Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1934)

b MOTION PICTURE DAILY Tuesday, March 27, 1934 Who? What? When? Who arc the appointees on code boards announced by Code Authority in New York? More thumbnail sketches, gathered by Motion Picture Daily correspondents, furnish the answer: Milwaukee "Jimmy" Gets $8,000 Take, Philadelphia Philadelphia, March 26. — With the exception of "Jimmy the Gent," which took $8,000 at the Stanton, and "As the Earth Turns," which gave the Boyd $12,000, one of the house's best recent figures, the holdover films held the spotlight in Philadelphia last week. "David Harum," playing its second week at the Fox, got a topnotch $15,000 and "Wonder Bar" drew a good $11,000 at the Stanley. Good weather through most of the week with spring peering in between cold days helped the general grosses. Total first run business was §82,300. Average is $81,900. Estimated takings for the week ending March 22: "NANA" (U.A.) ALD1NE — (1,300), 40c-55c-6'5c, 6 days. 3rd week. Gross: $5,000. (Average, $7,000) "ALL OF ME" (Para.) (2nd run) ARCADIA— (600), 25c-40c-50c, 6 days. Gross: $2,200. (Average, $2,400) "AS THE EARTH TURNS" (Warners) BOYD — (2,400), 40c-55c-65c, 6 days. Gross: $12,000. (Average, $12,000) "NO MORE WOMEN" (Para.) EARLE— (2,000), 40c-55c-65c, 6 days. Stage: Singin' Sam, the Rimacs, Melson and Irmanette. Gross: $14,000. (Average, $12,000) "DAVID HARUM" (Fox) FOX— (3,000), 30c-40c-60c, 6 days, 2nd week. Stage: N. T. G. Paradise Revue and Johnny Marvin. Gross: $15,000. (Average, $12,000) "FOUR FRIGHTENED PEOPLE" (Para.) KARLTON— (1,000), 30c-40c-50c, 6 days. Gross: $3,300. (Average, $3,500) "I BELIEVED IN YOU" (Fox) (2nd run) KEITH'S— (2,000), 25c-35c-40c, 6 days. Stage: Ernie Vallee's Club Seville revue. Gross: $7,000. (Average, $7,000) "WONDER BAR" (Warners) STANLEY— (3.700), 40c-55c-65c, 6 days, 2nd week. Gross: $11,000. (Average, $12,000) "JIMMY THE GENT" (Warners) STANTON— (1,700), 30c-40c-50c, 6 days. Gross: $8,000. (Average $7,000) "MURDER ON THE CAMPUS" (Chesterfield) WALNUT — (1,500), 25c-50c, 6 days. "Parisian Fantasies" on the stage. Gross: $4,800. (Average, $5,000) Cantor Sets a Record Pittsburgh, March 26. — An alltime daily attendance record for Pittsburgh was set last week at the Stanley by Eddie Cantor. He played to 18.333 paid customers in five shows. The previous mark was established only the week before by Joe Penner at the Penn when he attracted 17,500 customers. The 18,333 admissions represents only 300 short of the house's absolute capacity for five shows. State, Hartford, Opens Hartford, March 26. — The State, dark since last fall and not used for films for about a year, has been reopened by Davis and Goldbaum, a corporation operating houses in Xew York and Xew Jersey. Joseph Glassman, former manager of the Lenox and Rialto, second runs, is in charge. Yaudefilm programs, with changes thrice weekly, are planned. C order's Daughter Dies Cody, Wyo.. March 26. — Anna May. 17-year-old daughter of J. W. Corder. owner of the Cody theatre, died suddenly at their home here. Mr. and Mrs. Corder were called back from a vacation trip south. .Milwaukee, March 26. — Joseph G. Rhode, impartial member on the Milwaukee clearance and zoning, was born here 59 years ago. His boyhood days were spent in Chicago and later in Kenosha, Wis., where he is in business at the present time. In 1890, when Rhode was 15, his father built the Rhode Opera House in Kenosha. From that time on, and for 33 years after, Rhode was identified with the management of theatres, including legitimate, vaudeville and picture houses. In 1908 to 1910 he served as secretary of the Middle West Theatre Managers' Ass'n, and acted as president of the Wisconsin Exhibitors' Ass'n in 1920-21. From 1921 to '24 Rhode was Xew Haven, March 26.— Wesley A. Sturges, impartial member on the Xew Haven grievance board, was born in 1893 and was educated at the University of Vermont, where he earned his Ph.B. degree in 1915, at the Columbia Law School, where he was given his LL.B. in 1919, and at the Yale School of Law, from which he graduated with a J.D. in 1923. He has taught in law schools of the University of South Dakota and Minnesota and has been a professor of law at Yale since 1925. In the field of writing, Professor Sturges has been active and has to his credit "Treatises on Commercial Arbitration and Awards," "Cases and Material on Credit Transactions," "Cases and Materials on Administration of Debtors' Estates," was American collaborator on "The International Year Book on Commercial Arbitration" Hartford May Open Sunday Afternoons Hartford. March 26. — Sunday afternoon films may be legalized at tonight's meeting of the board of aldermen. At a hearing before ordinance committee last week all theatre managers, a representative of the Better Films Council and several leading citizens were unopposed in their arguments for afternoon programs on the Sabbath. Within the past two months Sunday afternoon shows have been legalized in Xew Britain and Wiilimantic. The proposed ordinance amendment would allow theatres to open at 2 P. M., rather than 5 P. M., the present regulation, "providing there be no advance in prices over week day prices." Theatre men have protested this clause on the ground that higher evening rates on