Motion Picture News (Jul - Sep 1930)

36 Motion Picture News July 5, 1930 Chi Likes Will; Pays $61,000 to Watch Him Chew Chicago — The Chicago theatre was the standout in a week of generally improved business. This fair-haired child of PublixB. & K. spent $9,000 to put Will Rogers on its stage for the week, and got back $61,000 (145%). "Lady of Scandal" (M-G-M) was the feature. The Roosevelt, which opened with "Byrd at the South Pole" (Paramount), in midweek, was another winner, taking $17,200 (160%) in its first four days. The critics ran out of adjectives for this one, so one of them (Frances KurnerTribune) out of helplessness gave it five stars. Four stars has been her maximum designation of picture merit heretofore. The Oriental, with "Floradora Girl" (M-G-M), bolstered with lavish display space in Hearst papers, managed $42,500 (100%). "Big Pond" (Paramount) gave the United Artists $23,000 (105%) in its first week and was held for a second. McVickers managed $27,700 (100%) in its first full week with "Arizona Kid" (Fox). The picture will be replaced at the end of its second week by "Big House" (M-G-M). The Palace maintained a good pace with $23,500 (96%). "Not Damaged" (Fox) was the feature. The Castle took $5,300 (175%) with "Lilies of the Field" (F. N.) in on a "pink" permit and getting a big play from the women. The picture will go another week and then be replaced by "Ingagi" (Indie), which has already done nine weeks here at the Garrick. Other Loop spots were normal or only slightly off, remarkable in view of the fact that competition was strong in the Loop during the week and abnormal heat prevailed for several days. Weather: Fair; cool, hot, cool. Opposition: "Lilies of the Field," Castle: "Lady of Scandal," stage show, Chicago; "Unguarded Girls," second week, men only, Garrimk ; "Arizona Kid," McVickers; "Happy Days," second time in Loop, Monroe; "Florodora Girl," stage show, Oriental; "Divorcee," second time in Loot1. Orpheum; "Not Damaged," vaudeville. Palace: "With Byrd at the South Pole," Roosevelt ; "He Knew Women," z'andevillc, State-Lake; "Big Pond," United Artists; "Midnite Mystery " Woods. "LILIES OF THE FIELD" (F. N.) CASTLE— (300), 60c, first week. Other attractions: Newsreel. Gross: $5,300. Rating: 175%. Picture in on a "pink" and getting a big (emme play. "LADY OF SCANDAL" (M-G-M) CHICAGO— (3,940), 35c-85c, 7 days. Other attractions: Stage show headed by Will Rogers; orchestra, comedy, newsreel, novelty short. Biggest figure for this house in plenty of months. Rogers collected nine grand, leaving house a neat profit. Gross: $61,000. Rating: 145%. "UNGUARDED GIRLS" (Indie) GARRICK— (1,259), 50c-75c. second week, men only. House takes "All Quiet on the Western Front" (U.), which had four nice weeks at McVickers recently. Picture goes in July 2 at pop prices. Gross ("Girls"): $5,800. Rating: 95%. "ARIZONA KID" (Fox) McVICKERS— (2.284), 35c-8Sc, first full week. Other attractions: Comedy, newsreel, musical short. "Biff House" (M-G-M) replaces at end of this one's second week. Gross: $27,700. Rating: 100%. "HAPPY DAYS" (Fox) (Second time in Loop) MONROE ("62), 25c-40c. 7 days. Other attractions: Thirty minutes of newsreel. House takes "Young Desire" (U.) as first picture on open policy. House formerly used no tiling but Fox product. Also re* duced prices from 35c-50c. Gross: $4,200. Rati,^. 70%. "FLORADORA GIRL" (M-G-M) ORIENTAL— (3.900). 35c-85c, 7 days. Other attractions: Stage show, organ, comedy, newsreel, novelty short. Gross: $42,500. Rating: lOOe', . "DIVORCEE" (M-G-M) (Second tunc in Loop) ORPHEUM (762). 