Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1934)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Friday, January 5, 1935 "Alice" Gets Big Play in Denver Start Denver, Jan. 4. — Christmas Eve apparently meant nothing to the folks who wanted to see "Alice in Wonderland" and "Mr. Skitch." "Alice" packed them in Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, the last days of the Denham week and will be held at least 10 days. The film was started on Sunday after "Tillie and Gus" had been pulled after four days at only fair business. The gross was $5,500. "Mr. Skitch" did the expected at_ the Orpheum, packing that house time after time, with holdouts at most every matinee and night, with the overflow on Christmas day filling the lobby and overflowing to the sidewalk. Total first run business was $36,000. Average is $28,750. Estimated takings for the week ending Dec. 28: "SON OF A SAILOR" (F. N.) ALADDIN— (1,500). 2Sc-40c, 7 days. Gross: $3,500. (Average, $3,500.) "TILLIE AND GUS" (Para.) DENHAM— (1.500), 25c-30c-40c, 4 days. Gross: $2,500. "ALICE IN WONDERLAND" (Para.) DENHAM— (1.500), 25c-30c-40c, 3 days. Gross: $5,500. (Average for week, $7,000.) "MAN'S CASTLE" (Col.) DENVER— (2,500). 25c-35c-50c, 7 days. Ted Mack with stage show. Gross: $7,000. (Average, $5,500.) "MR. SKITCH" (Fox) ORPHEUM— (2,600), 25c-35c-40c, 7 days. Fred Schmitt with stage show. Gross: $16,000. (Average, $10,000.) "HORSE PLAY" (Univ.) PARAMOUNT— (2,000), 25c-40c, 3 days. Gross: $900. "SMOKY" (Fox) PARAMOUNT— (2,000), 25c-40c, 4 days. Gross: $1,600. (Average for week, $2,750.) MOTION PICTURE DAILY* HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW Salt Lake Orpheum Receivership Ended Salt Lake City, Jan. 4.— As a result of an agreement among lease disputants District Judge Thurman has terminated the Orpheum receivership which ' began Aug. 24 and involved Alexander Pantages, the RKO Western Corp. and RKO San Francisco Co. During the receivership the lease was transferred to Marco Wolf, who will not pay rent to the W. H. McIntyre Co., owners. "Laughing Boy" Halted Hollywood, Jan. 4. — M-G-M has temporarily halted production on "Laughing Boy" pending final decision on what should be added to the films and what should be taken out. The studio stopped work on the picture within one or two days of completion and plans to send it back to the cameras this week. Hal Roach to Rush 24 Hollywood, Jan. 4. — Hal Roach's production plans during the next six months call for 24 shorts, two features and a "Toyland" special in six months. The shorts include three Todd-Kellys, four Charlie Chases, four "Our Gangs," four all-star, three with music. Indiana Splits Weeks Indianapolis, Jan. 4. — The Indiana, Monarch's ace house here, goes to a split week policy today. "Nana" {United Artists) Hollywood, Jan. 4. — Samuel Goldwyn has plucked a personality out of nowhere, endowed her with glamour, surrounded her with an aura of mystery and launched her handsomely in' her first film — a new star, Anna Sten. Goldwyn has done right by her. Miss Sten has a haunting beauty. Her eyes express. Her body is lissome. She has distinctive charm and talent. She is provocative. She will stir discussion. With meticulous care, Goldwyn for her first film has ensconced her in a colorful setting of the France of 1868. As a slavey Nana proclaims her creed : "I will not be poor. I will not slave. I will be rich. I will be famous." As a gilded fly of the pavements she attracts the attention of Paris' greatest producer, becomes a stage rage overnight, neglects her patron for the Grand Duke Alexis and falls in love with a common soldier. The screen translation of Zola's story emerges splendidly, but is secondary. Miss Sten as Nana is important. She enriches the role and makes the character she plays vital and real. Her affairs with the soldier, the producer and the grand duke give her a range of emotion and opportunity seldom accorded a newcomer. To that opportunity she rises to where the public will find a place for her as they did for others of equal flair. The production is an artistic gem photographed in pastel with a lush beauty. In all details it carries the perfection of creed of its sponsor. The cast is well chosen, with Lionel Atwill, Richard Bennett, Mae Clarke, Phillips Holmes and Muriel Kirkland registering with good effect. Dorothy Arzner's direction hits a new mark for her. After two years' tutelage and the expenditure of about $500,000 after junking the first try before the new "Nana" was started, it looks as if Goldwyn will retrieve his investment many fold with his new find in her first