Box office digest (Jan-Dec 1945)

8 BOX OFFICE DIGEST F.l.a.s.h.e.s . KEEPING UP WITH THE STUDIOS 20th-Fox ☆ * * * ★ ★ ★ Harry Brand really staged a pre-war premiere for “Winged Victory” despite the many handicaps of war conditions. A host of top Army brass hats present, a thousand grandstand seats swamped, regular premiere lights augmented by anti-aircraft searchlights, a concert in the forecourt of the Chinese Theater by the Sixth Ferrying Command, and about every Hollywood personality who could beg, borrow, or steal a ducat. ★ ★ ★ George Jessel, lining up for his “Dolly Sisters” production, has found the kid players who will portray Betty Grable and June Haver as youngsters. The lucky tykes are unknowns Evon Thomas and Donna Jo Gribble. ★ ★ ★ Darryl Zanuck has lifted the option on Phil Silvers, with his next comedy assignment being in “Two-Faced Quilligan.” ★ ★ ★ The studio has received word that Alma Kaye, 19-year old making her stage debut in New York last week, has already been given a 20th Century tag for screen work. ★ ★ ★ John Stahl has made screen tests of an author — it is Kathleen Winsor, who wrote “Forever Amber” which the veteran will direct for 20th. ★ ★ ★ Maureen O’Hara and Dick Haymes will carry the top assignments in “Kitten On the Keys,” which will also feature Harry James and his band. George Jessel will produce. ★ ★ ★ The new year saw three pictures starting, two of them set for Technicolor. The trio are : ★ ★ ★ “State Fair,” a William Perlberg production directed by Walter Lang, with Jeanne Crain, Vivian Blaine, Dana Andrews, and Dick Haymes, plus the aura of Technicolior. ★ ★ ★ “The Dolly Sisters,” with Irving Cummings directing, and as already mentioned, a George Jessel production with Betty Grable and June Haver in the title roles. John Payne handles the top male assignment. ★ ★ ★ “Caribbean Mystery,” a William Girard unit which gives Robert Webb his first directorial assignment after a half score years as Henry King’s assistant. James Dunne and Jackie Paley will handle the top roles. International * * * ★ ★ ★ From Chicago the studio receives word that “Woman In the Window,” Fritz Lang’s production for International, has been selected as the best murder mystery picture of 1944 by “Police Files,” an important semi-official publication of law enforcement officers. ★ ★ ★ Bill Goetz bought an entire ice rink to prepare for Sonja Henie’s “Countess of Monte Cristo.” The equipment was located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and was the property of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Price was $125,000 and transportation and installation at the Sam Goldwyn studios are expected to have it in operation by early February, in time for Sonja to begin rehearsals. ★ ★ ★ Walter Thompson, executive assistant to chieftain Goetz, has been named associate producer on the Henie opus. Incidentally, the picture will be in Technicolor. ★ ★ ★ Leo Spitz took needed time out for a week’s vacation at Phoenix, and is now back on the job for huddles on distribution matters concerning “Along Came Jones,” “Tomorrow Is Forever,” and “Countess of Monte Cristo.” ★ ★ ★ Arthur Lange has been conducting an orchestra of 60 pieces in scoring sessions for Sonja Henie’s “It’s A Pleasure.” Theme song is a number by Walter Donaldson and John Leslie, “Romance.” ★ ★ ★ Reports are hot on the premiere showings of William Seiter’s “Belle of the Yukon” at the Brandeis in Omaha and the Golden Gate in San Francisco. RKO -Radio ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ if Gene Krupa is at the studio for conferences regarding “George White’s Scandals” in which he and his band will be featured. ★ ★ ★ Word has been received at the studio that David Hempstead’s “None But the Lonely Heart,1” starring Cary Grant, is getting holdovers in such key spots as Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Oakland, Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh, Bridgeport, New Haven — and returns still coming in. ★ ★ ★ Director Lewis Allen is on the lot preparing for “Those Endearing Young Charms” which will co-star Laraine Day and Robert Young. Bert Granet will supervise “Charms” under Sid Rogell supervision. Allen has just completed “The Unseen” for Paramount. ★ ★ ★ Barret McCormick, advertising and publicity chieftain for RKO-Radio, is in town for conferences with Charles Koerner and Perry Lieber. An important promotional campaign is being planned for “Murder, My Sweet,” highlighted by a number of key citv personal appearances by Dick Powell. Republic * * * ★ ★ ★ Republic is going all out — Allen Wilson, vice-president after confernces with Herbert Yates announcing that the studio’s minimum budget for 1945 production calls for a $20,000,000 outlay, largest in the company’s ten-year history. ★ ★ ★ An additional $2,000,000 has been set aside for new' building construction as soon as materials are available. ★ ★ ★ Republic pictures in the cutting room currently include Earl Carroll’s “Vanities,” “Utah,” and “Hitchhike to Happiness.” ★ ★ ★ “Tugboat Annie’s Son” also goes on that list soon, producer James S. Burkett having wound up shooting just before the New Year. ★ ★ ★ Armand Schaefer got the good news of a $100,000 face-lifting for “New Faces,” after the producer turned in his script to the front office. Jimmie Lydon is returning to Republic for one picture, carrying out a commitment made some two years ago. ★ ★ ★ Director Frank McDonald is under way on “Bells of Rosarita,” the Roy Rogers special which will have almost every famous film cowboy working as a guest star. P-R-C ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ Martin Mooney has been upped to the position of production supervisor, with ten pictures to guide, in addition to his own ( Continued on Page 13)