Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1944)

16 Motion Picture Daily Friday, March 24, 1944 'Bernadette's $46,000 Still Tops Chicago Chicago, March 23. — Continuing to lead the Loop, "The Song of Bernadette" grossed $46,000 in the fourth week of its Midwest roadshow premiere at the State-Lake Theatre. Estimated receipts for the week ending March 25 : "Rationing" (M-G-M) and "Henry Aldrich Boy Scout" (Para.) 2 days, 3rd week "Lifeboat" (ZOth-Fox) 5 days APOLLO-(1,200) (50c-65c-85c) 7 days. Gross: $14,00). (Average: $11,400). "Swing Fever" (M-G-M) CHICAGO — (3,850) (50c-65c-85c) 7 days. Stage: Glen Gray and Band. Gross: $45,000. (Average: $51,500). "The Return of the Vampire" (Col.) "Crime Doctor's Strangest Case" (Col.) GARRICK— (1,000) (50c-65c-85c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $12,000. (Average: $9, 100> . . . i_ "Gung Ho" (Univ.) and "Swingtime Johnny" (Univ.) 6 days, 4th Loop week "Government Girl" (RKO) and "Escape to Danger" (RKO) 1 day GRAND— (1,250) (50c-65c-85c) 7 days. Gross: $11,000. (Average: $9,100). "Frisco Kid" (WB) ORIENTAL — (3,200) (35c-40c-55c-65c-75c) 7 days. Stage: Jan Garber and Band. Gross: $30,000. (Average: $24,000). "Government Girl" (RKO) and "Escape to Danger" (RKO) 6 days, 2nd week "Tender Comrade" (RKO) and "Hat Check Honey" (Univ.) 1 day PALACE— (2,500) (50c-65c-85c) 7 days. Gross: $28,000. (Average: $24,000). "Purple Heart" (2ttth-Fox) ROOSEVELT— (1,500) (50c-65c-85c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $29,000. (Average: $20 400) . "The Song of Bernadette" (atth-Fox) STATELAKE— (2,700) (50c-65c-85c) 7 days, 4th week. Gross: $46,000. (Average: $29,000). "Jane Eyre" (ZOth-Fox) UNITED ARTISTS— (1,700) (50c-65c-85c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $28,500. (Average: $20,200). ' "The Lady and the Monster" (Rep.) WOODS— (1,200) (55c-65c-85c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $12,000. (Average: $10,000). 'Marseille' Leads Buffalo with $21,000 Buffalo, March 23. — Rain and snow dented boxoffice returns here somewhat, but business continued to be good generally, "Passage to Marseille" will bring the Buffalo Theatre to a $21,000 level. Estimated receipts for the week ending March 25 : "Passage to Marseille" (WB) BUFFALO — (3,489) (35c-40c-55c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $21,200. (Average, $17,400) "The Song of Bernadette" (20th-Fox) GREAT LAKES (3,000) (75c-$1.10) 7 days, 3d week. Gross: $14,000. (Average, $16,600) "The Purple Heart" (20th-Fox) HIPPODROME — (2,100) (35c-40c-55c-6Sc) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $8,200. (Average, $9,700) "The Woman of the Town" (U. A.) "Casanova in Burlesque" (Rep.) 20TH CENTURY— (3,000) (35c-40c-55c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $9,000. (Average, $12,200) "Nine Girls" (Col.) "Hey, Rookie" (Col.) LAFAYETTE — (3,000) (35c-40c-55c-65c) Gross: $14,500. (Average, $12,400) Bruce 'Chronicle* Critic San Francisco, March 23. — Hazel Bruce, short story writer, has been named dramatic critic for the San Francisco Chronicle. She will be assisted by Richard Liles. 'Jeep' Preview Set 20th-Fox's "Four Jills in a Jeep" will have its world premiere in three theatres, simultaneously, in Florida today. The theatres are the Lincoln, Miami Beach ; and the Capitol and Miami in Miami Short Subject Reviews "Eagle Versus Dragon" (Universal) One of the most absorbing and colorful shorts to reach the screen in months, "Eagle Versus Dragon" is an authentic picturization of the capture of the "dragon" iguana lizard, in its native Mexican habitat, by an American bald eagle. The unique subject was filmed in Technicolor for Universal by John H. Green and narrated by Dan and Jule Mannix, who were assigned to capture the lizard alive. The Mannixes, known for their ventures for zoological societies, do well in their first film. Their