Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1934)

6 MOTION PICTURE DAILY Monday, October 29, 1934 Charges M. P. Council Aims Hit Theatres (Continued from page 1) membership, by recognized scientists and by "the very exhibitors whom it pretends to protect." "While the M. P. Research Council is pretending to play the game of the independent exhibitor," the Levy message states, "it is making every effort to destroy him by encouraging and demanding non-theatrical competition. The M. P. T. O. of New York," he says, "has already passed a resolution condemning the Research Council's campaign to foster and promote unfair non-theatrical competition." Levy cites efforts made by the council to obtain recognition in the film code of non-theatrical exhibitions on a par with established theatres and quotes from memorandums said to have been issued by Dr. William H. Short, head of the council, setting forth the same objective. He also quotes from an article published in Theatre Arts Monthly criticising the council's activities, written by Kate Oglesbay, whom Levy identifies as a "Little Theatre executive, a member of Mr. Short's board and said to be a close friend of Mrs. August Belmont, who has since resigned the presidency of the Council." The article quoted charges that Short was responsible for the introduction in Congress of the Patman bill providing for Federal censorship of films and quotes Short as saying that he (Short) believes Federal regulation of films as important as Federal regulation of public schools. "Against movements honestly designed to raise the quality of motion picture entertainment there can be no legitimate objection," Levy's message concludes. "But it is necessary to distinguish them from the fund-raising activities of paid professional reformers whose aim is to cram their own notions down the throats of America." Short could not be reached on Saturday for comment on the Levy bulletin, but his secretary stated that he had "heard of but had not seen Levy's address, so could not comment on it intelligently." Says Educators Lack Valuation of Films Columbus, Oct. 28. — That educators haven't realized the power of films as a teaching element was the opinion expressed by Dr. W. W. Charters, director of educational research of Ohio State University, in speaking before the first state convention of the Ohio M. P. Council. "Often one exposure of a film changes the attitude of children toward certain races or ideals, but this apparent change in attitude diminishes as the child becomes older," he declared. The council executive committee, organized for the purpose of promoting cleaner pictures, and having also as an objective the elimination of block and blind booking, formulated plans to conduct a state-wide survey of juvenile delinquency in Ohio. This will include the types of pictures liked by children, how many times they visit theatre each week, and their viewpoint of the pictures which they see. Speakers at the final sessions of the two-day meeting included Dr. B. O. Skinner, state director of education, J. Real Neth and Russell A. Bovim, manager of Loew's Ohio. Cincinnati Editor Hits Gilman Charge Cincinnati, Oct. 28. — The statement that "the movies have exploited our children," made by Mrs. Robbins Gilman, president of the Federal Congress of Parent-Teacher Ass'n., before the Ohio congress at Columbus, as reported in Motion Picture Daily, has inspired an editorial by William G. Stiegler, dramatic editor of the Times-Star. It reads : ". . . Any such charge about 'exploiting children' is cheap balderdash and is typical of the exaggeration, the intolerance and unfairness of the misdirected crusading spirit run wild. It is time to pin the sponsors of some of these wholesale accusations down to specific instances. "If Mrs. Gilman or any of her equally zealous lieutenants in this deafeningly vocal battle for cleaner films will furnish the titles of any pictures which they can prove 'exploited' children in the last two or three years, this department will cooperate to the extent of publishing those names in capital letters at the head of the column to serve as a warning to parents. "We should like to add, however, that neither the producer nor the exhibitor is responsible if films for intelligent adult audiences are attended by children whose parents are utterly indifferent to their entertainment." The last paragraph appeared in bold face type. Circuit in Buffalo To Aid Legion Plan Buffalo, Oct. 28. — Buffalo Council, Catholic Legion of Decency, has received a promise of cooperation from Buffalo Theatres, Inc., operators of five neighborhood houses, in its campaign for family entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays. The legion membership now is 65,936, Dr. Edward S. Schweigler, diocesan director, reports. Of the pledge signers, 18,724 are children and 47,212 are adults. End Kenton-S chine Suit Kenton, O., Oct. 28. — Suit brought by the Kenton Amusement Co. against Schine in Common Pleas Court here seeking to compel continuation of a 20-year lease on the Kenton, and personal operation of the house, has been terminated, although parties to the action refuse to say on what basis. Suits pending in Common Pleas Court by same plaintiffs against both Schines and Warners, involving damage to the theatre property, have been settled out of court and dismissed. The Kenton will reopen Nov. 1 under management of G. H. Foster of Marion, O. Opens McRae, Ga., House McRae, Ga., Oct. 28.