Variety (May 1942)

18 PICTURES Wednesday, May 27, 1942 3^t Mich. Defense Workers Sked Means More Staggered Fikn Shows Detroit, May 26. State plans to put this area on a strict t^rec-shift basis probably will see an increase in around-the-clock theatres or the same staggered shifts for the picture houses. Department stores here already have started to alter their hours to meet the new changes which will find only one-third . the population around at any one time of the day. Eight of the m^or stores in the loop have extended their store hours Into the night to meet the changed living habits already in evidence and from the way their business is going, houses herfe evidently' will have to make similar, switches in the con- ventional show times. The problem here is going to re- quire drastic treatment. While Mich- igan is fighting the proposed gas ra- tioning for this major defense area, arguing that there Is plenty oi gaso- line available here and such a rul- ing would cripple transportation in a vital defense area, changes have been underway to meet the situation. Biggest problem here is that the Increased population, drawn In by the employment needs, and the num- ber of cars being laid up has over- taxed the regular transportation sys- tems. There aren't enough buses and streetcars here to carry the load— with the population due for still a greater increase-^with the result the authorities are rigidly dividing the population up into thirds. Bcadjosted Urban Life Basic Idea is that since the war plants are working' three shifts a day, around the clock, the rest of urban life can be adjusted accord- ingly. XJltimate plans would call for onS-third the stores, in fact at Jeast one-third of anything, to be open during the usual darkened hours to balance up the public around at those times. The inability of transportation means to handle them any other way seems to make the project certain to come into practice—particularly if the gas ban comes In here which Is probable. Theatres have already noticed that the later store hours is cutting oil biz from expectations on certain nights. Early week nights, when store clerks did their picturegoing, doesn't find them coming. Shoppers also are too tired or feel the hour is too late after the evening's shop ping. However, matinees have picked up and weekends arc capacity fre qently. The 5,000-seat Fox earlier experi- mented with Saturday shows start- ing at midnight with more than fair success. Both Detroit's Drive-in the^ atres have put in midnight shows for Friday, Saturday and Sunday Neighborhood men here are serious- ly discussing' whacking up their areas so that some houses may shortly be trying earlier openings than ever. Those few houses here which now operate on a 24-hour basis have nothing to beet about, Picture biz has been strong here but with the State, industrialists, unions and the important transporta tlon jystem ready to put Detroit on a three-shift basis, the future is .gO' ing to require some odd-hour changes here to keep up with the pubic. Probably more significant in other quarters is the report that this 'Michigan Plan' is likely to be urged by the Government in tflose to 40 other defense centers throughout the country.. Natl Convention !L'onUnuetl from pace T __^ eral sales sessions held at New City, N. Y., following by five localized powwows attended by branch man- agers, salesmen and bookers. Par is so far-ahead on product that fur- ther sales meetings probably will not be necessary. RKO, also undef the decree, held a hattional conven- tion last year but is .unlikely to have one this year, it is understood. Among non - decree companies. Universal has scheduled a national huddle June 2-5, while Columbia will have one June 16-18, both in New York. Monogram held a con- vention on the Coast two weeks ago and Republic has already held re- gionals, which has always been its policy. United Artists also plans regionals. It has not held a national meet in years. Number of* pictures among decree companies is largely, dependent upon the UMPI sales plan's adoption, with 48 the likely maximum for Metro, WB and 2Qth. Paramount has already set its schedule at 36, while RKO may make only around 30. Ned Depinet Cops Kickers Handicap At RKO Tourney Milwaukee Coal to Idea . Milwaukee, May 26. Although various efforts have been made to have some local theatres stay open all night to provide a place of recreation tor the swing shifters in the round-the-clock war - indus- try plants, none of the exhibs will go for the Idea. They say the plants and the workers are too widely sep- arated to bring about a sufficiently centralized audience to make opera- tion pay or even to gross expenses, Houses operating regularly In the biggest Industrial districts areq't £ettin( anything like a normal play, «nd the ^genexal bunion among eX' hibs Ie that the men working a 56' hour week are too weary when their day is done to have any interest in anything but a lew be^rj^snd « Ic^^ alecp. Tradeshows WeA., May 17—'It Happened In Flat- buih' (20th). Thru Different Giiys' (20th) and Ten Gentle- men from West Point' (20th), In •11 exchange cities. Thors.. May 28—The Postman Didn't Ring' (20th) and 'The Magnifi- cent Dope' (20th), in all ex- change cities. Mon., June I—'The Big Shot (WB), in all exchange cities. Mon, June 1—'Wings lor the Eagle' (WB), in all exchange cities ex- cept New Haven, where it will be shown Tues., June 2.' Toes., Jane I—'Escape from Crime' (WB), in all-exchaxjge cities, ex- cept Des Moinesi Milwaukee and New Haven, where it will be shown Mon., June 1. Toes., June Z—'The Gay Sisters' (WB), in all exchange cities, ex- cept Los Angeles, and Milwau- kee, where it will be shown Mon., June 1. Tues., June 2—'Spy Ship' (WB), In all exchange cities, except Los Angeles, where it will be shown Mon., June 1. FILM BOOKING CHART (For i^Jormation 'o/ th«afr« and fXm exciUma« boofcm Vabiett present* c complete chart o/ /<a(ur« rtUaatt of all th« American tfbtributlno com- panits lor th« current Quarterly period, time of reviews as given in Vamxiy and the runnini; time of prints are included.) Key to Type Abbreviations: M—JMelodramo; C—Comedu; CD—Comedu Drama; W—Western; D—Urama; RD—Romantic Drama;. MU—Musicol. Figures herewith indicate date o/ Variety's revieto and running time. Two Tanks la Trinidad (Col) J/ZI C Snas«t on th* Deiett (R«p) W Affairs of J. ValentlDe (Rep) M Remarkable Mr. Klpps (20th) 3/11 M Week's New Shorts : Continued from paie V; RKO Radio's seventh annual golf tournament, held at the Westchester Country Club, Rye, N. Y., last Wednesday (20), brought out ap .at- tendance of more than 200, mostly gdIf,~pinoc'hle, poker and gin riimmy addicts. George Schaefer, RKO prexy, took trimming at ^n' from Herman Robblns,.National Screen Service. Bob Wolff, manager of the New York exchange for RKO, gave an excellent account of himself as an ad lib raconteur in three dialects. Ned Depinet won one of the $25 war bond prizes in the Kicker's Handicap and emceed the dinner.