Variety (January 1944)

PICTUBES Wcilncsday, '■ January ■; 12 , 19 it Thi Tay, Greer and ‘Parky' IjIII Hollywood, Jan. 11, I Hollywood, Jan. 11, Metro handed Tay .Clarnetl the, dl- rector job' on the...Career G.ax’son stan-cr. 'Mrs. Parkington/ to be pro- duced by Leon Gorton, . ■ ; F.flto. built on, Louis Bromfieid's iio\ el, goe.s into work Feb, 15. Wa.diington, Jan. 11. I'"'”' titles* '^Siv to the 1 , 0 ^ I Lesser’s Tort’ Closed pions, .sh.Dwm , ,in.'^,'.t^^^^ Hollywood, Jan. 11. ..itnder oontrol,. 9,.*. ' Pi'odueti.oh: o ‘Erabarkatidn .Fort': Biet,urc SerMCC, had to do uith the abandoned by Sol Lesser, ■conn-bat .units,following, a,'request■frbm, the, Secur-- 250.,000.00.0,, It, toOKs, touoi ivciu ^ in ..the' San „',:w .:,a. . ■ • ,, : . ' ■, .on, Ihe.'.theatr ^ Fined $100 for Admitting a Minor Detroit, Jan. ll.,' I n I n ai Managers here, where juVdnile Tlcail In Farn llthpr Bv Now delinquency has become a civic cui- useo 10 Ldtll VUICI vy gade, continue to get '.So'ckod: plenty Hollywood, Jan. 11. \yhon kids get into the tlioatip'- ; William Cameron Menzios, cm- y\ryjjo„^ manager of ttio Loop,, ■ rent)y,:,,:prpduciiTg . .Addrese, cn- ' ,kh'9wh> at Coluinbia, will be asso- j. Murphy because a H- It, date producer with Sam Wood m the |^,tor.-d)S' girl was found in the house .Wmi.ng oly'Tatiaha toh -tto; sanie Jot. ^ a. in. on a sch'o 6 lda,v...' Po- , "ood and Menzies have woiktd ijcowomen te.slificd that they had , ? together on various pictures, includ looking for the youngslor for weekly. some $12,000,000 to huiosiry for ronlals. The serv^-g^ 100 prints ,of each new pietuic. and ■. ,, '. ■• they play tlie entire circuit within ; ; J. ■ ;■ ^^Dii'cctor li. B. Murray of the Serv- Metro lnc( Ice lias ccmpilod the boxoffice win- ir * • I ' nets as determined by cash receipts .■.. |0 Alll from Jan. 1.J943, to Dec. 15, with the . .» ■ following ,re,stdts::In Wd ,. 1 . •Guadalcanal Diary' (20th). ; 2 . , Crask p.ive ( 20 t^^ 5125.000 for u ■*' verseiy affecte 5. .‘Arabian. 'Nights, !U). , i. _ , 6 . •The Desperadoes* rCol). « u oi^ ■: , 7. ‘T'hi.s;iA'the,Army';(WB). " ±SLf in • !',. -Happy Go Lucky* (Par). , 9 , ‘Hcllb, *FrSsfco, Hello’ (20th). 10. -Stage Door Canteen* (HA).' . Of v:;- -f-wjiorc -rauwray express is ,useo^.is.',fe--i il-e.s ■ ■ doa.l wita the lives of .sol- in ■; an incrca.scd number :;Oil the diers. in.',ji,'-.sliuton camp, inthe San nnssoiute' .ai-td-li hurrldd ' ,switohe.s. to:.; Pi-joC sen area before shoving Oil for , . „„ Metro Incepts Plan To Aid Smaller Exhibs In War-Stricken Areas billing in an incrca.scd number of ■.■.--■■.■ :-■■■' Special policemen have been p-.-.t missduts ' and hurried switches in : .■ ■' . ■ w on the theatre detail liore to help bookings.. . In; addition, .careless ex- ^^)r.g|Q.TnsSeS (irenaCle '““d-f isin an^ ft .-has- seryed to.^ hibitbrs .toid:.projectidni.sts or inex- k«*« 5 V. wviiu ^ chiU: On school-skipper.s.,',b;irt peiienced managerial help, are cans- A| Frcalr War PlPU the ruiuuyays sWl siip by^^ w ing mixups on films, with ■ result rtl Dldai£ ff 01 1 U.U>, ton te.stifying that he had not no- numerou.s pictures are now going WnMl-e tliA'Horil 'Faric I**'?! otiiers toslificd, back to the wrong exchanges, cans- IfaniS 1116 Odlll lOvlo looked older than 14. ing further trouble in the inspection , , '. : Hollywood, Jail. 11. ■Theatres hero, however, have a ' and re-routing bf-film.:.'