Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1948)

4 Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, April 14, 1948 Key City Grosses FOLLOWING are estimated picture grosses for current engagements in key cities as reported by Motion Picture Daily correspondents. Estimates omit admission tax. CHICAGO Neighborhood theatres are proving highly competitive to Loop houses, since the advent of the Jackson Park decree. Most downtown business is off considerably, with only three new films playing to drab attendance. Estimated receipts for the week ending April 15: AN IDEAL HUSBAND (20th Fox) — UNITED ARTISTS (1,700) (98c). Gross: $16,000. (Average: $23,500) CASS TIMBERLANE (M-G-M)— WOODS (1,080) (98c) Sth week. Gross: $23,000. (Average: $23,000) FORT APACHE (RKO Radio) — PALACE (2,500) (67c-98c) 6 days; A DOUBLE LIFE (U-I) 1 day. Gross: $30,000. (Average: $22,000) GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT (ZOth-Fbx) — APOLLO (1,200) (98c-$1.25) 23rd week. Gross: $11,000. (Average: $17,000) MAN OF EVIL (United Artists)-GAR RICK (1,000) (44c-60c-80c-85c). Gross: $8,500. (Average: $10,000) SAIGON (Para.)— CHICAGO (3,900) (98c) 2nd week. Gross: $30,000. (Average: $40, 000) SONG OF LOVE (M-G-M) — MONROE (953) (67c-95c) 2nd week. Gross: $13,500. (Average: $13,000) THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (Warners) — ROOSEVELT (1,500) 2nd week. Gross: $14,000. (Average: $20,000) THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER (RKO Radio)— GRAND (1,150) (67c-98c) 6 days, 2nd week. DESIGN FOR DEATH (RKO Radio) 1 day. Gross: $16,000. (Average: $16,000) THE MATING OF MILLIE (Col.)— ORIENTAL (3,300) (98c) Oin stage: Bonnie Baker. Gross: $41,000. (Average: $45,000) THE NOOSE HANGS HIGH (Eagle Lion) —STATE LAKE (98c) 2nd week. On stage: Skitch Henderson. Gross: $30,000. (Average: $35,000) INDIANAPOLIS Business at first-run theatres is spotty. "April Showers" is leading, at the Circle. Most others are running below average. Business was handicapped by rain. Estimated receipts for the week ending April 13-14 : APRIL SHOWERS (WB) and DEVIL'S CARGO (FC)-CIRCLE (2,800) (44c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $13,000. (Average: $10,000) BELLE STARR (20th-Fox) and FRONTIER MARSHALL (ZOth-Fox) (Reissues)— KEITH'S (1,300) (44c-65c) 8 days. Gross: $5,400. (Average: $4,500) CALL NORTHSIDE 777 (2ftth-Fox) and CAMPUS HONEYMOON (Rep.)— LYRIC (1,600) (44c-65c) 6 days. Gross: $5,500. (Average: $6,000) GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT (20th-Fox) —INDIANA (3,200) (44c-65c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $9,500. (Average: $12,000) HIGH WALL (M-G-M) and CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS (M-G-M) (Reissue) — LOEWS (2,450) (44c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $10,000. (Average: $11,000) BUFFALO Leader here was "The Bride Goes Wild," at the Buffalo. Weekend business was off because of damp, rainy weather. "Naked City" held up in a second week at the Lafayette. Estimated receipts for the week ending April 17: APRIL SHOWERS (WB) and MURDER IN REVERSE (BritUh)-TECK (1,500) (40c-50c-60c-70c) 7 days, 2nd week on a moveover. Gross: $4,900. (Average: $5,500) BIG CLOCK (Para.) and CAMPUS HONEYMOON (Rep.) — HIPPODROME (2,100) (40c-50c-60c-70c) 7 days, 2nd week on a moveover. Gross: $10,000. (Average: $10,000) Grosses Firm At lst-Runs (Continued from page 1) Daring Daughters" were tied for third place. Weekly leaders in a substantial number of situations were : "A Double Life," "Saigon," "To the Ends of the Earth," "Furia," "The Naked City," "Voice of the Turtle" and "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre." "Robin Hood" led the reissues. Others turning in better-than-average grosses in a number of situations were: "Cass Timberlane," "Shoe Shine," "Albuquerque," "If You Knew Susie," "I Walk Alone," "Unconquered," "I Remember Mama," "Miracle of the Bells," "Fort Apache," "This Time for Keeps," "Out of the Past," and "The Senator Was Indiscreet." Composite key city box-office reports for 1948 to date, compared with corresponding weeks of 1947, follow : 1948 Week Ending Jan. 2-3 Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. 