Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1941)

8 Motion Picture daily Wednesday, August 20, 19 Off the Antenna jV/f UTUAL will start a goodwill exchange series with Brazil next week. On the last Wednesday of each month, Mutual will short-wave a 15-minute program of contemporary United States music and a network of Brazilian stations will re-broadcast the programs. On the last Thursday, one of the Brazilian stations will feed the Mutual network with a similar show. The first program heard here will be broadcast Thursday, Aug. 28, 8:45-9 P.M. • • • Purely Personal: Theodore Streibert, IVOR vice-president, became the father of a boy last week. . . . George V . Denny, Jr., moderator of "America's Town Meeting of the Air," will be guest on "Information, Please" Friday, Aug. 29. . . . The engagement of Ruth Gail Philip to Arthur Weill, WHN assistant comptroller, has been announced. . . . Eugene Thomas, IVOR sales manager, is on vacation. • • • The FCC yesterday amended its rules to permit short-wave stations to use more than one frequency. Should atmospheric conditions or deliberate interference make reception in Latin America or Europe poor on one wave length, the station can switch to another. • • • "The Treasury Hour," now heard Wednesdays over CBS on time donated by the Texas Oil Co., will shift to an NBC-Blue network of more than 100 stations Tuesday, Sept. 30, with the Bendix Aviation Corp. donating the time. It will be heard 8-9 P.M. and will continue to promote the sale of Defense Bonds. • • • Program News: Edgar Bergen will return to NBC-Red Sunday, Sept. 7, zvith Dcanna Durbin as Charlie McCarthy's first guest of the new Season. . . . Fred Allen will return to CBS Wednesday, Oct. 8. . . . Charles Laughton, Milton Berle, Shirley Ross and Bob Crosby and his band will be featured on "Three Ring Time," sponsored by P. Ballantine & Sons over more than 75 Mutual stations beginning Friday, Sept. 12. No definite time for the show has been set. It will originate from KHJ , Hollywood. . . . Lever Bros, will expand its daytime schedule over CBS beginning Monday when it will start sponsorship of "Bright Horizons," over 34 stations, Monday through Friday. 11 :30-ll :45 A.M. . . . WEAF has added a number of news periods. Robert St. John, former AP correspondent, has joined the staff as commentator and will be heard 6:15-6:30 P.M. Monday through Friday, replacing Don Goddard, The latter will give newscasts 12:45-12:55 P.M. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until Sept. 30 and then will change \to 12-12:15 P.M. Monday through Friday with a 12:45-1 P.M. spot on Saturdays. . . . "Hap Hazard," the Summer replacement for "Fibber McGce and Molly," will continue on the air over the Winter with the sponsor, S. C. Johnson & Son, adding a second program. It will be heard 7:30-8 P.M. Wednesdays over 27 NBC-Red stations, beginning Oct. 15. . . . "Knickerbocker Playhouse" will reiurn to NBC-Red Saturday, Sept. 6. Showmanship Flashes 'Goodbye' and Show Chicago Lead, $45,000 Chicago, Aug. 19. — "Kiss the Boys Goodbye," with the Andrews Sisters heading the stage show, drew $45,000 at the Chicago Theatre in the second week. "Hold That Ghost" drew a strong $19,500 at the Palace, paired with "Melody for Three." Estimated receipts for the week ending Aug. 14 : "The Big Store" (M-G-M) APOLLO — (1,400) (35c-55c-6Sc-75c) 7 days. Gross: $4,500. "Kiss the Boys Goodbye" (Para.) CHICAGO' — (4,000) (35c-55c-75c) 7 days, 2nd week. Stage — Andrews Sisters. Gross: $45,000. (Average, $32,000) "The Bride Came C.O.D." (W.B.) GARRICK— (1,000) (35c-55c-75c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $5,000. (Average, $5,000) "Meet