Variety (Mar 1949)

18 PICTURES WeJneBdajr, March 30, 1949 D. C. Perks; 'Ball Game' ,..l^^}^:!l'if. u, Torrid $30,000, 'Mother Ki^ble. o^ther^ on^sta.e. $6,500. Sweet 20G, 'Pony 14G Washington, March 29. Biz is humming along the mam stem, thanks to some sparkling new features and debut of fapnng tourist season. Heftiest newcomer is "Take Me Out to Ball Game, torrid at Capitol. "Mother Is Fresh- »ian" at Palace looks promising, "Johnny Belinda" is pulling the Metropolitan out of recent-dol- drums. "Hamlet," in second-run with roadshow prices at Dupont, took upsurge after Oscars were handed out. "Saraband" shapes modest in third week at playhouse. Estimates for This Week Capitol (toew's) (2,434; 44-85)-- "Ball Game" (M-G) plus vaude Hot $30,000, with slightly upped weekend tab. New price policy stays. Last week, "Canadian ta- cific" (20th) plus vaude, okay . $20,000. Keith's (RKO) (1,939; 44-80)— "Boy Green Hair" (RKO). Not so „hQt .$8,000. Last week, "Fighting 0'Flynn" (U), $0,000. ' Metropolitan (WB) (1,163; 44-74) —".Johnny Belinda" (WB) (2d run). Strong interest as a result of Acad- emy liiui-els. big !88,500. Last week, "Walking Hills" (Col), nice $7,000 in 8 days. National (Hciman) (1,600; 44-74) —"State Dept.-File 649" (FC). Sur- prising $8,500, with title helping in this government-conscious town. Last week, "Act of Murder" (U), $8,000. Palace (Loew's) (2.370; 44-74)— "Mother Is Freshman" ■ (20th). Smart $20,000. Last week, "Letter Three Wives" (20th), okay $15,000. Trans-Lux (T-L) (650; • 44-80)— "Paisan" (Indie) (4th wk). Strong $) 0 080. Last week, about same. Warner (WB) (2.164; 44-74)— "E d Pony" (Rep). Fairish $14,000. Lav; weeki "South St. Louis". (WB), over hopes at $16,000. CINCINNATI (Continued from"page 11) Carle orch, Mills Bros, sock $31,000. Capitol (RKO) (2,000; 50-75) — "Force of Evil" (M-G). Moderate $8,500. Last week, "Sea In Ships" (20th); ditto. Grand (RKO) (1,400; 50-75 — "Johnny Belinda" (WB) and "Sierra Madre" (WB). Encoring with Academy Award laurels to - to hearty $9,000. Last week; "Bad Men" Tombstone" (Mono), average $7,000. 000; 45-65)—"Wonderful Urge" (20th) and "Mine Own Executioner" (20th). Leading town at strong $15,000. Last week, "Whispering Smith" (Par), healthy $13,000, and moveover. State (Loew's) (3,000; 45r65)-- "Knock On Any Door" (Col) and "Blondie's Big Deal" (Col). Me- dium $12,000. Last week,. "Family j Honeymoon" (U) aud "Blaclue's Chinese Adventure" (Col), modest r $11,000. I strand (FA) (1.000; 45-65)—"Sta-1 tion West" (RKO) and "Disney j Cartoon Carnival" (RKO). Neat $5,000. Last week, "Unfaithfully Youi-s" (20th) and "Cheated Law (20th), oke $3,500. 'Kiss' Loudest Thing In Frisco, 17G; 'St. Loo' Same San Francisco, March 29. Balmy weather plus record base- ball crowds is socking business generally this week. Batch of hold- overs also is slowing the pace. "South of St. Louis" only looks okay at Fox but "Kiss In Dark" will hit big figure at Paramount. "Lucky Stiil" looks dim $5,000 at Esquire. Estimates for This Week Golden Gate (RKO) (2,84.4; 60- 85)—"Dear To Heart" (RKO) and i "Gun Smugglers" (RKO) {2d wk).' Down to $12,000. Last week, big $18,000. Fox (FWC) (4,651; 60-95)— "South St. Louis" (WB) and "Homi- cide" (WB). Okay $17,000 or close. Last week, "Canadian Pacific" (20th) and "High Fury" (UA) (2d Wk), 5 days, $10,500. Warfield (FWC) (2,656; 60-85)— "Bad Men of Tombstone" (Mono) and "Trouble Makers" (Mono). Mild $13,000. Last week, "Sun Comes Up" (M-G) and "Act of Violence" (M-G), $14,000. Paramount (Par) (2,646; 60-85)— "Kiss In Dark" (WB) and "Flaxy Martin" (WB). Big $17,000. Last week, "Red Stallion Rockies" (EL) and "Shamrock Hill" (EL), $13,500. St. Francis (Par) (1,400; 60-85)— "Nick Beal" (Par) (2d wk). Still fancy, $13,000. Last week, $17,000. Orpheum (No. Coast) (2,448; 55- 85)—"Knock On Any Door" (Col) and "Adventures Gallant Bess" (EL) (2d wk). Way off at $11,000. Last week, great $22,000. United Artists (No. Coast) (1,207; 85-$1.20) — "Enchantment" (RKO) (3d wk). Nice $6,500. Last week, $8,000. Stagedoor (Ackerman) (370; $1.20-$2.40)—"Hamlet" (U) (20th Film Preem What Ain't Preem of Allied Artists' "Bad Boy" for the benefit of the newly-organized New York Variety Club last week waiS probably the first premiere where the majority of thfe au- dience never saw the film. Event was held at the Pal- ace, famed erstwhile home of the nation's top vaudeville. I|» keeping with that traditiOH» « live benefit show was lined up that started at about 8:45 p.m. and ran well past midnight. By the time the film started, a large part of the audience had lammed for bed. U. S. Pix Abroad ConUnued from page 3 Stuff-Pictures Last-minute decision of 20th-Fox prez Spyros P. Skouras not to appear for his scheduled guest shot on "We, the People" last Tuesday night (22) reportedly resulted from a difference in opinion on what he was to have discussed on the show, broadcast simultaneously over CBS' radio and television networks. Young .