Motion Picture Daily (July–Sept 1938)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY "Antoinette" Outstanding Denver Draw Denver, Sept. 5. — "Marie Antoinette" was the outstanding attraction of the week. It grossed $13,275 at the Orpheum, over normal for the house by $5,775. "The Texans" made an excellent showing at the Denham, $8,000. Par is $5,500. "Alexander's Ragtime Band" took $5,750 at the Aladdin after a week at the Denver. Total first run business was $40,525. Average is $32,750. Estimated takings for the week ending Aug. 31 : "ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND" (20thFox) ALADDIN— (1,400), 25c-40c, 7 days, after a week at the Denver. Gross: $5,750. (Average, $3,500) "THE CROWD ROARS" (M-G-M) "THE CHASER" (M-G-M) BROADWAY— (1,100), 25c-40c, 7 days, after a week at the Orpheum. Gross: 52.000. (Average, $2,500) "THE TEXANS" (Para.) DENHAM— (1,750), 25c-35c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $8,000. (Average, $5,500) "LETTER OF INTRODUCTION" (Univ.) DENVER— (2,525), 25c-35c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $7,000. (Average, $7,500) "MARIE ANTOINETTE" (M-G-M) ORPHEUM— (2,600), 25c-35c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $13,275. (Average, $7,500) "KEEP SMILIN' " (20th-Fox) "PASSPORT HUSBAND" (ZOth-Fox) PARAMOUNT— (2,200), 25c-40c, 7 days. Gross: S3,000. (Average, $3,500) "THE GLADIATOR" (Col.) "MURDER ON DIAMOND ROW" (U.A.) RIALTO — (878) , 25c-40c, 7 days. "Gladiator" after a week at the Paramount. Gross: $1,500. (Average, $1,750) Paramount Sued Over 'Says My Heart' Song Paramount Pictures, Inc., and Famous Music Corp. were named defendants in a suit filed on Friday in the U. S. District Court by Flarms, Inc., which charged the defendants with plagiarizing the plaintiff's song, "Tell Me More," in the song, "Says My Heart," which was featured in "Cocoanut Grove." The complaint, which asks for an accounting of the profits and an injunction against the exhibition of the picture and the sale of song sheets, states that Harms obtained the rights to "Tell Me More" from B. G. DeSylva, Ira Gershwin and George Gershwin. "Says My Heart," which was composed by Frank Loesser and Burton Lane, the complaint continued, was released in April, 1938, by the defendants. Summer Prices Dropped Racine, Wis., Sept. 5/ — -Summer admission prices have been dropped at Warner's Rialto and Venetian here, with prices raised five cents in each bracket. Admissions during June and July and the first three weeks in August were 25 cents to 6 P. M. and 35 thereafter. Standard Theatres. Warner subsidiary, has followed suit at its Kenosha and Gateway in Kenosha. Bob Morten Dead Hollywood, Sept. 2. — Bob Morten, veteran cameraman, engaged mostly on independent production, is dead here at the age of 38. He leaves a widow and two young sons. An American Legion funeral will be held tomorrow. "Boys Town" Opening To Be Held at Omaha Omaha, Sept. 5. — "Boys Town," M-G-M picture about Father Flanagan's Boys' Home west of this city, will have its premiere at TriStates' Omaha Theatre Wednesday. Present will be Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney, the picture's stars, as well as Director Norman Taurog, Producer John Considine, Jr., Frank Whitbeck, M-G-M advertising director, and Maureen O'Sullivan. Miss O'Sullivan does not appear in the picture. Governors of Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and South Dakota, and the Rev. E. J. Flanagan, founder of the home, have been invited to attend. Columbia Wins Ruling N. Y. Supreme Court Justice Julius Miller on Friday granted the application of Columbia Pictures Corp. for an order directing interrogatories to be taken in Los Angeles of Ralph S. Willard and Bruce Vernee in behalf of Columbia in the suit against it for an injunction, accounting of profits and $250,000 damages brought by Ferdinand V oteur for alleged plagiarism of his dramatic composition, "Resurrection Morning" in "The Alan Who Lived Twice." Seals Arrive at Zoo "George Raft" and "Dorothy Lamour," seals presented to the Prospect Park Zoo by Paramount, arrived over the weekend after a hectic trip from Chicago. They will be turned over to the institution this morning. Gladys Swarthout, Eddie Duchin and Lynne Overman will be present at the ceremonies. Buck Jones in Cop Role Hollywood, Sept. 5. — Paramount has signed Buck Jones, erstwhile western star, as featured player in the forthcoming "Vice Souad," it was stated over the weekend by Adolph Zukor. Herald Tribune — Wisdom and artistry have gone into the screen production of "You Can't Take It With You," to make an eminently satisfying entertainment. . . . One of the finest films of the year. Journal American — . . . Amusingly transferred from the stage to the screen ... a capable cast. . . . It's entertaining farce comedy, deftly spun out and handsomely produced. Mirror — . . . Accomplished another mighty job in endowing the pleasant Broadway comedy with the epic quality demanded by its new medium. News — ... A screen farce that had the patrons howling. . . . It's good fun all the way . . . excellent performances . . . the comedy moves I smoothly and briskly. Flat Car "Yam" Colorado Springs, Sept. 5. — To the swing music of Freddie Ebener and his orchestra, Bette Harrison and Rolland Wilson, Colorado Springs shag dancers, danced on a railroad flat car from Manitou Springs to the summit of Pike's Peak to advertise RKO's new picture, "Carefree." The picture features the "Yam," so Bette and Rolland did the "Yam" on the ninemile jaunt, which began at 7,000 feet above sea level and ended at the 14,100-foot level. "Show News" of RKO Portfolio-Enclosed From the RKO advertising and publicity offices of S. Barret McCormick comes the latest wrinkle in product announcements, a white leather zipper portfolio containing a red and gold plush-covered volume in which is bound in advertisement and photographic form descriptions of the forthcoming RKO features. The portfolio seems to have utility for the recipient entirely apart from its function as a container for the product book. The enclosed volume is entitled "Headlines that Tell the Story." The illustrations, however, do more than their share to impart the desired information. Gurie Loan Cancelled The loan of Sigrid Gurie to London Films by Samuel Goldwyn has been cancelled due to denial of a passport to the actress by British authorities, because Norway will not recognize her American citizenship. Name Square for Sophie Hartford, Sept. 5. — When Sophie Tucker comes to Hartford for an engagement at the Harris Brothers' State, city officials will formally name a square near the theatre for her. Miss Tucker is a native of Hartford. Post— "You Can't Take It With You" deserve top ranking. . . . The best comedy with semi-philosophic overtones that the screen has offered in recent memory. Sun— . . . Not only the year's best film, it is one of the finest on record. . . . Out of that wise and witty play has come a wiser and wittier picture. Times— . . . It's a grand picture. Columbia has chosen its cast with miraculous wisdom. . . Jumps smack into the list of the year's best. World Telegram — ... At once one of the most utterly irresistible, delightful, human and entertaining films I have ever seen. . . . Better entertainment as a photopla" than as a show . . . comedy treat of the season. Tuesday, September 6, 19 Schenck and Zanuch Sell 20th-Fox Stoc Washington, Sept. 5. — A series large sales of 20th CenturyFox stc by two corporation executives duri July were revealed over the weeke in the regular report of the Securit and Exchange Commission. With company officers and direct' in several film firms renewing activ in the market, the S.E.C. showed tj Joseph M. Schenck disposed of 19,( shares and Darryl F. Zanuck of 10,( shares of common. These were i biggest sales in several months. Throughout the month, Mr. Seller has reduced his investment. By series of 16 transactions, he cut holdings to 129,843 shares of comra The largest transaction was dispo of 4,100 shares July 2. He retains 2 284 shares of the $1.50 cumulative p ferred. Mr. Zanuck sold his stock in f lots, the biggest being 3,300 on July At the end of the month his holdii comprised 152,130 shares of comrr and 21,946 of the preferred. List Wattles Pathe Sales Other transactions reported to commission were : Gurdon W. Wattles of New Yc director, sold 400 shares of Pa common, retaining 800 at the end the month ; Loew's, Inc., acquired more shares of Loew's Boston T atres common; Daniel M. Sheaffer Philadelphia, director, acquired Universal Corp. voting trust cert cates ; while P. D. Cochrane of K Rochelle, director, reported that partnership in which he is interes sold 688 Universal Pictures Co. ce ficates of the No. 1 series and 1,40? the No. 2 series of April, 1936, a!< with 184 shares of second prefer stock. The S.E.C. summary also sho\ S. P. Friedman of New York, offi and director, gave away . $5,000 wc of Warner Bros, debentures, w Samuel Paley of Philadelphia sold 000 shares of CBS Class A and H bert Bayard Swope of New York • posed of 200 shares of the same typ< CBS stock. Orders Stone Testimo Federal Judge Francis G. Cal on Friday ordered Frances Stone, president of Stone Film Library, 1 to answer written interrogatories u the application of Epic Produc Corp. and Thomas Dixon, plaintiff a suit for an injunction and accoi ing of profits against Stone Film brary, Inc., Marion T. Stone, 1 Film Exchange of N. Y., Inc., quire Amusement Corp., Max Cohen, Major Film Exchange, 1 David M. Sohmer and Skouras 1 atres Corp. The plaintiffs claimed unlawful exhibition of "The Birtl a Nation" by the defendants. Katzman Schedules Eh Eight Tim McCoy westerns 1 been set for production and distr tion this season by Sam Katzmai Victory Pictures. The first, "Li| ning Carson Rides Again," will ready for release Oct. 10. Distr tion deals have been set in Atla Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Oklah( Denver, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Ci" nati and Philadelphia. Mercury I Laboratories will handle prin work. Adjectives Dusted Off For "Can H Take It With You " The New York papers' film critics dusted off the adjectives, beat the drum with empahsis and otherwise went to town in adjudging "You Can't Take It With You." Even the superlatives flowed. For example: