Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1943)

Motion Picture Daily Monday, July 19, 19' 'Lady of Burlesque' Rolls Up $15,000 In Milwaukee Run Milwaukee, July 18. — Although every Milwaukee first run played a top picture this week, boxoffice receipts were down because all were holdovers except the Riverside, which was over $15,000 for "Lady of Burlesque." The Warner and Wisconsin came in next with second week showings of "Stage Door Canteen" and "Coney Island," respectively. Estimated receipts for the week ending July 17 : "Bataan" (M-G-M) "Two Senoritas from Chicago" (Col.) PALACE^(2,40O) (50c-6Sc) 7 days. 2nd week. Gross: $6,230. (Average, $6,700) "Lady of Burlesque" (U. A.) RIVERSIDE — (2,700) (44c-60c-75c) 7 days. Plus Lee Roth and his orchestra on stage. Gross: $15,120. (Average, $12,600) "High Explosive" (Para.) "The Human Comedy" (M-G-M) STRANDM1.400) (50c-65c) 7 days, 3rd downtown week. Gross: $1,840. (Average, $2,300) "Stage Door Canteen" (U. A.) WARNER — (2,400) (44c-65c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $9,000. (Average, $9,000) "Coney Island" (ZOth-Fox) "Crime Doctor" (Col.) WISCONSIN— (3,200) (50c -65c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $9,000. (Average, $9,000) Brazil Production Not Aimed at Coast Hollywood, July 18. — Brazil's plans for government-sponsored studios contemplate no competition with Hollywood, according to Dr. Israel Smuto, director of pictures and theatres for the Brazilian Department of Information and Propaganda, who is here as the guest of the CIAA and is returning to New York next week. Smuto said : "I am mainly interested in technical improvements in making films in Brazil. We will establsh laboratories in Rio but they will be for the use of private film producers of my country at a nominal cost. Hollywood pictures are well received in Brazil," he added. "We find little to censor in them. Studios here do too fine a job, so we have little change before Brazilian fans see them." Four Shows Are Due Week of August 2nd The Broadway stage will again become active during the first week in August with the opening of four plays. "Try and Get It," by Sheldon Davis, will be presented by A. H. Woods at the Cort Theatre on August 2. "The Army Play-by-Play" will be opened the same evening by John Golden. Other productions scheduled for the week include the New Opera Company's production of "The Merry Widow," opening at the Majestic, August 3, and "The Two Mrs. Carrolls," starring Elisabeth Bergner, at the Booth, opening a few days later. Indianola Curfews On Indianola, la., July 18. — The city council has passed a curfew ordinance ordering the arrest of any minor under 18 found on the streets after 10 P. M., if without parent or guardian. Parent or guardian of any youth found alone on the streets after that hour will also be subject to arrest. Off the Antenna **T NFORMATION PLEASE" has set what is claimed to be a new record in radio program War Bond sales, selling $275,175,000 worth in its tour of Boston, Hartford, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Chicago, and San Francisco, selling bonds for admission to the air show. CBS celebrates the first anniversary of its full 15 per cent network discount plan. One year ago, the plan started with nine advertisers using 19 separate program periods weekly, taking advantage of a 75-station hook-up. There are now 33 advertisers using 49 different shows, 95 separate program periods weekly. . .-. Authoritative diplomatic sources in Washington reveal that OWI has imposed a temporary ban on foreign broadcasts by representatives in this country of six European exile governments as a result of the military emergency created by the AngloAmerican invasion of Sicily. Purely Personal: Carl Gross of NBC's "Just Plain Bill" has been signed by M-G-M to play opposite Lana Turner in her next. . . . Roy C. Corderman, assistant chief of OWI communications facilities has resigned to join the radio dhnsion of Western Electric . . . Howard Stanley succeeds Lee Chadzvick as promotion-publicity director for WTOP and publicity director of CBS Washington. . . . Palmer M. Craig has been named chief engineer of the radio division of Philco. . . . Carleton McVarish of the Yankee Network has joined the Army. . . . Program Notes: James L. Fly, FCC Chairman, David Sarnoff, RCA President, Walt Disney, and Francis S. Harmon of WAC, will speak on NBC's post-war planning program, "For This We Fight," July 21. . . . Film "This Is the Army" will be plugged in 28 radio serials on NBC, CBS, and Mutual. . . . Herbert Hoover and Rear Admiral Stirling will be heard over CBS July 25 as part of program of "Emergency Conference to Save the Jews" in Europe. . . . "Roma" show on CBS July 22 features Mary Astor, Charles Ruggles, and Mischa Auer. . . . Jack Durant will put on his own radio program shortly. . . . Laraine Day visits NBC's "Johnny Mercer's Music Shop" July 27. . . . New CBS comedy featuring Jerry Lester starts July 25. . . . Frank Smith, manager of Palace Theatre, Chicago, and Al Boyd