gives a warm quality to her nearly every tyne audience.” 'Time Out For Rhythm' Bargain Counter Musical COLUMBIA of personable girlies, and then they go for Dick Lane is too much an actor for this The Digest’s Box Office Estimate a story that becomes heavily dramatic, al- material. 75% most to the sobbing point. The clash between The Three Stooges, always safe for laughs, Producer Irving Starr Director Sidney Salkow the supposed aim at light musical comedy carry the camel’s burden. They get plenty of Screenplay Edmund L. Hartmann, Bert Lawrence and the struggle for dramatics is just too laughs here, and save the show from being Story by Bert Granet much. a washout. Based on a play by Alex Ruben Sidney Salkow did his best with the dir- Stars Ann Miller, Rudy Vallee Rudy Vallee has again been given one of ection, but the scripters didn’t Featured: Rosemary Lane, Allen Jenkins, Joan give him much those parts. the reins his Merrill, Richard Lane, Stanley Andrews, and He must hold by chance. It is one of those song writer-back - his role is the Three Stooges, Brenda and Cobina, Six showmanship, but one that would stage-what-have-you yarns. You’ve seen it Hits and a Miss, Glen Gray and His Casa tax the ability of anyone. Ann Miller is okay before. We won’t take up any more space. Loma Band, Eddie Durant’s Rhumba Or- in the dance numbers, and these numbers chestra. would have been much better received if the Exhibitors Booking Suggestion: Since it Photographer Franz. F. Planer o : :turz wrs rv. musical comedy. is only a B on the price schedule may get by Time 74 Minutes t-and-cut filler. Rosemary Lane is in a thankless character- as a But don’t be oversold, or spot it If they had only made up their minds ization, that of "the other woman.” She does too importantly. Previewed May 26th. this might have been a picture. But they adequately with what is given her, but she WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: couldn’t it decide whether was to be a musi- is too darn nice to be cast this way. REPORTER: "Imagine Columbia’s B picture cal or a saccharine sentimental drama, and action formula applied to a musical. There is the result is that the dramatic side takes the There are some comedy high spots in the "Time Out for Rhythm” in a nutshell. It’s the reins and the thing goes overboard. film, of these, Allen Jenkins steals the lion’s studio’s first out-and-out venture into the field of tunes and taps and it comes off well.” Honest, we are not kidding. They set out share. This Jenkins boy is one of the best for stacks up to use the name of Rudy Vallee, which secondary leads on the screen, either seen VARIETY: "'Time Out Rhythm’ as average musical entertainment that will be able means music, for the box office draw, they as a tough gangster, as he is most frequently, to carry top billing only outside of key city first pull in a capable group of comics, a couple or as here, doing a hailfellow piano player. runs.” FOR REVIEWS £«* THAT SAY ^ Gijice SOMETHING ^ Ncua fyo-timitia: BATTALION Military Training School OPEN TO ALL MEN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 21 AND 50. A COURSE OF PHYSICAL AND MILITARY PREPAREDNESS FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED. ALL DRAFTEES IN CLASS 1A RECEIVE UNIFORM EQUIPMENT—BOOKS AND TU- ITION GRATIS—TO THE NON-DRAFTEE THERE IS A TUITION FEE OF $4 PER MONTH, PLUS $7.00 FOR YOUR UNI- FORM, BOOKS AND EQUIPMENT. THE SCHOOL WILL BE UNDER THE SUP- ERVISION OF A U. S. ARMY RESERVE OF- FICER AND ITS MAIN MISSION IS TO GIVE THE DRAFTEE A LIFT OVER THE BUMPS. THERE IS NO ENLISTMENT PERIOD. Class and Drill Schedule Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8 to 10 P. M. Further Particulars BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 1718 N. VINE ST. HOLLYWOOD r *7he, WeeJ&L Beit After a surfeit of screwball comedies and marriage mix-ups, to view Zanuck’s "Blood and Sand.” . . . Solid entertainment of the perennial school, packing the good 7lt& fyJeeJ&i ^bu^tJzeAx^ue: old dramatic wallop, and dressed up like a million in The producers have retired in fair order from the its Technicolor . . . Even the players seemed to enjoy preview squabble ... In other words the situation is having something real to do ... In these days when back pretty much where it started . . . The center aisle everybody is at wits’ end trying to outguess the fickle seats are again being reserved for the studio stooges and friends of the boss, the same synthetic applause is being public we predict this one will cash in big on its unique given each credit title and first appearance, the cash spot. audiences are giving it the same razzing . . . And the press boys are considering renting a couple of bunga- lows in Glendale for permanent quarters . . . They can save on frayed dispositions, gas, wear and tear, and telegraph bills. 7Ue IdJeeJ&i Onteteiti+uj, The combination of Priscilla Lane and Ronald Reagan in "Million Dollar Baby.” . . . They make a great duo, having both personality and selling a terrific feeling of *7he IdJeeJ&i ^iicov&uei: pep from off that screen . . . We are missing a bet if you The boys are beginning to rediscover Ray Bolger, do not hear that Warners have decided to team them after his fine contribution to "Sunny.” ... In which, more often . . . And if we miss that bet, then Warners as a matter of fact he didn’t get any too fat opportuni- is missing the bigger one . . . It’s their money . . . But ties, but just enough to tease ’em again . . . Some day the profits in a human, rollicking team these days would some wise producer will discover the way to utilize the be plenty. showmanship that is in the Bolger head and his toes . . . Another interesting discovery, and this one sneaked up on the industry: Irving Rapper, director of "Shining Victory.” . . . The boy has a lot on the ball. 2 ; 5 - S 5858 S 3 SSI833 333333 S JJJ o,a.'a,dfccadp-sdo jodddo \X ; 0 S Sf£ ;o m Sj e w iz>< :K S-E a •s CQ h S fc o(£ o 1 5 — •«(§ bo M E J H , •D«^C >-• 1941 G ti 1 ^O-a ^ . rt Q COvn>r)^MOJ(V] 0)iM'-'^'-'n H OOOOOOoOoPPooPOOOO CO oo OO £; t-s \p '© -T '’T in co r>. r>* t>» r>. t>. t>» f>» t>. t^. t*** r>» t^. r>. *>• *>• r>* r^. t->. ^ fx ^ *>» v512 '3 '0 \o'2 vo'0 \o © © b>^c^^'o^cx © Zu © D "» ' X «J U-G : c V *u eu, O 3 - b 3 c so '•£ o — - o e< _ cc » u u*; . oocoocr>./>.^0 ^0 'Ou-)Ti Trn-rof^'^O'jJ^csirgi' © © ©^ J ci>s & O < 00 - c/: v CQ > : c © o © S o rO J 43 E © *0 •" 2 5 ^ i © S «2.S, be « ° n u '-' . - c a — 4-, rs a- s 2 ^ « rt x _^r ^ «“ rt~ Z< •; ^ s-c ot*- X auj ~A o H «Q- 5: a; > ^ "Q -* S ^fc •- >s o S «' a *-1 c ~ C3 i O T3 . ii)e*';E rt uu c "3 nJ k. — : * °- O ' _ o < -xHE-SS Major ^ ^ ^ ^ QOOOXXOJ^H 538 siO xi cc cd o — 1941 Producers and Directors Associate Producers Pictures % j Pictures % George Cukor — 1 181 Victor Schertzinger ...... I 157 Joseph Mankiewicz ... 1 ...181 Robert Leonard ...... 1 150 Pan Berman 1 ....150 John Ford 1 138 1 ....143 George B. Seitz —— 1 133 Paul Jones 2 139 Fritz Lang ...1 132 Harry Joe Brown 1 ....132 Norman Taurog _____ 1 131 1 13 John Considine — - - — Irving Cummings _____ 1 131 1 .....126 Sam Wood ...... 2 128 ...... 1 ....125 Robert Stevenson ...... 1 126 ...... 1 ...... 124 A1 Hall ..... 1 125 ... .1 112 William Seiter _____1 120 Mark Hellinger ~ - - . .1 ....110 Preston Sturges — ... — 1 120 2 ...109 Edmund Goulding ..... 1 118 ! Alex Gottleib —- 1 ...108 Alfred Hitchcock 1 118 Kenneth Macgowan 2 — 107 Raoul Walsh 2 117 .2 ....104 Frank Borzage 1 115 3...... 103 Michal Curtiz .1 112 Archie Mayo — 1 111 Irving Pichel 1 103 George Marshall ..... 1 100 Producer-Directors Pictures % Frank Capra 1 ...144 Alexander Korda 1 133 1 .131 E H Griffith ...... 1 ...120 Clarence Brown ...... 1 ....107 • Actors Actresses Pictures % Bing Crosby 1 157 Pictures % Bob Hope _. 1 .... 157 Cary Grant .. . .2 156 1 .143 Gary Cooper 1 144 . ...1 .. 133 James Stewart . ...4 134 2 ....132 Barbara Stanwyck Laurence Olivier . - .... .1 133 Irene Dunne 1 -.131 Mickey Rooney ...2 132 Rosalind Russell 1 .125 Randolph Scott 1 132 ...... 124 Olivia de Havilland 1— Spencer Tracy 1 131 •_ ....2 .121 Alice Faye Don Ameche 1 131 ...... 1 ....120 Deanna Durbin Charles Boyer 1 . 126 1 .120 James Cagney 1 . 124 1 ....118 Fred MacMurray ..... 1 ... . 120 ...... 1 .1 Carole Lombard 18 Henry Fonda 1 120 ...... 1 ...112 Jean Arthur Robert Taylor . 1 115 1 ....110 Edward G. Robinson ... 1 112 1 . Hedy Lamarr 107 Abbott and Costello ...... l..__ 108 _____ .106 Margaret Sullavan 2 Paul Muni ...... 1 103 ...1 ...100 Paulette Goddard Robert Young . 2 102 THE HONOR Qej&Ufe St&oetti "Penny Serenade" Ojfjfice (l&p&Ul: Honors Go to 'Blood and Sand' %e jSo* QjJjiee DIGEST "HONOR BOX” The Biggest Grossing Release Of The Past Week This Week FOX wins with "BLOOD and SAND" 128% Vice President in Charge of Production Associate Producer Director DARRYL F. ZANUCK ROBERT T. KANE ROUBEN MAMOULIAN Featured Based on Novel by VICENTE BLASCO IBANEZ ANTHONY QUINN NAZIMOVA Photographers JOHN CARRADINE ERNEST PALMER RAY RENNAHAN LYNN BARI VICENTE GOMES Technicolor Director WILLIAM MONTAGUE NATALIE KALMUS GEORGE REEVES PEDRO DE CORDOBA Associate Technicolor Director MORGAN RADELFORD FORTUNIA BONANOVA VICTOR KILIAN TYRONE POWER RITA HAYWORTH J. CARROL NAISH LAIRD CREGAR LINDA DARNELL — < 7Ue Box, Office *7lie. OwJluAbupL r DIGEST 2>litinciUte WeeJzLf. KILL THE CLUCKS An Editorial by ROBERT E. WELSH We gave a solemn promise last week that we would eliminate THE TICKET-BUYING HABIT—the life-blood of this further worrisome discussion of the box office nose-dive for entertainment fodder industry—has been killed by the admis- some time to come. sion prices. So we crawl in apologetically to renew the subject this week. The customer is not complaining, nor growing apathetic Because the drop continues so precipitously that it is a serious towards our wares, because of paying a rightful price for a industry problem which cannot be ignored nor treated with the good attraction. wishful thinking we all love which whispers: "Shucks, don’t He is getting fed up, and acquiring lethargy towards our worry, in a couple of weeks conditions will change, and every- wares, when he has to pay the SAME price for tripe as for body will forget that they ever had a headache.” caviar, and when he gets mumbling after six months or so that We have another reason for renewing these humble discus- there is more tripe than caviar. sions about the problem. That is what has him putting his meager chips on the assur- For several weeks now we have been conducting a sort of ance of the radio—which can give him Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, miniature Gallup poll through our box office reporters in the or Jack Benny without making a dent in the bread and butter principal key cities, with their instructions being: money. "Don’t ask the exhibitor or the distribution man why busi- And the whole trouble is the system. ness is bad—ask your brother-in-law, your cousin, and Aunt Production costs for big pictures are such now that none Fanny, your neighbors, why they are not going to the movies.” would suggest that the picture industry should go on a bargain We have come to a conclusion that should not be mentioned basement campaign to slash ticket prices all over the country by a trade paper. Because we are sticking our chin out, and we indiscriminately on all pictures. will not have a friend to help us in production, distribution or But we are in a position of asking the customer to pay a exhibition. STANDARD price for everything he buys from us, whether it be butter today or oleomargerine tomorrow, and we hope he It could be expected that the first answer to the question will like the oleo so much that he will come back next week for we told our representatives to propound would be a generaliza- our butter. Or vica versa, take it or leave it. tion. Merging them all together they went like this: "Well, the wife and I and the kid saw a couple of pictures What about those prices? last month, and they weren’t so hot. ’Course, we ain’t stopped Leaving aside those very few top key houses where it costs going to the theater, but we call our shots now. It’s safer to the equivalent of the week’s milk bill to go to the movies one stay home at the radio, cause that doesn’t cost anything, and you night, this can be said of the majority of important centers: can take your shoes off.” The average price of admission is fifty-five cents. Let’s But further questioning of these people brought the admis- forget that a few American families have children. The lone sion that they are still not missing the good attractions—the husband starts out for the theater with his wifey and $1.10 is ones that are big in the size chalked against him. In most and ballyhoo, or big through communities he then has a the friendly word-of-mouth of DISTRIBUTORS’ BATTING AVERAGE FOR 1941 parking fee to pay, or—what a neighbor. may be worse on his nerves That is—they are not miss- % a quarter hour of second gear driving to find a niche against ing them WHEN THEY 1. Mefro-Cioldwyn-Mayer 20 Releases 95 2. United Artists . . 8 Releases __ 91 a curb. KNOW ABOUT THEM! 3. Twentieth Century-Fox.— 17 Releases. 88 Accepting the possibility 4. Paramount 15 Rp1p;isps 88 And then, in 74% of the 5. Warners-First National IQ Releases 84 that he may not have to spend reports our 6. _ . . from representa- RKO-Radio. 82 any more money on his "night 7. Universal 19 Releases .... 80 tives there crept in the nub of 8. Columbia 17 Releases 78 out” for the wifey—or the gal our talk this week. 9. Republic. Q Rpfeasps 68 friend — what happens when 10. Monogram . .. 10 Releases 64 Which is the point at which the theater presents one of we stick out our chin. those pictures that the trade (Continued on Page 19) —” 4 BOX OFFICE DIGEST "lUe. JtufltUxfkteA: Covers the Picture News Front in a Quick Glance Here is a letter’ written by a veteran for a gamble, was being peddled on bills with the response he got from Ann Sothern. figure in exhibition to a prominent Holly- that sent the patron home saying: "I had . . . The Pipeline hums that Mark Sandrich wood producer-director, that supersedes any- motion picture indigestion; I can’t tell you has a top one coming along in "Skylark, thing in the ordinary news Highlights of the whether or not I enjoyed your picture.”. . . with Claudette Colbert in the marquee spot. week. . . . The writer is P. J. Wood, execu- And the worst of it being that the theater . . . Funny to realize that this is the first tive secretary of the Independent Theater in which the sufferer bore his agony bears straight comedy Mark has directed after so Owners of Ohio, who has been chaperon, the name of your partner-distributor. . . . many years at musical comedies. . . . They guardian, and vigilante for the interests of But aside from this particular instance, we used to hear whispers that Lewis Milestone his flock for more years than he would can issue a warning to the tops that there was not a woman’s director, and now the care to have us mention. . . . The recipient must be a change in the method of selling Pipeline murmurs that he is giving the was Frank Capra, who recently made some- and SHOWMANSHIP on these producer- screen a new star in Anna Lee, who is play- thing of a top motion picture entertainment. director-partner deals or they will soon be ing opposite such tough competition as Ronald Colman. . . . We now leave you to the letter: back where they started from. . . With the The picture is "My Life ace directors especially considering what With Caroline.”. . . George MR. FRANK CAPRA, — Marshall, income taxes are and will be saying: "To who took quite a tough bout on with the WARNER BROS. STUDIOS: — heck with gambling where I do all the gamb- hospitals last year, and then a tougher one have undoubtedly heard that the "You ling; my price per picture is so-much, and making 'Pot O’ Gold” really entertaining, motion picture box office is sick and, as is back in full I’m not concerned about whether I do one stride. . . . Marshall, who one who has shown by his past performance or two this year.” last slammed a couple of home runs with that he has a vital interest in the industry, GETTING BACK TO THE "Destiny Rides Again” and "The Last of the it must give you considerable concern. NEWS ITEMS OF THE WEEK Daltons” is ready to go now on "Valley of Last week, in Cleveland, the theater the Sun ’ for RKO. We don’t know just There could be many more columns than what owners of Ohio held a meeting to discuss happens in valleys of the sun, but we can we have lines to spare to tell of the doings the whys and wherefores of the situation guarantee that Marshall will make it excit- of the Motion Picture Theater Owners ing. . . and many in attendance attributed our sick . And one of these days some wise Convention, held in conjunction with the box office to the fact that too much quan- producer is going to give Marshall a real gathering of the Pacific Independents. . . . tity of entertainment is being forced upon piece of material—instead of those ones he But’ shucks, most of it is the usual conven- our customers, and I am tempted to agree has to save with gags and . . — pace. . Glad tion stuff "everybody is having a good with them because of a recent experience to hear that Buddy DeSylva has called time” grand arrival, visits to studios, of my own. — Frank Tuttle back to the wars to do a barbeques, visits to hotel rooms manned by "On May 23rd, I happened to be in suspense meller. "This Gun For Hire,” be- the glad hand boys, speeches, resolutions, Springfield’ Ohio, and with nothing to do cause we have fine recollections of his red- departure. . . . Since the boys are a day that evening I dropped in at Warner’s meat odus, "The Glass Key,” from the away from the important resolutions as this Dashiell Majestic Theater to see "MEET JOHN Hammett story. . . . Tuttle is an- rolls to press we can let our experienced DOE.’ I entered the theater at about the other of those craftsmen—bobs up one readers’ imaginations fill in all the early third reel of 'ROOKIES ON PARADE,’ year with musically backgrounded pictures for details. . . . Except there is something after which I was compelled to suffer like "Waikiki Wedding,” "Dr. Rhythm,” thought in the disappointment over the through nearly two hours of 'SO ENDS then can swing all the way to meller. exhibitor attendance from out of state. OUR NIGHT’ in order to reach what I had this three . . . We hinted some fears about paid to see—'MEET JOHN DOE.’ CONTINUING AROUND THE or four weeks ago when we said that some "I left the theater suffering from an STUDIO of our letters told us some of the showmen CIRCUIT aggravated case of 'motion picture indiges- would be here IF the big doldrums would and, frankly, I can’t tell you whether Over at Columbia we found them enthus- tion’ must dissipate. . . . But the doom-dooms iastic, in the or not I enjoyed your picture. . . Cordially midst of all the box office have prevented a number of well intentioned yours, P. Wood.” depression news, over the hold-over record J. exhibitors from buying those organization being run up by George Stevens’ produc- OMIGOSH—WHAT POSSIBLE railroad tickets and forecasting those hotel tion "Penny Serenade.”. . . '."The figures AHEAD! incidental expenses that go with a EARTHQUAKES and form something of an oasis in present convention. . . . Including the ability to toy general conditions. . Aside from the straight all-industrial . . Toppers are a cur- with paste-boards or galloping cubes in a thoughts that will be prompted by this rent third week at the industry’s showcase carefree manner. letter from an exhibitor-minded veteran, in New York, the Music Hall, and a third who apparently is still a fan, can you JOGGING HERE AND THERE week in progress at the Oriental, Chicago. imagine what it is going to mean in Holly- ON DIRECTOR’S BEAT . . . Pipeline reports are sizzling on War- in on ner’s "Sergeant York,” wood? . . . Where our best creative brains The Pipeline reports are coming just delivered by have been showing more and more wil- quite a few of the pictures in the making Howard Hawks. . . . Hawks has an inter- esting directional lingness to make producer-director deals that give hot promise. . . . Down at Twen- assignment coming up in which they gambled along with every- tieth-Fox they are all worked up about a Gary Cooper starrer for Sam Goldwyn, body else on their confidence in ability to prospects on the picture Irving Cummings "The Professor and the Burlesque Team.” . . . in- . provocative title deliver box office? . . . There have been is directing, "Belle Starr.”. . And the but where do they rumbles already, mentioned many months terest of the press critics has been whetted make rubber stretching marquees? .... ago by that 12 pt. Editorial Page, that all by receipt of volumes of the Burton Rascoe The whispers promise something good in was not kosher on the producer - director book on which the story is based. . . . For Unfinished Business” which Gregory La is Cava presented to front. . . . But how would you like to be which advance appetite Harry Brand Universal. . . . Irene Dunne . . say and Robert Frank Capra—along with a dozen or so responsible. . Over at MGM they Montgomery are co- starred. . . others—and learn that your top attraction, that Norman McLeod, directing "Lady Be . They say it’s La Cava’s best on which you had sacrificed direct income Good,” has given MGM a Grade A star since "Stage Door.” JUNE 7, 1941 5 *74e Bo* &Hico: "Blood and Sand" Tops Though Slump Continues Of 12 New Releases in the Past Week, Crawford and the featured cast is headed 99 36 FEATURES "GOING DOWN by 4 Ran Over 100%, 1 Came Through Conrad Veidt, Ona Massen, Reginald Was Now Owen and Marjorie Main. George Cukor Okay, and 7 Were Very Weak Meet John Doe ...WAR ...144 ..137 directed and Victor Saville produced. Tobacco Road FOX ...138. ...130 EDITOR’S NOTE : In the past ten days theatre IJA .133. receipts from coast to coast have dropped off on That Hamilton Woman .128 WARNERS 3 Releases a very alarming scale. We mentioned this last COL ...131. .127 — in Rio ... _ _ .131. .127 week and since then it has been stated repeatedly That Night FOX ...120 Warners-Firrst National Studios have more or less in headlines in the various trade pub- Nice Girl .UNIV. .118 ..... three releases, lications. We have been recording box office The Devil and Miss Jones RKO -115. .110 new one a fairly good feature figures for approximately five years but have Great American Broadcast .FOX ...111 .106 and two very weak programmers. never seen such a landslide as has taken place in UA 100. _. 