Motion Picture Daily (Jun-Aug 1931)

Tuesday, August 4, 1931 MOTION PICTURE DAILY 'Sweepstakes" Race Winner In Cincinnati Total $70,832 for 7 Theatres Cincinnati — It was again a contest between Old Sol and the theatres last week when the temperature staged a comeback to flirt around the hundred mark. The show shops got the reaction to the extent of sending aggregate grosses below the line for the first time in many weeks. However, in the segregation of returns, the RKO Albee carved another notch in its record for big money, outgrossing the previous good week by a very considerable margin. The shekels piled up to the extent of $25,775, plussing the established figure by $3,775 with "Sweepstakes" racing across the screen, and Bessie Love romping across the stage at the head of a good vaude bill. Otherwise, three houses went slightly over their averages, and three fell below. Laurel Miller, astrologer in person at RKO Capitol as an added attraction to the screen feature, "Women Love Once," failed to pull 'em in to the extent expected despite extensive publicizing. Returns at this house registered $9,730, as compared with $13,000 average. Estimated takings for the week ending July 31 and year-round averages : "ALWAYS GOODBYE " (Fox) KEITH'S— (1,600), 30c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $4,450. (Average, $4,500.) "SWEEPSTAKES" (RKO-Pathe) RKO-ALBEE^(3,300), 35c-50c-65c-75c , 7 days. Vaudeville headed by Bessie Love. Gross: $25,775. (Average, $22,000.) "WOMEN LOVE ONCE" (Para.) RKO-CAPITOL— (2,000), 30c-50c, 7 days. Laurel Miller, astrologist, on stage. Gross: $9,730. (Average, $113,000.) "THE FIGHTING SHERIFF" (CoL) RKO FAMILY— (1,140), 20c-25c-35c, 4 days. Gross: $2,487. (Average, $1,950.) "MEN OF THE SKY" (F. N.) RKO FAMILY— (1,140), 20c-25c-35c, 3 days. Gross: $1,340. (Average, $1,050.) "THE GREAT LOVER" (M-G-M) RKO LYRIC— (1,400), 30c-50c, 7 days, plus Saturday midnight show. Gross: $9,521. (Average, $'12,000.) "THE MAGNIFICENT LIE" (Para.) RKO PALACE— (2,700), 30c-50c, 7 days plus Saturday midnight show. Gross: $13,284. (Average, $14,000.) "THREE WHO LOVED" (Radio) RKO STRAND— (1,350), 2Sc-40c, 7 days. Gross: $4,265. (Average, $3,500.) "BUY RIGHT — BUT BUY NOW" ''U" Adds 3 Papers Universal has added three more newspapers to the list sponsoring the Graham McNamee — Universal newsreel. These are the Middletoivn Press of Middletown, Conn., the Evening Republican of Mitchell, S. D., and the Stamford Advocate of Stamford, Conn., bringing the total of papers cooperating on the newsreel to eightyone. Washington — A. E. Lichtman for the Lichtman Circuit of nine houses in and around Washington has purchased Universal pictures 100 per cent through A. Hiber, Washington exchange manager. The houses in which the product will be played are the Lincoln and the Booker T in Washington, the Olympic in Alexandria, Va., the Attucks, Regal and Manhattan in Norfolk, Va., and the Capitol in Portsmouth, Va. BUY NOW" SALES That the "Buy Right— But Buy Now" movement is gaining momentum is demonstrated by the following contracts confirmed by the WarnerFirst National sales heads: Arkansas Community, Pine Bluff, C. F. Bonner; Best, Hot Spring, Wheatley, Howe & Hoy. California Post Exchange, Mare Island, P. S. MacDonald; Delano, Delano, F. Panero; Sutter, Sacramento, Tony Lubelski; Granada, Alhambra, C. Ferry. Colorado Navajo, Denver, G. Notarianni; Victory, Denver, Victory Amusement Co. Georgia