Motion Picture Daily (July–Sept 1938)

Record Details:

Title:
Motion Picture Daily
Date:
July–Sept 1938
Publisher:
New York [Motion picture daily, inc.]
Volume:
Motion Picture Daily (July–Sept 1938)
Leaf #:
000228
Language:
English
Subjects:
Motion pictures, Motion pictures -- Periodicals
Collection:
Hollywood Studio System
Format:
Periodicals
Contributor:
Library of Congress, MBRS, Moving Image Section
Sponsor:
Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division
Coordinator:
Media History Digital Library
Description:
A New York-based daily trade paper published by Martin Quigley. The companion to Quigley's better known weekly publication, MOTION PICTURE HERALD, and a direct competitor to THE FILM DAILY, which was also published out of New York. Established in 1930, MOTION PICTURE DAILY enjoyed a circulation of roughly 5,000 readers most years of its four decades in print (a nearly identical circulation to THE FILM DAILY, but only one third of the readership of MOTION PICTURE HERALD, which reached a wider audience of exhibitors). In the 1930s, the MOTION PICTURE DAILY's editor, Maurice Kann, called on the movie industry to shift more production back to the East Coast. Any productions that filmed in New York received ample attention. New York City never regained its production lead over Hollywood, but the major studios used the Big Apple for their corporate and distribution headquarters. As a result, MOTION PICTURE DAILY tended to focus on economic and regulatory issues confronting the film industry. -- Eric Hoyt, 2014
Date Added:
May 30, 2024
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MOTION PICTURE DAILY 14 "Seven Seas" Dual Frisco's Top, $15,500 Sax Francisco, July 28. — "Port of Seven Seas," on a dual with "We're Going to Be Rich," gave the Paramount $15,500, top figure among the downtown houses and above par by $2,500. "Birth of a Baby" and "Sons of the Plains" lifted the Orpheum slightly above normal with $8,600. It was held for a second week. Total first run business was $68,000. Average is $82,800. Estimated takings : Week Ending July 19: "SKY GIANT" (RKO) GOLDEN GATE — (2,850), 35c-40c-55c, 7 days. Stage: vaudeville. Gross: $14,500. (Average. $16,000) "I COVER THE WATERFRONT" (U. A.) "COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO" (U. A.) UNITED ARTISTS— (1,200), 15c-35c-40c55c-65c, 5 days. Gross: $3,500. (Average, $7,000) Week Ending July 20: "PORT OF SEVEN SEAS" (M-G-M) "WE'RE GOING TO BE RICH" (20th-Fox) PARAMOUNT — (2,740), 15c-35c-40c-55c75c, 7 days. Gross: $15,000. (Average, $13,000) "COWBOY FROM BROOKLYN" (W. B.) "WOMAN AGAINST WOMAN" (M-G-M) FOX— (5,000), 15c-35c-40c-55c-75c, 7 days. Gross: $14,500. (Average, $17,000) "BIRTH OF A BABY" (G. N.) "SONS OF THE PLAINS" (W. B.) ORPHEUM — (2,440), 15c-35c-40c-55c, 7 days. Gross: $8,600. (Average, $8,500) "SHOPWORN ANGEL" (M-G-M) "MR. MOTO TAKES A CHANCE" (ZOth-Fox) ST. FRANCIS— (1,400), 15c-35c-40c-55c-75c, 7 days, 2nd week (moved over from Paramount). Gross: $4,000. (Average, $7,000) Week Ending July 21: "ALWAYS GOODBYE" (20th-Fox) "PRISON FARM" (Para.) WARFIELD — (2,680), 15c-35c-40c-55c-75c, 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $6,500. (Average, $13,000). Week Ending July 22: "STORM IN A TEACUP" (U. A.) CLAY— (400), 15c-35c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $900. (Average, $1,300) "Rage of Paris" Is Fair Buffalo Draw Buffalo, July 28. — First runs failed again to show even the first cousin of an average figure. The Lafayette contributed the best comparative take with "The Rage of Paris," which captured $5,300. Par is $6,300. A winning ball club and a jam of summer stock companies add plenty of managerial worries. Total first run business was $38,600. Average is $30,200. Estimated takings for the week ending Julv 23 : "SHOPWORN ANGEL" (M-G-M) BUFFALO— (3,000), 30c-55c, 7 days. Gross: $10,200. (Average, $12,000) "COWBOY FROM BROOKLYN" (W. B.) GREAT LAKES— (3,000), 30c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $5,300. (Average. $7,500) "FAST COMPANY" (M-G-M) "LITTLE MISS THOROUGHBRED" (W. B.) HIPPODROME— (2,500), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $4,600. (Average. $6,800) "MEN ARE SUCH FOOLS" (W. B.) "ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN" (W. B.) CENTURY— (3,000). 