Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1940)

10 Motion Picture Daily Monday, January 15, 1940 Key City Grosses at Year High, Totaling $2,077,200 Following is a tabulation listing the total gross by weeks, and the number of theatres involved, from Jan. 1, 1939: Jan. 5 6, 1939 151 $1,829,822 Jan. 12-13 145 1,372,400 Jan. 19-20 146 1,368,322 Jan. 26-27 145 1,345,715 Feb. 2 3 147 1,469,400 Feb. 9-10 147 1,494,600 Feb. 16-17 146 1,393,100 Feb. 23-24 147 1,417,700 March 2 3 146 1,400,000 March 9-10 147 1,352,050 March 16-17 155 1,366,800 March 23-24 154 1,439,600 March 30-31 151 1,322,225 April 6 7 151 1,283,100 April 13-14 154 1,639,300 April 20-21 149 1,432,900 April 27-28 151 1,401,600 May 4 5 154 1,386,280 May 11-12 155 1,352,845 May 18-19 154 1,318,300 May 25-26 . . 155 1,274,050 June 1 2 153 1,256,050 June 8 9 143 1,141,700 June 15-16 141 1,133,950 June 22-23 137 1,150,960 June 29-30 138 1,168,750 July 6 7 125 1,159,550 July 13-14 136 1,146,600 July 20-21 136 1,130,620 July 27-28 136 1,190,000 Aug. 3 4 140 1,175,850 Aug. 10-11 137 1,276,750 Aug. 17-18 132 1,233,800 Aug. 24-25 140 1,401,150 Aug. 31-Sept. 1 147 1,410,800 Sept. 7 8 145 1,490,144 Sept. 14-15 148 1,409,600 Sept. 21-22 151 1,399,745 Sept. 28-29 154 1,487,900 Oct. 5 6 154 1,389,650 Oct. 12-13 137 1,279,000 Oct. 19-20 147 1,387,550 Oct. 26-27 147 1,363,300 Nov. 2 3 149 1,371,400 Nov 9-10 138 1,386,200 Nov. 16-17 154 1,487,000 Nov 23-24 154 1,421,200 Nov. 30-Dec. 1 154 1,565,300 Dec 7 8 153 1,510,750 Dec. 14-16 147 1,201,750 Dec. 21-22 149 1,182,900 Dec. 29-30 147 1,493,200 Jan. 5-6, 1940 159 2,077,200 {Copyright, 1940, Quigley Publishing Company, Inc.) Venice Prizes to Best Films; Korda Picked (Continued from page 1) particular artistic or technical merit were awarded to the following : "The Mikado," British, entered by General Film Distributors ; "Margarita, Armando y su Padre," Argentine ; "Tulak Macoun," Bohemia ; "Jeunes Filles en Detresse," France ; "Veertig Jaaren," Holland ; "Bors Istivan," Hungary ; "Golden Harvest of the Witwaterstrand," South Africa ; "Es War Eine Rauschende Ballnacht," Germany. Bronze plaques for best short films were awarded as follows : "L'Agneau Mystique," Belgium ; "Chartres," France ; "Raueber unter Wasser," Germany ; "Koennen Tiere Denken," Germany; "The Tough 'Un," (Gaumont British Instructional), Great Britain ; "Tokyo Peiping Chosen," Japan ; "Au Pays des Motzs," Rumania ; "Santorin," Switzerland. The awards were made by the presidency of the Exhibition in lieu of a meeting of the international jury which was prevented from assembly because of the war. This action was taken with the approval of the Italian Ministry of Popular Culture and taking in account the votes expressed by the delegates to the Exhibition and by the Italian members of the jury. American companies did not enter any films in the Exhibition in accordance with an agreement reached with English and French producers. Some of the British and French producers disregarded this agreement, however. No American pictures have been sent to Italy since January, 1939, except a few films for adjustment of contracts and to settle a lawsuit. Four Pictures Set By Boris Morros Hollywood, Jan. 14. — Four pictures for 1940 are planned by Boris Morros, the former Paramount musical director said today. They are : "We, the People," a modernized version of "Lysistrata," a filmization of the French play, "Si je Voulais" ("IF I Wish"), and a musical. All will be released through RKO. Brill Heads Film Board of Review (.Continued from page 1) wanting to become a criminal. In this respect he is really much healthier than the reformer who wants to suppress everything because he doesn't trust himself." Mutual Re-Elects Heads Chicago, Jan. 14. — All officers and directors of the Mutual BroadcastingSystem were re-elected here yesterday. Louis Allen Weiss, general manager of the Don Lee network, was named vice-president, a newly-created office. F. Warner Moves Hollywood, Jan. 14. — Unable to come to terms with managers of the Grand National studio, Franklyn Warner, head of Fine Arts, has moved his headquarters to Selznick International. M. A. Sets Contest To Publicize 'Son' A nationwide contest to select the "perfect American son" will be staged by United Artists in connection with the release of Edward Small's production, "My Son, My Son." Grand prize will be a scholarship in a leading preparatory school or university of the winner's choice. In broadsides now being distributed to exhibitors, United Artists suggests that local merchants be encouraged to tie in with the contest and to contribute merchandise as prizes for winners of local contests. Such local winners also will qualify for several final judgings, from among whom the grand prize winner will be selected. 