Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1928)

1786 Mot i o n /' i c tttre News Cincinnati THE past week in movie circles in the Queen City, although satisfactory as a whole, could have been considerably better. Business was off color, due, no doubt, to the gradually increasing warm weather, and the opposition from some of the outdoor resorts who are featuring "first-look days." Richard Dix, in "Easy Come, Easy Go," at the Albae, had good crowds for the greater part of the week. The picture had the advantage of the advertising from a recent stage (stock) presentation of the play. The Lyric, with "Ramcna," held up nicely throughout the week, Dolores Del Rio being considerably of a favorite with Cincinnati fans. "The Cohens and Kellys in Paris," at B. F. Keith's, did an average business. There was no occasion for turning 'em away. "Tha Skyscraper," at the Capitol, fared somewhat better than the other houses. The picture was well received, as were also the week's features of \ itaphone and Movietone. "Little Mickey Grogan," first half, and "So This Is Love?" last half, drew fairly well, although this house, which shows at reduced admissions, has its own particular following. The Strand had a good week with Irena Rich in "The Desired Woman." The closing of the legitimate theatres, as also the Walnut (movie) should bring increased returns for the other houses from now on, and managers are rather optimistic in this regard. Seattle NONE of the city's leading film houses made any startling box office records during the last seven days. Business is ra.her below average, and the keen competition between "presentation" houses, vaudeville, etc., is making it impossible for anyone to show big reports. Considering capacity of house and number of patrons during the week, John Hamrick's Blue Mouse theatre was probably the big money-getter for the week. "Tenderloin" was the attraction, and a three-week advance campaign had the city well prepared for the arrival of the big "talkie." They liked the film. Business was big — second only to the opening weeks of "The Jazz Singer" — and the film goes into a second week. "The Enemy," at the Seattle theatre, was a very fine attraction, but a trifle out of the popular film taste. However, it was strongly advertised, and in conjunction with a Publix revue entitled "The Fast Mail" it played to pleasing houses. Business here is below what it should be for the successful operation of the theatre. At the Fifth Avenue theatre, "Across to Singapore" was the atraction and most audiences liked the film and its cast very well. Jack Waldron, former musical revue entertainer, made his bow as a singing and dancing master of ceremonies with moderate success. Fanchon-Marco's "Pan-Americana'' idea on the stage was below par. The bill opened big for three days, but then fell down to average business. At the Columbia theatre, "Good Morning, Judge" played to fair business, attracting just about the usual number of film-goers. The house is still below par, with apparently no chance to build it up again at the same 50c admission charge as collected at the big houses. "Drums of Love," at the United Artists theatre, was an interesting film from the production standpoint, but failed to arouse any audience enthusiasm, and the picture did only a mediocre business. One week was plenty for this one, with box office slightly below normal. "A Girl in Every Port," at Pantages, had the call over "The Count of Ten," at the Crpheum theatre, as far as the vaudeville houses are concerned, and business was far from strong at either house. The new Orpheum policy of continuous unreserved shows at 50c top is not a financial success, and the calibre of vaudeville and film attractions is rapidly losing patronage for this one-time leading theatre. At the Embassy theatre, "Stranded" played to the usual average business. I he second run downtown houses are showing poor reports as a result of first run shows at rock-bottom admission prices, and the fact that this city is overseated is becoming more apparent each day. Cleveland I T is with great pleasure that the jinx can be reported out of business, and that all of the local theatres enjoyed being in business last week. Whether it was the psychological week for theatre attendance, or whether the attractions were particularly alluring, who can say? Whatever the reason, the results were most gratifying not only in the matter of dollars and cents, but also in keeping up the morale among theatre owners. Tom Mix and his peny, ' Tony," in a personal appearance, walked off with first honors last week. Keith's Palace played to capacity-plus business for every performance. Reginald Denny, in "That's My Daddy," was selected as the screen attraction best fitting the occasion. The picture, somewhat different from the usual Denny picture, was well liked. However, it