96 ...103 ._ the last two weeks. Accordingly, pictures that ..FOX 94 Warners’ best is "AFFECTIONATELY Lady From Cheyenne ...UNIV ... 92 __ 86 would generally run from 145% to 150% are YOURS”, 80%, a new domestic comedy That Uncertain Feeling ... UA _. 85.. _ 83 running about 25 % to 30% lower. Big million with Merle Oberon, Dennis Morgan and dollar productions such as Twentieth Century-Fox’s Adam Had Four Sons COL ... 86 .. 82 Rita Hayworth. While this picture isn’t "Blood and Sand,” Paramount’s "I Wanted Flame of New Orleans ..UNIV. ... 87.. .. 80 Wings” and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s "Love Crazy’- Victory PAR .. 82 _ .. 78 up to the Warner "A” standard these three Tall, ...... 78 under even half normal conditions should all be Dark and Handsome FOX 86 box office names should certainly pull better Model Wife UNIV .. 80. .. 76 doing very much better. than an 80% house. The supporting play- People vs. Dr. Kildare MGM .. 78. .. 76 ers include Ralph Ellery Queen, Master Detective COL ... 80 ... 73 Bellamy, George Tobias, 1 Release FOX— Reaching for the Sun PAR ... 80. .. 73 James Gleason and Hattie McDaniel. Lloyd Her First Beau COL 75 . 72 Bacon directed and Mark Hellinger was Twentieth Century-Fox takes top honors Washington Melodrama .... MGM ... 74 . .. 72 associate producer to Hal Wallis. this week with Darryl F. Zanuck’s big Tech- Black Cat UNIV _ 72 . .. 70 Flight From Destiny ..WAR - 76 . _ 70 nicolor special "BLOOD AND SAND” Warners’ second and third releases are a Man Who Lost Himself ..UNIV ... 74 .- 70 starring Tyrone Power. This picture has couple of programmers from the Bryan Rage in Heaven .-. MGM .. 72.... 70 opened in several key cities and is currently A Man Betrayed . .. REP ... 70 .. 68 Foy unit. "THIEVES FALL OUT,” 64%, consid- averaging 128%. which is not bad Wild Man of Borneo MGM ... 70 - 68 features Eddie Albert, Joan Leslie, Alan ering the terrific slump and yet away below They Met in Argentine RKO .. 75 - 67 Hale and Jane Darwell. Edmund Grainger Mr. Dynamite UNIV 70 .. 67 normal for this fine type of production. Old acted as associate producer and Ray Enright Roar of the Press MONO .. 70. .. 67 time exhibitors and fans as well will un- The Penalty ..MGM - 74 69 directed. original doubtedly remember the "BLOOD Murder Among Friends FOX ... 70 - 66 Warners’ third and last release is "A AND SAND” starring Rudolph Valentino Melody for Three .... RKO .. 70 _ - 64 Great Train .. IN with Wil- and what a sensation it was a decade ago. Robbery REP 66 - 64 SHOT THE DARK,” 62%, Land of Liberty MGM 65 .. 63 liam Lundigan, Anne Gwynne, Rjfcardo Linda Darnell is seen as Powers’ wife with Cortez and Regis Toomey. This detective Rita Hayworth playing the other woman melodrama was directed by William Mc- Hornblow, and the featured cast is headed by J. Carroll Jr. produced under William Le- Gann and William Jacobs was the associate Nafsh, John Carradine, Laird Cregar, Lynn Baron’s supervision. producer. Bari, Nazimova and Tony Quinn. In aviation production centers this pic- Robert T. Kane, formerly in charge of ture will probably pull much better business. COLUMBIA—Also 3 Releases Twentieth Century-Fox’s English produc- tions, acted as associate producer to Darryl Columbia Studios also have three new MGM—2 Releases F. Zanuck and Rouben Mamoulian directed. releases, one that is going over fairly well, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios have two while the other two just so-so programmers. 1 Release fine new productions this week, both of PARAMOUNT— "THEY DARE NOT LOVE” is a much which are feeling the effect of the national better than average picture out of Columbia Paramount’s only new release this week box office slump. The best of these is the but due to its anti-Nazi theme it is not faring is their big air epic of today’s aviation in- new William Powell-Myrna Loy production too well at average. Exhibitors dustry "I WINGS”. This pic- any a 77% WANTED "LOVE CRAZY” which is only averaging should play up the romance angle over the ture was previewed some time back and for 118%. the past few months has been running as a (Continued on Page 19) This is approximately below what road show in New York City and has just 25% the pictures aver- been generally released in the past two former Powell-Loy have aged, particularly the "Thin series. weeks. Considering the terrific box office Man” 12 NEW RELEASES NOT IN slump it is not doing so badly at a 121% The featured cast is headed by Gail Pat- LAST ISSUE average, yet that is much below what we rick, Jack Carson, Sidney Blackmer and % Est. Blood and Sand FOX ..130 .150 had anticipated. With all the current in- Sigmund Rumann. Jack Conway directed I Wanted Wings PAR ... 121 ...140 terest in aviation "I WANTED WINGS” for Producer Pan Berman. Love Crazy MGM — 118 130 should certainly be doing much better busi- A Woman’s Face MGM ..106 105 MGM’s second release is the new Joan ness. Affectionately Yours WAR 80 ... 85 Crawford production "THE WOMAN’S They Dare Not Love COL 77— 85 The aviators are Ray Milland, William FACE,” 106%. This picture started off The Great Swindle COL ... 70 . 75 ... 64 75 Holden, Wayne Morris and Brian Donlevy much stronger but like the rest, felt the Rookies on Parade REP Thieves Fall Out WAR 64 65 with Constance Moore and a new-comer, effect of the slump and dropped down to its Invisible Ghost MONO 62 ... 65 Veronica Lake, upholding the feminine end. 106% level. Shot in the Dark WAR 62 65 The Big Boss COL 61 65 Mitchell Leisen directed and Arthur Melvyn Douglas is seen opposite Miss TYRONE POWER ...as Juan, the matador of Vicente Blasco Ibanez’ immortal novel... Blood TECHNICOLOR with LINDA RITA DARNELL HAYWORTH Nazimova • Anthony Quinn • J. Carrol Naish • John Carradine • Lynn Bari • Laird Cregar • Vicente Gomez Produced by Directed by F.Zi Associate Producer Robert T. Kane • Screen Play by Jo Swerling (lobesU *1. Korn Associate Producer 8 BOX OFFICE DIGEST Abbott and Costello Repeat with 'In the Navy' UNIVERSAL The Digest Estimates 1159?; Current Reviews Associate Producer Alex Gottlieb We Est. Lubin Director Arthur In The Navy UNIV 115 Screenplay Arthur T. Horman. John Grant Man Hunt FOX 100 Original Arthur T. Horman Out of the Fog WAR 80 Stars Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Singapore Woman WAR 75 Dick Powell West Point Widow PAR 70 Featured: Claire Dodd, The Andrews Sisters, Dick Foran, Butch and Buddy, Shemp Angels With Broken Wings REP 70 Howard, Condos Brothers. Paper Bullets PDC 65 Photographer Joseph Valentine Knockout — WAR ... 65 Art Director ... Jack Otterson Time ...85 minutes This picture is apt to wind up on mar- quees as a picture with two titles. One will the highways with Wally Beery and Ray- ard miniatures and projection shots. read "Abbott and Costello” and the other Joe mond Hatton in a military series? And Valentine had the same handicap on his will say "In the Navy.” But using either what happened when Para started coasting? photography, but this ace-veteran, along one or both of them, the result will prob- It’s a bit unnecessary to tell you the story with Jack Otterson on art direction, turn in ably be the same, a cashing in on the success as this, geared for laughs top jobs on the things they of "Buck Privates.” of a picture such had to work with. and let the plot fall where it may. Suffice Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Hotter And the customers who come because of to say Dick Powell motivates the story than a firecracker right now. Previewed jolly memories of "Buck Privates” prob- thread as a popular crooner who joins the May 27th. ably won’t be disappointed. True, Uni- Navy to escape the attentions of his fluttery versal has given the picture production women fans. Complications arrive when a values something less than Grade A, true it snoopy feminine photographer discovers his What the Other Fellows Said: is that the scripting bears evidence of being secret; the laughs arrive, as you would ex- REPORTER: "Universal sends "In the something of a rush job. But Abbott and pect, when vou discover Abbott and Costello Navy” sailing on Decoration Day. It’s a Costello are there, and that means the laugh are in the Navy. Who cares what happens four-gun salute that starts where "Buck soots are many. And Dick Powell is there to story after that? for the melody offering, along with the Privates” left off.** Associate producer Alex Gottlieb has Andrews Sisters. tried to cram his picture with entertainment VARIETY: "Here is a box office running So, at this time the patrons will take specialties, and succeeded to such extent mate for that other Universal service what they get—and ask for more. But it that the cutting room floor probably has comedy, "Buck Privates.” Geared to ease will soon be time for Universal to give just half as much good stuff as the edited pic- the strain of these momentous times, 'In a little more to do justice to the gold mine ture. Arthur Lubin’s direction is capable, the Navy’ presents another arm of our they have in Abbott and Costello. Remem- though hampered by the fact that much of national defense in a style that will be hard ber when Paramount seemed to be riding the picture must work against inferior stand- to beat.” 'Knockout' Ordinary, But Helps the Young Stars WARNERS picture company has to get out of its system breaks up his home, oh, of all the things once a year or so. And so long as it is done that happen on to the happy ending. The Digest Estimates adequately, only aimed at programmer and Grainger’s production is effi- 659?; Edmund status, complain? who should cient, with a cast that satisfies, direction equal Associate Producer Edmund Grainger to the material by William Clemons. "Knockout’s” chief importance is in the Director William Clemens lead A.rthur Kennedy, who is being groom- Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Once a Screenplay - M. Coates Webster ed for bigger things at Warners. The pic- year you play a prizefight picture. This will help along the path, for he Original Michael Fessier ture him will do. Previewed May 28th. turns in a personable and capable charac- Featured: Arthur Kennedy, Olympe Bradna, Vir- terization. What the Other Fellows Said: ginia Field, Anthony Quinn, Cliff Edwards, Cornel Kennedy plays the role of a prize fighter Wilde, Richard Ainley, William REPORTER: "Only the familiarity of its who desires wisely to quit the ring at the Edmunds, Frank Wilcox, John Ridgely, Ben prize-ring background keeps "Knockout” peak of his career in favor of a more happy Welden, Charles Wilson, Edwin Stanley. from being topflight program entertain- marriage with Olympe Bradna. But he ment. Photographer Ted McCord reckons without the cupidity of his man- Time 72 minutes ager, Anthony Quinn, who has no intention VARIETY: "'Knockout’ won’t cause of losing his meal ticket. Maybe you’ve much of a stir at the box-office but capably It is pretty difficult to say how many heard that one before? Well, if that’s the serves the dual purpose of being a neat times this prizefight yarn has been told in case we won’t go on to tell you of the pug little program offering and a good show- one version or another, but we suppose a who can’t earn a dollar until he returns to case for the developing talents of Arthur pugilistic picture is something that every the ring, of the nasty social butterfly who Kennedy, its male lead.” JUNE 7, 1941 9 Lang and Cast Make 'Man Hunt' Socko Drama CENTURY-FOX 20TH lens on that prey—it is Adolph Hitler! One McDowall, imported, we believe, by Zanuck second to pull the trigger and the world for his coming big one, The Digest Estimates — "How Green Was will heave a sigh of deepest relief. But the My Valley.” The kid is good. But so also 100 % Germans have been stalking him too—and are such safe standbys as George Sanders, Associate Producer Kenneth Macgowan he is captured before being able to rid the John Carradine, Ludwig Stossel, Heather Director Fritz Lang world of its curse. Thatcher, etc. Screenplay Dudley Nichols All this has been told without a word, up Original Novel Geoffrey Household The story is told in the title. A famous to the point where Pidgeon is captured. big hunter Stars Walter Pidgeon, Joan Bennett game misses by a second the kill And even then, the picture realistically of his biggest prey—Hitler. From there on, Roddy Featured: George Sanders, John Carradine, sticks to German for quite a spell, until the through his escape from Germany, his Thatcher, McDowall, Ludwig Stossel, Heather story begins to unfold, just when you want hounding by the Gestapo in England, he Egon Frederick Worlock, Roger Imhof, it to. becomes the hunted. But the finish finds Matthews, Holmes Herbert, Brecher, Lester The picture must buck the fact that the him floating earthward in a parachute again Vogeding, Eily Malyon, Arno Frey, Fredrik stalking his maniac. It fate of anti-Hitler offerings has been far is very easy to tell Keith Hitch- Lucien Prival, Herbert Evans, you the story that way, but an hour of from healthy at the box office. But, as cock. conversation would be needed to tell it to with "Foreign Correspondent,” there are you as it unfolds Photographer Arthur Miller on the screen. 95 minutes the exceptions which point up the fact that Time Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: A really it is the picture that really counts. And this unusual picture, that showmanship can "genius,” so muchly over- is a picture. That word make override the Hitler angle, and, in fact, motion pictures came into worked since capitalize on it. Previewed When you finish marvelling at the direc- June 9th. being, must be given a coating of real sin- tion by Lang, you must go on to record a cerity when applied to Fritz Lang. great set of performances. Walter Pidgeon, What the Other Fellows Said: see And if you desire to know why— who has been doing near "walk-on” roles "Man Hunt” with an audience. There are at MGM, sinks his teeth into a real charac- REPORTER: "Geoffrey Household’s few pictures you will recall even if your terization—and what a superb job he does. 'Rogue Male” was the most tensely excit- memory is long that take such a grip on the Joan Bennett, to whom we have been ing adventure novel of its year. The screen emotions, that hold an audience so tightly uncharitable in the past, but to whom we adaptation of the novel, now titled "Man wound in suspense as this one from Twen- apologized for her sweet comedy perform- Hunt,” is just as exciting. The picture builds tieth Century-Fox. ance in "She Knew All the Answers,” goes to no climaxes, for the action is all one long a step further this time with a happy imper- engrossing climax—the most amazing job effect of suspense is uncanny. Much This sonation of a tough cockney. Her skill is of sustained excitement in recent memory.” through the use of long of it is achieved that she seems real in the role, not a Joan not a word is spoken. sequences in which Bennett who has adopted a cockney accent VARIETY: "Sheer melodrama, from very opening of the picture. For instance, the for celluloid purposes. title to tag, 'Man Hunt’ makes its bid pri- The camera travels to tell us the story. marily for male audiences with a grim Through shrubbery and trees it follows To mention supporting roles is merely to narrative competing with gun - stressing Walter Pidgeon, armed for the hunt, stalk- list a m*eat group of fine performers. Of ing his prey. When he gets his telescopic especial interest is a youngster, Roddy world news.” 'Angels with Broken Wings' Good Family Fare REPUBLIC there were too many interesting angles. except for the fact that the man they want However, it holds interest, and the players for foster-daddy, Gilbert Roland, is en- The Digest Estimates —each and everyone, as the circus barkers tangled in an intricate divorce situation with 70% say—are a treat to the spectator and must Binnie, and you are never quite sure whether be a delight to the fellow who handled the he is free or not. Associate Producer Albert T. Cohen casting. Director Bernard Vorhaus Binnie keeps him dangling—for he is George Carleton Brown, wealthy but the kids get in all of Screenplay Just read the names. Binnie Barnes, who — sorts Bradford Ropes schemes. is back in stride and clicking consistently Original George Carleton Brown these days, heads the list, with Gilbert Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Has an Featured: Binnie Barnes, Gilbert Roland, Mary Roland turning in a polished performance, excellent family appeal value for young and Lee, Billy Gilbert, Jane Frazee, Edward Norris, the suave Sidney Blackmer, sure-fire Billy old. Previewed May 28th. Gorcey, Lois Katherine Alexander , Leo Gilbert, and a supporting cast including Blackmer, Tom Ranson, Leni Lynn, Marilyn numerous youngsters who are all on their What the Other Fellows Said: Kennedy. toes. '"Angels Photographer Ernest Miller REPORTER: With Broken Binnie Barnes, who is this week also re- Wings’ is Time 72 minutes good entertainment for the family ceiving: critical raves for her job in Univer- trade of the theatres with Republic contracts. efforts Republic’s consistently ambitious sal’s "Tight Shoes,” romps through a whacky A spotty screenplay spoils its chances of at fine casting, combined with intelligent part that sparks the picture. As the folks achieving real distinction, being as genu- result direction from Bernhard Vorhaus, back home used to say, "She is a treat.” inely funny in some spots as it is pitifully in a family entertainment that will satisfy. unfunny in others.” And it’s the folks back home who will It could have been better, since Republic set the kick out of "Angels With Broken VARIETY: "Republic’s 'Angels With put out the money to make it right, if the Wines.” Because its plot motivation is that Broken Wings’ is not up to that studio’s script had been a more smooth one. of three cute daughters trying to guide usual standard and will take a lot of power- But it tells an interesting story, and that their widowed mother’s happiness to the ful selling to put over in the market for is probably where the scripters got caught, right marriage altar. It would be a cinch which it is intended.” Vt "SUNNY” . ‘...Producer-Director Herbert Wilcox has given his picture lively tempo, lavish production and expert staging .” effects . . the A best of ^"lco« ^ . ,he HOLLYWOOD MOTION ‘‘...Bright and tuneful as the day it PICTURE REVIEW took Broadway by storm, the ‘Sunny’ of the title springs from the Herbert Wilcox work-shop, a tip-top piece of ,er 8*Y pORTtR entertainment made to order for big me, ^ D RRE ,eka HOU-VNWO° towns and little, young, adults and *?fiE .” children . . MOTION PICTURE HERALD b,:a5 s^'ii wcC ?*es 0 de o'Ki^y- t Plrfn,Z old je'he, f» i had “'” SPECTATOR l”% £** Pl se HOLLYWOOD W Patrons of any '" a" whistle % Cause DAl[_y and h U m to V '"*> your ™ ny "ew ARlETy theatre.. Pafrons Th1E FILM DAILY ¥ on * ntry c*r vo,e Wi,c« ~' nd a «« a at P'ause...” round andanu a P ‘, of 3p- \edge». s on e< MOTION . 4.C va< . K° *o' ° P " picture ,i0 ' CTU herald er * ; totn .. of 44 , ,\ a ?, c *A'sS e y so^ aXe m»v 0 ' cUt's ^a'^, « t A .«W - 43’'” Vo' , 'SUNNY" Opened Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco, A HONEY! 3 •* tt ,s se® en s sVlOllW .. e sc»6 0t *» Everyone tion * medium . he S,a s..rY ov« > o? a love UP ese"*a* I 7' • cWaTOR X ®OX ' ^PORTE OFF^men,LE NICEST 9 .,•”•5 - •r^iSSF-P* c\Ci ' «"*t V\ne c ,0 * 9e.'<>' g\n- « MiaS i« «"?S Aeasfe . h*n ^ho/ ii,L ne Ss ^r^ A/ ( ‘c ^T® danr s. ' - iv,V usin „ doin she hA r. S sm/ J %N; *. v>* 4 v£ Ct»” LnV(Vv, 'end v °«TE* >V <> o Capacity Audiences + + + HELD OVER SECOND WEEK JUNE 7, 1941 12 'Singapore Woman' Outspoken Tropic Melodrama WARNERS that, and will probably satisfy the customers youngster on the Doug Fairbanks, Jr., type, who always respond to a title like that. who will probably come along in future The Digest Estimates pictures. 