production. Para. Seeks Closer Field Contact Plan "Frontier Marshal" (Fox) Hollywood, Jan. 4. — Much has been written of the outlawry of Tombstone Valley in the 19th century. Here is a film transcription of some of the events which have been recorded from time to time. To those who have read some of the pioneer history of the valley, this picture holds many interesting highlights. As film entertainment it should appeal generally, especially to western fans and George O'Brien's followers. Burton Churchill, mayor of the valley, part owner of the Foursquare ranch and half owner of the bank, has been conniving and stealing anything not nailed down. Happenings in the town are at a high pitch when O'Brien arrives with Irene Bentley and Georgie Stone in a coach which has been held up on the way. Ward Bond has been making trouble and when the hero captures him he is given the job as sheriff. Meanwhile the girl's father, partner of Churchill, is murdered, and Miss Bentley assumes his responsibilities. O'Brien makes good on the job and even subdues Alan Edwards, a bad man, who later takes to the hero and helps him run down the bad men. Churchill makes things hot for O'Brien, who is almost lynched when he is unveiled by the crooked mayor as a thief. O'Brien gets evidence of Churchill's guilt and with the aid of Edwards rounds up Bond, who confesses. The villain tries to make a getaway and is killed, ridding the town of its official enemy. Ruth Gillette, who puts on the Mae West act as proprietress of the saloon and dies saving the hero from the villain's bullet, is good in her role. Stone, Russel Simpson, Frank Conroy also do fine work. Lew Seiler directed. {Continued from page 1) is an outgrowth of Theatre Management Co., subsidiary which owned or operated no houses but acted as a service unit to assist operators in the field. A second meeting will be held in Dallas later in the month at which Karl Hoblitzelle, E. O. O'Donnell and other Paramount theatre partners in that section will attend. While localized operation is declared to be unaffected by the rearranged personnel of Paramount Theatres Service, it was explained yesterday much could be done by setting up a system whereby information out of New York and into the field, as well as vice versa, could be exchanged quickly. Reopen Delaware House Middletown, Del., Jan. 4.— George M. Schwartz, who operates the Capital and Temple at Dover, has taken over and reopened the Everett here. Brockton, Mass., Jan. 4.— The new Modern is nearing completion on East Elm St. and will be opened this month. Morris Perlstein is the owner and manager. Fort Morgan, Col., Jan. 4.— Edwin Bluck has leased the U. S. A. and the Cover from John Anderson and will do extensive remodeling and redecorating. New sound will be instajled in both houses, and the seating capacity of the U. S. A. will be reduced from 450 to 320. Bluck recently owned a part interest in the Hiawatha in Denver. (S All of Me (Paramount) Hollywood, Jan. 4. — Sounding a new romantic note and revealing a guy and a gal with courage to clutch and hold that which is important to them, "All of Me" has show values that yank at the emotions. Miriam Hopkins, as a society girl afraid that marriage to a young engineering professor may mar their romance, is jolted into realization of what this thing called love is all about. Fredric March, the engineer, in proposing marriage, tells her that he can't promise happiness, but only love with its torment, adventure and even hate. The girl demurs. Slumming in a beer joint, they see and hear George Raft, an ex-con, {Continued on page 10) No St. Louis Sale Date St. Louis, Jan. 4. — No date has been set for the foreclosure sale of the Ambassador, Missouri and Grand Central theatres and furnishings. Nelson Cunliff, special master, has this in charge. Under the law he must advertise for four weeks before the sale. Defaulted bonds and interest total $6,503,875. Colman Made Director Hollywood, Jan. 4. — For the first time at Columbia studios, an assistant director has been made a director. He is Buddy Colman, assistant to Frank Capra for several years. His first assignment will be Tim McCoy's "Storm at Midnight." Arthur Chateau Dead New Orleans, Jan. 4. — Arthur Chateau, Sr., 44, president of the operators' union, died at his home here. He is survived by a son, Arthur Chateau, Jr., and a widow. Giannini Returns Los Angeles, Jan. 4. — Dr. A. H. Giannini, chairman of the board of the Bank of America National Ass'n.. is back from a New York trip. Lloyd Gets Una Merkel Hollywood Jan. 4.— Harold Lloyd has borrowed Una Merkel to play opposite him in "Cat's Paw."