- Eddie Al- person, newly appointed RKO thea- tres g.m., made out alright at bridge. Pete Rathvon and Major Leslie Thompson stuck to golf. Rutgers Neilsbn, who had been away from home on office assignments several "nights running, sent telegrams to his wife and in-laws to prove he was at the tournament. All prizes were either war bonds or savings stamps, except for the two worst golfers, Irving ShiCrin and Joe Aurrichio, who got tennis balls made of soap. Ed Sullivan, Daily News columnist, won the prize for the guests' low score on the west course. Winners of $25 bonds were: Kickers handicap for RKO Radio employees, won by Ned E. Depinet; Kickers handicap for guests,, won by Sam Rinzler. Low gross by RKO Radio employees: winner on south course, Herbert Walker; nmner-up on south course, Dave Canavan; win- ner on west course, Lou Miller; run- ner-up on west course, Harry Pim^ stein. Low gross by guests: winner on south course, H. Rinzler; runner- up on south course, Ed Gaylord; winner on west course, Ed Sullivan; runner-up on west course, Mitchell May, Jr. Winner of the putting con- test, Robert Dann, Nearest the pin contest: winner on south course, T. Eggerstedt; winner on west course, G. Weiss. Winners of foursomes ($5 In stamps), were: M. Goldstein, H. CrandaU, H. J. Strong, Harold Rodner, Eddie Shidermon, E. J. McGolre, W. H. Scully, R. Schneider, C. Leyen- decker, James Mulvey, S. Braver- man, Al Dawson, C. Beiienson, Mon- roe Greentbal, George .Garvin, Jack Baker, R. H. Haines, Charles Levy, Leon Bamberger, Herman Robbinis, Alvin Adams,, David Strumpf, Lou Sarnoff, Jack Schactel, Henry. Nevfr comb, T. Howard, Fred Lutkin. Maurice (Bucky) Karris of 4be ,BKiP.'theatr^o-jdejp(u^ent won the raiCfle for a $100 bond. registering soUdly. Lome Greene also helps sell what might have been a routine topic with his crisp spoken commentary. Film covers the Importance of food to all United NaUons, what It hM meant to Germany and what the lack of it has meant to conquered coun- tries. It points up the brutal meth- ods used by the Nazis In maklri| use of hunger as a means of subduing naUons that have capitulated to the mUitary. Vital necessity of runmng the submarine blockade to get food- stuffs to the British Isles and other United people suffering from a food shortage Is deftly portrayed. Inter- esting sidelight'introduced is the use the Germans have made of the soy bean in giving strength to fighters in their ranks. Sturdy entry on most any bill, despite length. 'New Soldiers Are Tonrh' (World of Action war subject, UA, 16 mins.) —As timely as today's newspaper headlines is this exciting portrayal of the latest type Allied warrior. It s another John -Grlerson beU-rhiger, with special praise again going to Stuart Legg, editor and script writer, and Lorne Greene's narration. Out- standing In series of graphic doseups of training given United NatloM fighters is an actuid Commando raid on Norway by these British dare- devils. Probably the most .gripping, brief yam to come from the wat- front in months, with screen-filling explosions- of giant oil storage tanks climaxing the venture. Raid starts In darkness of early morning, and carries through until dawn shows the progress of the battle. Other portions of the subject stress how Allied strategy has swung over to the offensive, with tough, young shock-troopers geared to the slogan of hit first and hard, and keep on hitting. Scenes from many battle fronts emphasize the new type of fighter. As with others in this series, orirfnal score and deft spotting of background music adds greatly to the realism. Sure bet In any theatrfe. Wear. WEEK OF BELEASE—3/26/42 82 P. O'Brlen-B. DonUvy - R. Rocers-G, Hayes D. O'Keefe-R. Terry 