National Box Office Digest (Jan-Dec 1945)

BOX OFFICE DIGEST 5 JAe O^iae.: Universal a Winner with Technicolor Fantasy “Sudan” UNIVERSAL — 2 Releases Universal Studios take top honors this week with their new Technicolor production “Sudan,” the latest in the Maria MontezJon Hall series. This picture has opened in many key cities and is holding well at a 143 per cent average, much better than the last in this series, “Gypsy Wildcat,” which originally opened strong, but fell off sharply. Turhan Bey is co-starred with Montez and Hall in this romantic melodrama with Andy Devine, George Zucco and Robert Warwick featured. John Rawlins turned in an excellent directing job for Producer Paul Malvern. Universal’s second release “The House of Fear,” 81 per cent is the latest in the famous Sherlock Holmes detective series. Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are co-starred as usual with Paul Cavanaugh featured. Roy William Neill produced and directed. MGM — 1 Release MGM’s only new entry, “Keep Your Powder Dry,” 141 per cent like “The Women,” boasts of almost an entirely all feminine cast. Lana Turner, Laraine Day, and Susan Peters are co-starred in this entertaining melo-drama of the Women’s Army Corp. Agnes Moorehead and Jess Barker are in the featured cast. Despite the lack of any important male lead this picture is doing okay and is even being held over in certain situations. Eddie Buzzell directed for Producer George Haight. UA — I Release United Artists Exchanges have a new release, “Mr. Emmanuel,” which has opened in several key cities and is only averaging 84 per cent, with the exception of New York City where it is holding up quite well. This English made melodrama is a strong offering — the tale of a poor humble Jew who goes to Germany and defies the Nazis in 1 935 The story seems somewhat improbable and there are no marquee names that are known to American fans. Would strongly advise exhibitors to see this one before booking it. Herold French directed for Producer William Sistrom. PICTURES “GOING UP” W as Notv Tree Grows in Brooklyn FOX.... 181. ...197 The Three Caballeros RK0....151 154 Hotel Berlin WAR... 142.. . 153 Practically Yours PAR. ...144. ...147 Hangover Square FOX... .138. ...142 Between Two Women MGM 138 142 The Big Show Off REP 81. 83 Of II New Releases In the Past Week Only Two Ran Over 100%, 5 Came Through Okay, and 4 Were Very Weak By NORMAN WEBB 11 NEW RELEASES NOT IN LAST ISSUE We ( Zq E st» Sudan UNIV. 143. ...140 Keep Your Powder Dry MGM. ...141.. ..140 Circumstantial Evidence FOX ... 86. .. 85 Rough, Tough & Ready COL.... 84 80 Mr. Emmanuel UA.... 84.... 80 House of Fear UNIV 81 80 A Guy, A Gal & A Pal COL . 80.... 75 There Goes Kelly MONO 78 80 Castle of Crimes PRC.... 78.. .. 75 Docks of New York MONO.... 11.... 75 Fog Island PRC.. 77 75 MONOGRAM — 2 Releases Monogram Studios have two new program releases, neither of special importance but both quite satisfactory for fillers, preferably for a Friday-Saturday booking. “There Goes Kelly,” 78 per cent is an entertaining little comedy murder mystery co-starring Jackie Moran and Wanda McKay. Phil Karlstein directed for Producer William Strobach. “Docks of New York,” 77 per cent, is the latest in Monogram’s “East Side Kids” series. Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, and the rest of the gang head the cast with Betty Blythe, George Meeker and Cy Kendall seen in supporting roles. Wally Fox directed for co-Producers Sam Katzman and Jack Dietz. 4 Keep the good work going . . . Sell the Red Cross.. PRC — Also 2 Releases PRC Exchanges also have two new programmers, one an English importation and one from their own studios. “Castle of Crimes,” 78 per cent, is an English made murder mystery that is a little better than average. Kenneth Kent and Diana Churchill are co-starred. Herold French who directed “Mr. Emmanuel” also directed this one and A. E. Mason produced. “Fog Island,” 77 per cent, is much better than PRC’s recent releases and if properly sold it should do better on future bookings, especially in the nabes and stick houses where action pictures are popular. Veda Ann Borg and Lionel Atwill are co-starred with Jerome Cowan, George Zucco and Ian Keith featured — all in all, a very good cast for PRC. Terry Morse directed for Producer Leon Fromkess. COLUMBIA — 2 Releases Columbia Studios have two new programmers, one that is pulling rather strong, while the second is on the weak side. “Rough, Tough and Ready,” 84 per cent, is a comedy drama co-starring Chester Morris and Victor McLaglen in a take-off of the famous “Flagg-Quirt” combination of many years ago. Veda Ann Borg has the feminine lead with Addison Richards and Amalita Ward featured. Del Lord directed for Producer Alexis Thurn-Taxis. “A Guy, A Gal, and A Pal,” 80 per cent, is Columbia’s second release with Yynn Merrick, Ross Hunter and little Te,d Donaldson heading the cast. Oscar Boetticher directed for Producer Wally MacDonald. Okay as a filler. FOX — Also 1 Release 20th Century-Fox Studio’s only new release, “Circumstantial Evidence,” 86 per cent is an entertaining program melodrama from the Bryan Foy unit. Lloyd Nolan and Michael O’Shea are co-starred, with Trudy Marshall, Ruth Ford and Billy Cummings featured. John Larkin directed for Producer Bill Girard. PICTURES “GOING DOWN” W as Voir Tonight and Every Night COL ...151 .145 Roughly Speaking WAR .145. ...140 This Man’s Navy MGM 142 138 The Suspeet UNIV 1.30 125 Having Wonderful Crime ....RKO....130. ..122 Frisco Sal UNIV 128 122 Blonde Fever MGM 85 83 Nothing But Trouble MGM 82 80