Boxoffice-December.24.1949

More documents

Recommendations

Info

J sdottdctt ^cfront JJAROLD WILSON, during a debate of films in the House of Commons last week, threw the industry's plans for tax remission back with a flat refusal either to reduce the tax or to allow a rebate to help exhibitors and producers. He said: "Handing back money in the form of a subsidy without guarantee that this money would not be swallowed up in further extravagance is something we cannot do." In the course of his speech he referred to "an unaccustomed and sinister unanimity in all sections of the industry" and this reference aroused anger from members of Parliament both in the Labor and Tory ranks. Tom O'Brien, M.P., who is general secretary of a film labor union and a Socialist member, interrupted the minister to say: "For 25 years government departments have criticized the film industry because it was divided. Now that we have reached an agreed policy we are sinister." Returning to the attack on the Minister's charge of extravagance, O'Brien said: "A certain amount of extravagance is essential in show business. You cannot put on a show or make a film in the same way as you can roll out sausages or mix pots of jam." The truth obviously is that this Labor government does not wish to acknowledge the justice of the industry's claim to a rebate of tax since it would involve them in loss of revenue that they may find difficult to replace in other ways. There is no arguing the fact that the £^cec44ii4Ae East: Independent Producer R. W. Alcom planed to New York to confer with United Artists home office executives on plans for the upcoming February release of his first film, "Johnny Holiday." South: James R. Grainger, Republic vicepresident in charge of sales, came in from San Francisco to spend the Christmas holidays with his family here. East: Otto Preminger, 20th-Fox producerdirector, planned to take off for New York to scout locations for his next assignment, the Dana Andrews starrer, "Where the Sidewalk Ends." West: Al Horwits, U-I studio publicity director, trained in from Gotham after a threeweek trip east, during which he visited St. Louis to set plans for the premiere of "South Sea Sinner," New Orleans to plan the American debut of "Francis," and New York for huddles with home office executives. East: Maurice "Razz" Goldstein, Monogram-Allied Artists sales manager, returned By JOHN SULLIVAN film industry carries a heavier burden of taxation than any other in this country and to refuse a remission on the grounds of extravagance is an attempt to divert attention from the real point at issue. That British producers have materially cut their costs is shown by films at present on the floor here. Pictures that would have been budgeted at $600,000 a year or two ago are now being made with the same quality for one-half of that figure. AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR many of the critics of the trade and lay papers occupy their space with a resume of what they consider the ten best fUms of the year. Reg Whitley, the veteran critic of the Daily Mirror, has gone one better than this and conducted a poll of exhibitors to find from them which films they made most money on during 1949. The surprise winner was a film from Ealing Studios—"Scott of the Antarctic." Siu-- prise it was, not for lack of quality in the film itself for it was well-made and sincere, but because it was a sombre, unhappy story without any conventional love interest. Running second was another "low-key" picture, "Johnny Belinda," but the third place was taken by two comedies, "Easter Parade" and "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty." Runnersup, not in order, were: "'The Paleface," "Red River," "The Guinea Pig,"* "The Gay Lady,"" ^fuiaele^ West: William Pine and William Thomas, to his Manhattan headquarters after studio independent producers releasing through conferences with President Steve Broidy. Also Paramount, returned from a three-week going east, for huddles with New York officials, was George D. Buitows, executive barnstorming junket through the east, midwest and south, during which they huddled vice-president and treasurer. with exhibitors, circuit operators and distribution personnel on changing public tastes South: Having tentatively selected Mexican location sites for his next Columbia film in film entertainment. "The Brave Bulls," Pi-oducer-Director Robert Rossen will return to Mexico City January 1 to complete preparations for his picturization of the Tom