/■ ' ■';■ ;■, Soldiers in ’ far-nun.g caivrps and new. device which will lielp ii-.c.m With' Chri.stma.s and New Year's .-„x',,oles protcr documontary films to comb out .juveniles for whom they falling on a Saturday this ye.ar, mid- : synthetic war dramas concocted ; in have to accept the rc.spon.sibility. The Sarge Tosses Grenade At Ersatz War Piets, Wants the Hard Facts : t' ,A r wL Wiffbis’ (TTl ' ■■ versely atfected by conditions phts are roporied to have occurred. ,pg c.B.I. Roundup, an Army ser\ ice ei-.acicd which required all tho.so bc- ' r .w!rim<.-f,orariops* (Goll ■ out of the war, Metro has started hs .cypiie, also, innumerable switehe.s in netvspaper for the armed .services in tween 21 and 25 to carry drinking -■ .iff,. T,. tuo Ai-mv’ (WB) first-aid plan and, after local repre- b„ogipgs became necessary, . ,"y, cipna, Burma and India. Letter license.s, The theatre.s can dema.-.d . aip-S is _ T ,,„w (Par) ' sentatives in toe various branch ter- Plus tiie difficulties of keeping de- read.s in part: '■■.',■ i’uit kids flash such cards to prove n ''Wfsari hpUo’ (20th). rUories have had an opportunity to liycry truck.s rolling on a normal . ‘Xhis Is a gripe; The. olher night that they are of age to be admitled ' Tn- r (UA) ’ check on iiardrhit situations, the as- pj,s;s pug to breakdowu.s, tire, tips Central Iijdi'^^'Aijt.:.Depot was to tho.'housos. ill. t?ti.p • .sistaiice policy will be extended troubles and bad weather over the host to one of the cornie.sl movies we However, the new licensing proved Ti-.cre is nothing in sight to up.set throughout the entire country, hoiipoys, express companies were in have ever .seer.; a- little slice of tripe something of a boomerang in ttie'- these: ngur.es. and they remain the Metro has long studied, the situation ,r.any instance.s late in clearing ship- called ‘Salute for Throe.* This was early .stage.s. The Slate forgot to de- Ayiimei'.s. as determined by .the cash- .^fletofng' jm^I^rt.e'^bitors ooo to" .toerit.s: ;.Mixups there also occur as about the adyentUres; of ,:on.e ,pf :oiir ..mknd-'prliof of age. The result was on-tho-line of uniformed men. They fore the curreut, (1943-44) sellin| 'j;pspi); Qf;..inexperienced help, not to ‘heroes* returned ' from the war. ipat plenty of 17 and J 8 -ycar-old ■ are then- free and voluntary favor- ..stoson beg.ahj, e.OCh;;exehan'to. mtoe.^h. nientibh priorities and jammed ex- whose life was .juSt .to®'F.S.p,: :can:- ij^^ one girl ot 16 ites„. . complete survey of every account to p,e,ss cai-.s. There was plenty of teen alter anbther.,'';The .attittoe to :siinpeij,j,n ■ The Army Motion Picture^ Service determine their condition. In some havoc in most exchanges this year- tlie men toward the picture could be leclmically, gave them the liglit to f,mpto,'iilarger exchanges this work took as end not only because of various de- seen fro^i the jeers and cat-ca'ls. j,„o ni'teries and iheaUcs. : ■ . .diel'S, on their free time, in theatre rn-ueh as two weeks time, checking .jayg, but also due to late pickups There is all. tlie difference in the ...to, ,■ , , .V a',' i.