'Louise' to Carnegie "Louise," Grace Moore vehicle from the opera, will open at the Little Carnegie Playhouse following the current run of "Katia." Arthur Mayer & Joseph Burstyn, Inc., are releasing the French production. U. A. Sets Contest Will Feature "69th" Final details have been completed for the series of 40 reunion dinners to be held throughout the country on Jan. 24 by the World War Rainbow Division. Dinners will feature screenings ©f "The Fighting 69th," Warner film telling the story of the New York Regiment. The key dinner will be at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, which will be addressed by Gov. Gen. Douglas MacArthur of the Philippines through a special radio hookup. The Waldorf dinner will be broadcast over a nationwide hookup, with the proceedings piped into the other dinners. Jack L. Warner, Edward G. Robinson, Pat O'Brien, Jeffrey Lynn and Frank McHugh will arrive this morning from the Coast for the. dinner. They will be met at the station by a delegation from the regiment. James Cagney will come here from his farm in Martha's Vineyard, Mass. Allied Will Elect At Board Meeting Washington, Jan. 14. — Election of officers, plans for the annual convention and the legislative campaign are on the program for Allied States' annual board meeting at the Carlton Hotel here Wednesday and Thursday. Support of the Neely bill in Congress will be an important topic, as well as the Government anti-ty'-t suit. Abram F. Myers, chairmar^ the board, will preside. Atlantic City, entered by New Jersey Allied, and Indianapolis are the leading contenders for the annual convention. An Eastern regional conference will be held Tuesday, with Frank C. Lydon, regional vice-president, in charge. Lydon recently was elected president of Independent Exhibitors, Inc., of New England, succeeding Nathan Yamins of Fall River. This conference will be attended by representatives from New Jersey, Eastern and Western Pennsylvania, Washington, Maryland, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Lee Newbury of Belmar, president of the New Jersey unit, and Ralph Wilkins of Pittman, vice-president, will attend. I. T. O. of Eastern Pennsylvania will be represented by Joseph Conway of Bala Cynwyd. Heads of 20th-Fox Due for Premieres (Continued from page 1) ground scenes of Carmen Miranda for "South American Way." Harry Brand, studio publicity chief, is due today. John Goring of the exploitation staff has returned from Detroit and will handle the New York roadshow of "Blue Bird." Sam Blair will be in charge in Detroit, where the opening date at the Adams Theatre has been changed from Jan. 26 to Feb. 2. Irving Berlin, Nunnally Johnson, John Carradine and Johnny Russell of "The Blue Bird" cast will attend the local premieres. Amusement Industry Rallies to Finns' Aid Amusement Committee to Aid Finland has been organized with Helen Hayes as chairman and has pledged former President Herbert Hoover it will raise $1,000,000 for the Finnish Relief Fund, which he heads. The money will be raised in a series of benefits in which every stage attraction will be asked to give one night's entire proceeds to the Fund. The American Federation of Labor has tentatively promised theater labor will waive salaries. A radio broadcast with many stage personalities participating will be offered to a sponsor who will pay for it direct to the Fund. Concert managers are organizing a Carnegie Hall concert benefit. 'Our Town' to Star Unknown Actress An unknown actress has been assigned the leading role in Sol Lesser's "Our Town," which will be distributed by United Artists. She is Dorothy Maguire, who has appeared in legitimate plays and has never worked before a motion picture camera.