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
(1939 films: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Hardys Ride High, Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever, Babes in Arms, Judge Hardy and Son )
2.
Tyrone Power
(1939 films: Jesse James, Day-Time Wife, The Rains Came, Second Fiddle, Rose of Washington Square)
3.
Spencer Tracy
(1939 film: Stanley and Livingstone)
4.
Clark Gable
(1939 films: Gone With the Wind, Idiot's Delight )
5.
Shirley Temple
(1939 films: The Little Princess, Susannah of the Mounties)
6.
Bette Davis
(1939 films: Dark Victory, Juarez, The Old Maid, The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, The Sisters - released Oct 1938)
7.
Alice Faye
(1939 films: Rose of Washington Square, Tail Spin, Hollylwood Cavalcade, Barricade)
8.
Errol Flynn
(1939 films: The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, Dodge City, The Dawn Patrol - released Dec 1938, The Sisters - released Oct 1938 )
9.
James Cagney
(1939 films: The Oklahoma Kid, The Roaring Twenties, Each Dawn I Die, Angles With Dirty Faces-released Nov. 1938)
10.
Sonja Henie
(1939 films: Second Fiddle, Everything Happens At Night)
Im a huge fan of everyone on the list except, Mickey Rooney. I never did get him.
ReplyDeleteDawn, I think people really started to take notice of Mickey when he appeared as "Puck" in "A Midsummer Nights Dream" in 1935.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe I have not seen a Mickey Rooney movie yet! I always forget to put him on my "list". However, on TCM I have heard a lot about him and even watched a bio on him. I'm in love with the actor Clark Gable and the actress Bette Davis. Spencer Tracy is also great. I liked him as Dr. Drekyl and Mr. Hyde.
ReplyDeleteHey Carla, my advice is start with "Boys Town". It is one of the all time best Mickey Rooney films.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I didn't see Spencer in "Dr. Jeckyl". I need to watch that sometime.