75% The picture is perfectly outspoken in doing what it promises in the title. And Jean Negulesco’s direction is adequate to Associate Producer Harlan Thompson this was Producer Harlan Thompson’s the subject. Director Jean Negulesco wisest choice. It is mellow meller, out to Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Safe Screenplay M. Coates V^ebster, Allen Rivkin take full advantage of all the color and meller bet in its price group. Previewed Original Laird Doyle atmosphere of the fictional Far East’ and it June 1st. Stars Brenda Marshall, David Bruce pulls no punches in its effort to include What the Other Fellows said: Cowan, Rose everything you will expect. Featured: Virginia Field, Jerome REPORTER: "Melodramatic to the point Richard Ainley, Hobart, Heather Angel, There is the gal who has gone wrong, of narrowly escaping absurdity, "Singapore Dorothy Tree, Bruce Lester, Connie Leon, and is sinking lower and lower in the social Woman” is a picture with little to recom- Gilbert Emery, Stanley Douglas Walton, scale, there is the upright young hero who mend it.” Logan, Abner Biberman, Eva Puig. tries to save her. VARIETY: "Harlan Thompson has Photographer Ted McCord Chief interest of the picture is in the turned out a better than the run-of-the-mill Time 65 minutes performances of two of the younger Warner B picture in "Singapore Woman,” and at list, Brenda Marshall and David Bruce. the same time affords Brenda Marshall and "Singapore Woman,” in its B bracket, Miss Marshall gets the better opportunity David Bruce, comparative newcomers to the will make money for the exhibitors who in a somewhat maudlin role and comes screen, full opportunity to demonstrate can always make money with a title like through advantageously. David Bruce is a what they can do in the way of acting.” 'Paper Bullets' Is Surprise Low Budget Winner PDC by Martin Mooney has meat and substance, among the citizens neglected by major Phil Rosen guides it with workmanlike skill, casting offices. The Digest Estimates the cast, while not of marquee stature, de- Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: A little 65% livers pleasingly. And there are even a package, but it is all entertainment honey. Producer Maurice Kozinsky couple of song numbers from Linda Ware Previewed June 3rd. Associate Producer Franklin Kozinsky that are easy to take. Director Phil Rosen What the Other Fellows Said: The story basis is an expose of big city Original Screenplay Martin Mooney racketeering, told through tracing the life REPORTER: "Something of a revelation Featured: Joan Woodbury, Jack LaRue, Linda story of a girl and two boys from the time in budget-picture making, "Paper Bullets” Ware, John Archer, Vince Barnett, Alan the they were orphans. Comes youth, and is a show that puts to shame many of its Ladd, Gavin Godon, Philip Trent, William girl gets trapped by foolish loyalty to a more costly brothers in Halligan, George Pembroke, Selmer Jackson, the action market.” then, Kenneth Harlan, Alden Chase, Robert playboy, lands in the jailhouse, and VARIETY : "This is in many respects a Strange, Alex Callam, Harry Depp. learning she was practically framed starts out remarkable picture. Remarkable in that for revenge on her release. Photographer Arthur Martinelli it presents a maximum entertainment on a Time 69 minutes The melodramatic elements are there, the minimum of shrewd expenditure. For gen- values are in the tight knit manner in which eral audiences it would seem to lack nothing Some day some wise production execu- they have been presented. Joan Woodbury that a story of this nature should have to tive on a major lot is going to wake up to and Jack LaRue get the top spots, and create intense interest and to give satisfac- what a bargain he can buy by capitalizing deliver effectively. These two, also, are tion in its narration and its outcome.” on the industry’s neglect of that veteran director, Phil Rosen. In almost all the trade and lay reviews of "Paper Bullets” you will find the critics marvelling at the great results that have MONDAY NIGHT IS "SESSIONS” NIGHT been achieved on a small budget. One paper even headlined, "Proves $20,000 Can Make a Lot of Picture.” I 1 ?? That is always an unfortunate approach to a worthy picture. It hurts the successful producer, because it sets a terrifically cheap price up in the minds of salesmen and exhibitors. It does even more damage to a director, because after a few of these u really praising headlines, he suddenly finds himself so good that the majors associate — NEVER A COVER OR MINIMUM CHARGE — him with nothing but the cheaters. So he pays for being good. The fact that a good man is a good man, - - ENTERTAINMENT whether working with $20,000 or $2,000,000, DINING DANCING is being retold by "Paper Bullets.” It’s a corking picture, and a definite bargain buy of entertainment for any exhibi- Hotel 1637 No. Vine St. tor. Producers Maurice and Franklin Kozin- Hollywood Plaza sky have put the right elements together in the right formation. Original screenplay — 13 BOX OFFICE DIGEST 'Out of the Fog' Good But May Be Too Good WARNERS Henry Blanke has put his production intelligently done by all concerned. Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Good The Digest Estimates elements together so smoothly that it is picture, that will need selling or proper unnecessary to highlight any particular de- 80% spotting to get full values. Previewed June partment’s work. The script is deftly intel- Executive Producer Hal Wallis 5th. ligent, direction by Anatole Litvak sharply Associate Producer Henry Blanke Director Anatole Litvak effective. Critics will probably highlight What the Other Fellows Said: Screenplay Robert Rossen, Jerry Wald, the acting performance of Ida Lupino—she picture is carefully, Richard Macaulay REPORTER: "The is great but no preview should fail to list — beautifully by Hal Wallis and Play Irwin Shaw produced Original in the top bracket the contributions of Henry Blanke, thoughtfully performed by Stars Ida Lupino, John Garfield John Garfield, Thomas Mitchell, and John a stellar cast and expertly diirected by Featured: Mitchell, Eddie Albert, George Qualen. Support is on a plane equal to that Thomas Anatole Litvak. But for all these merits Tobias, John Qualen, Aline MacMahon, of the principals. that screen-art reviewers will widely herald, Jerome Cowan, Odette Myrtil, Leo Gorcey, Robert Homans, Bernard Gorcey, Paul It is a racketeering story, with something it is questionable whether "Out of the Fog” Harvey. of reverse English, in that the heart of the will meet with large popular approval. It Photographer James Howe attention than movie audi- Wong story tells of two humble souls—the orig- demands closer Time 85 minutes inal play title was "The Gentle People” ences are accustomed to give their entertain- a tailor and a cook, who rebel against the ment. "Out of the Fog” is exceptionally skillful racketeers when the personal fate of Ida as production; possibly limited in audience VARIETY : "In careful and skillful pro- Lupino becomes involved. Slowly, craftily, and box office appeal. In other words it duction, with top-notch playing and direc- these "gentle people” plan an unsolvable is so worthy that it requires "thoughtful” tion, Irwin Shaw’s play, "The Gentle murder that will relieve them of their audiences who will get all the story’s impli- People,” works out as moving and thought- enemy. cations and appreciate class of its presenta- provoking drama under the less specific tion in every department. It is all extremely good story structure; screen title, "Out of the Fog.” 'West Point Widow' Okay in Program Class PARAMOUNT Difficulty is that the story must walk to keep the fact of the baby from the that slender thread that lies between drama knowledge of her co-workers in the hospital; The Digest Estimates and comedy, which we dismiss so easily as there is a particular complication in an 70 % "comedy-drama,” but which is so difficult interne who presses his own suit ardently. to do with finesse. Producer Sol C. Siegel Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Okay as Associate Producer Colbert Clark A personable cast of the younger players budget fare. Previewed June 5th. Screenplay F. Hugh Herbert, Hans Kraly whom Paramount is grooming, and who Original Anne Wormser are not entirely unknown to audiences, What the Other Fellows Said: Stars Anne Shirley helps a lot. Miss Shirley takes full advan- Featured: Richard Carlson, Richard Denning, tage of one of her best opportunities; there REPORTER: "West Point Widow” is a smart program attraction for any bill, and Frances Gifford, Maude Eburne, Janet is the dependable Richard Carlson. Good that it to be the initial production Beecher, Cecil Kellaway, Archie Twitchell, casting is evident in the support. happens Lillian Randolph, Patricia Farr, Sharon by Sol C. Siegel for Paramount promises Lynne, Deanna Jean Hall, Eddie Conrad. It is all about the young nurse who much for Siegel’s new association. The pic- Photographer Theodor Sparkuhl marries a West Pointer, and then gives him ture has been made with an eye to show- Time 63 minutes up for a secret separation when they realize manship and is strong in its appeal for that knowledge of his wedding while a women, offering Anne Shirley one of her "West Point Widow” that’s a good title — cadet will ruin his army career. But a baby best roles in a mother and child story.” — is a safe entrant in the program class, daughter arrives. Quixotically, she does not " without rating any adjective much stronger VARIETY: 'West Point Widow’ meas- let the boy know that he is a parent. The than "pleasant.” Its story line is a bit mud- ures up as a good entry in the program perfect sacrifice. She figures that when he dled, and it doesn’t exactly make the shining field There are a number of top-notch graduates they will get together again. hero out of a West Point cadet that we performances, and a general high produc- would expect in these martial days. But there are complications as she tries tion tone to help carry the story.” FOR REVIEWS ^ THAT SAY ^ &Uk» SOMETHING ^ ' : 1941 Producers and Associate Producers Directors Pictures % Pictures % Victor Schertzinger ...... 1 157 Joseph Mankiewicz 1 181 Robert Leonard 1 ...150 David Hempstead 1 143 George . Paul Jones 2 139 Cukor 2 144 George B. Seitz ...... 1 133 Harry Joe Brown 1 132 Pan Berman 2 134 Fritz Lang 1 132 Norman Taurog . 1 ... 131 John Considine ...... 1 131 John Ford „ 1 Bruce Manning 1 126 -130 Rouben Mamoulian 1 ...130 William Perlberg 1 125 Irving Cummings . . . 1 ...127 William Cagney ...... 1 124 Sam Wood . .... 1 ...127 Robert Kane 1 121 Robert Stevenson . ... 1 126 Arthur Hornblow, Jr. 1 121 A! Hall 1 ...125 Frank Ross 1 110 Mitchell Leisen 1 ...121 Mark Hellinger 1 110 Preston Sturges 1 120 Fred Kohlmar _•.... 2 109 Fdmund Goulding . 1 -.118 Alex Gottleib .... 1 108 William Seiter 1 ...118 Victor Saville 1 106 Conway _. .. I ...118 Joseph Pasternak .2 104 Jack Alfred Hitchcock .... 1 . Henry Blanke 3 103 118 Kenneth Macgowan 2 100 Raoul Walsh 2 117 Frank Rorza^e 1 115 Mirhal Curtiz ... 1 112 Archie Mayo 1 106 Irving Pichel ... . 1 103 Gfor^p Marshal! 1 inn Producer-Directors Pictures % Frank Capra — — 1- -137 Alexander Korda 1 .128 George Stevens 1 127 E. H. Griffith 1 120 Clarence Brown J— 1 107 Actors Pictures % Rinq Crosby _ .... .1 ... 157 Rob 1 lone ..... 1 ...157 Actresses Cary Grant ...... 2 154 Gary Cooper 1 ...137 James Stewart 4 .132 Pictures % Mickev Rooney ...... 2 ...132 Randolph Scott 1 132 Ginger Rogers ... 1 143 Barbara Stanwyck 2 129 Snencer Tracv ...... 1 .131 Tyrone Power .... 1 Vivien Leigh .....1 128 130 Laurence Olivier 1 128 Irene Dunne ». 1 1Z7 Don Ameche ... 1 ... _r27 Rosalind Russell ___ 1 125 Charles Boyer ... 1 ... 126 Olivia de Havilland .....1 124 1 124 Madeleine Carroll ...1 ...... 120 Bette Davis _.l 118 Fred MacMurray 1 . 120 Ho-"' Fonda ...... 1 120 Deanna Durbin 1 118 William Powell 1 118 Myrna Loy ____1 ...118 Robert . . Alice Faye 2 117 T'vlor 1 ... 115 Edward G. Robinson — ... . 1 ... 112 Carole Lombard .....1 118 Abbott and Costello 1 .... 108 Ida Lupino 1 110 3 105 Jean Arthur '...... 1 110 Paul Muni ...... 1 103 Hedy Lamarr .... 1 107 Rohert Youncr . .. _ 2 102 Joan Crawford ...1 106 Margaret Sullavan 2 106 ^Ite WeeJ&i ^IteuCflU: Just for fun go by the large board displayed on Vine Street near Hollywood, where they display the photos of all the glamour boys and girls of the radio. . . . Then stop and ponder what will happen when television rules the air- waves. . . . Some of these local dispensers of various com- modities may have the pleasing voices, but they couldn’t get their foot over your threshold on pictorial personality if they were selling you gold nuggets for old clothes. *7be 'It/eeJ&L Beit Routine: Abbott and Costello sock home with machine-gun pre- *7he IriJeeJ&i Rugate: cision many of their favorite routines in "In the Navy,” in particular the "under the shell” game. . . . But the topper, Or, rather, it is two puzzles. . . . One is whether Joe is the routine showing Lou Costello trying—and we mean Breen is going to stay on as the industry’s chaperon, or step trying to get into his — hammock on a cruiser. . . . He should on to duties at RKO. ... It is our hunch that Joe has been have got a bonus of a stunt man’s salary added to his acting fed up in recent months with the attitude of many producers stipend—that’s how he goes to town. —and incidentally giving thought to financial advancement for self and family. . . . Second puzzle is the rumor that the job may go to Congressman Costello. . . . The Congress- man is a good chap, but just what background is there comparable with that of Joe Breen for the ticklish motion picture job? > . 1 1 1 ©SSSfcfcSSS 53 3 S3 3 3 3388 S8 i I i | ! | . , i I i ! ! I ! ! i I ! ! I i ! 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S’c u S'? i X © Xtf a J J is C (A “x 5 rt c : KX OOr^t>.vQ-«t r-. o O 00 OO O0 CO «r> CM o »o^o OO ro r<5 r<> ?=> Cl cjcJcsjc^cvJojcacQ ach oo oo oo oo co ^XSXX © ,_. OJ 02 3 ; os.sS a p " c X. K . a 2 U .2 o * 2 ^ -a in u j*'"- x o >I C x > u« bfl o iiz o „ > s £j§ i 3 *4 D Q’c B ^ ° X : S 41 Uh „..a s?|& 4J qj 3 so tx no c ^ 5 ^ g ~ JJ be u > •? o „ 5 r 1 2u S O -g O c o rt Sx-o 3 o un cw 1> qj J< c *c ° ^ 0~« z*D U- 2 o § T" 4> cn qj *W - "2 jj « - ’S, c n E £ ^ c 5 • > M -5 X ^-o (U O D © c-c «s (L) O qj O 2 S 2 js a • — 3 o.a — ug j- rt rt s O ~JZJZ o 25 O O rt o33 C8 N a^anS HXocatA tH o> [HZgjhf-f- OO? eux . EDITORIAL (Continued From Page 3) critics allowed to pass with one of those irritating phrases: "This one will get by if your patrons are not too critical?” Well, the guy who has shot two dollars or more for his big evening at the movies is JUST APT to be too critical. So critical that he doesn’t come back next week 1942 when the theatre has a real attraction. 1941 Our recommendation: A consideration of this admis- sion price problem. With a possibility of evolving a method that would get deserved coin for the big attraction on which the industry exists, while at the same time giving a legitimate—not swollen—return on the ones that rate as average, and none on the clucks. Kill the clucks off. And if you want to know the real purpose of this whole message, that is it: Make it impossible for them to get admission prices even faintly approaching real entertainment. KILL THE CLUCKS! mnRiHES on Blood and Sand Tops (Continued From Page 5) FEATURES WESTERNS Hitler theme and this one may get by satisfactorily. 56 Martha Scott, who has scored so heavily in the past year, is co-starred with George Brent. Paul Lukas, Egon Brecher and Kay Linaker head the "NAVY BOUND" featured players. James Whale directed for Producer Talbert Josselyn's story published in Collier's Magazine Sam Bischoff. Columbia’s second release is the new Larry Darmour production "THE GREAT SWINDLE” riding at 73%. "UNDER NORTHERN LIGHTS" Incidentally, this is the last of the Jack Holt feature series, Featuring the immortal melodies . . . "At Dawning'' and but he will soon be back in a super-serial. Marjorie Rey- "From the Land of the Sky Blue Water". . nolds, Sidney Blackmer and Jonathan Hale are seen in support. Lew Collins directed for Producer Darmour. by Charles Wakefield Cadman Columbia’s third and last release "THE BIG BOSS,” 61%, is another programmer from the Irving Briskin unit. Otto Kruger, Gloria Dixon and John Litel are featured. 4 "EAST SIDE KIDS" COMEDY-DRAMAS Charles Barton directed. with Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Bobby Jordan ... in a series MONOGRAM—Also 1 Release of box office champions . . . each featuring an adult star. Monogram’s release this is week another of the typical In Preparation: Bela Lugosi horror-chillers "THE INVISIBLE GHOST,” of 62 %. Supporting Mr. Lugosi are John McGuire, Polly 'GHOSTS the NIGHT” starring BELA LUGOSI Ann Young, Clarence Muse and Terry Walker. Joseph H. Lewis directed for Producer Sam Katzman. 12 MONOGRAM MONEY MAKERS 14 SHOWMENS SUCCESS PICTURES This Year’s Pictures 8 ROUGH RIDERS Will Be BOUGHT with BUCK JONES —The Government Made It That Way and TIM McCOY THIS YEAR IS THE RANGE BUSTERS n n 8 pnv n [ Q T CRASH CORRIGAN D U A II u 0 to DUSTY KING MAX TERHUNE YEAR—BECAUSE IT SPEAKS THE ONLY IMPORTANT VOICE: 8 JOHN WAYNE REISSUED ACTION WESTERNS The Voice of the BOX OFFICE REPUBLIC WELCOMES MPTOA AND PCCITO THERE’S TROUBLE IN PARADISE! delighted, and amused . . . when this bunch of gay, young angels sets out to raise the devil. BINNIE BARNES GILBERT ROLAND MARY LEE BILLY GILBERT - JANE FRAZEE EDWARD NORRIS KATHARINE ALEXANDER • LEO GORCEY LOIS RANSON • LENI LYNN MARILYN HARE Bernard Vorhaus — Director Screen ploy by George Carleton Brown i Bradford Ropes Original story by George Carleton Brown A REPUBLIC PICTURE < 7<4e tea#. Office K&a&Ul: 'In the Navy' Rolling on High Seas *7.4e Bate Office DIGEST "HONOR BOX’’ The Biggest Grossing Release Of The Past Week This Week UNIVERSAL wins with "IN THE NAVY" 136% Assoc. Prod. Director ALEX GOTTLIEB ARTHUR LUBIN Screenplay Featured ARTHUR T. HORMAN CLAIRE DODD JOHN GRANT THE ANDREW SISTERS DICK FORAN BUD ABBOTT and LOU COSTELLO BUTCH & BUDDY Original SHEMP HOWARD ARTHUR T. HORMAN CONDOS BROTHERS DICK POWELL Photographer Art Director JOSEPH VALENTINE Jack Otterson — < llte & *7he. OwduAbufll DIGEST 2bl4^uUioe 'WeeJzbf, DRESS 'EM UP An Editorial by ROBERT E. WELSH Despite the fact that the recent exhibitor convention in fair average, and some others who only do it on a spasm Hollywood did not produce the anticipated attendance, nor the scale. This is, every once in a while the production department snappy attention to industry problems that had been expected, goes on a binge. it did bring quite a number of successful showmen with whom Your Editor could join in an old-timers fanning bee. When Your Editor changed from a New York memo writer Many were the problems discussed. Questions from puzzled to a Hollywood recipient of memos from the sales department theater men as to why Hollywood "doesn’t do this, or does do he made a startling discovery. that.” Countered by many attempts at answering the problem It doesn’t cost any great amount more to get this magic as to why the exhibitor today—under high-pressure dating, dual "class” touch than it does to turn out a piece of shoddy. bill problems—cannot put forth the showmanship selling on an Because in this respect Los Angeles and Hollywood combine attraction that made this industry. for miracles. There are organizations here, and facilities here, But it was interesting to Your Editor to find a question that that would make Missus Astorbilt Von Vanderbilt green with Hollywood may consider of minor importance, bouncing back envy. every so often in the conversations. We found these stylists on picture settings make their two It is that question of: "What makes one company’s product or three times a year trips to New York—and it used to be look rich and expensive, and another company’s, with possibly London, too—to anticipate the moment when Hollywood would even as strong a story and cast to sell, look like second grade lead a style. Setting the home styles for the world. merchandise?” And the important part is the cost. We found in our inno- "Is it merely money?” the exhibitors asked. cent wanderings that it cost more for a "Tobacco Road” sort of set dressing than it did for a Newport home. We found that It isn’t money alone, we know that, because we have been art directors were continually being thrown for a loss by unit through the mill from the New York office to the studio. managers who saved $2.75 on the daily furniture rentals for a It is merely a matter of intelligent executive judgment. set, and ruined a $900 background. Back down the years when Your Editor was advertising the And we started to wonder about the idiosyncracies of Holly- facilities available, why should one or two celluloid, and trying to sell it, he can remember when—with wood. With all the all other selling factors on a picture or a group being even companies be able to arm their salesmen with that magic word the exhibitor would say, "I’m going to buy Paramount. They "class” and so many others be missing the boat for lack of an always have rich sets and dressing, and my patrons like that alarm clock? class feeling.” this argument in A few years later Paramount began to slip, and MGM The exhibitors at the convention started stepped ahead. It became a pretty common phrase for theater their off the cuff wonderings with Your Editor. They men- owners to say: "Well even if tioned names—of companies an MGM picture isn’t so hot, that are hitting high this past showmanship, and fall- you know you will get CLASS DISTRIBUTORS’ BATTING AVERAGE FOR 1941 year in in production, and that means ing down on having their shoes a lot with the customers.” % shined and clothes pressed for The phrase still persists. appearance sake. 96 22 Releases won’t mention any And it has carried MGM 8 Releases 90 We through a few seasons that 16 Releases . . 89 names. . 19 Releases 87 were really weak on the quality But we will be just as 22 Releases _ 83 of the entertainment. Universal 20 Releases 83 happy as anybody else when RKO-Radio 16 Releases 81 things level up and we can Today we have MGM and 18 Releases 78 Fox alert to the values of this 10 Releases 69 drop that weary phrase, "It Monogram 10 Releases 64 "class” touch in properties and isn’t so hot as a picture, but it settings, Paramount hitting a has that class MGM touch.” 