Boxoffice-March.06.1948

; March
UP;
YEAR'S TOTAL PRODUCT IS
COLOR. REISSUES IN A BOOST
Estimate Increase of 16
Releases for 1947-48
Over Last Season
By DORIS SULTAN
NEW YORK—Color films and reissues
from 11 major distributors for tlie first six
months of the current season show a sharp
rise over the first half of 1946-47. Releases
in Technicolor. Cinecolor and Republic's
new Trucolor hiked the color film lineup
by seven for the six-month period. Reissues
increased eight over the first half
of last season.
Westerns, including the Gene Autry and
Roy Rogers starrers, dropped from a total
of 32 in the first half of 1946-47 to 19 for
the six months just ended. This is a decrease
of 13. British films remained at
four.
197 FEATURES IN RELEASE
The 11 companies rolled up a total of 197
feature releases during the first half of the
current season, an mcrease of 18 over the
product lineup during the first six months
of 1946-47. Releases last season added up to
384, with distributors stepping up output
during the latter half of 1946-47 to 205.
If the companies maintain current schedules,
releases for this season will give exhibitors
approximately 400 features through
August of this year. This is an increase of
about 16.
Four distributors contributed to the increase
in releases during the first half of
the current season. EL jumped its releases
over PRC output during the six months from
16 to 26: Monogram had three additional
features; U-I hiked the total from eight during
the first half of last season to 14; Warners
jumped from 13 to 16.
A comparison of the color releases during
the six months shows five companies with
increases in color product. Coliunbia had
three, compared to one the first half of last
season: EL had two. compared to none from
PRC; RKO had five, compared to two; U-I
had two, with none the first half of last
season; MGM had one more Technicolor release.
ADD REISSUES TO LIST
Three companies that did not relelase any
reissues during the first half of last season
did offer reissues during the six months
just ended. EL had two, RKO had three,
and 20th-Fox had six. Monogram and Warners
had two and four, respectively, representing
increases.
The company showing the biggest drop in
western releases in the first half of the
1947-48 season is Republic, with four, compared
to 11 westerns, including the Roy
Rogers starrers, released during the first half
of 1946-47. Columbia westerns dropped from
seven to four. UA had none during the six
months just ended, compared to two the
half of last season.
first
Several distributors began stepping up
release schedules early in 1948. Twentieth-
Fox UA, and Universal-International began
Dramas, Melodramas
Top New Lineup
New York—Dramas, melodramas and
comedies, in that order, will dominate
the second half of the 1947-48 release
season, according to incomplete schedules
from 10 companies. To date 65 dramas,
23 melodramas and 18 comedies have
been scheduled for the last six months
of the current release season. Outdoor
spectacles and musicals follow with 14
a.nd 11, respectively.
Here is a breakdown of pictures by
types on the basis of available release
information:
Columbia—8 dramas, 3 westerns, 1
comedy, 2 musicals.
Eagle Lion—13 dramas. 1 western, 3
comedies, 1 musical, 8 melodramas, 6
outdoor spectacles, 2 films with historical
themes.
MGM—5 dramas, 1 comedy, 1 musical.
Monogram— (From Allied Artists) 1
drama, 1 western, 1 musical, 1 melodrama,
1 outdoor spectacle.
Paramount— 1 drama, 2 comedies, 1
musical, 6 melodramas, 2 outdoor spectacles.
20th-Fox—10 dramas. 2 comedies, 1
musical, 2 melodramas, 1 outdoor spectacle,
2 documentary dramas.
UA—5 dramas, several westerns, 4
comedies, 1 outdoor spectacle.
U-I—8 dramas, 1 western, 2 comedies,
3 musicals, 4 melodramas.
Warners—10 dramas, 2 comedies, 1
musical, 1 outdoor spectacle.
planning releases on the basis of the calendar
year. Twentieth-Fox started off the
1948 calendar year by releasing seven big
budget pictures in January and February.
Early in January UA set nine features for
1948. U-I promised at least 24 features during
the calendar year.
