Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1939)

Page scan 000333 from Motion Picture Daily

Record Details:

Title:
Motion Picture Daily
Date:
Apr-Jun 1939
Publisher:
New York [Motion picture daily, inc.]
Volume:
Motion picture daily
Leaf #:
000333
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 Hollywood Preview "The Grade Allen Murder Case" t Paramount ) Hollywood, May 15. — If the shade of the late S. S. Van Dine looked in upon the preview of this preposterously funny picture he had a grand laugh and left feeling happy about the whole thing. Everybody present did. The bare idea, expressed in the title, is almost too funny for soberly sensible consideration, but it is even funnier than that as expressed in the film by Gracie Allen, Warren William, Ken Taylor, Jed Prouty, Donald MacBride, Ellen Drew, H. B. Warner and a long list of associates. To producer George Arthur, director Alfred E. Green and screen playwright Nat Perrin for a murder comedy as hilarious as "The Thin Man," without in any way resembling it, the screen and its showmen owe a neat debt. Miss Allen, playing herself as a dumb dame dashing in and out of a murder mystery to the complete confusion of crooks and detectives alike, is incredibly amusing. The story, in which two murders are committed and solved, is as adroitly contrived as any of the Van Dine mysteries and, treated seriously, would rank with the best of them. Treated humorously, it ranks above the others. If the author had lived, it seems certain that he'd have found it congenial to write a series of Gracie Allen Murder Mysteries through which the star would "blunder" on to new cinema fame. Since he didn't, it is to be hoped that Perrin or someone else around the Paramount lot will carry on in the tradition, for this film brings a new and delightfully diverting type of comedy into a market that needs plenty of new material in the light vein. Miss Allen's lines are characteristic but her gags are new. She sings "Snug As a Bug in a Rug," by Matty Malneck and Frank Loesser, in a manner that moved the preview audience to prolonged applause. She is riotous in a purely slapstick sequence. She and the picture are altogether tremendous, soundly satisfying, in a word, sensational. Running time, 60 minutes. "G."* Roscoe Williams *"G" denotes (/cncra.1 classification. Tuesday. May 16, 1939 'Pacific' Is Boston Smash With $26,500 Boston. May 15. — "Union Pacific," coupled with "Winner Take All" at Metropolitan took a strong $26,"The Story of Alexander Graham liell" and "Return of the Cisco Kid," dualing at Keith Memorial, drew >_'2,600. Takings for week ending May 10: "Society Smugglers" (Univ.) (4 days with vaude.) "Boy Slaves" (RKO) (4 days with vaude.) Wife, Husband and Friend" (ZOth-Fox) (3 days) "Saint Strikes Back" (RKOI (3 days) RKO KEITH BOSTON— (3.000) (20c-30c 40c) Cross: $8,200. (Average. $8,500) "The Story of Alexander Graham Bell" <20th-Fox) "Return of the Cisco Kid" (20thFox) KEITH MEMORIAL — (2.790) (25c-35c 40c-55c> 7 days. Gross: $22,600. (Average, $15,000) "Hotel Imperial" (Para.) On Trial" (W.B.) PARAMOUNT— (1.797) <25c-35c-40c-55c) : days. Gross: $6,300. (Average. $8,500) "Hotel Imperial" (Para.) "On Trial" (W.B.) FENWAY-0,382) (25c-35c-40c-55c) 7 • lays. Gross: $4,100. (Average. $5,500) "Union Pacific" (Para.) "Winner Take AlV (20th-Fox) METROPOLITAN— (4,332) (25c-35c-40c55c) 7 days. Gross: $26,500. (Average, $14,500) "Ice Follies of 1939" (M-G-M) "Sergeant Madden" (M-G-M) LOEWS ORPHEl'M— (2,907) (25c-35c40c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $15,400. (Average, $14,500) "Ice Follies of 1939" (M-G-M) "Sergeant Madden" (M-G-M) LOEWS STATE— (3,537) (2Sc-35c-40c55c) 7 days. Gross: $12,200. (Average, $10,500) "Dodge City" (W.B.) "Mystery of Mr. Wong" (Para.) SCOI.LAY— (2,500) (25c-35c-4Oc-50c) 7 ilays. Gross: $6,600. (Average, $5,500) • Pacific' at $6,800 In Oklahoma City Oklahoma City, May 15.