Motion Picture News (Jan - Mar 1928)

Mar (■ h ;J I . I !t :.>S <JS7 Key City Reports ISeiv York City Tl I IC public's aiiiuial debt to Lhiclc Sam in the way of iiu-onu tax and tbc usual (Icprcssidii felt l)y theatres dtirinjjr the Lenten season made hist week just a fair one amoiiK tlie Broadway Imiises with one or two exci ptiiiiis. The anniversary program at the Roxy shot figures for the big playhouse up to a pleasingly high mark and the lines that formed at the Rialto to see the first showings of "The Legion of the Condemned" (Par.) gives evidence that the companion picture of "Wings" will prove to be exceedingly popular. Reports from cities outside this zone where this picture lias already played furl her stri'U)^tlieiis this prediction. Another highlight of the week-end was the advent of "The Noose" (1-. .\,) at the Strand, nuieh favorable eoiinneiit beiiij; heard. Fox's "Dressed to Kill" was the feature used along with an elaborate presentation which brought the Roxy out of its previous week's slump. The title of the picture might also be used to describe the appearance of this theatre, which was dolled up on the outside like one of the Aslor's pet ponies in honor of breaking all existing theatre attendance records for the period of a year. Jannings' "The Last Command" (Par.) concluded a very profitable eight weeks' run at the Rialto and the Rivoli with the "Gaucho" (U. A.), at popular prices for the first time was exceedingly well received. The Paramount fell somewhat behind its regular mark with "The Secret Hour" (Par.). .Miss Negri does not seem to have her former following in this city. During their radio broadcast program last Sunday the Colony management announced that this house would go on a two-a-day policy beginning with the premier of "We Americans" (U) on March 28. This would seem to spike the rumors that Fox was to secure control of this theatre. At any rate the new policy will be another try at boosting trade at a house rated as a tough one to put over. "The Count of Ten" (U) gave this house just another of its rather mediocre showings last week. Universal will seek to follow "We Americans" with attractions strong enougii to hold up at the new prices and it is possible that "Uncle Tom" will leave the Central to be one of the early attractions at the Colony. This would leave the Central's future somewhat in doubt. Several rumors are about — but why a conjecture until something definite breaks? Not doing anything out of the ordinary when showing at the .\stor at the picture top "The Enemy" (M-G-M) failed to create any great interest at the Capitol at regular scale during the of? week and the Strand also dropped back with "The Heart of a Follies Girl" (F. N.), this picture not being enough to oft'set the depression along the street. After a particularly lucrative four months' run at the Embassy "Love" (M-G-M) gives 'way this week to the Colman-Banky film special "Two Lovers" {\J. A.). "Love" and "The Merry W idow" are probably^ the two best bets the Embassy ever had for real mone\-. "Wings" (Par.) the daddy special along Broadway is still doing a nice trade at the Criterion 'thouf^h slifilitl\ feeling the off week and "Mother Machree" (Fox) did not inspire any too many tears last week for the same reason; however, the other Fox special, "Four Sons" did brisk business at the Gaiety, helped along with Movietone. I'ox's "Sunrise" continues ai llw Tiiins .S(|iiare. Too new spcci.iU aic in loun Warners' has "Tenderloin" ( W, II.) and while tlu \'itai)hoiie accompaninu-nt occasioned souk giiCl'aws from a sophisticated lirst niglil audience, the picture is said to be an excellent one .111(1 it's allo).;ellie| s.ife to predict that aii\ real defects in the "talkie" pari will liave the t'ariiesl .illcnlion of ils ]u<> (liuir The long heralded "Trail of '98" (M-G-M) came into the Astor and let "The Crowd" out after very well doing doing its bit to keep this house on a paying basis until the arrival of the former. Comment on the "Trail" rates it as an excellent production ill for :\ considerable run. "Simba" did well enough at the Earl Carroll to stay f'or another week despite the tact thai sonic \\is<' hoys aloiiy^ llie street predicted that ibis filiii would not star around lorn^. The Johnson animal picture has made an excellent run. Chicago BU-SINh'SS continues spotty in Chicago, with the big de luxe houses having by far the better of it. "The Showdown" was the feature at the Chicago with "Havana" on the stage and .Spitalny's tiniel\ nmsical feature, "Irish Rhajisody," inchided in the program, which pulled good business. Mc\'ickers' screen ofTering, "The