Boxoffice-Febuary.07.1948

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EXHIBITOR HA5 HIS SAY ADUUI PICTURES In fhe Newsreels (Continued from page 3) Tues., Wed.—E. C. Holt, Freeburn Theatre, Freeburn, Ky. Mining patronage. * * Killers, The (U-I)—Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Edmond O' Brien. I gave this feature two of the best days of the year—December 28 and 29 (Sun., Mon.) but the results were most disappointing at the boxoffice. In an action house such as I operate, it should really "kill em," but it just laid on egg. It's a very good picture, but I believe it would have been a lot better for us, if it just told the story "straight" instead of giving it flashback sequences. Weather: patrons in Good.—Abe to H. Kaufman, Fountain Theatre, Terre Haute, Ind. Family action patronage. * » Lawless Breed (U-I)—Kirby Grant, Jane Adams, Fuzzy Knight. This is not a western -^it is a mystery story. There is not much action. If your farm lads want action, this won't please them. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair.—James E. Davis, Rialto, Bennington, Okla. Rural and small town patronage. * * Magnificent Doll (U-I) — Ginger Rogers, David Niven, Burgess Meredith. A good picture and well done but my patrons don't care for stories like this. The showgoers don't care whether Aaron Burr was hanged or run over by a beer truck, and when they see Ginger in a picture, they want more snap. This should be in the low bracket. Played Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: Cold.—Bill Leonard, Leonard Theatre, Cedarvale, Kas. Small town and rural patronage. * * » Magnificent Doll, The (U-1)—Gingrff Rogers, David Niven, Burgess Meredith. This is a good picture for class spots. Ours isn't one of them, and this historical film of Dolly Madison would have been a sensational boxoffice failure had we not been able to obtain the Louis-Walcott fight. The fight did better than average, even with a heavy fog. Played Mon., Tues, Rahl and Hanson, California Theatre, Kerman, Callif. Small town and rural patronage. * * Singapore (U-I)-—Fred MacMurray, Ava Gardner, Roland Culver. This one is not so hot. 1 thought it would be super but it let me down. And speaking of "down," so was business. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair. James E. Davis, Rialto Theatre, Bennington, Okla. Rural and small town patronage. * * Smash-Up (U-I)—Susan Hayward, Lee Bowman, Marsha Hunt. Patrons in a small place just don't go for this sort of picture. It rained the second night, so I didn't even take in overhead. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Rainy. — I. Roche, Vernon Theatre, Vernon, Fla. Small town and rural * patronage. Smash-Up (U-I) — Susan Hayward, Lee Bowman, Marsha Hunt. Susan Hayward gives a very convincing " performance, and the other parts were well handled. I didn't care for the story, but it did an average business both nights so apparently there was something in the picture that people wanted to see. It is primarily a woman's picture and my opinion is that it will probably do below average business in most small towns. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold.—Carl E. Pehlman. Rio Theatre, Edinburg, 111. Rural and small town patronage. * * Vigilanfes Return, The (U-I)—Jon Hall, Margaret Lindsay, Paula Drew. This is a good picture for the small town. Used it with a two-reel Stooges comedy and played to a good crowd, especially for midweek. More pictures like this would help the small town theatre. Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Cold and fair. —E. C. Holt, Freeburn Theatre, Freeburn, Ky. Mining patronage. . * * When the Dallons Rode (U-I)—Reissue. Randolph Scott, Kay Francis, Andy Devine. In spite of the fact that I was bucking a high school play both nights and bad weather to boot, I made out all right on this western. It is slam-full of action and thrills and that is sure-fire boxoffice draw in a small town situation. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cold and rainy.—I. Roche, Vernon Theatre, Vernon, * Fla. Small town and rural patronage. Movietone News. No. 8: Stassen and' Pauley ' clash on inside market trading; Jerusalem day; Gandhi ends fast; Chinese inflation hits weddings; Voice of America to tell world truth about U.S.; Cleveland—Bob Feller; Canada—Ice WARNER BROS. speedsters race in thrilling regatta; California Bowers are real golfing family. Big Sleep, The (WB)—Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Martha Vickers. Perfect entertainment for yours truly but not at the box- Pauley—the battle of Washington; tense days News of the Day. No. 242: Stassen vs. office. It didn't go over in any of the theatres. in the Holy Land; Gandhi breaks fast; mass Played Mon., Tues., Wed. Weather: Rain and wedding; 'Voice of America; ice boat regatta; sleet.