Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1934)

10 MOTION PICTURE DAILY Friday, March 16, 1934 Looking 'Em Over "Once to Every Woman" (Columbia) This is just another picture, not because it reeks of iodoform and hospitals, but because it is a perfunctorily handled addition to a cycle which has had a pretty good fling already in Hollywood's hands. Cycles don't mean a thing when there is an idea that stamps treatment ot a story type previously well-worn with something different. That's what "Once to Every Woman" has not. The yarn is all hospital, from opening to closing scene. It concentrates on the individualized stories of Fay Wray as supervising nurse; Ralph Bellamy, rising young surgeon who ultimately replaces Walter Connolly, eminent scalpel wielder outmoded in technique by advancing years ; and Walter Byron, young physician with whom Miss Wray thinks she is in love, but establishes otherwise when his Casanova urge catches up with her. There are operations, much sick room atmosphere and performances which, in the main, are acceptable, while Connolly's goes considerably beyond that. But all that transpires is routine, familiar and anything but fresh in the handling. Lambert Hillyer directed. K A N N "Social Register" {Columbia) With Colleen Moore heading a cast including Alexander Kirkland, Charles Winninger, Pauline Frederick, Margaret Livingston, Robert Benchley, Ross Alexander and Roberta Robinson, the experiences of a chorus girl trying to break down social barriers in order to marry Kirkland turn out to be entertainment of program calibre. Marshall Neilan supervised, directed and produced this on his own from the play by John Emerson and Anita Loos. William C. de Mille was associate producer. Miss Moore meets Kirkland at a "scavenger" party. They fall in love, but when the lover brings the heroine to his home to meet his family the usual objections follow. However, Miss Moore is invited to a musical at Kirkland's home. She drinks a little too much and, in turning the party into a jazz affair, disgraces herself in the eyes of Miss Frederick, Kirkland's mother. Miss Frederick bribes Alexander, who has been pulling a sympathy act on the heroine and managing to get away with it, to get Miss Moore to a Long Island shack and have her sleep there overnight. The gag works and Kirkland breaks off with his sweetheart. The heroine marries the saxophone player and band leader and later discovers the whole plot. She makes Miss Frederick confess and everything is straightened out. The marriage to Alexander is annulled and the love birds are free from family hindrances. SHORTS BVay Takes Hold to Good Average Level Business was generally good along Broadway last week, but with no outstanding attractions running away with fancy figures. "Joe Palooka" took a good $40,850 in its first seven days at the Rivoli, "Queen Christina" reached $60,115 at the Capitol, "Wonder Bar" grabbed $43,863 at the Strand and "Death Takes a Holiday" was good for $36,000 at the Paramount. "Catherine the Great" fell off to $12,702 in its fourth week at the Astor. Estimated takings : Week Ending March 5: "PALOOKA" (U. A.) RIVOLI— (2,200), 35c-99c, 7 days. Gross: $40,850. Week Ending March 6: "DARK HAZARD" (Warners) RIALTO— (2,200), 25c-65c, 2nd week, 6 days. Gross: $9,000. "DAVID HARUM" (Fox) RKO MUSIC HALL — (5,945), 35c-$1.65, 7 days. Stage show. Gross: $60,115. Week Ending March 7: "QUEEN CHRISTINA" (M-G-M) CAPITOL— (4,700), 3Sc-$1.65, 7 days. Stage show. Gross: $42,500. "IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT" (Col.) PALACE— (2,500), 25c-75c, 7 days. Stage show. Gross: $16,030. PARAMOUNT— (3,700), 35c-99c, 2nd week, 7 days. Stage: Phil Baker and others. Gross: $36,000. "NINTH GUEST" (Col.) ROXY— (6.200), 25c-65c, 7 days. Stage show. Gross: S18.900. "WONDER BAR" (F. N.) STRAND— (2,000), 25c-$1.10, 7 days. Gross: $43,863. Week Endinq March 9: "CAROLINA" (Fox)— Four days "EIGHT GIRLS IN A BOAT" (Para.) Three days RKO CENTER— (3,700), 25c-55c, 7 days. Gross: $6,390. Week Ending March 12: "BEDSIDE" (Warners) MA YFAIR— (2,300), 35c-85c, 7 days. Gross: $6,100. Week Ending March 13: "CATHERINE, THE GREAT" (U. A.) ASTOR— (1,012), 55c-$2.20), 4th week, 7 days. Gross: $12,702. Ampa to Resume Its 'Naked Truth' Party The Ampa dinner planned for the Astor on April 21 will mark a reversion to the "Naked Truth Dinner" which, for some years, marked the organization's annual social highlight. The proceeds are to be divided equally between The Film Daily Relief Fund and the M.P. Charity Fund. Rudy Sanders, Robert Wolff and Louis Nizer are the prime movers in the latter charity. Marvin Kirsch, Ray Gallagher, Edward Finney, Louis Goldberg, Monroe Greenthal, Paul Gulick and Edward MacNamee yesterday were elected the nominating committee to put up new Ampa officers. The committee will meet next week to make