Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1941)

Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, October 14, 194), Holiday Good for B 'way Bonus After Strong Weekend {Continued from page 1) day through Sunday and ends a twoweek run tomorrow night. "All That Money Can Buy" is slated to follow on Thursday. "The Maltese Falcon" and Jan Suvitt's orchestra, now in a second week at the Strand, brought an estimated $20,000 Friday through Sunday and bows out Thursday night to make way for "Sergeant York." 'Yank' Continues Strong "A Yank in the R. A. F." with a stage show is maintaining a strong pace at the Roxy. Now in its fourth week, the show grossed an estimated $35,000 Friday through Sunday. "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" in its ninth week at the Astor drew an estimated $7,000. Warners' "Target for Tonight" goes into the Globe Friday, replacing the current "Law of the Tropics," which grossed an estimated $1,600 Saturday and Sunday. "Burma Convoy" finished a week at the Rialto Sunday night with an estimated $5,200 and was succeeded yesterday by "Flyins Cadets." 'Sergeant York' Is Good in Milwaukee Milwaukee, Oct. 13. — "Sergeant York" in its second week at the Warner was good for $8,800. Runner-up was "A Yank in the R. A. F." and "We Go Fast" with $8,400 at Fox's Wisconsin. Estimated receipts for the week ending Oct. 9: "You'll Never Get Rich" (Col.) "They Dare Not Love" (Col.) PALACE— (2,400) (33c-44c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $5,600. (Average, $4,000) "Our Wife" (Col.) "When Ladies Meet" (M-G-M) STRAND' — (1,400) (44c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $2,400. (Average, $1,500) "Sergeant York" (W. B.) WARNER— (2,400) (40c-50c-66c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $8,800. (Average, $4,500) "A Yank in the R.A.F." (ZSth-Fox) "We Go Fast" (Zttth-Fox) WISCONSIN— (3,200) (33c-44c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $8,400. (Average, $5,500) 'Honky Tonk* Beats Baltimore Hot Spell Baltimore, Oct. 13. — A belated heat wave held down box-office receipts, but "Honky Tonk" took $24,500 at the Century and "A Yank in the R. A. F." drew $12,000 at the New. Estimated receipts for the week ending Oct. 9 : "Honky Tonk" (M-G-M) CENTURY— (3,000) (28c-44c) 7 days. Gross: $24,500. (Average, $10,000) "It Started! With Eve" (Univ.) KEITH'S— (2,406) (15c -28c -33c -44c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $10,500. (Average, $9,000) "A Yank in the R.A.F." (20th-Fox) NEW— (1,581) (15c-28c-35c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $12,000. (Average, $7,000) "Navy Blues" (W.B.) STANLEY— (3,280) (15c-28c-39c-44c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $12,500. (Average, $12,000) "You'll Never Get Rich" (Col.) HIPPODROME — (2,205) (15c-28c-39c-44c55c-66c) 7 days, 2nd week. New stage show with Three Sailors; Roy Smeck; Lew Parker, Monroe and Grant; and Novak Sisters. Gross: $12,000. (Average, $14,000) Critics9 Quotes . . . "HOLD BACK THE DAWN" (Paramount) Paramount is almost certain to turn a pretty profit with "Hold Back the Dawn." While this Arthur Hornblow production must be classified as a "woman's picture," it is a superior variety of that lucrative screen species. — Newsweek. A drama so vital, so poignant that it must take its place as one of the great pictures of all time. . . . There is little doubt that when voting time comes around for Academy Awards "Hold Back the Dawn" will be high in the list of Oscar possibilities. — Louella O. Parsons, Los Angeles Examiner. An extraordinary blend of warmth and humor, of incisive characterizations and brilliant character bits, of valid drama and romance. Such a host of virtues seems to demand more than a single inspection. — Virginia Wright, Los Angeles News. Sentimentally powerful, it is made more arresting by overtones of mockery and cynicism — echoes of that decadent Europe from which these men and women have fled, yet which hover around them like a bad dream. — Philip K. Schencr, Los Angeles Times. "ICE-CAPADES" (Republic) As in other films of its kind, the clever performances of the skaters is the thing. The story is negligible and the comedy lines and gags are pretty feeble in their attempts to be funny. The Ice-Capades Company, however, with its internationally known stars, is a brilliant organization of fancy skaters and their work in the picture is well worth seeing and applauding. — Kate Cameron, New York News. A gay, light, tuneful and frivolous little movie without too much pretention, and thus a swell hour-killer. — Lee Mortimer, New York Mirror. Skating enthusiasts and those who fancy Jerry Colonna's antics are certain to be regaled. ... I must put down "Ice-Capades" as a minor and rather monotonous entertainment. — Howard Barnes, New York Herald Tribune. "OUR WIFE" (Columbia) The film as a whole fulfills its object admirably, its object being to provide a light and sprightly bit of entertainment. — Donald Kirkley, Baltimore Sun. There is plenty of comedy in the pinches, and romance in the clinches with a few cliches thrown in to make the customers think they have been here before. But it is amusing, and the premiere audience yesterday found it excuse for ample giggling. — Robert B. Cochrane, Baltimore