-- a" i- ■ eperation. For these employed serv- books, gro.sses and rentals for the i,-om theatres giving postrmidniglit world between the reception that ', icemen some, $3,000,000 is dispensed entire prior year. performances. , . ' , :: : stinkeroo got and the one accorded ooriccteci after scores ol auves. got .; amumlly. The lop salary for such Meantime, recognizing that a con- one N; Y. exchange ordered three the docuineniary color film, ‘Battle the i'-oeoi 3 es, the lavv is coming under servicing i.s $52 a month. All profits siderable number of exhibs in nuicli-needed prints ot a picture of Midway,*' .shown here recently, new tu-e from the s-iiired up young- go to the camp commantor.i.and,.may ;;sjjballer.. towns, have suffered from from its Chicago-office which could The latter received ab.soi'bing atten- ‘‘*'®'® Rtobapiy ca^^^ be pioiccl be'toisponsed with as he desire's.. The depopulation, lack of defen.se manu- spare them. They were due to ar- tion becau.se it liad the puncli and v '* i Service operates without Congres- tactui-irig, gas rationing, etc. Metro rive in N. Y. on Dec. 24 for Dec. 26 kick that only reality can provide. ^i- 1®. mscriminatory legislation,, sional appropriation; and is a sell- has been making deals with these piaydates. They didn't arrive until ‘We're iioi 12-year-old children, roicing those between 21 and 2p, who .sustaming and- profitable branch; of accounts at rental ‘mrms they can Llec. 26 ; making it nece.ssary for the We have to lead with the hard facts ® right to drink, to pay « .sustaming and- profitable branch; of accounts at rental ‘mrms they can Llec. 28 ; making it nece.ssary for the We have to lead with the hard facts ® nsnt to oiiiiK, 10 pay « srmy iccrealion. stand and still operate, also making theatres to pick up something else of dust, heat and dirt every day, and ‘‘'9 °"'y that one is ( Director Murray, in commenting adjustments. Many of the adjust- quickly or leave the doors locked. all we ask is, for God’s sake. Holly- for the State to change tlie law to upon the value of pictures as enter- uicnts are made voruritarily before . , wood, if you must make pictures persons over 21 to get tainment lias this to say: ‘I cannot j,„ account has. even made a com- ni j; pt g% 1 1 m i, about the Army and about soldiers, orinking permits whicii would begin to .-ti c^s how important motion plaint as to busine.ss done, with Wil- rleilty ul VieieDS* nOyelty at least let them have some relation prevent the law from being aimed ;. picturts arc to the armed forces ua,,., p Rodger.s. v.-p. in charge of — ... .;: Aiif- 11 f to fact, instead of a glamorized col- .to- one particular group, an illegal right hero at home from the -time the distribution, having adopted a policy DAfneV Ulfllielu 111 lection of childish drivel that no one measure. . men are inducted, as well as in the of giving every branch manager the ■■ ■ ■ . * _ ,. , ■ in his right mind could swallow.’ Nitery men are holding firm on the right hero at home from the -time the distribution, having adopted a policy JiQf DAriiey men are inducted.as well as in the of giving every branch manager the . J ■ combat zones. There cannot be the authority to make adjlMments with- Ffld-Sllinff sliglitc.st question about the army's out homeoftice approval. And, as . * ”8 VJUiWjJ tremendous reliance upon (Urns. They Rodgers declares, ‘no exhibitor has Editor, ‘Variety’: form tlie background ot th.e army’s to come into his exchange with his I have had l\v ■ entire recreational services. And in h^t in his hand.’ -■ ■ ences over' here outposis,' such as Alaska and the May . Help: Q.ther, Disli-ibs the Belfast, Nor Fog-Smog-Grog Routine oiitposis.' such as Alaska and the Aleutians, they are an ab.solute god- seiK!.’ on'eripg its programs in the eve- ning, the Service arranges its book- I have had two unusual experi- ences over' here theatrically—saw the Belfast, North Ireland. Savoy The allocation, of $125,000 for the Players, a stock company, do ‘The aid ot stricken exhibs, probably to Fur Coat.