25c, 7 days. Gross: $4,800. (Average. $6,000) "RAGE OF PARIS" (Univ.) LAFAYETTE— (3.300). 25c, 7 days. Gross: $5,300. (Average, $6,300) McGee Takes Theatre Boston-, July 24.— Pat McGee and Roy Heffner have leased the Victory in Lowell. "Blind Mice" Gets $7,000, Montreal Montreal, July 28. — "Three Blind Mice" recorded the highest gross of the year, $7,000, at the Palace. Average is $11,000. "Lord Jeff," first feature of two at the Capitol, accounted for $5,500 for the seven days, against all-year average of $9,500, while "Crime School," on a double bill, brought $4,500 to the Princess, compared with $7,000 average. Total first run business was $20,000. Average is $32,500. Estimated takings for the week ending July 23 : "LORD JEFF" (M-G-M) "FLIGHT INTO NOWHERE" (Col.) CAPITOL— (2,547), 25c-35c-40c-50c-60c, 7 days. Gross: $5,500. (Average, $9,500) "BARONESS AND THE BUTLER" (20th-Fox) "RASCALS" (20th-Fox) ORPHEUM — (919), 25c-35c-50c, 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $3,000. (Average, $5,000) First week: $4,500. "THREE BLIND MICE" (Zflth-Fox) PALACE — (2,600), 25c-35c-40c-50c-65c, 7 days. Gross: $7,000. (Average, $11,000) "CRIME SCHOOL" (W. B.) "MEN ARE SUCH FOOLS" (W. B.) PRINCESS— (2,272), 25c-35c-50c-65c, 7 days. Gross: $4,500. (Average, $7,000) "Goodbye" and Harris Crack K.C. Records Kansas City, July 28. — -"Always Goodbye" and Phil Harris' orchestra set a new house record at the Fox Tower, $17,200. in seven days. This was $10,200 over the line. The picture was moved to the Uptown. The RKO Mainstreet closed Thursday after doing $5,100, $2,900 under the mark, with its last program, "When Were You Born?" and "Romance of the Limberlost." Total first run business was $41,200. Average is $37,500. Estimated takings : Week Ending July 20: "ALWAYS GOODBYE" (ZOth-Fox) FOX TOWER— (2,200), 25c-35c-50c, 7 days. Stage: Phil Harris & His Orchestra, featuring Ruth Robin; also Ruth & Billy Ambrose, and Paul Regan. Gross: $17,200. (Average, $7,000) Week Ending July 21: "WHEN WERE YOU BORN?" (W. B.) "ROMANCE OF THE LIMBERLOST" (Monogram) MAINSTREET— (3,100), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $5,100. (Average, $8,000) "BLOCKADE" (U. A.) "REFORMATORY" (Col.) MIDLAND— (4,000), 25c-40c, 7 davs. Gross: $9,100. (Average, $11,500) "COWBOY FROM BROOKLYN" (W. B.) NEWMAN— (1,900), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: S6.8CO. (Average, $7,000) "THREE COMRADES" (M-G-M) UPTOWN— (2,000). 25c-40c, 7 days, 2nd K.C. week. Gross: $3,000. (Average, $4,000) Test Out "School Night" Cincinnati, July 28. — A new business stimulator for theatres, to be known as "School Night," has been developed by the Meade Enterprises here. Patrons are given numbered "grade cards" as they enter the lobby. The "professor" on the stage selects his "pupils" by calling the numbers on the cards. As each person is called, he is required to rise and answer a local question put to him in abstract form. The answers are graded on the "right" or "wrong" basis. "Goodbye," Duchin Indianapolis Wow Indianapolis, July 28. — "Always Goodbye" on the screen and Eddy Duchin and his orchestra on the stage stood out in a quiet week like a cement silo in the moonlight as the Lyric tallied $15,100, over the line by $7,100. Duchin's show set the house attendance record a year ago and this year's business was but $500 below that. Weather was warm. There was no competition worth mention. Total first run business was $27,100. Average is $22,500. Estimated takings for the week ending July 15 : "THREE BLIND MICE" (ZOth-Fox) "MR. MOTO TAKES A CHANCE" (ZOth-Fox) APOLLO — (1,100), 25c-40c, 7 days, return engagement. Gross: $2,500. (Average, $3. 000) "TROPIC HOLIDAY" (Para.) "GANGS OF NEW YORK" (Republic) CIRCLE— (2,800), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $4,200. (Average, $4,500) "SHOPWORN ANGEL" (M-G-M) "TO THE VICTOR" (G.B.) LOEWS— (2,800), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $5,300. (Average, $7,000) "ALWAYS GOODBYE" (ZOth-Fox) LYRIC— (2,000), 25c-40c, 7 days. Stage: Eddy Duchin and his orchestra, plus revue. Gross: $15,100. (Average, $8,000) "Goodbye" Is Fair in Lull At Washington Washington, July 28. — Loew's Capitol showed the way last week with a take of $18,000, only $75 under par, with the showing of 'Always Goodbye." "Tropic Holiday" at the Earle took runnerup position, hitting $15,000, $2,000 