50c-75c. 7 days. Picture inaugurates a second run policy For 1 1 -i i -~ Warner Bros, bouse. Formerlj used nothing but W. B. product, U In the Lights (Sign on a Theatre) LOVE EM AND LEAVE 'EM" With Isabel Withers Devil's Holiday" Only Ottawa Run To Click at Par All Cleveland Runs Flop; Heat Keeps 'em Home Cleveland — Business in local theatres dropped as the mercury rose last week. Excessive heat and humidity kept many people home. Those who ventured out at all patronized the cool theatres, but results for the week were not so good. "All Quiet on the Western Front" did fairly well at the Hanna at road show prices. "Caught Short" did well enough in its second week at the Stillman to justify being held for a third week. Other houses just about got by. Weather: Very hot. Opposition: "All Quiet on the Western Front," second week, road show, Hanna; "Caught Short," second week, Stillman; "Devil's Holiday," Allen; "Bad One," State; "Strictly Unconventional," Cameo; "Courage." Palace; "Movietone Follies of 1930." RKO Hip. "CAUGHT SHORT" (M-G-M) Second Week STILLMAN— (1,900), 40c-75c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Manhattan Serenade" (M-G-M); "Killing the Killer" (Talking Picture Epics) ; Hearst Metrotone news. Gross: $12,000. Rating: 80%. "DEVIL'S HOLIDAY" (Paramount) ALLEN— (3,300), 30c-60c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Honeymoon" (Educational); Screen Snap Shots (Columbia); Hearst Metrotone news. Gross: $15,000. Rating: 83%. "BAD ONE" (United Artist) STATE— (3,400), 30c-60c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Accidental Treatment" (Standard Film Service); "When the Clock Struck" (Standard Film); Paramount news. Gross: $15,800. Rating: 79%. "COURAGE" (Warners) RKO PALACE— (3,600), 35c-75c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Trying Them Out" (Pathe) ; "Hungarian Goulash" (Educational); Sportlight (Pathe); Pathe Review, Pathe news. Gross: $18,500. Rating: 74%. "MOVIETONE FOLLIES OF 1930" (Fox) RKO HIPPODROME— (4,500), 35c-75c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Honk Your Horn" (Educational); "Humanettes" (RKO); Fox Movietone news. Gross: $15,000. Rating: 75%. "STRICTLY UNCONVENTIONAL" (M-G-M) CAMEO— (1,200), 25c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Campus Crushes" (Educational); "Autumn" (Columbia); "Bedelia" (Paramount song); "I Came First" (Paramount song); Hearst Metrotone news. Gross: $3,800. Rating: 76<7r. "ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT" (Universal) Second Week HANNA— (1,500), 50c-$1.5O, 7 days. Gross: $12,650. Rating: 84%. but will now use every one's. Gross: $6,000. Rating: 100%. (House's best figure in monthsj "NOT DAMAGED" (Fox) PALACE— (2,509), 35c-85c, 7 days. Other' attractions: Five acts RKO vaude headed by George Jessel ; comedy, newsreel, short. Gross: $23,500. Rating: 96%. "WITH BYRD AT THE SOUTH POLE" (Par.) ROOSEVELT— (1,591), 35c-85c, first 4 days. Other attractions: Comed.y, news, musical short. Critics left breathless. "Tribune" gave it five stars, first time any picture so designated here. Gross (four days:): $17,200. Rating: 160%. Last full week of two-week run, "King of Jazz" (U.). Gross: $17,300. Rating: 85%. "HE KNEW WOMEN" (Radio) STATE-LAKE— (2.776). 35c-75c, 7 days. Other attractions: Five acts RKO vaude, headed by Olsen and Johnson; newsreel, comedy. Gross: $21,200. Rating: 80%. "BIG POND" (Paramount) UNITED ARTISTS— (1,700), first week, 35c-85c. Other attractions: Comedy, newsreel, novelty short. Good for another week. Gross: $23,000. Rating: 105%. "MIDNITE MYSTERY" (Radio) WOODS— (1.166). 