Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1940)

Thursday, December 19, 1940 Motion Picture Daily 7 Feature Reviews "Flight Command" (M-G-M) Hollywood, Dec. 18. WHAT with newspaper, magazine and radio filled with discussion of the nation's aviation defense, this presentation of the Navy's flight forces is geared to what would appear a sure-fire exploitation campaign. Showmen who promise their customers an intimate view of the Navy's planes in action, under good conditions and bad, with an extensive treatment of the training of personnel in both duty and ethics, will find themselves supported in their promises by the production. It is the story of the Navy's air force that dominates the picture. Against this background, and devised in such fashion as to show the ability, resourcefulness and spirit of the troops, is a story about a flight commander, his wife, her brother and her brother's friend, a recruit, a tale which departs somewhat from formula but is secondary in entertainment importance to the background material in which public interest is at high pitch. Robert Taylor, Walter Pidgeon, Ruth Hussey, Paul Kelly, Shepperd Strudwick, Red Skelton, Nat Pendleton, William Tannen and William Stelling head the cast. Frank Borzage directed, J. Walter Ruben producing, from a screenplay by Wells Root and Commander Harvey Haislip based on a story by Haislip and John Sutherland. Commander Morton Seligman, U.S.N., was technical adviser. Running time, 113 minutes. "G." * Roscoe Williams "Love Thy Neighbor" (Paramount) T^OR the countless thousands of radio fans who have listened every week for years to the top-notch comedy programs broadcast by Jack Benny and Fred Allen, this picture starring both of them, should be a real treat. For the exhibitors these same fans should provide an enormous ready-made audience, which should require only the information that Benny and Allen appear in person in avid pursuit of their air "feud." The feud provides the central theme of the picture's story, which is no more weighty than it has to be, but serves adequately to set off the typical Benny and Allen technique of the "snappy retort." In support, and adding considerably to the film's comedy, is Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Benny's butler. He pursues his own romance, with Theresa Harris, maid in the Allen household, with amusing results. Musical moments are supplied by the Merry Macs and Miss Martin. Mary Martin is the romantic foil, in the role of Allen's niece and, eventually, Benny's wife, Veree Teasdale appears as Allen's sister. Mark Sandrich, who directed, permitted his comedian-heros to slap at each other verbally to their hearts' content, and that should please their fans. William Morrow, Edmund Beloin, Ernest Pagano and Z. Myers wrote the original screenplay. The burden of the story concerns the attempt of Allen, who hates the mere mention of Benny's name, to prevent the success of Benny's musical show, and anything else Benny tries to do. Running time, 81 minutes. "G." * Charles S. Aaronson 'Bank Dick,' Show, $17,000 Philadelphia Philadelphia, Dec. 18. — Christmas shopping is hurting grosses. "The Letter" took $14,500 for its second week at the Boyd. "The Bank Dick," l with vaudeville, made $17,000 at the '"Earle. Estimated takings for the week ending Dec. 11-13 : "Long Voyage Home" (U. A.) ALDINE— (1,400) (35c-41c-46c-57c-68c) 7 days. Gross: $10,000. (Average, $9,000) "Bitter Sweet" (M-G-M) ARCADIA— (600) (35c-46c-57c) 7 days, 2nd run. Gross: $4,000. (Average, $2,600) "The Letter" (W. B.) BOYD— (2,400) (35c-41c-46c-57c-68c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $14,500. (Average, $13,000) "The Bank Dick" (Univ.) EARLE — (4,000) (35c-41c-46c-57c-68c) 7 days with