Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1939)

6 Motion Picture Daily Monday, September 11, 1939 Short Subject Reviews 'Women' Hits Fine $40,500 In L. A. Spots Los Angeles, Sept. 10. — "The Women" and "News Is Made at Night" was the winning bill here, with a total of $40,500 at the Chinese and Loew's State, $20,500 at the Chinese and $20,000 at Loew's State. Estimated takings for the week ending Sept. 6 : "The Women" (M-G-M) "News Is Made at Night" (ZOth-Fox) CHINESE — (2,500) (30c-$1.00) 6 days. Gross: $20,500. (Average, $12,500) "Four Feathers" (U. A.) 4 STAR— (900.) (40c-50c) 7 days. 3rd week. Gross: $6,900. (Average, $3,250) "In Name Only" (RKO) "Missing Daughters" (Col.) HILLSTREET— (2,700) (30c-65c) 7 days. 2nd week. Gross: 88,900. (Average, $6,500) "The Women" (M-G-M) "News Is Made at Night" (Zttth-Fox) LOEW'S STATE— (2,500) (30c -$1.00) 6 days. Gross: $20,000. (Average, $14,0001) "In Name Only" (RKO) "The Man They Could Not Hang" (Col.) PANTAGES— (3,000) (30c -65c) 7 days. 2nd week. Gross: $7,800. (Average, $7,000) "The Star Maker" (Para.) "Exile Express" (G N.) PARAMOUNT— (3,595) (30c-65c) 7 days. 2nd week. Gross: $13,500. (Average, $15,000) "Each Dawn I Die" (W. B.) WARNER BROS. (HOLLYWOOD) — (3,000) (30c-65c) 7 days. 2nd week. Gross: $8,700. (Average, $14,000) "Each Dawn I Die" (W. B.) WARNER BROS. (DOWNTOWN) — (3,400) (30c-65c) 7 days. 2nd week. Gross: $11,300. (Average, $12,000) SAG Holds Class A Elections October 1 Annual elections of Class A members of the Screen Actors Guild, postponed because of the jurisdictional fight with the I.A.T.S.E., will be held at a special meeting Oct. 1. Officers are elected for one-year terms and 11 of the 33 directors are elected each year for three-year terms. Class B members choose their council in April. Those designated by the nominatingcommittee are Ralph Morgan, president; James Cagney, first vice-president ; Joan Crawford, second vicepresident ; Edward Arnold, third vicepresident; Porter Hall, treasurer; Paul Harvey, recording secretary ; Walter Abel, James Cagney, Joan Crawford, Dudley Digges, John Garfield, Frank McHugh, Robert Montgomery, George Murphy, Irving Pichel, Elizabeth Risdon and Dorothy Tree, directors. New Corporations For Foreign Films Albany, Sept. 10. — Three new corporations have been filed here by Arthur Mayer and Joseph Burstyn, independent foreign motion picture distributors, with the Secretary of State. They are Arthur Mayer and Joseph Burstyn, Inc., Maybur Katia, Inc., and Maybur, Louise, Inc. All are incorporated with 100 shares of no par value and were filed by Jerome Edwards, attorney. Mayer-Burstyn, Inc., a fourth corporation, was filed several weeks ago. Edwards stated that the corporations would continue the foreign film distribution business of Mayer and Burstyn. Sufficient films are on hand to continue their usual distribution of 12 foreign films annually for the next two years, Burstyn said. "The Story That Couldn't Be Printed" (M-G-M) An effective portrayal of the trial and the episodes leading thereto of the Colonial printer and publisher, John Zenger, who dared print news hitherto forbidden, and in being acquitted thus laid the foundation for the freedom of the press in America. With John Nesbitt narrating in his usual effective fashion, the subject reveals how Zenger fearlessly reported the crooked activities of Governor Crosby and the persecutions that were visited upon Zenger and his family thereafter, including imprisonment and the wrecking of his printing establishment ; the trial and the defense speech of lawyer Andrew Hamilton which is now known to be one of the greatest courtroom speeches in American history. Running time, 11 mins. "Rhumba