Boxoffice-August.19.1950

—
'Sunset Boulevard' Sets Non-Holiday
Record as Broadway Business Rises
NEW YORK—"Sunset Boulevard." which
received rave reviews, gave the Radio City
Music Hall a record non-holiday gross during
its first week which saw long waiting
lines outside the huge theatre, even during
the day.
"Three Little Words" also had a big opening
week at Loews State but the week's
third newcomer. "Abbott and Costello in the
Foreign Legion." was Just average at the
Criterion.
At least four of the holdovers also did
exceptionally well, indicating an upturn in
the previously mild summer business. The
biggest were "My Friend Irma Goes West,"
aided by Louis Pi-ima and his orchestra on
the stage, in its second and final week at
the Paramount, and "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye."
in its second week at the Strand, where
it is continuing. The others were "Our Very
Own." m its thu-d week at the Victoria, and
"Panic in the Streets." in its second week
at the Roxy. "A Lady Without Passport"
had a mild second week at the Capitol.
Six important films opened during the
week, including two 20th Century-Fox pictures.
"No Way Out" and "Stella." and
"Treasure Island." "The Petty Girl" and "The
Furies."
(Averag.3 Is 100)
Astor—Edge ol Doom (RKO), 2nd wk 110
Bijon~The Red Shoes lEL), 95th wk, ol two-a-day 85
Capitol—A Lady Without Passport (MGM). plus
stage shew, 2jid wk 90
Critsnon — Abbott and Costello in »he Foreign
Legion lU-1) - 100
Globe—Mutiny on the Bounty (MGM), A Day at
the Races (.MGM), reissues, 6th wk 100
Loew's Sta'c—Three Uttle Words (MGM) 135
Maylan—Destination Moon (EL), 7th wk 90
Palace—The Story of G.I. Joe (EL), reissue, plus
vaudeville - ...100
Paramount—My Friend Irma Goes West (Para),
plus stage show. 2n5 wk 115
Paris—City Lights (UA), Uth wk. oi moveover
alter 8 wks en Bway 80
Park Avenue—All Quiet on the Western Front
(U-I), reissue, 3rd wk ICO
Radio Ci'.y Music Hall—Sunset Boulevard (Para),
plus stage show 200
Rivoh—The Underv/orld Story (UA), 3rd wk 70
Roxy—Panic in the Streets (20th-Fox). plus stage
show, ?nd A-k 105
Strand—Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (WB), plus stage
show, 2nd
.-. •: ,-,- 115
Button—The Winslow Boy (EL), 10th wk 95
Trans-Lux Madison Avenue — Kind Hearts and
Coronets (EL). 9lh wk 97
Victoria—Our Very Own (RKO), 3rd wk 112
'Convicted' Grosses 175 Per Cent
At Philadelphia Opening
PHILADELPHIA — Boxoffice returns in
first run situations showed signs of awakening
after a long slumber. Several features
hit high marks. "Convicted" at the Stanton
^'M
drive-ins:
INFORMATION-WRITE-WIRE- PHONE
ITim P CTURE SERUICE Ci
125 HYDE ST. SAN FRANCISCO (2). CALIF.
Gerald L. Karski ... President
chalked up 175. "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye"
at the Mastbaum had a lively 140.
Boyd—Our Very Own (RKO), 2nd wk 75
Earle— In a Lonely Place (Col), 2nd wk 50
Pox-Stella (20!hFox) 80
Goldman—The Furies (Para), 2nd wk 70
Karlion—Annie Gel Your Gun (MGM). 2nd run,
2nd wk. 85
Mastbaum—Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (WB) 140
Haudolph- Duchess oi Idaho (MGM). 3rd wk 95
Stanley-711 Ocean Drive (Col) 135
Stanton—Convicted (Col) 175
"Boulevarcl' and 'Own'
Lead at Buffalo
BUFFALO—"Sunset Boulevard." opening at
the Center, and "Our Very Own." at the reopened
Century, were both boxoffice magnets
last week. Both opened slow, but picked up
and finished with a very satisfactory .seven
days,
Bufialo—Three Uttle Words (MGM), 2nd wk 85
Center—Sunset Boulevard (Para) 110
Century—Our Very Own (RKO) 110
Cinerna— .'i Hoyal Aitoir (Discma) 85
Lafayette—In a Lonely Place (Ccl) Cb
Paramount- Prelty Baby (WB) 90
Teck—Submarine Patrol (20th-Fox) 80
Film Company Dividends
Drop Below Last Year
WASHINGTON — Dividend payments by
film companies for the first seven months
of 1950 are about $2,864,000 below the corresponding
portion of 1949. according to Commerce
department figures released this week.