* and it reminded me of . . •' -.-..'•I'.l _t_L L — '-i? ■Wta'Wv ri c**I^Q* ■: / ■ -- ■;■ ■’. ■ ' . ■■. to" '; — - ‘""i';:'- :: '■ ' law—which helps take responsibili'.y MA nni IV 1\AIIDI EC off them—aiid through eirm-Ls of rlU Ul/LLI IMIUdLIjiJ) their organization have got it backed irccci ■. mr hri a vrn “P by ordinances:: in ■ nine of the -IKtSS hi, “11, DLLA 1 LU la^sest Michigan cities which makes ■^' _ it a misdemeanor which can bring „ .A,. : . Hollyf ood; D®®- IL, a 90-day sentence for any kid to Difficulty in ftoding two accept- fiiigrepresent his or her age. Pre- nlift oann-irtflilP'3 frtv' tma narriP rAlPS ■ 't '. •; , •: be increaiied as^ needs: afisei if they, tent rep in the old days Jn, liebraska. tolfe fM (^9 RdPt® Toles only the- proprietors and tVie- do, is de.s;gned to help smalltown Also a pantomime, which is the most in ‘Dolly Sisters caused a readiust- alre owners took the ra)). ing? at most t'aeatres so as to allow opevatbrs througli advertising advice, talkative thing in the world as done merit of George Jessel's production 1 -' . two ‘.special appeal’ features a week e.xpioitatiou and other means of try- over here. ‘Jack and Jill,* starring sclitoule at 20th-Fox. _ ': ' ■' ■':': to be .shown for two days, while improve busine.ss.. Pointed Celia I.ipton. daughter ol the band- . First of his three pictures to roll UrfDA fA niCTDIDIITC .;i-‘abo\ e average* attractions are run that this policy of Metro'.s not leader, Sidney Lipton, was the ve- will be ‘Kitten On the Geys, a Benny IHE1AU lU Ulijl AIDUIC •i for a .single day. Its circuits aie so only presupposes a benefit, to the hide. Goodman musical, to be followed DDIT DDCCA’ if - geared that 'when, the; film is avail- .a,catre and Metro pictures, when Major George Stevens is in the by O. Henry,, unless he_.Is lucky dKII. 'ArKlLA rKllE^ f able th,ree :‘spccial, appeal’ features .iiey are being played, but also to same o.Tico with me, and Ll. Col. enough to llnd leads for Sisters. «n>eessnr'to ‘Desert Virtoi-v ’ Brit' NW FARMFR^’MPRFAT pictures 6 hly decree company peSr- ■ Meredith is around studioing ■ U" .VwliPOaFU ; Afiica Freed,- stoiy of the Al- KW fAKintKi UmAl for the Arniy Ran into Major Frank ^ Continned trom ,K.ge 4 = J m, REFLECTED IN B.0.^B00M Um‘Sdi'i oT a'toctm-e the mu-er "ight' ana“bav:d Niven^Ts ff •’ p,;: : ■ :; . .J^: Miitoeapoilto5torin,^ one ot the rea.sons for the brisk i.s not complaining of this po.ssibility. oUier Am^ ' . ’ ^Ctton by ihe end of January, .v’.- bnsmehS. wluch, inany of the tern- hotvevei.. , ^ ,, . ' daV Movita (iviaria Luisa ■ Seymour Sanger, cellist .wilh.PittSr with Metro handling U. S. release. , ,,y V: ^ory:s . heatres po^; are^blto‘to. :!^ : - 99 ‘^'^»^ supervision .Tames L. Hod.son, .British .film found :n the latest Federal Reserve plan lor smalltown theatres: is un- 'f.',®- , 7 T i T ' ' .• ' , ' - . ' '■ ‘ ..-riter wlio worked on dialog for i’: ‘ baiik report .-‘howing that Northwest tier I'.ie direction of Howard Dietz, -igiiting Irish thriBh). wa.s .sweating Footers Go'in' 'both oiclures'now in this cour.trv , farmers- cashjncome in November publicity-adxprtising v.^. for the ^ '' Pto^“i^;Ji. Jan. 11. 