35c-75c, last 6 days. Other attractions: Comedy, newsreel, fight picture. Gross (six days of nine-da) run): $8,800. Rating: 90%. Replaced by "Richest Man in the World" (M-G-M), first time any Loop house other than a B. & K. opened a Cosmopolitan production Big at start. Ottawa — Exhibitors of Ottawa were quite satisfied with box office returns during the week, patronage being reasonably substantial all around with a number of showers sending crowds to theatres. "Devil's Holiday" received excellent boosts from the critics and it was recommended by word-of-mouth, sending the attraction to 100%. Buddy Rogers was also a draw at Keith's in "Safety in Numbers." Weather: Showery. Opposition: "Devil's Holiday." Regent; "Safety in Numbers." three days, Keith's: "Montana Moon," three days, Avalon: "In Gay Madrid." Centre: "Arizona Kid," Imperial; "Man From Btanklcy's," three days, Keith's: "Son of the Gods." three davs, Avalon. "THE DEVIL'S HOLIDAY" (Paramount) REGENT— (1,225), 25c-60c, 6 days. Other attractions: "Radio Kisses," comedy; Fox Movietone news; orchestra. Gross: $5,900. Rating: 100%. "SAFETY IN NUMBERS" (Paramount) B. F. KEITH'S-(2,596), 15c-50c, 3 days. Other attractions: "Good Morning, Sheriff"; "Toys"; Pathe news. Gross: $4,100. Rating: 85%. "MONTANA MOON" (Warners) AVALON— (990), 25c-35c, 3 days. Other attractions: "Cossack's Bride"; Lloyd Hamilton in "Polished Ivory"; Fox Movietone news. Gross: $1,100. Rating: 85%. "IN GAY MADRID" (M-G-M) CENTRE— (1,200), 15c-50c, 6 days. Othen attractions: "Station STAR"; comedy. Gross: $3,100. Rating: 80%. "ARIZONA KID" (Fox) IMPERIAL— (1.200). 15c-50c, 6 days. Other attractions: Hearst MetTotone news; Our Gang comedy; Pathe Review. Gross: $3,050. Rating: 80%. "MAN FROM BLANKLEY'S" (Warners) KEITH'S— (2,596), 15c-50c, 3 days. Other attractions: "How's My Baby"; "My Pony Boy"; Universal news. Gross: $3,550. Rating 70%. "SON OF THE GODS" (First National) AVALON— (990), 25c-35c. 3 days. Other attractions: Fox Movietone news; Charlie Chase comedy. Gross: $1,050. Rating: 83%. $6,500 Gives a 125% Rating to "Lion" in Okla. Oklahoma City — Excellent weather, except for a short hot spell, helped boost intakes at first runs in this town, with majority of houses turning in performances better than par. The lead was taken by "Social Lion," which clipped $6,500 for the Criterion, turning 125% for the week. "Murder Will Out," a First National picture, was the low, rating 95% on a four grand gross. Weather: Fair, excellent; hot for a short time. Opposition: "On the Level." liberty. "Murder Will Out." Empress; "Temptation." 4 days, Orpheum; "Social Lion," Criterion; "Big House," Capitol; "Temple Tower," Fanchon & Marco "Idea" 3 days, Orpheum. "ON THE LEVEL" (Fox) LIBERTY— (1,800), 25c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: Metro news. Gross: $4,500. Rating: 110%. "MURDER WILL OUT" (F. N.) EMPRESS— (1,200), 25c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: Universal news. Gross: $4,000. Rating: 95%. "TEMPTATION" (Columbia) ORPHEUM— (1.500), 25c-50c, 4 days. Other attractions: RKO vaude, Pathe news. Gross: $3,300. Rating: 100%. "SOCIAL LION" (Paramount) CRITERION— (2,000), 25c-50c. 7 days. Other attractions: Paramount news, review, "Hot Time in the Old Town Tomte." Gross: $6,500, Rating: 150%. "BIG HOUSE" (M-G-M) CAPITOL— (1,200), 25c-50c. 7 days. Other attractions: Metro news. "Fit to Be Tried," "Back Home." Gross: $6,000. Rating: 1 10' . "TEMPLE TOWER" (Fox) ORPHEUM— (1.500). 25c-50c. 3 days. Other attractions: Fanchon & Marco's "Carnival Rurse" Idea, Pathe news. Gross: $3,000. Rating: 110%.