Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1944)

14 Motion Picture Daily Friday, March 24, 1944 Review "Rosie, the Riveter" (Republic) V> EPUBLIC explores the housing shortage in this pleasant little proA^ grammer in a manner that should find ready acceptance by the entire family through the appeal of its homey, and often amusing, incidents. The story, a simple one, revolves around complications which result when four defense workers, two male and two femalej are reluctantly forced to share occupancy, in shifts, of the same room. The two girls, Jane Frazee and Vera Vague, finally gain possession of their own room through the expedient of pawning Miss Frazee's engagement ring. They use the funds to establish Lloyd Corrigan in business and thus force a reconciliation with his wife, Stella Prouty, who has been occupying their new room. Miss Frazee becomes permanently estranged irom her disapproving fiance, Frank Fenton, and eventually fastens her affections on Frank Albertson, one of the defense workers. Joseph Santley has directed at a goodly pace from the Jack Townley and Aleen Leslie screenplay based on the magazine story, "Room for Two," by Dorothy Curnow Handley. Miss Frazee sings several musical numbers, most prominent of which are "Rosie, the Riveter," by Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb, which has achieved considerable public hearing. Other players are Frank Jenks, Maude Eburne, Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer, Louise Erickson, Ellen Lowe, Arthur Loft and Tom Kennedy. Armand Schaefer was associate producer. Running time, 75 mins. "G."* Release date, April 9. Charles Ryweck. $30,600 Over For 'Joe9 in 4 L.A. Houses Los Angeles, March 23. — With perfect weather business strengthened generally, "A Guy Named Joe" turning in the most impressive showing. In its quadruple opening at the Fox West Coast Carthay Circle, Chinese, Loew's State and Uptown, "Joe" got about $87,500. Estimated receipts for the week ending March 22 : "A Guy Named Joe" (M-G-M) CARTHAY CIRCLE— (1,516) (45c-55c-75c90c) 7 days. Gross: $13,000. (Average: $11,200). "A Guy Named Joe" (M-G-M) CHINESE — (2,500) (45c-55c-75c-90c) 7 days. Gross: $20,000. (Average: $15,500). "The Lodger" (20th-Fox) "Calling Dr. Death" (Univ.) EGYPTIAN— (1,500) (45c-S5c-75c-90c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $8,500. (Average: $9,500). "The Song of Bernadette" (MWh-Fox) FOUR STAR — (900) (85c-$1.10-$1.65) 7 days, 6th week. Gross: $7,500. (Average: $7,570). "Women in Bondage" (Mono.) "Hot Rhythm" (Monou) HAWAII— (1,000) (33c-44c-55c-75c) 7 days, 3rd week. Gross: $5,000. (Average: $6,200). "Up in Arms" (UA) "Nine Girls" (Col.) HILLSTREET— (2,700) (45c-55c-75c-90c) 7 days, 3rd week. Gross: $19,000. (Average: $19,700). "A Guy Named Joe" (M-G-M) LOEW'S STATE— (2,500) (45c-55c-75c-90c) 7 days. Gross: $39,000. (Average: $24,100). "The Lodger" (20th-Fox) "Calling Dr. Death" (Univ.) LOS ANGELES— (2,098) (45c-55c-75c-90c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $16,000. (Average: $14,900). "Up in Arms" (UA) "Nine Girls" (Col.) PANTAGES — (2,000) (45c-55c-75c-90c) 7 days, 3rd week. Gross: $19,000. (Average: $16,700). "Lady fa, the Dark" (Para.) PARAMOUNT HOLLYWOOD — (1,407) (45c-55c-65c-85c) 7 days, 6th week. Gross: $8,500. (Average: $11,000). "Lady in the Dark" (Para.) PARAMOUNT DOWNTOWN — (3,595) (45c-55c-65c-85c) 7 days, 6th week. Gross: $14,700. (Average: $20,300). "The Lodger" (20th-Fox) "Calling Dr. Death" (Univ.) RITZ— (1,376) (45c-55c-75c-90c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $8,000. (Average: $8,700). "The Song of Bernadette'' (2»th-Fox) UNITED ARTISTS— (2,100) (85c-$1.10$1.65) 7 days, 13th week. Gross: $8,000. (Average: $10,500). "A Guy Named Joe" (M-G-M) UPTOWN — (1,716) (45c-55c-75c-90c) 7 days. Gross: $15,500. (Average: $10,500). "Passage to Marseille" (WB) WARNERS HOLLYWOOD— (3,000) (45c5Sc-75c-90c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $22,742. (Average: $17,000). "Passage to Marseille" (WB) WARNERS DOWNTOWN— (3,400) (45c55c-75c-90c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $23,568. (Average: $18,700). "Passage to Marseille" (WB) WARNERS WILTERN— (2,200) (45c-55c75c-90c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $18,575. (Average: $15,200). Classics Gets Four Laurel & Hardys George Hirliman, president of Film Classics, disclosed here yesterday that his company will release four Laurel & Hardy feature films immediately. The pictures are "Pack Up Your Troubles," "Sons of the Desert," "Pardon Us" and "Beau Hunks," all produced by Hal Roach. Lasky on * Auction* Jesse L. Lasky, Warner Brothers producer whose next release will be "The Adventures of Mark Twain," will appear on Dave Elman's "Victory Auction" over the Mutual Network tomorrow at eight p. m. *"G" denotes general classification. Delivery Breakdown Near in Cincinnati Cincinnati, March 23. — Film carriers operating out of here are presently maintaining delivery schedules, but it is questionable how long they can continue due to their inability to secure tires and replacements parts for motor equipment. The situation is said to be typical in many places elsewhere. Henry J. Wessel, owner of Film Service, operating a large fleet and serving a vast theatre area, typically states that Federal agencies have failed to take action on deliverers' applications, accompanied by documentary evidence of necessity for repairs, filed several months ago. "Moreover," Wessel continues, "we have several disabled trucks and more will have to be taken out of service soon unless we obtain favorable action. Inasmuch as pictures are considered essential to maintaining morale on the home front, the handicap under which we are working is unfortunate." N, Y. Screen Canteen Celebrates Birthday Bonita Granville and home office executives were guests at first anniversary reception of the Silver Screen Canteen at the Fraternal Clubhouse here Wednesday evening. The canteen is sponsored jointly by the Screen Office and Professional Employes Guild, Local 109 and the Screen Publicists Guild and is staffed by hostesses from home offices and New York exchanges and is financed jointly by the office workers of the companies and by contributions by the companies. Fire Destroys Theatre Neligh, Neb., March 23— A fire and explosion here destroyed the Moon Theatre owned "by Walter Bradley, including three business establishments. Four persons were injured; damage was estimated at $100,000. Montreal Mayor Asks Crime Films' Ban Montreal, March 23. — This city's anti-delinquency drive, which started off with a bang last week with the gun murder of Detective Sergeant Henri Farmer by a 15-year old boy, had led to an attack on alleged crimeinspiring films by civic and religious heads. The mayor, at a dinner given by the local Junior Chamber of Commerce to Rev. Father Albert Rober, director of the Canadian Boys' Town, voiced a request to local exhibitors not to show films glorifying criminal types as heroes. The mayor implied that, although for the present he was making a request of exhibitors, he would move to stop any film of this character if they did not cooperate. Meanwhile, the Rev. Roland Bodger condemned current films and comic strips as adversely affecting the juvenile mind. Rev. Mgr. E. J. Flanagan, founder of Boys Town, declared here, however, that parental -delinquency was chiefly to blame for child delinquency. 'Bernadette* Rates A Rousing $18,000 Indianapolis, March 23.