Motion Picture Daily (Jun-Aug 1931)

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Title:: Motion Picture Daily
Date:: Jun-Aug 1931
Publisher:: New York, Motion Picture Daily, Inc.
Volume:: Motion Picture Daily (Jun-Aug 1931)
Leaf #:: 000464
Language:: English
Subjects:: Motion Pictures, Film Industry Trade Magazine
Collection:: Hollywood Studio System
Format:: Periodicals
Contributor:: Media History Digital Library
Sponsor:: Media History Digital Library
Coordinator:: Media History Digital Library
Description:: A New York-based daily trade paper published by Martin Quigley. The companion to Quigley's better known weekly publication, MOTION PICTURE HERALD, and a direct competitor to THE FILM DAILY, which was also published out of New York. Established in 1930, MOTION PICTURE DAILY enjoyed a circulation of roughly 5,000 readers most years of its four decades in print (a nearly identical circulation to THE FILM DAILY, but only one third of the readership of MOTION PICTURE HERALD, which reached a wider audience of exhibitors). In the 1930s, the MOTION PICTURE DAILY's editor, Maurice Kann, called on the movie industry to shift more production back to the East Coast. Any productions that filmed in New York received ample attention. New York City never regained its production lead over Hollywood, but the major studios used the Big Apple for their corporate and distribution headquarters. As a result, MOTION PICTURE DAILY tended to focus on economic and regulatory issues confronting the film industry. -- Eric Hoyt, 2014
Date Added:: March 28, 2024

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MOTION PICTURE DAILY Tuesday, August II, 1931 "Five and Ten" $24,087 for ii Cincy" Lead Total $68,794 for 7 Theatres CiNCiNXATi — Collectively, returns last week were approximately three per cent under the previous seven days. From standpoint of total averages, business was off from about five per cent. The combination of "Five and Ten" and Harriet Hector, dancer, gave the RKO Albee $2,087 more than normal on an intake of $24,087, putting this house at the head of the procession, which, of late, has been the rule rather than the exception. However, among the straight picture houses, the RKO Palace went over the top by $1,564 with "The Man in Possession," the Montgomery feature grossing $15,564. The RKO Strand and Family, in the lower adt-iission class, both slightIv exceeded their established quotas, but the RKO Capitol touched a new low of $8,551 with "Hush Money." The same is true of Keith's, where "Big Business Girl" garnered only $3,450. The slump in the Capitol receipts cannot be accounted for. It is probably just another one of those conditions peculiar to the show business. Keith's is not refrigerated. Estimated takings for the week ending August 7 and year-round weekly averages : "BIG BUSINESS GIRL" (F. N.) KEITH'S— (1,600), 30c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $3,450. (Average, $4,500.) "FIVE AND TEN" (M-G-M) RKO ALBEE— (3.300). 35c-50c-65c-75c. 7 days. Vaudeville with Harriet Hoctor in person headlined. Gross: $24,087. (Average, $22,000.) "HUSH MONEY" (Fox) RKO CAPITOL— (2.000), 30c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $8,551. (Average. $13,000.) "THE NIGHT ANGEL" (Para.) RKO FAAHLY(1,140), 20c-25c-35c, 4 days, second' run. Gross: $2,443. (Average, $1,950.) "DANCING DYNAMITE" (Independent) RKO FAMW.V— (1,140), 20c-Jl5c-36c. 3 days. Gross: $1,315. (Average, $1,050.) "A WOMAN OF EXPERIEINCE" (RKO Pathe) RKO LYRIC— (1.400). 