4 BOX OFFICE DIGEST Ike Jk Will you pardon Your Highlighter for preparation for the competitive wars ahead HOLLYWOOD DOING ITS picking on a social event as the Highlight in the coming hectic consent decree selling SHARE FOR THE KHAKI BOYS of the Week for just this once? He would season. . . . Another item of the week was Hollywood’s talent contingent isn’t get- like to start you off with some great up- the rumor, as yet unconfirmed by official ting much more than local publicity for its heaval of bosses and stooges at some plant announcement, that Harry Joe Brown would fine efforts in providing top entertainment or other, but it is the social event that stays depart his producer job at Twentieth. . . . at the reachable soldier camps, but when list in memory. . . . We refer to the all-day Harry Joe has an impressive of money- the record is written some day it will be a round up that George Brown, in conjunction makers on his record since moving to Twen- story to be proud of. . . . Overworked stars, with Harry Carey, staged in connection with tieth from Warners. hopping between picture and radio jobs, two events, the preview of "Shepherd of with time off for consultations with the the Hills” and Harry Carey’s thirty-third Income Tax man, have nevertheless anniversary in motion pictures From squeezed in jumps here, there and every- the early morning start of the projection deciAan Why where to put on big scale shows for the machine’s whirling to show the picture, on entertainment hungry boys. . . . Modestly through the day to Harry Carey’s gracious Below is the reason why we are now list- in the background in connection with this hospitality at his picturesque Saugus ranch, ing our reviews each week on the front buzzing beehive of service is Charles Feld- the heart-warming opportunity to renew cover. ... If you will pardon our blushes, man, artists representative, who serves under recollections with so many of the industry’s it is fine exhibitor we think evidence of the the title "talent chairman.” . . . Feldman’s veterans, and into an evening in which we reader value and loyalty to BOX OFFICE name only gets into the publicity by accident, saw many of them in pictures dating from DIGEST. . . . And so, we thank Exhibitor but he is the man who pulls the strings, does the first Edison efforts, it was a grand job L. Lukan. the persuading, cements the organization of good will selling. . . . George Brown’s work, and in other words, delivers the efficient staff was so perfectly organized shows. . . . It’s a great cause, and a great that there was nary a hitch in a twelve hour LAKE THEATRE CORP. guy working at it. . . loyal to session. . (And are those boys L. O. Lukan, President their chief!) . . Summing it up: Paramount Operating TRAVELING HERE AND THERE could have conveyed two car-loads of critics AROUND THE STUDIOS and columnists to the Ozarks for the pre- THE GREEN LAKE THEATRE The critics had quite a problem going view, and at that great expense not gained 7107 Woodlawn Avenue through the picket lines at the Walt Disney a fraction of the good will accomplished by SEATTLE, WASHINGTON studio to view "The Reluctant Dragon.”. . . this family party. Most pertinent question asked of them by Mr. Robert Welsh, the pickets was. "Aren’t you a member of JOE BREEN MAKES IT North the Newspaper Workers or Writers Guilds?” DEFINITELY RKO-RADIO 617 La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. It made some of the boys a bit squeamish. After being bounced around by the Incidentally, if all picket lines presented as rumor mongers for a week or two—into Dear Sir: clean-cut, alert-looking, examples of young Will Hays’ job, back at his old job, here, America as this Disney line does, you would It takes courage to offer a sugges- there and a few other spots Joe Breen never hear much talk of Commie influence — tion to an old "Sophist” like yourself, on strikes. . . . Latest inside is that Trem finally got his way. . . . He reports this week if it copies an idea from one to his new post as production chief at the but even Carr and Ray Johnston have set up their "Contemporaries” why Monogram financial picture in very solid company’s Hollywood studios. . . . That’s of your weak shape, and the new season is approached sad news for the Hays organization and don’t you publish a list of the pictures with renewed confidence. . . . That joint good news for Radio. . . . We are looking you review, on the front page of the forward to Breen’s ability to gain loyalty, deal by which David Selznick and Frank Digest. cooperation and confidence to have consid- Capra will produce for United Artists re- After all I’m one of those who lease continues in the "on again, off again,” erable boosting effect on RKO morale. . . There have been times in recent years read your sheet from cover to cover, stage Earl Baldwin, who holds something of an industry record for service when it hasn’t been so hot—due to lack of and see a lot of good in it, but why, with one company—nine years with Warners a forceful captain on the bridge. . . With when I want to refer to a back issue, the Breen matter settled, the other import- —this week got his release from an MGM to see what Welsh said about a picture, ant production shift of the week was the contract at his own request. . . . Baldwin so much time definite placing of Joe Pasternak, the do I have to consume had completed the script of "New York departing the Deanna Durbin Svengali, on the MGM in searching for it. That spot nqw Heartbeat” before from Culver City lot, which he had only joined production roster. . . . Pasternak rumors occupied by "The Only Authentic” also had him in three or four different in March. etc., is an ideal place for it—put the roles in recent weeks since it became known slogan some place else. that he would leave "U” after completion METRO SEEMS TO HAVE It would help a lot and make your ANOTHER "SEQUOIA” HEADACHE of the current Durbin picture. . . . But opinions even more valuable because then, producers seem to have been busy Remember when MGM went through a we could find them easier and use couple of years making "Sequoia,” and all along line this . . the past week. . John them oftener. the darn animals persisted in growing up Stahl inks the papers for a producer- faster than the off-the-cuff scenarists could director deal at Twentieth Century-Fox. . . Sincerely Yours, write the story? . . . "The Yearling” now L. What a whale of a list of big timers Zanuck O. LUKAN seems to be in the same class, after some is building up out there in Beverly Hills in (Continued on Page 12) THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 1941 ? "Ike. Be* &Uice: Universal's Release "IN THE NAVY" Tops Week Of 14 New Releases In The Past Week, E. H. Griffith was the producer-director and Virginia Van Upp wrote the screenplay. 4 Ran Over 100%, 2 Came Through 14 New Releases Not In The Last Issue Very Weak. % Est. Okay, And 8 Were RKO—3 Releases In the Navy UNIV— 136. .125 -125 Billy the Kid .. MGM .14? RKO-Radio Pictures have three new UNIVERSAL— 1 Release 111....115 One Night in Lisbon PAR— releases, one a good money-getter and two Sunny RKO 101 — 100 away with top very weak programmers. Universal Studios walk Million Dollar Baby WAR— 93.— 90 week with the new Abbott All the Answers 84— 85 honors of the She Knew COL RKO’s best is the new Herbert Wilcox NAVY Lady From Louisiana ._ REP.— 78.— 75 and Costello comedy "IN THE production "SUNNY,” which in spite Cowboy and the Blonde FOX. 72 — 70 101%, is a direct follow-up on Abbott and which Baines Pulls the Strings RKO — 68 65 of poor box office conditions seems to be months ago, Costello’s sensation of two Singapore Woman WAR 68 75 going over quite well and much better than Privates” was sold 66 .... ? "Buck Privates.” "Buck Great Commandment FOX. the last Wilcox-Neagle musical "No, No, I’ll Wait For You 63 .. 60 on flat rental in the majority of cases, MGM— Nanette.” Saint’s Vacation RKO 63. 60 furthermore in many key cities it played in Nurse’s Secret WAR 62 ... 60 About a year ago when Mr. Wilcox signed run houses instead of deluxe first second his new RKO-Radio contract it called for Hollywood with its runs and still surprised three big musicals starring Anna Neagle. according to box office terrific gross, which Accordingly Mr. Wilcox bought three big one a good money-getter and the second a figures ran 108%. musicals; "Irene,” "No, No, Nanette” and estab- very weak programmer. Now that Abbott and Costello are "Sunny.” The first of these, "Irene” was The re-make of "BILLY THE KID” by lished as one of Hollywood’s top box office a box office clean-up, the second, "No, No MGM on an elaborate scale in Technicolor draws their new feature "IN THE NAVY” Nanette” only did fair and now the third starring Bob Taylor, has been very well has just been released and is averaging "Sunny” seems to be giving a very good hold- received and in spite of the fact that it might 136% and incidentally this one has 35 account of itself at the box office. be considered primarily a man’s picture, is overs out of 39 first run openings. Further- doing exceptionally well, averaging 125% Seen opposite Miss Neagle is John Car- more, "IN THE NAVY” is the sixth big- in western territories this roll with Ray Bolger, Edward Everett gest grossing picture of 1941 which means to date. Naturally be for a considerable jump. Horton, Helen Westley and Frieda Ines- plenty of hard cold cash in the bank for picture will due court featured. both Universal and the exhibitors lucky Supporting Bob Taylor in this big western In these days of so much war talk and enough to have Universal contracts. epic is a strong featured cast headed by Brian Donlevy, Ian Hunter, Mary Howard, depression, musicals seem to be appreciated "IN THE NAVY” is the first three hun- many more than ever and "Sunny” will probably dred thousand dollar production that has Gene Lockhart, Lon Chaney, Jr., and director of be no exception. ever won an Honor Box since the Box Office others. The producer and may seem a bit new to RKO’s second release is another of Digest has been on the presses—approxi- "BILLY THE KID” exhibitor. For the the Scattergood Baines series entitled mately five years; the average Honor Box the average American past eight or nine years Producer Irving "SCATTERGOOD BAINES PULLS THE winner is generally a production that costs in charge of Warners’ Eng- STRINGS,” 68%. This series is good meat upwards of a half million dollars and some- Asher has been Holly- for family audiences, especially in small times two and three times that amount. lish production and this is his first wood made picture. David Miller, the direc- towns, but will never show up for its real Co-starred with Abbott and Costello is tor, has been at MGM for some time but profit value in the percentage tables that Dick Powell. In the supporting cast are only as director of shorts and "BILLY THE are concerned with the million dollar pic- again the Andrews Sisters and others in the KID” serves as his first feature job. tures. featured cast are Claire Dodd, Dick Foran, MGM’s second release this week, "I’LL As usual, Guy Kibbee is starred and the and Butch and Buddy. WAIT FOR YOU,” 63%, is a weak pro- supporting cast includes Bob Watson, Susan Universal’s production team, Producer grammer that will have to be spotted in as Peters, Emma Dunn and Monte Blue. Alex Gottleib and Director Arthur Lubin a filler. Virginia Weidler, Robert Sterling Christy Cabanne directed for Producer Jerry -vhich made "Buck Privates,” is also respon- and Marsha Hunt are featured. Brandt. sible for "IN THE NAVY.” And inciden- (Continued on Page 12) tally they will very shortly have another PARAMOUNT— 1 Release Abbott and Costello picture ready for re- Paramount’s new release this week, "ONE lease, 14 FEATURES "GOING DOWN” which probably won’t hurt exhibitors’ NIGHT IN LISBON,” 111%, is another feelings any. feature co-starring Paramount’s popular Was Now team of Madeleine Carroll Philadelphia Story MGM 181 ...178 2 Releases and Fred Mac- MGM— Ziegfeld Girl 150 146 Murray. The title is probably a little mis- MGM MGM has two new releases this week, Western Union FOX .131 121 leading to some of the public, for in the Great American Broadcast FOX 106 102 strict sense this is not a war picture but Cheers for Miss Bishop UA 90 88 83' more of a romantic comedy drama equally Wagons Roll at Night WAR 85 ... * Uncertain Feeling ... 83 ... 81 6 FEATURES GOING UP” as entertaining as "Honeymoon in Bali.” That UA Power Dive PAR 78 ... 74 The first figures are quite satisfactory Was Now and Blondie Goes Latin COL 76 - 74 Blood and Sand PAR .130— 134 this one will probably build on word-of- Ellery Queen’s Penthouse Love Crazy ... MGM 118 127 mouth advertising. Mystery COL 78 70 I Wanted Wings PAR .121— 123 Supporting Mr. MacMurray and Miss Her First Beau COL 72 ... 70 A Woman’s Face MGM 106 113 Horror Island UNIV 70 ... 68 Carroll are Patricia Morrison, Billie Burke, Reaching For the Sun PAR ... 73. .. 75 Man Made Monster . UNIV 70 ... 67 Loder, Free and Easv MGM 70 77 John Edmund Gwenn and Reginald Knockout WAR 68 ... 66 Denny. . 6 BOX OFFICE DIGEST 'Moon Over Miami' Good Musical Tonic for B.O. 20TH CENTURY-FOX The Box Office Digest Estimates 125% Producer Harry Joe Brown Director Walter Lang Current Reviews Screenplay Vincent Lawrence, Brown Ho'mes Adaptation George Seaton, Lynn Starling We Est. Original play Stephen Powys Moon Over Miami FOX .125 Lyrics and music Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger Featured: Don Arneche, Betty Grable, Robert Shepherd of the Hills PAR 110 Cummings, Charlotte Greenwood, Jack Haley, Carole Landis, Cobina Wright, Jr., Lynne Underground WAR 95 Roberts, Robert Conway, George Lessey, Condos Brothers, Hermes Pan, Jack Cole The Reluctant Dragon RKO .... 90 and company, Robert Creig, Minor Watson, Fortunio Bonanova, George Humbert, Spen- The Big Store MGM 85 cer Charters, Mel Ruick. Photographers Peverell Marley, Leon Shamroy, The Parson of Panamint PAR 85 Allen M. Davey Time 98 minutes Tight Shoes UNIV 80 "Moon Over Miami” is a corking con- San Antonio Rose UNIV. 75 coction of musical entertainment. We say "concoction” because that is what Darryl Zanuck and his associate producer, Harry Joe Brown, have achieved. away from the war headlines it will satisfy three gals set out to get their men. The They were wise enough to realize the your reviewer until another epic comes gals have enough of a nest egg to finance audience doesn’t care very much about story along. one big Miami blitzkrieg, and that starts a values in this type of show, they were double Songs are what you will really be talking plot sufficient to carry the Robin and wise in selection of cast, and they were about after viewing the picture, though, any Rainger songs to the fade-out title. blessed by some top tune numbers from time you use that phrase, you must combine Technicolor helps, being keyed on a Leo Robin and Ralph Rainger. And any the numbers with the selling personalities, musical comedy scale. It is dressy and combination that gives you the right com- and the smooth direction by Walter Lang. frothy. bination of personalities and melodies is "Oh Me, Oh Miami,” will probably be the Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Fine pretty safe entertainment fodder. hit, but it isn’t many steps ahead of a entertainment for these days. You won’t Look at the varied talents in that cast number of other good warbles, such as avoid the customers as they come out. Pre- line-up: Don Arneche, Betty Grable, Robert "I’ve Got You All to Myself,” "Loveliness viewed June 15th. Cummings, Jack Haley, Carole Landis, and Love,” and "You Started Something.” WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: " Charlotte Greenwood. Seems almost impos- Arneche and Grable have never seemed REPORTER: 'Moon Over Miami’ proves sev- eral fundamentals that makers of filmusicals sible to miss, doesn’t it? But it has been more at home than in this straight musical would do well to observe. Primarily this glittering done with equally strong aggregations. Not comedy formula. Since they are happy in song and dance show demonstrates the advantages in this case, the however. The troupers troupe, job, you only need to mention the of giving its singers something to sing, its dancers the laughs and the notes of the octave fall names of such scene supporters as Robert rhythms that set an audience to beating in time here and there indiscriminately, and every- Cummings, Charlotte Greenwood, Jack with the danceable music. You can come out of 'Moon Over Miami’ humming strains of its tune- body seems to be having as good a time as Haley, etc., to know that the entire eve- ful score, something that hasn’t happened in many the audience. ning’s proceedings were very enjoyable. months of musicals from Hollywood.” It is the picture not quite on the epic scale of "That The story is as frothy as any musical VARIETY: "For average patron this piece of elegant filmusical will hit close to Night in Rio,” with its smooth lined story should be. It gives the melodic brush-off 100<% entertainment satisfaction and will prosper and pace, but for an entertainment evening to the "Three Blind Mice” theme, in which accordingly.” 'Parson of Panamint' Given Class By Sherman HARRY SHERMAN-PARAMOUNT It is an offering concerning which Para- a Chuckawalla Bill; Ellen Drew does a The Box Office Digest Estimates 85% mount and Sherman can feel very happy. colorful dance hall girl; a Paramount young- ster, Philip Terry, registers for future con- Producer Harry Sherman The picture suffers from only one draw- sideration; Joseph Schildkraut turns in one Associate producer Lewis J. Rachmil back, the fact that it must be told in the of his slick jobs as a gambler. (It’s about Director - William McCann flash-back treatment, as Charles Ruggles, Screenplay Harold Shumate, Adrian Scott time though that Schildkraut decides to year-worn prospector, narrates the yarn of From novel by Peter B. Kyne grow up into real character roles, instead Stars Charles Ruggles, Ellen Drew, a ghost mining camp. But directors and of trying to stick half way between glamour Philip Terry scripters hurdle this handicap with pretty and what-have-you) Featured: Joseph Schildkraut, Porter Hall, Henry fair success. Supporting cast evidences Sherman’s Kolker, Janet Beecher, Clem Bevans, Douglas Fowley, Paul Hurst, Frank Puglia, Minor Maybe you haven’t seen the Peter Kyne willingness to go the limit. He has been Watson, Harry Hayden, Russell Hicks. story in other versions, maybe you’ve seen rewarded with a worth-while offering. Photography Russell Harlan alterations of it in half a dozen stolen ver- Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: About Time 84 minutes sions. It is the one about the zealous dominie tops in Sherman’s out-door offerings, so who comes to a hell-ridden mining town, you know pretty well how to spot it. Pre- Harry Sherman can always be trusted to and what happens to him, and to the town. viewed June 16th. use his knowledge of the outdoor formula Before all the happenings are over you and the showmanship it requires, so it is have met all the stock characters of the WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: not a surprise to record "The Parson of old time mining town, you have been worked Panamint” measures up for audience value. REPORTER: "A genuine audience picture with up to a near lynching of our parson hero. a lot of heart, one which will make new But the news is in the pleasing statement many friends for the industry.” that Producer Sherman stepped beyond But you will like the characters the way formula to give this latest of his special the players and Director McGann have pre- VARIETY : "Intensely moving and human drama is Peter B. Kyne’s story of a fighting offerings extra production class in every sented them, even though their pattern is parson as brought to the screen by Harry Sher- department. familiar. Ruggles, of course, is sure-fire as man.” THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 1941 7 'Shepherd of the Hills' Solid Heart-Throb Hit PARAMOUNT selected to depict characters beloved by our How, for example, could anyone differ- The Box Office Digest Estimates 110% parents in their adolescent days so capable entiate in order of mention between such of bringing these creations to real life and troupers as Beaulah Bondi, James Barton, Producer Jack Moss Director Henry Hathaway blood. That goes for the entire cast, down Marjorie Main, Sam Hinds, John Qualen, Screenplay Grover Jones, Stuart Anthony to the smallest role, a tribute to Moss and Ward Bond, Marc Lawrence, Fuzzy Knight Featured: John Wayne, Betty Field, Harry Carey, Hathaway as well as to the players. and on and on. Beulah Bondi, James Barton, Samuel S. But, of course, the burden must be carried Marjorie Main, for one to mention, gets Hinds, Marjorie Main, Ward Bond, Marc and the honors bestowed on the tops John one great opportunity when she regains her Lawrence, John Qualen, Fuzzy Knight, Tom — Fadden, Olin Howland. Wayne, Harry Carey, and Betty Field. sight. If you do not shed a tear, you are Photographer Charles Lang, Jr., Wayne has the toughest role to handle. not human. Hathaway has had Miss Main W. Howard Greene He must be the semi-silent man - of - the underplay her previous scenes as a victim Time 98 minutes mountains, but he must have a one-track of sightlessness, but when he hits this spot About once a season there is one of these mind vengeance motive on his shoulders to he and trouper gang up to sock it home. home-like heart throb melodramas that motivate the entire picture. The character It is a powerful moment. comes along to kick a depression in its tend- could have been written