'rrCor^^-i;:;k'c:p:r’;^^ : I9i the, .sale ol nine nnpoitant p-.ocl- company, and William R. Fciguson, , ” and ineidontal’y to .see her Billy Leech, singer with Guy headed the U. S. Army photog- ... uct.« was an e.slimatcd $167,000,000, explmtatipn manager, m as.sociatmn tlie Air Corps Lombardo's band, Navy. raphers, and Col. Hugh. Stuart, who - a gai.ri (if c.ue-thii-d over the corre- w:t;i sale.? executives. C. I-i. Garner. Run into Bob Mu.scl q-aite often- in Seymour Sanger, cellist with Pitts- led the British contingent ot photogs spbn.ding. 1042 nionh. Incoino from liomeofLce exploitatior. ropre.senta- , live in the same biock' of burgh Symphony Orche.stra. Army, who documented ‘Africa Freed.* are . h.-'.gs -.vas c-.stiniatcd at nearly S57.- live. i.? in the field per.<(mally con- . Pvt. Mannie Greenwald, foriiier now on the Coast completing editing ;; 000.000. tlic highe.st on record. ; u ■ tacting ti'.e first group of smalltown- siicila'i Graham is trying lb figure Barry ir.ana.ger; transferred to :Army of the picture. Print ivill' arrive to Dcpa-rtmonl store .sales ;n both cr.s m need .of. help. ... • i -ivaV to wangle a trip back to the Adniinislration School at Washing- N. Y. oaj;an, 20s.;',:... :;i. y'! ■, city and country area.s together with r ■.,' ... I vn she can .see'the kid wlio is (on and JclI'erson College, Washing- . George Archibald, head ot the U. S. Callboard 55 Continued from page 4 sa Successor to ‘Desert Victory,* Brit- ish Army made feature-length film distributed in U. S. by 20lh-Fox, is; ‘Africa Freed,* film .story of the Al- lied victory jn the Tunisian cam- paign, which is now being edited in',:. -.ally con- malltown-' carloadin.gs rose, but the Minnesota . 4;' ,,',. ■' to " ' ' ou ■ ■' 'J ' tlnn a 'vrian nir) pa.vfo!; index recorded its sharpest Delmai' QuitS Caittp ShoWS toO''® 1^’m-m" ■' To Resume in Ixgit /rr' 'T- ;i '' ''.;: '‘‘ ' ' ' ■' Han'.v Deimar. .acneral maririge'r COSLOW’S DU ', ' .■;■ of production for' USO-Camp Shows. : 's ' ilhlVArcill"' Trtrtnpir^' ■ ’’ ■.''■b'®’-' si'OO®', 'ilt- .'fortoation,., ,'rtolgrted Lanioiii- Goes Redskin ani UlUVClS.al,'lUp|iC.I9 'Jast.week tO:'resume legit-producing. Btockeri.Teain-Ui ■■ f lf> I 11 Initial venture i.s .in conjunction ... ' Hollvwnntl Universal Toppers piano, from North Ireland the olher Army. ■ ., ,, . ri'ibution by the end .of January, day Movita (Maria lAui.sa Castenada Seymour Sanger, cellist w.lh Pill.?- with Metro haiidlmg U, S. release. Doyle, wife of .lack Doyle, the prize burgli S.i mphoiiy OrchesU'a, Army. .Tames L. Hod.son, Brili.sh film ■ fighting :Irish, thrush■), was sweating ■, ■' .• writer who worked 0:1 , dialog for one out. loo. She was t-.-ying to- got Tooters Go In bo<^ .oiclures, now ;n this country, to England, to do a. few songs for : ■: V : \ Pittsburgh,, Jan. 11, stated; that Col. Frank Capra, .who soldiers, and ineidontally. to .see her Billy Leech, singer with Guy headed the U. S. Army photog- broth.er. who i.s in tlie Air Corps. ' Lombardo's band, Navy. raphers, and Col. Hugh Stuart, who , . Run' into Bob Mu.scl q-aite oftc;-.: in ■ Seymour Sanger, cellist with Pitts- led the British contingent ot photogs fact, we live in the same biock of burgh Symphony Orc'ne.stra. Army, who documented ‘Africa Freed.’ are 'flats/ ■ Pvt. Mannie Greenwald, foriiier now on the Coast completing editing Siicilah Graham is trying ib figure Barry ir.ana.ger, transferred to:Army of the picture. Print .ivUl' ar:-ive in a ■ way to wangle a' trip back to the Adniinislration School at Washing- N;.Y. on Jan. 20. states so she can see'the kid who is tori and JclI'erson College, Washing- . George Archibald, head of th.e it bit more than a year old. ' ton. Pa. ' .