Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1945)

"U" Will Plug New Film Personalities NEW YORK — Universal intends to spend several hundred thousand dollars, says William A. Scully, vice-president and general sales manager, in cooperation with exhibitors for the purpose of developing new talent. These will be in the form of institutional ads which will be placed by exhibitors in connection with pictures having new players. “The Universal plan is to invest appreciably in pictures which will give new players a chance,” says Scully. “We have a very high budget picture, ‘Salome — Where She Danced,’ which introduces Yvonne De Carlo. We are spending considerable money to point up Miss De Carlo to the public.” The company intends to make a top budget picture with unknown players. Scully left Friday for the coast with Maurice A. Bergman, eastern advertising and publicity director. "Fighting Lady" Given Review Board Honor NEW YORK— The National Board of Review for the week ending Jan. 6, 1945, has accorded starred selected feature rating to the documentary “The Fighting Lady,” and “The Suspect.” Selected features were “Grissley’s Millions” and “Practically Yours.” Selected short subjects were “The Black Arrow,” a serial; “Black Gold and Cactus,” “Blue Winners,” “Bombalera,” “Dog Watch,” “Five Star Bowlers,” “Jasper Tell,” “Jungle Queen,” a serial; “Uncle Sam, Mariner,” an MOT release; “New Americans,” “Trolling for Strikes” and “Unusual Occupations.” NEW MONTREAL MANAGER— Grattan Kiely, who has succeeded I. Koval as manager of Warners exchange in the Canadian city. Koval has been assigned to a new post in the company’s foreign department. New Release Date for ARC Film NEW YORK — The new Red Cross film produced by MOT for distribution by RKO will be titled “Seeing Them Through.” The film dramatizes American Red Cross services to the armed forces serving in all parts of the world. Originally scheduled for release January 25, the date has been moved back to February 1. Veteran Dan Stearns Is Dead in Cleveland CLEVELAND — Daniel C. Stearns jr., 55, prominent in local motion picture circles here for 30 years, died unexpectedly Sunday night at his home, 17830 Winward Rd., of a heart attack that followed a two-week illness. For 16 years he managed the Willoby Theatre in nearby Willoughby, Ohio, which he owned jointly with Howard Reif, P. E. Essick and Charles Deckman. Prior to being an exhibitor he was head booker and city salesman for Universal for 14 years. Stearns joined the Universal organization when it was an independent exchange owned and operated by the late Max Schachtel. Dan Stearns had two hobbies. One was his theatre; the other was horses. For several years he operated a swanky riding academy on Lost Nations Rd., but the war and gasoline shortage brought the enterprise to an end. A victim of high blood pressure, Stearns had been taking a rest cure at home under doctor’s orders when he was stricken. The funeral was held Wednesday. Honoring the late partner, the Scoville, Essick & Reif offices closed at noon on that day. H. R. LeSieur Is Promoted To UA Ad Manager NEW YORK — Howard R. LeSieur has been appointed advertising manager of United Artists by Louis Pollock, director of advertising and publicity. He was in charge of sales promotion work and editor of the company’s house organ before his promotion to the new post. DICK CURTIS • CHRISTINE MclNTVRE • HARRY HARRIS Produced and Directed by JULES WHITE THE BEST SHORTS OF ALL COME FROM COLUMBIA! ft WITH LAUGHS! START YOUR 52 BOXOFFICE : : January 13, 1945