Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1948)

10 Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, July 21, 1948 Says Some Product Penetrates 'Curtain' Key City Grosses (Continued from page 8) The Vienna performance of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," first U. S. film to be approved by the Soviet authorities for screening in the Russian zone of Austria, has provided an opening wedge for the exhibition of other American pictures in the "Iron Curtain" countries, according to George Bookbinder, Walt Disney representative for Eastern Europe. At an interview here yesterday Bookbinder observed that if American distributors sent representatives to the scene instead of trying to formulate Central European policy from this side they would have a better chance of penetrating the Iron Curtain. It was disclosed that Kiba, Austria's only circuit, which operates more than 50 houses in Vienna, does not intend to renew its agreement with the Motion Picture Export Association of America because, it charges, the MPEA "follows an arbitrary policy." According to Bookbinder, the Russians have come up with some "very fine" cartoon shorts in color which they are offering in competition to similar product from the U. S. in countries under Russian dominance. He said a German color process taken over by the Soviet is being used. "Texas" Premiere Aug. 4 Warner Brothers has set-up a regional territorial campaign to mark the world premiere of "Two Guys from Texas" at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio on August 4, announces Mort Blumenstock, vice-president in charge of advertising-publicity. The picture's stars, Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson, will appear. Sitter's Son with Schine Albany, N. Y., July 20. — Harold Sliter, son of Fred Sliter, 20th Century-Fox salesman here, has been appointed zone manager of Schine Theatres. It had been inadvertently reported that Harold was the father of Fred. FIVE -STAR DC6 FLAGSHIPS LOS ANGELES 11 hours, 10 minutes CHICAGO 3% hours Phone HAvemeyer 6-5000 or your travel agent Ticket Offices: Airlines Terminal Rockefeller Center • Hotel New Yorker 120 Broadway • Hotel St. George AMERICAN AIRLINES 70c). Gross: $16,500. (Average: $16,000) RUTHLESS (E-L)— LOEWS STILLMAN (1,900) (S0c-70c). Gross: $10,000. (Average: $10 500) THE STREET WITH NO NAME (2flthFox)— WARNERS' HIPPODROME (3,500) (55c-70c). Gross: $26,000. (Average: $15,000). WINGS OVER HONOLULU (Rea'.art) and CORVETTE K-Z25 (Realart) — LOEWS OHIO (1,268) (50c-70c). Gross: $4,000. (Average: $6,200) BOSTON Hot sultry days still prevail. Outdoor attractions are still drawing. "Easter Parade" is doing good business. Estimated receipts for the week ended July 21 : CORONER CREEK (Col.) and KINGS OF THE OLYMPICS (UA)-Astor (1,300) (44c80c) Gross: $4 500. (Average: none available) EASTER PARADE (M-G-M)— ORPHEUM (3,000) (40c-80c) Gross: $25,000. (Average: $27,000) EASTER PARADE (M-G-M)— STATE (3,500) (40c-80c) Gross: $15,000. (Average: $12,000) DEEP WATERS (20th-Fox) and JINX MONEY (Mono.) — PARAMOUNT (1,700) (40c-80c) 2nd week. Gross: $13,000. (Average: $17,000) DEEP WATERS (Zflth-Fox) and JINX MONSY (Mono.) — FENWAY (1,373) (40c80c) 2nd week. Gross: $5,800. (Average: $10,000) FIGHTING FATHER DUNNE (RKO Radio) and ARIZONA RANGER (RKO Radio) —RKO BOSTON (3,200) (40c -80c) 8 days. Gross: $12,000. (Average: None available on summer schedule) HOLIDAY CAMP (U-I) and CLOUDS OVER EUROPE (F-C) — EXETER (1,300) (45c-75c) 4 days. Gross: $2,400. (Average: $5,000) MR. BLANDINGS BUILDS HIS DREAM HOUSE (SRO) and MADONNA OF THE DESERT (Rep.) — RKO! MEMORIAL (3,000) (40c-80c). Gross: $19,500. (Average: $22,000) ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS (WB) and THE CHECKERED COAT (2»th-Fox) —METROPOLITAN (4,367) (40c-80c). With a personal appearance of Dr. I. Q. one night. Gross: $20,000. (Average: $27,000) THE OCTOBER MAN (E-L) and VACATION FROM MARRIAGE (M-G-M) EXETER (1,300) (45c-85c) 3 days. Gross: $1,400. (Average: $5,000) TORONTO With the exception of the strong showing of "Fort Apache," business was in the doldrums for the main Toronto theatres this week. There were two holdovers, one for a fourth week, but these were showing patronage weakness along with the new pictures. Estimated receipts for the week ending July 22 : THE END OF THE RIVER (EL)— DAN FORTH (1,400) (20c-36c-50c-60c) 6 days. Gross: $5,500. (Average: $6,500) THE END OF THE RIVER (EL)— FAIR Theatre Guild To Sponsor 'Hamlet' The Theatre Guild here has organized a special film promotion department to conduct a campaign for a picture under its sponsorship — Universal-International's "Hamlet" — aimed principally at its legitimate theatre contacts and designed to supplement the distributor's operation, it was announced here yesterday by Lawrence Langner and Theresa Helburn, coadministrative directors of the Guild. Dick Weaver, former member of the Guild's press department, will handle the campaign. "Hamlet" is the third film to be presented in this country under sponsorship of the Guild, the previous two being "Henry V," United Artists, and "Mourning Becomes Electra," RKO Radio. LAWN (1,195) (20c-36c-50c-55c) 6 days. Gross: $5,000. (Average: $5,500) FEUDIN', FUSSIN' AND A-FIGHTIN' (U-I) and THE INSIDE STORY (Rep.) UPTOWN (2,761) (20c-36c-50c-66c-90c) 6 days. Gross: $16,100. (Average: $14,600) FORT APACHE (RKO' Radio)— IMPERIAL (3,343) (20c-36c-50c-66c-90c) 6 days. Gross: $16 100. (Average: $14,600) THE FULLER BRUSH MAN (Col.)