Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1935)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Friday, January II, 1935 "Minister" and "Eyes" Detroit High, $20,200 Detroit, Jan. 10. — For some unexplained reason the Fox split a week between two of the biggest hits of the season — "Bright Eyes" and "Little Minister." The former was on three days and the latter four, with six acts of vaudeville to round out the program. Business kept the ticket-sellers on the jump, the take going to $20,200. "Kid Millions" held up to $11,600 in its second week at the United Artists. The Adams had the weirdest bookings of all over a period of 10 days — "Chu Chin Chow," three days ; "Hell in the Heavens," three, and "Bright Eyes" four, and the take was only $4,600, under normal by $400. Total first run business was $77,200. Average is $65,000. Estimated takings for the week ending Jan. 4: "CHU CHIN CHOW" (G-B) (3 days). "HELL IN HEAVENS" (Fox) (3 days). "BRIGHT EYES" (Fox) 4 days) ADAMS — (1,770), 10c-40c. Gross: $4,600. (Average, $5,000.) "BRIGHT EYES" (Fox) (3 days) "LITTLE MINISTER" (Radio) (4 days). FOX— (5,100), 15c-55c, 7 days. Stage; 6 acts vaudeville. Gross: $20,200. (Average, $15,000.) "BABES IN TOYLAND" (M-G-M) (First run) "LIMEHOUSE BLUES" (Para.) (Second run) FISHER— (2,975), 10v-40c, 7 days. Gross: $6,100. (Average, $10,000.) "HERE IS MY HEART" (Para.) MICHIGAN— (4,100), 15c-55c, 7 days. Stage; 6 acts vaudeville. Gross: $20,300. (Average, $20,000.) "FATHER BROWN, DETECTIVE" (Para.) "HOME ON THE RANGE" (Para.) STATE — (3,000) , 15c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $4,400. (Average, $5,000.) "KID MILLIONS" (U. A.) UNITED ARTISTS — (2,070) , 15c-55c, 2nd week, 7 days. Gross: $11,600. (Average, $10,000.) Six-Hour Day Among Kansas Union Aims Topeka, Jan. 10. — A six-hour day and a 30-hour week and a bill to deprive state courts of the power of injunction in labor disputes are included in a legislative program submitted by Kansas labor organizations to Gov. Alf Landon. Other proposals by labor are: Old age pensions ; unemployment insurance to be supported jointly by the state and employers; improvement of the workmen's compensation law, and an increase in the prevailing wage scale by constitutional amendment. Labor will take joint action with the farm organizations in opposing a sales tax, some sentiment for which exists among state officials. Some of the farm organizations favor a gross income tax, instead of the present levy on net incomes to lessen the burden on real estate. E. O. Briles, exhibitor of Stafford, Kan., is a member of the legislature, the first Kansas theatre man to be elected in many years. He is expected to be of assistance in safeguarding the industry's interests during the coming session. Gives Shorts a Break Cincinnati, Jan. 10. — The TimesStar now carries a box on its Saturday theatre page giving a list of the shorts playing first runs during the week. "Marines" and Holiday Bill Boston Smash Boston, Jan. 10. — In one of those New Year's eve shifts the RKO Boston ran up a huge $25,000, over par by $15,000. "The Marines Are Coming" with seven acts of vaudeville were bolstered New Year's night with "Romance in Manhattan." The same situation prevailed at Keith's Memorial where "The Little Minister" ran for the week with "Romance in Manhattan" New Year's eve. Standing room was sold. The $15,500 take was $3,500 over par. "Forsaking All Others" was the best straight film draw of the week, topping the usual take by $6,000 for a gross of $16,000 at Loew's State. Total first run business was $76,500. Average is $64,000. Estimated takings for the week ending Jan. 4 : "BORDERTOWN" (Warners) "BACHELOR OF ARTS" (Fox) FENWAY— (1,382), 30c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $3,600. (Average, $4,500) "THE LITTLE MINISTER" (Radio) KEITH'S MEMORIAL— (2,907), 25c-65c, 7 days. "Romance in Manhattan" and vaudeville New Year's Eve. Gross: $15,500. (Average, $12,000) "FORSAKING ALL OTHERS" (M-G-M) LOEW'S STATE— (3,687), 35c-50c, 7 days. Arthur Martel at organ. Gross: $16,000. (Average, $10,000) "HERE IS MY HEART" (Para.) METROPOLITAN— (41,338), 35c-65c, 7 days. Stage: Phil Harris with Leah Ray and acts. Gross: $30,000. (Average, $22,000) "BORDERTOWN" (Warners) "BACHELOR OF ARTS" (Fox) PARAMOUNT— (1,793), 30c-S0c, 7 days. Gross: $4,400. (Average, $5,500) "THE MARINES ARE COMING" (Mascot) RKO BOSTON— (3,246), 2Sc-50c, 7 days. Seven acts of RKO vaudeville. "Romance in Manhattan" (Radio) on New Year's Eve. Gross: $25,000. (Average, $10,000) Ahead of Schedule, Will Do One Monthly Hollywood, Jan. 10. — With only six features and three westerns yet to be made on the current schedule, Monogram will make only one a month beginning today with "The Hoosier Schoolmaster" until the program is completed. Of the six remaining, three will be specials, the first being Gene StrattonPorter's "The Keeper of the Bees," set to start in March. The first of the new 1935-36 program will go into production following the Monogram sales convention to be held here in March. Hornig Heads Committee Baltimore, Jan. 10. — Frank A. Hornig, president of the M.P.T.O. of Maryland, has named a legislative committee to watch developments at Annapolis. It includes himself, Herman A. Blum and William Hicks. Zimbalist Moved Up Hollywood, Jan. 10. — Sam Zimbalist, for several years assistant to Hunt Stromberg at M-G-M, has been promoted to a directorial post. Form Puritan Pictures Albany, Jan. 10. — Puritan Picture Corp. has been chartered by Louis A. Solomon, David Gross and Jean Krausl of He-.v York City. Give 'Em Classics Overheard on Broadway as two film "fans" excitedly spotted M-G-M's 24-sheet on "David Copperfield," which describes the picture as the company's "greatest." " 'David Cooperfield'? Wonder what that could be about?" Forsaking" Pittsburgh's Top, $17,500 Pittsburgh, Jan ness all over town it was still below tions for New the Penn managed to" While busiup last week, eral expecta*Week. Only eep pace with last year's takings. It did this with "Forsaking All Others," which took $17,500 and held over.' for another four days. The Warner, too, made a creditable showing with "The Captain Hates the Sea" and "The Secret Bride," doing around $6,200 for its best showing in some time. The biggest surprise of the week was the poor showing of "Sweet Adeline" at the Stanley. The picture was originally booked in for nine days, but was yanked in less than half that time after doing only $8,000. Total grosses in six first run houses were $50,400. Average is $46,500. Estimated takings for the week ending Jan. 4 : "MARINES ARE COMING" (Mascot) ALVIN— (2,000), 25c-40c, 3 days, including New Year's Eve midnight show. Stage: Johnny Perkins, Mary Small and others. Gross: $8,000. (Average for 6 days, $10,000) "CHU CHIN CHOW" (Gaumont British) FULTON— (1,750), 15c-40c, 6 days. Gross: $4,500. (Average, $4,500) "FORSAKING ALL OTHERS" (M-G-M) PENN— (3,300), 25c-50c, 6 days. Gross: $17,500. (Average, $12,000) "GRIDIRON FLASH" (Radio) PITT— (1,600), 15c-35c, 6 days. Stage: "Chuckles of 1935" unit. Gross: $6,200. (Average, $6,000) "SWEET ADELINE" (Warners) STANLEY— (3,600), 25c-50c, 4 days. Gross: $8,000. (Average for 6 days, $9,000) "CAPTAIN HATES THE SEA" (Col.) "SECRET BRIDE" (Warners) WARNER— (2,000), 25c40c, 6 