better, or else, But so, also, is the comedy of Olin How- erest spot. We have a showman’s hunch possibly, there are scenes on the cutting land, as an Ozark storekeeper, a contribu- that "The Shepherd of the Hills” may do room floor that did give it better shading. tion that will gain new parts for this fine it this time. At any rate, Wayne comes through. trouper. It is easy to trace the path of memory And he has competition. Betty Field Exhibitors’ Booking Suggestion: A solid and recall such tear-jerkers as "Stella registered pretty solidly in "Of Mice and tear-jerker dressed in class direction and Dallas,” "The Girl of the Limberlost”—the Men,” but box office frequently does not playing, topped with Technicolor. Previewed original versions, that is—and you can even hinge on one picture. This time she has a June 14th. go back far enough to "Over the Hills to rioe opportunity, she and makes the most WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: the Poor House,” which broke a depression of it. You will be seeing more of her. before many of our current producers had Then we come to Harry Carey—whose REPORTER: Locking at it fnanciallv. Para- mount’s "Shepherd of the Hills” is cut to the separated from diapers. thirty-odd anniversary in the industry was pattern of "Trail of the Lonesome Pine.” which "Shepherd of the Hills” is heart throb at made the occasion for the picture’s Holly- Henry Hathaway also directed for a boxoffice its best, dressed in wonderful Technicolor. wood preview. Harry has a role that is an smash five years ago. Looking at it artisdca’ly, it is a beautiful eloquent and exciting drama of Even while exhibitors are thinking that all actor’s delight—if the actor is an actor. He the Ozarks hill people. Jack Moss has given the they can sell is gags and music, it may be is part of "The Passing of the Third Floor very popular Harold Bell Wright novel a magnifi- the bet that pulls a lot of those cash Back.” "The Fool,” "Girl of the Limber- cently faithful production investment and Hatha- customers away from the comfortable radio- lost.” and a milliad of subjects that have way has garbed it with heart-warming feeling and breathed a rare spark into it to give it pulsing side seats which have held them for many enriched theatrical history with a central life.” weeks. character who portrayed, under varying VARIETY: '"The Shepherd of the Hills’ With all the cynical false front of our circumstances, the faith and love that is should be a heavy grosser, for it has beauty, years chasing down the preview trail, we within the best of us. simplicity, dramatic intensity, carefully calculated tear-jerking, acting that enjoyed the tear - promtings and rugged Carev’s performance is superb. He gives few of the performers in it have ever bettered, superlative direction and hemp of this picture. Associate producer it the spiritual quality with restraint, he g’ves production. Moreover, it comes at a time when Jack Moss and Henry Hathaway, as direc- it the underlying physical strength with many fans are fed up with war p’Ctures, and tor, set out with forthright sincerity to the slightest of nuances. has about it the quality of charm and escape that give a very big potential audience the pic- Starting to talk about support is like try- ought to make it more than welcome in a war- weary world. The picture could, if it is exploited ture they would expect from "Shepherd ing to start at naming the words in a diction- properly, do the business that was done by Para- of the Hills.” ary. If we miss any names we will have to mount’s earlier Harold Bell Wright story, "The They delivered. Seldom has a cast been say that it is because we are overloaded. Trail of the Lonesome Pine.” 'Big Store' Spotty But Better Than Last Marx Pic MGM floor before being cemented together. Harpo’s harp number is this time dressed The Box Office Digest Estimates 85% up with a mirror setting that makes it some- Producer Louis K. Sidney But to those who are out for a night of talk Director Charles Riesner laughs, and particularly those who can cure thing to about. There is the expected Screenplay Sid Kuller, Hal Fimberg, their headaches with k dose of Marx, such wild and wierd chase finish—but you’ll have Ray Golden to get DT’s to imagine half of the things things as continuity a^ad steadiness of pa cr, Original Nat Perrin in this particular chase. Stars Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx will mean little. Wlybt if there are some Featured: Tony Martin, Virginia Grey, Margaret slow spots? Producer Louis Sidney had a Unfortunately, at least to this reviewer’s Dumont, Douglass Dumbrille, William ear, none of the numerous song Tan- showman’s knowledge/of what he had to sell, numbers nen, Marion Martin, Virginia O’Brien, Henry and that’s what he delivered. register as potential hits. They are what Armetta, Anna Demetrio, Paul Stanton, I you call "good,” but there you stop. Russell Hicks, Bradley Page. "The Big Store” finds the Marx boys as Photographer Charles Lawton Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: The combination house dicks and Tony Martin Time 80 minutes M arx draw slipped in recent pictures, but bodyguards in a big department store. Tony "The Big Store” is definitely laugh crazy where you can hit with your audience by is one of the store’s owners. The scripters in the zaniest Marx style. Its box office and giving them high-water laughs this is a take the general audience values will be determined the premise of those characters, sure-fire item. Previewed June 12th. opportunities offered by a department store’s solely by the well known worn phrase: "If WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: vast you like the Marxes it’s great; if you don’t background possibilities, and just go to REPORTER: "Pretty much of a hit and miss care for .” town in any direction they suspect there the Marx brand of humor, well— affair is "The Big Store,” rumored as the final The production is definitely better keyed might be a laugh. Charles Reisner’s direc- appearance before a motion picture camera of rhe Marx brothers a is to the Marx talents, and more closely packed tion uses every trick of a wily veteran at as team. It to be reported however, that the misses, wide though they are, with whirlwind laugh situations than the this sort of thing to keep the laughs real cannot be charged to want of trying on the parts last offering the possibly of the brothers. It gives the howls, and dodge slow plot of Groucho, Chico and Harpo, or their able evidence, expected in most Marx offerings, moments. director—all of whom are constantly in there pit'-hing.” of having been cut, trimmed, reshuffled and Novelty numbers are as abundant as a VARIETY: "If your clientele likes the Marxes otherwise spread across the cutting room three-decker Palace Theater vaudeville bill. this is sure b. o. bait.” PRODUCED DIRECTED WILLIAM MORRIS MUSIC AGENCY. INC. CORPORATION © (t BUCK PRIVATES” OF AMERICA COMING (t RIDE ’EM COWBOY” BUD ABBOTT AND LOU IVERSAL ct Lou Costello Bud Abbott i OUR COMEDY MATERIAL Completed by JOHN GRANT "OH CHARLIE” Directed by OUR SPECIAL WRITER ARTHUR LUBIN For Universal Our Pal and Manager Our Representatives EDWARD SHERMAN WILLIAM MORRIS AGENCY . — 10 BOX OFFICE DIGEST 'Underground' Could Easily Start Shooting War WARNERS when he visited his home scenes after the many hopes are pinned for his collapse. war, he came very close to the Teutonic The story is told through the lives of two The Box Office Digest Estimates 95% version of an American lynching.) brothers—one disguising his secret activities Associate producer William Jacobs against Hitler by pretending patriotism, but Director Vincent Sherman That’s the doubtful part. The cash custo- eventually in the shadow of the Gestapo; Screenplay Charles Grayson mers haven’t shown any evidence that they Original Edwin Justus Mayer, the other, a returned wounded veteran, are far enough in the war yet to go out to Oliver H. P. Garrett fanatically loyal to the Nazi regime, who picture theaters with their hard-earned two Stars Jeffrey Lynn, Philip Dorn, unwittingly brings about his brother’s down- Kaaren Verne bits to get lectures. Their feelings may be fall. Featured: Mona Maris, Peter Whitney. Martin all with the producer—but that isn’t what Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: A clean- Kosleck, Erwin Kaiser, Elka Gruning, Frank they spend their folding money and relaxa- Reicher, Egon Brecher, Ludwig Stossel, Hans tion time for when they approach the exhibi- up for certain metropolitan centers; a wor- Schumm, Wolfgang Zilzer. Roland Varno, Henry Brandon, Lotte Palfi, Lisa Golm, tor’s wicket. ried headache for exhibitors in many other Louis Arco, Roland Drew. So much for the exhibition problems. spots. Previewed June 18th. Photographer Sid Hockox Time 94 minutes Now for the picture. WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: It is a great job. It goes all-out to tell It all depends on how the currently very the story and deliver the message which the REPORTER: "Just as Warners pulled no ticklish theater audience will take it. picture punches in making "Confessions of a Nazi Spy,” producers have decided to transmit, and it It would require the seventy-seventh son the subject of a German revolution against the it with skill. Director Vincent Sher- of a seventy-seventh son to guess at that does Hitler regime is approached fearlessly in "Under- recently praised, but no means a ground.” The result is a dramatic screen bomb- factor w UNIVERSAL fun to go to a movie these days and discover the budget class—is good enough to make that is trying to give you an evening us reluctant The Box Office Digest Estimates 75% someone to mention names. Director of fun. You could have "stood up in bed” Charles Lamont, who usually does his best Associate producer Ken Goldsmith like a certain prize - fight manager and with kids, and a great job he has done Director Charles Lamont enjoyed the radio without putting slippers with them, comes through with a real show. Screenplay Hugh Wedlock, Jr., Howard Snyder, Paul Gerald Smith on; you wouldn’t be paying a nickle towards Ken Goldsmith wrapped it up as associate Original — Jack Lait, Jr. the salaries of picture makers or picture producer. Featured: Jane Frazee, Robert Paige, Eve Arden, exhibitors. But why crack down on the Seen to definite advantage are the two Lon Chaney, Jr., Shemp Howard, Mary Lou think pictures are to sell leads, Paige Cook, Joe McMichael, Ted McMichael, Judd guys who made Bob and Jane Frazee. Both McMichael, Richard Lane, Louis DaPron, tickets? are going places. Charles Lang, Roy Harris, Peter Sullivan, Three writers are mentioned on the script Richard Davies, Luis Alberni, Frank Mitchell. Okay, we admit it. We have been hot credits, and nothing should be taken away Photographer Stanley Cortez under the collar. Here is our defense: Art Director Jack Otterson from any of them. It is a workmanlike "San Antonio Rose” is a budget picture; Time 64 minutes job. But our ears detected the whiplash it will never be expected to break a Radio of a Paul Gerard Smith line ever and ever We arrived home after this preview with City Music Hall record; but it has been so often. And we think Smith must have the very cheerful feeling of having had a written, directed, and guided so as to jell just unbuttoned a few spasms of his Big good time, and then we awoke the next congealed might be the more correct word Town show experience. morning to read a Los Angeles daily’s —showmanship elements for sixty - four Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: A good review which damned it with mu le-like minutes. buy for the proper spot on the bill. subtleness by merely listing the number of Good comedy, and an overflow of worthwhile songs that are in the picture. Put Garbo up on the marquee if you want songs. Previewed June 11th. The reviewer is just about as far behind to, but stick around until the customers what Mr. and Mrs. John Xantippus Public smile on their exit over corn beef and are paying cash for—that same coin for cabbage like this one. Cast won’t help for WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: which the exhibitor is waiting with the well your marquee, though, if some producer is REPORTER: "Universal has done pretty well is of great known bated breath—as his parent paper wise, there the makings a team with pictures titled for popular songs, and it is reasonable to expect 'San Antonio Rose’ will better is behind knowledge of current mass in Lon Chaney, Jr., and Shemp Howard. the average in its market.” thought. (They haven’t elected a local Too bad, but maybe not too late, for Hal " VARIETY : 'San Antonio Rose’ is the latest candidate since Pio Pico got a bit of writing Roach’s series of soldier yarns. The team attempt by Universal to hang one of its program in Spanish. they nothing to is sure-fire. And, had do musicals around a song tide. The best thing about with that) it is the Merry Macs and their vocalizing. There One important fact can be summed up "San Antonio Rose” is one of the pic- is enough good work by other cast members, in- in a sentence: The Merry Macs alone are cluding Frazees’ pert personality and voice, tures that the industry should encourage. Jane worth the price of admission. the comedy of Shemp Howard, and a number Sure, we will admit it, there is a song or a of singable tunes, to rate it as average supporting happening every minute. But gosh, it’s great As a matter of fact all the support—in fare.” 11 BOX OFFICE DIGEST 'The Reluctant Dragon' Okay as a Novelty WALT DISNEY - RKO —yawning long before the seventy - three Some of our colleagues in the "cricket” The Box Office Digest Estimates 90% minutes of the picture had unfurled. profession to think that will Producer _ Walt Disney seem doors be There is no getting away from it — the broken avidly seeking Director - Alfred Werker down by customers to Screenplay .... Ted Sears, A1 Perkins, Larry cartoon was made for single reelers, Techni- learn the secrets of what makes Mickey a Clemmons, Bill Cottrell, Harry Clark color gave it blood enough to stand up for mouse. It has been our show experience Featured; Robert Benchley, Frances Gifford, two reels; but once in a decade you will Buddy Pepper, Nana Bryant, Clarence Nash, over many years that after learning the Florence Gill, Hamilton McFadden, Alan get a "Snow White,” and the other nine secret, they may lose permanent interest in Ladd, Maurice Murohy, Jean Fenwick, Jimmy years you get subjects that should have Mickey. Luske, Verna Hillie, Walt Disney, Norm been broken up into eatable slices. Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Strictly Ferguson, Ward Kimball and others. "The Reluctant Dragon” has industrial a freak, with nothing extra in drawing Photographer .... Bert Glennon, Winton Hoch Time 73 minutes value—possibly some to sell the stockholders power. If you have one of those Wardman "The Reluctant Dragon” is another —for a reel or two or three while it pur- Park, Washington, D. C. theatres where Walter Disney experiment in the art of ports to tell the inside of cartoon film the guests arrive in soup and fish, they making pictures that he thinks audiences making. This portion, seen through the will chuckle loudly. Previewed June 15th. should want, which may or may not be an eyes and heard through the stuttering of WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: improvement over the old rule of thumb Robert Benchley, is as good an industrial which said pictures should be made for as the industry has produced. REPORTER: "'The Reluctant Dragon’ can only be judged by standards of entertainment, and what the audiences want. Then we get down to more formal enter- its standards are high. It is a novelty that The technical skill and thought that has tainment. And three short subjects, one audiences should find most enjoyable.” about the goofy horse, gone into "The Reluctant Dragon” cannot the second about VARIETY : "This is another extension of Walt be denied. You and I, and the rest of us Baby Weems, and the finale about our Disney’s picture making media and methods, an who consider ourselves moving picture Ferdinand-dragon. The educational part of interesting venture into the possibilities of combin- ing cartoon animation with the live action of real "expoits,” could look at a reel or two more the subject would have been a good money- personalities. In it Disney demonstrates the of it. We would be joined by the sopho- maker for itself, and one of the three screen still has vast unexplored or barely touched mores who know the meaning of a new shorts could have clicked; Benchley isn’t territory of visual and oral entertainment. And it is not only appropriate but also a fascinating phrase "motion picture appreciation.” hard to take; but add them all together for subject that the producer takes his own plant in But for those of us in business, one feature meal and it just doesn’t spell we would Burbank as the background and structure for his find our fellow guests—the cash customers Prudence Penny. adventure of "The Reluctant Dragon.” 'Tight Shoes' Has Its Good Moments MAYFAIR-UNIVERSAL brings in the retrospect. In this case it is a Support is excellent, with Shemp Howard Estimates The Box Office Digest 80% yarn about a shoe clerk who sold a pair and Broderick Crawford getting the high- Director Albert S. Rogell of tight shoes to a gangster, and a spontan- lighted opportunities. Screenplay Leonard Spigelgass, Art Arthur eous chain of circumstances started that Exhibitor’s Suggestion: Pretty Original Damon Runyon Booking Featured: John Howard, Binnie Barnes, Brod involves shoe clerking, racketeering, politics, safe mass fare. Previewed June 8th. Crawford, Anne Gwynne, Leo Carrillo, Samuel and winds up with "they lived happily ever What the Other Fellows Said: S. Hinds, Shemp Howard, Richard Lane, after” endings. Sarah Padden, Ed Gargan, Elmar Jackson, Cast is sparkling under A1 Rogell’s direc- REPORTER: "Anything goes for laughs Robert Emmett O’Connor, Tom Dugan. in Jules Levey’s Mayfair production of Photographer Elwood Bredell tion. Binnie Barnes gets the high spots, and Time 67 minutes romps to town. It is one of the best jobs "Tight Shoes,” and Hollywood’s fondness she had an opportunity to handle in a year for Damon Runyon stories is again justi- "Tight Shoes” is light on marquee value, or more. fied with a hit picture.” which is going to curtail its first run value. John Howard is very good, continuing to VARIETY: "'This is a very funny pic- And while it is fairly healthy in entertain- register the progress that Box Office Digest ture.’ And probably the closest interpreta- ment values, it will have spotty receptions. The "wise guys” who think and phrase with has been prophesying for him for the past tion of the Damon Runyon humor that vear. has been yet brought to the screen.” Damon Runon may consider it something of an epic; but there will be many audiences forty-five minutes from Broadway or the same distance from Hollywood who will say, "So what?” They just won’t get the MONDAY NIGHT IS "SESSIONS” NIGHT Damon Runyon characters, or the over-their- heads satire of the script. Put it down as a heck of a good filler, 1 1 7 ? but nothing on which to bank the evening’s receipts. The story is as human as all Damon Run- yon yarns. It is told—in celluloid—clumsily. All exhibitors—those poor slaves who know what is poison and what is not—will recog- u nize what we mean when we say it is told in retrospect. Gosh, how many good pic- — NEVER A COVER OR MINIMUM CHARGE — tures have withered under the retrospect and flashback method of treatment. But "Tight Shoes” still has those Damon Runyon characterizations, no matter what DINING - DANCING - ENTERTAINMENT the film mill did to them, so it winds up a fairly good show. If you can get them inside the house there will be enough of them to vote it great fun. Hollywood Plaza Hotel 1637 No. Vine St. The story gets under way when a news- paperman is reminded of something—that — — THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 1941 12 *ln The .