Boxoffice barometer (1944)

p / AST, PRESENT and future. All these are rolled into one in the pages that follow and which are bound together to comprise this volume. The past season of 1943-44 has among its picture releases many which are yet to be played in hundreds, if not thousands, of theatres. The report on these, in all detail from title, cast and other pertinent booking data through the tabulations on boxoffice results of these pictures, does indeed serve a practical purpose. The present deals with those productions in current release for the new season already under way. The future is blueprinted with production data on forthcoming releases, a greater number of which are in finished stages than at any comparable similar time in industry history. BAROMETER was not issued in February to cover the calendar year of 1943 in order to effect its combination with BOXOFFICE RECORDS, permitting coverage of pictures and picture personalities for the seasonal year. The record of 1943-44 is placed before our readers for its informational value and guidance for the ensuing season. The record tells us what has been the trend in production; the types of stories that were best received by the public; what stars are the most popular; what pictures have received special recognition for their outstanding merit. For the physical side of the theatre, a realistic approach has been evidenced. Wartime limitations have had their effect on materials and supplies. Some of these restrictions continue; others are being lifted. How these have affected theatre operations for me year past and their meaning to the future is graphically told in the Modern Theatre Section herein. And speaking of blueJirinting the future, that is done literally in the planning department of these pages. Thus this eighth annual edition of BAROMETER is dedicated to a helpful and practical service for the everyday needs of the exhibitor in particular — and to all branches of the motion picture industry in general. C^ontentd Motion. PictunB Section The All-American Favorites of 1944.. ..10a The Western Favorites 11 Grosses — Ratings at the Boxoffice.... 12 The Industry’s Postwar Opportunity.. 23 Producers of the 1943-44 Hit Films.... 36 Directors of the Season’s Big Hits 40 The Trend of Production for 1944-45.. 43 Television and Changes It May Bring.... 47 Shorts Take Long Stride in 1944 48 Blue Ribbon Winners of 1943-44 51 , Roster of the National Screen Council 68 | Looking Ahead at Coming Features 72 Feature Index of 1943-44 Releases 141 Shorts Index of 1943-44 Releases 177 Index to Advertisers 194 MocLe>ut *JUeat'ic Section, I So Now for a Morality Build-Up 8 Plan Perspectives of ’44 and Predictions for ’45 10 Preliminary Steps to Postwar Theatre Planning 10 Pictorial Review of Our 'Theatres OF Tomorrow 12 A Multiple Purpose Project in Architectural Stage 27 Triple Function Is Foreseen in Theatre Lighting 30 Current Traits and Trends in Theatre Decoration 32 Floor Coverings: The Carpet Supply Situation 34 Exploiting the Advantages of Temperature Control 36 Outlook on Projection and Sound Reproduction 40 No Startling Changes Foreseen for Theatre Seating 44 Wartime Maintenance Has Encouraged Good Housekeeping 46 The Key to Better Buying 49 ^ Theater Equipment and Supply Dealers 65 ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS BAROMETER is published annually by Associated Publications at 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. Ben Shlyen, Publisher and Editor; E. S. Nelson and Velma West Sykes, Associate Editors; Raymond Levy, General Manager; Ivon Spear, Hollywood Editor; J. Harry Toler, Modern Theatre Editor. Eastern Oflice: 9 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, N. Y. Western Office: 6404 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, Calif. Central Office: 332 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 111. Other Associated Publications: BOXOFFICE, the National Film Weekly; THE PICTURE GUIDE, Published Annually; THE MODERN THEATRE, Published Monthly as a Section of BOXOFFICE. BOXOFFICE BAROMETER