Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1934)

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Thursday, March 22, 1934 MOTION PICTURE DAILY •David Harum' And 'Bar' Top Philadelphia Philadelphia, March 21. — "David Harum" and "Wonder Bar" gladdened the hearts of local exhibitors last week. The former landed a neat $23,000 at the Fox and held over for a second week. The latter grabbed $22,000 at the Stanley and got a second week with a third likely. "Bolero" got an extra day at the Boyd, taking $12,000 for seven days. "Nana" hit the toboggan for its second week, getting $6,000 — half its. first week's gross. Has a third to go, however, before "Palooka" replaces it. Total first run business was $102,200. Average is $82,300. Estimated takings for the week ending March 15 : "NANA" (U. A.) ALDINE— (1,300), 40c-55c-65c, 6 days, 2nd week. Grass: $6,000. (Average, $7,000). "QUEEN CHRISTINA" (M-G-M) ARCADIA — (600!) p 25c-40c-50c, 7 days. 2nd run.) Gross: $4,200. (Average, 6 days, S2.400.) "BOLERO" (Para.) BOYD— (2,400), 40c-S5c-65c, 7 davs. Gross: 512,000. (Average, 6 days, $12,000.) "SIX OF A KIND" (Para.) EARLE— (2,000), 40c-55c-65c, 6 days. Stage: Sophie Tucker, Sidney Marion and Estelle Jayne, Gaudsmith Brothers, Lee Murray and Sinclair Twins. Gross: $14,000. i Average, $12,000.) "DAVID HARUM" (Fox) FOX— (3,000), 30c-40c-60c, 6 days. Stage: X. T. G.'s "Paradise Revue" and Johnny Marvin. Gross: $23,000. (Average, $12,000.) "ONCE TO EVERY WOMAN" (Col.) KARLTON— (1,000), 30c-40c-50c, 6 days. Gross: $3,000. (Average, $3,500.) "EVER SINCE EVE" (Fox) KEITH'S— (2,000), 25c-35c-45c, 6 days. (2nd run.) Vaudeville on stage. Gross: 56,000. (Average, $7,000.) "WONDER BAR" (Warners) STANLEY— (3,700), 40c-55c-6Sc, 6 days. Gross: $22,000. (Average, $12,000.) "GOOD DAME" (Para.) STANTON — (1,700), 30c-40c-55c, 6 davs. Gross: $7,000. (Average, $7,000.) "SON OF KONG" (Radio) WALNUT— (1,500), 25c-50c. 6 days. "Folies de Gambol" on stage. Gross: $5,000. (Average, $5,000.) "Harum" Is $5,000 Indianapolis Wow Indianapolis, March 21. — "David Harum" stirred up the principal boxoffice excitement here last week Ingoing 100 per cent over normal to $5,000 at the Apollo. "Xana" was no sensation. It took an average $4,500 at the Palace. "Mandalay" was also par with $3,500 at the Circle, and a dual, "Meanest Gal in Town" and "Ninth Guest," was good for $4,000 at the Indiana. Total first run business was $22,500. Average is $16,500. Estimated takings for the week ending March 17: "DAVID HARUM" (Fox) APOLLO— (1,100), 20c-40c, 2nd week, 7 days. Gross: $5,000. (Average, $2,500) "MANDALAY" (Warners) CIRCLE— (2.800). 20c-40c. 7 davs. Gross: ^.500. (Average, $3,500) "MEANEST GAL IN TOWN" (Radio) "NINTH GUEST" (Col.) INDIANA— (3,000), 20c-10c, 7 davs. Gross: S4 000 ' "EVER SINCE EVE" (Fox) LYRIC— (2,000), 20c -40c, 7 days. Stage show. Gross: $5,500. (Average, $6,000) "NANA" (U. A.) PALACE-(3,000), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $4,500. (Average, 84,500) Hearst Paper in Chicago Tries New Type Reviews (Continued from page 1) pleased, when he discovered on his return from a Florida vacation that the American had decided to give his pet idea a tryout. Whether other Hearst papers will follow remains to be seen. The Hearst morning paper, the Herald & Examiner, continues its critical reviews. Jess Krueger is handling the paper's film news and serving as its first film "reporter." In discussing the straight reporting style for reviews Hollander says : "Newspapers and exhibitors alike undoubtedly realize that most pictures do not merit criticism because they are made primarily for popular rather than critical consumption. On this basis practically every picture is satisfactory entertainment for at least 60 per cent of the general film audience. "It should be remembered that people in general attend pictures for entertainment and relaxation and not to think seriously, for a theatre is neither lecture hall, public forum, or a church — just a place of entertainment. There is plenty of latitude for the writer to express his individual style in the straight reporting method of writing about pictures, Hollander believes. Also, he contends, big and outstanding attractions do not suffer under this system because, like the spectacular fire or the big news story, they command treatment in proportion. On the theory that film reviewers are subject to the same human frailities of personal likes, dislikes and prejudices as everyone else, Hollander concludes that the reporting style will tend to remove the human equation and eliminate a lot of personal pettiness which pops into reviews and has a harmful effect. Speculate on Divorces Hollywood, March 21. — The film colony today was speculating whether any of its members recently divorced in Mexico are victims of the fraudulent divorce mill unearthed in the State of Morelos Tuesday. Goldwyn Signs Aarons Hollywood, March 