The Biggest & the Best

The critics, who think they know what is "best," are seldom in complete agreement with the moviegoers, who pay at the box office. At year's end, 15 Manhattan critics met and picked the best of 1952: Their selections :

Best picture: High Noon (TIME, July 14).

Best actress: Shirley Booth, for her portrayal of a slatternly wife in Come Back, Little Sheba (TIME, Dec. 29).

Best actor: Britain's Ralph Richardson, for his aviation magnate in Breaking the Sound Barrier (TIME, Nov. 10).

Best director: High Noon's Fred Zinnemann.

Last week Variety listed 1952^ topgrossing films ($1,000,000 and more*): 1) Greatest Show on Earth ($12,000,000).

2) Quo Vadis ($10,500,000).

3) Ivanhoe ($7,000,000).

4) The Snows of Kilimanjaro ($6,500,-ooo ).

5) Sailor Beware ($4,300,000).

6) African Queen ($4,000,000).

7) Jumping Jacks ($4,000,000).

8) High Noon ($3,400,000).

9) Son of Paleface ($3,400,000).

10) Singin' in the Rain ($3,300,000).

The National Board of Review picked a mixed bouquet: The Quiet Man (No. 12 on Variety'?, list of top grossers), High Noon, Limelight, Five Fingers (No. 86), The Snows of Kilimanjaro, The Thief (No. 114), The Bad and the Beautiful, Singin' in the Rain, Above and Beyond, My Son John (a poor grosser, unlisted).

* Not listed among Variety's 119 pictures were such comparative late starters as Limelight, Moulin Rouge, Come Back, Little Sheba.

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