Boxoffice-Febuary.07.1948

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' EAHIBITOK nAd Hid »AT PICTURES Just as the Barometer page shows first run reports on currejit pictures, this department is devoted for the most part to reports on subsequent runs, made by exhibitors themselves. A one-star contributor is new, two stars mean the exhibitor has been writing in for six months or longer, and a three-star contributor is a regular of one year or more, who receives a token of our appreciation. All exhibitors Had 200 Telephone Calls About Advanced Prices SEA OF GRASS, THE (MGM)—Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Walker. Just played this feature to a capacity house, with excellent comments from patronage. MGM made a mistake by not giving us this picture in Techni- jl COLUMBIA Arizona (Col)—Reissue. Jean Arthur, William Holden, Warren William. This is a surefire small town show. If you can play a good western, this is it. Although this picture is a reissue, business was above average. This picture is fast moving, and it has a good cast and plenty of comedy. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Fair.—A. D. Laurence, Apex Theatre, Tioga, Tex. Rural and small town patronage. * * Bandit of Sherwood Forest, The (Col)— Cornel Jill Wilde, Anitd Louise, Esmond. This picture was a little too old, I guess, or New Year's was too much for everybody. Played Wed., Thurs.—Harland Rankin, Erie Theatre, Wheatley, Ont. Small town patronage. * * * Down fo Earth (Col)—Rita Hayworth, Larry Parks, Marc Piatt. This had fine color and good names in the cast but the story was not only fantastic, it was also silly. What a waste of talent and color. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold.—Hobart H. Gates, Garlock Theatre, Custer, S. D. Small town patronage. * * Last of the Hodmen (Col)—Jon Hall, Michael O'Shea, Evelyn Ankers. Very colorful settings and it seemed to please above average attendance. The action fans had their- quota of entertainment and the upper crust enjoyed the historical references. Michael O'Shea filled the bill for humor and action. Sun. Weather: Good.— J. E. Rougeau, Played Sat., Club Theatre, Seven Sisters Falls, Man. Small town and rural patronage. * * * Talk About a Lady (Col)—Jinx Falkenburg, Forrest Tucker, Joe Besser. Talk about a picture—this one was a fair one. We had it doubled with a Blondie picture and I think it brought them in. I know I liked the Blondie best but it is what the people think that counts. This Joe Besser ss funny but a little too foolish. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair. —George MacKenzie, York Theatre, Hantsport, N. S. Small town patronage. * EAGLE LION Fighting Vigilantes, The (EL)—"Lash" La Rue, Al "Fuzzy" John, Jennifer This St. Holt. is just another western. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair.—James E. Davis, Rialto Theatre, Bennington, Okla. Rural and small town patronage. * • Kit Carson (EL)—Reissue. Dana Andrews, Jon Hall. Here is one swell picture. It will stand up with the best of the super-westerns. A good cast, story and print and my best Saturday business in seven months. Play it, by all means. Played Saturday. Weather: Fair and cold.—Arthur E. Phiiield, Park Theatre, South Berwick, Me. Small town patronage. * * * HLM CLASSICS Spirit of West Point (FC)—Felix "Doc" Blanchard, Glenn Davis, Anne Nagel. This one failed miserably at the boxoffice for me but maybe waited too long after football I season was over. The acting was rather amateurish. Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Good.—Terry Axley, New Theatre, England, Ark. Rural and small town patronage. * * * METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER High Barbaree (MGM)— Van Johnson, Thomas Mitchell. Oh, boyl Oh, boyl Oh, boyl This one is really a dilly. Van Johnson is tops and June AUyson is sweeter than saccharine. With these two stars if has to be good. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Stormy.—Bill Leonard, Leonard Theatre, Cedarvole, Kas. Small town patronage. * * * Little Mister Jim (MGM)—Jackie "Butch" Jenkins, James Craig, Frances Gilford. Swell picture! Butch was tops in this one. Lots of good comments and it showed up fair at the boxoffice. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair. Jim Mote, Gem Theatre, Starling, Okla. Small * town and rural patronage. Mighty McGurk, The (MGM)—Wallace Beery, Dean Stockwell, Edward Arnold. We didn't do too well with this but we don't expect to do too well with anything the day after Christmas. It was okay, however. Beery has done better. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold —Rahl and Hanson, California Theatre, Kerman, Calif. Small town and rural patronage. * * Sea of Grass (MGM)—Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Walker. This is a striking picture that should be well received in situations big or small. Tracy, Hepburn and Douglas do a very good job. Robert Walker and Phyllis Thaxler also come in for a good deal of credit, even though the parts were of a secondary nature. Played to above average attendance and satisfied 'em all. Played "The Cat Concerto," an MGM cartoon, with this feature. Those of you who haven't played this have missed something out of the ordinary. Played Saturday. Weather: Good. J. E. Rougeau, Club Theatre, Seven Sisters Falls, Man. Small town and rural patronage. * * * MONOGRAM Sweetheart of Sigma Chi (Mono)—Phil Regan, Elyse Knox, Phil Brito. This is a lovely picture of the program type. We doubled to fair business. It should take in college towns. Played Fri., Sat., Sun. Weather: Cold and snow.—Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. General patronage. * * * PARAMOUNT Adventure Island (Para)—Rory Calhoun, Rhonda Fleming, Paul Kelly. This was a good picture but due to the severe weather, didn't get them out. Played Sat., Sun. Weather: Utah. Theatre Partners Know Own Business QASTLE THEATRE at Huntington, Utah, is a partnership business In a new building owned by its builders, Ted R. Nielsen and W. O. Sandberg. New Simplex equipment was also installed when the theatre opened two years ago. Sandberg, who is also the owner of the Huntington Flour Mills, manages the theatre. Nielson, who is also master me^^ chanic for the United^ States Fuel Co., takes care of the equipment. The partner employ in addition a cashier, an usher and a janitor. These Utah showmen believe that the small exhibitor continues to have the problem of keeping film rental at a minimum. And Sandberg suggests his method of keeping the business solvent in these words "Take six months' average of flats and percentage and stay within those figures when buying. If you can't convince Holl}^vood and Wall Street that you know your business better than they do, then you had better get out of this business." color. It is as good as any advanced-price i film we have sho^vn and we have taken them all on to date—but no more. They J hurt business on any big feature that follows. Example: At least 200 telephone calls Sunday asking if this was asking advanced prices. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold and fair.—W. O. Sandberg, Castle Theatre, Huntington, Utah. Small town patronage. * Cold.—Harland Rankin, Joy Theatre, Bothwell, Ont. Small town patronage. * * * Blaze of Noon (Para)—Anne Baxter, William Holden, Sonny Tufts. A good picture for action situations which seemed to please an average audience. No comments heard, but personally I liked it. Played Sunday. Weather: Cool.—Hahl and Hanson, California Theatre, Kerman, Calif. Small town and rural patronage. * * California (Para)—Ray Milland, Barbara Stanwyck, Barry Fitzgerald. Both were good — it and "Blue Skies." We played these after other situations, so we couldn't expect large grosses. Played Sun., Mon.—Joe Stallman, WyoLin, Lingle, Wyo. Small town and rural patronage., * * * Perils of Pauline, The (Para)—Betty Hutton, John Lund, Billy DeWolfe. This is very good and should do okay in any situation. With me, though, it's the same old story—Paramount ties you up with too much rental. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Rain.—Terry Axley, New Theatre, England, Ark. Rural and small town patronage. * * * Seven Were Saved (Para)—Richard Denning, Catherine Craig, Russell Hayden. This is a better picture than I thought it would be. Everyone liked it. Business was excellent. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Fair.-James E. Davis, Rialto Theatre, Bennington, Okla. Rural and small town patronage. * * yWelcome Stranger (Para)—Bing Crosby, Barry Fitzgerald, Joan Caulfield. Excellent show. For once a manager can stand in the lobby of his theatre and feel proud when all his patrons remark: "Swell show." Swell business. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Good. A. L. Burke jr., Variita Theatre, Herculaneum, * Mo. Small town patronage. RKO RADIO Best Years of Our Lives, The (RKO)-Myrna Loy, Frederic March, Dana Andrews. This is a good picture and deserves all awards. However, $1.20 very often is no good in a small town, so this one flopped. Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Good.—Terry Axley, New Theatre, England, Ark. Rural and small town patronage. * * * Falcon's Adventure, The (RKO)—Tom Conway, Madge Meredith, Edward Brophy. A .» good little program picture. This series has j. a fair following with my weekend crowd. ^ . Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Snow and cold.— Arthur E. Phifield, Park Theatre, South Berv/ick. Me. Small town patronage. * * * UFarmer's Daughter, The (RKO)—Loretta Young, Joseph Gotten, Ethel Barrymore. Too much Scandinavian accent for our situation. Any place with a lot of Swedes or Norwegians should get by okay. I enjoyed it myself but as I don't buy any tickets, I guess it doesn't count much. Played Mon., Tues. Weather: Okay.—D. W. Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz. Mining patronage. * * Riverboat Rhythm (RKO) — Leon Errol, Frankie Carle, Glenn Vernon. This is extra BOXOFFICE BookinGuide
i Twilight " New Year's eve is no time for a show here, with a dance coming up the following evening. However, I am glad I showed it, even if the crowd was not what was expected. Played Wednesday. 'Weather: Good.—W. H. Swan, Auditorium Theatre, Roscoe, S. D. Rural patronage. * * * USong of the South (RKO)—Ruth Warrick, Bobby DriscoU, James Baskett. A very pleasing is picture in beautiful color. This a won- derful tonic for tired nerves. Easy, smooth and soothing. No slam-bang stuff and it's good for tired mind and body. Played Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: Bad—ice, sleet, cold. Bill Leonard, Leonard Theatre, Cedarvale, Kas. Small town patronage. » * REPUBUC Fabulous Suzanne, The (Rep)—Barbara Britton, Rudy Vallee, Otio Kruger. This is a good comedy picture, but no draw here. Played Mon., Tues. Weather: Cold.—L. Brazil jr.. New Theatre, Bearden, Ark. Small town itronage. * * * Goin' to Town (RKO)—Lum and Abner. lis picture is old but it still has good drawing awers. We played this one Wahoo night and to turn them away. We were surprised the number of people who came out to the show. Played Tuesday. Weather: Fair. D. Laurence, Apex Theatre, Tioga, Tex. and small town patronage. * * Hit Parade of 1947 (Rep)—Eddie Albert, jstance Moore, Joan Edwards. A good le musical that did okay on Sunday. ITeather: Cold.—D. W. Trisko, Ritz Theatre, sme, Ariz. Mining patronage. * * Home on the Range (Rep)—Monte Hale, "rian Booth, Tom Chatterton. And home at boxoflice—a pleasant surprise just before •istmas, when usually business is below sroge at this time of year. This one topped I all-fall record. They want this type of show ere and this proves it. The music was per- 9Ct, plenty of action, and the color was gaod. " lyed Sat., Sun. Weather: CoLd and foggy. -W. H. Swan, Auditorium Theatre, Roscoe, D. Rural patronage. * * * Nortliwest Outpost' (Rep)—Nelson Eddy, "" issey,. Joseph Schildkraut. Look out, Ys—don't think this one is a super-western I did. The western fans turned out for T regular Fri., Sat. western and would have me out of town, but luckily I was in the ejection booth. Weather: Fair.—Norman T. By, Joy Theatre, Bloomington, Tex. Rural * small town patronage. on the Rio Grande (Rep)—Gene iutry. Sterling Holloway, Adele Mora. This a very good galloper that filled the Sat. bill. Business was above average, always when we show an Autry. I hope at his pictures that Columbia releases are 3s juvenile as Republic's. Played Fri., Weather: Cold.—A. D. Laurence, Apex atre, Tioga, Tex. Rural and small town pa- SCREEN GUILD PRODUCTIONS Bush Pilot (SG)—Rochelle Hudson, Jack La- Aastin Willis. Npt outstanding from a iuction standpoint but doubled with the nevitable western on Fri., Sot., it fills the Jl and pleases the patron. Which is more I can say for many of the reported million -dollar productions. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Cool.—Rahl and Hanson, California Theatre, Kerman, Calif. Small town and rural patronage. * * Renegade Girl (SG)—Alan Curtis, Ann ^avage. Jack Holt. A good little programmer v/e doubled-billed to satisfaction. Played fed., Thurs. Weather: Cold and snow. rland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. sneral patronage. * * • Trail Dust (SG)—Reissue. William Boyd, Jimmy Ellison. This is a good western that everyone enjoyed. I wish they had westerns like this today. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: ton, Okla. Rural and small town patronage. * * 20th CENTURY-FOX Boomerang (20th-Fox)—Dana Andrews, Jane Wyatt, Lee J. Cobb. This is definitely a good action picture. If exploited, should do extra business. Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Cold. Harland Rankin, Joy Theatre, Bothwell, Ont. Small town patronage. * * * I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now (20th-Fox) June Haver, Mark Stevens, Martha Stewart. This is an excellent picture with very good Technicolor. It has songs that appeal to all ages. Business was above average and we received many compliments on this one. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Good.—A. D. Laurence, Apex Theatre, Tioga, Tex. Rural and small town patronage. * * Kiss of Death (20th-Fox)—'Victor Mature, Brian Donlevy, Coleen Gray. I guess they don't like gangster or crime pictures here any more as this died a horrible death at the boxoffice. I thought it was full of action and suspense, and I did not hear any unfavorable comments from the few that saw it. Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair.—Hobart H. Played Gates, Garlock Theatre, Custer, S. D. Small town patronage. * * ^Miracle on 34th Street (20th-Fox)—Maureen O'Hora, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn. Somehow the preview didn't do this show justice. Comments were favorable but some just stayed home. Play it but get it talked about somehow. The picture is okay. Played Sun., Another Kudos Given To 'Driitwood' Film DRIFTWOOD (Rep) — Ruth Warrick, Walter Brennan, Dean Jagger. Mr. Small Town Exhibitor, if you haven't booked this one, do so immediately. It's a natural! When the patrons call you at midnight to thank you (as they did me) for showing "Driftwood," it will give you a smug, happy feeling. Too few pictures ar« made for the average man appeal and after all, 75 per cent of moviegoers are average people. If Hollywood would produce more and more "Driftwoods" (audience-pleasers), the small town exhibitor could produce in turn, showmanship, without a guilty conscience when he faces his patrons as they leave the theatre. Unfortunately, the weather prevented a big turnout, but every single one went away with a smile of pleasure.—C. J. Otts, Royse Theatre, Royse City, Tex. Small town patronage. * * Mon. Weather: Cold.—Joe Stallman, WyoLin Theatre, Lingle, Wyo. Small town and rural patronage. * * * Mother Wore Tights (20th-Fox)—Betty Grable, Dan Dailey, Mona Freeman. A good musical and this one took real .well. Fox always comes through with one or two good musicals every year so I hope the next is as good as this one was. The color is good and Dan Dailey, the new dancer, is exceptional. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Okay.—D. W. Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz. Mining patronage. * '* Razor's Edge, The (20th-Fox)—Tyrone Pow6r, Gene Tierney, John Payne. A good featurerather heavy drama. Most people are disappointed in it—too many stars who do not have much of a part. Played Sun., Mon.—C. M. Garrett, Yandell Theatre, El Paso, Tex. Family patronage. * * Smoky (20th-Fox)—Fred MacMurray, Anne Baxter, Burl Ives. Old, but this is a real horse picture. However, a sleet storm proved oxir downfall on it. Played Thurs., Fri., Sat. Harland Rankin, Erie Theatre, Wheatley, Ont. Small town patronage. * * * Somewhere in the Night (20th-Fox)—John Favor 'Red Stallion Most in Months RED STALLION, THE (EL)—Ted Donaldson, Robert Paige, Noreen Nash. A great picture of a boy, his dog, and his horse. More favorable comments on this picture than on any other picture in months. Played Sim., Mon. Weather: Cold.—Hobart H. Gates, Garlock Theatre, Custer, S. D. Small town patronage. * * • Hodiak, Nancy Guild, Lloyd Nolan. Another flop as far as the boxoffice is concerned. It pleased those who came but we hardly took in film rental. Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Fair and cold.