— "The Song of Bernadette" will do $18,000 at the Circle in spite of unusually bad weather. "The Purple Heart" and "My Best Gal" at the Indiana will gross $12,000. Estimated receipts for the week ending March 21-23 : "The Song of Bernadette" (20th-Fox) CIRCLE— (2,800) (75c-$1.10) 7 days. Gross: $18,000. (Average: $11,800). "The Purple Heart" (20th-Fox) "My Best Gal" (Rep.) INDIANA— (3,200) (30c-40c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $12,000. (Average: $11,600). "The Bridge of San Luis Rey" (UA) "Yanks Ahoy" (UA-Roach) LOEW'S — (2,800) (30c-40c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $10,500. (Average: $11,500). "Frisco Kid" (WB) "Coastal Commando" (RKO) LYRIC — (2,000) (30c-40c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $8,500. (Average: $4,900). Ross Federal Names District Managers Harry A. Ross, president of Ross Federal Service, reports the advancement of several in the Ross ranks, among them the promotion of O. M. Young to the managership of the Midwestern district, with headquarters in Chicago ; the advancement of C. R. Corradini as manager of the Northeastern district, with offices in Boston, .and the transfer of Jules Weill to head the Metropolitan district in New York. Each has served as branch manager for some 14 years. The promotions complete a new national district-managers' setup with J. A. Kraker as Mideastern manager, with offices in Philadelphia; W. O. Anderson, Southern manager, with headquarters in Atlanta, and Ruel G. Williams, supervisor of the West with offices in Los Angeles. In' addition, announcement was made of the transfer of E. A. MacKenna to Indianapolis to replace O. M. Young. Replacing MacKenna in New Orleans is Milton Kress, formerly of Atlanta. Providence Gives 'Sullivans' $15,000 Providence, March 23. — Business was generally good here during the week with "The Sullivans" at the Majestic taking $15,000 for the lead. Estimated receipts for the week ending March 23 : "Tender Comrade" (RKO) "Rookies In Burma" (RKO) RKO-ALBEE— (2,239) (30c-40c-50c-55c) 5 days, 3rd week. Gross: $9,500. (Average: $12,800, 7 days). "Miracle of Morgan's Creek" (Para.) STRAND— (2,200) (40c-50c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $10,800. (Average: $10,500). "Rationing" (M-G-M) "Hey Rookie" (Col.) LOEW'S STATE— (3,232) (30c-40c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $20,000. (Average: $17,700). "The Sullivans" (20th-Fox) MAJESTIC— (2,250) (30c-40c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $15,000. (Average: $12,100). "Jane Eyre" (20th-Fox) CARLTON— (1,526) (30c-40c-50c) 7 days, 2nd week, moveover from Majestic. Gross: $4,200. (Average: $4,000). "Lady in the Death House" (PRC) FAY'S— (1,800) (30c-40c-50c) 7 days. Cm stage: Sleepy Hollow Gang, Byrne Sisters, Green & Dooley, Charlie Deighan, Margaret Phelan, Hokomo Joe. Gross: $7,000. (Average: $6,500). "Million Dollar Kid" (Mono.) METROPOLITAN (3,050) (40c-65c) 3 days. On stage: Sonny Dunham's Orchestra, Paul Sydell, The Claytons, Eddie Hanley. Gross: $10,000. (Average: $7,900). RCA Signs Seven Circuits for Service W. L. Jones, vice-president of RCA Service Co., reports that seven more circuits have been signed by that company for sound servicing. They include Paramount Richards, Dixie Theatres and United Theatres, all with headquarters in New Orleans; Notopoulos Theatres, Altoona, Pa ■ A. M. Ellis, Philadelphia, Bijou Amusement Co., Nashville, and Eskin Theatres, Milwaukee. 'Phantom' to Open _ Chicago, March 23.— Universal's "Phantom Lady" will have its Midwestern premiere here at the Woods Theatre next Tuesday. Ella Raines, star of the picture was honored this week at a press reception at the Hotel Stevens. Harry Keller, recently named to the local Universal publicity staff was in charge of arrangements.