Sunday would "bring them out of the red." More Acts for Oklahoma Oklahoma City, March 26. — Support of the opening bill at Warners has convinced Pat McGee, Standard theatres general manager, that there is a demand for stage shows here. Two more have been scheduled. This town h»d been without stage attractions for two years. president of the M. P. T. O. of Wisconsin and in 1923-24 a vice-president of the M. P. T. O. A. It was in 1924 that he disposed of his theatre interests and became identified with the finance and discount business as president and manager of the Kenosha Citizens' Loan & Investment Co., with which firm he is still connected. He has also served as president of the Wisconsin Ass'n of Character Loan Companies and still holds an official position in that organization. Rhode has been active in Kenosha civic affairs, having served on the board of aldermen, police and fire commissions and in other local activities. (Berlin, Xussbaum, editor-in-chief) and author of a number of articles in legal and other periodicals. In the field of public service, Professor Sturges likewise has been active. He is a member of the Connecticut Commission on Pensions and Annuities for Public Employes, special assistant to the general counsel of the A. A. A., and a member of bankruptcy committee of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States ; a member of the commercial arbitration committee of the Connecticut Chamber of Commerce and a member of the committee on national legislation of the Xew Haven Chamber of Commerce. On several occasions, he has arbitrated disputes in the amusement industry. Actors' Equity versus the M. P. T. O. A. being one of the most involved in this direction. Union in Milwaukee Reports 75 Get Jobs Milwaukee, March 26. — Seventyfive union operators have returned to work in Milwaukee in recent months through agreements that have transferred 28 local houses from non-union to union ranks, according to O. E. Olson, business manager of Local 164. Only two of the 79 local houses remain non-union, it was stated. According to Olson, there are now 190 operators employed in local houses as against 115 last spring. Wages under the "resent contract, which expires August 31, range from $26.25 in the small neighborhood houses to $62.16 in Class 1 houses for a 36hour week. Push Work on Alvin Pittsburgh, March 26. — Construction is being pushed on the Alvin and the Harris Amusement Co. expects t» have it ready to open by April 1, four months behind schedule. The house, former home of Shubert legitimate shows, is being remodeled and will seat 2,100 when completed. It has been intimated the Alvin will have pictures and unit shows. For films, it will have to depend on a split of the Fox product and independents. "Wonder Bar" Off to Good Coast Start Los Angeles, March 26. — "Wonder Bar" got' off to a flying start at Warners Hollywood and Downtown, piling up a total of $40,000 for the two houses. At the former it was $8,000 over normal and at the latter $4,000. "Come On Marines" with Ben Bernie and his band on the stage grabbed the other high money of the week. The $21,325 take topped average by $3,325. All the other first runs suffered under the heavy competition. Total first run business was $94,581. Average is $95,450. Estimated takings for the week ending March 21 : "QUEEN CHRISTINA" (M-G-M) CHINESE— (2,500), 50c-$1.10, 3 days. (6th week.) Sid Grauman prologue. Gross: $7,806. (Average, $14,000.) "DAWN" (Col.) FILM ARTE — (800), 40c-50c, 7 days. Gross: 51.800. (Average, $2,650.) "GEORGE WHITE'S SCANDALS" (Fox) LOEWS STATE— (2,413). 30c-55c. 7 days. Gross: Sio.050. (Average, $14,000.) "COME ON MARINES" (Para.) PARAMOUNT— (3,595), 30c-55c, 7 days. Stage: Ben Bernie and his orchestra, F. & M. revue. Gross: $21,325. (Average. $18,000.) "IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT" (Col.) RKO— (2.700), 25c-40c, 7 days. (3rd week). Gross: S6.100. (Average. $8,000.) "PALOOKA" (U. A.) UNITED ARTISTS— (2,100). 25c-40c. 7 days. Gross: S7.500. (Average, $12,800.) "WONDER BAR" (F. N.) WARXER BROS. (Hollywood)— (3,000). 25c-55c. 7 days. Gross: $22,000. (Average. $14,000.) "WONDER BAR" (F. N.) WARNER BROS. (Downtown)— (3.400). o5c, / da vs. Gross ; SI 8. 000. ( Average. $12,000.) Variety Club Goes on Air Columbus, March 26. — The local Variety Club, known as Tent Xo. 2. made its debut on the air over WAIU. local station, for a 15-minute program Friday night, under the head of1 "Drama Sketches." All material was written and presented by local "barkers." 'One Night" Sets Record Cleveland, March 26. — "It Happened One Xight" established a local second run record by playing Keith'; East 105th St. foi* 25 consecutive days This followed a week's run at the RKO Palace, making a consecutive run of 28 days. Harris to Cleveland Cleveland, March 26. — Milton Har ris of St. Louis succeeds Ralph Ra venscroft as publicity manager fo: Loew's theatres in this city. Ravens croft has gone to the Coast. Weekly Shows Planned Cleveland, March 26. — The loca Variety Club has arranged to hol< regular Saturday night cabaret show for its members and euests. starting a 10 P. M. Rename Baltimore Pape\ Baltimore, March 26. — Under th new Hearst control the Baltimore Pos will be published as the Baltimor News and Post. New Haven