21. — A. A. Aarons, former member of the theatrical producing firm of Aarons and Freedley, has been signed to Samuel Goldwyn's production staff. Otterson West Today John E. Otterson, president of Electrical Research Products, Inc., leaves for a two weeks' visit in Hollywood today. Levy Holding Meet Hollywood, March 21. — Jules Levy today started a three-day sales conference with all RKO West Coast territory salesman on new product. Swerling Signed Hollywood, March 21. — Columbia has taken up the option of Jo Swerling, staff writer. Lilyan Tashman Prominent leading woman who died in New York yesterday. Lilyan Tashman Dies In a Hospital Here (Continued from page 1) these visits she was seen by Rudolph Kirchner, an artist, who hired her as a model. This led to her first stage chance in Ziegfeld's Follies. Later she appeared in "The Garden of Weeds" and "Gold Diggers." Her screen career began while she was on a visit to the coast with her sister. James Cruze was casting for "The Garden of Weeds" and offered her a part. Better roles followed. While working on "Port of Call" for Fox she married Edmund Lowe. Later Miss Tashman appeared in "Camille" with Norma Talmadge ; "The Prince of Headwaiters" with Lewis Stone, "A Texas Steer" with Will Rogers, "The Trial of Mary Dugan," "Bulldog Dxummond" and "Putting on the Ritz" and others. Her two latest efforts were "Wine, Women and Song," now current at the Mayfair, and "Frankie and Johnnie," recently completed at Biograph. A. J. Gurtenbach, managing director of the Doctors' Hospital, was requested by Edmund Lowe to issue the statement that Miss Tashman had been under constant medical supervision during the filming of her lasl picture and that on the day after the completion of her work she was taken to the hospital where an emergency operation was performed. No arrangements have been made as vet for the funeral. Hollywood, March 21. — Lilyan Tashman's death came as a shock to Hollywood today. She was one of the best known members of the film colony and prominent in Hollywood social life. Services for Mrs. Doran Hollywood, March 21. — Funeral services were held today for Mrs. D. A. Doran, wife of the former story editor of Fox who is now associated with the Group Theatre in New York. Mrs. Doran died Saturday after a year's illness. (Continued from page 2) because energy is soon expended or diverted to new issues. On improvement in picture quality, he maintains a re-education of the public is necessary before any headway may be noted. Continues this commentator : "There is no last word on this subject, delicate and controversial to the extreme. The problem of what constitutes art hasn't been solved by the philosophers as yet. The cinema is too young to have set ways in technique and procedure. There only is the fervent hope that ultimately, the percentage of worthwhile photoplays will cut into the percentage of 'program pictures.' " KAN N LaGuardia at ITOA Installation Dinner Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia last night pledged his support and cooperation to local theatre owners in eliminating certain hardshsips, at the I. T. O. A. Installation Dinner at the Astor. He said that he wanted to make theatres safe and that he would do all in his power to abolish the alleged graft of fire inspectors. The Mayor requested that theatre owners give not so much as a "Cremo cigar" to any inspector checking a house, and that if any assistance is needed he would gladly give it, since he wanted his office to be continually open to theatre owners, especially if they desired him to act as a mediator in settling disputes. LaGuardia also said that he was going to recommend to the Legislature amendments to the present law which will permit children into theatres provided that certain sections are allocated to them after school hours and on holidays, and that certain pictures be put on for them that do not need censorship. The Mayor said that he didn't want to be a censor, but that he did want certain films eliminated during children hours. Milton C. Weisman was toastmaster and other speakers included Judge Franklin Taylor, Bronx Borough President John Lyons, Queens Borough President George Q. Harvey, Aldermanic President Bernard S. Deutsch and Louis Nizer, who stressed the importance of the independent exhibitor in the local field. Coast -England Test Directed by Cukor Hollywood, March 21. — M-G-M executed a long distance screen test of Elizabeth Allan in England last week for a role in "David Copperfield." The script was cabled her and Cukor listened to the lines and directed retakes over a double telephone hook-up, completing a 6,000 mile connection. Somma a Candidate Richmond, March 21. — Charles A. Somma, well known in exhibitor circles, is candidate for City Council. Lee Names Fischer Arthur Lee vesterday appointed Abe Fischer special sales representative -jC Gaumont British of America./