Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1935)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Wednesday. January 9, 1935 Shirley, Show 2d Week Hit, Philadelphia Philadelphia, Jan. 8. — Some of the New Year's week grosses were remarkable. At the Fox "Bright Eyes/' in its second week, with two days of Guy Lombardo's Esso show, more than doubled the normal take, going $15,000 over average for a gross of $27,000. Roxy got into his stride for the second week at the Mastbaum, with "Here Is My Heart" on the screen, and cleared a neat $41,000. This tops the estimated average by $10,000, In its second week at the Aldine "The Mightv Barnum" cleared $12,000, over par by $5,000, and "The Secret Bride" at the Earle, helped by a stage show headed by George Givot, piled up $18,000, up by $6,000. Total downtown business was $156,700. Average is $117,600. Estimated takings for the week ending Jan. 3 : "THE MIGHTY BARNUM" (U. A.) ALDIXE— (1,200), 35c-40c-55c, 2nd week, 6 days. Gross: $12,000. (Average, $7,000) "EVELYN PRENTICE" (M-G-M) (Second Run) ARCADIA — (600) , 25c-35c-40c, 6 days. Gross: $3,700. (Average, $2,400) "THE LITTLE MINISTER" (Radio) BOYD— (2,400), 35c-40c-55c, 6 days. Gross: $13,000. (Average, $12,000) "SECRET BRIDE" (Warners) EARLE— (2,000), 40c-55c-65c, 6 days. Stage: George Givot, Eton Boys, Do-ReMi, Xina Olivette, Irene Vermillion, Gilbert Bros. Gross: $18,000. (Average, $12,000) „ , "BRIGHT EYES" (Fox) FOX— (3,000), 40c-55c-65c, 2nd week, 6 days. Stage: Singer's Midgets. (Two days of Guy Lombardo's Marketeers Revue.) Gross: $27,000. (Average, $12,000). "ANNE OF GREEN GABLES" (Radio) (Second Run) KARLTOX— (1,000), 25c-35c-40c, 6 days. Gross: $3,500. (Average, $3,500) "SWEET ADELINE" (Warners) (Second Run) KEITH'S— (2,0003, 30c-40c-50c, 3 days (plus Xew Year's Eve show). Gross: $1,500. (Average for 6 days, $4,000) "MY HEART IS CALLING" (Gaumont British) LOCUST— (1,300), 55c-$1.10, 6 days. Gross: $4,700. (Average, $5,000) "HERE IS MY HEART" (Para.) ROXYMASTBAUM— (4,800), 55c-75c-85c$1.10, 6 days. Stage show (Roxy). Gross: $41,000. (Average, $33,000) "BROADWAY BILL" (Col.) STANLEY— (3,700). 35c-40c-55c, 9 days. Gross: $22,000. (Average for 6 days, $12,000) "LIMEHOUSE BLUES" (Para.) STANTON— (1.700), 35c-40c-50c, 6 days. Gross: $7,500. Followed by four days_ of "Man Who Reclaimed His Head" (Univ.) Gross: $2,800. (Average for 6 days, $6,000) "Bright Eyes" Big Indianapolis Draw Ixdiaxapolis, Jan. 8. — Most houses made some quick shifts for the New Year midnight shows, but the Apollo held "Bright Eyes" for 10 days and made a cleanup. The $7,000 take was $4,500 over average for seven days. "The Little Minister" pulled a neat $3,500 in four days, and "Forsaking All Others" got off to a flying start in five days with a take of $4,300. Total first run business was $22,500. Average is $25,000. Estimated takings : Dec. 25 to Jan. 3: "BRIGHT EYES" (Fox) APOLLO— (1,171). 25c-40c, 10 days. Gross: $7,000. (Average for 7 days, $2,500) (Continued on page 10) Looking 'Em Over "The Scarlet Pimpernel" {London Films-United Artists) London, Dec. 20. — Baroness Orczy's story is one of the best known in the English language and a very successful stage play has been founded on it. A film version, therefore, inevitably faces comparisons. This London Films version should not disappoint those who remember either the book or the play, but it certainly presents the familiar story in yet another aspect. Essentially melodrama, "The Scarlet Pimpernel" has, as its central character, a figure who can be presented either as a super-adventurer or as a subtle schemer. London Films, choosing the second interpretation, has emphasized comedy values throughout so that Leslie Howard's Sir Percy Blakeney is seen chiefly in his pose of a fop, and his achievements as the leader of a counter-revolutionary movement have very largely to be taken on trust. True, there are vividly posed scenes of the guillotine, an escape or two, and a very effective last scene in which the Pimpernel turns the tables on the French ambassador after the latter has cornered him in an inn at Boulogne, but for the most part the action is placed in salons ''n London. It is a battle of wits rather than of pistols. Plot values are good. Blakeney, actually "The Scarlet Pimpernel," who helps French aristocrats to escape from the grip of the Terror in Paris, pretends in London to be a nit-wit with no interest beyond clothes. Even his wife, a Frenchwoman, is deceived, for the Pimpernel thinks she was guilty of betraying aristocrats to the guillotine and does not trust her with the secret. The French ambassador, with Lady Blakeney's brother in his power, tricks her into a scheme which reveals the Pimpernel's identity. Realizing she has betrayed her husband, Lady Blakeney goes to France and is herself captured, but the Pimpernel frees her and, condemned to execution, himself escapes because the firing squad is composed of his own men. Howard gives a brilliant performance and has been provided with effective situations and sparkling lines. Merle