vaudeville including Vincent Lopez's orchestra, Edmund Lowe, Ann Dvorak, Peter Lind Hayes, Evelyn Farney, Sunny Skyler and Ann Barrett. Gross: $17,000. (Average, $14,000) "Meet the Wildcat" (Univ.) FAY'S— (2,190) (15c-29c-35c-46c-57c) 7 days with vaudeville including Pat Paree, the Roxyettes, the Gaudsmith Brothers, Ray Wilbert, Present & Past, and the Emerald Sisters. Gross: $6,100. (Average, $6,900) "Tin Pan Alley" (20th-Fox) FOX— (3,000) (3Sc-41c-46c-57c-68c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $14,000. (Average, $13,000) "A Little Bit of Heaven" (Univ.) KARLTON— (1,000) (35c-41c-46c-57c-68c) 7 days. Gross: $3,000. (Average, $3,000) "Little Nellie Kelly" (M-G-M) KEITH'S— (2,200) (3Sc-41c-46c-57c-68c) 7 days, 2nd run. Gross: $3,600. (Average, $4,500) "Arizona" (Col.) STANLEY— (3,700) (35c-41c-46c-57c-68c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $10,000. (Average, $14,000) "Here Comes lie Navy" (W. B.) STANTON— (1,700) (35c-46c-57c) 7 days, revival. Gross: $5,200. (Average, $4,500) 'Laddie' and Herman $13,000 Buffalo Lead Buffalo, Dec. 18. — "Laddie" and Woody Herman and his orchestra on the stage drew $13,000 at the Twentieth Century. "Bitter Sweet" and "Murder Over New York" at the Great Lakes took $9,700. Estimated takings for the week ending Dec. 14: "The Letter" (W. B.) "Hullabaloo" (M-G-M) BUFFALO — (3,489) (35c-60c) 7 days. Gross: $10,500. (Average, $12,000) "Bitter Sweet" (M-G-M) "Murder Over New York" (20thFox) GREAT LAKES— (3,000) (35c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $9,700. (Average, $7,500) "Tugboat Annie Sails Again" (W. B.) "Lucky Cisco Kid" (20th-Fox) HIPPODROME— (2,100) (30c -50c) 7 days. Gross: $4,700. (Average, $6,800) "Laddie" (RKO) TWENTIETH CENTURY— (3,000) (30c35c-55c) 7 days. Woody Herman and orchestra on stage, with Kitty Lane, Joe Bishop, Saxie Mansfield, Frankie Carlson, the Woodchoppers, Paul Winchell and King and Arlina. Gross: $13,000. (Average, $7,500) 'Cue for Passion' At Roy ale Tonight A new play by Edward Chodorov and H. S. Kraft, "Cue for Passion," will be presented at the Royale Theatre tonight by Richard Aidrich and Richard Meyers. Otto L. Preminger directed. Gale Sondergaard, George Coulouris and Doris Nolan are in the top roles. Charles Washburn is handling publicity for the show. * "G" denotes general classification. 'Alley' Is Omaha's Winner at $8,800 Omaha, Dec. 18.— "Tin Pan Alley" grossed $8,800 at the Orpheum and "Bitter Sweet" was good for $7,600 at the Omaha. The Christmas slump has hit grosses. The weather was clear and warm. Estimated takings for the week ending Dec. 11-12 : "East of the River" (W. B.) "Queen of Destiny" (RKO) BRANDIES— (1,200) (30c-40c-44c) 7 days. Gross: $4,300. (Average. $4,000) "Bitter Sweet" (M-G-M) "Our Town" (U. A.) OMAHA— (2.000) (30c-44c) 7 days. Gross: *7,6C0. (Average, $6,000) "Tin Pan Alley" (20th-Fox) "Street of Memories" (20th-Fox) ORPHEUM— (3,000) (30c-44c) 7 days. Gross: $8,800. (Average, $7,200) Repeat Car Giveaway Seattle, Dec. 18. — So successful was last week's giveaway of two automobiles by the five largest downtown theatres that a repeat has been scheduled for Monday. The Liberty, Paramount, Fifth Avenue, Orpheum and Palomar theatres will participate. KRS Explains Stand On Closed Theatres London, Dec. 18. — The Kinematograph Renters Society today issued a formal statement on the controversy with the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association on the distributor policy on theatres closed by the war. The statement explained the distributor position, expressed sympathy for the exhibitor situation, and insisted the policy is not unreasonable, differentiating between theatres closed by bombing and those closed voluntarily. The statement promises the distributor organization will give a hearing to any suggestions the exhibitors have to make on the policy, to which the C. E. A. has taken strong objection. Bausch & Lomb Bonus Rochester, Dec. 18. — An extra week's pay will be paid 5,400 employes by the Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. on Monday, the company has announced. The company has provided such bonuses in 1937 and 1939. 