Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1936)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY aturday. May 9. 1936 'Bradf ord" Is High Grosser On the Coast Los Angeles, May 8. — "The Exirs. Bradford" did top business here ast week, going §6,800 over the house verage of $3,200 at the Pantages and feaking even at the Hillstreet on a toss of $8,000. "Things to Come" was strong at he 900-seat 4-Star, going 82,750 over he line for a take of §6,000. "The }reat Ziegfeld" continued to excellent oisiness in its third week at the larthay Circle with a take of $lo,400. Other grosses were only fair. Total first run business was $94,000. Average is §88,150. Estimated takings for the week nding May 6 : THE GREAT ZIEGFELD" (M-G-M) CARTHAY CIRCLE — (1,518), 50c-$1.50. 7 lavs, 3rd week. Gross: $16,400. "CAPTAIN JANUARY" (ZOth-Fox) EVERYBODY'S OLD MAN" (20th-Fox) CHINESE — (2,500), 30c-55c, 7 days. Gross: 7.300. (Average, $12,500) "M" (G.B.) FILM ARTE — (800), 30c-40c, 7 days. 2nd reek. Gross: $1,000. (Average, $2,000) "THINGS TO COME" (U.A.) 4 STAR— (900), 30c-55c, 7 days. Gross: 6.000. (Average, $3,250) "DUBROVSKY" (Amkino) GRAND INTERXAT'L— (750;, 35c-40c, 7 lays. Gross: $2,000. (Average, $1,200) 'THE EX-MRS. BRADFORD" (Radio) HILLSTREET— (2,700), 25c-40c. 7 days. Iross: $S.000. (Average. $8,000) "CAPTAIN JANUARY" (20th-Fox) EVERYBODY'S OLD MAN" (20th-Fox) LOEWS STATE— (2,500), 30c-55c, 7 days. Iross: $11,500. (Average, $14,000) "THE EX-MRS. BRADFORD" (Radio) PANTAGES — (3,000), 25c-40c, 7 days, iross: $10,000. (Average, $3,200) 'MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN" (Para.) PARAMOUNT— (3,595), 30c-55c, 7 days. Hd week. Stage: F. & M. revue, Al Lyons ind orchestra. Gross: $16,400. (Average, 18.000) "THE GOLDEN ARROW" (F.N.) WARNER BROS. (HOLLYWOOD) 3.000), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $8,400. Average, $14,000) "THE GOLDEN ARROW" (F.N.) WARNER BROS. DOWNTOWN i 3.400), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $6,500. Average, $12,000) L. B. Mayer in Hospital Louis B. Mayer last night went to he hospital for observation. He s expected to leave Monday. Mayer las been bothered by rheumatism in 3ne arm, it was stated at the M-G-M iome. The condition is not regarded is serious, but Mayer feels he wants to be under a doctor's care for a few days before heading for the Chicago ■ales convention next week. A Correction In the Broadway gross story published in yesterday's Motion Picture Daily it was erroneously reported that "The Moon's Our Home" was playing at the Paramount with Guy Lomhardo's orchestra. It should have read "13 Hours By Air." The first week's gross on "Under Two Flags" at the Music Hall was $93,000, and not $85,000 as published. Hart Seeks Interest Attorneys for William S. Hart yesterday in N. Y. Supreme Court filed an application asking Justice Hammer to enter interest amounting to $54,417 to the damages of $85,000 awarded Hart recently in a jury verdict. Justice Hammer has set the hearing in the request for Monday. Supply Ass'n Board Sets Meet on June 2 Directors of the Independent Theatre Supply Dealers' Ass'n will hold a three-day session at the Edgewater Beach Hotel, Chicago, preliminary to the annua! convention. The directors will meet from June 2 to June 4 and on June 5 the three-day regular sessions will begin. Standardization of equipment will highlight the meetings. Also to be taken up will be the naming of a successor to Clem Rizzo, who recently passed away. Rizzo was treasurer and operated his own business in Philadelphia for many years. New Dealer Group Sets Meet The planned Associated Theatre Supply Dealers, Inc., which is in the process of formation by George de Kruif, former executive of National Theatre Supply Co., will hold a meeting at a hotel to be designated, in Chicago, on June 8 and 9, if 10 prospective members find it possible to attend, it was indicated yesterday by Rudolph Eisenberg, who will be general counsel for the new dealers' organization. Thus far, according to the attorney, 21 dealers have declared their willingness to join the new group, and 70 manufacturers have agreed to cooperate. Three dealers have promised to attend a Chicago meeting it it is held. If the Chicago meeting does not take place, Eisenberg said, another time and place will be set but he indicated that the association definitely will get under way during the summer. A program for the Chicago session already has been prepared. De Kruif is expected to remain in Chicago, where he is clearing up personal affairs, until after the June meeting. Big Broadcast for "Rainy Afternoon" A worldwide radio plug for "One Rainy Afternoon," first PickfordLasky effort, has been arranged by U.A. over NBC on the RCA Magic Key hour Sunday, May 17. The program will be heard on 63 standard stations and five short wave stations. Jesse L. Lasky will speak and sequences and songs from the picture will be broadcast from Hollywood by Francis Lederer, Ida Lupino and Hugh Herbert. Orders Examination Federal Judge Murray Hulbert yesterday directed the defendants in a copyright infringement suit for $500,000, involving "Roman Scandals," to submit to examination before trial and furnish the plaintiffs with a copy of the script and a positive print on the film. The order was in connection with an action brought by Mort Eisman, Clara Dellar and Robert Louis Shayon against Samuel Goldwyn, Samuel Goldwyn, Inc., Eddie Cantor and United Artists. Sues on Bank Night Tampa, May 8.