Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1934)

10 MOTION PICTURE DAILY Wednesday, March 21, 1934 Two Kansas Sunday Votes Up March 26 New Setup for Fox Units In Midwest Is Seen Near {Continued from page 1) tion with city primary elections. Exhibitors in other Kansas towns where Sunday films are forbidden will watch the outcome as a guide to possible local action. In Emporia, city officials authorized the referendum after checking petitions containing 2,000 names, which assured the vote. Several years ago the exhibitors lost a similar election by a small majority. The Manhattan issue is expected to bring out one of the heaviest votes in years in a city election. Many of those registered are students at the State Agricultural College, who declared Manhattan as their legal residence in order to vote in the referendum. Local exhibitors are hopeful that a sufficient number of students, most of whom favor Sunday shows, will vote to assure a victory. Whether the students should be permitted to vote has been a side issue on which the town has split. They were disqualified from voting in a recent referendum which decided against the theatres, following which the three local houses remained closed four weeks in a vain attempt to induce the city welfare board to grant Sabbath showings. "One Night" Grabs $12,800, Buffalo Buffalo, March 20. — "It Happened One Night" continued to do phenomenal business in its second week and was held for a third. The Capra film took $12,800, or $6,300 above par. "Death Takes a Holiday" gave the Buffalo $16,000, or $1,000 over normal, for the only other excitement. Total take was $49,200. Normal is $43,500. Estimated takings for the week ending March 16: "DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY" (Para.) BUFFALO — (3,500), 30c-55c, 7 days. Stage: Peter Higgins, Joe & jane McKenna, Liazeed Arabs, Lewis & Van. Gross: $16,000. (Average, $15,000.) "ACE OF ACES" (Radio) "ORIENT EXPRESS" (Fox) CENTURY— (3,000), 25c, 7 days. Gross: $5,000. (Average, $6,000.) "MISS FANE'S BABY IS STOLEN" (Para.) "EASY TO LOVE" (Warners) GREAT LAKES — (3,000), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $5,200. (Average, $8,000.) "THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN" (M-G-M) "HIS DOUBLE LIFE" (Para.) HIPPODROME— (2,100), 25c-35c, 7 days. Gross: $5,800. (Average, $8,000.) "IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT" (Col.) "BEFORE MIDNIGHT" (Col.) LAFAYETTE — (3,300), 25c, 7 days. (2nd week) Gross: $12,800. (Average, $6,500.) Gest Optimistic on Legitimate Outlook "Show business hasn't started yet," Morris Gest told Cheese Club members yesterday. He said "if anyone tells you different it's because they feel that way about it." As for legitimate roadshows, Gest stated that as soon as someone has "guts enough" they will come back with a bang. Also on the program were Natika Balieff, Al and Louis Pincus, Donald Micheltoff, who appear in the stage and screen version of "Wonder Bar" ; Eddie Miller, Wee Willie Robyne and Charles Brewster Millhollander, author of "Twentieth Century." {Continued from page 1) sing toward a new plan, delay in settlement of the Woolf-Shanberg suits has left Midland in practically the same form as when it went into bankruptcy. The former Midland owners' questioning of the adjudication in bankruptcy prevents the election of a trustee and has caused a year's delay in the steps which ordinarily follow. The two companies are so closely related that reorganization of both will not be possible until the larger creditors in the east agree on terms of a settlement. Woolf and Shanberg seek to recover close to $500,000 from Fox Midland. Rocky Mountain cannot proceed with any degree of certainty because Midland is subsidiary to it. If Rocky Mountain should proceed with a sale, with the subsidiary still in a muddle, it would affect the purchase price, if a bidder could be found on that basis. Quick Appearances Spreading in K. C. Kansas City, March 20. — Kansas City being the transcontinental crossroads of the nation and a brief stopping point for east and westbound players, local managers are seizing the opportunity to hustle name talent from the trains to the theatre for flash personal appearances. Loew's Midland started the vogue with Clark Gable, and the Publix Newman followed with Lanny Ross. Jimmy Durante is due to show at the Midland under these circumstances when he travels west shortly. The Santa Fe Chiefs are held over their allotted time of 15 minutes while the stars are hurried to the theatre, show themselves on the stage and are rushed back to the Union station. "Nana" Is Barred by Censors in Oregon Spokane, March 20. — "Nana" has been barred by the official advisory board of film censors by a vote of eight to three on the ground it carries too much sex appeal. It was the second hearing for the picture. James Colburn, chairman of the board, said this action marked more rigid censorship on films that "glorify immoral life." Jack Kloepper represented United Artists at the hearing. The film was billed for the Granada, Portland, which is under the management of James Lyons. Pauline Lord Signed Pauline Lord, actress, has been signed to a long term contract by Paramount and will leave for the coast in about three weeks. No vehicle has as yet been chosen for her debut. Polly Moron to Radio