Box office digest (Dec 1938-Dec 1939)

NATIONAL BOX OFFICE DIGEST Volume 7. No. 20 HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, DECEMBER 20, 1938 YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION $10 "THANKS FOR EVERYTHING" TOPS AS XMAS SLUMP HITS BOX OFFICE { * Of Eight New Releases in the Past Week, One Rated Over * 100%; While the Other Seven Were Very Weak By NORMAN WEBB NOTE: The usual pre-Xmas slump has hit the theaters very heavily during the' past week. Previous to the slump, theater grosses were already off from 1 5 to 20% below this same time last year. The majority of first-run houses that have a big “A” attraction are forcing the picture into secoi)d and third weeks, as there are few new releases of any importance this week, and until after the Christmas shopping spree is over, at which time several big, very important productions are due to be released. With one exception, all the pictures released this past week have been “B” product. Fox — 2 New Releases 20th Century-Fox has two new releases this week, one a new outstanding Darryl Zanuck musical hit, while the second is another programmer from the Sol Wurtzel unit. • "THANKS FOR EVERYTHING” is the latest musical comedy production to come from the Fox lot, and with a well balanced cast of featured players, plus a good theme, it is bound to do fairly good business. However, on its initial bookings in the Eastern cities, it is only averaging around 104%, due to the fact that if was released in the midst of the annual pre-Xmas slump, and we are of the opinion that the picture will .pick up considerably on -its future bookings. "THANKS FOR EVERYTHING” is based on the "Mr. Average Man” theme, and was originally written for Eddie Cantor, who, not liking the part, stepped out of the picture and was supplanted by Jack Haley. Undoubtedly this will re act very satisfactory for the exhibitor, as Eddie Cantor’s last /two pictures didn’t do so well. Furthermore, the opinion of many critics was that Jack Haley handled the role very capably, many stating that he filled the role much better than Eddie Cantor could have. Co-starred with Mr. Haley is a very outstanding cast of featured players, including Adolphe Menjou, Jack Oakie, Arleen Whelan, Tony Martin, and Binnie Barnes, The musical comedy hit was supervised by Harry Joe Brown, with the very reliable Bill Seiter back of the megaphone. Fox’s foremost tunesters, Gordon and Revel, wrote the music and lyrics, while the screenplay was written by Harry Tugend from Curtis Kenyon and Art Arthur’s adaptation of Gilbert Wright’s original story. 20th Century-Fox’s second release, "UP THE RIVER,” is a much better than average programmer from the Sol Wurtzel unit. While it has opened up rather weak at a 76% average, due to the lack of marquee names, it is the type of picture that word-ofmouth advertising will build considerably. The picture is a hundred per-cent laugh riot, and will undoubtedly prove to be a good box office picture when it hits the "nabes.” Preston Foster and Arthur Treacher lead off with the comedy, while Tony Martin and Phyllis Brooks carry the romantic leads. Slim Summerville, Alan Dinehart, Jane Darwell, Sidney Toler, and Bill Robinson are among the more prominent supporting players. This picture serves to introduce Lou Wertheimer as an associate producer, and Al Werker directed. Lou Berslow and John Patrick wrote the screenplay from Maurine Watkin’s original. Early reports show that exhibitors who will go out of their way a little in exploitating this one will be well rewarded. M G M — 1 New Release MGM has a new program release this week, "SPRING (Continued on Page 5) 8 New Releases Not in Last Issu e 1 Over 100% 7 Weak % We Est. 1. Thanks for Everything FOX 104 1 10 2. Up The River FOX ... 76. 85 3. Spring Madness .MGM .. 74. 85 4. Comet Over Broadway WAR ... 74 80 5. Say it in French PAR . 74. 85 6. Next Time 1 Marry .. ... .. RKO .. ... 71 75 7. Adventure in Sahara COL .. 69 70 8. Secrets of A Nurse UNIV ... 67. 75