Dixie, Atlanta, T. Williams; Silvertown, Thomastown, C. E. Beach; State, Glenville, J. A. Alexander; State, Stotesboro, E. R. Collins. Illinois El Tovar, Crystal Lake, Polka Bros.; Fargo, Geneva, Polka Bros. Indiana Majestic, Evansville, Evans ville Operating Corp. Iowa Grand, Dubuque, John Maclay; Dreamland, Carson, Harold Smith. Kansas Princess, Lincoln, Mayme Mysselman. Michigan Cinderella, Detroit, Cinderella Theatres Co., Inc.; Roosevelt, Detroit, J. N. Robertson. Missouri Colonial, Monroe City, A. N. Christian; New Pruett, Centralia, Mrs. E. Pruett. North Carolina Sanders, Smithfield, H. P. Howell; Paramount, Farmville, R. G. Lang; Louisburg, Louisburg, H. P. Howell. New York Regus, Binghamton, Commerford Theatres, Inc.; Strand, Endicott, Commerford Theatres, Inc.; Community, Hensonville, Catskill Amusement Corp. Nevada Ely, Ely. W. G. Hull; Fallon, Fallon. W. G. Hull. Pennsylvania Colonial, Farrell, John Leslie; Roosevelt, Pittsburgh, Hendel Corporation. South Dakota Vita, Spearfish, J. P. O'Neil. Texas Rialto, Kingsvtlle; Rialtoi, Kenedy; Rialto, Beeville, R'alto, Three Rivers, booked by Hall Industries; Melrose, Dallas, P. G. Cameron; Texan, Goose Creek, Goose Creek Amusement Co. Tennessee Ritz, Elizabethton, E. E. Ferryman. Utah B. & B., Grantsville, Bolinder and Brim. Wisconsin New Capitol, Manitowoc, Land 'O Lakes Theatres Corp.; Allen, Jefferson, W. F Copeland; Geneva, Lake Geneva; Delevan, Delevan; Plaza, Burhngton, booked by Community Theatres, Inc. Canada Orpheum, Blairmore, Alberta. R. Rinaldi; Palace, Coleman, Alberta, R. Rinaldi; Avalon, Souris, Manitoba, A. Baldwin; Bluebell, Toronto, M. Gebertig; King George, St. Catharines, Sullivan and Mcllwain. A. G. Constant has bought from J. R. Grainger the 48 new season Fox films for showing in the State and American theatres in East Liverpool, Ohio. Ottawa Sees Hot Weather Slump Knell Total $13,875 for 4 Theatres Ottawa — The general opinion among exhibitors of Ottawa is that the local theatres turned the corner of the mid-summer slump during this past week. Keith's is re-opening as the Capitol early this month and the come-back of the largest house in town on a more brilliant basis will help the whole show business, it is felt. July is a tough month, generally, but with the annual fair in August and many people back from the river resorts the box-offices will be more busy from now on. The pick during the last week in July was "A Free Soul" at the Regent, which registered $5,000 for six days — quite close to average. "Big Business Girl" also gave the Centre a boost after its recent tumble, Loretta Young being worth $4,400 on a lower price scale. Estimated takings for the week ending July 31 and year-round averages : "DADDY LONG LEGS" (Fox) AVALON— (990), 15c-25c-35c, 3 days. Gross: $1,150. (Average, $1,300.) "THE BLACK CAMEL" (Fox) AVALON— (990), 15c-25c-35c, 3 days. Gross: $1,025. (Average, $1,300.) "BIG BUSINESS GIRL" (F. N.) CENTRE— (1,142), 15c-25c-35c-50c-60c, 6 days. Gross: $4,400. (Average, $4,600.) "THE SPECKLED BAND" (British) IMPERIAI^(1,091), 10c-25c-35c-40c-50c, 6 days. Gross: $2,300. (Average, $3,000.) "A FREE SOUL" (M-G-M) REGENT— (1,225), 15c-2Sc-35c-45c-60c-75c, 6 days. Gross: $5,000. (Average, $5,400.), "BUY RIGHT — BUT BUY NOW" ^Husband' and "Secret Call" Toronto Tops Total $57,600 for 5 Theatres Toronto — The Imperial and Shea's grabbed ofif what business there was in Toronto and the reasons were quite evident. For one thing, they had the real screen and stage attraction. The