30c-50c, 7 days. plus Saturday midnight show. Gross: $9,233. (Average, $12,000.) "THE MAN IN POSSESSION" (M-G-M) RKO PALACE— (2.7*)), 30c-50c, 7 days, plus Saturday midnight show. Gross: $15,564. (Average. $14,000.) "QUICK MILLIONS" (Fox) RKO -STRAND— (1.350), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: S4,151. (Average, $3,500.) "BUY RIGHT — BUT BUY NOW" A, Q. Nilsson Ready For Screen Comeback Hollywood — Anna Q. Nilsson, who has been absent from the screen since she was thrown from a horse three years ago, is planning a comeback. She returned yesterday from a six months' trip to Sweden and her manager, Fred Fralick, says that contracts await her. The injuries sustained by Miss Nilsson kept her in a plaster cast for more than a year. "BUY RIGHT— BUT BUY NOW Warned of Nude Film Hollywood — Postal inspectors have been notified of the reported circulation here of a nude film for private showings. Circulars on it have been issued by the Hays organization. Chi Campaign, "FiveandTen" Good Pictures Raise Grosses Total $186,840 for 8 Tlieatres Chicago — Loop grosses maintained their upward climb with the exception of pictures just closing long runs. New pictures opening indicate even greater strength and promise further gross increases this week. Theatre advertising here has been nearly doubled over recent weeks and Balaban & Katz finished a $10,000 campaign in local dailies on new product booked and the campaign is producing results with a business upturn indicated. "The Common Law" at the State-Lake showed real strength. Estimated takings for the week ending August 5 and year-round weekly averages : "THE PUBLIC ENEMY" (Warners) McVICKERS— (2,284), 35c-50c-75c-85c, 2nd week, final 9 days. Gross: $19,230. (Average. $28,500.) Week ending Aug. 6: "THE COMMON LAW" (RKO Pathe) STATELAKE — (2,776), 35c-50c-75c-85c, first week. Gross: $33,940. (Average, $30,200.) "MAN IN POSSESSION" (M-G-M) CASTLE-(299), 40c-60c, second Loop run. Gross: $2,155. (Average, $3,500.) "THE MAGNIFICENT LIE" (Para.) CHICAGO— (4.000), 35c-50c-85c, 7 days. Publix stage unit, orchestra. Gross: $42,950. (Average, $46,000.) "NEWLY RICH" (Para.) ORIENTAI^-(:f.940), 35c-50c-75c-85c, 7 days. Publix stage unit with Alice White orchestra. Gross: $28,425. (Average, $36,500.) "POLITICS" (M-G-M) ROOSEVELT— (1,591), 35c-50c-75c-85c. second week, third Loop week, 7 days. Gross: $10,390. (Average, $23,200.) "SON OF INDIA" (M-G-M) UNITED ARTISTS— (1.700). 35c-50c-75c85c, first week. Gross: $25,875. (Average, $24,600.) Week ending Aug. 8: "EX-BAD BOY" (Univ.) PALACE^(2.509), 3Sc-50c-75c-«5c. 7 days. Five acts RKO vaud'eville, with Bessie Love, orchestra. Gross: $23,875. (Averae-e. $24,000.) "BUY RIGHT— BUT BUY NOW" "Magnificent Lie'' Gets 1st D. M. Money Total $22,300 for 3 Theatres Des Moines — "The Magnificent Lie," with a take of $9,000, made the best snowing of the week and "Sweepstakes" also was above average at the Paramount. Estimated takings for the week ending August 8 and year-round weekly averages : "THE MAGNIFICENT LIE" (Para.) DES MOTNE.S— (1,600), 25c-3.5c-60c. 7 days. Gross: $9,000. (Average, $7,000.) "SWEEPSTAKES" (RKO Pathe) PARAMOUNT— (1.700), 25c-35c-60c, 3 days. Vaudeville. Gross: $6,000. (Average, $5,500.) "SVENGALI" (Warners) PARAMOUNT— (1,700), 25c-.^.5c-60c, 4 clays, i'ublix stage show. Gross: $4,000. (Average. $5,500.) "HOLY TERROR" (Fox) STRAND— (1,100), 20c-35c, 4 days. Gross: $2,300. (Average, $1,700.) "ALOHA" (Tiff.) STRAND— (1. 100), 20c-35c, 3 days. Gross: $l,fX)0. (Average, $700.) Leads Boston On 2nd Run Total $154,500 for 8 Theatres Boston — "Five and Ten" played a return engagement at Loew's (Drpheum for the week's high spot while "Common Law" at Keith's came in a close second for top honors. This was also a hold-over. The week's business showed much improvement and the new films appear to have drawn many picture fans out of retirement to their favorite playhouses. Transient business is credited with bringing in many of the shekels. Estimated takings for the week ending Aug 6 are : "THE RECKLESS HOUR" (F. N.) KEITH BOSTON— (2,500), 25c-60c, 7 days. Vaua'eville. Gross: $19,500. (Average, CIS, noo.) "THE COMMON LAW" (RKO Pathe) KEITH'S— (2,800), 25c-65c, second week, 7 days. Gross: $20,500. (Average, $18,000.) "FIVE AND TEN" (M-G-M) LOEW'S ORPHEUM— (3.100), 25c-50c, 7 days. Vaudeville. Gross: $22,000. (Average, $20,000.) "POLITICS" (M-G-M) LOEW'S STATE— (3,700), 25c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $30,500. (Average, $20,000.) "THE MAGNIFICENT LIE" (Para.) METROPOLITAN— (4,3'50), 25c-60c. 7 days. Gross: $32,000. (Average, $32,000.) "THE SMILING LIEUTENANT' (Para.) OLYMPIA— (2,500), 