Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1947)

Boston's 'Best Years' Stops at 20 Weeks BOSTON — A week of continuous rain and cold weather dropped grosses generally but at the Boston, Vaughn Monroe’s band proved such a popular draw that it went into the higher brackets. At the Esquire, “The Best Years of Our Lives” closed after playing 20 weeks to 180,000 persons. It could have continued longer except for the neighboring city runs which cut in drastically on the draw. At the Exeter Street, “This Happy Breed” opened to top business and is expected to remain three weeks. (Average is 100) Boston — Temptation (U-I), plus Vaughn Monroe on stage 190 Esquire — The Best Years of Our Lives (RKO), 19th wk 105 Exeter Street — This Happy Breed (U-I) 190 Kenmore — Ivan the Terrible (Art), 3rd and final week 80 Majestic — Bedelia (E-L); Untamed Fury (PRC), 3rd wk 100 Memorial — The Farmer's Daughter (RKO); Banjo (RKO), 2nd wk 140 Metropolitan — Blaze of Noon (Para); That Way With Women (WB) 100 Old South — Carmen (Superfilm) 95 Paramount and Fenway — Stallion Road (WB); The Imperfect Lady (Para) 110 State and Orpheum — The Sea of Grass (MGM); Bulldog Drummond at Bay (Col), 2nd wk 120 ’Grass' and ’13th Hour' Garner Week's Top New Haven Gross NEW HAVEN— Second week of “The Sea of Grass” and “The Thirteenth Hour” at the College did top business. At the Roger Sherman a big week was rung up with the revival of “The Sea Hawk” and “The Sea Wolf.” “Sinbad the Sailor” and “Dick Tracy vs. Cueball” moved over from the Poli to the College for a second week. Bjiou — The Chase (UA); Along the Navjo Trail (Rep) 105 College — The Sea of Grass (MGM); The Thirteenth Hour (Col), 2nd d .t. wk 165 Loew's Poli — Sinbad the Sailor (RKO); Dick Tracy vs. Cueball (RKO) 103 Paramount — Song of Scheherazade (U-I); Swell Guy (U-I) 106 Roger Sherman' — The Sea Hawk (WB); The Sea Wolf (WB), reissues 120 ’Guilt of Janet Ames' Reaches 175 in First Hartford Week HARTFORD — Only downtown holdover here was RKO’s “It's a Wonderful Life” in a second week at Loew’s Poli-Palace. Openings included “Duel in the Sun” and “Guilt of Janet Ames.” Allyn — Abie's Irish Rose (UA); Apache Rose (Rep) 110 E, M. Loew's — Guilt of Janet Ames (Col); Blind Spot (Col) 175 Loew's Poli — Duel in the Sun (SRO) 225 Palace — It's a Wonderful Life (RKO); Jewels of Brandenburg (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 150 Regal — Sinbad the Sailor (RKO) 160 Strand — The Sea Wolf (WB); The Sea Hawk (WB), reissues 150 Famous Players Earnings Run Ahead of Last Year From Cancfdian Edition MONTREAL — Earnings of Famous Players Canadian Corp. for 1947 to date have been running somewhat higher than for the same period last year, President J. J. Fitzgibbons reported at the company’s annual meeting. The company’s stock has been increasingly active and rose on news of a dividend of 20 cents a share plus an extra of five cents. This, the second payment at this increased rate, suggests a permanent $1 a share basis. At current market levels of around 19% a share, the yield is approximately 5.12 per cent. Gross revenue for 1947 should equal that of 1946 in view of the great number of already produced but unreleased high budget motion picture attractions available, Fitzgibbons said. Cleveland Variety Helps Boys Camp From Mideast Edition CLEVELAND — Harry Schreiber made his first public appearance as chief barker of the Variety Club at a luncheon recently in the Carter hotel with more than 100 members and their friends present to launch the club’s new major heart projected; namely, the support of the Paradise Valley Boys club, operated by the police department for delinquent boys. Harold Russell, Academy award winner in “The Best Years of Our Lives,” which now is in its fifth week at the Lower Mall and University theatres, was the guest of honor. Speaking in support of boys camps, Russell, a former camp counselor, said that “the future of America lies with our young folk, and I believe with Father Flanagan of Boys Town that there are no bad boys.” Russell, thrilled over a description of the good the camp has accomplished during the eight years since it was established by the police department, said he wished this project could be carried out all over the U.S. The camp, it was explained by Capt. Arthur Roth, head of the police crime prevention bureau, and police Capt. Ed Flanigan is operated entirely by voluntary service of members of the police department, including the cooking. “Every cent of contribution,” Roth said “goes directly into camp improvements.” Variety Club plans to provide the camp with running water, quonset huts, sports fields and equipment and whatever is required. The Paradise Valley Boys camp is open all summer, and in winter on weekends. As the first financial installment, Harry Schreiber presented a check for $500 to Roth, with further contributions to be made as needed. TOP HITS of the Week Priceless previews of boxoffice latest first-run films. < These percentage reports on actual showings in 21 leading cities are invaluable to every exhibitor. ► Covering 41 pictures Every week , in BOXOFFICE results on Ooxi Barometer First Run Reports 114 BOXOFFICE :: May 17, 1947