9-10 168 16-17 168 23-24 166 30-31 166 6-7 167 13-14 166 20-21 164 27-28 167 5-6 165 12-13 165 19-20 175 26-27 162 April 2-3 171 No. of Total Theatres Grossi .. 179 $3,406,600 3,112,700 2,473,300 2,419,000 2,341,900 2,537,800 2,381,500 2,316,500 2,734,100 2,372,700 2,441,800 2,626,800 2,356,800 2,953,500 Average Per Theatre $19,031 18,528 14,722 14,572 14,108 ' 15,196 14,546 14,125 16,372 14,380 14,799 15,010 14,548 17,272 1947 Week Endir.g Jan. 3-4 No. of Total Average Per Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. April 10-11 17-18 24-25 3 -Feb. 7-8 . 14-15 21-22 28-Ma 7-8 . 14-15 21-22 28-29 4-5 r. 1.. Theatres Gross Theatre 167 $3,678,100 $22,024 173 3,363,200 19,400 .. 173 3,007,300 17,383 176 3,043,700 17,294 . 181 2,293,600 18,197 177 3,089,600 17,495 177 2,767,900 15,638 182 3,042,700 16,718 . 166 2,800,300 16,869 178 2,906,400 16,328 174 2,890,300 16,610 173 2,922,900 16,895 178 3,069,500 17,245 179 2,838,800 15,859 Lawson Trial (Continued from page 1) fense attorneys had been granted a hearing by the upper court earlier in the day. Pending the Appeals Court review, Justice Curran halted trial proceedings for the day at the end of the morning session. The second day's proceedings had been confined entirely to questioning of the jury panel by both sides. Selection of the jury will continue tomorrow. Meanwhile, Robert W. Kenny, counsel for Lawson, subpoenaed all committee documents relative to motion picture industry investigations since 1938. House approval must be obtained for surrender of the documents. MGM to Extend (Continued from page 1) Charges Critics (Continued from page 1) Royal Commission on the Press. Minney, naming names which subsequently were deleted from the record, said the procedure is to suggest to a pliable critic that he prepare a preliminary treatment of a film. The recognized "bribe" therefor, Minney said, is $1,000. The Critics Circle, demanding open hearings, has brought the matter up with the Producers Association, Screenwriters Association and the Film Industry Publicity Circle. 20% Tax Hurts (Continued from page 1) ly high," and that it bears hard on those "whose only amusement or entertainment is often beyond the reach of their pocketbook when they take the wife and kids to a movie or circus." BRIDE GOES WILD (M-G-M) and 13 LEAD SOLDIERS (20th-Fox)— BUFFALO (3,489) (40c-50c-60c-70c) 7 days. Gross: $20,900. (Average: $18,000) I REMEMBER MAMA (RKO Radio) TWENTIETH CENTURY (3,000) (40c-50c60c-70c) 7 days, 3rd week. Gross: $11,400. (Average: $15,000) NAKED CITY (U-I) and PERILOUS WATERS (Mono.)— LAFAYETTE (3,000) (40c-50c-60c-70c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $15,000. (Average: $15,000) TO THE VICTOR (WB) — GREAT LAKES (3,000) (40c-50c-6Oc-70c) 7 days. Gross: $14,000. (Average: $17,000) completed in the field by a group of specially-trained company representatives. Rodgers said the study showed that where the sliding-scale was in use there was markedly less dissension between buyer and seller than where deals were made in the conventional bargaining manner. Sliding Scale Best: Rodgers Rodgers said he also feels that the sliding scale plan is the fairest under all conditions experienced and because of his confidence in it and in forthcoming M-G-M product he regards it as the best policy for both buyer and seller. He said he has no concern about pessimistic talk of a business recession because "big pictures continue to do big