\iivv* Tops for Week The Highlighter *Continued from Page Four (Continued from Page 5) the exhibitor to get the most out of "She RKO’s third and last release this week Knew All the Answers.” umpty hundred thousands of expenditures. This modern farce comedy co-stars Joan is another in the Saint series "THE SAH^IT .... Seems as though you can’t teach an Bennett and Franchot Tone. The featured TAKES A HOLIDAY,” 60%. These pic- old lion new tricks Problem involved cast is headed by John Hubbard, Eve Arden tures seem to fiave little first run value but and William Tracy. here is that both the animals and the will get by in the nabes as fillers. Richard Wallace directed and Bill Pierce youngster playing the important role may As "THE SAINT’S VACATION” pic- acted as associate producer to Charles R. both grow to manhood before the execs get Rogers. ture was produced in England and there are the thing straightened out. . . . At least "SHE KNEW ALL THE ANSWERS” no players in it familiar to American audi- they have one consolation, Spencer Tracy is the first of a series of productions that ences; the leads are portrayed by Hugh Sin- never grows any older Irving Cum- Mr. Rogers is making for Columbia for the clair and Sally Gray, William Sistrom pro- present season. mings hardly has "Belle Starr” out of the duced and Leslie Fenton directed. cutting room before he must wind up again REPUBLIC—Also 1 Release to start "Louisiana Purchase.” .... With WARNERS—Also 3 Releases Republic’s release this week is the John those two hitting the market at the peak Wayne starrer "THE LADY FROM of next season’s ticket - selling season, Warners-First National, like RKO, also LOUISIANA,” 80%, which with the pres- Cummings will be off to a flying start have three releases; one a fairly good fea- ent exception of "Sis Hopkins” is their best ture and two rather weak programmers. for money-making honors Daniel money-maker this year. John Wayne’s name O’Shea, well - liked and efficient David Warners’ first is the new Priscilla Lane has been seen on many major releases in the past year and that fact plus the big Selznick executive, has been upped to feature, "MILLION DOLLAR BABY,” production value and locale of this story a post as executive vice-president which is getting by quite well at a 93% New Orleans—-in the gay 90’s has undoubt- The Pipeline Reports: Sneaks on Greg picture was orig- average. Incidentally this edly haloed this considerably one at the LaCava’s "Unfinished Business” bring back inally sold to exhibitors as "Miss Wheel- box office. America.” This comedy glowing raves about Preston Foster, who wright Discovers Seen onpov’te Tohn Wavne is Ona Mun- fairly well received as gives plenty of worry to co-stars Irene vith music has been son IBelle Wallin* in "G. W. T. W.”). a whole, although it is a bit long, running The featured cast includes Henry Stephen- Dunne and Robert Montgomery with a 1 hour and 45 minutes. son, Helen Westley and Raymond . . Mid- great performance. . Pipeline also says dleton. Seen opposite Miss Lane is Jeffrey Lynn the picture, a probable August release, is Bernard Vorhaus was the producer- and the featured cast is headed by Ronald real box office. . . . Director James Hogan director. Reagan, Helen Westley, Mae Robson, and has done it again, a habit he has. . . . Con- George Barbier. Curtis Bernhardt directed 2 Releases FOX— fined to budget pictures in recent years, he and David Lewis acted as associate producer always seems to turn out the ones that to Hal Wallis. Twentieth Century-Fox has two new pro- go grammers this week, neither of special above expectations based on their cost. . . . Warners third and last release this week, importance. "Power Dive” is the latest, the Thomas- modern tropical melodrama "SINGAPORE The best of these is the "COWBOY AND Pine offering Paramount’s home WOMAN” that is doing rather poorly THE BLONDE” which co-stars Mary Beth only 68% probably due to the lack of office has ordered it into the percentage — Hughes and George Montgomery. This is marquee names. Brenda Marshall and David class on booking A bouquet too, for a very entertaining little comedy romance Bruce are co-starred with Virginia Field, that would probably pull much stronger Thomas and Pine for getting off to a Jerome Cowan and Rose Hobart featured. houses if it had more marque value; but "Power Dive” start on their independent This one will build but won’t sell tickets to say the least it will make a much better schedule. . . . Butler has as the figures have indicated. production Dave tha n average filler. broad smiles these days over the reports Gene Negulesco directed and Harlan Alan Mowbray, Robert Conway, John coming from the East on "Caught in the Thompson was associate producer. Miljan are featured. Raymond McCarey Draft.” "THE NURSE’S SECRET,” 62%, is like- directed for two producers Ralph Dietrich wise an entertaining story but it isn’t pulling and Walter Morosco. any business as there are absolutely no Twentieth Century-Fox’s second release marquee names. Lee Patrick, Regis Toomey this week is "THE GREAT COMMAND- and Julia Bishop are featured. Noel Smith MENT,” which on a very few bookings is directed for the Byron Foy unit. only averaging 66%. This biblical subject was made by an independent producer, COLUMBIA— 1 Release FOR REVIEWS John T. Coyle, and his associate, Reverend James Friedrich and the distribution is Columbia’s new picture this week "SHE THAT SPEAK being handled by Fox. KNEW ALL THE ANSWERS,” 88%, is As COMMANDMENT” DOLLARS AND "SENSE” their best release since "Penny Serenade.” "THE GREAT is not a regular run-of-the-mill picture it Here is another picture that in normal should be handled in a special manner. times would be doing at least 10% better, Exhibitors should screen it first and then 9t ^Ute IdJeeJ&l *)ecJuucal fjoh: The beautifully shot background shots for "Moon Over Miami.”. ... A miracle in richness and skill. r ^Ilte UJeeJ&i Particularly one sequence where two motorboat puddle jumpers—one supposedly bearing Bob Cummings and In these days when showmanship is more needed Betty Grable, the other the pursuing Don Ameche than ever—or so the box office figures tell us—the quality of trailers is slumping terrifically Your give the audience a socko kick. . . . All the picturesque Wandering Reporter sees quite a few in the course of Florida backgrounds are so perfectly balanced—and in a week. . . . Darn few recently that would sell him a Technicolor that the picture is a model in this respect. — picture And in many cases he has already caught the picture and knows it is a good attraction. Far better than the "selling” trailer Are some of the producers getting economy-foolish on their trailer departments, or are the exhibitors slumping back into the canned junk? *7he lAJeekh Pcuu&iful Scene: In that thrill-packed "Underground,” the moment when the two brothers—Philip Dorn and Jeffrey Lynn *7he TdJeeJ&i S&iatexfic Petneat: —face each other before a stern Nazi chief Lynn, always pro-Nazi but finally coming around to a On the part of the producers in connection with the realization that he is wrong, must face his own brother preview problem. . . . Now it is worse Because now the reviewers are considering petitioning the United and denounce him Martin Koslech is great Service Organizations to open a flop house in Glendale, as the commander. Lynn and Dorn tops, and Sher- so strong is the monopoly held by the Alexander there traffic trip man’s direction a treat. and so irritating the back and forth Particularly when some other companies may have had morning and afternoon previews the same day And the weisenheimer Glendale audiences know about the preview plenty in advance Can it be a Machiavellian idea that has the critics swallowing their own black medicine? 2 Producers and Associate Producers Directors Picture* % Picture* % ...... Joseph Mankiewicz . 1 178 Victor Schertzinger 1 157 David Hempstead .... 1 143 Robert Leonard ... 1 146 Paul Jones - .. ...2 .139 George Cukor 2 146 2 ...... 137 Rouben Mamoulian .. 1 134 1 _. 1 , .134 George B. Seitz 133 John Considine - - - ...... 1 .131 Norman Taurog 1 131 Harry Joe Brown 1 .127 John Ford 1 130 Bruce Manning _ - 1 .126 Irving Cummings .. 1 -127 William Perlberg 1 125 Sam Wood _ 1 127 1 .125 Fritz Lang 1 127 1 124 Jack Conway . 1 127 .123 Robert Stevenson 1 126 . 2 ...... 122 David Miller .... 1 125 1 113 A1 Hall 1 125 1 ...... 1 10 Mitchell Leisen . 1 123 1 110 Preston Sturges 1 120 2 . 109 Edmund Goulding 1 ...... 1 18 Joseph Pasternak 2 .104 William Seiter 1.. 118 3 103 Alfred Hitchcock ...... 1 1 18 Raoul Walsh . . 2 117 Frank Borzage 1 115 1 1 12 Arthur Lubin . .... 3 105 Archie Mayo 1 102 Producer-Directors Picture* % Frank Capra . 1 137 Alexander Korda 1 ..128 George Stevens 1 _127 E. H. Griffith 2 116 Clarence Brown 1 .107 Wilcox . . I ..101 Herbert Actors Pictures % Bing Crosby 1 157 Bob Hope .. .157 Actresses Cary Grant . 2 153 Gary Cooper 1 137 Pictures % Tyrone Power ...... 1 .134 James Stewart 4 132 Rogers . 1 **• i Ginger 143 n 7 132 Barbara Stanwyck 2 .129 1 1 3 1 Vivien Leigh 1 128 l 1 28 Myrna Loy 1 ...127 1 1 27 Irene Dunne 1 127 1 1 27 Rosalind Russell ... . 1 125 William Powell 1 1 27 Olivia de Havilland 1 ... 124 1 126 Bette Davis .... 1 ...118 1 1 24 Deanna Durbin 1 ...118 1 1 2^ Carole Lombard 1 118 7 172 Madeleine Carroll ...... 2.. ...116 2 1 20 Alice Faye 2 ...115 1 1 20 Joan Crawford - 1 113 2 1 16 Ida Lupino . . 1 110 ] 1 1 Jean Arthur 1 . 110 3 1 04 Hedy Lamarr ...... 1 107 2 100 Margaret Sullavan 2 106 Anna Neagle ...... I .101 I . ( l N?3 — ° t'o « n n n 2? O- aj - O JQ o-2 S 3 S ^ ^ ^3* Op 3 " «g. | ‘S.^ £*< - rt- 0-0 3 33 A- ^ H-y^ « Hr. o r:...* cTrt r/j Zi -t lE o S.'-i rt rt 3 n 3 U-i P O <*.» a «3-o — » 3 5;s 0.5 3 t-^-^jrr ; rt -. 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K) oO , , X 0§ 00 ?s fl 00 » 3 ^ 0 «; > H 2 g^> r3 ? dcacr.td HC*S 3^3 O s ° “ 3 3 Z* SB s- ! o£ £ J'HS.in O 0> *-» * £,0 ^ •« wa w o"1 rt *> “ °- p i; G ;h“ a" w§ rf 3C5 rt < in 03 1941 5 S' m o- r rt O 'Cfi. Qn^do°> rt“?s i i i i i i Coming . . . THE OUTLAW OOD, CALIF., JULY 15, 1941 LIBRARY JUL 3 0 194) Twentieth's Moon Over Tops See Pctfje 5 617 North La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, Calif Subscription Rate, $10,00 Per Ye Ef v : Ike Qoa, Office DIGEST "HONOR BOX" The Biggest Grossing Release Of The Past Week This Week TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX wins with "NOON OVER MIAMI" 118% Associate Producer Director in Charge of Production Vice-Pres. HARRY JOE BROWN WALTER LANG DARRYL F. ZANUCK Featured Screenplay CHARLOTTE GREENWOOD VINCENT LAWRENCE CAROLE LANDIS BROWN HOLMES COBINA WRIGHT, JR. LYNNE ROBERTS CONWAY Original Play ROBERT GEORGE LESSEY STEPHEN POWYS CONDOS BROTHERS HERMES PAN Adaptation JACK COLE AND CO. GEORGE SEATON ROBERT CREIG MINOR WATSON LYNN STARLING Music and Lyrics RALPH RAINGER LEO ROBIN ROBERT CUMMINGS DON AMECHE BETTY GRABLE JACK HALEY *7he &ojc Ojfjfice *Jhe PndluAstsufi DIGEST 'We&hly GO OUT AND SELL! An Editorial by ROBERT E. WELSH From New York a few weeks the that one business ago came news the factories must produce volume. To keep the indi- major company had summarily discharged its entire field vidual factories in business, the distribution department must exploitation force. get all possible of that time which the exhibitor has available. And this as we approach the selling season—and we mean And all he has is what the calendar dictates. selling to both the exhibitor and to the public—that is probably To grab that time the manufacturer takes terrific gambles. going to exploitation any in demand more high-powered than Sometimes he clicks, sometimes he flops. But always there is a decade. the pressure of that fight for dates on him — demanding This at a time when the news that should be coming from volume—and necessarily involving the constant danger of New York every day would read: "All majors enlarging field having that volume fall short of 100% AAA quality. exploitation forces. Local men will be on job to arouse exhibi- tor interest and then help exhibitors get the money to the box So we say, let’s look elsewhere than the pat phrase "Not office.” enough good pictures” for the bromide for our headaches. That’s what we should be reading. Let’s look within our own merchandising set-up. Why is it that this industry has to take all its slumps and Isn’t it possible that there is a missing link somewhere temporary depressions lying down? Why is it that when the between our jobber, (the exchange), the exhibitor, and the dog days come, as they do with such frequency over the span public? of years, you can ask the supposedly well - posted experts to Is our chain complete when Hollywood has done its best what they ascribe the trouble and all they can do is shrug the to make a worthy piece of merchandise, the distributor has done ’ shoulders and mutter, "I dunno, it’s a mystery. his long-range best with national exploitation, press sheets, etc., The old pat phrase, "We’re not getting enough good pic- and then the merchandise passes into the exhibitor’s hands tures,” has been worn threadbare. without further effort to go right to the ticket buyer? Your humble Editor has been here and hereabouts in this Live wire local exchange exploitation men, knowing their industry for more years than he cares to count, but he can exhibitors, their neighbors, concentrating on every possible never recall a year when a fellow who wanted to say it couldn’t dollar for every one of those three hundred and sixty-five days declaim: "We are not getting enough good pictures.” in the year are the answer. There never will pictures if by "enough” be enough good — And, perhaps, the answer could be expanded to this: you mean that ALL pictures must be topnotchers. Make pictures containing some element that can be SOLD; It isn’t in the cards. The structure of the industry, from its then go out and SELL it. manufacturing necessities to those of its retailers, is just not But the first part of that last sentence is a subject for geared that way. another day. We have only one place to sell—at the theater. Our retailer is the exhibitor. The exhibitor has only one thing to sell—TIME. Three hundred and sixty-five days a year. He can’t sell only one DISTRIBUTORS’ BATTING AVERAGE FOR 1941 hundred of those days to his neighbors and expect to come out % even; he can’t even do it selling two hundred. He is in the business of selling beautifully upholstered seats to the public for l. Metro-Goltwyn-Mayer 24 Releases 93 2. Paramount . __ 18 Releases 92 every possible day of those three hundred and sixty-five. 3. 9 Releases 89 And the seat he didn’t sell yesterday can’t be sold today. 4. Twentieth Century-Fox 22 Releases 87 5. Warners-First National 25 Releases 82 6. Universal 23 Releases 81 7. 16 Releases 80 That means he—and we—are in a volume business. Volume 8. Columbia 23 Releases 76 is the only way to meet the challenge of time that must be sold. 9. Republic 12 Releases 69 10. 11 Releases 64 Which brings the pressure back to the manufacturer—the producer. He too must fight time. To keep the retailers in 4 BOX OFFICE DIGEST < 7<4e JlujUlifltten.: Covers the Picture News Front in a Quick Glance Well, we have had our first experience the next Gable picture, due some time later with "consent decree” showings and we are ZANUCK FRANK TALK when Clark has had a vacation after finish- still up a tree . . . Of course, our personal ing "Honky Tonk.” .... Harry Sherman Highlights 2oth’ s knowledge is confined to the Los Angeles took a bunch of talent to Salt Lake City territory, and it is too early for our field OPENING SESSION for the premiere of "The Parson of Pana- men to give up reactions from the outlving mint,” which, incidentally, is a picture that Twentieth Century Fox’s sales convention is precincts. . . . There are some four hun- holding its second day of sessions as we go to has the Paramount selling force in this press. dred theaters serviced with film out of the West Coast feeling very happy. . . . Glad Los Angeles exchanges, quite a few of The opening day was highlighted by a to hear that Sam Taylor is scheduled by lengthy "cards-on-the-table” talk from Darryl course grouped under combined ownership. John Considine for early direction of an Zanuck who won his audience with a frank But it didn’t to picture show any great appetite discussion of production problems, of the pro- MGM Sam, who gave the view the coming product when something duction planning to develop new marquee screen the pictures that developed Harold like only fifteen or twenty exhibitors material, and a man-to-man outline of the Lloyd, and who was later top United Artists coming season’s product. yawned through the showing of "Lady Be producer-director, has been away from the To top it all off: Zanuck had a timebomb Good” in a drearily empty 600 seat house. directorial wars too long. . . . Clarence announcement for the sales force in the news it wasn’t future, just sitting Maybe an indication for the that Ginger Rogers would appear under the Brown, now very pretty with nor could RKO’s showing of "Parachute Twentieth trade-mark in an Ernst Lubitsch "That Night in Bombay,” will brave the Battalion” in the afternoon be taken as a production. Battle of Britain to make a Robert Donat definite prognostication, since the MGM special for MGM in England Being showing was at 10:30 A. M., on the day considerable of an aviator himself, maybe relief the new procedure is going to be to that most exhibitors have that visit to the Brown could save passage money by ferry- newspaper readers in cities like Los Angeles, bank to make, and other odd jobs picking ing one of those bombers across. . . . Clear where it has been the practice for the editors up the pieces after the week-end. . . . And from the shadow of his home studio to the and columnists to review—and frequently the RKO showing the same afternoon— English one. slam—the pictures as they saw them at barely time enough out for lunch, and you premature previews, call their shots as they PICKING UP THE NEWS know how exhibs like to stretch those gab- saw them, and then—when the picture broke ODDS AND ENDS bing lunch-fests, particularly on Monday. at the local advertising theater—to have the By Tuesday morning a lot of the exhibitors The Pipeline has a few reports. . . . One picture reviewed in sugar-coated, and fre- were wondering if they had been sold down concerns Twentieth Fox’s "Charlie’s Aunt,” quently honeyed, words by the second string the river to a new chain gang—up at the with the infant prodigy Jack Benny in the reviewer who is supposed to have no first crow of the rooster, view pictures all lead. . . . Has been sneak previewed a few conscience when there is an ad in the adjoin- morning, grab a hamburger, view pictures times in the polishing stage, and once the ing column It must have been quite all afternoon, watch the theater at night, other night for the Twentieth panzers known puzzling to the lay goof who spends five grab another hamburger, this time with as the sales force. . . . They say it is double cents for his favorite newspaper. . . . Just aspirin, set the alarm clock and start all distilled honey. . . . The Pipeline also at the time the picture is available for him over again. . . . The schedule won’t even humming very favorably on "Here Comes to see, and his coin is jingling, he reads allow time to bargain for and to buy the Mr. Tordan,” which Everett Riskin has iust that it is a corking piece of entertainment. pictures. . . . Much less sell them to the completed for Columbia A1 Hall But there is a faint itching in his memory public. directed. . . . First reports from New York which says that the same paper told him a indicate that even Warner Brothers did not MANY INTERESTING ANGLES month ago, in two or three columns, that it know what a gold mine they have in TO THE NEW TRADE SHOWINGS was not so hot. . . . What to do? . . . . "Sergeant York.” .... It is playing in the Save his money, go to the ball game We don’t know how they operated in Astor, which is compelled to remove the What he should have done was cancel the other territories, but in Los Angeles the wise wall paper to squeeze eleven hundred in, in distribution subscription. guys made assurance doubly while up the street is Warners Strand, seat- sure that they would have Frigidaire JOGGING HERE AND THERE ing some twenty-five hundred, and in the audiences by limiting admittance on the ON THE STUDIO CIRCUIT highway between a dark house, the Rivoli. exhibitors’ tickets to a SINGLE person. . . . That Disney strike has got into the com- which would handle a couple of thousand That meant, first, that the picture suffered pletely stalled state now that th-» support of ticket-buyers. . . . Woe is me, since the that dismal, cold reaction any subject would the Machinist Union has stopped the proces- picture is apparently sellincr anybodv who receive in a practically empty theater. . . . sing of Disney negative positive at the and can buy elbow room. . . . We can’t blame Second, that the producers missed some Technicolor plant. . . . That’s the height Warners, because who, in these days can possible help that might have come in of definition for that in word the fellows decide what any picture might do. . . . But audible reactions from exhibitors’ wives, . . Washington love so much, bottleneck. . we can slip a bushel-basket of those orchids secretaries, or what-have-you, who at least Trem Carr steps into complete activitv with that nobody ever sees to Charlie Enfield’s can never be as clammy as any group of Monogram as executive director in charge gang on the national exploitation. . . . And theater men with poker faces. . . . Odd of production. Howard Stubbins, our own a bow to the nation-wide pleasure of news- thought: It is too early for The Highlighter West Coast franchise holder, goes on the paper writers in anxiety to say the best of to enter the discussion between the syndi- of directors. . . board . John Stahl is words about that lovable character, Jesse cate columnists and the distributors brought moving along slowly to the starting gate. Lasky. . . . The yarn that can be written fact on by the that the nation’s papers will Now gathering material for a story on the about Jesse Lasky will be the one that tells no longer be able to send out reviews on life of Samuel Gompers, famed labor leader much of the industry’s history, and it must pictures far in advance of their local show- of the foundation days, as a Twentieth be mighty cheering to try the ups and the ings. . . . air is full The . too of words, Century vehicle. . . Norman Taurog. downs, and then learn what a great big the . . and words cloud the sense. . But getting ready to start "Kathleen” in a week good will asset you have built up by just an interesting thought hits us: What a or so at MGM, is also being lined up for being a regular. JULY 15, 1941 5 *1Ue. Bo* 6^ice: "Moon Over Miami" Hits High Despite Heat Spell Of 12 New Releases In The Past Week, Rosemary Lane, Allan Jenkins and the 12 New Releases Not In The Last Issue Three Stooges. Sidney Salkow directed and Only 1 Ran Over 100%, 4 Came Through Irving Starr produced. % Est. Okay, And 7 Were Very Weak Moon Over Miami ..FOX ...118 .125 Columbia’s third release, "I WAS A Underground WAR ... 