Motion Picture Daily (July–Sept 1938)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Monday, August I, 1938 J 66 Cowboy"with Show Denver Best, $11,500 Denver, July 31. — "The Cowboy from Brooklyn," with Benny Meroff and his band at the Denver topped the first runs and was moved to the Aladdin. The $11,500 take was $3,000 above par. "Tropic Holiday" also made an excellent showing at the Denham with $8,500. It was held. Total first run business was $38,700. Average is $32,750. Estimate takings for the week ending July 27: "WHITE BANNERS" (W. B.) ALADDIN— (1,400), 25c-40c, 7 days, following a week at the Denver. Gross: $3,000. (Average, $3,500) "SHOPWORN ANGEL" (M-G-M) "CRIME RING" (RKO) BROADWAY— (1,100), 25c-40c, 7 days, following a week at the Orpheum. Gross: $2,000. (Average, $2,500) "TROPIC HOLIDAY" (Para.) DENHAM— (1,750), 25c-35c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $8,500. (Average, $5,500) "COWBOY FROM BROOKLYN" (W. B.) DENVER— (2,525), 25c-35c-50c, 7 days. Benny Meroff and band. Gross: $11,500. (Average, $8,500) "FAST COMPANY" (M-G-M) "LORD JEFF" (M-G-M) ORPHEUM— (2,600), 25c-35c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $8,000. (Average, $7,500) "MEN ARE SUCH FOOLS" (W. B.) "THE BELOVED BRAT" (F. N.) PARAMOUNT— (2,200), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $4,000. (Average, $3,500) "RAGE OF PARIS" (Univ.) "MR. MOTO'S GAMBLE" (ZOth-Fox) RIALTO— (878), 25c-40c, 7 days. "Rage of Paris" following a week each at the Denver and Aladdin. Gross: $1,700. (Average, $1,750) Non-Profit Group To Aid School Films The formation of the Association of School Film Libraries, a non-profit organization for the distribution of educational films, has been completed by Fanning Hearon, former director, motion picture division of the U. S. Department of the Interior. Membership in the association will be limited to educational institutions and non-commercial distributors of educational films, Mr. Hearon said. It will obtain appraisals of available films and aid members to obtain them, but will not, itself, rent or produce films. The association, at present, is financed by a grant from the General Education Board, a Rockefeller foundation and is said to have the cooperation of more than 400 educational institutions. Mary Losey, formerly associated with The March of Time reel, is assistant director of the new organization. N. Y. Delegation to N. H. Golf Tourney (Continued from page 1) Rogovin and E. C. Callahan, Columbia ; Al Kane, Paramount ; Joseph Cohen, Pouzzner Circuit ; Hy Fine and Phil Selesky, M. & P. Theatres, and Donald Jacocks, Warners' New Jersey zone manager, Irving C. Jacocks, president of the Connecticut, M. P. T. O, is in charge of arrangements. The New Haven exchange district's annual outing is scheduled for Aug. 25 at Ye Castle Inn, Saybrook, Barney Pitkin is in charge of arrangements. Cavorting Softball Players Cut Into Chicago's Grosses By BILL CROUCH Chicago, July 31. — Young ladies who cavort about Chicago's vacant lots in short silk panties are one of the principal reasons for the dull theatre business here this summer. Some 30,000 players indulge in Softball games here nightly and about 10,000 of these are members of the fair sex who prefer to play ball rather than go to the movies with the boy friend. About 50,000 persons are staying away from theatres daily to enjoy the free games played by girl teams whose members wear about as much as chorus girls. + So much interest has developed in the games that exhibitors are investigating the possibility of having the vacant lots and parks where the softballers play licensed by the city. + The return of independent theatre leaders and their legal staff from New York after conferences with distributors will disclose whether or not action will be taken against major companies and Balaban & Katz. The filing of the Government suit delayed things here somewhat, but it also gave the local independents a lot of encouragement. Unless many concessions are handed down by the major companies and the major circuit here considerable legal fireworks are expected. The independents want duals eliminated more than anything else. If this can't be arranged they want the 10-week clearance period between the Loop openings and the first-week-of-release, shortened to five weeks. More than 80,000 attended the Helen Jepson concert in Grant Park the other night. This is an example of some of the crowds that flock to the lake front nightly to hear the free musical concerts supplied by the park board. Many noted stars of stage, screen and radio are expected to appear during the coming weeks. Among those expected are : Gladys Ifs a Fact Sydney, July 1. — As Autumn's mild temperatures give way to the chilly blasts of winter, theatre business throughout Australia starts its annual decline. This early winter setback lasts only until such time as the theatre-goer accustoms himself to the cold snap that heralds the coming of winter in June; and by mid-July box-offices return to normal activity. This year, Australian theatres have not only the early weeks of winter to contend with, but an opposition that recurs every fourth year, the test matches in cricket between England and Australia. Swarthout, Jascha Heifetz, Albert Spaulding, Rudy Vallee and Deanna Durbin. + Top salary for a stage engagement here, without a percentage, goes