& Rubicam ad agency, which produces the program, wanted the 20th chief to talk about the film business. Skouras, however, re- portedly answered that he is not an official spokesman for the Industry and voiced a desire to speak about the present situation in Greece, Which country he visited recently. Since he had already discussed the Greek situation on a Tex McCrary-Jinx Falfeenbiirg show the previous day over NBC, Y&R thought that "People" would be playing second run and so decided to call the whole thing off. Twentieth's official explanation of the impasse was that Skouras lacked the time to rehearsie the show. Script was not handed him until a day preceding the broadcast and he was tied up all day Tuesday when it was in rehearsaL As a result, according to 20th spokesmen, it was' decided to postpone his appearance on the show for several weeks, until he; has more time to devote-to it. Guild (Indie) (278; $1.20-$2.40)- "Red Shoes" (EL) (4th wk) Perky , ^k) Academy awards boosting to $5,500 after third stanza's $5,700. ] $7,000. Last week, $5,500 Keith's (City Inv.) (1,542; 50-75) — "Family Honeymoon" (U) (3d i wk). Hot $7,000 after $11,000 sec- j Cnrl. sesh. !M!ace (RKO) (2,600; 50-75) —1 "Crlss Cro.ss" (U). Oke $11,000.' Last week, "Whispering gmith'" (Par), good $15,000. ExhibTVWeb Continned from pace 3 reasons were given, but the belief is that as much as "Mr. Smith", needled Congress, the Bulgarian 1 government felt it showed too free | a play of democratic processes. Ex-1 port Assn. is not exactly sure of i the Czech objection to "Rhine." I "Mr. Smith" has played in Po-| land and Czecho, "Citizen Kane" has played Czecho, Hungary and Poland, and "Rhine" has played through most of the Iron Curtain territory. In no country has there | been any effort to twist the mean- ing of the pix in order to- capi- talize on their themes for anti- U. S. propaganda, MPEA execs de- clared. Careful check of newspaper and public reaction is kept by the Association's manager in each ter- ritory. Press evaluation, it was said, has been strictly on the merits of the films as films. "Mr. Smith" is claimed to have been particularly successful in Czechoslovakia in enhancing Hol- lywood prestige. The fact that a film would dare to criticize Con- gress was taken as showing the fearlessness and Independence of the industry. One- newspaper even suggested that viewing the film'be made compulsory for members of the national parliament. MPEA execs maintain that the whole rumpus over the three films j is merely an indication of the dif- ficulty of determining what's good and what isn't when it comes to propaganda-^a difficulty that the Office of War Information and Co- ordinator of Inter-Amejrlean Af- fairs ran into continually during the war and "Voice of America" is trying to surmount currently. Half-dozen different views can be taken on every .subject, it was said. That's the reason the MPEA has refused to make public the entire list of 100 pix it submitted to Yugo- slavia and a similar list of 100 titles offered to Russia under terms of the deals set up by Eric John- ston, Motion Picture Assn. of America prexy, last October. Asso- ciation feels that once the list gets in the hands of the public it will have 140,000,000 amateur experts on its neck telling why they think each of the films Is good or not good for export. Countering complaints that newsreels are overcrammed with Florida publicity stunts and zoo novelties, a survey by the Motion Picture As.sn. of America reveals that approximately one-third of the total newsrcel coverage during 1948 was devoted to foreign news. U. S. government newsi including coverage of the Presidential carapaigUi accounted for 12.3% of the total subjects in 1948. Analysis, made by Taylor Mills, of MPAA's newsreel committee, shows that the five major newsreels carried a total of 3,541 separate clips Ia.st year, as against 3,484 in 1947. Of these, sports covcraf^e ac- counted for 23.1%, as against 26.2% in 1947. Remainder of the footage was taken up by feature materiaL Originally thought to have little or no appeal for the American mar- ket, the British film, "While I Live," may now see U.'S. distribution on the strength of its instrumental theme, "Dream of Olwen." Composed by Charles