Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1939)

4 Motion Picture Daily Monday, September 18, 1939 'Iron Mask' Hub Winner With $44,000 Boston, Sept. 17. — "The Man in the Iron Mask" dualled with "Coast Guard," took a total $44,000 in nine days at Loew's Orpheum and State. "Beau Geste" and "Quick Millions" did well with $17,000 at the Metropolitan while "In Name Only" and "Frontier Marshal" drew $15,000 at Keith Memorial in the second week. Estimated takings for the week ending Sept. 14 : "News Is Made at Night" (2ttth-Fox) (3 days with vaude.) "The Zero Hour" (Rep.) (3 days with vaude.) "Naughty But Nice" (W. B.) (4 days) "The Man Who Dared" (W. B.) 4 (days) "The Warning" (last 3 days) RKO KEITH BOSTON— (3.200) (20c-30c40c) 2nd run. Gross: $7,500. (Average. $7,000) "In Name Only" (RKO) "Frontier Marshal" (20th-Fox) KEITH MEMORIAL— (2,907) (25c-35c40c-55c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $15,000. (Average, $14,500) "Blackmail" (M-G-M) "Everybody's Hobby" (W. B.) PARAMOUNT— (1,797) (25c-35c-40c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $7,000. (Average, $7,000) "BlackmaU" (M-G-M) "Everybody's Hobby" (W« B.) FENWAY — (1,382) (25c-35c-40c-55c) 7 days. Gross, $4,500. (Average, $4,500) "Beau Geste" (Para.) "Quick Millions" (20th -Fox) METROPOLITAN— (4,332) (25c-35c-40c55c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $17,000. (Average, $14,500) "The Man in the Iron Mask" (U. A.) "Coast Guard" (Col.) LOEW'S ORPHEUM— (2,900) (25c-35c40c-55c) 9 days. Gross: $25,000. (Average, 7 days, $14,500) "The Man in the Iron Mask" (U. A.) "Coast Guard" (Col.) LOEW'S STATE— (3,000) (25c-35c-40c55c) 9 days. Gross: $19,000. (Average, 7 days, $11,000) "The Star Maker" (Para.) "Death of a Champion" (Para.) SCOLLAY — (2,500) (25c-35c-4Oc-50c) 7 days, 2nd and 3rd runs. Gross: $5,200. (Average. $4,000) Museum Screening For Music Society Museum of Modern Art on Friday at a luncheon held a special screening of motion pictures of musical interest for members of the International Congress of the Musicological Society. Films screened included "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb," excerpts from "A Nous la Liberte," Disney's "Three Little Pigs," in French and "Colour Box." Since it was founded in 1935, the Museum's Film Library has collected musical scores for silent films as well as compositions which have been composed for sound pictures. The Museum has set the following pictures for screening this week : today, "The Outlaw and His Wife" and "The Story of Gosta Berling ;" Tuesday, films by Louis Lumiere, "The Runaway Horse," "Fantomas" and "The Crazy Ray ;" Wednesday, "Hamlet" and "The Last Laugh ;" Thursday, "Greed ;" Friday, "Dream of a Rarebit Fiend," "High and Dizzy" and "The Navigator," and on Saturday, "The Big Parade." Joins CBS Publicity George Crandall, who has for years been connected with various radio stations and with radio concert programs in managerial capacities, has joined the CBS publicity department as field representative. He left over the weekend for a tour of Eastern, Southern and Middle Western cities. New York Review "Betrayal" (IV or Id Pictures) This is strong dramatic material, one of the finer things to come from France, and offering, in the person of Annie Vernay, one who must certainly be destined for a chance at the flickering star-lights of Hollywood. She is extremely young, but likewise extremely self-possessed, poised, and appears well on the way to being a finished performer. Produced for Nero-Chronos Films in Paris, the picture is amply equipped with subtitles in English, making for ready understanding of the French dialogue. Fedor Ozep directed from a screenplay by Companeez and Jacoby, and imparted much of technical skill and care to the production. It is a well-turned effort, produced elaborately and handsomely. In support of the youthful star are Pierre-Richard Willm, Suzy Prim and Roger Karl. The story concerns the attempt of a young girl to succeed to the throne held by the imperious Catherine II, Empress of Russia. Miss Vernay is guided by Karl, and Miss Prim sends her most trusted officer, and lover, Willm, to bring Miss Vernay back from Venice a prisoner. But the officer meets the girl at a carnival when neither knows the identity of the other, and they fall in love. The officer attempts to rescue her when the Russian warship is about to leave Venice, but his officers make them both prisoners, only returning Willm's sword when they near port. When Catherine refuses Willm's plea to spare the girl, he attempts to rescue her, and the two are sentenced together. The film ends as the two, close together, go to their death. The triumph of their otherwise hopeless love in death makes more acceptable the tragedy of the concluding note. Running time, 78 minutes. "G."