Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1938)

londay, February 14. 1938 MOTION PICTURE DAILY 'Landing" Is Boston's Hit; Gets $30,000 Boston, Feb. 13. — "Happy Landing" .as a smash hit at the RKO Memolijfcwith a take of $30,000, over norby $8,000. Cookie Bowers ::aded a stage show. "Hurricane," with "Beg, Borrow or ileal" as the other half of a dual bill, i.rned in §14,000 in its second week Loew's Orpheum, passing par by ,!,000. At Loew's State the same bill ok $11,000, average business. The Metropolitan raised its prices iom 25c-40c-65c to 35c-50c-65c for Svery Day's a Holiday" and Fred "aring and his band, and the take ent to $26,500, up by $4,500. Total first run business was $103,K). Average is $90,500. i Estimated takings for the week endg Feb. 5: "LOVE IS A HEADACHE" (M-G-M) IULLDOG DRUMMOND'S REVENGE" (Para.) J FENWAY — (1 ,382) , 30c-50c, 7 days. Gross: 100. (Average, $4,500) "HURRICANE" (U.A.) IEG, BORROW OR STEAL" (M-G-M) LOEW'S ORPHEUM— (2,790), 25c-40c-55c, days, 2nd week. Gross: $14,000. (Averse, $12,000) "HURRICANE" (U.A.) IEG, BORROW OR STEAL" (M-G-M) (2nd Week) LOEW'S STATE — (3,537), 25c-40c-55c, 7 ys. Gross: $11,000. (Average, $11,000) :VERY DAY'S A HOLIDAY" (Para.) METROPOLITAN— (4,332), 35c-50c-65c, 7 ys. Stage: Fred Waring. Gross: $26,500. .verage, $22,000) "LOVE IS A HEADACHE" (M-G-M) I HJLLDOG DRUMMOND'S REVENGE" (Para.) PARAMOUNT — (1,793), 30c-40c-55c, 7 \ys. Gross: $8,000. (Average, $7,000) "CHANGE OF HEART" (20th-Fox) "THE SHADOW" (Col.) 'RKO BOSTON— (3,246), 35c-40c-55c, 7 . ys. Gross: $8,500. (Average, $12,000) "HAPPY LANDING" (2Cth-Fox) (2nd Week) RKO MEMORIAL— (2,970), 35c -50c -65c, 7 iys. Stage: Cookie Bowers. Gross: $30,•0. (Average, $22,000) ending" $20,300 Leader at Buffalo J Buffalo, Feb. 13. — "Happy Land| g pulled $20,300 at the Buffalo, $6,)0 over normal and one of the best ngle-featured grosses in months, r The Great Lakes, with "Every pay's a Holiday," rang up $9,200 to hbat average by $1,200. "Bad Man of rimstone," teamed with "Sh, the Oc''pus" for a nine-day run at the CenBry, drew $12,500. Weekly par at the [ )use is $6,300. n Total first run business was $54,DO. Average is $42,300. J Estimated takings for the week end:]g Feb. 5: "HAPPY LANDING" (20th-Fox) ! BUFFALO — (3,000), 35c-60c, 7 days. Gross: 9,300. (Average, $14,000) iVERY DAY'S A HOLIDAY" (Para.) GREAT LAKES— (3,000), 30c-50c, 7 days. toss: $9,200. (Average, $8,000) "PARADISE FOR THREE" (M-G-M) HIPPODROME— (2,500), 30c-50c, 7 days, -oss: $6,700. (Average, $7,500) JAD MAN OF BRIMSTONE" (M-G-M) "SH, THE OCTUPUS" (F.N.) CENTURY — (3,000), 25c-35c, 9 days. Gross: 2,500. (Average, 7 days, $6,300) "DR. SYN" (G.B.) "ALL-AMERICAN SWEETHEART" (Col.) LAFAYETTE — (3,300), 25c-35c, 7 days, 'oss: $5,200. (Average, $6,500) "Outside of Paradise" (Republic) Here is a nicely fashioned semi-musical production that will fit well in subsequent runs. The film was given a good production and has a fair quantity of comedy and youthful enthusiasm about it. It is a variation of the well tried success story. Phil Regan, Penny Singleton and Bert Gordon have the leading roles and they do well by them. Regan is a leader of a popular orchestra who inherits a share in an Irish estate. He raises the money for passage and forthwith departs. On arrival he learns the other half of the estate is in the hands of Miss Singleton, who, being a Kerrigan, brings up the old feud between her family and the O'Tooles, Regan's tribe. He is shunned by the household. One night while preparing his meal of hamburgers Lionel Pape and his family come in out of the rain and become interested in his novel cooking. Pape's daughter, Ruth Coleman, gets interested in Regan and encourages him to open a restaurant. He does so and shortly afterward his New York pals arrive and humorously complicate things. Regan learns to love Miss Singleton and with the usual misunderstandings on her part and the financial intrusion by Miss Coleman the piece wends its way to a logical conclusion. There is an interesting musical number set in a night club that is done in good style. The support includes Leonid Kinskey, Mary Forbes, Joe E. Marks, David Kerman, Billy Young, Cliff Nazarro and Harry Allen. What comedy comes to pass is tame. John H. Auer directed. Running time, 68 minutes. "G." "The Affairs of Maupassant" (Gallic Films) The Bohemian aspect of Paris in the Victorian '80's and the cinematic introduction of such well-known literary and artistic characters as Guy de Maupassant and Marie Bashkirtseff in the leading roles should provide good dramatic entertainment for the patrons of foreign film houses. The film was produced in Vienna, the dialogue is in German. Julian Leigh has effectively translated the language with English titles. Henry Koster, who has been connected with "100 Men and a Girl" and "Three Smart Girls" in this country, first received notice due to his direction of