Variety (December 1951)

pictuus WMifgjurt U, 1951 much the same manner as Jt would be for our theitret %& rum * tracer criticizing the newspaper business lor not thinking that members of the Armed forces rate free news- papers." In reply to this statement, Wood declared: “A survey shows that these boys do very little newspa- per reading. They’re out to see the town.” ‘Not Enough Effort 9 Wood said that the articles indi- cated that the pix houses were giv- ing out free ducats, but be pointed out that the general effort of the amusement industry wasn’t enough to take care of the needs of the servicemen passingthrough New York every day. He estimates' that between 5,000 and 6,000 GIs visit the city every day. Newspaper’s exec editor said he’s not suggesting that theatres give up paid seats. He believes that there are many legit and film at- tractions which are not playing to capacity and it is these seats that should be reserved for the tran- sient military population. “Theatre people have been gen- erous,” Wdod Said. “They have not been withholding seats by de- sign. It has been a lack of thought- fulness. 1 ’ Main object of the series, Wood said, was to bring about a revival of the USO. He declared that mili- tary authorities are also to blame for the current situation since they had failed to size up the problem adequately and have done Very little to improve the servicemen’s off-duty recreation, Theatreowners’ letter to the newspaper also reviewed the film industry’s contributions during the last war. It noted that theatres of New York contributed 12,000,000 free admissions and were even more generous than the Govern- ment; “Which until a month ago required theatres to collect a tax on free passes, or reduced admis- sions to servicemen.” It also noted' that theatremen had expended $600,000= of their own money to promote the: sale Of Government bonds, “In view of these facts,” Cohen’s letter concludes, “I think you will agree that we have been unfairly criticized, I think it is about time the motion picture theatre indus- try, which has acted so important- ly in the bond drives, in- recruiting efforts 'for the Armed Services and Government establishments, in col- lections for Army-Navy emer- gency relief and Red Cross and countless other activities tied up with the War effort be given credit since credit is long due.” Wood emphasized that there was nothing for the World-Telegram A Sun to retract, but would reply to the theatremen’s charges in ai let- ter “to the gentlemen who sent the letter*’’ Hollywood, Dec* 11. Deal Is reported near for KTTV to get local television rights to six Hunt Stromberg features made be- tween 1942-47 for $50,000, price covering seven beamings* of each film :over a two-year period. However, they are not available Until Dec; 1, 1952. Continued from past 2 V r RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL—*. ,. Rocktf|»ller Center * -Doris Day • Danny ThomasT ; ‘TLL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS" pht thi . Music h aii/s GREAT CHRISTMAS STAGE SHOW X no longer are flinging around the charge that TOA Is in gahoots with the distribs. That one was put to rest with the«a»yblaaU whiefc| TOA has levelled at the film com- panies over sales policies; Many "observers are of the opin- ion that'while the area, of mutual’ welfare has considerably widened (Continue* from JMge 9) for TOA and Allied, the two have —“Detective Story” (Par) (3d wft). different interests to serve. They o 00 q ^ 00 d. Last week, $10,500. may have a similar set of problems j> enveE /jfoa 40-891— but they mpst be bandied different- mirnv Jy because ef tSTd&erence, in membership. TOA'conwrijes many and- Christmas Carol <UA), day- of the larger clrenitsV around the date with Esquire, Big $18,000. country. Allied; course, has a Last week, “Stariift” (WB) and large number of smaller exhibs on “Northwest Territory” (Mono;), its roster, $17,009. TOA’s TW$ Proposals