Motion Picture Daily (July–Sept 1938)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Tuesday, August 9, 193! it Andy Hardy" Pittsburgh's Hit, $17,500 Pittsburgh, Aug. 8. — Business here last week showed a marked improvement and grosses generally hit a new high for the summer. The standout was "Love Finds Andy Hardy,'' which got $17,500 at the Penn and finished so strong it was moved to the Warner for another week downtown. At the Stanley, Gene Autry in person and ''Tropic Holiday" drew big afternoon crowds and took $19,500. Total first run business was $54,000. Average is $45,000. Estimated takings for the week ending Aug. 4: "LITTLE MISS BROADWAY" (20th-Fox) ALVIX— (2,000), 25c-50c, 8 days. Gross: $8,250. (Average, 7 days, $6,500) "ROMACE OF THE LIMBERLOST" (Monogram) "GANGS OF NEW YORK" (Republic) FULTON— (1,750), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $4,400. (Average, $4,500) "LOVE FINDS ANDY HARDY" (M-G-M) PENN— (3,300), 25c-50c, 7 days. Gross$17,500. (Average, $11,000) ' TROPIC HOLIDAY" (Para.) STANLEY— (3,600), 25c-60c, 7 days. Stage: Gene Autry, Frankie Marvin, Collins and Peterson, Troy and Lynne, The 3 Biltmorettes. Gross: $19,500. (Average, $18,000) "THE KID COMES BACK" (W. B.) "DIVORCE OF LADY X" (U. A.) WARNER— (2,000), 25c-40c, 8 days. Gross: $4,350. (Average, 7 days, $5,000) Drop Protest Plans On New Orleans Tax New Orleans, Aug. 8.— All protest over payment or collection of the recently-enacted one per cent city and state exhibition tax on films has been abandoned by New Orleans exchanges, but may be contested in courts by the Saenger Corp. Exchanges are billing exhibitors for the one cent state tax and one cent city levy in New Orleans. Saenger, however, informed exchanges they would pay the tax directly to the city and state under protest as a basis for possible court action. Paramount and Grand National began billing exhibitors for the tax last week. Saenger declined to say when and whether action to contest the tax will be filed. El Paso Has Big Time Opening 'Old Mexico' El Paso, Aug. 8. — This town is recovering from a three-day "wild west" celebration over the premiere of "In Old Mexico," which was attended by Harry Sherman, producer, and members of the cast, including William Boyd, George Hayes, Russell Haydon and Jane Clayton. The opening was featured by a parade of the Hollywood personalities to the Plaza Theatre, escorted by state, county and city officials of New Mexico and Texas, with hundreds of others participating. The Chamber of Commerce of Tularosa, Miss Clayton's home town, attended the opening in a body and brought a brass band of 75 pieces and 1,000 residents of the surrounding vicinity. The ballyhoo got the film off to a big start. Warner Oland to Be Interred in Sweden Stockholm, Aug. 8. — Funeral services and interment for Warner Oland who died of pneumonia Saturday will be held in Umea, the town of the actor's birth, according to arrangements made here yesterday. Upon being informed of the death of Warner Oland, S. R. Kent, president of 20th Century-Fox, who is vacationing at Rangeley, Me., issued this statement : "We are all shocked and deeply grieved over the sudden death of Warner Oland. Millions of people all over the world will regret his passing as his characterization of Charlie Chan has won a unique spot in their hearts." Rites for Bly stone Will Be Held Today Hollywood, Aug. 8. — Funeral services for John G. Blystone, a director formerly with 20th Century-Fox, will be held here tomorrow afternoon. Burial will be at Valhalla Memorial Park in Burbank. Mr. Blystone died Sunday of a heart attack. He was 47. Mr. Blystone entered motion pictures as a property man in 1916. He later became a director with Fox Films and was with that company when it became 20th Century-Fox. During his career he directed over 60 features. He resigned in 1936 and handled directorial assignments last year from Grand National and Universal. He is survived by his widow and two daughters. Plan 31 Showings on "You Can't Take It" Columbia will hold trade showings of the Frank Capra production, "You Can't Take It With You," in 31 key cities prior to its general release Sept. 29. Dates and places of the showings will be designated in the near future, and exhibitors will be acquainted at the same time with the national magazine advertising campaign and promotional plans for the picture. The picture will play a pre-release engagement at the Music Hall Aug. 25, but will not be roadshown. File Anti-Trust Suit Against L & J Circuit Atlanta, Aug. 8.— Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wise, owners of the Savannah Theatre Co., have filed suit for $654,000 against Lucas & Jenkins, Inc., operators of 50 theatres in Georgia, charging the defendants had violated anti-trust laws and wrecked their theatre business. Arthur Lucas and W. K. Jenkins, operators of the circuit, and nine major producing companies were named individually as defendants. It is charged that Lucas & Jenkins joined with distributors in attempting to monopolize the motion picture theatre business in the cities of Savannah, Macon, Augusta, Gainesville, Athens, Barnesville and other towns. The plaintiff figured his actual damage at $218,000, claiming he had suffered a $40,000 yearly gross loss in business, plus a $40,000 loss through depreciation in the value of the property and a $13,500 shrinkage in the value of equipment. He claims, under the terms of the anti-trust laws, three times this figure, plus costs. The petition was filed by John I. Kelley, attorney. Essaness Will Seek First Run at Woods Chicago, Aug. 8. — When Essaness take over the Woods Theatre Sept. 4 the present "C" week dual feature policy will continue, Emil K. Stern, Essaness executive, stated today. However, as soon as suitable product can be secured the house will change over to a first run policy, it is understood. This would put Essaness in a competitive position with B. & K. in the Loop. The Woods Theatre which has 1,300 seats was purchased from the Marshall Field estate on a 99-year property lease arrangement. The rental for the land will amount to $4,700,000 plus a percentage over a certain figure if conditions warrant. It is also reliably reported that B. & K. also sought to get the property. The advent of Essaness into the Loop area will make changes in the release system, it is said, as Essaness has 24 neighborhood houses to augment its Looo house. New York Reviewers Call ' 'Ragtime Band 9 9 ' 'Terrific "Terrific," "grand" and "very big" are superlatives used by New York newspaper critics in appraising "Alexander's Ragtime Band," first 20th Century-Fox release of the new season. Excerpts from reviews, appearing over the weekend, follow: Times — Demands recognition as the best musical show of the year ... a long, elaborate, handsomely produced musical review . . . Mr. Berlin's 26 (songs) are decidedly worth hearing again. World-Telegram — A terrific and nostalgic musical panorama, a musical history of the most exciting 20 years in American life . . . The music alone carries it along . . . It's grand! Mirror — The American movie of the century ... a big and important movie . . . It is also the most genuinely en tertaining one we have had this season. Herald-Tribune — Irving Berlin's song hits of a quarter of a century make a rich musical texture for a bountiful show in "Alexander's Ragtime Band." Alice Faye is better than she has ever been before . . . Post — Here is a big, big picture . . . There are many things to please many people . . . The production is lavish. The Sun ... So rich in entertainment its mere existence should help the entire movie industry. . . . For straight musical entertainment the show is tops. The Daily News . . . It's a grand show, an exciting parade of memorable events . . . will be playing for what promises to be a record run. 'Amazing' and Vallee Heavy Chicago Draw Chicago, Aug. 8. — Rudy Vallee oi the stage and "The Amazing Sic, Clitterhouse" on the screen gavel^ Chicago a splendid week with a gros: of $40,000, which was $8,000 bettei than average. "Little Miss Broadway" at th( Roosevelt was another strong Loof attraction, getting $15,800 which was well over the average $11,000. "Love Finds Andy Hardy" did well at the U. A., and Phil Harris with "Little Tough Guy" was satisfactory at the Palace with a better than average gross. Other grosses were satisfactory and Loop business was the best ir weeks. Total first run business was $1 12,300. Average is_$102,000. Estimated takings : Week Ending Aug. 4: "ALWAYS GOODBYE" (ZOth-Fox) APOLLO — (1,400), 35c-55c-65c, 7 days Gross: $5,000. (Average, $6,500) "AMAZING DR. CLITTERHOUSE" (W. B.) CHICAGO— (4,000), 35c-55c-75c, 7 days Stage: Rudy Vallee and Band. Gross: $40, 000. (Average, $32,000) "BOOLOO" (Para.) GARRICK— (900), 35c-55c-75c, 7 days Gross: $5,200. (Average, $6,500) "LITTLE TOUGH GUY" (Univ.) PALACE— (2,500), 35c-55c-75c, 7 days Stage: Phil Harris and Band. Gross: $19,200. (Average, $19,000) "DEVIL'S PARTY" (RKO) STATE-LAKE— (2,776), 20c-40c-55c, ', days. Stage: Verne Buck and Band Gross: $10,600. (Average, $13,000) Week Ending Aug. 5: "LITTLE MISS BROADWAY" (20th-Foxj ROOSEVELT — (1,300), 35c-55c-75c, ! days. Gross: $15,800. (Average. $11,000' "LOVE FINDS ANDY HARDY" (M-G-M) UNITED ARTISTS — (1,700) , 35c-55c-75c 7 days. Gross: $16,500. (Average, $15,000; Long Island to Get First Drive-In Spot The first drive-in theatre in New York State will be opened tomorrow night near Rosedale, L. I., on the Sunrise Highway. The project occupies a 12-acre site and the season for the theatre is expected to run from April 15 to Nov. 1 under normal circumstances. The "house" is called The Sunrise Drive-In Theatre and will be operated by Max Rothstein who has been connected with similar enterprises in Boston. The theatre was designed by Irwin S. Chanin. Jessel Going Abroad George Jessel, who has formed an association with Alex Yokel to produce several shows in New York next i season, will sail on the Queen Mary ' tomorrow for a week's look-see at current offerings in London and Paris. Mr. Yokel, who produced the successful "Three Men on a Horse," has another "horse show" in prospect, probably figuring on luck repeating itself. The World's Fair will also get Mr. Jessel's attention, for he has arranged a concession there, "Little Old New York," a replica of downtown! Manhattan in the gaslight era of Jenny Lind, Chuck Connors and sim-j ilar characters.