WLS program director will produce a Navy show at Chicago Stadium on July 30th. Petrillo Forces Cut In WSAY Programs In an effort to force a showdown in a labor dispute with Station W-SAY, Rochester, Mutual affiliate, James C. Petrillo, AFM head, has deprived that station of all network shows containing "live" music, by threatening a musicians' strike against network commercial and sustaining programs. Miller McClintock, Mutual president, emphasized that the network is not a party to the dispute between WSAY and AFM nor has it power to intervene in the station's refusal to increase its musical staff from one to five, as demanded by the union. Network was obliged to take action to prevent violation of commitments. Tuohy vs. Fox Suit Set for July 26 Chicago, July 18. — A suit filed in the U. S. District Court here by Irving S. Roth and Thomas J. McCormick, attorneys for Roger Tuohy, at present imprisoned at Joliet, 111., penitentiary, against 20th Century-Fox, Bryan Foy, producer of "Roger Tuohy, Last of the Gangsters," and Joseph E. Ragen, warden of the prison, is to be heard by Judge William Holly on his return from vacation on July 26. The complaint charges that the picture dramatizes the plaintiff's life and character for the sole purpose of pecuniary gain to the defendants without the plaintiff's consent. National Allied Asks All-Out Aid in Drive on Vandalism Chicago, July 18.— "Recognizing the urgent need for enlisting screens^ to help combat the spreading menace of juvenile delinquency," National Allied's special committee on delinquency is circulating a petition to enlist additional industry support to stamp out this "current evil." The committee, headed by Jack Kirsch, of Illinois Allied, and including Dr. J. B. Fishman, New Haven, and P. J. Wood, Columbus, says it has had quick and favorable response from producers to its proposals that each studio produce a short subject directed at the youth of the nation and portraying the devastating effects of such acts of destruction and rowdyism on the war effort. In requesting exhibitors to support these subjects, the Kirsch committee observes that, "through such a visual education program, as only the screen can offer, can we succeed in awakening the mischievous youthful! element of the country to their full responsibilities as Americans." Allied lists Boston, Portland, Ore., Richmond, St. John, N. B., Toledo, Omaha, Salem, O., Columbus, Cleveland, Springfield, Mass., Newark, Chicago, New York and Washington as a few of the places reporting vandalism. NEW Budget Funds From Button Sale Tentative administrative yearly budget of $30,150, providing for a $7,800 executive secretary, a publicist at the same salary, and central office staff, was adopted by NEIC delegates in session at the Waldorf. Delegates reacted favorably to suggestion that necessary funds be raised hj selling a $1 button to mef) bers of participating organ./ zations of entertainment fields, rather than by assessment against the organizations. John Anderson, 46, Drama Critic, Die John Anderson, 46, drama critic cl the New York J ournalAmerica) died suddenly of meningitis Frida) after having undergone an operatio: for sinus. He is survived by his w«< the former Margaret Bruening; hi mother, Mrs. Warren E. Andersor i Sr., of Pensacola, Fla. ; two sisters Katherine H. and Modeste H. Ander son, both of Pensacola, and eigbj brothers. Anderson was president of the Nevj York Drama Critics Circle and wai considered an authority on the legitii mate stage, an author of several book : and for the past several years ha(S been a drama instructor at New Yorlj University. Services were read at the cemeter at Monroe, Conn., Saturday. Clemente Giglio, 57; Was Italian Produce) Clemente Giglio, 57 years old, leading figure of the Italian theatn in America, died recently of a hear attack in his home in Brooklyn. Gigli< wrote, produced and acted in mon than 100 plays. In 1939 he exhibitecj first-run Italian films at the Irving Place Theatre, and in 1941 producet a play, "The Human Statue." at th< Ambassador. He leaves a widow, ; son, Private Sandrino Giglio. USA I a daughter, Adele ; a brother, anc four sisters. Jules Bledsoe, Baritone Hollywood, July 18. — Jules Bled-, soe, 44, the Negro opera and musica comedy baritone, died here recently o; a cerebral hemorrhage. He was notec for his rendition of "01' Man River' in "Show Boat," and had recenth completed a tour of Army camps ir! the interest of war bonds. Bledsoe was a hit in 1927 in the "Show Boat" role and, two yearslater, repeated it in the film version Bledsoe was also a composer. Mrs. E. B. Orr Dies Piqua, O., July 18. — Mrs. E. B.~ Orr, 80, died here recently after an; illness of several months. She was the mother of Morrison Orr. United Artist branch manager in Cleveland. $3,000 to La Rabida Fund Chicago, Tuly 18. — Contributions of $3,000 by Variety Club members to the "Heart Fund" for the benefit cf La Rabida Sanitarium are reported by W. E. Banford. MGM localbranch manager, committee chairman. Goal of fund is $10,000.