Esquire (Fox! (742; 40-80)-^ « r “Two Tickets Broadway 0 (RKO) - r .7- • , , * .i* . v suiuui 0/ auu iwi dustry projects, .utbored by Wolt Territory” (Mono)* *3,500. son, 1 •* T He wants to encourage the devel- opment of new talent by producers and urged exhibs to take part via backing the newcomers with full promotion effort;' He endorsed the Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 40-80)-*. “Blue Veil? (RKQ> . and “Whip Hand” (RKO) (3d wk). Down to? $8,000; Last week, good'$14,000; Paramount (Fox) (2,200; 40*80)— “Unknown World” (Lip! and “FBI idea of lensing trailers to intror Gitr » ( L ipj, xrim gi 0 ,ooo. Last duce “new faces” and asked the- wee k, “Harlem Globetrotters’^ atremen to give the elips screening (Col) and “Lady and Bandit” (Col); parsita,” which suited my audience fine. “Que quieres ustedes ahora, ami- gos,” I inquired. “Una rhumba,” replied one audi- tor, courteously pretending that my accent was comprehensible. Flushed with linguistic success, I played the “Peanut Vendor” for my finale, Next ward.* “Well, fellows/ what would you like to hear?” I asked. “Mr. Adler” said Miss Drew, “these men are French and Bel- gian.” “Alors, mes amis,” I said, dis- missing the temptation to discuss the plume of my tante, “qu’est-ce que vous voudriez maintenant? Le jazz hot, ou, peut-etre, une chose classique?” “La Vie en Rose,” replied one patient. I played that, also “Pi* die,” “Feuilles Mortes” aqd “AU- presdema Blonde.” Next ward. “These patients,” said Miss Drew, with something like an air of’ triumph; “are Greek and 4 Turk- ish.’’- ■' . “Yassou,” I said, which began and ended my Greek—I know even less Turkish—and went into “Misir- lou” and some Greek folk songs I learned in Athens this past Rum- mer. I just made up Turkish music as I went along. Next ward. Noting several Negroes; I breathed a sigh of relief, and launched into “St. LoUis Blues,” ordinarily a solid Winner. The Negroes stared at me coldly if not disapprovingly. “You musn’t expect too much of a reaction to* your jazz music,’’ said Miss Drew, a Shade gleefully, “these men are Ethiopians,” I clapped a hand to my J^nd and, moaning softly, permitted Miss Drew to lead me away. In the last Ward of the American General Hospital I actually found some Americans. Accompanied on the guitar by Frank Allison, who has been loaned to me by Canadian Signal Corps, I put pn an all-re- quest show ranging from ’“Roll- Mop,” which I didn’t know, to “China Nights/’ which I haven’t learned yet. Next day at noon I left for Kure, Japan; Three days there and then Korean Everyone delightedly tells me how cold it will be there. “You know,” said one such mo- rale-booster, “I wouldn’t be sur- prised if the harmonica froze right to your face,” Isn’t that nice? Oh, well, a mu* slcian and his instrument are sup- posed to be inseparable. Secondly, Wotfson suggested the ; Tabor (Fox) (l,96Tr 40-80)— use of film product playing up “Lady Faya Off” (U) and “Girl Americanism. Hfc said TOA is Limberlost” (Col), alio Aladdin, “eager to help Hollywood in its' Webber, FairishV,500. Last week; fight against Communism and in ‘HighwafmsHR (Mono) and “Long- building a more solid loyalty ‘ among the citizens of the U. ’’ (Mono), $0,000. Webber (Fox) 750; D. of I 'Concerned Continued from pas# B 40-80)— Pays OB” (tt) and “Girl Limberlost” (Col), also Aladdin, Tabor; Fair $3,000. Last week, “Highwayman” (Mono) and ‘‘Long- horn” (Mono), same. Ion was apparently Smoked out by Kresel following - reports that the RKQ Theatres’ management group had called Emanuel’s Trans-Lux post to D, of J. attention. Detroit; Dec. 11. With 103,000 unemployed in De? Kresel was fearful that the De- troit as a result of changeover to partment might issue some sort of defense production add cutbacks blast during the few weeks prior in civilian production, biz is uiider- a. _ a-* j. ‘ !