Rhythm" (MGM) Hollywood's favorite rendezvous, La Conga, is the setting for some lessons in the fine art of rhumba dancing. A pair of young visitors to Hollywood crash La Conga, and the girls wind up on the dance floor in the rhumba contest and win the prize. Among the Hollywood celebrities seen seated and dancing in La Conga are George Murphy, Chester Morris, Mickey Rooney, Jack Smart, John Garfield, Lionel Stander and others. Running time, 10 mins. "Auto Antics" (M-G-M) "Our Gang" goes in for a soap-box derby. Butch, the bully, has a zippy model. And Buckwheat and Porky each have fairly good looking cars. But Alfalfa and Spanky build their's out of planks of discarded wood and other junk and instead of using pedals for propulsion they use rockets. Butch tries to sabotage the rocket car but Alfalfa's dog saves the machine, only to wind up in the dog pound. Alfalfa and Spanky win the race and the $5 prize in the nick of time to save the pup. Running time, 10 mins. "Public Hobby Number 1" (Paramount) A short subject which can really draw plenty of patrons to the boxoffice if properly exploited. Philately is beyond question "Public Hobby Number One" with plenty of addicts in every community. Made with the cooperation of the Post Office and the Bureau of Engraving, the reel shows some of the real stamp treasures of the country and then goes behind the scenes to show how the United States makes its stamps. Running time, 11 mins. "A Desert Adventure" (Paramount) Here is Grantland Rice Sportlight of those two desert dwellers, Ken and Walt Wilhelm. Once more they set out in a jaloppy rebuilt for desert travel and equip themselves with bow and arrow and a dart-shooting blowgun. Some plain and fancy shooting are shown, ending with one of the brothers trapped between a wildcat and a rattlesnake. Running time, 10 mins. "Catching Whoppers" (Paramount) Portrayal of one of the most exciting sports of all, big game fishing, is the subject of this Grantland Rice Sportlight. After a few shots of the capture of several varieties of game fish, the reel takes up a tuna tournament. Every phase of the capture is shown, with both the standard and slow motion camera. Excitement for everybody. Running time, 10 mins. "Popular Science, J 9-1" (Paramount) A varied and interesting reel of the latest scientific and pseudo-scientific developments. Roads made of cotton, an ultra-modern kitchen, a British medical school and hospital for women only, Pacific Clippers, and a gadget to harness the "jaw power" of the nation's gum-chewers are included. Done in color. Running time, 11 mins. "Ecuador" (Paramount) This Color Cruise is devoted to the mountainous country located on the earth's Equator. Done with an eye to variety, the reel shows homes, churches, Indians, industries and civic centers. An interesting addition to program. Running time, 10 mins. "Kennel Kings" (RKO Pathe) Dog lovers will find this altogether delightful dog show a rare treat. For a dog show it is, with every variety and breed competing for the title of the best dog. Each class has its winner and then all try for the grand prize. Excellently presented. Running time, 9 mins. "Zoo" (RKO Pathe) In an unusual zoo in St. Louis, animals are permitted to roam about in surroundings which approximate their native habitats. More domesticated animals walk among the crowds of visitors. This "Sportlight" shows the collection and varies it with shots of training stunts. Worthwile. Running time, 9 mins. "Pack Trip" (RKO Pathe) Those who love the wide open spaces will find excitement aplenty in this adventure on a western dude ranch. Guests of the ranch go on a long pack trip, with its steady riding, dangerous climbs and overnight camping. An