Williams, the tune became a bestseller in Britain and has had substantial sales in America via Mills Music. M. J. Handel, whose Pallas Films is representing producer Edward Dryhurst, said in New York this week that he's been pleasantly surprised by the word-of- mouth the composition is developing in the U. S. "Olwen," incident- ally. Is played in the film, by pianist Lady Beecham> wife of the con- ductor, Sir Thomas Beecham. When Metro releases "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" in England it will have another title, "Everybody's Cheering." A ball game over there may mean cricket, soccer or rugby, but not baseball. Another Metro film, "The Barkleys of Broadway," will have a new name in Britain, where Broadway doesn't mean what It means in the USA. It will be released as "The Gay Barkleys." ; ^ ^ DX.'s British Squauk Continued from page 3 Edward Martin of Pennsylvania,; an open door policy for American DENVER (Continued from page 9) tess Monte Cristo" (U) (3d wk). Thin $3,000. Last week, $5,000. Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 35-74) —"Nick Beal" (Par). Fairish $11,- 000. Holds. Last week, "Own True Love" (Par), $8,500. Denver (Fox) (2,525; 35-74)— "Wake Red Witch" (Rep) and "Christopher Blake" (WB), day- date with Esquire: but it is likely that he would be chosen from the roster of the So- ciety of Motion Picture Engineers. ftroup plunked for tele trailers, claiming that experiences of exhibs have already indicated that they are a "very potent advertising force." TOA report declares that I the trailers should run 30 seconds, I 90 seconds or any other multiple i of three as "best suited to fit in I with station requirements." Mean- i while, committee consisting of Gael ! Sullivan, TOA exec director, and I Robert Coyne, director, will hud- dle with the Bell Laboratories on the adoption of phonevision for and Owen Brewster of Maine, fol- lowed this up with a similar letter but on a more general level, asking Acheson "What steps have been taken by this Government to have the British Grovemment materially reduce or eliminate quota restric- tions which discriminate against American industry and agricul- ture?" 4. Yesterday (28), Senator Sheri- dan Downey (D., Calif.) also wrote to the Secretary of State, declar- ing that "I am very gravely con- cerned about the new 40% British quota on American motion pictures. It is unfair and discriminatory to a great American industry, but it is also in direct conflict with every- thing we are trying to do to pro- mate world recovery.. .1 would ap- preciate it very much if you would let me know what the Depart- ment of State is planning to do to remedy this discriminatory action." 5. Yesterday, Roy Brewer, of the lATSE, flew Into Washington to pictures. Back of the current campaign appears some well laid ground- work by MPAA. It appears to have been feeding the facts to the California delegation Ttnd to have helped mightily in getting the big push under Way. . UA Sale Continued from page 5 : Skouras' Rentals SS Continued from page 5 0 the syndicate. It has been learned, ^ is Harold Hopper, vet film man and ' former head of the film section of the War Production Board. Fabian and Gamble, who are aiming to get a syndicate of thea- tre circuit operators in as partners in the UA purchase, take the lack of interest shown in their offer in recent weeks as justifying their demand for an option prior to go- ing ahead. -They want a written op- tion before they line up other ex- Webber.: Big I $18,000 or near. Last week; ^Fam-j „, ^ . ily Honeymoon" (U) and "Angel on | nlms. Device permits billing of cusr Amazon" (Repi, big $19,000 Esquire iFox) (742; 3.5-74)—' "Wake Red Witch" (Rep) and; "Christopher Blake" (WB), al.so ■ Denver, Webber; Fine $3,000, La.st i week, "Family Honeymoon" (U) i and "Angel Amazon" (Rep), big I $4,000. I Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 35-74)—! "Dear to Heart" (RKO) and"Gun Smugglers" (RKO). Nice^ $16,000. Last week, "Three Godfathers" (M-G) and "Far Into Night" (M-G), $16,500. Paramount (Fox) (2,200; 35-74)— •'Last Days Pompeii" (RKO) and "She" (RKO) d/issues). Fairly good $9,000. Last week, "Whip- lash" (WB) and "Miss Mink 1949" (20th), about same. Webber (Fox) (750; 35-74)— "Wake Red 'Witch" (Rep) and "Christopher Blake" (WB), also Denver, Esquire. Tall $4,000 or close. Last week, "Family Honey- moon" (U) and "Angel Amazon" (Rep), fine $3,500. tomers on exclusive shows. Rank-Korda Coiitiniied from page 7 cuits. Deal may also take in Can- ada. Rank's releasing organization is General Film Distributors. British Lion, in