business." He cited M-G-M's experience with "Green Dolphin Street," which piled up huge grosses, only to be surpassed in turn by "Cass Timberlane." "The sliding-scale," he said, "makes our earnings proportionate only to what our pictures can do at the boxoffice. With our forthcoming product in mind, I have no concern over talk of a business recession." Rodgers said he thinks Metro's new pictures will "electrify the industry — give it the shot-in-the-arm it needs." MGM Training Executives Speaking at a luncheon at the Hotel Astor attended by trade press representatives and company officials, Rodgers said he believes "a new approach" in marketing pictures is necessary. In an effort to prepare for the "new approach," M-G-M is setting up an executive training course for 12 to 18 men from the company's ranks who will be selected annually. They will be brought to New York and schooled in all company operations. They will sit in on conferences on all types of problems with executives from Nicholas M. Schenck, Loew president, on down, to familiarize themselves with company policy. Rodgers also described public relations work being carried on by the company, particularly in the field of civic organizations, such as Rotary clubs, which are being addressed by M-G-M representatives. U-I, Treasury Bond Drive Show Tonight Stars of screen, stage, radio and night clubs will participate in the allstar show headed by Donald O'Connor preceding the premiere of UniversalInternational's "Are You With It?" at the Winter Garden Theatre, here, tonight, and which will serve as the "kick-off" of the U. S. Treasury's Security Loan Drive in New York. The drive will run from April 15 to June 30. Admission to j¥y premiere will be by the purchas^v3fj Savings Bonds only. New YorK -television station WABD of the DuMont network will telecast the show. Discuss Films' Plan At Youth Parley Kansas City, April 13. — The panel on public interpretation, one of several panels of the annual Youth Conference here, took up motion pictures yesterday. Senn Lawler, regional director for the Theatre Owners of America's "Youth Month" committee headed by Charles P. Skouras, described the industry's program' in support of youth movements. All panels will report at a general meeting on April 28. Lesser, Corwin Buy Blumenf eld's Two Hollywood, April 13. — Sol Lesser, and exhibitor Sherrill Corwin have purchased Joe Blumenfeld's interest in the Hollywood and Downtown Music Hall theatres, indicating the latter's withdrawal from the Los Angeles exhibition field which he entered three years ago. Variety Clubs (Continued from page 1) additional $33,000 in bonds deposited in Indianapolis. The convention ruled out branch or subsidiary tents with the exception of Houston, Tex., which will be granted a charter. This will not affect existing clubs but will serve to limit future charters to one tent in each approximate exchange area. Women's auxiliaries were voted out. Each tent was given an option to grant a "Heart Award" annually to a deserving individual in its area. While Luis Montez continued to campaign for Mexico City as next year's convention city, sentiment is running toward San Francisco. Official registration now stands at 921. DeMille (Continued from page 1) room for further economies in Hollywood, because "costs are still out of the range of sanity." There is even a "limit to what DeMille can spend !" he laughed. DeMille Sets 'Sampson'; Para. Reissues 'Crusades' Cecil B. DeMille's "The Crusades" will be re-released by Paramount, in June, it was announced here yesterday by Charles M. Reagan, Paramount distribution vice-president. DeMille disclosed here simultaneously that his next production will be "Sampson and Delilah," to start in September, in color. It will include scenes shot in Morocco, Egypt or the Holy Land.