— A suit for $3,000 has been filed in Circuit Court against Gulf Theatres, Inc., operator of the Tampa, by W. A. Rice, whose name was called at the Bank Night drawing May 1 and who missed the pot of $1,550 by one minute, according to an announcer's statement over a loudspeaker to a crowd waiting outside. U. S. Films Best in Mexico — Seidelman American product is still far out in front in popularity with Mexican audiences, declared Sam Seidelman, United Artists manager in Mexico, in town for home office conferences on the product for the new season. The outlook for next season is very promising, said Seidelman, anticipating one of the best years in that market. Federal censorship he sees as inevitable in Mexico, replacing the present local censorship. There is a surplus of good American product in the country as a result of the long strike which kept major American product out of the country, and which was settled only a few months ago, Seidelman declared. There is a real need, especially in Mexico City, for new theatre building or the remodeling of present houses, he said. The considerable use of independent American films and foreign product by exhibitors in the country during the strike has not had the effect of retarding the major product. Spanish and French pictures are the chief American competitors in the country. English product is making no inroads on American supremacy, Seidelman said, and only four or five English films, outside of the United Artists London Films releases, are shown in Mexico each year. Seidelman will remain here about two weeks before returning to his headquarters in Mexico City. Columbia Sale Meet Extended Extra Day Columbia's pre-convention sales meeting, which opened yesterday with Abe Montague, sales manager, presiding, is being extended through today. Attending the meeting, in addition to home office and sales executives, are the following branch managers : Phil Fox, Albany ; T. F. O'Toole, Boston ; H. E. Weiner, Philadelphia; I. H. Rogovin, New Haven ; Phil Dunas, Chicago ; Joe Miller, Buffalo, and Nat Cohn, New York, accompanied by Irving Wormser and Saul Trauner, assistant managers. Plan Reliance Lineup Hollywood, May 8. — Harry Goetz and Edward Small of Reliance are holding conferences with a number of writers in order to line up stories for the six films Reliance will make for RKO release in 1936-37. "The Last of the Mohicans," now in work, is the last Reliance for United Artists. Max Barewin a Father Kansas City, May 8. — Max Barewin, district manager for Price Theatre Premium Co., is passing cigars. His wife presented him an eight-pound boy this week at Menorah Hospital. It is their first. "Adverse" for Convention Hollywood, May 8. — Warners will show "Anthony Adverse" at the sales convention here June 1. Mervyn LeRoy, director, is expected to attend. Columbia Club Starts Boston, May 8. — The local Columbia Club officially got underway with a steak dinner at Fahy's this week, after which the new clubrooms in the film district were dedicated. 3 "Small Town," Our Gang Big Detroit Draw Detroit, May 8. — "Small Town Girl" was the big noise of the week here. It garnered $24,300, with the help of Our Gang on the stage. This tops normal by $4,300. "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" pulled $22,500, up by $2,500, at the Fox. The other three first runs found the going rough. Total first run business, $69,700. Average is $70,000. Estimated takings for the week ending May 7 : "O'MALLEY OF THE MOUNTED" (ZOth-Fox) "PANIC ON THE AIR" (Col.) ADAMS— (1,770), 10c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $4,100. (Average, $5,000) "MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN" (Col.) FOX— (5,100). 15c-75c, 7 days. Stage: vaudeville. Gross: $22,500. (Average, $20,000) "SMALL TOWN GIRL" (M-G-M) MICHIGAN— (4,100), 15c-75c, 7 days. Stage: Our Gang kids. Gross: $24,300. Average, $20,000) "TILL WE MEET AGAIN" (Para.) "GIVE US THIS NIGHT" (Para.) STATE— (3,000), 10c-40c, 7 davs. Gross: $3,800. (Average, $5,000) "THINGS TO COME" (U. A.) UNITED ARTISTS— (2,070), 15c-65c, 7 days. Gross: $7,600. (Average. $10,000) "THE EX-MRS. BRADFORD" (Radio) RKO DOWNTOWN— (2,950), 15c-65c, 7 days. Gross: $7,400. (Average, $10,000) F. & M. to Move June 1 Fanchon & Marco on June 1 will move from the Bond Bldg. to the RCA Bldg. in Radio City. The company will occupy half of the 14th floor. Harry H. Thomas has taken an office on the 21st floor in the RKO Bldg. where he will make his headquarters for the handling of from eight to 12 James A. FitzPatrick pictures. Lesser Signs Phil Rapp Hollywood, May 8. — Sol Lesser has signed Phil Rapp to write the screen play of "Happy Go Lucky" which will be the next for Bobby Breen. Rapp is the writer of Eddie Cantor's radio material, and also received screen credit on "Strike Me Pink." He will develop an idea suggested by Lesser. Start "Chinese Gold" Hollywood, May 8. — Paramount has started "The General Died at Dawn," under the new title "Chinese Gold." The cast is headed by Gary Cooper and Madeleine Carroll. Lewis Milestone is directing. Biro in New Korda Post London, May 8. — Lajos Biro, for five years a writer and associate director with London Films, has been signed by Alexanda Korda to a term contract as head of the scenario department. Pick Fairbanks' Next United Artists have received w*>rd from London that Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., will have the lead in "The Last Minstrel" for Criterion. It will be based on Sir Walter Scott's "The Lay of the Last Minstrel."