— All Amusements, Inc., has opened a new Princess Theatre here. "Richest Girl in the World" was the initial attraction. "Night" Hits Big $9,000; Denver High Denver, Oct. 28.— "One Night of Love" is the first feature here to go from the Denver to the Aladdin for a second week. The $9,000 take at the Denver, over par by $6,000, was the cause of the move. Usually the switch is to the Paramount across the street, where admissions are 10 cents lower. The Orpheum had a disastrous week. "Wake Up and Dream" was jerked at the end of the third day and "Gift of Gab" was substituted. "The Lemon Drop Kid" was helped at the Denham by a stage show and Irving Aaronson's Commanders orchestra. The take reached $7,500, up by $3,500. Total first run business was $26,500. Average is $20,500. Estimated takings for the week ending Oct. 25: "CARAVAN" (Fox) ALADDIN— (1,500). 25c-35c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $1,500. (Average, $2,500.) "THE LEMON DROP KID" (Para.) D EX HAM — (1,500), 25c-35c-50c, 7 days. Stage show. Gross: $7,500. (Average, $4,000.) "ONE NIGHT OF LOVE" (Col.) DENVER— (2.500), 25c-35c-50c. 7 days. Gross: $9,000. (Average. $6,000.) "WAKE UP AND DREAM" (Univ.) ORPHEUM— (2.600). 25c-35c-50c, 3 days. Gross: $1,100. "GIFT OF GAB" (Univ.) ORPHEUM— (2,600), 25c-35c-50c, 4 days. Gross: $2,400. (Average for week. $6,000.) "GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST" (Monogram) MAYAN— (966), 20c-25c-30c. 7 days. Gross: $2,500. (Average, $1,750.) "DEATH ON THE DIAMOND" (M-G-M) PARAMOUNT— (2,000), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $2,500. (Average. $2,000.) "Priest" Buffalo Smash at $21,000 Buffalo, Oct. 28. — "Judge Priest" was the week's big news, getting $21,000, or $6,700 above normal. "La Cucuracha" attracted more attention in the Great Lakes than "Madame Du Barry" did. Total take was $47,900. Average is $44,800. Estimated takings for the week ending Oct. 26: "JUDGE PRIEST" (Fox) BUFFALO— (3.500). 30c-55c. 7 days. Stage: Three X Sisters: Fred Sanborn; Lucky Boys; Duke McHale. Gross: $21,000. (Average, $14,300.) "RETURN OF THE TERROR" (Warners) "SHE WAS A LADY" (Fox) CENTURY— (3,000). 25c. 7 days. Gross: $7,200. (Average. $6,000.) "MADAME DU BARRY" (Warners) GEAT LAKES — (3.000). 25c-40c. 7 davs. Gross: $6,400. (Average. $10,000.) "CARAVAN" (Fox) "YOU BELONG TO ME" (Para.) HIPPODROME— (2,100), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $6,500. (Average. $8,000.) "THE DEFENSE RESTS" (Col.) "STOLEN SWEETS" (Chesterfield) LAFAYETTE— (3.300). 25c, 7 days. Gross: $6,800. (Average. $6,500.) Call Off Warner Party Cleveland, Oct. 28. — Because of the death of John Becorra, former manager of the Variety Theatre, the Warner Club has cancelled its Hallowe'en party scheduled for Friday. Lewis to Havana Dave Lewis, administrator of M-GM's exchange in Cuba, has returned to Havana after a two weeks' vacation here. "Divorcee" Is Draw in Two Coast Houses Los Angeles, Oct. 28. — "The Gay Divorcee" demonstrated strong drawing powers both in Hollywood and downtown. At the Warner Hollywood it topped par by $1,500 for a gross of $15,500 and at the RKO downtown it went to $14,500, over normal by $6,500. "Cleopatra," with a stage show ran up to $21,405 at the Paramount. This is up by $5,405. "Affairs of Cellini" went into the Chinese and made a good showing, $12,500 on a scale of 30c to 65c. Total first run business was $88,805. Average is $69,200. Estimated takings for the week ending Oct. 24: "AFFAIRS OF CELLINI" (U. A.) CHINESE— (2,500), 30c-6Sc, 7 days. Gross: $12,500. "BARRETTS OF WIMPOLE STREET" (M-G-M) LOEW'S STATE— (2.413), 30c-55c, 2nd week, 7 days. Gross: $11,900. (Average, $14,000.) "CLEOPATRA" (Para.) PARAMOUNT— (3,595), 30c-55c, 7 days. Stage: Rube Wolf and his orchestra. F. & M. revue. Gross: $21,405. (Average, $18,000.) "THE GAY DIVORCEE" (Radio) RKO— (2,700), 25c-65c. 7 days. Gross: $14,500. (Average, $8,000.) "THE GAY DIVORCEE" (Radio) WARNER BROS. (Hollywood)— (3,000), 25c-65c, 7 days. Gross: $15,500. (Average, $14,000.) "BIG HEARTED HERBERT" (Warners) WARNER BROS. (Downtown)— (3,000), 25c-40c, 7 days. Stage: 6 acts vaudeville. Gross: $8,800. (Average, $12,000.) "STUDENT TOUR" (M-G-M) "SCHOOL FOR GIRLS" (Liberty) PANTAGES— (3,000), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $4,200. (Average, $3,200.) "U" After Peggy Wood Hollywood, Oct. 28. — Universal is negotiating with Peggy Wood to star in an original operetta titled "Sing Me a Love Song." Stanley Bergerrr.an will produce. Harris and James Mulhauser are working on the screen play. Sign Television Star Hollywood, Oct. 28.— The first star of television for pictures was signed by Universal yesterday. She is Eole Galli, sister of Maria Gambarelli. Miss Galli is in New York at present. Close Franchise Deal Budd Rogers, sales manager of Liberty Pictures, has closed franchise deals for the Denver and Salt Lake territories with Gene Marcus, president of Majestic Pictures, who will distribute Liberty product in those sections. FWC in Profit Contest Denver, Oct. 28. — A profit-sharing contest has been inaugurated by the Intermountain division of F. W. C. and will run 14 weeks. It is called the "Employees' Profit Sharing Contest." Sets Four Meetings Four meetings have been set bv Allied of New Jersey. Oct. 30, Nov. 13. 20 and 27 are the dates when members will convene at the Lincoln, the unit's headquarters.