Motion Picture News (Jul - Sep 1930)

July 5, 1930 Motion Picture News 39 A Form of Criticism An unpopular movie actor suddenly disappeared from his home and has never been seen since, reports Walter Winchell, the A'. Y. Mirror scribbler. A group of Hollywoodmen were discussing the runaway, when Keene Thompson sarcastically asked, "What do they suspect, fair play?" Portland Plug Rockets "Level" To $14,000 Gross Portland, Ore. — Through increased and city-wide service the Fox Broadway was enabled to hold the top position in grosses, and again served their patrons with an abundant and varied menu in all departments of the popular house. The week marked the return to Portland of Don Wilkins, master of ceremonies and who welcomed various women's clubs to the matinees where they enjoyed the modern electrically equipped kitchen, and then enjoyed another two and a half hours of diversified entertainment. Various city departments cooperated with Manager Floyd Maxwell and his staff in the Fanchon & Marco's "City Service" idea, plus considerable exploitation on the part of the Postal Telegraph. All of this, together with Victor McLaglen and strong supporting cast in "On the Level," brought the gross up to $14,000, and another 160%. Two other real services inaugurated here were installation of earphones along entire back row, and free parking service for evening patrons. Weather: Warm, showers. Oppositions "With Byrd at South Pole," "Big House," "Social Lion," "Flirting Widow," "Across the World." "ON THE LEVEL" (M-G-M) FOX BROADWAY— (1,912), 25c-60c, 7 days, strong exploitation. Oter attractions: Fanchon & Marco's "City Service" idea with Laddie Lamont, Don Wilkins, new m. c. leading "Renin's Recording Band"; Henri LeBel at Wurlitzer; Fox Movietone news; Mickey Mouse short. Gross: $14,000. Rating: 160%. "WITH BYRD AT SOUTH POLE" (Paramount) PORTLAND PARAMOUNT— (2,085), 2Sc-50c. 7 days. Other attractions: " 'Round the Town," Sally and Ted, Nolly Tate, Vladimar Rassouchine, "Happy" Phil Lampkin and Paramounteers, Jean Dahlgrea, crooner. Con Maffie, 12 Elsie Steppers. Gross: $12,355. Rating: 132%. "FLIRTING WIDOW" (First National) R-K-O ORPHEUM— (1,700), 25c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: Harry Carroll and his 1930 Revuette, with Eddie Bruce, Maxine Lewis, Harry Foster Welch, Kanazawa Boys; Catherine Custer at Wurlitzer, Pathe news. Gross: $11,675. Rating: 120%. "ACROSS THE WORLD" (Mr. and Mrs. Martin Johnson) HAMRICK'S "MUSIC BOX"— (1,935), 2Sc-50c. Other attractions: Fox Movietone news, Vitaphone acts. Gross: $10,750. Rating: 115%. "SOCIAL LION" (Paramount) RIALTO— (1,498), 25c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: Paramount news, "Hooked," "Toys," "Western Knights." Strong tie-ups with Polo club. Gross: $10,650. Rating: 110%. "BIG HOUSE" (M-G-M) FOX UNITED ARTISTS— (945). 25c-50c, 7 days. Sufficiently good to hold over for third week. Gross: $9,675. Rating: 100%. Brown Goes to Ft. Wayne Madison, Wis. — Len S. Brown, manager of RKO's Capitol here, has been transferred to Fort Wayne, Ind., as manager of the Emboyd, Palace-Orpheum, Jefferson and Strand theatres in that city. He is accompanied by Joseph E. Miller, formerly his assistant at the Capitol. John Scharnberg, manager of the Orpheum and Garrick, also has assumed management of the Capitol. K. C. Uptown with "Rainbows" Tops On $7,800 Take Kansas City — The suburban Uptown headed the list this week with the biggest percentage rating, 130%, on M-G-M's "Chasing Rainbows." Gross was $7,800. Paramount's "Border Legion" was worth 110% to the Royal, which meant $5,000. The Midland had average business for six days, with the United Artists' "One Romantic Night," grossing $12,850. New policy at Midland includes opening on Friday, cutting last week one day short. The Mainstreet did average, $15,000, with Fox's "Born Reckless." At the Newman, where the picture was Paramount's "Shadow of the Law," business was near normal, 95%, or $9,500. With the second week of Fox's "So This Is London," the Pantages dropped off to 85%, or $9,500. At the end of the second week of its stay in Kansas City, "All Quiet on the Western Front," playing at the Shubert, reported about 50% of the first week's patronage. The second week grossed $7,500. Weather: Hot. Opposition: "One Romantic Night." five acts vaude, Midland: "Bom Reckless." five acts vaude, Mainstreet: "Shadow of the Law," Newman: "Border Legion," Royal: "Chasing ainbowsR." Uptown: "So This Is London," Pantages: "All Quiet on the Western Front," Shubert. "ONE ROMANTIC NIGHT* (U. A.) MIDLAND— (4,000), 25c-60c, 6 days. Other attractions: Hearst Metrotone news, five acts vaude. Gross: $12,850. Rating: 100%. "BORN RECKLESS" (Fox) MAINSTREET— (3,067), 35c-60c, 7 days. Other attractions: Pathe