Boxoffice-12.1953

6
November Blue Ribbon Award
To Warner Bros.
'So Big'
By DOROTHY P. MARTIN
The screen version of Edna Ferber's great Pulitzer Prize novel, "So I
Big," starring
Jane Wyman, Sterling Hayden and Nancy Olson, has won the BOXOFPICE Blue Ribbon
Award for November. Producer Henry Blanke and Director Robert Wise have come up with
a picture voted ideal family entertainment by members of the National Screen CouncU.
This is the 33rd picture to win for Warner Bros, in the history of the Award.
Jane Wyman's tremendous personal fol
lowing among devotees of the dramatic, de
veloped through performances in "The Year
ling," "Johnny Belinda" and "The Blue Veil,'
should guarantee strong boxoffice results
all along the line down through subsequent
runs. The film has the solid backing of the
ever popular story, strong production values
and excellent supporting roles carefully
developed by Robert Wise's direction. Time
and again exhibitors insist that the most
important single requirement for success of
a motion picture is a well-written, down-toearth
story about real people and in "So Big"
Edna Ferber has hit the mark squarely.
Members of the press who serve on the
National Screen Council have commented
favorably on the November award winner.
Lillian Blackstone of the St. Petersburg
(Fla.) Times writes, "Any picture with Jane
Wyman is a winner. This American classic
fulfills every qualification of a good picture."
John H. Booker of the Tulsa Tribune
says, "Jane Wyman took a big story and
made it bigger and better." Kaspar Monahan
of the Pittsburgh Pi-ess contributes,
"Regardless of artistic merits and all other
considerations, this film best dovetails with
the dictum of best entertainment for the
whole family." Jeanne Pranke of the Fort
Wayne Journal Gazette says it with one
word, "Heartwarming!" J. Willis Sayre.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, penciled on his
ballot, "Exceptional acting throughout."
Jeannette Mazurki, Glendale (Calif.) News
Press says frankly, "A real tear jerker for
the entire family."
First runs in key cities as reported in
BOXOFFICE have been good. Exploitation
has been leaning heavily on Miss Wyman's
Localities all over the United States were
performance, the great and lasting popularity
represented in the opinions expressed, as
of the original novel and the fine support of
with the following. "One of the best ever
Hayden, Olson and the newcomer. Steve
brought to the screen. This looks like an
Forrest. "So Big," reviewed in BOXOFFICE,
award picture for Miss Wyman. A woman
October 10th issue, is rated as a "sure
who has courage in the face of adversity.
seater." Showmen reporting to the pages of
Laughter and tears. Splendid for all." Mrs.
Exhibitor Has His Say have developed a
Ferd Lucas, Indiana Indorsers of Photoplays.
term for such films. They call it "The Formula."
It would appear that Warner Bros,
"An honest, charming, deeply sentimental
picture. Jane Wyman expertly cast. It's
has discovered, along with these observant
theatremen, the way to deliver such product
just 'so big,' " Leonard Santwire. Minneapolis
and members of the National Screen Council
have added their approbation.
something of interest and
is
entertainment
Film Critic. "In 'So Big' there
for all," Mrs. Samuel B. Cuthbert, Atlantic
City General Federated Women's Clubs.
"Definitely a family picture. Miss Wyman's
performance will be an inspiration to many
people," Mrs. Claude Franklin. National
Council of Women.
The Cast
Selina DeJong
Jane Wyman
Pervus DeJong
Sterling Hayden
Dallas O'Mara
Nancy Olson
Dirk DeJong
Steve Forrest
Julie Hempel Elisabeth Fraser
Paula Hempel
Martha Hyer
Roelf Pool
Walter Coy
'
'
Roelf Pool (Age 12-1
Beymer
'....Richard
Dirk DeJong (Age 8) Tommy Rettig
Klaas Pool
Roland Winters
August Hempel Jacques Aubuchon
Maartje Pool
Ruth Swanson
Widow Paarlenberg Dorothy Christy
Adam Cams Oliver Blake
Miss Fister
Lily Kemble Cooper
Production Staff
Producer
Henry Blanke