Lea novel. It will be made almost entirely below the border. West: Heni-y Henigson, production supervisor on MGM's "Quo Vadis," returned from Rome after a seven-month stay. He will return to Italy next spring when camera work is slated to start on the opus. Also returning from Europe was William Golden, who reported back to MGM after handling arrangements for the group of Hollywood stars who appeared in London at the royal performance. Representing the American film industry at the annual British charity performance were Rosalind Russell, Ann Sothem, Gregory Peck, George Murphy, Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon and Errol Flynn. East: Joseph Bernhard, president of Film Classics, planed east for conferences with New York banking officials concerning a projected expansion program for the distribution organization. The Bernhard company already has completed arrangements for releasing eight features during the early months of 1950. "Maytime in Mayfair,"* "I Was a Male War Bride," "Madness of the Heart'" and "The Blue Lagoon."* The films marked * are all British. Turning to the tradepress Josh Billings of the Kine Weekly, who is regarded as the best boxoffice judge of a film in this country, agrees largely with Whitley's findings. He claims as the boxoffice film of the year Carol Reed's "The Third Man" but Whitley makes the point that this picture has not yet received enough bookings to judge results although it will undoubtedly finish well up at the top. The rest of the films published in Whitley's survey also appear in Billings' roundup. It seems ironical that although exhibitors are constantly asking for comedies only onehalf of the big ten are comedy subjects and the two biggest of all were unrelieved drama. JAMES LAWRIE, managing director of the National Film Finance Corp., told a press conference last week that his bank has just granted loans for the production of a further eight pictures. He also revealed that, in spite of rumors to the contrary, the corporation had some money available for finance. still The biggest sensation of the meeting was his disclosure that an inspector will be appointed by the Board of Trade to investigate the affairs of Plantagenet Films, Ltd., which produced the Edward Dmytryk film, "Give Us This Day" ("Christ in Concrete"). The corporation is not satisfied with the way in which the company has carried on its affairs and has asked for this investigation to clear the air. The directors of Plantagenet Films, Ltd., are Nat Bronsten, A, Kerstein and the Duke of Leeds. Nat Bronsten co-produced "Give Us This Day" with Rod Geiger, who is at present in New York to attend the premiere of the film. IT IS NOT A COMMON occurence for a top-rank star to produce a film and cast himself in a minor role—allowing others to take the top credits. When he does so, and produces a boxoffice winner in every sense of the word, it is a pleasant task to report on it. The film, which was tradeshown last week, is "Rocking Horse Winner," produced by John Mills, directed by Anthony Pelissier and starting John Howard Davies and Valerie Hobson with Mills himself playing a small but most important role. The film is based on D. H. Lawrence's classic short story, which tells of a small boy with an extravagant mother. The child hears his mother constantly demanding more money and, presented with a rocking horse foi Chiistmas, he discovers that he can forecast race winners while riding on it. The child himself has no idea of the value of money but, aided by an uncle and by the family groom, he wins a huge sum which is passed on to his mother without her suspecting, or caring, where the money has come from. Eventually the child contracts brain fever and, in his delirium, he mounts the house and rides it madly until he falls from it shouting the name of his last big wanner. Such a story could so easily descend into bathos or over-sentimentality and it Is to the eternal credit of Mills and to Director Pelissier, that they have avoided these pitfalls and have produced a moving and sincere film which will appeal to women audiences all over the world. Young Davies, nine years old, surpasses even his great performance in "Oliver Twist." 50 BOXOFFICE December 24, 1949
