Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Mar 1954)

OMSJi3 Ji3 leM THE NEXT FIFTEEN COMBINED CIRCUIT INDEPENDENT Doris Day Gregory Peck Esther Williams Esther Williams Burt Lancaster Doris Day Kilbride and Main Doris Day Kilbride & Main Gregory Peck Clark Gable Abbott & Costello Ava Gardner Esther Williams Gregory Peck Clark Gable Randolph Scott Ava Gardner Burt Lancaster Jeff Chandler Clark Cable Jeff Chandler Stewart Granger Jeff Chandler Jane Wyman Kilbride & Main Jane Wyman Abbott & Costello Jane Wyman Burt Lancaster Stewart Granger Montgomery Clift Jane Russell Jane Russell Humphrey Bogart June Allyson Charlton Heston Charlton Heston Stewart Granger Humphrey Bogart Jane Russell Charlton Heston Rita Hayworth Rita Hayworth Humphrey Bogart HcUiSMSMSJSMSISMSISJSMSf ( Continued from page 13) American theatre owners. She had been seen in the much-discussed "Niagara," the sensationally successful "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and, less widely as to number of theatres, but more productively within that limitation, the CinemaScoped "How to Marry a Millionaire," during the 1953 twelve-month. Plenty of reason, to mention these alone, why she should succeed, as topmost feminine personality in the 1953 Top Ten standings, to the leadership of her -| gender previously held, and longer than by any other, by Betty Grable. James Stewart's third appearance in Top Ten rating accrues from performances in "Thunder Bay," "Naked Spur," "Carbine Williams" and "Bend of the River," a quartette of remarkably consistent portrayals which are to be topped head and shoulders (bank on it) by his work in the forthcoming "Glenn Miller Story." With the already completed "Far Country" and the in-production "Rear Window" to follow that .one in 1954, the Stewart standing figures tH| spar by next poll time. Bob Hope, who was Number One in 1949, is present in 1953 for the 13th time in Top Ten? territory. His films in general distribution during the poll period were "RoacL +o j Bal i," which he shared with his favorite co-star and sparring partner, and "OfM-irnits," with Mickey Rooney. Susan Hayward’, who made her first Top Ten appearance a year ago, taking ninth place in the poll, repeats that accomplishment this year. Her pictures in circulation, during 1953 were "White Witch Doctor," "The President's Lady," "The Lusty Men" and "Snows of Kilimanjaro." Randolph Scott, scoring his fourth consecutive placement among the Top Ten, earned it by grosses-building performances in "The Stranger Wore a Gun," "Hangman's Knot," "Man in the Saddle" and "Thunder ’Over the Plains." Room dt the top for the ascending Ladd and Monroe careers was made by Doris Day and Gregory Peck, who dropped to I Ith and 14th respectively, in the American poll, although still doing very well, thank you, in the neighborly dominion to the North. The Canadian exhibitors' experience in the matter of box office values is never quite the same as their American brothers . This year they list their leaders in this ACE OF WESTERNS ROY ROGERS, Western Winner order: John Wayne, Bing Crosby, Gary Cooper, Martin & Lewis, Alan Ladd, Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe, Gregory Peck, Doris Day, Burt Lancaster. And the Canadians omit these American Top Ten-ners of 1953: Susan Hayward, Randolph Scott, James Stewart. Thus democracy. And thus the Western situation: Back in 1936 the then four-year-old Money-Making Stars poll was broken down, in recognition of conspicuous circumstances of product and attendance, into the two divisions which have been maintained since then — the general and the Western — with Buck Jones riding off with the first Top Ten Western Star championship. For all those pleasant intervening years the "went that-a-way" heroes rode the screen in keen but contented competition for supremacy in a field of activity where flourished a plenty for all. In the recent past, however, and that includes the year just completed, the Western has come to have a somewhat less conspicuous place in the theatre program. That does not mean, though, that the Western was not still a staple of screen diet in many a section of the nation. The winners this time, who enjoy a certain quality of the hardy perennial, look like this: Roy Rogers, first place for I Ith time; Gene Autry, second place for sixth time (he had racked up six firsts before leaving the plains for the Air Force); Rex Allen, a close third, Bill Elliott fourth and Allen Rocky Lane fifth. CHAMPION SHORTS For the ninth consecutive year, the indefatigable Bugs Bunny is the leader in the realm of short subjects. In fact, Warner Brothers' rambunctious rabbit received more votes in this category than did the Top Money-Making Star, Gary Cooper. The 10 winners are as follows: i Bugs Bunny, Warners MGM Cartoons, MGM Walt Disney Cartoons, RKO Pete Smith Specialties, MGM Popeye, Paramount Stooge Comedies, Columbia Mr. Magoo, Columbia Merrie Melodies & Looney Tunes, Warners Joe McDoakes, Warner True Life Adventures, Disney-RKO The MGM Cartoons, guided by Fred Quimby, have won the Academy Award for the best cartoon for two years running. This past year it was for "Johann Mouse" and the year before for "The Two Mouseketeers." The Walt Disney Cartoons have been at the top ever since the poll's inception in 1939 and they've never placed lower than their current third. Pete Smith and his Specialties are also veterans of 1939 and have never finished below fourth. Popeye has moved up one notch to fifth. rangirsng[flligiign?igMgiMi?]E!lii!Meileligjc^^ 16 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JANUARY 2, 1954