Motion Picture Daily (July–Sept 1938)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY ! Monday, July 18, I93J Pittsburgh's Tops "Mice" And "Paris" Hollywood Previews Pittsburgh, July 17. — Neither "Three Blind Mice," which got $8,000 at the Alvin, or "The Rage of Paris," doing $5,300 at the Fulton, were very much above average, but they were both held over, the management figuring that without a holiday they stood a good chance of doing better on a second week. The combination of "Cocoanut Grove" and Gene Krupa's at the Stanley took only $13,500. Total first run business was $38,650. Average is $45,000. Estimated takings for the week ending July 7: "THREE BLIND MICE" (ZOth-Fox) ALVIN— (2,000), 25c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $8,000. (Average, $6,500) "RAGE OF PARIS" (Univ.) FULTON— (1,750), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $5,300. (Average, $4,500) "WHITE BANNERS" (W. B.) PENN — (3,300), 25c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $10,000. (Average, $11,000) "COCOANUT GROVE" (Para.) STANLEY— (3,600), 25c-60c, 7 days. Stage: Gene Krupa's band, Irene Daye, Leo Watson, Tommy Trent, Nichols and Roberts. Gross: $13,500. (Average, $18,000) "STOLEN HEAVEN" (Para.) "CRASHING HOLLYWOOD" (RKO) WARNER— (2,000), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $3,850. (Average, $5,000) Foresee Union Pact For English Houses By AUBREY FLANAGAN London, July 13. — The ultimate conclusion of a national agreement on wages and hours for employes in film houses in England is foreshadowed in an agreement between the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association and the National Association of Theatrical Kine Employes to proceed with the formation of a national conciliation appeal board. The N.A.T.K.E. had asked the C.E.A. to collaborate, and the latter organization had agreed in principle and instructed its officers to draw up a constitution for such a body for submission to the general council of the C.E.A. The board would have no legislative function, but would serve to hear appeals from local conciliation boards when disputes therein result in deadlock. Part of the agreement will be compulsory acceptance of the decision of the appeal board. <(Fourfs a Crowd" (Warners) Hollywood, July 17. — Showmen seeking breezy pictures to offset outdoor competition of the seasonal variety can stop worrying about the week of August 20. That is the release date of this headlong comedy constructed of new plot materials and festooned with as fine a rostei of marquee names as the most exacting exhibitor can ask for at any time of year. Among those present are Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Rosalind Russell, Patric Knowles, Walter Connolly, Hugh Herbert, Franklin Pangborn, Melville Cooper and Herman Bing, to mention as many as the average cinema client can be expected to remember to mention in his word of mouth conveyance of the news to acquaintances. The picture is one to make him talk. The hero of Wallace Sullivan's story, prepared for the screen by Casey Robinson and Sig Herzig, is a public relations counsel of the kind the late Ivy Lee was. In it he does for a millionaire the kind of things that genius did for a real one. The doing of these things is made difficult, but humorously so, by a newspaper reporter, a publisher, the millionaire's daughter and others. Through the skein of complications two romances are carried to satisfactory conclusion, although the treatment is unfailingly for laugh purposes. Michael Curtiz displays again in his direction of this wholly different production the masterly talent so unforgettably exercised in behalf of "Gold Is Where You Find It" and "Robin Hood." Surely his has become a name to command emphasis in exhibitor exploitation. David Lewis is associate producer of the present work. The scene is New York, the time is now, the people are such as live and work out their destinies at this place and time and the action is swift, varied and of a kind completely appropriate for the period. Running time, 85 minutes. "G" William R. Weaver Para. May Ask Rehearing in North Dakofc Johnston Again in Court Newkirk, Okla., July 17. — A. M. Johnston's troubles as a result of a showing of a "Tiny Tot Revue" with four youngsters have become more complicated. After having charges against him dismissed in a justice of the peace court he now faces county court complaints of employing children under 14. "Little Tough Guy" {Universal) Hollywood, July 17. — "Little Tough Guy" is a good melodramatic story idea. Thematically, it details in a manner, which in some parts is grim, the causes, circumstances and conditions of environment which lead youths into a career of petty, and occasionally dangerous, crime. The "Dead End" — "Crime School" group of youngsters with Billy Halop elevated to a starring role are the centers of interest in the production and its story. Yet as they perform in that typical style which has become familiar to theatre-goers, Robert Wilcox, Helen Parrish, Marjorie Main, Jackie Searl, Peggy