Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1951)

Friday, March 30, 1951 Motion Picture daily 3 Portland Business Is Up 10-to-20% Portland, Ore., March 29.— Portland downtown theatres report a nice increase in boxoffice receipts this Easter Week, ranging from 10 to 20 per cent over usual business. "Born Yesterday," after a record run at the Orpheum, moved over to the Mayfair, and is now in its sixth big downtown week. "Cyrano de Bergerac" was held for a fifth record week at Parker's Guild Theatre, with a top price of $2.40; the majority of seats at $1.20 were reserved. Review Sullivan of Kansas Files $450,000 Suit Oklahoma City, Okla., March 29. — O. F. Sullivan of Wichita, Kansas, filed a suit in Eastern Oklahoma Federal District Court at Muskogee today seeking $450,000 damages from Robb and Fowley United, Inc., owners of five theatres in Muskogee. Sullivan alleged Robb and Rowley monopolized first-run pictures in Muskogee in violation of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. He alleged they formed a licensing firm to keep him and other independent producers from showing first-runs until 45 days after they were shown in Robb and Rowley houses. George B. Procter, Muskogee, heads the Broadway Theatres, Inc., local Robb and Rowley firm. "God Needs Men" {Paul Graetz-A. F. E. Corp.) THE UNIQUE story of a fisherman who takes over— in his own way— as a priest on a small island off the coast of France is told in this French importation. Paul Graetz' production is likely to be greeted with acclaim from newspaper critics and also provoke discussion on religious grounds. The picture will be considered by many to be anti-clerical, especially by those whose religions have formal doctrines and have ordained ministers. The gravity of the offense will depend on the individual's approach and his reaction to the theme. Pierre Fresnay gives another of his fine performances. When the only priest leaves the island because the inhabitants continue to cause shipwrecks, Fresnay, at first reluctantly and then with some enthusiasm, tries to take the priest's place. First he only preaches and then he allows his sister-in-law "to confess" to him; gives "penance" to a man who murdered his feebleminded mother, and prepares to "offer Mass." He is prevented from this additional sacriligious act by the arrival of a priest from the mainland whom he had asked to come. Authorities have also sent gendarmes. The man who killed his mother commits suicide because he believes the police were seeking him Barred from the Church cemetery, Fresnay leads a procession of the fishing boats out to sea where the body is buried. Then he calls upon all to seek pardon and go to Mass. Jean Delannoy directed. The screenplay was by Pierre Bost and Jean Aurenche, from Henri Queffelec's novel. Chief supporting players are Daniel Gelin Madeleine Robinson, Andree Clement and Jean Brochard. The authentic setting and realistic photography are impressive. Running time, 95 minutes. Adult audience classification. March release. Gill Joins Monogram Hollywood, March 29. — Clifford Gill, veteran advertising and publicity man, joins MonogramAllied Artists on Monday as assistant to Sanford Abrahams, advertising manager. This has been announced by John C. Flinn, newly-appointed national publicity-advertising director. Confer Here Soon on Argentine Situation John G. McCarthy, director of the international division of the Motion Picture Association of America, reported here yesterday that he expects to confer in the near future with Antonio Lopez of the Argentine government with respect to the possibility of an early return of American pictures to the screens of the Latin American country. McCarthy said he had telephone conversations recently with Lopez, now in Washington as a delegate to the conference of American hemisphere countries. The latter is expected to come to New York for meetings with McCarthy. Drops Bingo in Buffalo Buffalo, March 29. — The Academy Theatre here has agreed to discontinue Bingo pending the outcome of a similar case against the Old Vienna. The city has postponed indefinitely its action to revoke the Academy license. Daylight and Overnight DC-6 Mainliner 300s 1U HRS.ONESTOP to LOS ANGELES Leaves at noon, arrives 8:30 pm United's overnight flight to Los Angeles leaves at 9 pm; arrives the next morning. UNITED AIR LINES Whitmore Joins Mono. Hollywood, March 29. — Monogram-Allied Artists advertising-publicity director John C. Flinn today announced the addition of Ken Whitmore, former newspaper man long employed by Warner and Paramount publicity departments, to his publicity staff. Dollar Intake Big For 2 in the Loop Chicago, March 29.— RKO's two Loop houses have joined the top money-making Loop parade yesterday with two smash openings. At the Palace, ' Bird of Paradise" got off to a big start with a $25,000 opening week indicated. This would be the best gross at this house since "Our Very Own," which ran about six months ago. The house has been grossing between seven to ten-thousand a week. Just recently it started bidding for "bigger-and-better" products. Business at the circuit's Grand Theatre was even better than at the Palace. The Grand is playing "Up Front" and opening day business indicates at least a $30,000 first week's gross, the best at this house since "Kim" ran there about three months ago. To Set Deals for 'Rice' Bernard Jacon, Lux Films sales vice-president, will leave here today by plane for Miami, first stop on a tour to set circuit deals for "Bitter Rice." Negotiations will be held with Wilby-Kincy, Crescent Amusement, Fox Midwest, Bijou Amusement and Komm circuit. Jacon plans to go from Miami to Jacksonville, New Orleans, Mobile, and Birmingham. ^ / ; Nine Stars to Aid Hope at Benefit Paramount is lining up extensive radio and TV publicity for the April 8 personal appearance of Bob Hope at the New York Paramount Theatre for the special benefit performance for the Damon Runyon Fund. The show will also headline Frank Sinatra, Billy Eckstine, Jimmy Durante, Tallulah Bankhead, Ethel Merman, Ed Wynn, Tudy Holliday, Ken Murray and Fred Allen. "The Lemon Drop Kid," new Hope comedy, will follow the stage presentation in a special midnight show. Pickford to Make Awards Mary Pickford will be in Ottawa from New York on April 22 to present the Canadian Film Awards, conducted yearly by the Canadian Association for Adult Education. The presentation will be at Ottawa's Odeon Theatre. Del. Sunday Show Bill Dover, Del., March 29.— A bill to prohibit the showing of motion pictures on Sunday before 2 P.M. within the limits of incorporated communities in the state has been introduced in the Delaware legislature by Senator Frederick Klair of Marshallton. //'/// '""'('•''"«' THE JOSEPH JUSTMAN presents JOHN IRELAND ■ MERCEOES McCAMBRIDGE EMLYN WILLIAMS in "THE SCARF" co-starring JAMES BARTON with Lloyd Gough • Basil Ruysdael David Wolfe • Harry Shannon ■ a gloria film production Directed by E. A. DUPONT Produced by I. G. GOLDSMITH • Screenplay by E. A. Dupont from a story by I. C. Goldsmith and E. A. Rolle Associate Pioducer Anthony 1. Landi ■ Released thru United Artists All the material for great returns thru UA APPLAUSE in the Hollywood Reporter for "THE SCARF" names it, "Noteworthy, brilliant achievement!"