* Charles S. Aaronson *"G" denotes general classification. (Foliesf Milwaukee High in Slow Week Milwaukee, Sept. 17. — The "Folies Bergere" on the Riverside stage with the film, "Blind Alley," was the week's biggest grosser with $19,000. It was the only first run to do better than average. Estimated takings for the week ending Sept. 13-14: "Wizard of Oz" (M-G-M) WISCONSIN— (3,200) (25c-35c-50c) 6 days, 2nd week. Gross: $4,800. (Average, $5,500) "The Star Maker" (Para.) "Grand Jury Secrets" (Para.) PALACE— (2,400) (25c-35c-50c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $4,000. (Average, $4,000) "Blind Alley" (Col.) RIVERSIDE— (2,700) (30c-40c-55c) 7 days. Stage: Fblies Bergere. Gross: $19,000. (Average, $6,500) "Stanley and Livingstone" (Zflth-Fox) "When Tomorrow Comes" (RKO) STRAND— (1,400) (25c-35c-50c) 7 days. 2nd week. Gross: $1,300. (Average. $1,500) "The Old Maid" (W. B.) "Everybody's Hobby" (W. B.) WARNER— (2,400) (25c-35c-50c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $4,300. (Average. $4,500) Warners to Make New Shorts Series Hollywood, Sept. 17. — A series of short subjects based on the Booth Tarkington character, "Penrod," will be produced by Warners for the new season. The first of the subjects will be "Penrod." The series is being written by Dean Franklin, with Gordon Hollingshead supervising. Warners will make "Virginia City" with substantially the same cast as was used in "Dodge City," the studio made known yesterday. The new film will be in color. Mantle on 'Star Theatre' Burns Mantle, drama critic of the New York Daily News, has been signed to appear on the weekly Texaco "Star Theatre" broadcasts, to offer commentary on the plays to be produced. Iowa Trade Notes Des Moines, la., Sept. 17.— M. A. Levy of Minneapolis, national leader for the S. R. Kent annual drive, and W. C. Gehring of New York, division manager, were in Des Moines for a joint meeting of salesmen, bookers and ad sales managers of the Omaha and Des Moines Twentieth Century-Fox exchanges. Conrad Curtis, ad sales manager for the Paramount exchange, was recently married to Peggy Novak of Des Moines. Grace Moore has been booked to sing at the Shrine auditorium here on Oct. 18. The Central States Theatres' Forest theatre in Forest City, has been closed for a complete enlarging and modernizing program that calls for a new front, new lounge and rest rooms, enlarged boxoffice and redecorating. Milo Engebritson has become manager of the Tivoli theatre at Hawarden, replacing Emerson Kennedy, who has resigned and moved to LeMars. Trade Seeks New Japan Import Pact Discussion of a new film import agreement with Japan has been started in Tokyo between officials of the Japanese government and industry representatives there, home office foreign departments have been advised. At the present time, nothing of a definite nature has evolved from the discussions which concern new import quotas and regulations on remittances to American distribution companies. Short Subject Reviews "The City" (World) Produced from an original Oj(rm;ie by Pare Lorentz, and bearing tht unmistakable stamp of that artist's documentary touch, "The City" is a dramatization of the need for urban planning made necessary by the crazed rush of mechanization which has swept the American city. Originally made for the American Institute of Planners, through Civic Films, Inc., filmed and directed by Ralph Steiner and Willard Van Dyke, and financed by a grant from the Carnegie Foundation, the film is the documentary technique at its excellent best. Aaron Copeland's musical score enhances the effect of the whole subject, which falls into the category of the lengthy short subject, and which may well prove worthy of marquee attention on the part of the alert showman. He should have no difficulty in attracting the attention and exploitable support of the civic leaders in the showing of the film. Running time, 40 mins. "Boy Meets Joy" (Universal) A varied and pleasant musical headed by Pinky Tomlin and his orchestra and comely Joy Hodges. Tomlin provides the music and Miss Hodges the singing. Outstanding is a bit of piano playing by six-year-old Mary Ruth which will catch the heart of any audience. Lucille Page does an eccentric dance, and a grandmothers' chorus, the Elderblooms, provide a vocal number. A real novelty. Running time, 17 mins. "Filming the Navy" (20th Century-Fox) This is another of the Adventures of a Newsreel Cameraman series. A fleet of Navy destroyers sets out for maneuvers, the sailors combat a treacherous storm at sea and ultimately battle the "enemy." Shown are some excellent shots such as the dropping of underwater bombs and firing of the big guns. Paul Douglas' narration assumes timeliness with casual reference to the European conflict. Running time, 10 mins. "Monkeys Is the Cwaziest People" (20th Century-Fox) Lew Lehr presents another of his Dribble Puss Parade shorts. The amusing antics of monkeys in various zoos are shown, with Lehr lending a hand with his wacky chatter. Should be a hit, particularly with youngsters. Running time, 10 mins. "Vyvyan Donner's Fashion Forecast (20th Century-Fox) The film displays the latest in milady's wear and will appeal to styleminded women. Producer Truman Talley has put at Vyvvsn Donner's disposal lavish settings and beautiful models and has augmented it all with color. Running time, 10 mins.