Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1948)

►^>2 -<>o — aO»»--S — >o (Advertisement) ‘Citizen Saint’ Inspiring And Eloquent Film By FRANK QUINN "Citizen Saint" adds another halo to that of Mother Cabrini as it documents the biography of America's first saint, now at the Bijou. The Clyde Elliott production, made almost completely here at the RKO Pathe studios, keeps even ' the situations of her miracles sincere, simple and calm. A slory of this type could easily have ^ gotten out of hand, but is presented in [ semi documentary style which permits j facts to speak for themselves. Harold Young directed with an aim of under playing which the cast effects with graceful ease. j 2 8 1 9 4 8 The life and miracles of Frances Cabrini is an engrossing and eloquent drama. Based on the biography of Theodore Maynard, "Too Small a World," it narrates the highlights of her life from a child in rural Italy through her saintly works — from the age of 24 to 67 — to final canonization service by Pope Pius Xn in 1946. Carla Dare plays the simple, gentle nun who established clinics, orphanages, schools, hospitals in the United States, Central and South America. Carla is relatively unknown as a screen actress, but gives an excellent portrayal as the warm, kindly woman who managed to convey a spirit of hope and faith to the ill and oppressed. A few of the miracles detailed are: a condemned man saved from the electric chair by her intervention, an accidentally blinded infant has its sight restored, and the recovery from a long, incurable illness of Mother Cabrini's lifelong companion. Also on the program is the featurette, "The Roman Singers of Vatican City," which combines the four choirs which recently toured here. Twenty-four and 30 men, under Msgr. Licinio Refice's direction, sing sacred music, including "Ave Maria" and "Sanctus," which was sung at the Mass of Canonization for Mother Cabrini in 1946. "Citizen Saint" and the choral sing ing will offer absorbing entertainment and inspiration to a wide audience of all denominations as well as Catholics. Now Playing Fourth Week at the New York Bijou! CLYDE ELLIOTT ATTRACTIONS 750 North Dearborn St. * Chicago 10, III. CHICAGO ■phe Zale-Graziano fight pictures, which had a first run in the Loop at the RKO Palace and the Telenews, are now being shown at outlying houses. Henri Elman also sent prints out to the naval training station, the naval hospital at Great Lakes, and the airstation at Glenview . . . The trade extended greetings to George Tooper (Haymarket operator) and his wife on their 15th wedding anniversary. Also Mr. and Mrs. Vic Bernstein (Monogram booker) on their 14th anniversary and Lou Abramson. Allied secretary, and wife are celebrating 18 years of marriage. The fifth annual Variety Club golf tournament and all-day outing will be held July 16 at Westward Ho Golf club . . . Lee Behrens, former top man on the B&K Uptown service staff, was in training for assistant managership . . . Richard Hoffman, a former vaudeville booker, joined the Roosevelt staff . . . Robert Baker was back after many years as assistant at the Maryland. Harold Lang, has moved from the Crystal to the Biltmore, and John Bingemer pinchhit at the Drake during Manager McGinnis’ brief return to the army . . . The LaGrange has been remodeling since last November. When completed it will be as neat a suburban theatre as there is anywhere . . . Lee James Rhuby jr., has been appointed assistant manager of the Four-Star Theatre of the Essaness circuit . . . Eddie Maloney was back at his post as chief of service at the Lake, Oak Park, after a leave. Joe Heller, formerly with RCA. is back on the Row handling theatre drapes, carpets and equipment . . . Warner Manager Jack Shumow's son Duke Bennett graduated with high honors from Nebraska U. Harry Blumenthal, Ad-Art Sign Co., and Sylvan Goldfinger, Telenews chief, copped cash prizes at the recent bingo shindig staged by Variety Club. Over 150 members and guests enjoyed the floor show emceed by Charlie Cottle. Jack Kirsch, assisted by Fred Mindlin, did a great job calling out the numbers, and Henri Elman, Harry Mandel and yours truly were on the job selling cards. “My Father’s House,’’ first film drama to be imported to this country from Israel, entered its fifth week at the World Playhouse. Filmed entirely in Palestine by Meyer Levin, Chicago newspaperman and novelist, the picture has an all-English speaking cast . . . Peggy Lee and husband arrive in town four days ahead of their Chicago Theatre engagement July 2 to permit Peggy to participate in downtown State street’s women’s day rally, one of the highlights of the prearrival campaign for the Freedom train. Twentieth Century-Fox star Charles Coburn really went overboard for trotting horses since making "Green Grass of Wyoming.” He has bought his own trotters, and one of them, Lilolkid, is now racing at Maywood park. Coburn's horse is entered in the special "Green Grass of Wyoming” trot scheduled for June 30, a stunt cooked up for the picture by the Eddie Solomon, 20th-Fox, and Seguin. Producer Herb Meadows is seeking aid from Chicago's huge Polish population. He needs material on Polish superstitions and Polish dialects for his forthcoming picture, “Hero’s Oaks” . . . Clyde Elliott reports his “Citizen Saint” is playing a fourth week at New York's Bijou . . . Jack Cummings, MGM producer, was in town to look over Comiskey park, home of the White Sox, where part of the film “Monty Stratton” will be filmed. It’s the story of the former Sox pitching star whose career was cut short by a hunting accident which necessitated amputating a leg. Chicago Drive-In Costs $300,000 CHICAGO— A $300,000 drive-in theatre recently opened at Joliet and LaGrande roads in southwest Chicago. The new ozoner occupies more than 30 acres and accomodates 1,000 cars. KEEP YOUR HOUSE 15 DEGREES COOLER IN SUMMER Insulate with success, save up to 40% on fuel, 30% of the cost of electricity for Cooling system. Arthur Benjamin Brenton, manager of BRENTON CO., INSULATION-ROOFING 6525 S. Harvard Ave., Chicago 21, 111. Natural water repellant, fireproof material For free estimate, phone: WENtworth 4277 FOR -THEATRE DRAPES ** TRACK ** MOTOR CONTROLS ** HOLDOUT ROPE Call or Write JOSEPH HELLER 1241 So. Wabash Ave. Phone WABash 2047 CHICAGO 5, ILL 68 BOXOFFICE : : June 26, 1948