Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1942)

6 Motion Picture Daily Monday, March 2, 1942 Critics9 Quotes . . . "TO BE OR NOT TO BE" (Korda-United Artists) Even if it were not Carole Lombard's last picture, Ernest Lubitsch's new production, "To Be or Not To Be" would stir up a gale of comment . . . packed with surprises. . . . And I want to assure you on one point. After the first shock, you are able to enjoy her playing, just as if "To Be or Not To Be" were an ordinary picture. — Harrison Carroll, Los Angeles Herald-Express. Her last picture is her best. — Louella 0. Parsons, Los Angeles Examiner. Uproarious and exciting, but surveyed in retrospect, will leave many who see it unsatisfied. — Edzvin Schallert, Los Angeles' Times. The Lubitsch hand in all this is more restrained than usual ; as a result this is his best picture in a long time. — Virginia Wright, Los Angeles News. "SONG OF THE ISLANDS" (20th Century-Fox) It's gorgeously beautiful in photography, highly entertaining in theme, and excellently acted. . . . Don't be misled, however, by its ostentation. It's not a great drama and it never could be material for consideration in choosing academy awards. — C. Marlin Lundry, Miami Beach Daily Tropics: On the credit side of a pretty tiresome flicker might be mentioned really delightful technicolor photography and the face and figure of Betty Grable. — Jack Kofoed, Miami Daily News. A splendid production of song, dance and beauty, but lacking a screen play of sufficient mirth and merit. — Bob Fredericks, Miami Herald. "BEDTIME STORY" (Columbia) Time-honored plot . . . but it is bedecked with so much bright writing, clever acting and well-sustained suspense that it may be set down as a comedy of large dimensions. — Donald Kirkley, Baltimore Sun. There are, to be sure, moments of high and surefire comedy. But for the most part the situations are never credible and consequently beyond rescue by the valiant players. — Bemie Harrison, Washington Times-Herald. Don't expect too much of this airy fable but be assured that it is worth going for if your aim is light entertainment. — W. E. Oliver, Los Angeles Herald-Express. "ROXIE HART" (20th Century-Fox) For all its obviousness and broad slapstick, it's fast and fairly funny. — Philadelphia Bulletin. Her performance (Ginger Roger's) ... is very funny and so is the film. — Elsie Finn, Philadelphia Record. The film is even funnier than the 1926 footlight original in which Francine Larrimore appeared. — Mildred Martin, Philadelphia Inquirer. A sure enough click for sophisticated Broadway audiences. — Lee Mortimer, New York Daily Mirror. There are many laughs to be had . . . with Ginger and Menjou accounting for most of them. — Kate Cameron, New York Daily News. "JOHNNY EAGER" (M-G-M) Good entertainment . . . while Robert Taylor and Lana Turner have the leading roles a great deal of its dramatic value comes from the outstanding performance of Van Heflin. — Pat Pretlow, Washington Daily News. It is about as good a gangster picture as any of them that came off the line after Joe Von Sternberg's "Underworld." — Nelson B. Bell, Washington Post. If the story is a little on the fabulous side and the plot style slightly prewar, never mind. "Johnny Eager" has what it takes to keep audiences both interested and entertained. — Elsie Finn, Philadelphia Record. A film replete with good performances as well as exciting action. — Harry Bortnick, Philadelphia Daily News. "CAPTAINS OF THE CLOUDS" (Warners) A virtual must on everyone's list . . . "Captains of the Clouds" is a thorough examination and an always visually beautiful one of the excitement that inheres in aerial activity. — Jay Carmody, Washington Star. There are scenes without number in this film which you will find yourself remembering at odd times. — Maxine Cook, Washington Daily