Imperial had a pair of trumps in "The Secret Call," a popular hot-weather film, and Nan Halperin on the stage. The pot at the end of the six days was $15,500, only a bit below par. Shea's off^ered two aces in "The Party Husband" on the screen and Rosetta Duncan as the vaudeville headliner and they were responsible for $12,000, also good. Loew's had a repeat run of "A Free Soul" and got the transient trade to the tune of $10,500, as compared with $12,000 on the same picture several weeks ago. Estimated takings for the week ending July 31 and year-round averages: "THE SECRET CALL" (Para.) IMPERIAL— (3,444), 15c-25c-35c-50c-65c75c, 6 days. Publix stage show featuring Nan Halperin. Gross: $15,500. (Average, $16,000.) "A FREE SOUL" (M-G-M) LOEW'S-(2,088), 25c-30c-40c-60c-7Sc, 6 Dog Days Hit Film Business In Montreal Total $47,000 for 6 Theatres Montreal — The tourists are in Montreal again, but they are not spending money freely while the antijuvenile law prevents the visiting families from taking in the picture shows. The theatre business has been distinctly off-color here this summer and a pick-up is hardly expected until Labor Day. Loew's led the list during the past week with "The Black Camel" and attractive vaudeville, the count being $11,000 against the theatre's average of $13,000. "Young Donovan's Kid" was classed as a gangster picture at the Palace and did not draw more than $10,500, whereas the Palace average is $14,000. "Dude Ranch" was the popular one of the double bill at the Capitol, the other feature being "The Vice Squad," and the gross was an even $10,000. The start of a prize contest for patrons helped the Capitol total, but the year's average here is $12,500. Estimated takings for the week ending July 31 and year-round averages: "THE VICE SQUAD" (Para.) and "DUDE RANCH" (Para.) CAPITOL — (2,547), 25c-35c-50c-60c, 7 days. Gross: $10,000. (Average, $12,500.) "GUILTY IN LOVE" (Para.) and "THE SIN SHIP" (Radio) IMPERIAL— (1,914), 15c-25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $3,800. (Average, $5,100.) "THE BLACK CAMEL" (Fox) LOEW(!S— (3,115), 25c -40c -50c -65c -75c, 7 days. Five vaudeville acts. Gross: $'11,000. (Average, $13,000.) "YOUNG DONOVAN'S KID" (Radio) P^ALACE(2,6CO), 25c-4Oc-60c-75c-99c, 7 days. Gross: $10,500. (Average, $14,000.) "PLUNDER" (British) PRINCESS— (2,272), 25c-35c-4Oc-50c-60c65c, 7 days. Gross: $8,500. (Average, $13,000.) "UP POPS THE DEVIL" (Para.) and "SKIPPY" (Para.) STRAND— (750), 15c-25c-40c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $3,200. (Average, $J4,000.) "BUY RIGHT — BUT BUY NOW" Weisfeldfs Answer in Reply, Wilson Says Frank R. Wilson had no statement to make Monday on suit brought against him by M. J. Weisfeldt. The company's statement, he said, would be made when its answer is filed refuting claim made by Weisfeldt that it had breached its contract with him. Weisfeldt is suing for some $56,000 in connection with the contract he says was breached. "BUY RIGHT — BUT BUY NOW Fox Moves in Dallas Dallas — Fox has moved its exchange to 1801 Wood street. days. Gross: $10,500. Repeat Run. (Average, $15,000.) "PARTY HUSBAND" (F. N.) SHEA'S— (2,600), 30c-50c-60c-7Sc, 6 days. Five vaudeville acts featuring' Rosetta Duncan. Gross: $12,000. (Average, $13,000.) "UNEASY VIRTUE" (British) TIVOLl— (1,600), 15c-25c-35c-50c-65c-75c, 6 days. Gross: $9,800. (Average, $12,500.) "FATHER'S SON" (F. N.) UPTOWN— (3,000), 15c-25c-35c-50c-60c, 6 days. Gross: $8,300. Average, $12,000.)