— SHEA'S (2,480) (20c-36c-50c-66c-90c) 6 days, 4th week. Gross: $13,700. (Average: $14,700) ON AN ISLAND WITH YOU (M-G-M)— LOEWS (2,074) (20c-36c-50c-66c-78c) 6 days. 2nd week. Gross: $15,200. (Average: $14 200) TO THE VICTOR (WB) — EGLINTON (1,086) (20c-36c-50c-66c) 6 davs. Gross: $6,000. (Average: $6,900) TO THE VICTOR (WB) — T1VOLI (1,434) (20c-36c-50c-66c) 6 days. Gross: $7,000. (Average: $8,200). WOMAN IN WHITE (WB)— NORTOWN (950) (20c-42c-60c) 6 days. Gross: $4,500. (Average: $5,000) WOMAN IN WHITE (WB)-VICTORIA (1 240) (20c-36c-42c-60c) 6 days. Gross: $5,000. (Average: $5,800) ATLANTA Business this week is just above average, with better pictures. Estimated receipts for the week ending July 21. EASTER PARADE (M-G-M)— LOEWS GRAND1 (2,446) (12c-60c) Gross: $15,105. (Average: $15,000) GREEN GRASS OF WYOMING (20th Fox)— FOX (4,446) (12c-50c) Gross: $15,500. (Average: $15,000) THE EMPEROR WALTZ (Para.)— ROXY. Moveover from the Fox. (2,446) (12c-50c) Gross: $6,000. (Average: $5,800). TARZAN AND THE MERMAIDS (RKO Radio— PARAMOUNT (2.446) (12c-50c) Gross: $6,500. (Average: $5,800) INDIANAPOLIS Business is very good here this week — for "Easter Parade." It broke the house record at Loew's opening day and is assured of a hold-over. No other attraction at first-runs here is making average. Estimated receipts for the week ending July 20-21 : ANNA KARENINA (Zflth-Fox) and SONG OF MY HEART (AA) — KEITHS' (1,300) (44c-65c) Gross: $3,000. (Average: $4 500) EASTER PARADE (M-G-M)— LOEWS (2,450) (44c-65c) Gross: $22,000. (Average: $11,000) I, JANE DOE (Rep.) and SECRET SERVICE INVESTIGATOR (Rep.)-LYRIC (1,600) (44c-65c) Gross: $5,000. (Average: $6,000) LETTER FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN (UI) and ARE YOU WITH IT? (UI) — CIRCLE (2,800) (44c-65c) Gross: $8,000. (Average: $10,000) ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS (WB) and BLONDE ICE (FC) — INDIANA (3,200) (44c-65c) Gross: $9,000. (Average: $12,000) E L To Use Video For Film Promotions Television is being integrated into the Eagle-Lion promotion picture, it was announced by Max E. Youngstein, advertising-publicity vice-president. Example of the television tieups being set by the company are four telecasts promoting "Canon City" and "Mickey" through appearances of Scott Brady and Lois Butler, stars of the two films, on video shows. Variety To Golf Minneapolis, July 20. — Northwest Variety Club's annual golf meet will be held July 30 at the Oak Ridge Country Club, near suburban Hopkins, it is announced by Gil Nathanson, golf committee chairman. Skouras, Smith to 20th Canadian Meet Twentieth Century-Fox executives will leave New York today for Toronto to attend tomorrow's convention of the Canadian sales organization at which the company's 1948-49 feature program will be announced by Andy W. Smith, Jr., general sales manager. The meeting will take place aLg^e Royal York Hotel, with Smithfp' 1 siding. •U.'" The session will be attended by president Spyros P. Skouras and home office executives W. C. Gehring, assistant general sales manager ; Charles Schlaifer, director of advertising-publicity; Martin Moskowitz, executive assistant to Smith ; Peter Levathes, short subject sales manager; Clarence A. Hill, manager of branch operations, and Frank Carroll, Roger Ferri and Jack Bloom. The Canadian delegation will include Arthur Silverstone, Canadian division manager, and the following branch managers : V. M. Skorey, Calgary ; Edward English, Montreal ; R. G. March, St. John; H. J. Bailey, Toronto ; J. E. Patterson, Vancouver ; J. Huber, Winnipeg ; exploitation representative Sam Glasier and Toronto salesmen and bookers. Roy Alexander, 58, NSS Chicago Chief Chicago, July 20. — Roy Alexander, 58, Chicago salesman for National Screen Service and prominent in the film business for 30 years, died suddenly this morning at Southtown Hospital here of a heart attack. Yesterday he had attended the funeral of Jack McPherson, London manager of National Screen, and had apparently been in good health. He was formerly branch manager for National Screen in Kansas City and was district manager for Universal and Columbia prior to 1940. He is survived by the widow, Rina. A. H. Nanton, Exhibitor Montreal, July 20. — A. H. Nanton, operator of the Playhouse, Manchester, Vt, died here suddenly last Friday. Fine Foto-Nite Winner Toronto, July 20. — Foto-Nite officials in Toronto have been studying the judgment of an Ottawa court which ruled that the Foto-Nite prize stunt at theatres was a lottery scheme and imposed a fine on a winning participant at the Francais Theatre, Ottawa. B OF COURSE