Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1928)

June 30 , 19 28 2191 Key City Reports New York City WITH the exception of some very good showings made by a few theatres, tlu' bad news continued along Broadway last week; in fact, excepting the new features which came to the first run houses, the preceding week's report would almost tell the story. Outside of the play the talkies are getting and a good week's business done by the Paramount there is nothing much to shout about. The talkies are commanding attention; there's no discounting that statement — and any time a Clara Bow picture comes to the Paramount good returns are the rule. The Capitol gave "We Americans" (U) a tryout for a week after the picture had already been shown at the Colony theatre several weeks ago. This undoubtedly cut heavily into receipts for trade for the week was not at all satisfactory. Gilbert's "Thj Cossacks" followed in and promises to yield fine returns for the current week. Business at the Roxy continued the downward trend the big house has been experiencing for a number of weeks. The picture used was "How to Handle Women" (U). Several 'Fox specials, awaiting their chance after two-a-day showings, are expected to go in soon. Evidently, they are being held for the still worse Summer weeks to come. The best trade done along the Street was at the Paramount which had Clara Bow in "Ladies of the Mob" (Par.) and the Paul Ash stage act. Bow must be credited with the largest share of the good gate. The little lady is a prime favorite among this city's moviegoers; however, the Asb act rounded out the bill in excellent shape. In the face of existing conditions the Strand management can have no great complaint to offer over the showing made by the combination bill of loud and silent drama. The silent picture offering was "Happiness Ahead" (F. N.) along with a number of talking shorts. Undoubtedly, the sound pictures have boosted business here. Following a week's run at the Paramount "The Drag Net" (Par) went into the Rialto and got very good returns there last week. Up the street. "Ramona" (U. A.) finished its six weeks stay to pleasing business. All in all its run was a highly pleasing one. Universale "Uncle Tom's Cabin" followed in. Among the two-a-days "Street Angel" (Fox) completed its stay at the Globe. This picture was well up in front at the finish and the entire run was financially satisfactory. "The Red Dance" (Fox. originally the Red Dancer) followed in with Movietone subjects. One local newspaper reviewer devoted fully seven eighths of his review to the Shaw Movietone reel. About the same as stated the preceding week can be related for the past seven days on "The Trail of '98" (M-G-M) the Astor's offering. Not much doing — but still no announcement of what's to follow. At the Central all indications pointed toward the withdrawal of "The Man Who Laughs" (U) but U announced that this picture would be continued for two more weeks. Business just so-so. Nearing a year's run, "Wings" (Par) at the Criterion continued to pull them in. Broadway's daddy film must be given plenty of credit. Another picture holding extremely well, in face of conditions, is "Tempest" (U. A.) at the Embassy. The Gaiety, with the hot Fox film "Fazil," is going at a fair pace. Reports have it that women like it better than the men. Not a kick can the Warner Brothers make over the first week's showing of the Vitaphoned "Lion and the Mouse." And it's the same story from other key cities. Wherever the talkies are playing business is good. They are taking the play away from the other houses, sure enough. At the Times Square, Selwyn's "Dawn" continues to do good business; likewise, Hammerstein's with "The End of St. Petersburg." The little Cameo had a fair enough week with another importation, "The Station Master." Kansas City A STRONG line-up of pictures battled against a week of hot weather and won out in Kansas City last week, although the victory was by a small margin only. The lull following the national Republican Convention also had its bad effect upon the box offices. There was nothing out of the ordinary in the way of exploitation. "Lady Be Good" at the Mainstreet drew well all week, the attendance having a larger percentage of younger people than usual. At Loew's Midland Lon Chaney in "Laugh Clown Laugh" did unusually well, Chaney being popular here. The matinee business held up even better than was anticipated. "No Other Woman" at the Pantages also had its appeal, the week's attendance being slightly better than normal for this time of the year. Lionel Barrymore in the Vitaphone production, "The Lion and the Mouse," was held over another week at the Globe, and the move proved a good one, as business continued to hold up. "The Big Killing," with Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton, played to good crowds at the Newman, both afternoons and nights. At the Liberty "The Road To Ruin" continued to draw well from the younger element, the picture playing its third week. Turn pa THE past week went over a little better all around than previous weeks. The weather was about the same, but the pictures seemed to have the "pull." The Victory finished a ten-day run of "The Lion and the Mouse." Business held up fine for the entire run, demonstrating again the hold "talkies" have on Tampa. "The Drag Net" was an excellent card for the Tampa and boosted the receipts well over the same period of last week. For the last half they had Adolphe Menjou, a Tampa favorite, in "His Tiger Lady," which went over good. A very satisfactory week. The Strand had a fine Sunday with "The Vamping Venus" but Monday dropped a little. "Harold Teen," featured the following three days, did nicely. This picture would probably have shown up better had the "comic strip" been known locally. "Ladies of the Night Club" drew about average for the last two days. Business at the Franklin has been improving since they inaugurated the morning matiness. "Modern Mothers" and "The Little Buckaroo" were the first runs used this week, and "Laugh, Clown Laugh" and "The Legion of the Condemned" the second runs. All four of the features brought in very good returns. Chicago CTRONG attractions at the Chicago and ^-7 Oriental, made improved business at these theatres the feature of Chicago's downtown situation last week. Al Kvale returned to the Oriental as stage band leader and his large following turned out in force to welcome him and another Oriental favorite, Milton Watson. "Half a Bride" was the screen feature. "Happiness Ahead" with a Chicago favorite Colleen Moore as the star and Miss Universe in person, together with a good stage bill, did well at the Chicago. McVickers closed its run of "The Strange Case of Captain Ramper" business being only fair, and the Roosevelt also was showing its feature "The Dragnet" for the last week, attendance holding up normally. Another feature to end an extended showing was "Ramona," which has enjoyed good box office reports during its season at United Artists Theatre. "The Lion and the Mouse," with Vitaphone, continued to go strong, at the Orpheum. The Marbro and Granada had "Walking Back" as their feature picture, both hou-cs continuing to offer specially strong stage attractions, Leon Errol appearing in person at the Granada and Jack Osterman at the Marbro, and satisfactory box office reports were made by both theatres. "Laugh, Clown Laugh," on the screen at the Uptown with Belle Baker in person, as well as the big stage attractions, proved a strong combination. At the Tivoli, "Sadie Thompson" on the screen and Bennie Kreuger's stage show, did well. Average attendance was enjoyed by the Avalon, which had "Partners in Crime" as its feature, Roy Dietrich and his band heading the stage program. The Capitol also did a normal business with "Harold Teen" on the screen and Dell Lampe, acting as band master and master of ceremonies. Milwaukee A RAINY week end followed by a few days of perfect summer weather combined to put theatre business in Milwaukee a bit below par last week. The Wisconsin offered an unusually strong program headed by "Lady, Be Good," and succeeded in drawing average houses. The Riverside enjoyed very good patronage throughout the week, with "Chinatown Charlie." The Garden was fairly well attended, but the picture "Tenderloin" hardly received the exploitation it merited and consequently business was not as active as it should have been. "The Last Laugh" went well at the Alhambra and the theatre was well attended. "Sailors' Wives" drew fairly well at the Merrill. The Orpheum bill was augmented by "Marry the Girl" and was a popular number on the bill. "No Other Woman" was fairly successful in bringing in patronage at the Strand. Neighborhood theatres did moderately well this pas( week. "The Showdown" was the attraction at the five Midwesco prerelease houses and business at all was just fair. "Speedy" did good business at the Colonial, Milwaukee and National theatres. "The Skyscraper" was fairly successful at the \ enetian.