touches of humor in the commentary give a natural pleasantness to the otherwise serious through interesting business. Filmed shots of the actual battle between the bird and the lizard are exciting. Music score by Jack Shaindlin is commendable. Paul R. Thomas directed. Joseph O'Brien and Thomas Mead compiled. Running time, 17 mins. "Mallard Flight" (RKO) For those who like hunting the mallard this is an especially fine reel. All of the fine points are demonstrated by experts. The setting is the picturesque Texas Panhandle. Squire, a Chesapeake retriever, steals the show. Running time, 9 mins. "Trombone Trouble" (RKO) Jupiter and Vulcan reposing on a fluffy cloud in the "Great Beyond" are disturbed by a noisy trombone player. The two dispatch volts of electricity to Donald Duck, empowering him with a strange and terrible strength which he utilizes to knock out the troublesome trombonist. Whereupon Donald appropriates the instrument, blows some sour notes, which sends Jupiter and Vulcan hustling back into the clouds. This is a very entertaining cartoon, both for its novel theme and its gay musical score. Walt Disney produced. Running time, 7 mins. "Say Uncle" (RKO) Leon Errol, with his wife on vacation, feels the need for some good, clean fun. Just as he is really enjoying himself — with a blonde assisting — Mrs. Errol returns home unexpectedly. She was awfully annoyed and the results are amazing. One of the better subjects in the Errol series, "Say Uncle" is considerably helped by improved dialogue and an ample supporting cast, including Joan Blair, Claire Carleton and Bob Homans. Bert Gilroy produced. Ben Holmes directed. Running time, 18 mins. Rookie' and Show March to $26,500 Cincinnati, March 23. — A cold weekend with heavy snow slowed attendance, but "Hey, Rookie," plus a stage show, promised the RKO Albee $26,500. Estimated receipts for the week ending March 22-27 : "Hey, Rookie" (Col.) RKO ALBEE^-(3,30O) (40c-50c-65c-75c85c) 7 days, plus Saturday midnight show. Stage: Johnny Long and orchestra, Patti Dugan, Billy Rayes and Gene Sheldon. Gross: $26,500. (Average: $22,000). "The Bridge of San Luis Rey" (UA) RKO CAPITOL— (2,000) (35c-40c-44c-55c65c) 5 days, plus Saturday midnight show. Gross: $10,000. (Average: $10,000, 7 days). "Escape to Danger" (RKO) "Sailor's Holiday" (Col.) RKO FAMILY— (1,000) (25c-35c) 4 days. Gross: $1,300. (Average: $1,400). "So This Is Washington" (RKO) "Partners of the Trail" (Mono.) RKO FAMILY— (1,000) (25c-35c) 3 days. Gross: $800. (Average: $800). "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" (Univ.) RKO GRAND— (1,500) (35c-40c-44c-55c65c) 7 days, plus Saturday midnight show, 2nd week. Gross: $8,000. (Average: $9,500). "A Guy Named Joe" (M-G-M) KEITH'S— (1,500) (35c-40c-44c-55c-65c) 7 days, 2nd week, after initial week at the Palace and moveover week at the Shubert. Gross: $5,000. (Average: $5,000). "None Shall Escape" (Col.) RKO LYRIC— (1,400) (35c-40c-44c-55c-65c) 7 days, plus Saturday midnight show, 2nd week. Gross: $5,500. (Average: $4,200). "In Our Tune" (WB) RKO PALACE--(2,700) (35c-40c-44c-55c65c) 7 days, plus Saturday midnight show. Gross: $13,000. (Average: $10,000). "Up im Arms" (RKO^Goldwyn) RKO SHUBERT— (2,150) (35c-40c-44c-55c65c) 7 days, 2nd week, moveover from the RKO Palace. Gross: $6,500. (Average: $5,000). Loew's Gets 'FWBT' Paramount's "For Whom the Bell Tolls" is tentatively scheduled to open on April 20 in 30 houses of the Loew Metropolitan circuit, at advanced prices of 75 cents and $1.10. Theatre 'Showcase' Shortage on BVay The holdover situation at downtown New York first-runs is not only causing major companies to pile up releases for weeks, but is leading United Artists, Artkino, Rank's Eagle-Lion and others to seek playing time from the New Victoria, Globe and Central to provide them with a first-run Broadway "showcase." Columbia is