under average. Total first run business was $52,000. Average is $66,580. Estimated takings exclusive of tax : Week Ending July 20: "ALWAYS GOODBYE" (20th-Fox) LOEW'S CAPITOL— (3,434), 25c-66c, 7 days. Stage: Johnny Perkins, Ruth Petty, Diane Christenberry, Bob King and the Titan trio. Gross: $18,000. (Average, $18,075) "TROPIC HOLIDAY" (W. B.) EARLE— (2,218), 25c-66c, 7 days. Stage: Minnevitch's Original Harmonica Rascals, Larry Blake. Marion Daniels and Maysy and Brach. Gross: $15,000. (Average, $17,000) "SHOPWORN ANGEL" (M-G-M) LOEW'S PALACE— (2,370), 25c-55c, 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $7,000. (Average, $12,650) "HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME" (RKO) 6 days, second week) "LITTLE TOUGH GUY" (Univ.) (1 day) RKO-KEITH'S— (1,836). 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $6,000. (Average. $10,000) "THE SHEIK" (Para.) (Reissue) LEOW'S COLUMBIA— (1,243). 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $3,000. (Average. $4,325) "WHEN WERE YOU BORN?" (W. B.) METROPOLITAN— (1,591), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $3,000. (Average, $4,450) Plans New Kansas House Kansas City, July 28.— George S. Welling, lumberman, is building a 350-seat theatre at Natoma, Kan., to open about Sept. 25. Dubinsky Brothers have opened the Hollywood, new $150,000 house, in Leavenworth, Kan. E. Van Hyning is remodeling the Ritz at Parsons, Kan. The Fox Downtown here is closed for repairs. Friday, July 29, 1938 "HavingTime" High in Dull Boston Week Boston, July 28. — "Having Wonderful Time" and "Wives Under Suspicion" held over for a second >*jj£k at the RKO Memorial and tof>ojl) the town with a take of $8,000. A-4erage is $13,000. "Shopworn Angel" and "Man's Castle" also held up well for a second week at Loew's Orpheum and Loew's State. The dual grossed $10,000 at the Orpheum and $8,000 at the State. Total first run business was $40,500. Average is $59,500. Estimated takings for the week ending July 22 : "MEN ARE SUCH FOOLS" (W. B.) "WHEN WERE YOU BORN?" (W. B.) FENWAY — (1,382), 30c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $3,000. (Average, $4,500) "SHOPWORN ANGEL" (M-G-M) "MAN'S CASTLE" (Col.) LOEW'S ORPHEUM— (2,970), 25c-35c-40c55c, 7 days. Gross: $9,000. (Average, $12,000) "SHOPWORN ANGEL" (M-G-M) "MAN'S CASTLE" (Col.) LOEW'S STATE— (3,537), 25c-30c-40c-55c, 7 days. Gross: $7,500. (Average, $11,000) "COWBOY FROM BROOKLYN" (W. B.) "MY BILL" (F. N.) METROPOLITAN— (4,332), 25c-35c-55c, 7 days. Gross: $8,000. (Average, $11,000) "MEN ARE SUCH FOOLS" (W. B.) "WHEN WERE YOU BORN?" (W. B.) PARAMOUNT— (1,793), 30c-40c-55c, 7 days. Gross: $5,000. (Average, $8,000) "HAVING WONDERFUL TIME" (RKO) "WIVES UNDER SUSPICION" (Univ.) RKO MEMORIAL— (2,907), 30c-55c-65c, 7 days. Gross: $8,000. (Average, $13,000) Remodeled 23rd St. Theatre "Previewed" A "preview" of the New 23rd St., on the site of the old Grand Opera House, at 23rd St. and 8th Ave., was held yesterday for the press, with a number of RKO executives attending. The interior of the structure has been rebuilt at a cost of about $250,000, according to Thomas W. Lamb, the architect. The theatre, which will seat approximately 2,000, will be opened Aug. 4 with a double feature policy and will be an RKO neighborhood first run. The Grand Opera House, opened in 1869 as Pike's Opera House, was later taken over by Jim Fiske and Jay Gould. It survived seven changes of management until it was taken over by RKO for the present theatre. The opening bill will be "Having Wonderful Time" and "Sky Giant," to continue on a double policy without any box-office stimulants, at least for the time being. The old 23rd St. Theatre, between 6th and 7th Aves., which RKO operated until it took over the Grand Opera House, is closed and will be reopened after Labor Day by Consolidated Amusements. Among RKO executives attending the "preview" were Major L. E. Thompson, John J. O'Connor, Fred Meyers, Max Fellerman, William England, Dave Canavan, Milton Mayer, H. R. Emde, Leon Goldberg, Malcolm Kingsberg, Jack Farmer and Rutgers Neilson. Thomas W. Lamb, architect, was on hand to explain the changes. Also present were Jack Pegler and Herman Wintrich of Lord & Thomas, advertisng agency ; Harry Mandel, Blanche Livingston, Peggy Foldes, Eddie Sniderman and John Cassidy, all of RKO.