—Harland Rankin, Joy Theatre, Bothwell, Golden Gloves. Ont. Small town patronage. * • * City for Conquest (WB)—James Cagney, Paramount News, No. 45: Speed on the boards—Mr. Ann Sheridan, Frank Craven. Warners have Dodds goes to town again; stronger voice for U.S. abroad; Gandhi breaks go lo do better than this. It didn't do business. Cagney used to be sure-fire at the box- five-day fast; Elizabeth's food gifts teed needy; office, but the fire is out. Played mass marriages in China; Stassen vs. Pauley; Mon., Tues. winter regatta for ice boats. Weather: Cold.—Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. General patronage. * * • Universal News, No. 112: General Clay Deep Valley (WB)—Ida Lupino, Dane Clark, warns of German unrest; Gandhi ends peace Wayne Morris. This had considerable action and held interest, but it is rather depressing and the ending might have been improved. for Florida pirate treasure; mass Chinese Dane Clark and Ida Lupino were excellent in wedding; baseball school in Bartow, Fla.; Canadian ice boat regatta. Warner Pathe News. No. 47: China ec< Wants Republic to Send mizes on weddings; Elizabeth shares wedding gifts; convertible hat is 50 in one; Europe to , A Spy Over to RKO get facts on U.S.; Gandhi ends fast; Pauley?: and S lessen clash; kid boxing. THUNDER MOUNTAIN (RKO)—Tim Holt, Martha Hyer, Richard Martin. Republic should send a spy over to RKO so they could learn a little and improve their westerns. This Zane Grey epic proved to be very good and had more adult appeal than most of the westerns. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Good.—A. D. Laurence, Apex Theatre, Tioga, Tex. Rural and barges; "Gentleman's Agreement" held best small town patronage. * picture of 1947; tiger cubs learn about circus France. their parts. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair. Hobart H. Gates, Garlock Theatre, Custer, S. D. News Small town patronage. * * of the Day, No. 243: Germany demonstrates as unrest sweeps Bizonia; food for Kings Row (WB)—Reissue. Ann Sheridan, Italy; Hindu festival; tiger tamers begin spring Robert Cummings, Ronald Reagan. This is a training; something new for navy; clothes for^ very fine picture but did not set any records. cycling; babies in swim; championship ring The story is a bit depressing in places but battle. carries a terrific wallop at the end. I played this when originally released to near record Paramount News, No. 46: U.S. bases crisis business. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair. oil; eight of those who care; navy develop Arthur E. Phifield, Ptak Theatre, South Berwick, Me. Small town patronage, * *.* strated; science probes mystery of "sileij walking barge; safety! no burn-door demon sound"; skiing on land; skiing on sea Possessed (WB)—Joan Crawford, Van Heflin, Raymond Massey. Here is the best Joan Universal News, No. 113: Cold wave grij Crawford film yet and she should be given east; navy's walking barge tested in CalS another Oscar for her performance. The fornia; fireproof door demonstrated; family of story was very good an.d the other actors nine find shelter in firehouse; 26 St. Bernard played their parts excellently. Miss Crawford, pups born on same day; wool fashions; as usual, has the familiar glass in her hand Dubuque, Iowa, ski classics. during the picture and she can't seem to get a part without it. Played Mon., Tues. Weather: Warner Pathe News, No. 48: Mother of thre Fine.—George MacKenzie, York Theatre, veterans a citizen; fireproof paint protect Hantsport, N. S. Small town patronage. * navy barge walks to shore; tots train tig( cubs; Friendship train in Italy; royal swee Stallion Road (WB)—Ronald Reagan, Alexis hearts on skis; Hindus in Ganges river rite Smith, Zachary Scott. It just didn't seem to bike fashion in Florida; Great Americansclick—not popular here. Played Wed., Tfaurs. F. D. R. Weather: Cold.—Harland Rankin, Beau "Theatre, Belle River, Ont. Small town patronage. * * * That Way With Women (WB)—Dane Clark, Sydney Greenstreet, Martha Vickers. Swell Telenews Digest, No. 4: Washingtonshow. Dane Clark and Martha Vickers ore Pauley answers Stassen charges on gra always good and of course you can't beat speculation; Washington—Petrillo faces th Sydney Greenstreet. Stories like this are always good entertainment. It's too bad we coin machine convention; Atlanta — Voodc^ music; Chicago^"Nickel Magnets" shown (f can't have more. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: doctor trapped by police; New York—Waldo Bad.—Bill Leonard, Leonard Theatre, Cedarvale, Kas. Small town patronage. * * * of pagan death rite; Czechoslovakia—Textil entertains strange guests; Celebes—First fila smugglers trapped in raid; Chile—Climbe Unfaithful, The (WB)—Ann Sheridan, Lew scale 23,000-foot peak; Russia—Inside Ayres, Zachary Scott. A heavy movie for Kremlin; France—Harness racing for Ameri3 small towns, but it was appreciated. Played cup; Chicago—Chicago Bears sign Lujacf Wed., Thurs.—James C. Balkcom jr.. Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. Small town patronage. * * sports we seldom see—toreador gored in bu' * fast; U.S. information program explained; goodwill milk ship sails from California; digs ' Movietone News, No. 9: Millions of Hindus bathe in Ganges in holy festival; record cold wave hits nation; navy develops walking life; college skiers in Canada; long due ski jump at Dubuque; middleweight boxing in fight in Mexico. 14 BOXOFFICE BookinGuide Feb. 7, 19
lOp/flfons on Current Productions; txploitips for Sellmg to the Public rE#\IUItE ItEVICTT^ A Miracle Can Happen United Artists (- 100 Minutes Rel. Feb. Eight stars—the seven belbw, and Harry James— share the topUne and their talents are bolstered by a supporting cast nearly as luminous. If such an array of Thespian might doesn't in itself make this a top grosser, then those who make pictures and those who exhibit them had better revise their opinion of name-value. In this case, the film offers sufficient entertainment to back up the promise of marquee magnitude. There is a trio of comedy situations—each a story unto itself loosely bound together by a breezy tongue-in-cheek yarn. This three-in-one arrangement endows the film with virtually every type of humor, so there is something for any celluloid taste. Probably it is reporting the obvious to say that performances are excellent, and they are accented through lush production and the skilful dual direction of King Vidor and Leslie Fenton. Paulette Goddard, Burgess Meredith, James Stewart, Henry Fonda, Fred MacMurroy, Dorothy Lamour, Victor Moore. The Hunted Monogram-Allied Artists ( ) 85 Minutes Rel. — With this. Allied Artists, Monogram's silk-stocking running mate, makes still another convincing bid for wider and better markets than those served by the latter outfit's run-o'-mill product. Personally made by Scott R. Dunlap, the company's production chief, it is crisp, hard-boiled drama of crime and punishment which offers a fertile field for the talents of a carefully selected cast — one, incidentally, sufficiently freighted with known names to command fan attention in most situations. In technical and production accoutrements there is ample additional evidence of the sizable budget. Preston Foster garners more than his share of acting honors in his portrayal of a tough but honest copper in love with a gal just out of stir, to which he has sent her. Her innocence established, he starts a search which gives the piece its title and motivation. Jack Bernhard directed. Preston Foster, Belita, Pierre Watkin, Edna Holland, Russell Hicks, Frank Ferguson, Joseph Crehan. Fighting Mad Monogram (4709) 75 Minutes F F Rel. Feb. 7, '48 Fourth in the Joe Palooka series predicated on the popular comic strip by Ham Fisher, this again reflects the group's steady trend toward improvement with each successive entry. Resultantly, the latest chapter is easily the best to dale, rating such evaluation on several counts. In the first place, young Joe Kirkwood, who without previous acting experience initiated the title role, is beginning to show enough Thespian ability so as to seem more at home among the more experienced mummers with whom Producer Hal E. Chester surrounds him. The story in this case is above par, solidly constructed and entirely believable, and the fight sequences are exceptionally well staged. While the offerings still are clearly earmarked as supporting fare, there are few programs to which this entry cannot lend luster. Reginald LeBorg directed. Leon Errol, Joe Kirkwood, Elyse Enox, John Hubbard, Patrica Dane, Charles Cane, Wally Vernon, Frank Hyers. U You Knew Susie RKO Radio ( ) 91 Minutes Rel. Feb. 7. '48 Audiences looking for laughs to deliver them, for an hour and a half, from the world's worries will find them in abundance in a hunk of celluloid which unashamedly dedicates itself to wringing the utmost in comedy from the antics of two experts in the field, Eddie Cantor and Joan Davis. They sing, dance and clown their way through a yarn which, at every turn, sacrifices credibility for a chuckle or a guffaw, and the sum