understood to be anxious to set "Address Unknown" in the New Victoria. United Artists is reported to have sought to take over the house completely. Maurice Maurer, who operates, is also understood to have been offered Rank's "Colonel Blimp." Artkino has about eight films which will shortly be available ; three are ready. One is "People's Avengers," Soviet guerilla documentary with narration by Norman Corwin. The company is said to be anxious to arrange with a downtown first-run for several weeks of playing time yearly. Mentioned in this connection are the Globe and the Central. Renovations at the Central are expected to be completed this week. U.A. Sells Eight Roaches for Spain United Artists has sold eight Hal Roach features for distribution in Spain to various agents, it was learned yesterday. The films include : "Turnabout," "Housekeeper's Daughter," "Topper Returns," "There Goes My Heart," "Captain Caution," "Broadway Limited," "Roadshow" and "Zenobia." Negotiations were handled by Walter Gould, foreign manager for United Artists, and Roach's Eastern representative, Grace Rosenfield. Hollywood By JACK CARTWRIGHT Hollywood, March 23 IpOR the first time this year pro*■ duction neared the peaks of the previous year with 15 new pictures put before the cameras. Prominent was "Gold Town," starring Wallace Beery in the role of "Honest Plush" Brannon. Columbia put three on the! stages, RKO-Radio reported three new ones in work, Republic started two, Universal, Monogram and PRC one each, while United Artists producers started two new ones. • Lester Cowan launched work on his "Here Is Your War," based on the Ernie Pyle book, with a number of actual war correspondents, including Hay Boyle and Don Whitehead of Associated Press, playing themselves. . . . Paramount has signed Joan Caulfield, seen in New York with "Kiss and Tell." She reports to the studio June 1. . . . Due to a conflict in schedules, Charles Lamont has taken over Arthur Lubin's directorial reins on "Bowery to Broadway" at Universal. • Edward Small's "Abroad With Two Yanks" was put in work by Director Alan Dwan with five young actresses selected from 40 aspirants to play Australian canteen hostesses who kiss the Yanks. Those seleeted because they either had the right Aussie accent or could easily acquire it were Phyllis Adair, Jill Browning, Mary McLeod, Daphne Moore and Jean Prescott. Helen Walker was borrowed from Paramount for the feminine lead. • Gale Storm, Monogram's brightly shining starlet, presented a four-bysix-foot pin-up picture of herself to the boys of the 823rd Anti-Aircraft Battalion at Camp Haan when they selected her as their pin-up girl. . . . Ann Sothern will do a fireman skit in "Ziegfeld Follies" at M-G-M in between scenes of "Maisie Goes to Reno." . . . Producer Irving Starr has assigned Archie Mayo to direct "Something for the Boys," at 20th Century-Fox. RKO Charged with Cancelling Deals Suit for $506,702 for alleged breach of a distribution contract was filed here Wednesday in Federal Court by Stephens-Lang Productions against RKO Radio. The plaintiffs, producers of the "Dr. Christian" films, allege that under a contract entered into in April, 1939, they agreed to deliver three pictures to RKO by May, 1940, and that in Feb., 1940, RKO exercised an option for three additional "Dr. Christians." The producers charge that RKO violated the contract when it cancelled and refused to enforce hundreds of contracts with exhibitors for various "Dr. Christian" films. Stephens-Lang further allege that they informed RKO they would be obliged to borrow money in order to fulfill their part of the agreement and, with RKO's approval, allegedly did borrow large sums, but because of RKO's refusal to fulfill its obligations, the plaintiffs charge that the loans have not been repaid. Schwartz and Frohlich, local attorneys, represent the plaintiff.