The department admits, however, that there
may have been payments which have not
been reported to it—including sizable payments
by RKO and the Stanley Circuit.
Stanley reported payments of $905,000 by this
time last year—but nothing this year. RKO
had paid $1,755,000 by this time last year—
but nothing this year.
The 1949 total was $22,684,000 for the first
seven months — compared with $19,820,000
this year.
Payments by the two new Paramount companies
are $368,000 lower this year than what
the single Paramount company had paid at
this time last year, but Republic has already
paid $500,000. compared with only $100,000 by
this time last year.
Linda Darnell Is Cashier
At 'No Way Out' Opening
NEW YORK—The New York tradepress
representatives attended a "Hunt Breakfast"
at the Rivoli Theatre Wednesday (16) and
watched Linda Darnell, star of "No Way
Out." sell tickets for the opening, beginning
at 8 a, m.
Several hardy souls were reported to be in
line outside the boxoffice as early as 4 a. m.
and a standing room only sign was placed
outside the theatre shortly after 8:30. The
picture topped all opening day receipts at
the Rivoli for the past year, according to
Montague Salmon, manager.
* * •
The Negro Actors Guild of America presented
an award to Darryl F. Zanuck. 20th
Century-Fox production head, at a luncheon
in the Theresa hotel Monday (14). Linda
Darnell accepted the award for Zanuck from
Noble Sissle. president of the guild.
Newsreel Bookings
Up on Korean War
NEW YORK—Widespread interest in the
Korean crisis has resulted in renewals of
previously canceled contracts with newsreel
companies, a survey showed during the
week. None of the companies would venture
a percentage estimate of the increa.se in their
business at this time, but they .said it, if
continued, could become impressive.
One newsreel executive complained that it
took hostilities or other events of international
and national importance to lead exhibitors
to give newsreels the time they are
entitled to on a program, and to push them
through proper exploitation.
The Calhoun Studios, which handles lobby
displays of newsreel stills for many theatres
—feature houses as well as newsreel houses
also reported a marked increase in demand.
All newsreel companies agreed that coverage
of events in Korea has been excellent.
Gene Zenier. formerly with Warner Pathe
News, is at the front representing the pool,
and a Korean and a Japanese cameramen
are working for the pool. Gordon Yoder. who
has represented Paramount News at Dallas
for eight years, is en route to join the unit.
The companies also get early priority of
U.S. Defense department prints.
One official
said they arrive here only tw-o days after
General MacArthur's communiques and cover
all phases of the situation, both front line
and service of supply.
During World War II there were occasions
when a relative in a theatre recognized
"Johnny" in a newsreel.
Free Foreign Hcandling
For Short on Korea
NEW YORK—American distributors have
agreed to handle foreign distribution of a
one-reel short on the Korean crisis produced
by Jack Connelly, former newsreel man, for
the U.S. State department. It gives the
United Nations side of the controversy. Companies
will agree on the territories in which
each will handle it. and this will be done on
a gratis basis.
Representatives of the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations as well as the Motion
Picture Ass'n and company foreign managers
recently saw the fUm. Distribution will be
the first evidence of industry cooperation
with the government on the emergency since
Ned E. Depinet. COMPO president, offered
to President Truman the services of the
organization.
The short provides an historical background
to the Korean crisis and presents UN sessions
on it.
Zanuck Gives Truman Date
Of 'Korea' Film Release
WASHINGTON—Darryl F. Zanuck. production
head of 20th Century-Fox. told President
Truman Monday (14i that his company
will release its documentary. "Why Korea?"
in about three weeks. It is a compilation of
newsreel shots.
Zanuck also said the industry as a whole
will make informational films running from
15 to 20 minutes. The Defense department
is considering whether these should be used
as media for troop indoctrination as well as
for public information.
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BOXOFFICE
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August 19. 1950