Stewart and Pat. C. Flick capably enact roles which enable them to be effective in the plot's delineation. Hysterical justice, provoked by labor strife, sends Ed. Pawley, Halop's father, to the electric chair. Bereft of a breadwinner, the family. Mother Main, Sister Parrish and Halop, is forced to move into the slums. There, Halop, asserting his toughness, becomes leader of the juvenile hoodlums. Jackie Searl, rich boy, enters the story in search of thrill. Directing the boys from one lawbreaking escapade to another, Searl turns snitcher and Halop and Huntz Hall are beseiged by police. Following a tense struggle between the two youths, Hall is killed and Miss Parrish forces her brother to surrender. A tolerant judge sends the gang to reform school where the only indication that regeneration has been accomplished is shown as Halop leads the band in which all tyro-gangsters are musicians. Brenda Wisberg wrote the original story and collaborated with Gilson Brown on the adaptation. Though Harold Young's direction is forceful and pointed in segregated instances, it is likely that Universal will return the film to further work for tightening-up purposes as well as to make for more clarity and coherence. Running time, 85 minutes. "A." Gus McCarthy To Remodel Boston Hub Boston, July 17. — Bids are out for the remodeling of the Hub. The house has been playing subsequents since it was taken over from Loew's, Inc., early this year by Trans Lux. Newsreels and shorts are scheduled for the fall. M-G-M Buys Original Hollywood, July 17. — M-G-M has purchased "Vacation from Love," an original by Harlan Ware and Patterson McNutt. No starting date has been set or assignments made. Hamilton Scales Are Cut Hamilton, O., July 17. — Matinee prices at the Rialto, Southio unit, have been reduced from 15 to 10 cents, except Tuesdays, which is Bank Night, and on Sundays. Will Remodel Carolina Charlotte, July 17. — The Carolina here, under the management of Emil Bernstecker, will close during September for redecoration and renovation. New seats, carpets and sound equipment will be installed. Quits Akron Unit Post Akron, July 17. — J. G. Dietjen, secretary of the Akron Independent Exhibitors' Association for the past four years, has resigned. His successor is R. C. Wahl. (Continued from page 1) right of the state to enact and en" force the legislation. The court ruled however, that pending final determjjsjj tion of the case the temporary junction restraining the state fror! forcing the statute should remain it effect. "In the event of an appeal," t.h< court said, in this respect, "we thin! the present status should be prej served until the ultimate decision o the case by the Supreme Court." In its findings of facts and conclu sions of law, the court held the the atre "divorcement" statute was en) acted to prevent monopoly, restraint: of trade and unfair competitive prac tices for films ; that the act is "no arbitrary, capricious or palpably ii excess of legislative power," as con tended by counsel for Paramount. Th( court added that it could see little if any, relation of the act to inter state commerce acts or copyright law: and that it has no purport of licensing of films. Calls Defense Case Weak On the other hand, the court saw ra merit in one of the defense's majoi contentions, which was that the ac could be justified as a valid exercisi of the police power of the state be cause it was a measure to safeguarc "the public health, safety or morals.'l The key to the court's findings therefore, would appear to be its dec laration that "If a Legislature deem: it necessary to mitigate the evils o competition between small chains anc large chains, or to discourage the ac tivities within the state by chain: grown so large as to menace the pub lie welfare, it may adopt measures t( accomplish those ends." The June hearing on the consiitu tionality of the act occupied nine days The plaintiffs, in addition to Para mount, are its theatre operating sub sidiary, Minnesota Amusement Co. and American Amusement Co., a sub sidiary of Minnesota which operate about 20 theatres in North Dakota the only affiliated theatres in the stab and, hence, the only ones affected b; the statute. The defendants are tb State of North Dakota, its Governor attorney general and other state offi cers. Myers Issues Statement Abram F. Myers, chairman of Al lied States Exhibitors Associatior who was instrumental in the draftini of the "divorcement" legislation, it introduction in the North Dakota Leg islature and its defense before th statutory court in Fargo last montl issued the following statement on Fri day: "The decision is a complete vin dication of Allied's position that oper ation by distributors in competitio: with independent theatres depender on them for product is inherent! wrong. Naturally, I am gratified an will discuss the decision in detail whe the opinion and findings of fact ar received." Paramount officials withheld com ment on the decision pending the com pletion of their study of the opinio and findings of fact and conclusion of law.