88 M. Rederave-D. Wynward WEEK OF BELEASE—4/2/42 Tho Bnfie Sounds (M-G) 12/17 rhe Courtship it Andy Hardy (M-G) Secret Agent of Japan (20th) 3/11 KipUne's Junele Book (UA) 3/ZS The Male Animal (WB) 3/4 D lui w. B<ery-M. Mala Z/11 C 94 M. Rooney-A. Rutherford M n P. F08ter-L. Barl D 1U8 Sabn-J. CaUeU D 126 B. Fonda-O. deHavilland ' WEEK OF RELEASE—4/9/42 The Invaders (Col) 11/5 D 123 The Shores of TripoU (20th) 3/U D 82 The Stranet Case of Dr. RX (U) 4/1 M S4 Unseen Enemy (U) 4/1 H 61 Murder In the Bit Honse (WB) 4/8 M «0 L. Howard-R. Massey J. Payne-M. O'Hara L. Atwell-R. Knowles D. Terry-A. Devlne P. Andenon-G. Meeker WEEK OF BELEASE—4/16/42 Reap tke Wild Wind (Par) 3/25 Land of the Open Ranee (RKO OliI mm Alaska (Rep) 4/22 SOS Coast . Guard (Rep) 4/15 Home la Wyomin'■ (Rep) 4/29 Suicide Banadron (Rep) 4/2S MluUslppf Gambler (U) 4/15 nchtlar BUI Fatso (U) 5/ZO Gold Rnih (UA) 3/4 Kincs Row (WB) 12/24 D 1X4 R. Mllland-P. Goddard 12/24 W T. Holt-R. WhlUey M IS R. Hlddleton-J. Parker 'M 78 W. Lnndlcan-J. Roscts W £7 O. Autry-C, Harnett M C7 A. Walbrook-S. Gray. M «1 K. Taylor-FXanfford W 37 .J. Mac Brown C 71 C.CbapIln D 127 A. Shtrldan-R. Cummlncs WEEK OF BELEASE—4/23/4t Dowa Rio Grand* Way (Col) . HcH* ABBapelb <Col) Th* Baahfnl Bachelor (RKO) Wcftwaid Bo« (Bep) 4/29* Saboteur (U) 4/» Twin Bed! (UA) 4/22 ~ I Wai Framed (WB) 4/1 M J. ParJier-T. Brown W C. StarKtt-R. Hayden I/ia C 77 Lam * Abncr-Z. Pitts W S8 B. Steel-T. Tyler M ICS R. CnmrnlOKB-R. Lano C 13 G. Brent-J. Bennett M SI K. MIddleton-J. Farlier WEEK OF BEL]£ASE—4/31/42 WUe Takes a Flyer (Col) 4/22 C S7 Fiacers at the Window (M-G) S/lt M 7S Where the Trail Bads (Moiio) W My Favorito Bloade (Par) 3/lt M 78 TntUes of Tahiti (^O) 3/11 M 11 Tnkon Patrol (Rep) M Man Who Wealdat DIt (2«th) 4/22 M 73 You're TelllBC Me (U) C Jnkobex Jenay (U) 3/25 klU <5 Larceay, lac (WB) 3/4 C 94 J, Bennett-P. Tone L. Ayres-L, Day T. Keene B. Hope-M. Carroll C. Laufhton-J. Hall A. Lane-L. Conway L. Nolaa-M. Weaver H. Herbert-P. Pal re K. Murray-H. HlllUrd E. Roblnsou-J, Wymaa WEEK OF BELEASE—S/7/42 Desperate Cbaacc for Ellery (tucea <Cdl) M Corpse Vaalshei (Moao) M <4 The Great Mfea's Lady (Par) S/l> D 90 ScatterfOOd Rldoi Blch (RKO) l/II C 65 My Gal Sal (2«th) 4/22 M 101 Broadway (U) S/t D 19 W. Gatgan-M. Lindsay B. Lncoal * B. Stanwyek-J. McCrca O. Klbbee-U. Moore R. Hayworth-V. Mature G. Raft-P. O'Brien WEEK OF BELEASE—5/14/42 Not A Lady's Man (Col) The DevU's Trail (Cel) She's In The Army (Mono) This Goa for Hire (Par) 3/11 Oiand Central Murder (M-G) 4/22 Mayor of 44th Street (RKO S/la Remember Pearl Harbor (Rep) 5/13 The'Mad MarUndales (20th) 4/22 Ships With Wings (UA) 12/7 Mystery of Marie Rogert (U) 4/t In This Our Life (WB) 4/S C M M MU D C M M D P. Kelly-F. Wray B. EUlott-T. RIttcr Ann Borg-L. Talbot "V. Lake-R. Preston V. Heflla-P. Daae G. Hurphy-A. Shirley D. Barrle-F. MacKenzie J. Wlthers-M. Weaver J. Clements-L. Banks P. Knowles-M. Montez B. Davls-O. dcHavllUnd WEEK OF BEUEASE—5/21/42 Sweetheart of the Fleet (Col) MU Vanishing VIrglnUn (M-G) 12/J O Let's Get Tough (Mono) C Syncopation (RKO S/6 MU Romance on the Ranxe (Rep) W Whispering Ghost (20th) 4/22 C Who li Hope Schuyler? (2eth) 3/11 M Almost Married (U) C The Spoilers (U) 4/15 M 101 St S7 J. Davls-J. FaUcenbutg F. Morgan-K. Grayson T. Brown-F. Rice A. Mea^on-J. Cooper S. Rogers-G. Hayes M. Berle-B. Joyce J. Allen, Jr.