Motion Picture Daily (July–Sept 1938)

■Vednesday, September 14, 1938 MOTION PICTURE DAILY ^IO Is Behind I. A. Attacks, Smith Charges (.Continued from page 1) | iave been eyeing the motion picture Ijidustry for some time. On the heels v|i)£ the latest publicity attack from the jfcjame anonymous minority source that jMfthe past year has been attempting to "bracken the I. A. T. S. E. leadership, i small group of active agents is circulating through the ranks of studio Borkers, feeling out prospects for a I. 0. invasion. "The alliance is prepared to meet his situation and to properly expose P I. O. stooges and their Communist sociates. "It further develops that minority tions attacking the I.A.T.S.E. m within have spread their tenles into every other craft and union organization in the entertainment ields. Working with known Com|nunists this group plans similar naneuvers in other studio organizaMliions. Their principal objective is to irrupt present organizations and de: ;troy existing contractual relations )et\veen crafts and employers to make ij;jway for a C.I.O. drive. To us the situation is clear. We have been attacked, investigated, assailed and iheled for over a year. Invariably :he attacks have come from the same C.I.O. Communist sources. Now we are bringing about our own investiga fl#on . • "It will be thoroughly convincing and final. Under the practical pro v^..^v.» f r ~ cedure that has marked our organiza H tion for over SO years we will estab" lish once and for all that the rank and 1 file of I.A.T.S.E. members who have built this organization are thoroughly loval to their own union and the j.A.F.L." « "Gateway," Heidt $10,200 Milwaukee Milwaukee, Sept. 13. — Week's big money was Horace Heidt's aggregation and "Gateway" at Fox's Palace, which collected $10,200, just $5,200 . .above average. Second money went to "My Lucky Star" and "Booloo," which grossed $s,S00 at the circuit's Wisconsin. This was $500 to the good. "Spices of i Paree," on the stage and "City Streets" on the screen was good for $5,300 at the Riverside, just $300 . "above average. Estimated takings : Week Ending Sept. 7: "FOUR'S A CROWD" (W. B.) "BREAKING THE ICE" (RICO) WARNER— (2,400). 35c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $5,000. (Average. $5,000) Week Ending Sept. 8: "GATEWAY" (20th-Fox) PALACE— (2,400), 3Sc-50c, 7 days. Stage: Horace Heidt and Band. Gross: $10,200. Average, $5,000) "CITY STREETS" (Col.) RIVERSIDE— (2,300), 25c-30c. 7 days. Stage: "Spices of Paree." Gross: $5,300. (Average. $5,000) Iff "ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND" (20th-Fox) "ARMY GIRL" (Republic) STRAND — (1.400). 35c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $4,500. (Average. $4,500) "MY LUCKY STAR" (20th-Fox) "BOOLOO" (Para.) WISCONSIN— (3,200), 35c-50c, 7 days. Gross: $8,500. (Average, $8,000) ■A New York Previews "The Mexicali Kid" (Monogram) Jack Randall is featured in the romantic lead of this western, while Wesley Barry, in the title role, is an engaging sharp shooter, who aids Randall. The yarn is cut rather closely to the pattern of westerns, with perhaps a bit too much footage at times devoted to the inevitable pursuits, but in general it is active and lively stuff, the kind which has a ready audience in so many spots. Eleanor Stewart is the girl whose ranch is the object of the nefarious scheme of her general manager, according to the original story and screenplay by Robert Emmett. Wallace Fox who directed, wisely kept the action to the forefront as much as possible. Randall meets Miss Stewart by accident after teaming with Barry, and falls in love with her. Again by accident, he gets wind of the plot of the general manager, plays in with him, and with a handful of chases and considerable gun play thrown in for good measure, succeeds at the last in eradicating the gang, as the Kid is killed in the fight. The disposal of Barry appears somewhat unnecessary, since, although a robber, he is made to reform, and is a likeable character. Running time, 56 minutes. "G." Charles S. Aaronson "Strange Boarders" (G. B.) Here is a deftly told spy drama based on an E. Phillips Oppenheim story that will give satisfaction. The story is gay at times, builds its suspense carefully and before it reaches its tragic-comic climax it offers spicy comedy and a few harrowing moments. All these elements are skillfully prepared and enacted by a first rate cast that includes Tom Walls, Renee Saint-Cyr, George Curzon and a number of other excellent character actors. Walls and Miss Saint-Cyr are about to sail on their honeymoon when the British Intelligence steps in and orders Walls to investigate the theft of plans from the Air Ministry. Walls is annoyed and Miss SaintCyr quite puzzled over the turn of events. However, Walls breaks himself away and sets himself to locating the spy ring. Working from sketchy clues he uncovers the outfit. Miss Saint-Cry catches up with him and tries to be of some use. There