—Arthur E. Phifield, Park Theatre, South Berwick, Me. Small town patronage. * * * UNITED ARTISTS Heaven Only Knows (UA)—Robert Cummings, Brian Donlevy, Jorja Curtwright. This should be one of the best pictures of the month for 1948. Even though it is deep, it will go over in the small towns. Comments were good. Played Sat., Sun. Weather: Cold. —L. Brazil jr.. New Theatre, Bearden, Ark. Small town patronage. * * * Macomber Affair, The (UA)—Gregory Peck, Joan Bennett, Robert Preston. We played this on election night, which hurt us. The next night didn't seem much better. Just fair, would comment. Played Mon., Tues. 'Weather: Cold.—Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. General patronage. * * • Red House, The (UA)—Edward G. Robinson, Lon McCallister, Judith Anderson. This is a very good mystery story and got better crowds the second night than the first night, which is very unusual here. This show had great actors and the people's choice of the best one was Edward G. Robinson, and he always gives a good performance. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Awful snowy.—George Mac- Kenzie, York Theatre, Hantsport, N. S. Small town patronage. * Young Widow (UA)—Jane Russell, Louis Hayward, Faith Domergue. Only the best can be said about this one and talk around town by Saturday night's customers brought more in Sunday night. Jane Russell did a fine job and more pictures with her are what we want here. Played Sat., Sun. Weather: Good.— W. H. Swan, Auditorium Theatre, Roscoe, S. D. Rural patronage. * * * UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL Buck Privates Come Home (U-I)—Bud Abbot, Lou Costello, Joan Fulton. Here is a very good comedy which should please and draw in any small town. However, I played it just before Christmas and business was just average. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Good.—E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. * * • I'll Be Yours (U-I)—Deanna Durbin, Tom Drake, William Bendix. A very nice picture but Durbin does not mean a thing any more. We lost money on this one. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Fair.— Bill Leonard, Leonard Theatre, Cedarvale, Kas. Small town and-rural patronage. * • * Ivy (U-I)—Joan Fontaine, Patric Knowles, Herbert Marshall. Another English picture and did the customers beefl And no wonder gave away a fifteen-dollar gift prize and it still didn't bring the crowd in. They are now asking: "Is this an English picture on tonight?" If the answer is, yes, they walk away from the ticket window. British pictures are no good for small towns, and when I use the few remaining "great" J. Arthur Rank pictures that I have on contract, I am through. Played (Continued on page 14) BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: Feb. 7. 1948
Page 1 and 2: uciunjB. FINAL BRIEFS IN, AND COURT
Page 3 and 4: of M-G-M's Sensational B. f:s daugh
Page 5 and 6: ^ ! HAIR FAST AND ELECTRIC! I It wi
Page 7 and 8: ire. I Starting ( — [ Sage To Rec
Page 9 and 10: Herman Levy, General Counsel for TO
Page 11 and 12: : February i COURT MAY TOSS OUT BID
Page 13 and 14: ^ the bouthwest s Glory Town The ep
Page 15 and 16: in Jii Paramount Following Paramoun
Page 17 and 18: IS rKiUMT, inc lorn YOUR LUCKY DAY
Page 19 and 20: MGM Cutting Sharply On Production C
Page 21 and 22: m Annual MovieAward. . DARRYL F. ZA
Page 23 and 24: House On 92nd Street _j3 Rue Madele
Page 25 and 26: . . . Monogram-Allied I Rocky) . .
Page 27 and 28: CHESTER FRIEDMAN EDITOR HUGH E. FRA
Page 29 and 30: I, Radio, Lobby Contests Inaugurate
Page 31 and 32: COLUMBIA PICTURES OF THE starring D
Page 33 and 34: H.G«WELLS' FANTAsnc Oi/rOFTHfS WOR
Page 35 and 36: «Jli!i5 L Still SERVING Your %^ CU
Page 37 and 38: THOUGHT OR TWO FROM HYGIENIC CORNER
Page 39 and 40: Canadian Productions Readies First
Page 41 and 42: . . New . . Three Top Vancouver Coi
Page 43: pURE CHART • REVIEW DIGEST • SH
Page 47 and 48: MAY . ) Woode , [BOXOFFICE BookinGi
Page 49 and 50: I I CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL E
Page 51 and 52: -rr
Page 53 and 54: . 8-16-47 ^ Id trade press reviews,
Page 55 and 56: 20th Century-Fox loil. No. Title Re
Page 57 and 58: lOp/flfons on Current Productions;
Page 59 and 60: : brand ' Main 1 all [i"i'iii,iii-i

Boxoffice-Febuary.07.1948

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