Lady Arizona Paramount Set as New Chain NEW YORK—A new corporation, Arizona Paramount Corp.. has replaced Paramount- Nace Theatres. Inc.. as operator of ten theatre.s in Plioenix and Tucson, according to Leonard H. Goldenson, head of Paramount theatres. The n e w company was organized as a result of the resignation of Harry L. Nace and Harry L. Nace jr., who will devote full time to the George M. Aurelius operation of their own exhibition interests. Paramount-Nace was a wholly owned subsidiary. Arizona Paramount Corp. will be a subsidiary of United Paramount Theatres after January 1. The main executive and general administrative offices of Arizona Paramount will be located in the Orpheum Theatre Bldg.. Phoenix. George M. Aurelius, city manager for Paramount in Phoenix since 1946. will supervise Dana Roehrlg Jesse Chinich Theatre in Clovis, Calif., Sold to Barney Gurnette CLOVIS, CALIF.—The Clovis Theatre here the operations of Arizona Paramount. He has been with Paramount since 1938. Jesse Chinich will be head booker and buyer for the new circuit. He has been a Paramount employe for the past four years. Dana Roehrig will continue as city manager for Tucson, where he has been operating since 1946. Maurice J. Pyle. manager of the Palms Theatre, Phoenix since 1947. has been named head of the warehouse department. He will be in charge of all purchasing and maintenance. was sold recently by J. Bradley Fish to Barney Gurnette of Santa Cruz, former district manager for Golden State Theatres for 23 years. Fish established the Clovis in 1943 and retains ownership of the building which he has leased to Gurnette for a long term. Frank Shermer, who has managed the theatre for several years, will retain his post under Barney Gurnette. Tenth Anniversary for Fox LONGMONT, COLO. — The Fox Theatre here, operated by the Fox Intermountain circuit, recently observed its tenth anniversary. Clifl Hays is manager of the house. 'Baftleground' Continues to Pace Los Angeles With Third Week 160 LOS ANGELES — 'Twas the week before Chri-stmas and all along the fti'st run sector—with three notable exceptions— business went into the expected nosedive. Still topping the list was "Battleground." which hammered out an impressive 160 per cent in its third stanza. (Average Is 100) Carlhay Circle—The Heiress (Para). 9lh wt E5 Chinese, Los Angeles, Loyola, Uptown, Wilshire— Prince of Foxes (20th-Fox); The Threat (RKO), 2nd wk 130 Culver, Four Star, Studio City, United Artists, Vogue—A Farewell to Arms (WB); The Hatchet Man (WB), reissues 75 Downtown, Hollywood Paramounts—Red, Hot and Blue (Para): Song oi Surrender (Para), 2nd wk. 65 Egyptian, Loews Stale—Boltlegrcund (MGM), Fine Arts—The Fallen Idol (SRO), 4th wk Four Music Hails—Home of the Brave (UA); Champion (UA), 2nd wk Orpheum—Black Midnight (Mono), plus vaudevill( Pantages, Hillstreet—A Dangerous Profession (RKO); Bodyhold (Col) Warners Hollywood, Downtown, Wiltern—The Hasty Heort (WB) Reissue Bill Registers 140 As San Francisco Leader SAN FRANCISCO—Trade generally was weak, tops in barometer readings going to the Esquire with 140 for a dualing of "Desperadoes" and "Renegades," two reissues. Second honors were divided between "Always Leave Them Laughing" at the Paramount and "Free for All" at the Orpheum, both with 125 per cent. Esquire—The Desperadoes (Col). Renegades (Col). reissues 140 Fox—Tension (MGM); Change of Heart (20th-Fox), reissue . 100 Golden Gate—She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (RKO); My Brother's Keeper (EL). 3rd wk 95 Orpheum—Free for All (U-I), Abandoned (U-I). .125 Paramount—Always Leave Them Laughing (WB). 125 St. Francis—The Heiress (Para), 3rd wk 100 Slate—The House on 92nd Street (20th-Fox); My Gal Sal (20th-Fox), reissues 85 United Artists—lolson Sings Again (Col), 7th v/k,,,U0 United Nations—Everybody Does It (20th-Fox); Master Minds (Mono), 2nd d, t. wk 90 Warlield—That Forsyte Woman (MGM), 2nd wk.. 90 "Adam's Rib' Second Week Paces Seattle at 120 Per Cent SEATTLE—Santa Claus made his influence felt hei-e by taking a solid slap at grosses which tumbled badly. Blue Mouse—Ichabod and Mr. Toad (RKO); Down Memory Lane (EL). 