its selections. Para. Testing "Melody" Paramount is releasing "Melody in Spring" in three spots Easter Week in advance of a big exploitation campaign planned. The picture opens simultaneously in Washington, New York and Chicago the end of March. General release is being held up pending results of the three bookings. "Himalaya" (First Division) As a photographic record of the ascent of Mt. Everest, the world's highest mountain, by Dr. Deyrenfurth's International Himalayan Expedition, this featurette should hold any audience's interest. Beginning with the trek of the expedition through Tibet, and showing some of the customs of the natives, including the famous "Devil Dance of the Warrior Monks," it winds up with an inspiring shot from the mountain top. Details and preparations for the climb are explained in off-screen dialogue by Lowell Thomas. Running time, 33 mins. "Playful Pluto" (Walt Disney-U. A.) A day at home in the life of Mickey Mouse and Pluto, the Pup, is the basis for this hilarious Disney short. Humorous details of dog behavior under trying circumstances are so well presented and synchronized as to make it one of those rare subjects that no one would mind seeing a second time. Running time, 8 mins. "Laughing with Medbury In South America" (Walter F utter-Columbia) A few outstanding scenic shots of Amazonian waterfalls, jungle animal and bird specimens and street scenes in picturesque Buenos Aires distinguish this contribution to the John P. Medbury travel series. The wisecracking lines by Medbury which accompany the reels are of less consequence in this than what his camera catches. Running time, 8 mins. "Mediterranean Blues" (Educational) Cinecolor views of various Mediterranean, ports beginning in Italy and including Algiers and other north African spots. The narrative is by Claude Flemming. The subject matter is interesting, but the color is foggy. Running time, 6% mins. "Screen Souvenirs" (Paramount 3-7) A conventional "Screen Souvenir" having shots of Gloria Swanson, Bobby Vernon, Lewis Stone, Gladys Hanson and Bryant Washburn in oldtime pictures. The usual "mellerdrama" ends the reel. Time, 7 mins. 1 "One Night" $16,000 Hit, Kansas City Kansas City, March 15. — Columbia's "It Happen One Night" turned the tables on opposition from 25-cent admissions and double bills at competitive first runs and rolled up a smash $16,000 in* eight and one-half days, which is $9,000 above the Mainstreet's normal for seven days. The take is the peak for the Mainstreet's straight film attractions in many moons and even exceeds many of the combination shows in recent months. The picture was given an elaborate opening Wednesday night, with plenty of ballyhoo. The Midland's gross of §11,200 with "Mystery of Mr. X" was swelled several hundred dollars by a personal appearance Thursday night of Clark Gable and Gene Raymond, who stopped off briefly en route to the west coast. Huge crowds packed the railroad station and streets surrounding the theatre for a glimpse of the M-G-M star. Raymond's appearance was unexpected and was not advertised. "Devil Tiger" was another good draw, securing $2,500 at the Royal. The Newman experienced a slump in the second week of its new policy of duals at 25 cents, while "I Like It That Way," at the Uptown, also fell below average. Total for the week was $37,200. Average is $30,500. Estimated takings : Week Ending March 7: "I LIKE IT THAT WAY" (Univ.) UPTOWN— (2,000), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $2,500. (Average, $3,000) Week Ending March 8: "IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT" (CoL) MAINSTREET— (3,049), 25c-40c, i'A days, plus Saturday late show. Gross: $16,000. (Average, 8-4 days, $8,500) "I'VE GOT YOUR NUMBER" (Warners) "HIS DOUBLE LIFE" (Para.) "NEWMAN — (1,800), 25c, 7 days, plus Saturday midnight show. Gross: $5,000. (Average, $6,000) Week Ending March 9: "MYSTERY OF MR. X" (M-G-M) MIDLAND— (4,000), 25c, 7 days, plus Saturday midnight show. Stage: Personal appearance, Thursday night only, Clark Gabl and Gene Raymond. Gross: $11,200. (Aver age, $11,000) "DEVIL TIGER" (Fox) ROYAL— (810), 25c, 7 days. Gross: $2,500 (Average, $2,000) Confer on Benefit Gladys Cooper and Walter Husto went into conference yesterday wirti British Consul General Gerald Campbell at the Hotel Gotham on plans foe the benefit for Associated British Charities to be held at the Metropolis tan Opera House April 15. Dennis King, Ruth Etting, the Mills Brothers the Boswell Sisters and Chester Half girls have been lined up for the program. Major Edward Bowes will be master of ceremonies. Take New Iberia House New Orleans, March 15. — Tht Elks Theatre at New Iberia, La, hzi been leased by the Sliman interests and will open Easter Sunday. Fox Holds Montenegro Hollywood, March 15. — Fox has signed Conchita Montenegro to star in four more Spanish pictures.