total spells entertainment of the kind that should result in popular and profitable bookings. Five musical numbers, none of them lushly mounted but all deftly performed, are woven logically into the plot. Cantor and Miss Davis, retired vaudevillians, become world famous when it is discovered the government owes them billions, due on a debt pledged to one of Cantor's ancestors in the Revolutionary War. Gordon Douglas directed. Eddie Cantor, Joan Davis, AUyn loalyn, Charles Dingle, Bobby DriscoU, Phil Brown, Sheldon Leonard, Joe Sawyer. Saigon Paramount (- 95 Minutes Rel. That Ladd lad seems to be getting into something of a rut. Herein again he portrays the hard-boiled ex-army flyer who stays in the orient to match wits, fisticuffs and hot lead with the sinister forces, determined the while to win fortune and, of course, the steeped-in-mystery gal this time, none too surprisingly, Veronica Lake. That wellworn story situation is spread transparently thin, a weakness which is alleviated but slightly by the patent efforts of the producer to bolster the literary shortcomings through characterizations and interpolation of atmosphere byplays Confronted with the same yarn-imposed hurdles, performances are not up to the best individual and collective standards of the cast, tempo is too leisurely and suspense is lacking, with the action expected in such offerings limited to a climactic sequence. Directed by Leslie Fenton. Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake, Douglas Dick, Wally Cassell. Luther Adler, Morris Carnovsky, Mikhail Rasunmy. Black Bart Univ-Int'l ( ) Minutes Rel. Available to the producer were all of the elements necessary for the making of a topflight western—among them Technicolor, the adventure-laden history of California during the gold rush, and the factual story of one of that era's colorful bad men. That such assets weren't utilized to their best advantage is probably due to the fact that an attempt was made to write a torrid romance into the accepted spgebrush procedure, which passion passages failed to jell. Resultantly the offering became slightly hybridous. While the action elements are acceptable they are insufficient in quantity and length to enthuse inveterate seekers of six-gun fare, and the love facets possibly will be comparably inadequate for others. Strength of the cast and tint photography assure satisfactory business but it cannot be expected to engender huzzas. Directed by George Sherman. yvonne De Carlo, Dan Duryea, Jeffrey Lynn, Percy Kilbride, Lloyd Gough, Frank Lovejoy, John Mclntire. Man of Evil United Artists ( ) Minutes HeL Jan. 30, '48 James Mason's fans in the United States—and there are a goodly collection of them—are not going to be especially happy when they discover he appears in the footage of this interminable offering for not more than a quarter of its length, and that his part therein is distinctly not a top-billing assignment. What's more, the picture is several notches below the standard, productionwise, of recent J. Arthur Rank importations. It spins a maudlin and melodramatic hodgepodge of a plot, the heavily-accented dialog is frequently difficult to understand and it is considerably overlength for what entertainment content there is in It. What the film's exhibition fat will be here is dubious. The locale is England in the 1870s and Mason, a rascally fellow, meets his just doom when killed in a duel. Directed by Anthony Asquith. James Mason, Phyllis Calvert, Stewart Granger, Wilfred Lawson, Jean Kent, Margaretta Scott. February 7, 1948 Piccadilly Incident MGM ( ) 87 Minutes Rel. Upon its release in England nearly two years ago, this gooey wartime problem play was accorded considerable critical acclaim, the annual kudos of the British film industry it and, presumably, wide patronage. Obviously cannot hope to describe so desirable a curve during its American exhibition life. The incurable romantic, those who relish their sentiment in dripping doses regardless of circa and aura, can find in the offering much to sate their tastes. For more matter-of-fact spectators, however, the film probably will be just another of the too-great number of photoplays which stressed the chin-up, carry-on-at-all-costs attitude li'l of the tight island during the devastating days of blitz. the Performances generally are acceptable, the picture is impressively mounted by Producer Herbert Wil- who also directed. cox, Anna Neagle, Michael Wilding, Reginald Owen, Michael Laurence, Frances Mercer, Carol Browme.
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Boxoffice-Febuary.07.1948

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