Evening Sun. "LADY BE GOOD" (M-G-M) Runs just nine minutes over two hours, and naturally finds it a little difficult to keep up its pace over that much territory. . . . Scenes are lavish and a couple of production numbers are elaborately staged. . . . They've used some good tunes for the score. — Robert B. Cochrane, Baltimore Evening Sun. A passably entertaining offering, with some grand performers in it. — Norman Clark, Baltimore News-Post. Has some excellent songs, a bright performance by Ann Sothern, and other assets of some value, but the flimsy story drags on interminably long after it has ceased to interest the spectator. — Donald Kirkley, Baltimore Sun. "BELLE STARR" (20th Century-Fox) Splendidly produced and convincingly acted, it is an engrossing addition to Filmland's Americana. — Richard L. Coe, Washington Post. Played by Gene Tierney, she's every man's dream, every woman's desperation, every heart's desire. Sen. Nye will not like her. — Pat Pretlow, Washington Daily News. Technicolor western with chases in their proper sequence and Gene Tierney offering a rather diluted version of Scarlett O'Hara. — Henry T. Murdock, Philadelphia Ledger. Pretty Technicolor picture enhances the fictional quality and Gene Tierney is a story-book heroine if ever there was one. — Elsie Finn, Philadelphia Record. Sensibly enough, on the score of entertainment, 20th Century-Fox has chosen to treat Belle in the legendary manner. — Mildred Marti, Philadelphia Inquirer. The film's in color, rich and gay. Gene Tierney's sweet as a bouquet, and maids will come from near and far to see Randolph Scott play Sam Starr . . . a movie full of action which should give fans satisfaction. — Chicago Tribune. Belle Starr of the film would not disgrace the Southern belle Lillian Gish played in "The Birth of a Nation." This is no exaggeration — Gene is as sweet, as wholesome, as charming, as cute. — C. J. Bulliet, Chicago Daily News._ Fanciful as it is, "Belle Starr" does manage a surprisingly fresh variation of the usual horse-opera melodramatics. The blood-and-thunder content is normal, the Technicolor photography excellent, and the cast capable enough. — Nezvsweek. "MAJOR BARBARA" (Pascal-United Artists) There are some brilliant passages in the new Shaw film. It was staged with a lavish hand, it has the benefit of an all-star company. . . . But the story is involved and confusing, and the spectator must struggle through a labyrinth of theological and metaphysical arguments. — Donald Kirkley, Baltimore Sun. Has neither the appeal nor the winning humor of "Pygmalion." The new film is a wordy debate attacking the problem of organized charity. . . . There is much that is witty, much that is provocative in the welter of words that pours from the screen. — Mildred Martin, Philadelphia Inquirer. Showmanship Flashes . . J Free 'Shooting Gallery' 'Billy the Kid' Stunt McAdoo, Pa., Oct. 13.— At little cost William Elliott, manager of the Palace here, set up a stunt to feature his exploitation on "Billy the Kid." Using a one-sheet, two 10-cent gun and a few old boards Elliott set up free shooting gallery in front of th" house with young and old alike in vited to try their aim on a "Billy the Kid" bullseye target. Sharpshooters who scored bullseyes received passes to the show. Contest on Welles Used In Promotion for 'Kane' Denver, Oct. 13. — The Orpheum here tied in with the Denver Monitor in a contest on "What Do Yot Know About Orson Welles," as pro motion on "Citizen Kane." Tht house also distributed 15,000 num bered cards, with those holding corresponding numbers posted in th< lobby awarded guest tickets. School Aviation Annex Cooperates on 'Parachute' Teachers at the Haaren High School's aviation annex in New York cooperated with Montague Salmon manager of the Beacon Theatre, dur ing the run of "Parachute Battalion' by arranging an elaborate display a> the school. A parachute jumper addressed an assembly of students dur ing the engagement. Elaborate Campaign Used To Plug 'Honky Tonk' St. Louis, Oct. 13. — An extensive exploitation campaign was arrangec by Rex Williams, manager, and Walh Heim of Loew's here for "Honk} Tonk." The feature race at nearb} Fairmont Race Track was named the "Honky Tonk," and Williams presented a blanket of roses for the winning horse. Night clubs and drug store; also cooperated in extended use oi throwaways of various kinds. Nurse and Bed Used For Horror Dual Bill McAdoo, Pa., Oct. 13.— A bed and nurse were planted in front of the house by Manager William Elliott of the Palace Theatre in connection with his twin horror show featuring two mystery pictures. The nurse handed out "faint checks" permitting patrons to return to the theatres should they faint during the show. All marquee lights were out at night with the entire front flooded by liglfts covered with red gelatine. Sports Girl Contest Is Employed on 'Serenade' Baltimore, Oct. 13. — A "Typical Sports Girl" contest, tied-in with a': daily newspaper, was included in the', campaign which Morris Mechanic, owner of the New Theatre, used on "Sun Valley Serenade." An evening daily carried stories and pictures and the New Theatre, in reciprocation, carried the newspaper's promotion on the screen, along with announcements of the contest. ■ ft