Evening star., 1943-01-09

AASt 1CW olIlcy 1cIuplc pictures.
pre-mugging days. applauded the
first of the II movies made by Alb
bott and Costello in their two and a
half years in Hollywood. Was bored
by the rest. And most Of the people
l know, or meet, have the same re-
actions.
So, will you please inform me
who the people are and where they
come from-the men, women and
children, who, by their attendance,
crown the man, woman, dog or child
with the title, King Of the Movie
Money y-makers?" And why?
It is usually much simpler to de-
fine the merits Of the succeeding
nine on the annual list. Clark
Gable has been on the 10-best
list ever since I can remember, for
II years anyway, and most OF that
time in the No. spot. The secret
Of Gables success is that he appeals
to nearly every one. There are only
three people I've met who dislike
him-the middle-aged nurse of my
baby, Quiz Kid Gerard and a 13-
year-old schoolgirl. They all make
the same complaint; they say he's
always kissing some one. I think
I know what they mean. But I
don't mind 1t. BY and large, how
ever, Gable is popular with men;
overwhelmingly popular with young,
middle-aged and elderly women,
not to mention the teens OF both
sexes.
Gary Cooper Secret.
No. 3 on the 10-best list is Gary
Cooper. Any reader of this column
will know how I have felt about
Cooper for the last six years. It
seems strange to find a man like
Gary acting for a living. You see,
he doesn't, or let's say didn't, know
how to act. In past years he has
picked up cute camera tricks. Gary
is the most natural person you can
hope to meet on the screen and in
real life. I have never yet met any
one who did not like him. Gary is
not always on the 10-best list of
money-makers. The blame lies with
his pictures, which are not always
as good as they should be. But the
producers have been good to him
these past two years, with Sergeant
York" and Pride Of the Yankees"
Why Mickey Dropped.
"A Yank at Eton" did a lot to
topple Rooney from first to fourth
place as q money-maker. Not even
the adolescents could 60 for that
one. And it again proves the theory
that the strongest fan will finally
wilt under a barrage of bad pic
lures.
When Bob Hope first came to
Hollywood some four and one half
years ago, the then big shots at
Paramount were exceedingly cross
with the guy who had signed him
to a contract. It was understood
that Bob was to be fired at the
expiration of six months. For
tunately for Bob and for us, he sang
a song called Thanks for the Mem
ory" just as he was due to pack his
makeup box. And his option was
renewed.
Cagney Is Well Liked.
James Cagney, No. 6, has spent
many Of his years in the movies
on every 10-best list. Cagney shares
with Cooper and Spencer Tracy
(who, by the way, nosedived to
tenth in the list) a herman quail
ity that finds favor with both sexes
and all ages. From the date that
he slapped grapefruit on the un-
prepared face of his leading lady,
Cagney, the pugnacious little ban
tam, has reigned in the hearts Of
the fans. His high rating this year
is due to his swell performance i'll
Yankee Doodle Dandy" imperson-
ating the late George M. Cohan. i,
I am not a, lover of singing cow
boys except in real life), and Gene
Autry's popularity at the box office
always made me wonder, until saw
Gene surrounded by a group of
small boys. They positively wor-
shipped him. Gene Is Cor rather
was-he is now working for Uncle
SAM the dashing comic strip come
to life. He Is what every small boy
dreams about as he lies on the floor
with the funnies spread out before
Fred Carson. jr,, Fl. "A Losan Court pl