John Doe" (W.B.) "One Night in Lisbon" (Para.) ORIENTAL— (3,200) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $9,000. (Average, $9,000) 'Hold That Ghost" (Univ.) "Melody For Three" (RICO) PALACE— (2,500) (30c-40c-60c) 7 days. Gross: $19,500. (Average. $13,000) "Out of the Fog" (W.B.) ROOSEVELT— (1,500) (35c-55c-75c) 7 days. Gross: $10,500. (Average, $11,000) "Prisoner of Devil's Island" (Col.) STATE-LAKE— (3,700) (25c-35c-40c-50c) 7 days. Stage — Rajah Raboid and vaudeville. Gross: $18,000. (Average, $14,000) "Blossome in the Dust" (M-G-M) UNITED ARTISTS— (1.700) (35c-55c-75c) 7 days, 3rd week. Gross: $8,500. (Average, $14,000) "Frank Buck's Jungle Cavalcade" (RKO) 5 days, 5th week "Underground" (W.B.) 2 days WOODS — (1,100) (25c-30c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $6,500. 'Ghost' on Dual Is St. Louis Leader St. Louis, Aug. 19. — Enjoying its best business in several years the Fox, with "Hold That Ghost" and "Charley's Aunt," drew $17,000. "Ringside Maisie," and "That Uncertain Feeling" at Loew's drew $14,000. Estimated receipts for the week ending Aug. 14: "My Life With Caroline" (RKO) 'San Antonio Rose" (Univ.) AMBASADOR— (3,018) (28c-39c-44c-56c) 7 days. Gross: $8,500. (Average, $11,500) "Hold That Ghost" (Univ.) "Charley's Aunt" (20th-Fox) FOX— 5,038) (20c-30c-40c) 7 days, 2nd week for "Charlie's Aunt." Gross: $17,000. (Average, 28c-39c-44c-56c scale, $11,000) "Tom, Dick and Harry" (RKO) "Caught in the Draft" (Para.) MISSOURI— (3,514) (30c-40c-50c) 7 days, 6th week for "Draft." Gross: $5,500. (Average, $4,000) "Ringside Maisie" (M-G-M) "That Uncertain Feeling" (U.A.) LOEW'S — (3,162) (28c-39c-44c-56c) 7 days. $14,000. (Average, $13,000) "Voice in the Night" (Col.) "Paper Bullets" P.R.C.) ST. LOUIS— (4,000) (25c-35c) 7 days. Gross: $2,100. (Average, $2,600) Equipment of XERA Taken by Mexico Mexico City, Aug. 19. — Equipment of XERA, the 180,000-watt station at Villa Acuna, over the border from Eagle Pass., Tex., recently expropriated by the Federal Government for violation of broadcasting regulations, will be installed at Mexico City as the official station of the administration. The Government plans to have the station in service by next February. The power may be increased to 250,000 watts. Contest Aids Chicago Campaign on 'Dragon' Chicago, Aug. 19. — Walter Ahrens, manager of the RKO Palace, centered his campaign on "The Reluctant Dragon" around a color contest conducted by the Daily Times. Over 5,000 entries were received and War Saving Stamps were awarded the winners. Another feature of his campaign included a theatre party for 100 underprivileged children, sponsored by the Chicago Tribune. International Plot Films Given Trial Showings Pittsburgh, Aug. 19.— To determine whether audience distaste for pictures about international politics and espionage is as strong as indicated by relatively poor box-offices of such pictures here in the past year, Warner Theatres manager Harry Kalmine recently arranged two test engagements of "Underground" in Johnstown and Parkersburg. Civic Preview for Opening of 'Stars' Springfield, Mass., Aug. 19. — A screening for 100 city, educational, Better Films, and press representatives started the campaign on "The Stars Look Down" at the Poli here. The preview was preceded by a breakfast. Girl With Banner Plugs Pictures at Boxing Match Memphis, Aug. 19. — As an exploitation stunt for "Moon Over Miami," Manager Robert Kilgore of Loew's Palace here persuaded the promoter of local boxing matches to let a girl in bathing suit and' a "Moon Over Miami" banner walk about the ring with cards announcing the number of