Evening star., 1942-12-26

Gary Cooper, among the Top Ten
for the fourth time, is up sharply
from seventh position In 1941 to
third place this year on the strength
of three performances. Sergeant
York" was opening pre-release in
major cities when last years poll
closed and it went on, returning
second time to most localities, pill
ing up profits throughout the 1912
voting period. Cooper was again in
circulation, under different distribu-
tional auspices and thus presumably
gaining access to an additional num-
ber of screens, in Ball of Fire" and
Pride Of the Yankees"
Cooper was 10th in 1896 and ninth
In 1887.
Infrequency Of appearance, by
mathematical necessity . factor in
a poll determining the rank Of 4
money making star from the ex-
hibitor's bank book point of view,
appears to have had a bearing upon
Mickey Rooney's REIMBURSEMENT this
year of the No. spot which he had
held in 194l, 1910 and 1899, all but
matching Shirley Temples record
OF four consecutive years in that
position.
Rooney had been presented to
his followers in four pictures during
the 194l polling period, two of them
Hardy Family numbers. They saw
him but thrice in the 1942 period
in Babes on Broadway" THE
Co,lrtship Of Andy Hardy" and "A
Yank at Eton."
Bob Hope, . brilliant fourth in
the 1941 poll for his first listing
among the Top Ten, is a strong nth
in the 1912 poll although seen at
close OF the voting in only two pic
lures. These were Nothing But
the Truth" released at the start
OF the period, and MY Favorite
Blond"
James Cagney's rise from ninth
place in 1941 to sixth in 1912 on the
strength of but two pictures, a con-
tradiction Of poll performance in
general, appears explained by the
fact that they were attractions
keyed in sharp attunement with the
interest and moods of their times.
His Captains of the Clouds" told
the story of the Royal Canadian
Air Force to a continent on edge
to learn all about 1t and revel in
its achievements.
His other picture was Yankee
Doodle Dandy" such a study in
Americanism and Of an American
as neither he nor any other star
had undertaken and, by unanimous
agreement of experts and amateurs,
such a matching of performer and
project as is accomplished once in
the lifetime Of the elect.
/ Cagney has appeared five times
In The Herald's annual lists Of
money making stars. He was ninth
In 1941, eighth In 1910, ninth in
1889 and 10th In 1885. virtually hav-
ing withdrawn from pictures during
the 1867 interval.
Gene Autry's continuing hold upon
the attentions Of the ticket-buyers,
whose likes and dislikes account
fundamentally for the revenues upon
which exhibitors base their ballots,
may be paired with Cables as af-
fording indication with respect to
the effect Of enlistment upon the
careers OF enlistees who give up
fame to take up arms. Due to their
preoccupation with the business of
serving their country, both stars
appeared on the screen in a lesser
number of pictures than would have
been the case otherwise. Yet neither
sustained serious loss of rank.
Autry, who provided the sensa-
ton Of the 1910 polling by popping
up in fourth place, entertained his
followers in only six pictures dur
ing the 1912 voting period. He had
given them IL in 1910 and eight in
1941. His placement in seventh po-
sition, one rung below his 1941
standing, doubtless reflects increased
attendance upon the available Autry
vehicles.
Betty Cradle danced her way over
the heads of many q veteran of the
poll to land for the first time in the
top 10. She was an oncoming 18th
in the 194l list and flashed through
four sprightly pictures, three OF
them technicolor jobs, to take eighth
place in the 1912 poll.
Even greater than the rise
achieved by Miss Cradle is that ac-
complished by Greer Carson, an
other newcomer to the ranks Of the
top 10 and up this year to ninth
place from 26th position in the gross
rankings voted by exhibitors of the
country in the previons year.
Mrs. Miniver," of course, has been
rated by audiences, editors, critics
and laymen without number as the
outstanding picture Of the year in
its own and most other classes. But
the effect Of Blossoms in the Dust"
Is not to be discounted in reckoning
the basis upon which exhibitors
voted her 1e42 placement.