3rd d t wk 65 Coliseum—Abandoned (U-1), Idol of the Crowds (EC) - 100 Fifth Avenue—Adam's Rib (MGM), Prison Warden (Col), 2nd wk 120 Liberty-Tell It to the Judge (Col); Mary Ryan, Detective iCol) 90 Music Box—Oh, You Beautiful Doll (20th-Fox); Chinatown at Midnight (Col), 3rd d. t. wk 75 Music Hall—The Reckless Moment (Col),- And Baby Mokes Three (Col) 65 Orpheum-Always Leave Them Laughing (WB); Master Minds (Mono), 2nd wk 95 Paramount—Bride for Sale (RKO); Deputy Marshal (LP) ^ £0 'Great Lover' Leads Trade At Portland First Runs PORTLAND—A pre-Christmas slump hit all downtown houses. The top. 130 per cent, was carded by "The Great Lover" and "Chinatown at Midnight" day and date at the Paramount and Oriental. In the second spot was a dualing of "Hit the Ice" and "Hold That Ghost" at the Mayfair. All other first runs were off. Broadway—Free fo Mayfair—Hit the Ic All (U-I); Abandoned (U-I).... (U-I); Hold That Ghost (U-I), Box—Bride for Sale (RKOl; The Gal Who . Took the West (U-I), 3rd d. t. v/k 105 Oriental, Paramount The Great Lover (Parq); Chinatown at Midnight (Col) 130 Orpheum—Holiday Inn (Para); Lody Eve (Para). reissues 90 Playhouse— Red, Hot and Blue (Para); Song of Surrender (Para), 2nd d wk I 90 United Artists—The Story oi Molly X (U-I) 85 Yule Shopping Takes Toll At Denver <strong>Boxoffice</strong>s DENVER—Christmas shopping proved to be the winner in a battle with the boxoffice. Only two houses had a percentage better than average. Broadway—That Forsyte m (MGM), 4th wk, Denhom—Holiday Inn ( 2nd wk ; Eve (Para), reissues 105 Denver, V/ebber—The I i Seabiscuit (WB); Post Office Investigator (Ri-; 90 Esquire, Pararr.our,! - Christoph. Columbus (U-I); Joe Palooka in the Coi. irpunch (Mono).. 90 Orpheum—A Dangerous Prof. (RKO); One Woman's Story (U-I) Vogue— Lysistrata (SR) YOUR POPCORN WARMER IS LOSING YOU 507, Can You Afford It? HERB * TURPIE Manley Popcorn Machines and Supplic Los Angeles 7, Calif. WE'VE BEEN PRODUCING Motion Pictures FOR MORE THAN 39 YEARS industrial . . . sales . . . animation . . . public relations . . . training . . . theatre ads. We originated these current Film Ad Campaigns: • Chevrolet m John Deere • International Harvester • Tappan Ranges • General Mills • Motorola • Speed Queen • Niitrena Mills • Phillips "66" • Florsheim Use Business Brevities BOXOFFICE December 24, 1949 51
Page 1 and 2: TOTAL NET PAID CIRCULATION EXCEEDS
Page 3 and 4: It o^^ SSTw To^: She's breaking in
Page 5 and 6: ' We'ere celebrating completion oft
Page 7 and 8: ' ; bookings I I buyer : a 1 1949,
Page 9 and 10: for that run. Such further negotiat
Page 11 and 12: CENTURY WITH m 4 'M & CENTURY- FOX
Page 13 and 14: ON INTO 1950! \\\s^v%3 Mm ^J^-^^-^
Page 15 and 16: THE SNAKE PIT uncn; TO three wrvES
Page 17 and 18: y .X X / ^s^ OvRSPRCf^. }f^ mfôcrm
Page 19: I Para LETTERS FAVORS HENRY REEVE P
Page 22 and 23: fHcti
Page 24 and 25: Second Generation Skourases Greet a
Page 26 and 27: Another coLUMBiil WITH.^ TRULY TREM
Page 28 and 29: . . There n- MPAA to Help Sell 7V
Page 30 and 31: . . Kent . . . Kurd . . Una . . Wil
Page 32 and 33: Kaiser-Frazer Tieup Nets Co-Op Ad H
Page 34 and 35: Here is the answer ... in a strange
Page 36 and 37: SANTA COMES TO TOWN Here is an anim
Page 38 and 39: Multiple Screenings Set Stage for S
Page 40 and 41: . . . Hershel . . Rudy . . William
Page 42 and 43: , WASHINGTON, •^^^^ WASHINGTON, D
Page 44 and 45: " . . Paramount . . Filmrow Leading
Page 46 and 47: Indonesia and Germany Seen As Big M
Page 48 and 49: George I STUDIO PERSONNEUTIES Barns
Page 52 and 53: . . J. . . Rowland . . Irving . . T
Page 54 and 55: . . When Pound Devaluation May Caus
Page 56 and 57: ( Chicago New Chicago Plan For Para
Page 58 and 59: . -NOW! . . Horace ST. LOUIS Tênis
Page 60 and 61: . . Danny . . . "Johnny . . . The .
Page 62 and 63: Robinson Building Is Started On Lit
Page 64 and 65: . . Durwood . . . Lou . . . The . .
Page 66 and 67: . . Everyone . . Thelma . . Joanne
Page 68 and 69: Ohio Showman Harry Elliott Recalls
Page 70 and 71: . . Manager . . Mrs. . . George . .
Page 72 and 73: Margaret . . Mr. . . Monogram . . J
Page 74 and 75: . . . . . Caption . . John LOUISVIL
Page 76 and 77: . . . The . .William . . "The . . E
Page 78 and 79: . . . Paul . . Paul . . Edward . .
Page 80 and 81: GET RfADY FOR 1950s f I RiT BIG eXP
Page 82 and 83: . . Bollman : December OKLAHOMA CIT
Page 84 and 85: . . . Went . . W. HART BEATS p By H
Page 86 and 87: . -NOW! . . Ann . . Chic . . The J
Page 88 and 89: . . . The . . . Miriam . . . Thelma
Page 90 and 91: . . Featured . . The Florida Courl
Page 92 and 93: . . Harry . . With . . The VANCOUVE
Page 94 and 95: . . Jack . . Two Executives Resign
Page 96 and 97: EXHIBI AS HIS SAY ABOUT PICTURES Ju
Page 98 and 99: Exhibitor Hi riisîoy (Continued fr
Page 100 and 101:
I ++ Very GoodV Good; v Fair; — P
Page 102:
I B—June I RIM EAT CHART Feature
Page 105 and 106:
i:| I [ flcott-Sonn; I l:0 RADIO CH
Page 107 and 108:
iJt.J.\JI\l.i3 VÎTlXlXll 20th Cent
Page 109 and 110:
Opinions on Current Productions; Ix
Page 111 and 112:
I 1 52nd I HTES: 10c per word, muii
show all

Boxoffice-December.24.1949

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?