— "Union Pacific" led the field here, with $6,800 at the Criterion. "Man of Conquest" was strong with $4,000 at the State. Estimated takings for the week ending May 11 : "Union Pacific" (Para.) CRITERIOX-(1,500) (25c-35c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $6,800. (Average, $5,500) "Never Say Die" (Para.) "Tom Sawyer, Detective" (Para.) I.IHERTY-(1.200) (20c-25c) 4 days. Gross: t&lOO. (Average, $1,800) "The Saint Strikes Back" (RKO) "Almost A Gentleman" (RKO) LIHERTY-(1.200) (20c-25c) 3 (lavs. Gross: i700. (Average, $700) "Broadway Serenade" (M-G-M) MIDWEST— (1,500) (25c-35c-40c) 5 days Gross: $2,400. (Average, $4,500) "Love Affair" (RKO) PLAZA— (750) (25c-35c-40c) 2nd week. 7 days. Gross: $1,870. (Average. $1,700) "Man of Conquest" (Rep.) STATE — (1,100) (20c-25c-40c) 7 davs. Cross: $4,000. (Average. $3,000) "Three Smart Girls Grow Up" (Univ.) TOWER— (1,000) (25c-35c-40c) 7 days. 2nd week. Gross: $2,375. (Average, $2,500) Films Council Elects Wilmington-, May 15— Mrs. George K. Cox has been elected president of the Wilmington Better Films Council. Other officers are : First vice-president, Mrs. George A. Pedrick ; second vice-president, Mrs. Wilmot R. Jones ; recording secretary, Mrs. George C. Stradley ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. David B. Coxe ; treasurer, Mrs. James K. Stack. 'Wuthering' Draws $14,000, Cincinnati Cincinnati, May 15. — "Wuthering Heights" was in the high bracket with a $14,000 take at the RKO Albee. "Confessions of a Nazi Siw" pulled a strong $11,500 for six days at the RKO Palace. Estimated takings for the week ending May 10-13: "Wuthering Heights" (U. A.) RKO ALREE (3,300) (35c-42c) 7 days. Gross: $14,000. (Average, $12,000) "Confessions of a Nazi Spy" (W. B.) RKO PALACE— (2.700) (35c-42c) 6 days. Cross: $11,500. (Average, 7 days. $10,000) "Calling Dr. Kildare" (M-G-M) RKO SHUBERT— (2,150) (35c-42c) 7 days. Gross: $7,000. (Average, $10,000) "Mutiny on the Bounty" (M-G-M) RKO CAPITOL— (2.000) (35c-42c) 7 days. Gross: $3,300. (Average, $6,500) "Never Say Die" (Para.) RKO LYRIC— (1.400) (35c-42c) 7 days. Gross: $4,000. (Average, $5,000) "East Side of Heaven" (Univ.) RKO GRAND— (1,200) (25c-40c) 7 days, 3rd week. Gross: $3,100. (Average. $6,500) "The Saint Strikes Back" (RKO) "Star Reporter" (Mono.) RKO FAMILY— (1,000) (20c-30c) 4 days. Cross: $1,250. (Average, $1,500) "First Offense" (Col.) "Blue Mountain Skies" (Repub.) RKO FAMILY — (1.000) (20c-30c) 3 davs. Cross: $850. (Average, $900) "You Can't Get Away With Murder" (W. B.) KEITH'S — (9,00) (30c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $3,800. (Average, $6,000) To Use Stage Shows Cincinnati, May 15.— The 3,300 seat RKO Albee, playing straight films, will play intermittent stage shows beginning May 26, when Benny Goodman and his orchestra are booked. The RKO Shubert, 2,150seat house, which recently discontinued stage shows in favor of pictures, will resume the combination policy Sept. 1. 'Victory* Is $16,000 Draw at Cleveland Cleveland, May 15. — "Dark Victorv" at Warners' Hippodrome took $16,000. "Union Pacific" at Loew's State drew a strong $12,000. Estimated takings for the week ending May 12 : "Three Smart Girls Grow Up" (Univ.) ALLEN — (3,000) (30c-35c-42c) 7 days. 2nd week. Gross: $3,500. (Average, $4,000) "Dark Victory" (W. B.) WARNERS' HIPPODROME— (3,800) (30c35c-42c) 7 days. Gross: $16,000. (Average, $12,000) "Blondie Meets the Boss" (Col.) RKO PALACE— (3,100) (30c-42c-55c) 7 davs. Stage: Mikado in Swing. Gross: $15,000. (Average, $15,000) "Union Pacific" (Para.) LOEW'S STATE— (3,500) (30c-35c-42c) 7 days. Gross: $12,000. (Average, $11,000) "Wuthering Heights" (U. A.) LOEWS STILLMAN— (1,900) (30c-35c42c) 2nd