Here are the release schedules for the second
half of 1947-48 season by company. Some
distributors have not set definite release
plans through spring:
Columbia originally set a minimum of
27 for the season. Twenty-eight were released
thi-ough February. At least 13 more
will be released between March and August.
Scheduled are "The Return of the Whists-,"
"Adventure in Silverado," "West of Sonora,"
"The Sign of the Ram," "The Lady From
Shanghai," "The Black An'ow," "The Mating
of Millie," "Let's Fall in Love," "The
Return of October," "Tlie Gallant Blade,"
"The Man From Colorado," "The Puller
Brush Man" and two Gene Autry productions.
Eagle Lion originally planned 27 releases
during all of 1947-48 seasons, twenty-six
were released through February. At this
rate EL will double its schedule. Thirtyfour
more features and four westerns are
currently in release or to be released soon.
Included are "Northwest Stampede," "The
Noose Hangs High," "Ruthless," "Raw Deal,"
"Mickey," "Man From Texas," "The Spiritualist,"
"Hollow Triumph," "Let's Live a
Little," "The Blank Wall," "The Bastille,"
"Lady Pirate." "Tulsa," "The October
Man," "Gas House Kids in Hollywood," "The
Enchanted 'Valley," "Close-Up," "Assigned
to Danger," "Kenny," "Sons of the Musketeers,"
"Career in Manhattan." "Montana,"
"Prince 'Valiant," "Beggar's Choice," "Draw
Sabres," "Pride of New York," "New Girl
in Town," "The Cobra Strikes," "The Hypo
Murder Case," "Rampage," "Jungle Girl,"
"Catch Me Before I Kill," "Matteawan,"
plus four Eddie Dean westerns.
MGM plans about 33 for the season.
Through February 16 were released. Set
from March through April are "Three Daring
Daughters," "Alias a Gentleman," "B.
F.'s Daughter," "The Bride Goes Wild." Also
planned for the current season are "State of
the Union," "The Search" and "Piccadilly
Incident."
55 FILMS FOR MONOGRAM
Monogram planned 55 for the season, including
seven from Allied Artists. Through
February 23 features were released. Those
due from Allied Artists include "Song of My
Heart," "Pan Handle," "The Hunted," "Smart
Woman," "Tenderfoot."
Paramount may deliver about 24 by the
end of the season. Eleven were released
through February. Twelve more released
have been set from March through early
July. In this group is "Caged Fury," "Saigon,"
"Unconquered," "Mr. Reckless," "The
Big Clock," "The 'Sainted' Sisters," "Speed
to Spare," "Hazard," "Shaggy," "Hatter's
Castle," "Waterfront at Midnight," "The
Emperor Waltz."
RKO promised a minimum of 36 films for
1947-48. Through February 17 were dehvered.
The schedule for the second half of
the season includes 13 additional films.
These are: "Western Heritage," "I Remember
Mama," "Mystery in Mexico," "Arizona
Ranger," "Tarzan and the Mermaids,"
"Miracle of the Bells," "Fort Apache," "Berlin
Express," "Fighting Father Dunn," "Your
Red Wagon," "Melody Time," "The Return
of the Bad Men." "The Velvet Touch."
Republic announced 47 features. For the
first half of 1947-48 were delivered.
SCHEDULE FOR 20TH-FOX
Twentieth-Fox set 48 for the 1948 calendar
year. Twenty-one were delivered from September
through February. Tentatively set
for March through August are 18 additional
releases: "Gentleman's Agreement," "Tlie
Challenge," "Half Past Midnight," "Let's
Live Again," "Gay Duelist." "Sitting Pretty,"
"Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!" "Anna Karenina,"
"13 Lead Soldiers." "Fury at
Furnace Creek," "The Iron Curtain," "Green
Grass of Wyoming," "Escape," "Deep Waters,"
"Street With No Name," "Bonnie Prince
Charlie," "For Fear of Little Men," "Give
My Regards to Broadway."
United Artists is expected to deliver more
(Continued on page 11
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6. 1948