National Box Office Digest (Feb-July 1941)

APRIL 26, 1941 5 <1Ue. £o*. Office.: 'That Night in Rio' Sings For Big Money at the Boxoffice Of 6 New Releases In The Past Week, 2 Ran Over 100%, 1 Came Through Okay, And 3 Were Very Weak FOX — 1 Release Twentieth Century Fox’s new release is Darryl F. Zanuck’s big Technicolor musical extravaganza "THAT NIGHT IN RIO” which on its first bookings, the majority of which were in Holy Week, is doing very well at 135 % average. This sparkling musical co-stars two of Fox’s top headliners, Alice Faye and Don Ameche, along with that popular newcomer from the New York stage, Carmen Miranda, who has gained so much in favor with her rhumbas and congas and other Latin musical numbers. The supporting cast is headed by J. Carrol Naish, and includes S. Z. Sakall, Leonid Kinsky and not forgetting Carmen Miranda’s own orchestra. Fred Kohlmar acted as associate producer to Darryl Zanuck and Irving Cummings directed. Incidentally this hit marks Irving Cummings’ seventh consecutive year as a Fox director. Due to the outstanding music and the beautiful color photography, some of which was actually filmed in Rio, plus the big exploitation campaign back of this picture and the showman-like direction of Irving Cummings, exhibitors should book "RIO” as soon as possible and give it both preferred time as well as added play dates. WARNERS — -1 Release Warner Bros. -First National came through with another big Bette Davis hit this week in "THE GREAT LIE” which, like Bette’s two recent releases, "All This and Heaven Too” and "The Letter,” is another box office natural. As the majority of the bookings on the "THE GREAT LIE” include at least 6 FEATURES "GOING UP” Was Now Andy Hardy’s Secretary.. MGM 130 — 133 The Sea Wolf ..WAR — 116 .118 Buck Privates UNIV. 103.__.108 Son of Monte Cristo UA.... 85.. .. 87 Free and Easy MGM 71.— 73 Mr. Dynamite UNIV. 68 ... 70 6 Releases Not In The Last Issue % Est. That Night in Rio FOX .135 ...150 ... The Great Lie WAR 126 130 Sis Hopkins REP 82 85 Power Dive PAR 80 85 Wild Man of Borneo . MGM .. 74 .. 75 Repent at Leisure RKO 66 70 two or three days of Holy Week, this picture is only averaging 126' 1 to date but will probably take a considerable jump in the next week or two since it is an ideal woman’s picture, and will pull strong houses right down the line. Seen opposite Miss Davis is George Brent, with Mary Astor also strongly featured. Other prominent players are Lucille Watson, Hattie McDaniel, Grant Mitchell, and Jerome Cowan. Henry Blanke, who recently scored with "The Sea Wolf,” also produced "THE GREAT LIE” under Hal Wallis’ supervision with Edmund Goulding directing. REPUBLIC — Also 1 Release Republic’s new release this week is the big expensive musical production "SIS HOPKINS,” which is getting by fairly well at an 82% average, but still considerably below what the studio had expected considering the cost of the production. The picture as a whole is very entertaining, but it is still hard to sell a feminine tomboy to American audiences. Both Mabel Normand and Martha Raye had their cycle which eventually came to an end Mr. Yates Republic Studio is trying very hard to sell Judy Canova as the new comedienne of 1941; but so far the box office results are not any too encouraging. Miss Canova is undoubtedly very talented but would probably be better off in supporting roles than as a star. Miss Canova has an excellent supporting cast in Bob Crosby, Charles Butterworth, Jerry Colonna and Susan Hayward. "SIS HOPKINS” has plenty of entertainment value including many spectacular musical numbers all of which will please your audience "IF” Judy Canova’s name will get them past the box office. PARAMOUNT— 1 Release Paramount’s release this week is "POWER DIVE,” 80' f, the first of a new series of thrilling aviation melodramas to be produced by P.C.A. — Picture Corporation of America — a newly formed company headed by William D. Thomas, formerly associate producer to Harold Hurley of Paramount. Mr. Thomas’ contract calls for P.C.A. to deliver three modern aviation productions starring Richard Arlen for Paramount release. This first, "POWER DIVE,” is averaging quite satisfactorily at 80' b, which includes some important first run houses. Naturally, when this one reaches the nabes it should do considerably better, especially in houses where action pictures are popular. Jean Parker is seen opposite Mr. Arlen and the supporting cast includes Helen Mack, Roger Pryor, Don Castle and Cliff Edwards. fames Hogan very capably directed and John Rogers acted as associate producer. MGM — 1 Release Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has a new programmer from the Toe Cohn unit this week, "THE WILD MAN OF BORNEO,” 74%, which will make an average filler. Frank Morgan and Billie Burke are co-starred and the featured cast includes Mary Howard, Donald Meek, Marjorie Main and Bonita Granville. Robert Sinclair directed. RKO — Also 1 Release RKO-Radio Studios have only one release this week, "REPENT AT LEISURE,” 66%, a rather weak programmer from the Lee Marcus unit. While this department store story is rather amusing it is lacking in marquee names and will have to be booked with a much stronger attraction. Kent Taylor and Wendy Barrie are costarred, Cliff Reid produced and Frank Woodruff directed. 7 FEATURES "GOING DOWN” Was Now Topper Returns UA 92 88 Bad Man . MGM 90 88 Adam Had Four Sons COL .86 84 The Penalty MGM 80 76 Las Vegas Nights PAR 80 — 76 Murder Among Friends FOX 73— 70 Flying Wild MONO 64 62