94 .. 95 PRISONER ON DEVILS ISLAND,” 67%, Big Store MGM ... 92 85 FOX—3 New Releases is just fair programmer. Man Hunt FOX ... 90 . .100 Adventure in Washington ..... COL ... 81 - 75 Sally Eilers and Donald Woods are co- Darryl F. Zanuck’s new Technicolor West Point Widow PAR ... 74. .. 70 featured with Eduardo Cianelli and Victor musical, "MOON OVER MIAMI,” has Time Out for Rhythm COL ... 71. _. 75 Killy. Lew Landers directed and Wallace been nationally released in the past ten days For Beauty’s Sake FOX ... 68 .. 70 McDonald produced. and considering the current heat wave it is Hit the Road UNIV ... 67._ .. 65 I Was Prisoner Devil’s Island COL ... 67-_ 70 Columbia’s fourth release, "NAVAL holding its own very satisfactorily, averag- Naval ... 65 .. 65 Academy COL is a example ing which in many instances means ACADEMY,” 65%, good of 118%, Voice in the Night COL ... 63 .. 65 hold-over weeks. how a star can come and go in this movie business. When the star, Freddie Bartho- Don Ameche and Betty Grable are co- lomew, was with MGM a few years ago his starred and Robert Cummings, Carole pictures were strong box office attractions Landis, Charlotte Greenwood head the Germany of today. "UNDERGROUND” terrific exploitation with one of them, "Captains Courageous,” featured cast. was backed up with a strongly having even been roadshowed. But today Harry Joe Brown added to his fine credit campaign and opened up rather but has declined to which is not Freddie is at the awkward stage so "NAVAL list as associate producer to Mr. Zanuck. now 94% bad considering there are no marquee names ACADEMY” is not drawing very strongly Twentieth Century-Fox’s second release of importance. but it will get by in the nabes, especially is so-called anti- this week another of the for Fri-Sat. booking. Jeffrey Lynn is starred and the featured a Nazi pictures "MAN HUNT.” This is cast is headed by Philip Dorn, Kaaren Erie Kenton directed for the Irving really an outstanding picture and received Verne, Mona Maris and Martin Cosleck. Briskin unit. excellent reviews but it is only running 90% Vincent Sherman directed and William Columbia’s fifth and last release at the box office, probably due to the fact "VOICE Jacobs acted as associate producer to Brian IN THE NIGHT,” is still another that the public is hard to sell just now on 63%, Foy. Incidentally this is the biggest picture anti-Nazi picture dealing with this type of story. the Gestapo. to come out of the Foy unit in several years. This one was produced in England and is Walter Pidgeon and Joan Bennett are distributed here Also 1 Release through Columbia. co-starred and the featured cast is headed MGM— Clive Brook is starred and is the only by George Sanders, John Carradine, Ronny MGM’s new release is another Marx Bros, name that means anything. Anthony Asquith McDowall and Heather Thatcher. slap-stick comedy, "THE BIG STORE,” directed. Kenneth Macgowan was associate pro- which is going a little better than we esti- ducer to Mr. Zanuck and Fritz Lang mated. averaging 92%. As the Marx Bros, PARAMOUNT— 1 Release directed. Dudley Nicholes wrote the screen- and MGM have terminated their contract Paramount’s new release is "WEST play from Geoffrey Household’s best seller by mutual consent this may be their fare- POINT WIDOW,” 74%, one of the first well screen appearance. "Rogue Male.” programmers being made by the Sol Siegel The featured cast is headed by Tony Twentieth Century-Fox’s third and last unit. This one is good entertainment but Martin, Virginia Grey, Margaret Dumont, release this week is another Sol Wurtzel will have to be doubled with a much Douglas Dumbrille and Marion Martin. programmer, "FOR BEAUTY’S SAKE,” stronger box office picture for name Chuck Reisner directed for Producer Louis 68%. Due to the lack of marquee names values. Sidney. this one is not going so well. Marjorie Anne Shirley and Richard Carlson are Weaver 5 Releases and Ted North are co-featured and COLUMBIA— co-featured. Colbert Clarke acted as asso- the supporting includes cast Ned Sparks, Columbia Studios are ending up the ciate producer to Mr. Siegel and Robert Joan Davis, and Tully Marshall. Sheppard 1940-41 season with a batch of program- Siodmark directed. Traube directed and Lucien Hubbard was mers before the new selling season. This 1 Release the producer. week they have a special "ADVENTURE UNIVERSAL— IN WASHINGTON” and four program- Universal’s release this week, "HIT THE WARNERS— 1 Release mers. ROAD,” is just a so so programmer, 67%, Warners’ only new release this week is "ADVENTURE IN WASHINGTON.” which features the Dead End Kids and the "UNDERGROUND,” 94%, and it is the originally sold to exhib'tors as "SENATE Little Tough Guys and so will probably second anti-Nazi picture of last the ten PAGE BOYS,” is by far their best release, make a good Saturday matinee booking but days. This one varies considerably from although it is only averaging 81% to date. of little value elsewhere unless on a bank the other anti-Nazi pictures as the entire Herbert Marshall and Virginia Bruce are night. Joe May ‘ directed and Kenneth action of the story takes place within the co-starred and the featured cast is headed Goldsmith produced. by Gene Reynolds. Samuel S. Hinls, Ralph Morgan and several very clever youngsters. 6 FEATURES "GOING DOWN” A1 Green directed and Bill Pierce acted 6 FEATURES "GOING UP” Was Now as associate producer to Charles R. Rogers. Was Now Columbia’s second release, "TIME In The Navy UNIV 151 148 OUT Caught in the Draft PAR 154 158 Sunnv RKO .103 101 FOR RHYTHM,” 71%. is a much better She Knew All the Answers COL 84 86 Las Vegas Nights 71 PAR 76 than average musical but it is not hitting A Girl, a Guy and a Gob RKO 80 83 Keeping Company ..... MGM ... 71 ... 67 They Dare Not Love COL - 77 79 at the box office as Rudy Vallee’s name is Sleepers West ... FOX .70 67 Her First Beau COL .. 70. . 72 too hard to sell. Ann Miller is Rudy’s lead- The Great Swindle COL 70 67 Roar of the Press MONO 67.. 69 ing lady and the supporting cast includes 6 BOX OFFICE DIGEST 'Tom, Dick and Harry' Has Many Good Moments RKO The Box Office Digest Estimates 115% Producer Robert Sisk Current Reviews Director .... Garson Kanin We Est. Original screenplay Paul Jarrico Tom, Dick and Harry RKO 115 Stars ....Ginger Rogers My Life With Caroline ...... RKO 105 Featured: George Murphy, Alan Marshal, Bur- Lady Be Good 100 gess Meredith, Joe Cunningham, Jane Sey- MGM mour, Leonore Lonergan, Vicki Lester, Phil Here’s A Man RKO 90 Silvers, Betty Breckenridge. Parachute Battalion RKO 80 Photographer Merritt Gerstad Ellery the Perfect Time 86 minutes Queen and Crime COL 75 Hurry, Charlie, Hurry RKO 75 There is entertainment in "Tom, Dick and The Stars Look Down MGM 70 Harry.” Quite a good share of it. There- fore it is regretable to the reviewer to report Sweetheart of the Campus COL 70 that it isn’t all wool and a yard wide as Officer and the top picture production. The Lady COL 65 The trouble is with the story. What must have sounded like a very clever idea will ride a safe trail at box offices even oversell on the strength —having three very personable troupers vie of the names. . . . though it fails to add honey. No customer for the favor of Ginger—doesn’t jell for a Don t undersell, because it has its moments. straight, smooth-paced movie, and does a is going to argue over spending eighty-five Just don’t over-buy. Previewed July 13th. gelatin miss-out at the finish, for the simple minutes with Ginger Rogers and these boys. reason that the chef doubled up on all the The story is down to earth, with Ginger WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: ingredients. established as a telephone operator. Two REPORTER: ni: . *r lic- "No brighter piece of satirical boys want her; there is another boy whom it should have been a "boy meets girl” foolishness has emerged from Hollywood in many she wants. So, there is a ring-around-rosie story with Ginger Rogers and George a day. "Tom, Dick and Harry” is an all-out invi- chase. Script and direction, and players, Murphy pointed up to audience desires. The tation to have fun, and a Glendale audience at make it effervesce every now and then with cpuple do a fine job. But plot trips them. preview fell wholeheartedly into the spirit of the pop-corn precision, but the darn thing never Two other good actors, Alan Marshall and entertainment, greeting it with roars of apprecia- gets anywhere. They have been so darned Burgess Meredith, must be taken care of. tive laughter. It is a delightful attraction that busy being clever—that means symbolism, By the time they are all taken care of cannot miss enjoying smashing grosses wherever etc.-—that the footage almost runs out nobody is very much worried about what it plays.” before they can wrap up the story. happens. VARIETY: "What happens to a romantic Supporting cast is excellent, with Joe Even with its story weaknesses, so good telephone operator, pursued by two earnest young Cunningham scoring for extra values as men, and her are the production values assembled by pursuit of a third not so earnest, Ginger’s father. is to ( d with tri'-ks and surprises in "Tom, Dick Producer Robert Sisk, and the touches in and Harry.” The results are chock full of laughs, direction of Garson Kanin, that the picture Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Don’t satire, and a few tender moments.” 'Sweetheart of the Campus' lust So-So COLUMBIA along with "just a picture” and clean up while pounding hard on the musical num- the novelty. The Box Office Digest Estimates 70% on bers and the Ozzie Nelson, Ruby Keeler and leads the season’s collegiate Harriett Hilliard values. The contributions Producer Jack Fier Columbia parade with "Sweetheart of the Campus.’ of this trio, as well as those of a capable Director Edward Dmytryk It is a stumbling start, rating mild attention supporting cast, are well worth while, but Screenplay Robert D. Andrews, as filler fodder if you run triple bills. as they say at Santa Anita, the director and Edmund Hartmann the cast never seemed to get "untracked.” The plot is something of a conglomera- Story Robert D. Andrews tion of all the last decade’s pictures that try Exhibitor’s Suggestion: If it is one of Featured: Keeler, Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Ruby to wed college to music. In this case it is a those "ships that pass in the night” you Hilliard, Gordon Oliver, Don Beddoe, Charles battle between orchestra leader Ozzie Nelson won’t miss it, though the top names may Judels, Kathleen Howard, Byron Foulger. and Ruby Keeler on one side, and a heavy- get you some pin money in college towns. George Lessey, Frank Gaby, Leo Watson, June 23rd. the Four Spirits of Rhythm. heavy on the collegiate side who tries to Previewed Photographer Franz F. Planer stymie their night club. , Time 67 minutes WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: You certainly must remember the varia- theme. Wasn’t one of the first REPORTER: "Trying to make a college musi- Omigosh—the season of college pictures tions of the cal on a slim budget presented too many problems a Paramount offering in which Jack Oakie is almost upon us. Soon there will be noth- for the producers of "Sweetheart of the Campus.” took over a girl’s school? " ing but draft army pictures and college VARIETY: 'Sweetheart of the Campus’ quali- pictures for the season when the Autumn Well, it runs along that way, giving a fies as a tuneful little musical amply able to take leaves fall. So some wise fellow will come moment or two to the story now and then, care of its half of a double bill.” — — 1941 JULY 15, 7 'Lady Be Good' Could Have Been Better MGM while giving the customers something that languages. Eleanor Powell is the friend of The Box Office Digest Estimates 100% is neither here nor there. this couple that likes to get divorced and Producer Arthur Freed The picture opens on a scene in the Court remarried with the routine of a merry-go- Director Norman Z. McLeod of Domestic Relations and gives a reel of round. Lionel Barrymore is Judge Flash- Screenplay Jack McGowan, Kay Van Riper, dullness until it goes into a flashback back. John Carroll comes up for air when- John McLain sequence. Do you think that is a glamorous ever given a chance. Red Skelton, whom MGM is supposed to be grooming for better Original „ .. Jack McGowan way to start a musical? Shucks, you haven’t Stars Eleanor Powell. Ann heard anything yet. There are still a couple things, is wasted. Phil Silvers has three Sothern, Robert Young or more of flashbacks before the 110 lines. Featured: Lionel Barrymore, John Carroll, Red minutes are used up. And this is a musical. Best audience values are in the vaudeville Skelton, Virginia O’Brien, Tom Conway, In between the flashbacks Norman Mc- support by specialties that will probably Dan Dailey, Jr., Reginald Owen, Rose never be seen on the screen again. Leod struggles as only his experience could One of Hobart, Phil Silvers, The Berry Brothers, these is a really ace-high negro trio, The dictate to keep spotty individual scenes hold- Connie Russell. Berry Brothers, who brought the exhibitors Photographers George Folsey, Oliver T. Marsh ing a flutter of life; in between, someone viewing this trade showing out of the Time 110 minutes remembers that it is a musical, so you get lethargy for the first time. spots of songs as they are being written, the songs It is pretty hard to figure "Lady Be The are good—both new and old night Good.” The top credit line goes to an estab- same songs as presented on air and in but hurt by a technique that strives too hard to plug every tired lished MGM star, Eleanor Powell, and then clubs, the same songs—oh, it goes on and number. You get of them between flashbacks. Eleanor Powell’s role in the picture becomes on with every song. an intermittent secondary role to that of Up to the sixth reel or so Eleanor Powell Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Coming Sothern. picture is a musical, Ann The has been doing an adequate speaking extra from MGM you know it is not an absolutely yet the producers set themselves the twice- job. About that point—mebbe even later poor show; but don’t let them top-bracket high handicap of telling a story in retro- she does a dance number with a cute trick it. Previewed July 15th. spect, which keeps it from ever getting any dog. But without production value— it is of the pace or glitter of a musical. only a rehearsal in her own apartment. We WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: It looks as though they tried the hard forget the star then for another reel when REPORTER: "Yes, there is entertainment and way to be different. They have certainly she is wound in the threads of the finale then some in "Lady Be Good,” and the happy ending to its charming story will be writ'en at been different. and it is not a number she will ever boast the box office.” Arthur Freed has an enviable record as about. a producer of musicals at MGM—he has No fault can be found with the cast. VARIETY : "Picture’s romantic and melodic dements, its dancing, specialties and picturesque never missed. Norman McLeod has too They have all delivered the characterizations presentation fits into the cycle of lighter diver- script long a picture record of successes for cur —or the lack of character—that the sion which seems to have the current public pref- space. But someone—and maybe some of assigned them to deliver. Ann Sothern gets erence. On the technical side it sets a high the blame is theirs—missed out when they the star footage, playing a role that is sup- standard. It makes a lavish showing, without being burdened bv too hefty outlay, so that the decided that there was a way to capitalize posed to show her a smart gal, but a sucker b. o. account should be highly satisfactory in the love. is combination on the haunting popularity of the song for Robert Young a top situations and well down through the secon- "Lady Be Good,” and on the Leo trademark, of one messy heel and a dumbell in forty dar’es.” 'My Life With Caroline' None Too Hot RKO more have passed in the night those same tinguish it quickly. Hugh O'Connell gets The Box Office Digest Estimates 105% average audiences will be saying "what’s it moments that should mark him for bigger about?” Producer-director Lewis Milestone opportunities. One fellow viewer told me, "It might be Screenplay — John Van Druten, Arnold Belgard The story? Well, it is one of those things a woman’s picture.” That’s about the last Original play Louis Verneuil, Georges Berr about the wife who is always straying in refuge of the Alibi Squad. We have yet Stars Ronald Colman fresher pastures, and Colman is her hus- to see an American theater advertising a Featured: Anna Lee, Charles Winninger, Reginald band. Sounds foolish right away, as a picture and marqueeing: "FOR WOMEN.” Gardiner. Gilbert Roland- Katherine Leslie, premise, doesn’t it? Well, why go on to tell Hugh O’Connell, Murray Alper, Matt To be more gentle, it must be said that you more of the rigamorole by which it Moore. the picture never jells. The skilled Mile- lasts for eighty-one minutes. Photographer Victor Milner stone scene treatment is too clever for the Time 81 minutes Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Some- material. is the picture’s Ronald Colman where along the line they missed connec- "Life With Caroline” is so darned clever sparkplug, but even a sparkplug needs gas tions They started out with Colman that it itself somewhere in the tank. Anna Lee, who trips up in its own cleverness. to fit any marquee, but they haven’t got Lewis it clicked in a British production, "King Solo- Milestone gives everything in the anywhere yet. Previewed July 14th. way of directional skill, the players try mon’s Mines,” suffers from maltreatment their darndest, but when all is said and at the hands of the scripters. You never WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: done up to the fade-out, the only quite know just what she is, either cute little words REPORTER: "In the series of domestic <- me- dumbell tootsie or hard boiled evil. She left to say are, "So what?” die« to which Hollywood has long been addicted, probably never knew herself. "My Life With Caroline” stacks up with the Average audiences will sit on the edge more amusing.” Charlie Winninger wanders around try- of their seats for the first reel or so, as Life Caroline” stacks ing to help the proceedings, but the script VARIETY: "My With up as first hand material in the de luxe houses they breathe in the ingratiating Ronald never helps him. Gilbert Roland in a brief because of lavish production dress and occasional Colman personality, but before three reels appearance raises a spark—but they ex- humor. Otherwise the going is likely to be hard.” CENTURY /WA AMBASSADOR HOTEL EXECUTIVES Ward Farrar DISTRICT MANAGERS Spence Pierce loseph M. Schenck Edgar Moss—Philadelphia Richard Owen Sidney R. Kent T. H. Bailey—Boston Thos. Thompson Darryl F. Zanuck W. E. Scott—Kansas City Clifford Gill Herman Place H. G. Ballance—Atlanta William Goetz — MOVIETONE NEWS M. A. Levy Minneapolis Spyros Skouras P. — J. O'Loghlin Toronto Felix A. Jenkins Truman H. Talley Jack Darrock MANAGERS Russell Muth PRODUCTION DEPT H. H. Buxbaum— York Tony Muto New William Koenig Sam Gross—Philadelphia Ed Thorgersen Fred Metzler Ira H. Cohn—Pittsburgh Joseph Moskowitz AD SALES DEPT. Sam N. Wheeler—Washington Col. Jason Joy M. Grassgreen—Albany J. Novat Lew Schreiber E. X. Callahan —Boston E. Hollander B. A. Simon—New Haven S. Samson— Buffalo SALES DEPT. FOREIGN DEPT. Grady Cincinnati Herman Wobber J. J. — I. A. Maas I. J. Schmertz—Cleveland William Sussman B. Miggins G. W. Fuller—Kansas City William J. Kupper C. V. Hake C. W. Clark —Oklahoma City William C. Gehring H. A. White B. B. Reingold—St. Louis William J. Clark L. F. Whelan P. S. Wilson—Atlanta Jack Sichelman C. Mayer Philip Longdon Charlotte Martin Moskowitz — H. R. Beiersdorf—Dallas E. H. Collins TERRYTOON T. W. Young—Memphis C. A. Hill Paul Terry E. V. Landaiche—New Orleans T. A. Shaw Harvey Day R. J. Morrison—Denver Jack Bloom William Weiss — J. N. Dillon Los Angeles Roger Ferri C. F. Powers—Portland H. A. Mersay GUESTS C. L. Walker—Salt Lake E. McEvoy Chas. P. Skouras G. M. Ballentine—San Francisco S. Epstein Larry Kent H. Edmond—Seattle I. Lincer Rick Ricketson C. W. Eckhardt—Chicago Frank . Newman L. Sturm—Detroit ADVERTISING AND PUBLICITY J. Cullen Espy G. T. Landis—Indianapolis C. E. McCarthy George Bowser J. H. Lorentz—Milwaukee M. Bergman B. V. Sturdivant S. J. Mayer—Des Moines L. Sanfield T. Sargent — J. M. Podoloff Minneapolis E. W. Wingart Spencer Love J. E. Scott—Omaha C. Wilbert Stan Meyer V. M. Skorey—Calgary M. Kinzler Wm. Thedford E. English—Montreal Eddie Solomon John Caskey R. G. March— St. John Gabe Yorke F. W. Pride H. — J. Bailey Toronto G. Gomperts Alan Freedman J. E. Patterson—Vancouver Shea J. P. Heiliger J. H. Huber—Winnipeg ENDING THE 1940-41 SEASON! "MOON OVER MIAMI" IN TECHNICOLOR featuring DON AMECHE • BETTY GRABLE • ROBERT CUMMINGS and Charlotte Greenwood • Jack Haley • Carole Landis • Cobina Wright, Jr Directed by WALTER LANG - Produced by HARRY JOE BROWN Screen Play by Vincent Lawrence and Brown Holmes • Adaptation by George Seaton and Lynn Starling • From a Play by Stephen Powys Lyrics and Music by Leo Robin and Ralph Rainqer • Dances Staged by Hermes Pan SALESMEN SALESMEN SAN FRANCISCO CHICAGO BOSTON KANSAS CITY Sales Mgr, W. J. Kubitzki. Sales Mgr. A. Laurice E. P. Grohe H. S. Alexander, J. F. Woodward I. M. Erickson H. Loeb I. A. Feloney C. Knickerbocker F. C. Bernard H. Goodamote J. M. Connolly H. Kinser W. Flanagan