• , ir it. w. ■. . • of o ti /l>kk1<ir e>1 a Uaka to the closing of the proxy ballot- ting for a new board at the stock- holders meeting in Dover, Del., last Week. Greene group sought to al- lay such action until at least after the election, so that it didn’t influ- ence the balloting. Kresel made clear the Greene fears in a letter to the D. of J. and the Marcus expression of “Con- cern” was in the reply; received standably slow here. “Silver City' looks ihild at Palms but “Wild Blue Yonder” is promising at United Artists. Of the holdovers; “American in Paris” shapes best at the Adams in third week. Estimates for This Week Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5,000; 70*95) —“Well” (UA) (2d wk). Slow $17,000. Last week, $26,000. Michigan (United: Detroit) (4,000; 70-95)—“Ten TaU Men” (Col) and session. Whether. Emanuel has been elected to the RKO board is being determined by tally of the ballots now in progress/ Continued from page 1 wk). Short $12,000. Last week, $18,000. Palms CUD) (2,900; 70-95) — “Silver City” (Par) and “Pardon My French” (UA). Mild $12,000. 'Last Week; “Detective Story” (Par) and “Man With Face” (UA) (2d wk), $10,000. Madison (UD) (1,900; 70-95> *— “Lost Continent” (Up) add‘Highly Dangerous” (Lip). Fair $10,000. Last Week, “Streetcar”' (WB) (5th wk), $7,000. United Artists (UA* (1,900; 70- 95)—“Wild Blue Yonder.” (Rep) and “Honeychile” (Rep). Okay sity of Oklahoma, who calls his de- vice an “electromagnetic move- ment: meter;” Original model is riggej up to control 12 seats. If one or all the seat-holders be- $13,000- Last week, “New Mexico comes restless and Shifts positions, (UA) and “Drake’s Duck” (UA), Dr. Kretsihger points out,* the $8,600, “wiggles” ate signs of temporary Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 75-95)— boredom, and they affect the elec- “American In Paris” (M-G) (3d tromagnetic energy in the Wire. Vmn^ lce * Movements are fed to a recording ?I2,000 instrument where a pen indicates the “wiggles” with a wavy line. In- ventor notes that'if only one of the “critics” moves while the other 11 are held spellbound by X dramatic scene, line made by the pen would take a sharp dip. However, if all moved because of boredom, the pen would jiggle violently. Last week, in JVWWJ Omaha, Dec. 11. Film grosses slid off sharply over the past week, current session being way off from recent weeks. 1 yv,' * ^ Seattle, Dec. 11. A* holidaya approach public is getting very selective *<6f shews patronized* Hence; ^ biz Is Spotty this round, most spots being off, “Tanks Are. Coming ir looms slow at Liberty while “Wild Blue Yonder” shapes only so-so at Drpheum,; In contrast; “Ft Defiance” is rated good at Coliseum; Strongest hold- over is “American in Paris” in third week. Estimates for This Week Colisena (Evergreen) Jl,829; 65- 90)r-“Ft, Defiance” (UA> Snd “Obsessed? (UAL Good $9,000. Last week*: ‘Mob? (Col) and “Crimhxal Lawyer’’ (Coll (2d wk--. 5 days), $6,700* Fifth Avenue (Evergreen! (2,366; 65-90)-—“Blue Veil” (RKO) and “Love Nest” (20th) (2* wk). Big $8,000 after nice $10,700 last week. Liberty (Hamrick) 41,650; 65-90) —“Tanks Are Coming” (WB) and “South of Caliente” (Rep). Slow $6,000. Last week* “Mob? (Col) and “Lilli Marlene” (RKO), $5,300. Mosie Box (Hamrick) (850; 65- 90)—“Magic Face” (Col) (2d wk). Down to $3,000'after big $5,800 last week. Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,282; 65- 90)-^“American ;in PariR” (M-G) (3d Wk). Great $11,000 after $14,- 200 last week. Orpheum (Hamrick! (2,599; 65- 90)—.“Wild Blue Yonder” (Rep) and “Street Bandits” (Rep). So^so $9,000 or near. Last week,. “Star- lift” (WB); $5,300. Paloraar (Sterling): (1,350; 40-70) —“Texas Carnival” (M-G); and “Tall Target” (M-G) (2d runs). Good $4,000. Last week, “Cross- winds” (Par) and “Pickup” (Col). (2d runs), $3,700. r Paramount (Evergreen) (3,049; 65-90)-*-*‘Mau in Saddle 1 .’ (Col) and “Chicagtf Calling” (UA),. Slow $10,000 in 9 days. Last week, “Silver City” (Par) and “Whistle Eaton Falls” (Col), $6,30<K KANSAS CITY (Continued from page 8) of Lives” (U) (reissues), 3 days. Okay $7,000 total. Last Week, “Blue Veil” 1RKO) and “China Corsair” (Col); nice $10,000. Paramount (Tri-States) (1,900; 30-69!—“The Prowler” (UA). Mod- est $7,500. Last week, “Submarine Command” (Par) and “Darling, How Could You” (Par), s&ne. Uptown, Esquire, Fairway, Gra- nada (Fox Midwest) (2,043; 820; 700; 1,217; 50-75)—“Millionaire for Christy” (20th) and “Insurance In- vestigator” (Rep). Drab $7,500 in 5 days. Last week,'“Let’s Make It Legal” (20th) $10,000 in 6 days. Vogue (Golden) (550; 75-85) — “Lavender Hill Mob” (Ul (4th wk). Continues sturdy at $2,000. Last week, $2,200. Beatty* Congo Locale .. ^ Hollywood, Dec. 11. Commodore Productions is plan- ning st : vidflint' series based on “Clyde Beatty,” adventure strip bankrolled on the Mutual radio network by Kellogg. Plan is tb film the series in the Belgian Congo* Allied-TOA Continued from pate 5 howako HliOHII friiMti HOfERf MITCHUM* IlfABfTff X0nV^OUNQ|AN R0IIRT KVAtT** ^ mediately answered that it will be up to' the. distribs to invite TOA to the sessions. Both outfits are against competi- tive bidding. Both are down on the, distribs for demanding such steep rental terms for some -pix that admission prices must be ad- vanced. Further, Conflicts which repeat- edly cropped up in the past have been buried for some time now and not likely to be disinterred. Myers drew the respect of many TOA toppers with his Washington fight against the 20% admissions tax. There are no longer the pri- vately-made comments in TOA circles that Allied is against indus^ try progress in any form. On the other hand, Allied officials Continued from page ? Biggest total likely Will go to “Iron Man” at the Orpheum. “Wild Blue v.Yonder” still is strong on moveover to the Omaha/ after smash opening week. “Pickup” shapes fairly good at Brandeis*..... out the success of “David and Bath- l ft,- sheba,” which "has^Jready grossed 70 l_“sSbmarine JommahdMPari and “Darlings How: Could You” (Par). Ordinary $9,500; Last week; around $6,000,000 on the domestic market.” Studio, he said, will set a new high in the use of Techni- color, With: 65% of, the 1952-53 product filmed by that process. Tert high-budget films' Will be screened for the visiting executives during the week. They are “With a Song in My Heart,” “Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie,’ r “Red Skies of Montana,” “Belles on Their Toes,” “Lydia Bailey,” “Viva Zapata!,” “Phone Call From a Stranger,” “Pride of St, Louis,” /‘Five Fin- gers” attd “RetUfn of the Texan.” Top*hudgeters lined up for pro- duction: lit 1052 inclufie “Les Miser- abl'es,” “Snows of Kilimanjaro, “What Price Glory?,” “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “The Full House,” “Deadline—U. S. A;,” “Tonight We Sing/’ ‘‘Sally, Irene and' Mary,” “White Witch . Doctor,” ‘‘Dream Boat” and “We’re Not Married;” Worlds Collide” (Par) and “Yel- low Fih” (Mono*), $10,000; State (Goldberg) (865; 25-75)— “Come Fill Cup” (WB). Nice $6,500. Last week; “Texas Carnival” (M-G) (2d wk) and “Mask of Dragon” (In- die), $4,500. Omaha (Tristates) (2,100; 16-70) —“Wild Blue Yonder” (Rep) and “Sea Hornet” (Rep) (m o,)* Rousing $8,500. Last week,“Hotel Sahara” (UA) and “Joe Palooka» Squared Circle” (Mono), $7,500. Brandeis (RKQ) (1,500; 16-70)— “Pickup” (Col) and “Criminal Law- yer” (Col). Trim $7,000. Last week, “Blue Veil” (RKO) (2d wk), big $7,000. Orpheum (Tristates) (3,000; 16- 70)—“Iron Man” (U) and “Reunion in Reno” (U). Okay $10,000. Last week, “Wild Blue Yonder” (Rep) and “Sea Hornet” (Rep), smash $16,000. Llh* Vaf/«y,n#»r ... Sin Francisco l n 0 ii!el "B*oulltu n lowly y Ineyard-ittMo el UmLAtdur family. PlcMtsnt-UjIlnffp fiV w/n«s at* *mon the world’s lint* vintages.. Pour for your n*Mt dlnntt.Quifa BV Rlosllhg, Cabcrntl Sauvqnwi; r Plnot Nolr. RlAhwtortCAlllml* OUTDOOR RHRESHMiNY SERVICE frofn Coast foCooit [#vtr % Coatwry SPORTSFRVICE CCR