Star. In some respects the best of the flying melodramas produced since preparations for defense began. — Donald Kirkley, Baltimore Sun. "Captains of the Clouds" is long. But it's a good show, a stunning production and a bureau of information about the training of army aviators. — Elsie Finn, Philadelphia Record. An excellent, worthwhile film of today's war-time actions in other nations. — Harry Bortnick, Philadelphia Daily News. "RIDE 'EM COWBOY" (Universal) The team's fifth co-starring picture doesn't measure to some of their earlier efforts ... is funny enough for most specialists in low comedy. — Newszveek. They don't pull anything new but they certainly give the old stuff a funny workout. — Norman Clark, Baltimore News Post. Call it anything you wish and you needn't be flattering. But it's a hit just the same. — Gilbert Kanour, Baltimore Sun. 'Men' Scores $5,700, Best Seattle Gross Seattle, March 1. — "The Men in Her Life" took $5,700 at the Liberty, and the second week of "All Through the Night" drew $5,800 at the Orpheum. The weather was mild. Estimated receipts for the week ending Feb. 21 : "Look Who's Laughing" (RKO) "The Gay Falcon" (RKO) BLUE MOUSE — (950) (30c -42c -58c70c) 7 davs, 3rd week. Moved from Paramount. Gross: $3,200. (Average, $4,000) "Ball of Fire" (RKO) "Fiesta" (U. A.) FIFTH AVENUE— (2,500) (30c-42c-58c70c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $6,400. (Average, $7,000) "The Men in Her Life" (Col.) "Go West, Young Lady" (Col.) LIBERTY — (1,800) (30c-42c-58c-70c) 7 days. Gross: $5,700. (Average, $5,000) "H. M. Pulham, Esq." (M-G-M) "A Yank on the Burma Road" (M-G-M) MUSIC BOX— (950) (30c-42c-58c-70c) 7 days, 3rd week. Moved from Fifth Avenue. Gross: $3,000. (Average, $4,000) "All Through the Night" (W. B.) "The Body Disappears" (W. B.) ORPHEUM— (2,450) (30c-42c-58c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $5,800. (Average, $6,000) "Bombay Clipper" (Univ.) "We Go Fast" (ZOth-Fox) PALOMAR— (1,500) (20c-30c-42c-58c) 7 days. Stage: Vaudeville. Gross: $5,300. (Average, $5,000) "Tarzan's Secret Treasure" (M-G-M) "Kathleen" (M-G-M) PARAMOUNT— (3,050) (30c-42c-58c) 7 days. Gross: $5,400. (Average, $6,000) 'Lady' and Powell $14,400, Milwaukee Milwaukee, March 1. — Sub-zero temperatures slowed down business. Dick Powell in person at the Riverside with the film, "Lady for a Night" drew $14,400. "Gone With the Wind" at Fox's Palace grossed $9,200. Estimated receipts for the week ending Feb. 17-19 : "How Green Was My Valley" (ZOth-Fox) "Henry Aldrich for President" (Para.) STRAND— (1.400) (44c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $2,100. (Average, 1,500) "Gone With the Wind" (M-G-M) PALACE— (2,400) (44c-60c) 7 days. Gross: $9,200. (Average, $4,000) "Lady for a Night" (Rep.) RIVERSIDE— (2,700) (33c-44c-55c) 7 days. Stage: Dick Powell. Gross: $14,400. (Average, $6,500) "Dumbo" (RKO) "Paris Calling" (Univ.) WARNER— (2,400) (33c-44c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $7,000. (Average, $4,500) "Remember the Day" (ZOth-Fox) "Blue, White and Perfect" (ZOth-Fox) WISCONSIN— (3,200) (44c-60c) 7 days. Gross: $8,000. (Average, $5,500) 'Babes' Captures $12,000, Montreal Montreal, March 1. — "Babes on Broadway" chalked up $12,000 at Loew's. "How Green Was My Valley" drew $9,700 at the Palace. Estimated receipts for the week ending Feb. 19 : "The Shanghai Gesture" (U. A.) ORPHEUM— (1,000) (30c-40c-60c) 7 days. Gross: $4,500. (Average, $4,000) "Babes on Broadway" (M-G-M) LOEW'S — (2,900) (35c-47c-67c) 7 days. Gross: $12,000. (Average, $7,000) "How Green Was My Valley" (20th -Fox) PALACE— (2,200) (30c-45c-62c) 7 days. Gross: $9,700. (Average, $7,000) "Sullivan's Travels" (Para.) "Pacific Blackout" (Para.) CAPITOL— (2,800) (30c-45c-62c) 7 days. Gross: $6,800. (Average, $4,000) "The Wolf Man" (Univ.) "Jail House Blues" (Univ.) PRTNCESS — (2,200) (34c-47c) 7 days. Gross: $4,300. (Average. $2,500) Is Circuit Head's Aide Indianapolis, March 1. — James R Newton Jr., has been named assistant to the general manager of the Fountain Square Theatre Co., which operates the Fountain Square, Granada and Sanders, South Side neighborhood houses here. Delay Buffalo Trial Buffalo, March 1.