The Exhibitor (Jun-Nov 1944)

32 THE EXHIBITOR New Cuts Discussed WASHINGTON— Probably no fur¬ ther cuts will be made in raw fibn allotments because the War Produc¬ tion Board is now cutting back mili¬ tary film demands, Lincoln V. Bur¬ roughs, film chief, said last fortnight. Late last week he was scheduled to confer with film representatives to in¬ form them of what they can expect for the remainder of August and Septem¬ ber. Although the fourth quarter quota will be increased, it will prob¬ ably be below the allotments for the first two quarters of 1944, Burroughs said. "Wilson" Staff Set New York — Announcement was made last week by Hal Home, director of adver¬ tising-publicity-exploitation, 20th Cen¬ tury-Fox, that the field exploitation staff has been augmented to handle the ad¬ vanced-admission engagements arranged for “Wilson.” Exploitation representatives will be supervised by exploitation manager Rodney Bush, and movements of these field showmen will be directed by Jules Fields, assistant exploitation manager, who will supply them with special road-show material. Bush announced the following territorial assignments in The Exhibitor territory: South: Spence Pierce, Atlanta, Ga.; Leonard Allen, Charlotte, N. C.; Jimmy Gillespie, special representative. Atlantic: Mike Weiss, Philadelphia; Frank Clark, Washington; Wally Allen and Julian Bowes, Pittsburgh, Pa., Buffalo, N. Y., and Toronto, Canada. Northeast: A1 Fowler, Boston; Ralph Stitt, New Haven, Conn., Albany, N. Y., and Montreal, Canada. Mid-East: Jim Keefe, Cleveland, O. Jerry Pickman has been designated home office exploitation representative. Lo! Bows Soon New York — Plans for publication of a new Loew-Metro home office house organ were completed last fortnight by Charles C. Moskowitz. The publication, to be issued twice monthly starting about Oct. 1, will be known as Lo! Within a short time, coverage will be extended to all Loew’s theatres in New York and out-oftown. All members of the Loew organ¬ ization in the armed services will be on the mailing list. Lo! will be under the supervision of Oscar A Doob. Mike Simmons, editor, The Distributor, will be managing editor, assisted by Ernie Emerling and Eddie Dowden. The Service Kit’s the Season’s Hit Plessner For Kaufman St. Louis, Mo.— M. L. Plessner was last week named advertising and publicity director of the Fanchon and MarcoSt. Louis Amusement Company circuit, it was announced by Harry C. Arthur, Jr., general manager. Plessner succeeds Les Kaufman, who held the post for the past six years, and who tendered his resignation to become publicity director of Republic Studios. 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) Initial engagements of this Republic entry, while not of the record breaking variety, are doing fairish business. BATHING BEAUTY (Metro) As this continues to move along it has been responsible for some strong returns in spots noted. THE CANTERVILLE GHOST (MGM) Business has been ranging from fair to good for this three-name attraction, the score card shows. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY (Universal) Box office figures prove that this has been one of Universal's strongest entries in a long time. DOUBLE INDEMNITY (Paramount) Well received by the critics, this has been responsible for okay business in situations covered. DRAGON SEED (MGM) Reports from all situations find this in the big money, with the New York engagement a standout. GOING MY WAY (Paramount) This continues to move along with broken records all along the way as business continues big. GREENWICH VILLAGE (20th Century Fox) Initial engagements turned in nice grosses, with the names a factor in the situations covered. HAIL THE CONQUERING HERO (Paramount) Preston Sturges' latest started off at a fast pace in its New York Paramount bow and elsewhere. THE HAIRY APE (UA) Selling is the important factor in connection with this one, with business on the better side. IN SOCIETY (Universal) Return of Abbott and Costello, after a year's absence, indicates the team has the old sock at the box office. JANIE (Warners) Initial engagements of this comedy were recorded in the better money, with excellent word-of-mouth. MARINE RAIDERS (RKO) RKO service show is accounting for itself nicely, with returns ranging from fair to good. MR. SKEFFINGTON (Warners) Bette Davis starrer has been turning in a strong gross in the spots covered with extended runs included. SENSATIONS OF 1945 (UA) Musical show has the angles for the selling, with business generally reported as fair. SHOW BUSINESS (RKO) Eddie Cantor produced show has been turning in a consistently good gross in the areas covered. SINCE YOU WENT AWAY (UA) Initial bow at the Capitol, New York, is accounting for strong grosses, with more engagements coming up. SNOW WHITE (RKO) Return of the Walt Disney cartoon feature has brought good business, with the accent on matinees. SONG OF THE OPEN ROAD (UA) Except for a few situations where it spurted, this has held to an average business. STEP LIVELY (RKO) Second Sinatra entry is doing a better business than the first in the situations covered. THE STORY OF DR. WASSELL (Paramount) Gary Cooper starrer has been accounting for consistently good business, with the take okay. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT (20th Century-Fox) Phil Baker starrer depends on the radio draw, with business nothing to get excited about. TWO GIRLS AND A SAILOR (MGM) As this moves along, it has been turning in a whale of a business, with the picture well liked. WILSON (20th Century-Fox) Initial weeks of this Technicolor special have broken house records at the Roxy, New York. WING AND A PRAYER (20th Century-Fox) Service picture has been getting a good critical response, with the take considered okay for this type of show. August 23, 1944