the rounds. The stunt is now a permanent feature. Packard Dealer Tieup On 'Reaching for Sun' Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Aug. 19. — Acting Manager James Riley of the Pcnn Theatre arranged a tieup with the local Packard distributor on "Reaching for the Sun." Banners ivere placed on four demonstrators plugging the film and play date as well as the car ivhile a gigantic set piece zvas set up in the autom-obile showroom. Oth Sheets at Recruiting Spots Used on 'Wings' Baltimore, Aug. 19. — While showing "I Wanted Wings" Larry Schanberger, manager of Keith's Theatre, supplied one-sheets to Army headquarters. The posters were placed on recruiting sandwich signs, opposite the regular Federal posters calling for recruits. The signs have a permanent spot at various locations in front of Federal offices throughout the city. $7,300 'Ghost' Gross Is Best Seattle Drav Seattle, Aug. 19. — "Hold th;j Ghost" at the Orpheum took a stron $7,300. "Wild Geese Calling" at tlJ Paramount drew $5,900. The weath^1 was slightly cooler. Estimated receipts for the week la.* ing Aug. 15 : "Man Hunt" (20th-Fox) "Dance Hall" (20th-Fox) BLUE MOUSE — (950) (30c-40c-50c) days, 2nd week. Moved from Paramoun Gross: $2,900. (Average, $4,000) "Kiss the Boys Goodbye" (Para.) "Forced Landing" (Para.) FIFTH AVENUE— (2,500) (30c-40c-5(k 65c) 7 days. Gross: $5,900. (Averagi $7,000) "I Was a Prisoner on Devil's Island" (Col.) "Country Fair" (Repub.) LIBERTY— (1,800) (20c-30c-40c) 7 day: Gross: $3,900. (Average, $5,000) "Tom, Dick and Harry'' (RKO) "The Bride Wore Crutches" (20th-Fox) MUSIC BOX— (950) (30c-40c-50c) 7 day; 2nd week. Moxed from Fifth Avenue Gross: $3,300. (Average. $4,000) "Hold that Ghost" (Univ.) "Highway West" CW.B.) ORPHEUM— (2,450) (30c-40c-50c) 7 daysGross: $7,300. (Average, $6,000) "Puddin' Head" (Rep.) "Passage from Hongkong" (W.B.) FALOMAR— (1,500) (20c-30c-40c) 7 day> Stage: Vaudeville. Gross: $4,600. (Aver age, $5,000) "Wild Geese Calling" (2»th-Fox) "Dressed to Kill" (ZOth-Fox) PARAMOUNT— (3.050) (30c-40c-50c) days. Gross: $5,900. (Average, $6,000) 'Manpower' Takes $8,100, Milwaukee Milwaukee, Aug. 19. — Best grossei in a not too prosperous week for theatres was "Manpower" and "Kisses ! for Breakfast" with an $8,100 take a the Warner. Other business was off Estimated receipts for the week ending Aug. 12-14: "Charley's Aunt" (20th-Fox) "Dressed to Kill" (20th-Fox) WISCONSIN— (3,200) (33c-44c-55c) 5 days! 2nd week. Gross: $3,000. (Average, $5,500 "Kiss the Boys Goodbye" (Para.) "West Point Widow" (Para.) PALACE— (2,400) (33c-44c-55c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $4,000. (Average, $4,000) "Moon Over Miami" (20th-Pox) "Blossoms in the Dust" (M-G-M) STRAND— (1,400) (44c-55c) 7 days, 2nc week. Gross: $1,600. (Average, $1,500) "Manpower" (W. B.) "Kisses for Breakfast" (W. B.) WARNER— (2,400) (30c-40c-55c) 8 days.' Gross: $8,100. (Average, $4,500) Station Kills Slogan On Order of F.T.C Washington, Aug. 19. — The Fed-, eral Trade Commission has announced that Station KTSA, San Antonio, Tex., has filed a stipulation under which it agrees that in selling, its facilities it will cease and desistt from using the slogan "KTSA, San Antonio, Tex., 5,000 watts, doing a 50,000-watt job" The first case brought against ar broadcasting station, the commission charged that KTSA operates on 5,000 watts in the daytime and 1,000 watts at night, and that its claim of 50,000 watts was a misrepresentation. Manages WRJN Studio Racine, Wis., Aug. 19. — Al Gale, announcer and studio manager of the Burlington studios of WRJN for three years, has been named manager of the station's new Kenosha studios.