The Exhibitor (Jun-Nov 1944)

28 THE EXHIBITOR "Casanova" In Normandy Bow NEW YORK — A motion picture was given its “world premiere” in liberated France on Aug. 8 when fighting men in 16 different locations on the ex¬ panding beachhead viewed the debut of “Casanova Brown.” The exhibition marked the first world premiere to be held in France on retaken territory. WARNER OUTLINES POST-WAR PRINCIPLES Hollywood — A six-point message that post-war motion pictures must carry to the American people and to the people of the world was outlined by Jack L. Warner, executive producer for Warners, last fort¬ night in accepting a plaque from the Can¬ adian Government in tribute to Warner and other representatives of the film industry for the production of “The Shin¬ ing Future,” which was made at the War¬ ner Studio for use in Canada’s Sixth War Loan. Presentation took place at a luncheon of the local division of the War Activities Committee. Declaring that the tremendous role played by the screen in this war will make it one of the most potent post-war forces for freedom, Warner outlined the six points as follows: 1. Every one of us is responsible for safeguarding our great American heritage of freedom. 2. Every one of us must remember that freedom, if taken for granted, can be lost. 3. We must be quick to recognize the forces that will destroy freedom. 4. We must be physically able to put down those forces if they attack us. 5. We must be morally able to keep them from developing within our country. 6. We must never forget that the world cannot exist half-slave and half-free. After outlining his six principles, War¬ ner concluded: “Post-war American motion pictures must keep these lessons of the war alive. As Anthony Eden pointed out, we are fighting not just to win a fight but to win a world in which our children and their children can know the security of peace and freedom. That struggle will go on for 10 years after the war. “Those will be the critical years in which the motion picture can be of real service in dramatizing the issues of the day, and keeping alive our American traditions and ideals. The tribute which these gen¬ tlemen here today have paid to the serv¬ ice of the motion picture in winning the war should inspire us, and remind us, of our responsibility to work for a strong America which will be secure in a peaceful world. In that way, we in motion pictures can in some measure help to discharge our debt to our fighting men. “In the post-war world, motion pic¬ tures must have the same freedom of ex¬ pression as is guaranteed to the press and the spoken word. We must be con¬ stantly on the alert to resist all forms of dictation or attempted regulation. We must refuse to be intimidated from expressing honest convictions on the screen.” "Marriage" Gets Service Debut New York — “World premiere” of MGM’s “Marriage Is a Private Affair” has been set for Oct. 5 at an unnamed overseas base for men and women in the armed services only. THE TIP -OFF — ON BUSINESS ANOTHER EXCLUSIVE SERVICE OF JAY EMANUEL PUBLICATIONS, INC. This is a consensus of box office results of the more important pictures, as gathered by the staff of THE EXHIBITOR from usually reliable sources. This is only a general survey, and should not be taken as a guarantee of what a picture will do in each situation. THE EXHIBITOR does believe, however, that by supplying this information it is giving exhibitors an opportunity to book more intelligently. Local conditions, weather, seasonal business highs and lows, etc., should be considered when considering this data. PICTURE Field Reports on Business, Rewritten for Easy Guidance for All Types of Runs ATLANTIC CITY (Republic) World premiere in Atlantic City was given a gala sendoff, with the exploita¬ tion an important factor in the holdover. BATHING BEAUTY (Metro) This has been getting plenty of holdovers in the spots covered, with business decidedly on the strong side. THE CANTERVILLE GHOST (MGM) The triple name attraction, Laughton, Young, and O'Brien, has been turning in a fair-to-good grosses in the spots noted. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY (Univertal) Despite some adverse critical reaction, this has been turning in one of the biggest grosses U has seen in some time. COBRA WOMAN (Universal) Routine Montez entry has been turning in a fair business except where the exploitation hypo helps. DOUBLE INDEMNITY (Paramount) With the critics turning handsprings, this has been responsible for a good gross in situations noted. DRAGON SEED (MGM) Opening in Radio City Music Hall, New York, was a record breaker, with other spots doing well, too. GHOST CATCHERS (U) Just a routine Olsen and Johnson, this hasn't been living up to the grosses recorded earlier by the pair. GOING MY WAY (Paramount) Records are being broken right and left by this terrific Paramount show, with all-time highs set. THE HAIRY APE (UA) Exploitation is making considerable of a difference here, with the Bendix appeal also important. MARINE RAIDERS (RKO) Service picture hasn't made them break the doors down, but business is on the fair to good side. MR. SKEFFINGTON (Warners) Women's picture has been holding up well in ihe spots covered, with business good or better. ONCE UPON A TIME (Columbia) A trifle spotty, this hasn't been outstanding, although it rates with the best Columbia shows of the season. SENSATIONS OF 1946 (UA) In the situations covered, his hasn't been doing very much, with business fair or slightly better. SHOW BUSINESS (RKO) Eddie Cantpr produced vehicle is holding up well as it moves down the line, the tally indicates. SINCE YOU WENT AWAY (UA) World premier in New York was off to the flying start, with only the run¬ ning time holding down the gross. SNOW WHITE (RKO) In the engagements covered, this has been doing a whale of a business, mostly at matinees. SONG OF THE OPEN ROAD (UA) Except in spots where special attention was given it, this hasn't been setting the world on Are. STEP LIVELY (RKO) Second Sinatra vehicle has been doing a better business than the first feature. Difference is due to the story and cast, with bobby socks helping. THE STORY OF DR. WASSELL (Paramount) Gary Cooper starrer is plenty hot at the box office, with returns rating with Paramount's best this year. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT (20th Century-Fox) Initial grosses haven't shown too much, with the radio draw the important factor here. TWO GIRLS AND A SAILOR (MGM) Strong, with plenty of holdovers, this also has been getting a hefty critics' vote, in addition. UP IN MABEL'S ROOM (UA) An in-and-outer, this has been doing from fair to good, with the returns rated okay. THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER (Metro) Business has been good on this, even though not in the smash category expected in some situations. WING AND A PRAYER (20th Century-Fox) Service show is well regarded, with business considered satisfactory for this type of production. August 9, 1944