are clever situations rich in humor and characterization as the Government's net, supervised by Wall closes about the spy ring. But there is a surprise finish which leaves everything set to rights, though a bit breathless. For the most part the action is set in and about London and at a middle class boarding house. Herbert Mason directed. Running time, 73 minutes. "G." Joseph Priore "Under the Big Top" (Monogram) The showman should take into consideration the appeal of the circus when he takes on the exhibition of this picture. The story involves the colorful aspects of that branch of show business. What develops dramatically is tepid and familiar, but there is no dearth of action and romance. The narrative details the upbringing of Anne Nagel, an orphan, by her aunt, Marjorie Main. Miss Main is the owner of a traveling circus. Miss Nagel becomes a trapeze artist. She works with Jack LaRue and Grant Richards. Love ripens between Richards and Miss Nagel. Her aunt objects to this interference with Miss Nagel's career, but Miss Nagel runs off with Richards. Later, Miss Main becomes seriously ill and Miss Nagel, together with LaRue and Richards, return to the circus to revive attendance with their featured act. This perks up Miss Main considerably. LaRue falls and is seriously injured when the trio are doing their act. The accident causes Miss Main to realize that love and romance, things she has kept from Miss Nagel, have a place in human affairs and she is reconciled to some extent. The principals do their best with the opportunities presented by their roles. Also featured are Herbert Rawlinson, Betty Compson, Snowflake, Rolfe Sedan, Charlene Wyatt and Harry Harvey. Karl Brown directed. Many stock shots are used. Running time, 63 minutes. "G." Joseph Priore Greenspan Sells Story Hollywood, Sept. 13. — Lou Greenspan has sold his original screenplay, "Special Prosecutor," to Bud Barsky Productions. Production will start this month probably for New Grand National release. Shea Plans Ohio Spot New Philadelphia, O., Sept. 13. — The Shea Theatre Corp. has purchased a piece of property on Main St. here for the location of a new theatre. Construction is scheduled for next year. "Antoinette" 2nd Week Hit At Cleveland Cleveland, Sept. 13. — Top honors of a big week at all first run houses last week went to two holdovers. "Marie Antoinette" at Loew's Stillman more than doubled the usual take with $7,500. Average for a moveover run from the State to the Stillman is $3,500. "Alexander's Ragtime Band," in its fourth consecutive week, topped the Allen $4,000 average by $3,500, bringing the gross for the week to $7,500. "Carefree" was the biggest boxoffice attraction of the new product. It went $6,000 over par at Warners' Hippodrome to a $16,000 take. It was moved to the Allen. Estimated takings for the week ending Sept. 9 : "ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND" (20th-Fox) ALLEN— (3,000), 30c-35c-42c, 7 days, 4th week. Gross: $7,500. (Average, $4,000) "CAREFREE" (RKO) WARNERS' HIPPODROME— (3,800), 30c35c-42c, 7 days. Gross: $16,000. (Average, $10,000) "BOY MEETS GIRL" (W. B.) RKO PALACE— (3,100). 30c-35c-42c, 7 days. Gross: $9,500. (Average, $8,000) "THREE LOVES HAS NANCY" (M-G-M) LOEW'S STATE— (3,500), 30c-35c-42c, 7 days. Gross: $13,500. (Average. $10,000) "MARIE ANTOINETTE" (M-G-M) LOEW'S STILLMAN— (1,900), 30c-35c42c, 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $7,500. (Average, $3,500) "Carefree" Clicks $16,500 at Cincy Cincinnati, Sept. 13.— "Carefree" kept the RKO Albee turnstiles clicking to the tune of $16,500 last week for a $4,500 plus sign, and was moved to the RKO Capitol. "Love Finds Andy Hardy" clicked for the fourth consecutive downtown week at the RKO Grand, pulling $3,000, up $250 on the average. "Four's a Crowd" went to $11,000 at the RKO Palace, where $10,000 is par. Total first run business was $56,600. Average is $58,700. Estimated takings for the week ending Sept. 8: "CAREFREE" (RKO) RKO ALBEE — (3,300), 35c-42c, 7 days. Gross: $16,500. (Average, $12,000) Moved to RKO Capitol. "FOUR'S A CROWD" (W. B.) RKO PALACE— (2,700), 35c-42c, 7 days. Gross: $11,000. (Average, $10,000) Moved to RKO Grand. "ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND" (20th-Fox) RKO SHUBERT— (2,150), 30c-40c-55c, 7 days, 3rd week. Gross: $12,000. (Average, $12,000) Held. "SPAWN OF THE NORTH" (Para.) RKO CAPITOL— (2,000), 35c-42c, 7 days, 2nd downtown week. Gross: $3,400. (Average, $6,500) "KING KONG" (RKO) RKO LYRIC— (1,400), 35c-42c, 7 days, Gross: $4,100. (Average, $6,500) "LOVE FINDS ANDY HARDY" (M-G-M) RKO GRAND— (1,200). 25c-40c. 7 days, 4th downtown week. Gross: $3,000. (Average, $2,750) "NUMBERED WOMEN" (Monogram) (2 days) "TOMBSTONE CANYON" (Big Feature) (2 days) "WE'RE GOING TO BE RICH" (2ttth-Fox) (3 days) RKO FAMILY— (1,000). 15c-25c. Gross: $2,200. (Average, $2,450) "GATEWAY" (20th-Fox) KEITH'S— (1,500), 30c-40c, 7 days. Gross: $4,400. (Average, $6,500)