news. Grantland Rice sportlight, five acts vaude. Gross: $15,000. Rating: 100%. "SHADOW OF THE LAW" (Paramount) NEWMAN— (2,000), 25c-60c. -7 days. Other attractions: Paramount news; Sennett comedy, "The Chump": Juvenile revue, "Kandy Kabaret." Gross: $9,500. Rating: 95%. "BORDER LEGION" (Paramount) ROYAL— (900), 25c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: Lloyd Hamilton comeilv, "Honk Your Horn"; Educational cartoon, "Plow Boy"; Paramount news. Gross: $5,000. Rating: 110%. "CHASING RAINBOWS" (M-G-M) UPTOWN— (2,200), 25c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: Educational comedv. "Hail the Princess"; Universal news. Gross: $".800. Rating: 130%. "SO THIS IS LONDON" (Fox) PANTAGES— (2,160), 25c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: Pathe news. Gross: $9,500. Rating: 85%. "ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT" (U.) SHUBERT— (2,000), 50c-$1.50, 14 days. Gross: Second week, $7,500. Pilgrim Prod. Organized Albany — Secretary of State has granted incorporation papers to Pilgrim Prod., of New York, represented by J. L. Lindner, 12 E. 41st St., N. Y. Other new charters filed include the following, all with headquarters in New York : National Theatre Prod. Corp., J. W. Searles, 55 W. 42nd St. ; Atma Amusement Corp., J. Kaminer, 1440 Broadway; Integrity Film Corp., Wien & Tomback, 103 E. 125th St. ; Modart Adv. Co.. Cohen & Sleppin, 299 Broadway; Tattle Tales, W. Kaufman, 1482 Broadway; Fairplay Booking Corp., E. Reitman, 11 Broadway; Stanhope Producing Co., Koenig, Bachner & Koenig, 27 Cedar St. ; S. & S. Theatrical Enterprises, C. Wapner. 16 Court St.. Brooklvn; H. Broddwin & Co., H. B. Epstein, 68 William St. They Teach! London — What is right with motion pictures is the new interest of British observers. Heretofore, the problem of what is wrong with them has been the chief topic of discussion. A report recently issued on current films discloses that of 90 considered, 20 were considered of educational value. Mpls. Houses on A Bread and Water Diet; All Spotty Minneapolis — Despite frenzied ballyhoo and plenty of "sex appeal" stills in the lobbies, local theatres are hearing the voice of the wolf but a short distance away from the uniformed doorman. The big dough of the week went to the Minnesota, which showed "Devil's Holiday" to a gross of $29,000, or an 80% rating. If the weather had not been so warm and the theatre so cool, this gross, it is said, would have been plenty leaner. The Orpheum, running "Runaway Bride," walked into the money column with a gross of $18,000. This gave the house a listing of 85%. The two saddest stories of the week were the tales told by the State and Century b. o. reports. The State showed "Arizona Kid" to meager and uninterested audiences, grossing $16,100, or a rating of 60%. The Century pushed "Richest Man in the World," but didn't have enough power to put it over the line. The house grossed $6,520, which is 60%. The Lyric registered 80% on "Show Girl in Hollywood," which grossed $2,900. The Aster romped home with a gross of $2,940, or 90%, on "The Girl in the Show." Weather : Warm. Opposition: 'Devil's Holiday," Publix stane show {"Sunny Days"), Minnesota: 'Runaway Bride," Butler-Santos revue heading five-act vaude bill, RKO Orphcum: "Arizona Kid." State: "Richest Man in the World," Century: 'Show Girl in Hollywood," Lyric: "Girl in the Show," Aster. "DEVIL'S HOLIDAY" (Paramount) MINNESOTA— (4,025), 35c-45c-75c, 7 shows daily, 7 days. Other attractions: "Sunny Days" (Publix stage show), overture, newsreel. Gross: $29,000. Rating: 80%. "RUNAWAY BRIDE" (Fox) RKO ORPHEUM— (2,900), 35c-50c-75c, 7 days, 3 shows daily. Other attractions: Santo-Butler revue heading five act vaude bill. Gross: $18,000. Rating: 85%. "RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD" (M-G-M) CENTURY— (1,640), 50c-75c, 7 days, 6 shows daily. Other attractions: Newsreel. Gross: $6,520. Rating: 60%. "ARIZONA KID" (Fox) STATE— (2.300). 25c-35c-60c, 7 days, 6 shows daily. Other attractions: "How's My Baby" (talking comedy); Pathe short; newsreel. Gross: $6,100. Rating: 60%. "SHOW GIRL IN HOLLYWOOD" (F. N.) LYRIC— (1,238), 15c-25c-40c, 7 days, 7 shows daily. Other attractions: Newsreel. Gross: $2,900. Rating: 80%. "GIRL IN THE SHOW" (M-G-M) ASTER— (812), 15c-20c-30c, 7 days, 7 shows daily. Other attractions: Newsreel. Gross: $2,940. Rating: 90%. Plans Multi-Linguals Adolphe Menjou will appear in English, French and Spanish talkers for M-G-M, which has him under contract. Television Included In New Radio Measure Washington — Basic radio law, now unknown in the supervision of the ether field, will be written as a result of passage of the Lehlbach bill (H.R. 12599). Television and its full control by the Federal Radio Commission will be included.