-. .British* Ministry of Information film Maj. Barney Oldfield. '■(':'to ■ unit .in this country, will remain nt to;*''..-.....,;:':.:j ■' -'Deti-oilci-s Marrhing . his headquarters here until rclca.?e. p-.ni nUU’Q nun ■ 'Detroit, Jan.. 11. plan's for the film are completed and a -wa'y to wangle a trip back to the Adniinislration School at Washing- N. Y. on Jan. 20. ' states-so she can see'the kid who (is tori and JclI'erson College, Washing- i;,: . George Archiba han a year old. t°h, Pa. . Bjirney Oldfield. COSLOW’S DUO -' Deti’oltci's Marching . . ■ Detroit. Jan. 11. t/amo'ii' Go.es -Kedskto and Hutton- Seth Bracken Team Up . Servic '1 I- U’urnnil HmiIiIIac; to .'u Hollywood, Jan. ii;;;, „ John Sleva, shipper tor RKO. Bi'itain. .fy; .J,.' ■j.": ■ ■ In O WOOu nUQQieS. w-:lh ^ Dave Wolpcr, Follow the ■■ Dorotiiy Lamour goes red.skin ■ in Army.' , ■ , .1 Cheever Cowdin. J. H. Seidel- 1 'Princess on the Waqiath,* a musi- mai'i and' C. D Prutzman. Univcr.sal ; suc cessor has been n amed. ■ ^al film: in Technicolor' at Para- Rome at Conference Slialtlinff fll Gfl '■ ’ toppers in N Y are on the Coast mount, backgrounded in early Okla- Corp. Harold Rome, who authored upolUHIg lU UU vVC|yv<to to'■ to! important .^udio huddio.s this::;;:' APPROPRIATE SETTING I homo. Filming is slated tor early ' the ‘Stars and Gripe.s‘ soldier revue ' . Washington. J,-in. 11 . moil 111 . Irving Le.sscr, managing director .“um.iner, with Sam Coslow, who presented at Ft. Hamilton, N. Y., last ' Albert Spalding, American vioim- (' • Bili'toully, .sales chief, is sched-' of the Rox.v. New York, invited '.thbught .tip the. or.igtaM.J fall, ha.s^gone to 'Fexa.? to attend an isFpnd composer, i$ btong'serit'ovor- : : ■ lilt'd to shove off for the Coast Fri- rcprc.scalalives of Broadway thca- ducer. Army coTlference bn soldier enter- seas this spring by OWI for spi cial «lay 04). Scidclman originally bad I Ires as h;.s luncheon guests in the Betty Hutton and Eddie Bracken tainment. : ; ' . services to the,: psychological War- plannetl going out with Prutzman.' Bles.sed Event Room at the Stork team tip again as co-stars in ‘Out of Before entering the service. Rome . fare Branch of the Army. ' but sta.i-ed over in order to conler ■ Clrih ye.sterday l'Tue,sday)'to disctiiis : THis:;'^ also to be produced by was cotnposer and lyricist ot several I He is cancellmg rill hto .scheduled ' with Al tell supcivisdr of foreign Fotu'th War Loan Campaign plans. . Coslow at Par. Duo wdrked; together Broadway' shows, including ‘Sing, ..•|)iing concerts. He will nol.-ivork in to riistributiori just b froib to Batin- Plan to give biith to idriasifor the in ‘S;ar-SpangltoV Rhythm’ and ‘The Out. the News* and ‘Pms and ] a nuiteal.capacity; but vyill serve i Arnerit-aii trip '' driye. / ; Miracle of Morgan’s Creek.* ; Needles.’ ^ I a .special adviser and counsellor. : Joe Hei.ght, manager of the Regent | .then, will return to England for ..a’ theatre, into the Army.- new post. Reports stale he will he Seth Kar.tor. of National .' Screen, named'to/head the entire BMI film Service, in to the Marines. , „ John Sleva, shipper tor t'. 1 ,setup wheft ho arrives in Great RKO, I Britain. American''.trib./ Miracle of Morgan’s Creek.*