The rankings come from Quigley Publishing Co.'s annual list (since 1932) of top money making stars, which based on a poll of hundreds of theater executives. The list does not rank stars only on how much cash their films made, but on what theater owners say about who attracts audiences on their star power alone.
1.
Mickey Rooney
(1940 films: Strike Up the Band, Andy Hardy Meets Debutante, Young Tom Edison)
Mickey Rooney again had a huge year, as did Spence and Clark Gable, who appeared together in "Boom Town", which was the #1 box office hit of the year ("Pinocchio" and "Fantasia" are usually credited as the top 1 and 2, but only after repeated re-releases)
2.
Spencer Tracy
(1940 films: Boom Town, I Take This Woman, Young Tom Edison, Edison The Man)
3.
Clark Gable
(1940 films: Boom Town, Comrade X, Strange Cargo)
4.
Gene Autry
(1940 films: Melody Ranch, Carolina Moon, Rancho Grande, Shooting High, Gaucho Serenade, Ride Tenderfoot Ride.
Also among the top 10 is Gene Autry. He began his weekly radio show in 1940, which contributed to his popularity at the box office. The film "Melody Ranch", considered his signature film, was released in 1940, and co-starred Jimmy Durante and Ann Miller. He was in 5 other films this year and was the #1 western star.
5.
Tyrone Power
(1940 films: The Mark of Zorro, Brigham Young, Johnny Apollo)
6.
James Cagney
(1940 films: Torrid Zone, The Fighting 69th, City for Conquest)
7.
Bing Crosby
(1940 films: The Road to Singapore, If I Had My Way, Rhythm on the River)
Bing Crosby returns to the Top 10; the first "Road" movie was a hit and he and Bob Hope were enjoying success both in films and on radio, where they were superstars.
8.
Wallace Beery
(1940 films: Wyoming, 20 Mule Team, The Man from Dakota)
I was most surprised by the addition of Wallace Beery to the Top 10, a veteran Oscar winning star who was enjoying a resurgence in popularity starting in 1940. That year he was teamed with Marjorie Main in Wyoming, which was a big hit, and was the first of 7 films they both did together.
9.
Bette Davis
(1940 films: All This, And Heaven Too, The Letter)
10.
Judy Garland
(1940 films: Strike Up the Band, Little Nellie Kelly, Andy Hardy Meets Debutante, The Wizard of Oz-released Aug. 1939)
Judy makes the top 10, and appeared in two films with Mickey. "Little Nellie Kelly" was the only 1940 movie that was truly "hers", and was the first film where she had an "adult" role. (I haven't seen this one yet)
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