to the Ritz Brothers who open at the Chicago next week at $15,000 for the week. B. & K. expect the three comics to do plenty of business at that price, we'd imagine, because that's a terrific nut to write off on the books. + The Blackstone, favorite hostelry of the stars, is being redecorated at an expense of $235,000. At present the outside of the building is getting a "facial." The installation of new equipment and remodeling of rooms will start soon under the supervision of Ernst V. Kunz, manager. + Rudy Vallee and Phil Harris are battling it out, both with batons and at the box-office, in the Loop this week. Vallee is at the Chicago with his show and Harris is on the stage at the Palace. The result is the greatest activity in these houses in weeks. Find Field Open in Ontario for 16 mm. Toronto, July 31. — In a survey of the possibilities for the exhibition of 16 mm. films in non-theatrical buildings in Ontario, Walter Kennedy, general manager of Sterling Films, Ltd., subsidiary of Empire-Universal Films, Ltd., has ascertained that the number of licensed halls in the province is 2,921. These are the community centers in which portable projection equipment can be used and for which an annual license fee of $10 has been paid to the Provincial Treasury Department. According to the report of Chairman Silverthorne of the Ontario Censor, there are now 354 licensed theatres in the province, as compared with 329 last year, indicating that the number of places where 16 mm. shows can be presented is more than eight times greater than the total of actual theatres and the field is wide open. According to Mr. Kennedy, the possibilities for presentation of 16 mm. "roadshows" is practically limitless. Para. Plans No Ban On Duals in Chicago No agreement to eliminate double featuring in Chicago will be entered into by Paramount or Balaban & Katz with _ independent exhibitors from that city, who have made the request as a remedy for complaints against the 10-week clearance period accorded B. & K. houses, a Paramount official said Saturday. The statement followed conferences here this week with a Chicago exhibitor committee consisting of Jack Kirsch, president of Allied of Illinois ; Edward Silverman and Van Nomikos, independent circuit exhibitors, and Joseph Rosenberg, attorney for the independents. The Paramount official said that proposals had been made to the exhibitor committee under which B. & K. would modify its existing clearance practice. It was not stated what form the modification would take, but it was emphasized that any agreement involving the elimination of double features in Chicago was regarded as being 'Goodbye' Top As Pittsburgh Takes Revive Pittsburgh, July 31. — Business, which has been in the doldrums j^1for some time now, picked up brrU^y last week. The outstanding surprise was the showing of "Always Goodbye" at the Fulton, where it accounted for an excellent $6,500, over par by $2,000. The Stanley took a fine $19,500 with "The Cowboy from Brooklyn" and Major Bowes' third anniversary revue while the Warner likewise pulled out of the slump with $5,000 for "Hold That Kiss" and "The Saint in New York." Total first run business was $45,450. Average is $45,000. Estimated takings for week ending July 21 : "FAREWELL TO ARMS" (Para.) "MR. MOTO'S GAMBLE" (20th-Fox) ALVIN— (1,850), 25c-50c, 6 days. Gross: $4,600. (Average, for 7 days, $6,500) "ALWAYS GOODBYE" (20th-Fox) FULTON— (1,750), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $6,500. (Average $4,500) "HAVING WONDERFUL TIME" (RKO) PENN— (3,300, 25c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $9,750. (Average $11,000) "COWBOY FROM BROOKLYN" (W. B.) STANLEY— (3,300), 25c-60c, 7 days. Stage: Major Bowes' Third Anniversary Revue, Buddy Paige, Dave Broudy's orchestra. Gross: $19,500. (Average $18,000) "HOLD THAT KISS" (M-G-M) "SAINT IN NEW YORK" (RKO) WARNER— (2,000), 25c-40c, 8 days. Gross: $5,000. (Average, for 7 days, $5,000) Legion of Decency Approves 12 Films The National Legion of Decency last week approved 12 new film releases for its Class A sections. No newly reviewed films were condemned or found partially objectionable. The additions to the approved list are : Class A, Section I, approved for general patronage: "Affairs of Annabel," RKO ; "Give Me a Sailor," Paramount; "I'm From the City," RKO; "Pioneer Trail," Columbia ; "Prison Break," Universal, and "Sing, You Sinners," Paramount. Class A, Section 2, unobjectionable for adults : "Boy Meets Girl," War : ners ; "The Chaser," M-G-M ; "Dreik ! lang," UFA; "Marie Antoinette," M-G-M; "Muertos Hablan," Louis ' Bueno, and "Strange Boarders," Gaumont British. To Retain Stage Shows Mexico City, July 31. — At least one local theatre, the historic Teatro Lirico, where Lupe Velez began her career and which was the storm center of the actors' fight to prevent the few remaining playhouses going to films is to be preserved for stage performances. Its owners have made an agreement with the actors' and stage hands unions to keep the house going and will not, at least for the present, sell it to film interests. "completely out of the question" by Paramount and B. & K. Members of the exhibitor delegation could not be reached for comment on the acceptability of the proffered clearance changes. The committee has threatened legal action in the event acceptable relief is not obtained.