M. Simon H. Gold J. A. M. VanDyke M. Simons CHARLOTTE SEATTLE E. Holston DETROIT PHILADELPHIA J. A. B. Holt G. E. Ebersole W. Brooks A. D. Knapp A. Davis, Sales Mgr. I. J. O. Mock E. A. Westcott W. G. Humphries Roy Carrow B. R. Tolmas ST. LOUIS H. Smith A. Feld Floyd Keillor J. I. BOOKERS MINNEAPOLIS PITTSBURGH G. H. Ware Williams A. L. Monnette C. C. Kellenberg L. J. Earl Lorentz L. Sanshie E. S. Thorpe A. Eskin J. S. Cohan P. Lundquist W. G. Mussman A. Interrante ATLANTA J. Ricketts George Moore R. G. McClure, Sales Mgr. Louis Cohen M. Kahn M. Mitchell N. F. Hall CLEVELAND E. Jacobs W. Branton R. H. Fairchild T. Scheinberg J. Weisfeldt F. R. Dodson INDIANAPOL.J E. R. Bergman John Casey CITY R. Neger, Sales Mgr. S. N. Lichter OKLAHOMA S. Berg J. M. W. Osborne H. L. Hancock ALBANY F. J. Kelly G. L. lames T. McCleaster F. G. Sliter J. B. Hanna DENVER F. Hunt MILWAUKEE Ben Dare J. H. Rennie D. Houlihan M. Horwitz NEW HAVEN G. W. Tawson S. Germain G. Edgerton E. Wright DALLAS J. M. Cohan C. Michel WASHINGTON T. P. Tidwell Mis. S. Young S. Diamond DES MOINES W. S. Miller G. Blendermanj F. B. Klein L. C. Paulson G. E. Gribble G. Sussman Gottlieb J. A. Murphy H. N. B. Houston J. Neff C. G. Norris H. Lyons T. Hendrix M. A. Tanner OMAHA NEW YORK MEMPHIS C. T. Hardin 1. Lee. Sales Mgr. G. F. Halloran I. N. Wyse Miss F. Patke M. Sanders R. H. Ford H. P. Ironfield T. I. Baskin Harry Levy M. Kurtz G. K. Friedel St. Clair NEW ORLEANS CALGARY J. C. A. Larson Schutzer H. P. Shallcross F. L. Scott Wm. V. J. Gregg G. R. Pabst MONTREAL Abe Biumstein M. Sheridan S. Florin PORTLAND G. J. Broggi J. F. Pearson L. Robinett BUFFALO C. H. L. Fox TORONTO W. C. Rowell LOS ANGELES M. Sudmin W. Reid J. G. E. Dickman W. T. Wall P. M. Smoot L. Lester W. Flanagan CINCINNATI B. F. Robison J. Elroy O'Loghlin Miss R. Teller R. O. Laws, Sales Mgr. SALT LAKE R. H. Osborne VANCOUVER E. A. Burkart C. A. Blasius, Asst. Mgr. R. A. Cringan J. A. Needham I. L. Tidwell WINNIPEG L. J. Bugie V. J. Dugan Chas. Krupp E. C. Naegel C. J. Hallstrom BEGINNING THE 1941-42 SEASON! JACK BENNY in Brandon Thomas' Immortal Comedy ”CHARLEY’S AUNTn with KAY FRANCIS • James Ellison • Anne Baxter • Edmund Gwenn Reginald Owen • Laird Cregar • Arleen Whelan Richard Hagdn • Ernest Cossart • Morton Lowry I Directed by ARCHIE MAYO . Produced by WILLIAM PERLBERG 10 BOX OFFICE DIGEST RKO's 'Here's A Man' Too Good For the Title RKO sold. Let’s hope the company gives a little And no one will ever disagree with you if help with a better title. The Box Office Digest Estimates 90% you tell them that this is the first time the screen has discovered Producer-director William Dieterle That is enough of the philosophic Walter Huston. Any- thing he has film Associate producer Charles L. Glett approach. Let’s talk about it now as a long done on in the past fades before this Screenplay Dan Totheroh, strip of celluloid. It tells the story of the characterization. Stephen Vincent Benet American Republic in the post-Revolution But we shouldn’t forget the younger Original ...Stephen Vincent Benet days, as seen through characters in New players who must carry the larger portion Hampshire. Daniel Webster is the big Featured: Edward Arnold, Walter Huston. Anne of the interest that is sometimes called figure, a potential president in most expecta- Shirley, James Craig, Jane Darwell, Simone "romantic.” This newcomer from the stage, tions. B. The problem is that of farmers being Simon, Gene Lockhart, John Qualen. H. James Craig, is definitely a name to put it. ground to penury through the exactions of Warner, Frank Conlan, Lindy Wade, George your book. Without being a stereotype of loan sharks. Cleveland. any of our present top leading men he has Photographer Joseph August facets which remind of all. Get aboard his Then it goes to fantasy. Our hero, James Time 106 minutes band wagon. Anne Shirley registers a call Craig, driven to the wall, is approached by for bigger opportunities, because the incarnated Satan, Walter Huston, and in person- Dieterle delivered, pro- William has as ality and trouping, she wraps this part up. promised all the things that money can buy ducer and director of this picture, one of —in exchange for a trifle, his soul. He the industry’s outstanding contributions to Simone Simon, as "a gal from over the makes the deal with a date set for delivery dramatic art and to the patriotism that is the hill,” and that should really be spelled of that bauble, his soul. real America. "hell,” delivers a charming performance. It is just a shame that an industry with Money brings many things, but it does Jane Darwell clicks. Especially because of such a powerful piece of merchandise to not seem to bring happiness. However, a note of restraint that accentuates her part. offer is forced to wonder how it can be satanic Huston reminds his client that he sold. only promised "all the things that money Support seems to have been hand-picked. Originally called by the name of its Satur- can buy,” and that there was no mention of Every time you turn your eyes you see the day Evening Post parent, "The Devil and happiness in the duly executed contract. face of a top character player. Daniel Webster,” it is now "Here’s a Man.” Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: The first title must have worried the powers It all works to a wierd scene when Daniel Top entertainment, but it needs selling. Let’s that sell because it contained an idea; the Webster (Edward Arnold) puts forth his hope they get a better title start all present title will not draw flies if you all at a jury trial for the fate of Craig’s and over again. They’ve got squeeze mollasses drips all over the sou 1. The jurors include Benedict Arnold, something. Pre- viewed marquee. Captain Kidd, Simon Gurtry, and their ilk. July 15th. Webster wins his case—and a great scene And it is all to be regretted. That any for Arnold it is and just to keep you from industry should have such problems. — WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: worrying about the intelligent aspects of Because this is a great picture. REPORTER: Without doubt, this the subject we will report that it all ends provocative Dieterle approached his subject with the feature deserves place on anv list of the year’s happily. ten extraordinary combined sincerity of a craftsman and a pictures. Whether it also lands among the ten best grossers, depends entirely upon zealot. A craftsman in his execution of the It is difficult to know where to start talk- how competently exhibitors create fresh exploita- clearly ? iob; a zealot in his evident 1009 ing about the cast, so well has it been tion approaches.” love for America and a desire to translate chosen, and so superbly have all responded VARIETY: "This is an odd fantasy which will that love into entertainment. to Dietierle’s direction. Edward Arnold have to rely largely uoon its novelty to bid for It’s a corking picture. When you see it took on the job on which the entire picture program patronage. Off the beaten track, and essentially a morality you will realize what we are trying to say had to hang, and came through with a play of the Faustian order, the picture’s reception will depend a good deal about its approach to the fundamentals of great performance in its rise from simple upon the localities where played and the benefits life. You will also realize that it must be humanities to the oratories of the climax. of individual showmanship it may get.” Ellery Queen's 'Perfect Crime' Tops Series COLUMBIA The results of this effort prove well roles which tie the series together—Ralph The Box Office Digest Estimates 75% worth while, for the chapter is the best Bellamy. Margaret Lindsay, Charles Grape- of the group and definite indication that win, James Burke. The strong support Producer Larry Darmour the series is now riding along a smooth which enacts the mystery on which they Director James Hogan roadway. are working includes Spring Byington, H. B. Original story Ellery Queen Warner, Douglas Dumbrille, John Beal, Screenplay Eric Taylor Director James Hogan, whose middle Linda Hayes, Sidney Blackmer. Stars Ralph Bellamy, Margaret Lindsay name is Consistency, gets full response from Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Well Featured: Charley Grapewin, Spring Byington, his fine cast, the whodunit angles of the made mystery entertainment. Previewed H. B. Warner, James Burke, Douglas Dum- story are suspenseful and well paced, the July 7th. brille, John Beal. Linda Hayes, Sidney picture’s mounting is on the class side. Blackmer. Walter Kingsford, Honorable Wu, There is little point in telling the plot of Charles Lane. WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: mystery yarns, so we will be content with Photographer James Brown REPORTER: "This third of the Ellery Queen giving you the identity of the victim and features has considerably more bodv than either Time .... 68 minutes then assure you that there is a plentitude of its predecessors and gives hopeful indication Favorable reception of previous Ellery of characters in the action who rate as that the series is beginning to hit its stride.” mysteries has apparently inspired first class suspects. The victim is Douglas Queen VARIETY: "This is a rather involved film Larry Darmour to go all-out in the matter Dumbrille, shady promoter; the suspects whodunit that will have to ride along on the of casting, and "The Perfect Crime” pre- an assorted lot all of whom have very fine popularity of the 'Ellery Queen’ novels and radio programs. Third in Larrv Darmour’s series for sents an outstanding grouping of players motives for seeking a killer’s vengeance. Columbia, picture slips, below the standard of the for this type of entertainment. The same top quartette continues in the second.” — JULY 15, 1941 11 'Parachute Battalion' Timely Entertainment RKO-RADIO a darn good show on a headline theme that The cast is excellent, with Robert Preston The Box Office Digest Estimates 80% will send ’em home—young and old heading a neat gathering of troupers. Just look at the credit list above. Producer Howard Benedict happy that the movies are again giving Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Not an Director — Leslie Goodwins entertainment and not always psychological A, but better for a timely spot booking these Original screenplay John Twist, studies. days, and more interesting than B’s. Major Hugh Fite most Stars Robert Preston, Nancy Kelly The picture has novelty in the present So make your deal, set your dates, and sell welter of synthetic service pictures in that your show. Previewed July 14th. Featured: Edmond O’Brien, Harry Carey, Buddy its elements are Ebsen, Paul Kelly, Richard Cromwell, Robert entertainment backgrounded WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: Barrat, Edward Fielding, Erville Alderson, by introduction to factual Army work. That REPORTER: "A very timely show, it is a Selmer Jackson, Grant Withers, Jack Briggs, background is Uncle Sam, and his nephews wonder that RKO is not sending it out immed- Walter Sande, Kathryn Sheldon, Lee Bon- who are so foolish as to drop from the iately, instead of withholding release until Sep- nell, Robert Smith, Gayne Whitman, Douglas Evans, Eddie Dunn. sky under silken parachutes. tember.” Photographer Roy Hunt VARIETY: "This one is limited to masculine J. Producer Howard Benedict has got all Time 74 minutes draw and accordingly rates in the lower percen- the timely and audience selling values out tage or flat rental brackets. Aside from limita- Here is a picture that a lot of exhibitors of these fact elements, but also has gone tions of theme the film has high production values which are noteworthy in good casting, will welcome with open arms. Despite its on with the safe hand of Scripter John excellent backgrounds, Roy Webb’s exciting musi- fine title, it is not an epic, nor does it make Twist sharing credit with Major Hugh — cal score, and Director Leslie Goodwins’ deft any pretensions to such glamour. It is just Fite—to dress it as entertainment. piloting.” 'Hurry, Charlie, Hurry' a Leon Errol 'B' Bomp RKO laugh two reelers, strung together with Director Charles Roberts has done a good The Box Office Digest Estimates 72% occasional spots showing the seams. job with entertainment factors that could Producer Howard Benedict Luke Short’s original, and Paul Gerard probably not avoid being a bit spotty, or Director Charles E. Roberts Smith’s script set out unabashedly to give rather on the vaudeville side. Screenplay Paul Gerard Smith Leon Errol everything zanie or screwy to Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: Just Original Luke Short do that they could concoct. That being the low-down fun, in the budget class, pretty Stars Leon Errol case it is needless to remark that Errol can do those things. He does, and how, work- safe fun for mass audiences. Previewed Featured: Mildred Coles, Kenneth Howell. Cecil ing with the perspiring energy of his old Cunningham, George Watts, Eddie Conrad, July 7th. stage days punching every line, mannerism Noble Johnson, Douglas WaSton, Renee or gag across the footlights. Haal, Georgia Caine, Lalo Encinas. WHAT THE OTHER FELLOWS SAID: The story follows straight farce lines " Photographer ..... Nicholas Musuraca REPORTER: 'Hurry, Charlie, Hurry’ is 65 austere funny Time 65 minutes getting hubby Leon Errol, with minutes of two-reel comedy routines, very Cecil Cunningham as his wife, embroiled in when it is funny at all and pleasant enough to while comics are setting the stage for They reach here, there and everywhere about every embarassing moment you can watch the the next gag. Sent out to a program market that for laughs in "Hurry, Charlie, Hurry,” but think of, from a routine where three faith- can stand a good laugh, this is slated to do right the important part of it is that they get ful Indian pals follow him into his mansion for itself in support bookings.” enough of them to satisfy the average and squat permanently on to a climax which VARIETY : "The characteristic Leon Errol audience. Not exactly a "class” offering, it has three vice-presidents of the United comicalities, broad and direct, get a strenuous a relaxing real can be considered rather night States—two phonies, one —alternating workout in this offering for those customers who with a group of good old-fashioned belly for laughs and trouble. like to laugh the easy way.” . . . BRIEF REVIEWS . . . "THE STARS LOOK DOWN” the theme a heavy one, the problems of A low bracket Columbia offering that GRAFTON FILM-MGM downtrodden workers in Welsh coal mines. has nothing in names to sell, and only a The Box Office Digest Estimates 70% Development is not as smooth as Reed’s fair cops-robbers-chase yarn to give the Producer „ I. Goldsmith latest work, with the feeling unavoidable Director Carol Reed patrons of the Saturday matinees that there has been considerable chopping Screenplay J. B. Williams Direction by Sam White keeps it from Original novel A. J. Cronin and patching in the cutting room. Stars Michael Redgrave, Margaret Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: You can being on the "poor” side of the ledger, but Lockwood, Emlyn Williams pass it by without missing anything of nothing in story lifts it to the other side. Photographer .... Mutz Greenbaum, Henry Harris entertainment or selling value. Previewed Time 97 minutes It’s on the fence You know the plot July 6th. This British made picture, to be released —the cop and the school teacher, the latter through MGM, was directed by Carol Reed fearful that his reckless courage is going who recently is getting quite a bit of "THE OFFICER AND THE LADY” to bring the same sort of tragedy that American attention because of "Night COLUMBIA ruined the life of her father, also a cop. Train,” but it is evidently not his latest Producer Leon Barsha effort and probably has accumulated a bit Director Sam White Screenplay Lambert Hillyer, Joseph Hoffman Exhibitor’s Booking Suggestion: You of shelf dust before the decision to release Hillyer Original Lambert know where these fit in for you better than it to American audiences. . . . Appeal will Stars Rochelle Hudson, Bruce Bennett, we can tell you. Previewed July 8th. be limited here. . . . The cast is all-British, Roger Pryor < UiM Ijeasi THE EXHIBITOR / # IT WAS THE CUSTOM THAT HE WAS JUST SOLD! BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS SAID THAT HE DOESN’T HAVE TO BUY HIS BANANAS IN A BUNCH HEREAFTER, BUT CAN PICK FIVE OF THE PIECES OF FRUIT THAT HE DESIRES. LAST WEEK’S SHOWINGS PROVED THAT THE EXHIBITOR HASN’T THE TIME TO SEE ALL THE PICTURES—NOT EVEN THE CHOICE LEADERS. SO IT SUMS UP: THAT THE EXHIBITOR IS MORE THAN EVER INTERESTED IN THE STRAIGHT - FROM - THE - SHOULDER REVIEWS, AND THE BOX OFFICE FACTS THAT HE GETS FROM ONLY ONE SOURCE— BOX OFFICE DIGEST ^luA, U the DIGEST S yean. r *14e UJeeJ&i fylfrpje/ioa: The industry’s first consent decree trade showings for those exhibitors Uncle Sam felt were avidly hungry for the privilege of seeing the pictures before they *74e IdJeeJ&i Pu^ie: bought them. . . . The reaction to their apathy: Exhibitors will continue to rely on the TRADE PAPER is This strictly an Editor’s worry. . . . He took REVIEWS that they believe competent and honest; some friends to the Hawaiian Theater last week to see will continue to give eager ears to knowledge of how the "Paper Bullets” because his reviewer had gushed so pictures are received at their super-super-first-run-key- much over what Director Phil Rosen had done with a city openings The week’s answer—pardon our picture that cost somewhere between $12,000 and . . 1 . . . left theater modesty—this is a Box Office Digest year. . The $ 5,000. He the wishing that a number subscription department has already given us that of our touted producers had taken time out to see the audience reaction. . . . Therefore the puzzled frown: report. Why doesn’t some major grab Phil Rosen, give him a real story, and cash in. . . . He is not a Johnny-Come- Lately, just out of the cutting room or the coach train from New York; he has made epics, and inbetweeners, and everything But he has one bad habit: He makes them at the money the producer wants to spend. ^lUe lAJeeJ&i My&tesuf,: Trying to figure out just what MGM has in mind for the future of Eleanor Powell. . . . After seeing "Lady Be Good.” .... She is cheated around in that r , picture with as few opportunities as would be given to WeeJz'i ^lianx^Ut: an unproven "discovery” from a downtown dance hall. . . . We have always been told that there is a meaning What the current "summer-filler’’ bills being shown in all things, so there must be something behind this. in so many sections of the country are going to do in Either Eleanor Powell is a star, and stars need produc- September when we try to get the sap customers back tion backing more than neophytes, or she is just a danc- in the motion picture houses. . . . We have never ing specialty. . . . Has Leo the Lion made a decision before seen the motion picture industry flop to earth in the matter? .... If so, why not let the exhibitor in and roll over like a scared puppy as it has this Summer. on the secret, instead of selling him the picture on the They are not even using the proven pre-release August strength of the Eleanor Powell first-credit listing? showings that used to help two ways: By bringing in needed early coin to the home office, and by setting the ball rolling with favorable word-of-mouth for the Sep- tember break. . . . They just quit. . . . Reissues, re- bookings, refugees from the shelf—and they expect a public to rush back after Labor Day and swamp box offices. Producers and Directors Associate Producers Pictures % Pictures % David Butler 158 Joseph Mankiewicz 1 178 Victor Schertzinger 1 ... 157 Buddy DeSylva 1 .. 158 Robert Leonard 1 146 David __ 1 143 George Hempstead Cukor .... 2 ...... 149 Paul Jones .... 2 .... 139 Clarence Brown Hunt Stromberg . 1 138 Norman Taurog 1 1 35 Pan ... 2 137 George B. Berman Seitz 1 133 ... 1 .135 Rouben Mamoulian 1 133 .... . _. __ 1 ...... 133 David .. 7 Robert Kane Miller 1 1 3 Irving Asher . . ... 132 John Ford 1 1 30 Alex Gottleib _ 2 128 Irving Cummings 1 127 Bruce Manning ..... 1 126 Sam Wood 1 1 ?7 2 Harry Joe Brown 123 Jack Conway 1 127 1 125 Robert Stevenson 1 126 1 124 A1 Hall 1 1 25 1 123 Mitchell Leisen 1 1 23 Victor Saville ... 1 119 Preston Sturges 1 120 .... 1 ... _ 1 10 Edmund Goulding 1 1 1 8 ... 2 109 William Seiter 1 1 1 8 2 104 Walter Lang 1 1 1 8 Alfred Hitchcock 1 1 18 Raoul Walsh 2 1 17 Frank Borzage 1 1 15 Michal Curtiz 1 1 1 7 Fritz Lang 2 1 09 Arthur Lubin 3 1 09 Producer-Directors Archie Mavo 1 10? Pictures % Frank Capra ...... 1 137 Alexander Korda 1 128 George Stevens .... 1 127 2 1 13 1 107 Herbert Wilcox 1 101 Actors Pictures % Bob Hope 2 158 Bing Crosby 1 157 Cary Grant Actresses ....2 ... 153 Clark Gable 1 138 Gary Cooper Pictures % .137 Spencer Tracy 1 135 Mickey Ginger Rogers 1 143 Rooney ... 2 ... . 134 Tyrone ... Barbara Stanwyck ...... 2 129 Power .... 1 . 133 Vivien Leigh ...... 1 128 James Stewart 4 132 Abbott and Costello Myrna Loy ...... 1 127 .... 2 . 128 Irene Dunne 1 127 Laurence Olivier Rosalind Russell 1 125 Randolph Scott ...... 1 ...... 127 Olivia de Havilland 1 124 William Powell .... 1 127 Charles Boyer ... Joan Crawford ... ._ ...... _. 1 1 19 1 126 Robert Bette Davis 1 1 18 Taylor .....2 ... 124 Deanna Durbin 1 118 lames Cagney 1 124 Carole Lombard 1 1 18 Don Ameche Alice Faye 2 115 Ray Millard . ... 1 ...123 Madeleine Carroll ...2 113 Henry Fonda ... 1 ... 120 Ida Lupino . 1 1 10 Fred MacMurray 2 1 1 3 Jean Arthur 1 1 10 Edward G. 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