Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1935)

Thursday, August 8, 1935 MOTION PICTURE DAI LY "Paris" with Cantor Show Coast Smash Los Angeles, Aug. 7.— "Pans m Spring," Eddie Cantor, Parkyakarkas, Rubinoff and Rube Wolf and his orchestra knocked the depression out of the Paramount last week and set up a new summer record of $32,000. Normal is $18,000. Apparently all the theatre-goers who came downtown and couldn't get into the Paramount went to the Hillstreet and 4Star. At the former "Broadway Gondolier" was $4,880 over normal on a take of $12,880 and at the latter "The Scoundrel" was outstanding at $5,300. Total first run business was $96,680. Average is $87,700. Estimated takings for the week ending tonight : "CALL. OF THE WILD" (U. A.) "SILK HAT KID" (Fox) CHINESE — (2,500), 30c-55c, 6 days, 2nd week Gross: $9,900. (Average, $12,500) "JAVA HEAD" (First Division) FILMARTE — (800), 40c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $1,000. (Average, $2,750) "THE SCOUNDREL" (Para.) 4 STAR— (900), 30c-55c, 6 days. 3rd week. Gross: $5,300. (Average, $3,250) "BROADWAY GONDOLIER" (Warners) HILLSTREET — (2,700), 25c-40c, 6 days. Gross: $12,880. (Average, $8,000) "CALL OF THE WILD" (U. A.) "SILK HAT KID" (Fox) LOEWS STATE— (2,500), 30c-55c, 6 days, 2nd week. Gross: $12,800. (Average, $14,000) "PARIS IN SPRING" (Para.) PARAMOUNT — (3,595), 30c55c, 7 days. Stage: Eddie Cantor, Rubinoff, Parkyakakas, Rube Wolf and his orchestra. Gross: $32,000. (Average, $18,000) "BROADWAY GONDOLIER" (Warners) WARNER BROS. (HOLLYWOOD) — (3,000), 25c-40c, 6 days. Gross: $12,400. (Average, $14,000) "OLD MAN RHYTHM" (Radio) "CHASING YESTERDAY" (Radio) WARNER BROS. (DOWNTOWN) — (3,400), 25c-40c, 6 days. Gross: $7,4C0. (Average, $12,000) "WESTWARD HO" (Monogram) "ALIAS BULLDOG DRUMMOND" (G. B.) PANTAGES — (3,000), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $3,000. (Average, $3,200) Phila. Has 100,000 On Sunday Petition Philadelphia, Aug. 7. — A petition with 100,000 signatures for Sunday movies was presented today to the County Commissioners by Joseph Sloane, attorney, representing film interests here. Sloane stated he had 100,000 other names, but turned in only one list because the law required only 17,500 names to put the question on the ballot in the fall. The commissioners will be obligated to put a "yes" or "no" box on ballots in the November election. Upper Darby and Delaware County Commissioners are for the same referendum. Two Authors in Search of Show Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz tried to get into the Majestic theatre yesterday afternoon to watch rehearsals of their new show. It was no dice. They did a lot of banging on doors, but to no avail. Out Hollywood Way Hollywood, Aug. 7. — Warners start "Captain Blood" with heavy budget and 10-week shooting schedule. . . . Errol Flynn, Olivia de Haviland and Guy Kibbee in cast. . . . Billie Burke and daughter, Patricia Ziegfeld, at Lake Tahoe for a vacation. . . . Astrid Ellwyn won two lamps and 11 goldfish by throwing baseballs at a stuffed pig in an amusement park. Una Merkel staged a dinner for Helen Hayes' mother, Mrs. Kay Brown. . . . Charles Laughton getting wigs made for "Cyrano de Bergerac," which will be produced in London. . . . Henry Fonda threw a party at his home for members of the casts and crews of "Way Down East" and "The Farmer Takes a Wife." . . . George Burns and Gracie Allen taken off the train at Tucson and brought back to Hollywood for retakes. Dick Foran and the "Moonlight on the Prairie" crew back at the Warner studio from a location trip. . . . Radio starts Barbara Stanwyck's "Annie Oakley," with Preston Foster in the male lead. Casting — Oscar Polk, Gabriel in "Green Pastures," to play in "From Little Acorns" for Paramount. . . . Frank McHugh added to "The Frisco Kid," Warners. . . . Morgan Wallace, Dean Benton, Edward Le Saint, William Bailey and George Hayes added to cast of Sol Lesser's "Thunder Mountain," starring George O'Brien. . . . Constance Collier signed for "Elegance," M-G-M. * Writers — Darryl Zanuck signs Nunally Johnson for one-year contract after reading "Thanks a Million" script. . . . Manny Seff and Mildred Cram on the screen play for "Small Town Girl," M-G-M. Willis Goldbeck adapting "Two O'Clock Courage" for Radio. . . . John Francis Larkin writing "Mother Lode," next starring vehicle for Richard Dix, Radio. . . . Harry Sauber and Benny Markson at work on script for "The Comeback," Warden Lewis E. Lawes' story, for Warners. + Directors — Frank Borzage, having finished "Shipmates Forever" at Warners, goes over to Paramount for the next Marlene Dietrich picture. . . . Roy Del Ruth calls off vacation to get ready for "Thanks a Million," Twentieth Century-Fox. Bucyrus Sale Confirmed Bucyrus, O., Aug. 7. — Common Pleas Judge C. U. Ahl has confirmed sale of the Hoover Theatre Building, purchased by the Limo Corp., Ohio Schine subsidiary, at sheriff's sale a few weeks ago for $15,500. The building was started in 1929 by the Moose Lodge which subsequently sold its interests to John Hoover, Cincinnati contractor. Financial difficulties