this film. The story tells of the romance of de Maupassant and Marie Bashkirtseff which culminated in the death of the latter. The action in proper moods covers the pair's first meeting, their ripening friendship, artistic endeavors and conflicts, and the breaking up of their romantic relations due to the girl's illness. The leading feminine role is played by Lili Darvas. She gives a touching, convincing performance. De Maupassant is re-created by Hans Jaray. The photography and production are in good taste and the musical score, utilizing Offenbach's "Orpheus in the Underworld" overture, for tonal background, strikes a new note for this sort of thing. Reviewed without production code seal. Running time, 80 minutes. "A." "Russia Marches On" ( World Advance Pictures) There is not very much of an educational or entertaining nature to be found in this film. It was produced by Charles Francis Drake, an American lecturer and "globe-trotter." It is offered as an historical document that covers the strides the Soviet Union has made since the Revolution. From the text of the narrative it seems to have been dictated by the powers that be, for nothing of a controversial nature is brought up and all is praise and challenge. This no doubt will appeal to the Russian-minded audience that patronizes the theatre playing their particular brand of cinema fare. The photography is a trial to the eyes. The lighting and composition were done with no apparent thought for easy viewing. The light flickers and glares uncomfortably. Conditions of the Russian before the upheaval and after in the various sections of the country are shown. The progressive strides in agriculture, construction, engineering and social development are shown in comparison making up the greater portion of the film. The film covers a great deal of ground but never goes beneath the surface. All, it seems to the producer and narrator, is rosy with the Soviets. Running time, 90 minutes. "A." Selznick Buys "Banditti" Hollywood, Feb. 13. — Selznick International has purchased "Gay Banditti," I. A. R. Wylie serial to start shortly in the Saturday Evening Post. Drop Boston Stage Show Boston, Feb. 13. — Stage shows at the Metropolitan will be discontinued after Feb. 17 when the policy will be changed to straight pictures. Short Subjects "Breathless Moments" (Universal) From almost its opening clip to the conclusion this annual compilation of the exciting moments in the newsreel cameraman's year manufactures the kind of thrills that will keep audiences on the edges of seats. The subject in the past has had an extremely satisfactory reception and with this assemblage it should do likewise. There are items covering every branch of disaster, sport, naval maneuvers, fires, daredevil stunters, scientific endeavor, war and such natural events as floods and storms. The material has been cut and edited with the thought signified by the title constantly in mind and it achieves this end with distinction. It is for strong stomachs. Running time, 20 mins. "G." "The Fox Hunf (Metropolitan) The creators and producers of 'Joie de Vivre," the cartoon which introduced a new technique in this form of screen fare, here offers what is reputedly the first Technicolor cartoon to come from Europe. It is similar to the first black and white effort — a fluid, effortless type of animation. The scenario concerns the pursuit of a fox by hunters and the general uproar and humorous confusion the hunted causes. It is clever, but also rather sophisticated. The audience patronizing the foreign film house will find it most interesting. Running time, 7 mins. "G." "Vitaphone Pictorial Revue No. 6" ( Vitaphone) Arabian horses going through their paces on the Kellogg ranch in Pomona, ice hockey at Madison Square Garden and the manufacture of women's shoes. It is diversified material, interestingly presented that should nicely fill out a show. Running time, 10 mins. "G." "Just Ask Jupiter" (Educational) What appears to be just another cat and mouse cartoon pleasantly develops into a humorous takeoff on "Dead End." A mouse inhales ether fumes and, dreaming, wishes it was a cat. It gets its wish and a lot of other unpleasantries. The action is clever and the subject should give satisfaction. Running time, 7 mins. "G." "Boat Builders" (Disney-RKO) Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and the Goof undertake to build a boat according to "simple" plans, and the result is the expected delightful Disney animated nonsense. The boat is put together through many a typical Disney mishap, and when it finally is launched, it collapses loudly. Running time, 7 mins. "G." "The New Homestead" (Columbia) Scrappy is assisted in the construction of his new home by the animated Petey Parrot, who is at times amusing, but exhibits a tendency to repeat his antics too readily. The result is routine cartoon material. Running time, 7 mins. "G."