Evening star., 1950-01-01
Leads
.MoneyStors
For 1949-
By Harold Heffernon
HOLLYWOOD,

Oy i]otOiO I1SIISTUuU
HOLLYWOOD.
The Motion Picture Herald's an
nual tabulation Of the biggest
money-making stars of the year
released Friday. carries something
of surprise in the elevation OF
Bob Hope to No. position over
his arch rival and dearest enemy,
Bing Crosby.
Crosby had corralled the honor
for five consecutive years. although
Hope. in a couple of previous bal
lotings, came very close to dis
placing him.
Others in the all-important list
of 10, following Hope and Crosby,
are Abbott and Costello-now un-
der suspension at Universal-Inter-
national John Wayne, Gary
Cooper. Cary Grant, Betty Cradle
Esther Williams. Humphrey 3D.
gart and Clark Gable.
Hopes defeat of Crosby is at
tributed to the fact that even
though he had only two releases
in 1949 to Crosby's three, Bob's
were offerings Of sensational box
Office caliber. Both "Paleface," In
which he received the important
support of Jane Russell, and "Sor-
rowful Jones' were probably the
most successful movies of Hopes
career. The latter was so popular
Paramount is plotting a sequel.
Bing's Bad Year.
On the other hand. Crosby's
three were of the mediocre brand.
to put it kindly, and certainly not
to be tabled with the better Crosby
efforts in the past. "A Connecti-
cut Yankee in King Arthur's
Court" stodgy. costume musical.
was saved from utter failure only
by Bing's warbling.
"The Emperor Waltz" literally
applauded by the critics, didn't
have much nudge at the gate and
"Top O. the Morning" his latest,
never seemed to get anyplace-
even when Crosby was in front
Of the camera. ..
Bing's year was so bad from q
quality standpoint that many con-
slider him lucky to have grabbed
the second-place spot in the Her
AIDS poll.
Two Newcomers.
Two stars pop into the money
making 10" limelight for the first
time-John Wayne and Esther
Williams. Wayne appeared in no
fewer than seven starring pictures
during the year and possibly
gained his rating mainly by pure
numerical strength. Esther's ele-
vation offers proof to the theory
that novelty pictures, featuring
personable figures in the realm OF
sports and outdoor fields, can forge
their way to commanding positions
in the movies. Strictly an acting
novice when she reported to MGM
five years ago as beautiful SWIM
ming and diving champ. Esther
has scampered to a place among
the glamor greats.
It is rather a strange commen-
tary that a swimmer should lead
the entire pack of Metro-G Goldwyn-
Mayer stars. touted as the largest
and most dynamic group in the
business. She placed two above
the mighty Clark Gable. MGM's
only other performer to win q spot.
In view Of the fact that the
Herald's ratings are drawn straight
from the money tills Of some 5000
American exhibitors, who annually
participate in the voting, drastic
shakeups in production plans
might be in order soon on the
Leo lot.
= Duel on the Range.
In the Western division, which
is tabulated separately, Roy Rogers
and Gene Autry waged a ding
dong race and at the finish Rogers
had only a few votes margin
but enough to win-over his
biggest hoss-opry rival. Following
them came George "Gabby" Hayes.
Tim Holt, William Elliott. Charles
Starrett, Bill Boyd, Johnny Mack
Brown, Smiley Burnette and Andy
Devine.
The rating Of today's king Of
television films, Hopalong Boyd,
in seventh is an oddity. OF course,
| it is explainable by Bills absence
from picture-making for the last
three years. On television, where
some so OF his thrilling Westerns
are being played and replayed,
Bill is definitely the top Western
actor. A man, in fact, who might
defeat Milton Berle if they were
ever pitted.
The Herald's 1s49 poll is the
18th in that trade publication s
history.
Clark Gable is the only star
placing on that first list OF money
makers who is still packing them
in today striking testimonial to
his perpetual public appeal.
(Released by the North American News.
paper Association.l
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