prevented Hoover from carrying the work forward, and only part of the walls are up. Lewis Lazaar, Bellefontaine, O., representing the purchaser, announces that completion of the structure will be begun at once. Sauter Plans Shorts Hollywood, Aug. 7. — James E. Sauter, New York broker, plans production of a series of six short subjects on his return here in 10 days from the east. He will use radio and stage talent. In New York, Sauter plans stage presentation of "Four Fathers" by Gertrude Borg, and "Death at the Microphone," by John Archer Carter. Sheehan Expands Estate Hollywood, Aug. 7. — Winfield Sheehan has just purchased 1,000 acres in addition to his present ranch in Hidden Valley. Hidden Valley is a choice residential section a little more than an hour's drive from here. "Curly Top" at $77,000 "Curly Top" at the Music Hall garnered approximately $77,000 for the week ending last night. The gross picked up during the last few days. "The Irish in Us" at the Strand ended its first week at $22,500. Harding Back in K. C. Kansas City, Aug. 7. — Lester Harding has returned to the Tower as master of ceremonies, replacing Nat Nazzaro, Jr. Toronto Pickets Fined Toronto, Aug. 7. — Four members of labor unions, Jens Jensen, James Norris, . Fred "Martin and Thomas May, have been found guilty on charges of intimidation arising out of the picketing of the Model Theatre and have been fined $10 each or the alternative of 30 days in jail. The Model is undergoing alterations. The accused were alleged to have paraded in front of the house with signs declaring that those employed on the reconstruction job were not affiliated with building trades unions of the International Federation of Labor. Moore to Philadelphia Pittsburgh, Aug. 7. — Edward Moore, for several years Main Line district manager for Warners, has been transferred to Philadelphia area, where he will be given a larger district. He will take up his new duties immediately. Instead of appointing a successor to Moore, Zone Manager Harry Kalmine has split Moore's theatres among the three other district managers, Tom Fordham, C. J. Latta and Marshall Taylor. Form Delaware Concerns Dover, Del., Aug. 7. — Meridan Film Distributors, Inc., has been chartered here by George S. Gullette, E. G. Wales and David S. Craven. American Amplifier and Television has been chartered to deal in amplifying systems by M. C. Palmatary, C. O. Layman and H. Kennedy. Sampson Joins Sterling Seattle, Aug. 7. — Jack K. Sampson has been appointed advertising and publicity director for John Danz's Sterling circuit. He succeeds Mose Mesher who has joined the EvergreenHamrick houses. Variety Club Omaha Omaha, Aug. 7. — Keene Abbott, drama and film critic of the World Herald for 32 years, was tendered a farewell at the luncheon of Variety Club. Charles Schlaifer, A. H. Blank advertising manager, delivered an eulogy which caught Abbott by surprise, as it did most of the membership. Schlaifer, after reading excerpts from the press in which Abbott's long career had been extolled, said : "In the six years I've been calling on Abbott no less than twice each week as a press agent, I'll say that never once did he give me anything extra in the way of space or advantage. Because of his insistence on fair play and sportsmanship, he has won the deepest respect any showman could give another man." The ovation that greeted Schlaifer's talk by the 50 showmen present touched Abbott to the extent he was unable to speak and bowed and murmured quiet thanks. The regular speaker for the day was Prof. Hugh Gillespie, who talked on social security. Eddie Shafton was chairman for the day. H. J. Chapman was chairman and Bob Ballantyne was king's jester at the weekly luncheon. Rabbi David Goldstein, delivered a talk on present-day persecutions from dictator-ruled countries, which was something different in luncheon addresses, showmen agreed afterwards. Cincinnati Cincinnati, Aug. 7. — The second annual picnic, held at Strieker's Grove was well attended, especially considering that the temperature was striving for a heat record. A sizable sum was realized which will be turned over to the Film Board relief fund. Lowell Gilmore, dramatic supervisor of WLW, local radio station, has been accepted as a resident member, and now is a full-fledged barker. Bill Gerves is vacationing in the east, and expects to be gone for several weeks. Washington Washington, Aug. 7. — Nov. 24 has been tentatively set for the second annual banquet and dance of Variety Club. Chief Barker Rudolph Berger is expected to announce general committees soon. Tickets will be limited to 500, a total which, it is estimated, would break down to 350 for barkers and guests and 150 for outsiders. It is felt that last year's tariff will be in effect this year, but no details have been forthcoming. Wanted Latest News Hollywood, Aug. 7. — Thieves broke into the Hollywood and gave the boys at one exchange, anyway, a loud laugh. They passed up the two features; they passed up all of the short subjects and stole the Universal newsreel! The two features were "Thunder in the East" and "Doubting Thomas."