'Third Finger' Pulls $36,400, Leads Boston Boston, Dec. 18. — "Third Finger, Left Hand" scored heavily, with a total of $36,400, taking $16,400 at Loew's State and $20,000 at Loew's Orpheum. It was dualed with "Dr. Kildare's Crisis" at both houses. Estimated takings for the week ending Dec. 11 : "The Fargo Kid" (RKO) "The Five Little Peppers in Trouble" (RKO) "R£dn" (M-G-M) KEITH BOSTON— (3,200) (25c-35c-40c55c) "Fargo Kid" and "Peppers" 4 days with vaudeville: "Funzafire" revue with Benny Meroff and orchestra, Ken and Roy Paige, Dianna Abbey, Al de Vito, 4 Sailor ettes, Billy Morosco, 8 Daughters of Satan, Joe Bonnel, Louise Shannon, Hal Spiro, Terry Howard and cast of 60. "Rain" 3 days. Gross: $8,000. (Average, $8,000) "Little Men" (RKO) "A Night in the Tropics" (Univ.) KEITH MEMORIAL— (2,907) (25c-35c-40c55c) 7 days. Gross: $9,000. (Average, $16,000) "North West Mounted Police" (Para.) "Youth Will Be Served" (ZOth-Fox) METROPOLITAN — (4,367) (35c-44c-55c65c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $17,000. (Average. $15,500) "South of Suez" (W. B.) "Street of Memories" (20th-Fox) PARAMOUNT— (1,797) (25c-35c-40c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $5,000. (Average, $7,500) "South of Suez" (W. B.) "Street of Memories" (20th-Fox) FENWAY— (1,320) (25c-35c-40c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $3,200. (Average, $4,500) "City for Conquest" (W. B.) "Hit Parade of 1941" (Rep.) SCOLLAY— (2.500) (25c-44c-5Sc) 7 days. Gross: $3,100. (Average, $4,000) "Third Finger, Left Hand" (M-G-M) "Dr. Kildare's Crisis" (M-G-M) LOEW'S STATE— (3,000) (25c-35c-40c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $16,400. (Average, $12,000) "Third Finger, Left Hand" (M-G-M) "Dr. Kildare's Crisis" (M-G-M) LOEW'S ORPHEUM— (2,900) (25c-35c-40c55c) 7 days. Gross: $20,000. (Average, $17,500) 'Burma' and Show $18,000 in Detroit Detroit, Dec. 18. — A stage show headed by Bob Chester and his band and Frances Langford, with "Moon Over Burma" on the screen, garnered $18,000 at the Michigan. "Angels Over Broadway," and a stage show, "Streets of Paris," grossed $20,000 at the Fox. Estimated takings for the week ending Dec. 12 : "Tin Pan Alley" (ZOth-Fox) "Charter Pilot" (20th-Fox) ADAMS— (1,600) (15c-39c-44c-55c) 7 days. 3rd week. Gross: $5,500. (Average, $5,500) "Knute Rockne — All American" (W. B.) "Dulcy" (M-G-M) FISHER— (2,700) (15c-39c-44c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $6,500. (Average, $7,000) "Angels Over Broadway" (Col.) FOX— (5,000) (20c-55c-65c) 7 days. Stage show: "Streets of Paris" with Think-ADrink Hoffman, Marion & Hall, Hylton Sisters. Frank & Jean; Hubert, Ernesio & Talla, Pelch & Deauville, Ann Crosby. Don Richards, Peggy Alexander. Gross: $20,000. (Average. $15,000) "Moon Over Burma" (Para.) MICHIGAN— (4,000) ( 15c 39c 44c 55c 65c ) 7 days. Stage show: Bob Chester and orchestra, Frances Langford, Jon Hall, Dolores & O'Neil, Lorraine & Rognan, The Pitchmen. Gross: $18,000. (Average. $12.000 ) "North West Mounted Police" (Para) "A Night At Earl Carroll's" (Para.) PALMS— (3,000) (25c-39c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $7,000. (Average. $7,000) Remodel Northio House Hamilton, O., Dec. 18. — A new marciuee, air-conditioning system, new lighting and other improvements are being installed at the Rialto, local unit of Northio Theatres, Inc.