Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1934)

Tuesday, January 16, 1934 MOTION PICTURE DAI LY ''Dinner" Is Twin Cities' Top, $16,000 ; Minneapolis, Jan. 15. — "Dinner at Eight" led grosses last week with 9.000 at the Minnesota in Minneapolis and $7,000 at the Paramount in tt Paul. The World did a corking lusiness with "The Red Head," held Iver for a second week, making the 'iost of the French feature by adding Three Little Pigs" also in French. 1 Minneapolis total was $25,200. Average is $21,600. St. Paul's grosses lotaled $18,350. Average is $15,500. Estimated takings : • Minneapolis : Week Ending Jan. 11 "BLOOD MONEY" (U. A.) LVRIC— (1,238), 20c-25c, 7 days. Gross: 1 1,200. (Average, $1,500) "DINNER AT EIGHT" (M-G-M) MINNESOTA— (4,000), 25c-40c, 7 days. Iross: $9,000. (Average, $7,500) Week Ending Jan. 12: "FLYING DOWN TO RIO" (Radio) RKO ORPHEUM— (2,900), 20c-40c, 7 ,avs. Gross: $5,500. (Average, $5,500) "I AM SUZANNE" (Fox) STATE— (2.300), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: '.6,000. (Average, $5,500.) "THE RED HEAD" (French) WORLD — (400), 25c-75c, 7 days, 2nd yeek. Gross: $3,500. (Average, $1,500) St. Paul: Week Ending Jan. 12: "DINNER AT EIGHT" (M-G-M) PARAMOUNT— (2,300), 25c-40c, 7 days, iross: $7,000. (Average, $5,500) "KENNEL MURDER CASE" (Warners) RIVIERA— (1,200), 25c-40c, 3 days. Gross: .1.200. (Average for week, $3,500) "WOMEN IN HIS LIFE" (M-G-M) RIVIERA— (1,200), 25c-40c, 4 days. Gross: ;3,000. (Average for week, $3,500) "FLYING DOWN TO RIO" (Radio) RKO ORPHEUM— (2,600), 20c-40c, 3 days, iross: $2,000. (Average for week, $4,000) "SON OF KONG" (Radio) RKO ORPHEUM— (2,600), 20c-40c, 4 avs. Gross: $2,500. (Average for week, (4,000) "MYRT AND MARGE" (Univ.) TOWER— (1,000), 15c-25c, 3 days. Gross: (90). (Average, $800) "GIRL WITHOUT A ROOM" (Para.) TOWER— (1,000). 15c-25c, 4 davs. Gross: 750. (Average, $700) "M" (Para.) WORLD — (300), 25c-75c, 7 days. Gross: 1,000. (Average, $1,000) Pine to Succeed Flinn Hollywood, Jan. 15. — William Pine s returning to New York to take the *ost in the Paramount exploitation department held by John Flinn before ie became Code Authority secretary, i'Ut will continue at the same time to iupervise the west coast advertising lepartment, which will be left in I barge of his assistant, William ~homas. Pine will alternate between •oth offices. Mack Laid to Rest . Hollywood, Jan. 15. — Charles Mack ,'f the comedy team of Moran and )vlack,_ who died in an automobile , rash in Arizona last week, was bur ed today at Forest Lawn Cemetery ,ollowing funeral services at his Black Crow ranch, Newhall. William S. Tart delivered the funeral oration. •lany film notables were in the funeral >rocession. Leases in Film Center State Film Service Corp. has leased •pace for executive offices in the Film renter Building. The lease was negoiated by Erwin S. Wolfson, agent for he building. Kentucky Bill Has Heavy Ticket Tax (.Continued from page 1) a shock to exhibitors. They are organizing their opposition and expect help from all forms of organized sports, including racetracks, as these are included under the head of amusements. Imposts are so heavy on many lines of business that it may result in a concentrated movement for a general sales tax which has been defeated several times. It includes a new three per cent tax on personal and gross income, taxes on soft drinks, toilet preparations, jewelry, radios, candy, chewing gum, playing cards and a variety of other things. Cooper Sets Plans For 17 More at RKO (.Continued from page 1) Crime Doctor," "Dance of Desire," "Strictly Dynamite," "Alien Corn," "Of Human Bondage," "Stingaree," "Fugitive from Glory," "Sea Girl," "Green Mansions," "The Devil's Disciple," "Murder on the Blackboard," "Frat Heads" and "Joan of Arc." Hance Commerce Head New Orleans, Jan. 15. — Monte Hance, manager of the Saenger, at Biloxi, has been elected president of the Association of Commerce. Another Ad Tieup New Orleans, Jan. 15. — A full-page ad tieup here in the New Orleans States on "Dinner at Eight" had Billie Burke in a flower ad, Edmund Lowe in Lowe Bros, pants ad, Jean Harlow in a hairdressing firm, Lionel Barrymore in perfumes, and Lee Tracy in Hiram Walker straight whiskey. Quebec Decides Not To Levy New Taxes Montreal, Jan. 15. — Quebec is the latest province to indicate no new or additional taxation for theatres or the industry in general will be imposed this year. The provincial parliament opened today. Quebec closed the year with a deficit, but a decision that taxes are high enough all around has been reached. Previously the Dominion government and Ontario had decided against new taxes. Nat Levine Mapping New Season Lineup Nat Levine is mapping out his new lineup for next season during his visit here from the coast. He leaves for Chicago today and will return Thursday. Then, after another week in New