Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1929)

April 6 , 19 29 1099 "Weary River" Big At Houston, Tex., In Lenten Season 'Canary Murder Case" And "Iron Mask" Also Break Neiv Orleans Bugaboo Talking pictures have shaken up the Lenten tradition of poor business in at least two sections of this country. Not only was extra-normal trade reported in one hut records were actually shattered in the other. Three Houston, Texas, theatres broke box-office records in three consecutive weeks during the period. The Metropolitan, Publix de luxe house, fell before the onslaught of "Weary River" and went to 40 per cent over normal; "Old Arizona" topped everything ever played at the Majestic with the exception of the Dempsey-Tunney tight pictures, and the first two days of "The Duke Steps Out," at Loew's, broke opening day's records at this house. In New Orleans, where it has been usual for managers to step cautiously a to an expensive bill during Lent, "Canary Murder Case," "The Iron Mask" and "Old Arizona" and other attractions have dispelled the bugaboo by getting above normal business. This was a distinct surprise for Crescent City operators and the tine results are blamed upon the talkies. Theatre trade held up nicely in Louisville, Ky.. as compared with last year's Lenten season. "Iron Mask" at Loew's drew crowds far above average. Harold B. Franklin, president of Fox West Coast Theatres, states that there has been practically no let dow n in gross business during Lent this year and far outstrips last year's business during the same period. Mr. Franklin accounts for the increase in advertising product and general confidence of the theatre-going public. Holy Week Takes Heavy Toll; "Speakeasy," 3d Week, Gets $97,769; "Redskin," $68,000 Two More B'way Theatres In Plan Of Warner Bros. The Warner Bros., Inc., have effected deals whereby they will acquire the Earl Carroll Theatre after the run of the present attraction at that house is finished, and also build a house on West 51sl Street on the western side of Broadway, just above the present Capitol Theatre. They have closed a lease on the ground from 217 to 225 West 51st Street and 224 West 52d Street for a period of 17 years. They already have the tax payer now being erected on the entire Broadway frontage from 51st to 52d Streets under lease, and this will give th em a Broadway entrance to their new house when its construction is completed. The Earl Carroll Theatre has a seating capacity of less than 1,000, and the musical comedy and revue producer is looking for a larger theatre. He will either take over the Colony from Universal on a lease or build a new house. Premiere Of "Rainbow Man* At Selwyn THE world premiere of Eddie Dowling's first starring all-talking musical comedy "The Rainbow Man" will be held Tuesday, April 16, at the Selwyn Theatre, New York City, it is announced by O. E. Goebel and George W. Weeks who will present the stage star in his first Sono-Art production. Marion Nixon, Frankie Darro, Sam Hardy and Lloyd Ingraham are supporting the star. "The Rainbow Man" was adapted for the sound-screen by Frances Agnew from a story by Mr. Dowling. "Coquette" Opens In Los Angeles To Brisk Trade % Fancy Baggage9 Does Poorly; 'Iron Mask' And 'Melody' Lead In Ratings With the exception of one theatre which did something of a nose-dive, all other Los Angeles theatres registered most satisfactory returns, helped along by fine weather and Easter holidays. "Broadway Melody," in its 8th week, played to S.R.O. to the tune of $35,000. A record week ami a '24(1 per cent rating. "Iron Mask" got $22,000 in its 3rd week at the Carthay Circle for a rating of 200 per cent. The Criterion gathered in about $10,000 for the first six days of "Speakeasy," or a rating of 17") per cent. Paramount hit the $35,000 mark with ''Wolf Song," at a percentage of 110 and the last five days of "Hearts in Dixie" gave the United^Artists Theatre $0,000, or a rating of 85 per cent. The third week of "Sonny Boy" at Warners Hollywood got $22,000 — a 100 per cent, or normal business. "Fancy Baggage" at Loew's State was the weak one of the current offerings, doing only $22,000, or an 80 per cent of normal trade at this house. "Coquette" bad a $5 opening at United Artists and got $8,000 for that performance and about $4,800 the following day. Kennedy Will Remain With Pathe As Business Advisor It was announced this week that Joseph P. Kennedy had agreed to remain with Pathe in an advisory capacity for another two years, having signed a. new two-year contract with Chase National Bank, Blair and Company and Jeremiah Milbank, financial interests back of Pathe. Noah's Ark" Not Holding With $29,359; "B'way Melody" Picks Up To $25,770 BROADWAY box offices were severely bumped last week. It was Holy Week and that possibly accounts for it, although in the legitimate theatres the business was unusually good. Of course, the fact that several of the houses held hold-over pictures, and another one got away to a bad start and had to withdraw its feature after the first day may account for the limited grosses. The biggest news of the week was the manner in which "Speakeasy," the Fox talker, together with a wallop of an Anniversary Program finished out its third successive week at the Roxy. The first week's receipts were $136,754.27, the second $112,837.50, and the third $97,769.20, a total of $347,360.97 for the three, or an average of $115,787 weekly, which gives the picture a percentage rating of 113 1/10 per cent over the three-week period, even though the final week dropped to 95 2/5 per cent. Next in importance was the mishap at the Capitol where "The Greater Power" an independently produced all-talker was withdrawn after the first day and replaced by Buster Keaton in "Spite Marriage," a silent comedy, which played to $58,078.20. At the Paramount, Richard Dix in "Redskin," which had its first engagement at popular prices on Broadway, played to $68,000, which is below average for the house. The Cameo, the Colony, the Rialto and Rivoli were the only houses on the street to better the average business records. The ( 'ameo held over' ' Mons"for five days of the second week and got $4,590, the two final days of the week saw the house dark to permit of i lie installati if sound equipment. The Colony, with "The Shady Lady," got $12,2SS, while the final week of Lupe Velez and "The Lady of the Pavements" at tlie Rialto showed a return of $30,800. "The Iron Mask," at the Rivoli, had $28,500 on the statement when the week ended. "Sonny Boy," at the Strand at popular prices immediately after three weeks at Warners' with a $2 top scale, did $31,000, whieh was not what was expected of it. Changes In The Two-A-Dfiy Runs Of the attractions playing a two-a-day schedule, but two topped the average figures. "The Broadway Melody" naturally held up, in fact, it bettered the business of the previous week getting $24,770.25, which gives it a percentage rating of 164 1/5. At Warners', "The Divine Lady" in its first week played to $20,546, for a rating of 128 3/5 per cent. The pictm-es that ended their runs last {Continued on page 1115)