week. Gross: $3,750. (Average, $5,000) "Tales from the Vienna Woods" (Modal Film) CITY— (485) (35c-42c) 7 days. Cross: $700. (Average, $900) 'Graham BelV Draws $8,900 Omaha Lead Omaha, May 15. — "The Story of Alexander Graham Bell" and "Ambush" at the Orpheum set a good pace, with $8,900. "Union Pacific" held strong in the second week at the Omaha, taking $8,600. Takes for the week ending May 10-11: "Confessions of a Nazi Spy" (W. B) "The Lady and the Mob" (Col.) BRANDEIS— (1.200) (25e-35c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $5,300. (Average, $4,000) "Union Pacific" (Para.) OMAHA— (2.200) (25c-40c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $8,600. (Average, $6,000) "The Story of Alexander Graham Bell" (20th-Fox) "Ambush" (Para.) ORPHEUM — (3,000) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $8,900. (Average, $7,600) 1 'Pacific' Hits $7,000 Lead In Milwaukee Milwaukee, May 15. — Week's best grossing films were "Union Pacific" and "Sudden Money," with $7,000 at Fox's Palace and 'Lucky Night" and "Streets of New York," at Fox's Wisconsin with $7,200. Estimated takings for the week ending May 9-12 : "Love Affair" (RKO) "Prison Without Bars" (U. A.) WARNER— (2,400) (35c-50c) 5 days. Gross: $2,300. (Average, $4,500) "Hardys Ride High" (M-G-M) "Society Lawyer" (M-G-M) STRAND— (1,400) (35c-50c) 5 days. Gross: $1,100. (Average, $2,000) "Union Pacific" (Para.) "Sudden Money" (Para.) PALACE— (2,400) (35c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $7,000. (Average, $4,000) "I Was A Convict" (Rep.) RIVERSIDE— (2,700) (25c-30c) 7 days. Stage: Major Bowes' New York World Fair Revue. Gross: $6,500. (Average, $6,500) "Lucky Night" (M-G-M) "Streets of New York" (Mono.) WISCONSIN— (3,200) (35c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $7,200. (Average, $5,500) 'HardyV $18,000 Pittsburgh Gross Pittsburgh, May 15. — "The Hardys Ride High" paced the field with $18,000 at Loew's Penn. The Stanley took $14,000 with "Confessions of a Nazi Spy." Estimated takings for the week ending May 11 : "Man of Conquest" (Rep.) ALVIN— (1,900) (25c-35c-50c) 8 days. Gross: $6,500. (Average, 7 days, $7,000) "Return of the Cisco Kid" (2<tth-Fox) FULTON— (1,700) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $4,200. (Average, $5,000) "The Hardys Ride High" (M-G-M) LOEWS PENN— (3,600) (25c-35c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $18,000. (Average, $15,000) "Story of Alexander Graham Bell" (20th-Fox) SENATOR — (2,000) (25c-40c) 3rd week, 10 days. Gross: $4,200. (Average, 7 days, $3,800) "Lady and the Mob" (Col.) "Inside Story" (20th-Fox) SENATOR— (2,000) (25c-40c) 4 days. Gross: $1,000. (Average, 7 days, $3,800) "Confessions of a Nazi Spy" (W. B.) STANLEY— (3,600) (25c-3Sc-50c) 7 days. Gross: $14,000. (Average, with vaudeville, $17,000) "Sudden Money" (Para.) "Crowded Hours" (RKO) WARNER— (2,000) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $3,200. (Average, $4,500) 'Nazi Spy* Garners $5,800 in New Haven New Haven, May 15. — "Confessions of a Nazi Spy" and "The Family Next Door" took $5,800 at the Roger Sherman. Second week of "The Hardys Ride High" and "Within the Law" at the College took $2,400. Estimated takings for the week ending May 12: "The Hardys Ride High" (M-G-M) "Within the Law" (M-G-M) COLLEGE— (1,499) (35c-50c) 7 days. 2nd week. Gross: $2,400. (Average, $2,700) "The Story of Alexander Graham Bell" (2<tth-Fox) "Let Freedom Ring" (M-G-M) LOEW-POLI— (3,040) (35c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $7,500. (Average. $8,000) "The Lady's From Kentucky" (Para.) "Back Door to Heaven" (Para.) PARAMOUNT— (2,348) (35c-50c) 7 days Gross: $2,600. (Average, $4,000) "Confessions of a Nazi Spy" (F. N.) "The Family Next Door" (Univ.) ROGER SHERMAN-(2,200) (35e-50c) 6% days. Gross: $5,800. (Average, $4,700)