-M. Howard R. Palge-J. Frazee M. Dletrich-R. Scott WEEK OF BELEASE—5/28/42 Exchanges ^^^s Continued from page 14 ^__J service at Enrlght to assistant at Memorial in McKeesport. Austin Interrante, Main Line salesman lor 20th-Fox, has resigned to devote his full thne to the opera- tion of the Rowland theatre In Phillipshurg, Pa., which he owns. House had previously been operated by Interrante's son, who recently went into the Army. Joe Hanna, head booker at the exchange, moves into Interrante's sales berth, and Joe Davidson, asslstah.t booker, becomes chief booker. George Ball promoted to assistant booker and Jack Bll- strom, of advertising accessories de- partment, shifts to the booking staff. Dick Hannan is the new assistant to Jack Vandegrift in shipping and a new shipper is John Pnoletu. . Sam Ehrlich is back at the Warner exchange as supervisor of checking, a jtost he held here when Boss Federal Service took over WB's ch dicing in sum.Tier of 1S40. Com- pany re-established its own checking system May 1. John Derbish, formerly manager of New West End theatre, has been naned manager of the Embassy, in Aspinwall, one of the Mervis Brothers' houses. He replaces Ferdin- and. Phillips, now In the Army. WIl- lard Rupert, who used to be at the Roxlan In McKees Rocks, succeeds Derbish at the West End. Gteorge Polllnger is new .assistant manager of the Sewlckley (Pa.) theatre, succeeding Jamci G. Ruttcx, now in the Merchant Marine. Pol- linger-is « former member -ef the house stafl Meet the Stuarts (Col) 5/20 Down Texas Way (Mono) In Old California (Rep) Stardust On The StSge (Ren) Falcon Takes Over (RKO) 5/( MoonUde (20th) 4/22 Miss Annie Rooney (UA) B/27 Jnk« Girl (WB) 4/» 8/27 W w M D M M 72 W. Holdea-F. Day B. Jones-T. McCoy J. Wayne-B. Barnes G. Autry-6. Burnett G. Sanders-L. Barl J, Gabln-I. Lupino S. Templa-W. Gargan At Sherldan-B. Regan WEEK OF BELEASE—6/4/42 Submarine Raider (Col) One Mysterious Night (Mono) Come on Danger (RKO) Moonlight Masquerade (Rep) Tough As They Com e (U) Lady Gangster (WB) M J, Howard-M. Chapman M J. Beal W 88 T. Holt-F. Neal C D. O'Keefe-B. Kean C B. Halop-B. Dunsley M S2 F. Emerson-J. Bishop WEEK OF RELEASE—6/11/42 They AU KUsed the Bride (Col) C My Favorite Spy (RKO) 5/« MU The Cyclone Kid (Rep) W Thru Different Eyes (20th) *I private Buckaroo (U) MU Danger In the PacUc (U) M saver BuUet (U) W ^Tta* Big Shot (WB) M Ml Douglas-J. Crawford 85 K. Kyser-E. Drew D. Barry-L. Merrick F. Craven-M. Howard Andrews Sis.—J. E. Lewis D. Terry-L. Carrlllo J. MacBrown-F. Knight We Were Daudag (M-G) 1/21 Salute to Courage (M-6) 1/21 Torpedo Boat (Par) 1/21 Fly by Night (Par) 1/21 This Time tdi K«eps (M-G) X/11 Saadown Jim (20th) 3/11 GeatlemaB After Dark (UA) 3/18 True to the Army (Par) 3/18 Mekey (M-G) 3/25 Lady Gaagster (WB) 4/8 Tarzaa's N. T. Adveatatc (M-G) 4/15 Sunday Poach (M-G) 4/15 About Faco (UA) 4/15 Ship Ahoy (M-G) 4/22 TertllU FUt (M-G) 4/22 Night In New Orleans (Par) 5/8 Sweater Girl (Par) S/6 Beyond the Blue Horizon (Par) 5/8 Mrs. MlBlver (M-O) 5/13 . ,^ Mexican Bplldre Bees a. Ghost (RKO) SP TMa Above AO (2Mh) 8/13 I Married aa Angel (M-G) 1/28 Oace Upon a Thnsday m-G) Sm Her Cardboard Lovar (M-G) S/27 Bambl (BKO S/tt Malsle Gets Bcr Man (M-O 8/27 N. fikearer-N. Coward G. Veldt-A. Ayers R. Arlea-J. Parker N. Kelly-R. Carlson A. Rutherfbrd-B. Sterling J. Klmbrongh-V. GUnrort B. Doalevy-H. Hopkins J. Caaeva-A. Jones D. Dalley-D. Reed F. Kmerson-^J. Bishop J. WelnmuUer-M. o'Sulllvsn W. Luadlgaa-J. Rogers W. Iracy-J. Sawyer E. PowcU-R. Skelton S. Traey-H. Lamarr D. LaaK>as>R. Denaing K, Braekea-J. Prelsstr P. Foster-A. Dekher O. Oarson-W. Pldgeon L. VelH-L. Errol T. Power-J. Fontaine J. MacDonald-N. Eddy M. HaatnB. -Cailson N. Shearer-R. Taylor (DlsaoT Cartowi) „ A. sotiiera-B, Bkcltoo