days. Gross: $6,200. (Average, $5,000) More Than Half N.E. Theatres Sign Code Boston, Jan. 10. — More than 50 per cent of the active theatres in the New England territory, Connecticut not included, have assented to the code during the past year. Of this number, only a few have not followed signatures with checks for assessments. Approximately 1,000 houses are in this section, with about 800 of . these lighted. Summer stands, along with several unaffiliated circuits, comprise the majority of nonassenters. To Refuse Banned Films Kansas City, Jan. 10. — In a neighborhood with a large Catholic population, J. F. Rigney has announced that pictures considered objectionable by Catholic review lists will not be shown at his Westport Theatre. These are films included in the C or blacklist. Minister" Up In Cleveland With $10,500 Cleveland, Jan. 10. — Scrambled openings and midnight shows New Year's eve helped business considerably. The outstanding attraction of the week was "The Little Minister" which took $10,500 on a straight seven-day basis with no midnight show. The $10,500 take was $4,500 over normal. "Bright Eyes" demonstrated its continued drawing power by grossing $3,600 in two days with a midnight show at the Allen. This is $600 better than a full week's average. "Hell in the Heavens" at the Allen for the other five days of the week garnered a strong $3,600. Total gross for the holiday week was $49,200. Some pictures opened New Year's Eve. Average for seven days is $33,000. Estimated takings for the week ending Jan. 4 : Week Ending Dec. 29: "HELL IN THE HEAVENS" (Fox) ALLEN— (3,300), 20c-30c-40c, 5 days. Gross: $3,600. (Average for 7 days, $3,000) Week Ending Dec. 31: "BRIGHT EYES" (Fox) ALLEN— (3,300), 20c-30c-40c; New Year's Eve Midnight, 60c; 2 days, second week downtown. Gross: $3,600. (Average for 7 days, $3,000) Week Ending Jan. 4: "THE LITTLE MINISTER" (Radio) WARNERS' HIPPODROME— (3,800), 30c35c-44c, 7 days. Gross: $10,500. (Average, $6,000) . vWeek Ending Jan. 4: "SECRET BRIDE" (Warners) RKO6.#ALACE^(3!,100), 30c-40c-60c 7 days; New, Year's Eve midnight, $1.09$1.50. SjageY Eight acts vaudeville. Gross: $18,0003 (Average, $15,000) "FORSAKING ALL OTHERS" (M-G-M) LOEW'S STATE— (3,400), 30c-35c-44c, for 5 days; New Year's Eve Midnight, 60c. Gross: $9,000. (Average for 7 days, $10,000) "LIMEHOUSE BLUES" (Para.) LOEW'S STILLM AN— (1,900), 20c-30c40c, 5 days; New Year's Eve Midnight, 44c. Gross: $4,500. (Average for 7 days, $4,000) Soviet Film Raises Ontario Censor Row Toronto, Jan. 10. — A battle is waging in various Ontario centres over the propriety of the Soviet film, "Ten Days that Shook the World," municipal and police authorities engaging in a warm discussion with representatives of the so-called Workers' Sport Ass'n. which is sponsoring the exhibitions. Strangely enough, the Ontario censors are not taking a hand in the wrangle and the film has been publicly shown in a number of halls without the official stamp of the censor board. The latter has taken the stand that the release does not come within its jurisdiction because the film is not of standard width. This is the first time that the width of a print has been the deciding point with regard to censorship by the province and municipalities have set up a censoring system of their own. This, too, is interesting because, heretofore, cities and towns have left the examination of films entirely to the province. Exhibitors are somewhat concerned because the move may be the spearhead for double censorship of theatrical films. The Soviet picture has been banned in a number of cities but the authorities in other places have adopted a don't care attitude.