Patent Leather Kid," played to satisfactory business, while at the Roosevelt. "Old Ironsides" went into its last week, attendance being normal. Paul Ash and his Gang, in "Northwest .Mounted" and "The Secret Hour" on the screen, accounted for a fair week at the Oriental. United Artists continued the prosperous run of "The Circus." On the south side the Tivoli had a strong bill with "The Last Commend" as its screen feature and Benny Kreuger and his orchestra on the stage, and attendance was good, while the same screen feature proved a drawing card at the Uptown, where I'rankie Masters and Ruth Etting, in person, were the headliners of the program. The Marbro and Granada theatres featured "If I Were Single" and, combined with big stage shows, fair attendance was reported. "Finders Keepers," with Roy Detrich and his band and other features, including \^itaphone, went well at the Avalon, while average business was the report from the Capitol, which showed "Les Miserables." Birmingham BUSINESS in Birmingham the past week was, generally speaking, below normal. ''The Circus," considering the attraction, played to rather mediocre business ai the .\lal)ania. The Ritz was off, playing "Flying Romeos" and Keith vaudeville. I.oew's Temple, with I, on Chaney's "The Big City," is reported to have had fair business. The Strand, with a split bill, "The Big Parade" first half, and "Stand and Deliver," with Rod LaRocque, had a rather poor first half week, and reasonably good last half. The Trianon, with Madge Bellamy in 'Fox's "Soft Living," had a very good week. The Galax, with "Jesse James, Jr.," and "The Trick of Hearts" made a little money. The neighborhood theatres reported fair business. Minnoa/tolix NK I', spring weather and ".onie fir-t-rate box iiflue atiraclions helped to make I lie theatre liiisincss a hit ixtler ihan avera^^c ill M iniicap' ili^ lln-. week "Legion of the Condemned" came into the Strand and mad; a fine showing, holding over for a second week as a result of the big crowdi it drew. This picture won favor with both public and critics. Doug l-airbanks in "The Gaucho" did a nice second week's business at ilie (iarrick. Clara Bow, in "Red Hair," kept the box offic: staff busy, and though the picture wasn't so much, the star's name w.is still a magnet. Pantages showed "Moon of Israel" and did a very fine business on it. This picture was benehted by a lot of special advertising, by an advance showing for ministers, newspaper men, etc.. and by some good exploitation. Monte Blue, in "The Bush Leaguer," was a timely baseball picture at the ilennepin-Orplietim. while Jackie Coogan, in "The Bugle Call," brought many of his old admirers into the Seventh Street theatre. Chester Coiikliii and \\ . (_■. t-'i<ld?, "Two Flaming Youths," showed to about the usual crowds at the Lyric. The .Metropolitan, a l.Ljitimale house, devoted itself to "The Natural Law," a sex film, with half the week for women only and the r)ther half for men. The Lagoon and T,oring, neigbb-rhood houses, both showed "The Patent Leather Kid" among their pictures for the week, and found it was an unusually good drawing card. The Rialto did a nice business with "The Circus," while the Loriiig and .American showed such films as "The Gay Defender" and "West Point." Buffalo CL.\R.\ BOW, in "Red Hair," a picture that was ably exploited by the adept Charlie Taylor, and a Publix stage revue entitled, "Steps and .Steppers." combined to draw audiences of sufficient size last week to Shea's Buffalo to warrant a broad smile on the face of Manager Vincent R. McFaul. Business also was reported good by Shea's Hippodrome, where Pola Negri was featured on the screen in "The Secret Hour," and Frank Orth headlined a Keith-Albee vaudeville program. 11. M. .\ddison, manager of the Cireat Lakes, found satisfaction in the large numbers cf theatre-goers that flocked to see "Tillie's Punctured Romance," the modernized tale of the three-ring circus that appeared under the same title some 14 years ago. Marion Sunshine topped the vaudeville offering and was received enthusiasticallv in her ofTering. "Just a Chorus Girl." Loew's State drew good crowds with a triple-barreled attraction, Pat Rooney heading the stage program. Lew Cody and .\ileen Pringle starring in "Wickedness Preferred" on the screen, and Col. Charles A. Lindbergh's good will flight of 40,000 miles being shown as an educational feature. The Lafayette reported good business with Estelle Taylor starring in the cinema presentation, "Lady RafHes," and an Oriental act featuring the Honorable W'u and 15 Far East damsels as the headline act in "The 'Feast of Lanterns.'