Oberon acts well and looks beautiful. Nigel Bruce as the Prince of Wales is outstanding among the others. Production values are exceptional. The film has a polish superior even to that of earlier films from the London studio; settings and costumes in scenes portraying the court and society of 18th Century London are brilliant and convincing. The dialogue is witty and convincing. Harold Young, the director, shares with Howard the honors of the production, which, for all its slow tempo, should appeal strongly to any audience which can appreciate the finer shades in production. Running time, 90 minutes. "G." ALLAN "Best Man Wins" {Columbia) Because of some striking underwater scenes and their arresting photography, here is an action thriller that should have particular appeal in neighborhoods and small towns. It is a typical Jack Holt vehicle, with Holt his usual virile self and in love with a girl who doesn't feel the same way about him. The character portrayals are good, with Edmund Lowe and Florence Rice maintaining the pace set by Holt. Bela Lugosi and J. Farrell MacDonald stand out from the rest of the cast in their handling of minor roles. The yarn deals with Holt and Lowe, deep sea divers, with the former planning to join the harbor police. On their last trip their ship's anchor becomes fouled and Holt dives to free it. While below his lines become entangled and Lowe rescues him, but loses his right arm while doing so. Holt joins the police and Lowe, unable to find work in his crippled condition, postpones his marriage to Miss Rice and finally winds up salvaging stolen jewels for Lugosi. Holt tracks him down and rather than face his punishment Lowe cuts his air lines while below and drowns. Holt winds up consoling Miss Rice. Earl Kenton's direction gets the most out of the screen play by Ethel Hill and Bruce Manning from Ben G. Kohn's original. Production Seal No. 506. Running time, 85 minutes. "G." "The Unconquered Bandit" (Hollywood) If this Tom Tyler western did not ask too much to be taken for granted, it might prove acceptable entertainment of its kind. From the standpoint of action it leaves little to be desired, but some of the incidents are so implausible, even for a western, that an audience can hardly be expected to view it with a serious eye. As a result the film must be (Continued on pane 10) Hepburn and "Babes" Top Twin Cities Minneapolis, Jan. 8. — "Little Minister" and "Babes in Toyland" led a general pickup in the Twin Cities, the former having an edge. The Katharine Hepburn opus piled up $7,500 at the Orpheum here, thereby topping average by $2,000. Laurel and Hardy were the same amount over the line on a gross of $6,000 at the St. Paul Orpheum. "Bright Eyes," "Here Is My Heart," "Romance in the Rain," "Lady by Choice," "Great Expectations," "The Mighty Barnum" and "Broadway Bill" were all in the money. Total first run business in Minneapolis was $28,000. Average is $23,000. St. Paul's total was $22,000. Average is $16,000. Estimated takings : Minneapolis: Week Ending Jan. 2: "BRIGHT EYES" (Fox) CENTURY— (1,650), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $4,500. (Average, $4,000) "THE ST. LOUIS KID" (Warners) LYRIC — (1,238), 20c-25c, 7 days. Gross: $1,500. (Average, $1,500) Week Ending Jan. 3: "THE LITTLE MINISTER" (Radio) ORPHEUM — (2,900), 25c-50c, 7 days. Benny Meroff and orchestra. Gross: $7,500. (Average, $5,500) "HERE IS MY HEART" (Para.) STATE — (2,300), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $6,000. (Average, $5,500) "ROMANCE IN THE RAIN" (Univ.) PALACE — (900) , 15c-25c, 7 days. Gross: $3,000. (Average, $2,000) "LADY BY CHOICE" (Col.) TIME— (300), 20c-30c, 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $2,000. (Average, $1,500) "GREAT EXPECTATIONS" (Univ.) WORLD— (300). 25c-75c, 7 days. Gross: $3,500. (Average. $3,000) St. Paul: Week Ending Jan. 3: "THE MIGHTY BARNUM" (U.A.) PARAMOUNT— (2,300), 25c-40c, 7 days. Stage show. Gross: $6,500. (Average, $5,500) "BABES IN TOYLAND" (M-G-M) RIVIERA— (1,200), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $4,000. (Average. $3,500) "BROADWAY BILL" (Col.) ORPHEUM— (2,000), 25c-40c, 7 days. Pat Rooney heading five acts. Gross: $6,000. (Average, $4,000) "THE ST. LOUIS KID" (Warners) TOWER— (1,000), 15c-25c, 7 days. Gross: $1,500. (Average, $1,500) "EVERGREEN" (Gaumont British) WORLD— (300). 25c-75c, 7 days. Gross: $2,000. (Average, $2,000) "Forsaking" Pulls Top in Providence Providence, Jan. 8. — Extending the runs of pictures downtown proved great business. Loew's State, which kept "Forsaking All Others" for 10 days, netted $16,000 with more to come. Bing Crosby took only nine days to poll a net of $13,000 at the Strand, and the Majestic caught $10,000 with a straight week booking of "Sweet Adeline" and " One Exciting Adventure." The RKO Albee did $11,600 with "Little Minister" and a revue, and the same sort of vaudefilm policy at Fay's caught $8,800. Moved to the Carlton for a second week from the Majestic, "Bright Eyes" and "Bachelor of Arts" caught (Continued on page 10)