was difficult to get a slant on the picture when the audience's whole interest was centered in Mix. "The Enemy," Lillian Gish's latest release, scored a decided success at the Stillman, and is being held over another week. Ward Marsh, Motion Picture Editor of The Plain Dealer, says, "Miss Gish won her first "A" in "The Scarlet Letter"; she easily wins her second film "A" in "The Enemy." The Allen had big houses consistently all week with Richard Barthelmess in "The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come" as the feature, a picture similar to "Tol'able David," both in subject matter and in appeal. "Vamping Venus," a lot of fun about not much of anything, very well done by Louise Eazenda and Charlie Murray, attracted large audiences at the State and kept them laughing all the time they were in the theatre, which, after all, is a good comedy gauge. Reade's Hippodrome had unusually large attendance all week with "Horseman cf the Plains," a Mix picture, which won added response from the public on account of Mix' personal appearance in the city. "Stand and Deliver," an unusually colorful and romantic picture, pleased large audiences at Keith's East 105th Street. Loew's Park did well with a first-run neighborhood shewing of "Laugh, Clown, Laugh," one of Chaney's masterpieces. "Wings," road show attraction at the Colonial, continues to attract large crowds, although it is now in its sixth week. It will be continued. The Oriental had a good week with "The Russian Revolution" as the feature. It's interesting, instructive, and not at all inflammable in its context. Neighborhood houses did not enjoy the same success that the downtown houses did. 'flic majority of them report that business was normal — meaning that it continues to be poor. "Name the Woman" Will Be a May Release " N!arhe the Woman" is Columbia's third May release, ready for exhibitors on May 25. News Reel Resume Pa the News, No. 43, has a special release of the Kentucky Derby. The four other items presented by this reel were: Colonial pageant at Annapolis; coast defense guns in practice at Fort Story, Va. ; new French plane which will try Atlantic hop; bridal ceremonies of Seattle girl who married Maharajah of Indore. No. 44 showed snapshots of principals of Mandell-McLarnin bout; Gov. Smith operating a linotype machine and doing other press work; the first gorilla born in captivity in Germany; the young Nebraska boy who has won fame because of his smoking proclivities at the age of three; King George installing Knights of the Bath; Coolidge speaking at academy celebration; little King Mahai inspecting his soldiers at Bucharest; Navy pilots in play in the clouds above Honolulu. Issue No. 85 of Paramount News contained views of the Prince of Wales presenting golf trophy to Walter Hagen ; pageant marks commemoration of colonial days at Annapolis; anti-aircraft, batteries of Fort Totten, N. Y., show their power; Tom Heeney and Gene Tunney in training; monument honoring Nungesser, Coli and Lindbergh unveiled in Paris; a dizzy drive for auto speedsters; planes bombing balloon at Fort Crockett, Texas ; the Kentucky Derby. No. 86 told of the huge oil lire at Midland, Texas; 30-year-old Chicago mother who established new swimming endurance mark; Birmingham workmen clean 25-yearold statue; Queen Mary dedicating English hospital; Chinese diplomat arrives in N. Y. ; Vienna's workers march; new lion cubs at (lay's Farm; Coolidge at anniversary celebration of the Philips Academy; 200,000 Roumanian peasants in demonstration against reigning government; airmen in thrilling maneuvers over Washington, D. C. In M-G-M News, Vol. 1, No. 80, were scenes showing the parade of crack British troops before King George; anti-aircraft guns in action; triplet sons, wiio look alike; memorial for airmen unveiled in Paris; Japanese war canoes in stirring regatta; baby squirrel being fed from a bottle; Walter Hagen and the Prince of Wales; airplane flight around the summit of Mount McKinley; girls join the Fascisti and drill before Mussolini. No. 81 gave accounts of Joie Ray's comeback in marathon run; Hagen winning before the Prince of Wales; flower festival in San Jose, Cal. ; Mexican riders in exhibition before President Calles; society girls, frolicing on the beach at Waikiki; Mr. and Mis. Coolidge at Sesquicentennial celebration of Philips Academy; the Kentucky Derby; Japan honoring the Mikado's birthday. Vol. 9, No. 67, of Fox News, included in its contents the celebration of Tutuila, South Sea Isle, on the anniversary of coming under the protection of the F. S.; Lindbergh's plane dismantled for museum; an animal novelty; the Bremen crew acclaimed in Chicago and Milwaukee; the tallest bridge in the world over the Snake River Canyon in Idaho; boy wins title of tumbling champ; herds of Angora goats in Oregon; Spain's entry into beauty show to.