— Supreme Court Justice Almon W. Lytle has adjourned the trial of Old Vienna, Inc., on chance game charges until March 16. The action was taken because of the illness of former Mayor Frank X. Schwab, president of the corporation. 'Hellzapoppin' Gets $12,000, Providence Providence, March 1. — "Hellzapoppin" and "Father Takes a Wife" took $12,000 at the RKO-Albee, and business elsewhere was satisfactory. Estimated receipts for the week ending Feb. 18-19: "Hellzapoppin' " (Univ.) "Father Takes a Wife" (RKO) RKO-ALBEE — (2.239) (28c-39c-50c) days. Gross: $12,000. (Average. $6,000) "The Shanghai Gesture" (U. A.) "Mr. District Attorney in the Carter Case" (Rep.) LOEW'S STATE— (3.232) (28c-39c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $13,000. (Average, $11,000) "Son of Fury" (20th-Fox) "Young America" (ZOth-Fox) MAJESTIC— (2.250) (28c-39c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $9,700. (Average, $7,000) "Louisiana Purchase" (Para.) STRAND— (2,200) (28c-39c-50c) 7 days. 2nd week. Gross: $6,800. (Average, $6,C00) "Treat 'Em Rough" (Univ.) FAY'S— (1,800) (20c-33c-44c) 7 days. Stage show with The Benders: Charles and Dupree; Miriam Johnson; Ted Adair; Paul Williams; Stanley Fisher; Paul Lake. Gross: $5,200. (Average, $5,000) "Double Trouble" (Mono.) METROPOLITAN— (3,045) (30c-39c-55c75c) 3 days. Stage show with Chico Marx and orchestra; Martha Raye and Mickey Freeman; Gil Lamb and Tommy Sanford; Sue Perkins; Ziggy Lane. Gross: $10,200. (Average, $5,000) "The Man Who Came to Dinner" (W. B.) "Steel Against the Sky" (W. B.) CARLTON— (1,526) (8c-39c-50c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $3,200. (Average, $3,500) "Babes on Broadway" (M-G-M) (3 days) "Cadet Girl" (ZOth-Fox) (3 days) "They Died with Their Boots On" (W. B.) (4 days) "Mr. and Mrs. North" (M--M) (4 days) EMPIRE— (1,200) (20c-28c) 2nd run. Gross: $2,000. (Average, $1,800) 'Woman' Garners $22,000 in Capital Washington, March 1. — The week's strongest attraction was "Woman of the Year," with $22,000 at Loew's Palace. "Sergeant York," in the second week of a return engagement at Warners' Metropolitan, drew $7,300. Estimated receipts for the week ending Feb. 18-19: "Remember the Day" (ZOth-Fox) LOEW'S CAPITOL— (3,434) (28c-39c-55c66c -77c) 7 days. On stage: Lew Parker, Jay and Lou Seiler, Ken Davidson and Hugh Forgie, Dorothy Keller, Khythm Rockets. Gross: $18,000. (Average, $15,500) "The Lady Is Willing" (Col.) WARNERS' EARLE— (2,200) (28c-39c55c-66c-77c) 7 days. On stage: Alan Carney, Kav, Katya and Kay, Park and Clifford, Roxyettes, Three Arnolds. Gross: $15,400. (Average, $15,000) "Sergeant York" (W. B.) WARNERS' METROPOLITAN— (1,600) (40c-55c) 7 days, 2nd week, return engagement. Gross: $7,300. (Average, $4,000) "Woman of the Year" (M-G-M) LOEW'S PALACE — (2,300) (39c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $22,000. (Average, $15,000) "How Green Was My Valley" (ZOth-Fox) LOEW'S COLUMBIA— (1,250) (28c-44c) 7 days, return engagement. Gross: $5,500. (Average, $3,500) Ask Early Matinees To Ease Rush Hour The New York Commerce and Industry Association has sent questionnaires to legitimate theatres asking whether weekday matinee time can be moved forward to 2 P. M. in order to lessen strain on traffic facilities during rush hours. Department stores also are being asked to open at 10 A. M. instead of 9. To Handle Re-Issues Ben Price, former salesman at Universal's local exchange, has entered independent distribution here, and will deal in re-issues.