York, he will go back to Hollywood. MOTION PICTURE DAILY* HOLLYWOOD PREVIEW "Devil Tiger" (Fox) Holly wood, Jan. 15. — This travel film is a pip for thrilling" animal combats in Malay jungles. There are so many exploitation angles that it's a cinch to corral the customers with just a little splash. Here are most of the highlights that can be blown up into display type : The fight between the leopard and python, a crocodile and tiger gnashing at each other in a stream, a panther chasing a baby elephant which is later captured by the expedition, the fracas between a giant lizard and another jungle specie, a monkey trying to fight off three giant crabs at the same time, a match between the leopard and a tiger, the combat between a panther and a crocodile, fording a stream infested with vicious alligators which almost causes the loss of one native, the battle between the hyena and a black bear, the fight for life when Kane Richmond becomes entangled by a python, a scrappy session between a tiger and a lion, the elephant stampede, the set-to between a water buffalo and a 40-foot python and, finally the killing of the man-eating tiger. All the fights result in draws, except for the vulnerable python which is killed in the battle with Richmond. That isn't all. Ah Lee, the mascot of the safari led by Harry Woods, is a treat. He's a youngster, and a brave one in face of the many dangers. There's a story surrounding the hunt for Devil Tiger. Richmond, with only time on his hands and looking for a job, joins Woods in the hunt for the man-eating terror. Later Marion Burns, whose father has been a victim of the tiger, goes with them. Richmond proves himself a hero in face of danger while Woods proves a coward. Woods makes a play for Miss Burns, but she prefers Richmond. When Woods is trampled to death in the elephant stampede that leaves the way open for the two lovers to romance without interference. They make their way out of the jungle safely, reaching a native village, their destination. Clyde Elliott made this film in the heart of tropical Asia. It's a swell travel film and one of the best of its kind. "Myrt and Marge," la<st night's preview at the May fair, was covered on Nov. 27. Pickf ord Is Chicago Hit; Take $55,000 Chicago, Jan. 15. — Business was generally strong the past week with B. & K. recording a heavy take of $55,000 at the Chicago, due mainly to the personal appearance of Mary Pickford. Warner's "Easy to Love" was the screen attraction. Across the street, Jones, Linick & Schaefer's State-Lake hung up the fine figure of $18,000 with Gene Dennis heading a vaudeville bill and "Goodbye, Love" on the screen. This gross is especially significant in view of the State-Lake prices of 20, 25 and 35 cents. "Roman Scandals" continued strong at the United Artists, taking $16,000 in its third week. The RKO Palace was $5,000 over par with "Counsellor at Law" and Milton Berle heading the stage bill. Total first run business was $149,000. Average is $137,000. Estimated takings : Week Ending Jan. 11: "EASY TO LOVE" (Warners) CHICAGO— (4,000), 35c-50c-68c, 7 days. Mary Pickford in person in "The Church Mouse" on stage. Also Emile Boreo, Pops & Louie, Evans Dancing Girls. Gross: £55,000. (Average, $34,600) "COUNSELLOR AT LAW" (Univ.) PALACE— (2,509), 35c-50c-7Sc, 7 days. Milton Berle. Revue on stage. Gross: $27,000. (Average, $22,000) "ALICE IN WONDERLAND" (Para.) (Second Loop Week) ROOSEVELT-(l,591), 25c-35c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $8,000. (Average, $11,000) Week Ending Jan. 12: ' DESIGN FOR LIVING" (Para.) ORIENTAL— (3,940), 30c40c-60c, 3rd week, 7 days. Gross: $11,000. (Average, $23,000) B Week Ending Jan. IS: "CONVENTION CITY" (F. N.) McVICKERS— (2,284), 30c-40c-60c, 7 days. Gross: $14,000. (Average, $13,000) "ROMAN SCANDALS" (U. A.) UNITED ARTISTS-(1,700), 30c-40c-60c, 3rd week, 7 days. Gross: $16,000. (Average, $17,000) "GOODBYE LOVE" (Radio) STATE-LAKE-(2,776), 20c-25c-35c, 7 days. Gene Dennis and vaudeville. Gross: $18,000. (Average, $17,000) Pizor in Principal Deal William Pizor has closed a deal with Nat Cherin, president of Principal Film Exchange, for distribution in New York and northern New Jersey of "Polynesian Follies," three-reeler; "The Voice of Syama," four-reeler, and four one-reelers, "The Sweetest Story Ever Told," "New York Daze," "The Wrong Bedroom" and a musical review. Lovelace with Fox Here Hollywood, Jan. 15.— Hunter Lovelace, story agent, has been appointed editor of the Fox story department in New York. John Mock, former assistant to Julian Johnston, becomes head of the reading staff at the same office. Crawford to Eastern Post Hollywood, Jan. 15. — William Crawford, former assistant to Jack Gains, goes east as general representee of the Fox studio, with Joseph Pincus continuing as talent scout and head of the screen test department in New York.