Hollywood, March 20. — Polly Moran has been borrowed from MG-M for an important spot in "Down to Their Last Yacht" at Radio. Flying to Sick Mother Hollywood, March 20. — Lola Gentry is flying to Indianapolis to see her mother, who is dangerously ill. "Nana" Is $16,000 Hit in Providence Providence, March 20. — Curiosity about Anna Sten drew thousands to Loew's State and boosted the gross to $16,000, which is $4,000 over par. Other houses were forced to stand by and see most of the shekels pour into the Loew. The RKO Albee, however, booking "Success at Any Price" and a highly touted stage revue, managed to catch $500 over average. The Paramount, Majestic and Fay's were slightly off. Total first run business was $42,300. Average is $40,500. Estimated takings for the week ending March 15 : "SIX OF A KIND" (Para.) "LOVE PARADE" (Para.) PARAMOUNT— (2,300), 15c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $5,000. (Average, $6,500.) "NANA" (U. A.) LOEW'S STATE— (3,800), 15c-40c, 7 days. Stage: Ching, Ling Foo, Jr., with revue. Gross: $16,000. (Average, $12,000.) "DEVIL TIGER" Fox) FAY'S— (1,600), 15c-40c, 7 days. Stage: Reis and Dunn, radio stars. Gross: $6,500. (Average. $7,000.) "SUCCESS AT ANY PRICE" (Radio) RKO ALBEE— (2,300), 15c-40c, 7 days. Stage: "Passing Show" revue. Gross: $7,500. (Average, $7,000.) "DARK HAZARD" (Warners) "BELOVED" (Univ.) MAJESTIC — (2,400), 15c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $6,000. (Average, $7,000.) "MAN'S CASTLE" (Radio) "CRIMINAL AT LARGE" (Helber) RKO VICTORY— (1,600), 10c-25c, 4 days. Gross: $1,300. (Average, $1,000.) Studios to Entertain MPTOA Individually Hollywood, March 20. — Refusing to risk repetition of the fiasco of 1926, when the studios decided to fete the M. P. T. O. A. jointly, Ben Berinstein, local chairman of arrangements, has rejected the proposal of the Hays office to clear all studio entertainment through one central point with a single budget and will deal direct with individual studios, which have already voiced willingness to cooperate in welcoming the conventioneers. Jack Warner has extended an invitation to those attending the convention to be his guests at the Warner plant. M-G-M and Universal have done likewise. The invitation of independents to attend a barbecue and wild west show has been accepted. It will mean night-and-day sessions should all studios extend similar invitations. M-G-M Starts Big Construction Plan Hollywood, March 20. — M-G-M today started work on a construction program calling for a building containing quarters for stars, a new administration structure, an emergency hospital, a dental office, a fire station, film storage vaults and larger studio commissary and casting offices. Estabrook, Cukor Due Hollywood, March 20. — Howard Estabrook and George Cukor start east Saturday on their way to London to get atmosphere for M-G-M's production of "David Copperfield," on which they are working. Hays Places Ban on Dillinger Picture (Continued from page 1) is based on the belief that "such a pic ture would be detrimental to the bes public interest." Paramount, linked by coast report and trade announcements recently wit a projected film based on Dillinger' career, concurred in the M. P. Fi D. A. action of yesterday. Despit the earlier Hollywood reports, Rot ert Gillham, Paramount advertisin and publicity head, stated yesterda that the company "never planned Dillinger picture." The advertisements appearing i coast trade papers announcing thj Paramount was preparing a Dillinge picture "were inserted by Bartlei; Cormack and not by Paramount Gillham said. Cormack is said to be writing tr script based on Dillinger's exploits. ITOA Installation Attendance Limita Attendance at tonight's installatk of I. T. O. A. officers, at which May< LaGuardia is scheduled to speak, w be limited to members and guests. Tl Astor is the place and the time ! 7:30 P. M. To be installed formally tonight a \ the following : Harry Brandt, president; Leo Ju tin and Bernard Barr, vice-president Maurice Brown, secretary ; Hym; Rachmil, treasurer; Charles Oppe. heimer, sergeant-at-arms ; William Small, executive director. Directors to be inducted are : L Brecher, Charles (Chick) Lewis, Ja Shapiro, M. Fleischman, Eugene S« ner, Lou Blumenthal, Louis Nelsc A. H. Eisenstadt, L. Meyers, Larence Bolognino, Sam Schwartz, W liam Landow, H. Reisner, Doct Greenfield, Fred Small, S. Weinbei Rudolph Sanders, Stanley Lawtc Leon Rosenblatt, David Davis, Da^ I Rosenzweig and Bernard Pear. About 450 will attend the banqu I Feel Educational Ma Do Producing Hei i Hollywood, March 20. — The ser I of postponements on the next Ar I Clyde comedy has created a feeli^ that Educational may transfer all I production activities to the east. Tom Mix Joins Circu Dallas, March 20. — Movies nothing now in the life of Tom M He has signed with the Sam B. I circus, wintering here, and will on the road soon. Meantime he k time here with personal appearan at the Fort Worth Fat Stock Show Para, and Wampas Fro* Hollywood, March 20. — The port here is that Paramount is try to get other studios to emulate it exploiting starlets in an attempt detract from the forthcoming W; pas "Baby Star" frolic. Roxy Books Three "U The Roxy has booked three I versal pictures to be shown a Easter. The first will be "Let's Ritzy," followed by "I'll Tell World" and "Glamour."