PONDERS TAFT-HARTLEY WAL

i
gat
'
I
I
:
C.rand
i
week.
I nost
i
make
on
Chicago Holdovers
,Take Bad Beating
I CHICAGO—Business was down generally
I lust week. Holdovers took it on the chin,
of them bowing out at midweek to
way for new attractions. Among the
ini'wcomers, "Copacabana. " the screen,
plus a stage show headed by Jayne Walton.
h.id a fair first week at the Oriental, and
"Miracle on 34th Street," at the Woods, had
I
(a good first week. "The Late George Apley"
off to a fair start at the United Artists.
and the RKO Palace wit ha twin bill "Honeymoon"
and "Dick Ti-acy's Dilemma" did above
I
average. The Chicago had a fair second
week with the much-publicized Billy De Wolfe
lieading the stage show, plus "Framed" on
the screen. 'The Egg and I" at the RKO
held up pretty good in its fourth
"The Jolson Story" at the Apollo
slipped a bit in its 25th week, but sails into
a 26th and final week, which is an all-time
record for Loop houses. "The Great Waltz"
returned to the World Playhouse for a couple
c( weeks and was doing okay, while "Dillinger"
in a 4th downtown week was holding
up above average at the Rialto.
(Average is 100)
Apollo—The Jolson Story (Col), 25lh wk 110
Cfticogo—Framed (Col), plus stage show,
2nd wk 130
Gmnck— Calcutta (Para), 5th d. t. wk. 95
Grand—The Egg and I (U-I), 3rd wk 115
Criental—Copacabana (UA), plus stage show.. ..135
Faloce—Honeymoon (RKO); Diclc Tracy's
Dilemma
{ HKO) 105
F:a!to—Oillinger (Mono), 4th d. t. wk. 110
Fooseve:i—The Two Mrs. Carrolls (WB), 4th wk... 95
100
S;ate-Lake—Duel in the Sun (SRC), 5lh wk
Srudio—The Women Condemned (Variety);
Her Spendid Folly (Var)
Inited Artists—The Late George Apley (20th-
105
110
V/oods-Miracle on 34th Street (20th-Fox) 130
V/orld Playhouse—The Great Waltz (MGM),
reissue. 6th d 1 wk HO
Foj)
'Barbaree,'
"Two Mrs. Carrolls'
Best in Weak Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS—Business was spotty last
week. Loew's topped the list with "High Barbaree"
and the Indiana did all right with
The Two Mrs. Carrolls." Aside from the
two houses, grosses were poor. Neighborhood
l.ouses are complaining of poor business.
"ircle—Love and Learn (WB), Decoy (WB) 60
idiar.c:-The Two Mrs. Carrolls (WB);
Winter Wonderland (Rep) 100
Loew s—High Barbaree (MGM); The Millerson
Case (Co!) 110
Lync—That's My Man (Rep); Calendar Girl (Rep).. 60
Egg' Boils Merrily Along
To Set Milwaukee Mark
MILWAUKEE—"The Egg and I" in its
ihird week at the Warner, continued to pile
up heavy grosses, following outstanding busi-
STANCH RKPUBLIC-ANS — Jack
Frackman, Republic manager at Milwaukee,
discusses new product with Jack
Bates, left, office manager and booker,
and .Art Krauss, salesman.
ness the first two weeks. This picture has
shattered house records to date. The Alhambra,
featuring Fantasia, had a strong week.
Alhambra—Fantasia (RKO), reissue, 2nd wk 100
Palace—Blaze oi Noon (Para); Millie's
Daughter (Col) 9S
Riverside—That's My Man (Rep) Calendar
Girl (Rep) 90
Strand—Miracle on 34th Street (20th-Fox);
Framed (Col), 2nd d. t. wk 90
Towne—New Orleans (UA) 95
Wisconsin— The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (20th-Fox);
The Thirteenth Hour (Col) 95
Warner—The Egg and I (U-I), 3rd wk 135
De Kalb Theatre Bombed;
Police Seek Racketeers
DE KALB, ILL.—Police have failed to find
the men who threw a bomb into the hallway
of the Fargo Theatre. It damaged the
theatre as well as nearby property. Police
said they su.spected labor racketeers. Management
of the Fargo was taken over by George
O'Brien shortly before the bombing.
Durwood Remodeling Gem
JEFFERSON CITY—Work has begun on
remodeling of the Gem Theatre, Durwood
house which has been closed for many years.
It will have a new front and interior and is
to be open in 60 days. Durwood also has the
State and Capitol here.
Alliance Reopens Rex
ROCHESTER. IND.—The Rex. closed for
three years, has been reopened here by the
Alliance circuit. Lisle Kreighbaum is local
manager for the circuit.
Ansell's First Picture
Is Almost Completed
MEXICO CITY Here to give the finishing
touches to his initial production, "Women
in the Night," is Louis K. Ansell, exhibitor of
St. Louis. Mo. Producer An.sell and Director
William Rowland have been busy for two
weeks at the local Estudios Churubusco revising
the final editing of the film.
With the editing job completed Raul
Lavista. one of Mexico's leading scorers,
will start recording background and incidental
music. Lavista's last job was
"La Otra." a Mexican production.
"Women in the Night" is Exhibitor Ansell's
first venture in production. He is well known
in St. Louis as the top half of Ansell Bros.
Theatres there.
The cast of "Women in the Night" includes
Tala Birell, William Henry, Richard
Loo, Virginia Christine, Bernadine Hayes
and Gordon Richards. It was made in Ensenada.
Lower California, just south of the
border, with a Mexican staff.
With his experienced exhibitor eye angled
for the boxoffice, Ansell has kept exploitation
in mind throughout the production jo3.
Youth Council Production
Being Filmed at Madison
MADISON—Robert Disraeli, New York
producer, arrived here with his production
staff and camera crew to begin work on a
Youth council film, to be used as an educational
medium distributed by the National
Social Welfare assembly.
A large number of local people will take
part in the filming of the play, which will
depict youth activities in Madison. Actual
filming is expected to begin July 7 and
the project will be completed July 25, after
which its world premiere will be held here.
No Seat for Own Premiere
Bennett Cerf in Saturday Review of Literature.
In Paris, Jean-Paul Sartre sent out invitations
to the swanky premiere of his dual bill,
"The Tombless Dead" and "The Dutiful
Prostitute," forgot to hold one for himself,
and was refu.sed admission at the gate.
Opens House in Gainesville
GAINESVILLE, MO.—G. R. Crisp has put
his new theatre into operation here. It is a
400-seater and is operating on a full Saturday
and Sunday schedule and evening shows
the remainder of the week.
This Exhibitor Says —
Gentlemen:
Wouldn't be without the BOXOFFICE from big shot to small
fry. It's a leader in promotion to better business. Thanks tremendously.
Faithfully yours,
(Signed) JACK CRAWFORD,
Lewiston Theatre,
Lewiston, Mich.
BOXOFFICE :: June 28, 1947 73