adventure frequently longed for, this reel packs audience appeal. Running time, 9 mins. "Nevada Unlimited" (RKO Pathe) This is a story of the state whose "dust after a wind storm assays at a dollar a ton." Abandoned mining towns are contrasted with thriving copper mines and a glimpse is given of the civic functions of Nevada. Highlight of the reel is a picture of Reno, the "wide open" city. Home of the quick divorce, the city is also host to legalized gambling. After showing the gambling clubs, the reel advises against gambling. Running time, 8 mins. 'Golden Boy' Tops Seattle With $7,000 Seattle, Sept. 10. — "Golden Boy" headed the list here, with $7,000 at the Liberty. "The Star Maker" and "The Forgotten Woman" drew $7,100 at the Paramount, and "S*pr Feathers" accounted for $5,300 at\ ■ i Music Box. The reopening of school and night baseball hurt some. The weather was fair. Estimated takings for the week ending Sept. 8: "Stanley and Livingstone" (20th-Fox) "Quick Millions" (ZOth-Fox) BLUE MOUSE— (950) (25c-30c-40c-55c) 7 days, 3rd week. Gross: $3,700. (Average, $4,000) "Wizard of Oz" (M-G-M) FIFTH AVENUE— (2,500) (25c-30c-40c55c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $5,400. (Average, $7,000) "Golden Boy" (Col.) LIBERTY — (1,800) (25c-30c-40c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $7,000. (Average, $5,000) "Four Feathers" (U. A.) MUSIC BOX— (950) (25c-30c-40c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $5,300. (Average, $5,000) "Hotel for Women" (Para.) "They All Come Out" (M-G-M) ORPHEUM— (2,450) (25c-30c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $5,000. (Average, $6,000) "The Star Maker" (Para.) "The Forgotten Woman" (Univ.) PARAMOUNT — (3,050) (25c-30c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $7,100. (Average, $6,000) 'Women' Grosses $17,000, Cincinnati Cincinnati, Sept. 10. — "The Women" had a smash $17,000 at the RKO Albee, and "The Wizard of Oz" gave the RKO Capitol a big $9,800 second week. "The Man in the Iron Mask" pulled $11,500 at the RKO Palace. Estimated takings for the week ending Sept. 6-9: "The Women" (M-G-M) RKO ALBEE— (3,300) (35c-42c) 7 days. Gross: $17,000. (Average, $12,000) "The Man in the Iron Mask" (U. A.) RKO PALACE— (2.70O) (35c-42c) 7 days. Gross: $11,500. (Average, $10,000) "Stanley and Livingstone" (20th-Fox) RKO SHUBERT— (2,150) (35c-40c) 7 days. 3rd week. Gross: $3,900. (Average, $10,000) "The Wizard of Oz" (M-G-M) RKO CAPITOL— (2,000) (35c-42c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $9,800. (Average, $6,500) "The Star Maker" (Para.) RKO LYRIC— (1,400) (25c-40c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $4,200. (Average, $5,000) "Mr. Wong in Chinatown" (Monogram) "Smuggled Cargo" (Rep.) RKO FAMILY— (1,000) (15c-25c) 4 days. Gross: $1,075. (Average, $1,500) "Million Dollar Legs" (Para.) "Renegade Trail" (Para.) RKO FAMILY— (1,000) (15c-25c) 3 days. Gross: $875. (Average, $900) "In Name Only" (RKO) KEITH'S— (1,500) (30c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $4,600. (Average, $6,000) 'Star Maker' Omaha Winner With $8,600 Omaha, Sept. 10. — "The Star Maker" pulled an excellent $8,600 at the Omaha. "In Name Only" was good for $5,600 at the Brandeis. Estimated takings for the week ending Sept. 6-7: "In Name Only" (RKO) "The Spellbinder" (RKO) BRANDEIS — (1,200) (25c-35c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $5,600. (Average, $4,000) "The Star Maker" (Para.) "Stronger Than Desire" (M-G-M) OMAHA— (2,200 (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $8,600. (Average, $6,000) "When Tomorrow Comes" (Univ.) "Ex-Champ" (Univ.) ORPHEUM — (3,000) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $8,200. (Average, $7,600)