addition to han- dling Korda's own product, distrib- utes for Republic in England and recently pacted with David O. Selznick to release "Paradine Ca.se" and "Portrait of Jennie" there. BL will likewise distribute "Third Man" and "Gone to Earlh," which are being produced under a Selz- nick-KoI'da partnership arrange- ment. Films will be handled by Selznick Releasing Organization in this country, since the production arrangement provides that Selznick gets western hemisphere rights in return for his contribution to the making of the pix. during 1947-48 to back up the claim that playing time is as im- portant as actual percentage un- der which a picture is sold. Percentage of rental to gross boxoffice dollar last season was 34.7. Average of entire NT Cir- cuit was approximately 32%. Un- derstood NT's film bill last season was about $26,000,000. Another angle on NT's pitch to help entire industry, not just its own boxoffice, is the revenue to theatres from other sources. Skouras said theatres are in a bet- ter position to help on film rent- als because of popcorn and other merchandising income. He be- lieves percentage terms demanded by distribs aren't always the best way to get the most coin. A high scale and fixed playing time often shows considerable less rental than a lower percentage with play- ing time left open, so pic can be held until the maximum dollar Is collected. New policy will apply to all pix as Skouras told his managers: "We don't want to abuse any producer, large or small. It's important we treat small companies fairly. The number of independent producers has shrunk alarmingly. We must take heed of this as an indication of what can happen. They have produced pictures and are entitled to a square deal. We Want to buy evepybody's pictures. Don't mis- treat a good film." SlhlrwWtey^'mTygo?^^^^^^^ ^fa„ Ji./^lt nf n„r u ^xpense and trouble only to riH„^ fihnt L fh- iL^ the company sold to someone hurting labor in the industry, and ^j^^ ^he interim. pointing out that eveiy time an American company makes a film abroad to use up frozen coin, it Fabian-Gamble's New Interests . ^^^ With negotiators for Miss Pick-, ford and Chaplin showing so little wn^f rn«f^tn%"/J'°Lrp",n'inte'^est in their offer, Fabian and wood. He plans to stay here all ^3^1,1^ gt^^j^^ t„^„i„g ^^eir at- a T I -.ui ii . „ t tention to setting up a new co-op • ^ exhib producinl company that at MPAA headquarters in ^t well become an eventual which Motion Picture Association important competitor to UA. of America toppers, members qf. ^jl Dotential buyers com- the California Congressional dele-: pi^lned tharthere were'^^oo many gation and Brewer sal in a ^^e Chaplln-Pick- strategy se.ssion on how to keep ^j^^ ^^^y ramifica- f,v,itlons beyond the amount of coin Attending ]a.s nights confab j^^oj^g^jf p ^,,g j.^,, ,hat were I^ric John.ston,^ Brewer, Dan I Chaplin holds an option on Aliss Pickford's stock and thcoreiically can close a deal with an outsider , Tracy, head of the electrical work-' ' ers union, and about 20 members of California's Congressional dele- gation. Jchnston reviewed the his- tory of the Anglo-U. S. film prob- lem, while Brewer directly blamed the British restrictions for throw- ing 40% of Hollywood's 30,000 stu for it, the situation is said 10 be hardly as simple as that. That would, be an ea.sy fait ac- compli were, any of the potential buyers willing to meet the demand of $2,700,000 in cash to each of tlie dio technicians out of work, Ken two owners. However, no one is Thomson, Screen Actors ^ Guild exec, is slated to hold talks with the California delegation tomorrow (Wed.). For the immediate future there are these expected developments: Ellis Arnall, Society of Indepen- dent Motion Picture Producers prepared to do that, all the deals being predicated on cash of $800,- 000 or more to each of the stock- holders and notes for the rest. Ex- tent of Miss Pickford's and Chap- lin's participation in the affairs of UA while the notes are being paid off is one of the stumbling blocks. prexy, is due in here very shortly | and so both her reps and Chaplin's to buttonhole his many friends on! must be consulted each step of the i Capitol Hill to win added support way. Handling the deal for her are I for the drive, j sir William Wi-seman, of Kuhn, Senator Knowland, and perhaps Loeb & Co., and attorney Otis ! other members of Congrcs.s, plan Bradley. Representing Chaplin Is ; to offer amendments to the various attorney Charles Schwartz (& I foreign aid bills lined up for ac-' Frohlich) and Arthur W. Kelly, I tion. These amendments Will seek UA's exec V.|).