25c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $14,000. (Average, $15,000.) "MURDER BY THE CLOCK" (Para.) SCOLI^Y SQUARE— (1,800), 25c-50c. 7 days. Vaudeville. Gross: $14,000. (Average. $15,000.) "THE SMILING LIEUTENANT" (Para.) UPTOWN— (2.000), 25c-60c, 7 days. Gross: $12,000. (Average, $12,000.) ii "BUY RIGHT — BUT BUY NOW" Polities'' Is Best Card for Indianapolis Total $39,500 for 5 Theatres Indianapolis — "Politics" was good for $10,000 in its Palace run, which is $1,500 above the house average. The lack of stage shows was felt at the Lidiana and Lyric, grosses of both houses being ofT. Estimated takings for the week ending August 7 and year-round weekly averages : "410THERS MILLIONS" (Univ.) APOLLO— (1.100), 2Sc.50c, 7 days. Gross: $4,000. (Average. $4,000.) "BROADMINDED" (F. N.) CIRCLE -(2.600), 25c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $7.,S00. (Average, .$5,000.) "CONFESSIONS OF A CO-ED" (Para.) INDIANA(3.300). 25c-50c. Gross: $11.500. (Average. $13,000.) "THE MIRACLE WOMAN" (Col.) LYRIC(2,000), 25c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $6,500. (Average, $7,000.) "POLITICS" (M-G-M) PALACE— (2,800). 25c-50c, 7 (i'ays. Gross: $10,000. (Average. $8,500.) "BUY RIGHT— BUT BUY NOW" $20,000 Fire Damage CiiArTANOOGA, Tenn. — Fire of undetermined origin caused damage of .$20,000 at the American, l,q00-seat independent house. The auditorium was completely destroyed and the booth equipment damaged by water. ii 99 Politics, '^''Lieutenant'' Tops at K.C. Total $64,000 for 5 Theatres Kansas City — With the weather hot, "Politics" and "The Smiling Lieutenant" were the week's high spots. The former got $19,000 at the Midland, while the latter did $16,000 at the Newman and was moved to the Liberty for a second week. Estimated takings for the week-ending August 8 and year-round weekly averages : "MIRACLE WOMAN" (Col.) MAINSTREET— (3,067), 35c-60c, 7 days. Vaudeville. Gross: $16,500. (Average, $15,000.) "POLITICS" (M-G-M) MIDLANI>-(4,000), 25c-50c, 7 days^ Gross: $19,000. (Average, $14,500.) "MURDER BY THE CLOCK" (Para.) LIBERTY— (1,200), 35c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $5,000. (Average, $5,000.) "SMILING LIEUTENANT" (Para.) NEWMAN— (2,000), 3'5c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $16,000. (Average, $12,500.) "THE BLACK CAMEL" (Fox) UPTOWN— (2,200), 25c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $7,500. (Average, $6,000.) "BUY RIGHT— BUT BUY NOW" Four Theatre Firms Get Virginia Charters Richmond, Va. — Four new theatrical corporations have just been chartered to engage in the picture business in Virginia. The charters are regarded as a good omen for better amusement business in the state. Benjamin T. Pitts is listed as oresident of the Pitts Dixie Theatre Company, Inc., of Fredericksburg. Other officers are: E. C. Bell, vice-president, and L. G. Payne, secretary-treasurer. The corporation's authorized maximum capital is $10,000. Vernon G. Browning is president of the Crewe Theatre, Inc., of Crewe, with an authorized maximum capital of $10,000. Other officers are: R. B. Ingham, vice-president, and George C. Ingham, secretary-treasurer. The Lincoln Theatres Corp., of Marion, has been chartered to own, lease and operate playhouses. Its authorized maximum capital is $25,000. Officers are : C. C. Lincoln, Jr., president ; J. D. Lincoln, vice-president; F. P. Buchanan, secretary ; Leon D. Beville, treasurer. Frank Ponton of Danville is president of the United Theatres Corp. of Richmond, which has been chartered with authorized maximum capital stock of 100 shares without par value to operate picture playhouses. Ruth Ponton of Richmond is listed as serretar '-treasurer. "BUY RIGHT— BUT BUY NOW" Coming East Two Warner-First National stars are coming east this month to make personal appearances in vaudeville. Joe E. Brown arrives August 14 to make an appearance at the Stanley, Jersey City, beginning Aug. 28. Edward G. Robinson gets in town about August 20 for his engagement at the Palace. From there he is booked to go into the Keith Albee, Brooklyn, the following week.