Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1940)

Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, February 6, 1940 '69th9 Scores Fine $35,000 To Lead Hub Boston, Feb. 5. — With all theatres in the city playing to better than average, "The Fighting 69th" grossed $35,000 at the Metropolitan. Playing its sixth week at one theatre, "Gone With the Wind" was still strong with a gross of $31,000. Estimated takings for the week ending Jan. 31 : "The Cisco Kid and the Lady" (ZOth-Fc-x) KEITH BOSTON— (3,200) (25c-35c-40c55c-65c) 6 days. Dead End Kids on stage. Gross: $24,000. (Average, $8,500) "Swanee River" (20th-Fox) "The Flying Deuces" (RKO) KEITH MEMORIAL — (2,907) (25c-35c40c-55c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $16,000. (Average, $14,500) "Ninotchka" (M-G-M) "The Secret of Dr. Kildare" (M-G-M) FENWAY — (1,332) (25c-35c-40c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $7,000. (Average, $4,500) "Ninotchka" (M-G-M) "The Secret of Dr. Kildare" (M-G-M) PARAMOUNT— (L797) (25c-35c-40c-55c) 7 days. Gross: $10,000. (Average, $7,000) "The Fighting 63th" (W. B.) "High School" (20th-Fox) METROPOLITAN— (4,367) (25c-35c-40e55c) 7 days. Gross: $35,000. (Average, $14,500) "Four Wives" (W. B.) "Everything Happens At Night" (20thFox) SCOLLAY — (2,500) (25c-35c-40c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $5,800. (Average, $4,000) "The Housekeeper's Daughter" (U. A.) "Music In My Heart" (Col.) LOEWS STATE— (3,000) (25c-35c-40c55c) 7 days. Gross: $16,000. (Average, $11,000) •"Gone With the Wind" (M-G-M) LOEWS ORPHEUM— (2,900) (7Sc-$1.10$1.50) 7 days, 6th week. Gross: $31,000. (Average, $14,500) 'Wind9 with $27,600 Milwaukee Smash Milwaukee, Feb. 5. — "Gone With the Wind," playing three shows a day at Fox's Palace, drew $27,600. "The Fighting 69th" and "Mexican Spitfire" at the Warner took $6,800. Estimated takings for the week ending Feb. 1 : "Gone With the Wind" (M-G-M) PALACE— (2,400) (75c-$1.10) 7 days. Gross: $27,600. (Average, $4,000) "Beware, Spooks" (Col.) RIVERSIDE— (2.700) (25c-30c-35c) 7 days. Stage: Chester Morris. Gross: $8,800. (Average, $6,500) "Swanee River" (20th-Fox) "Geronimo" (Para.) STRAND— (1,400) (25c-35c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $1,800. (Average, $1,500) "The Fighting 69th" (W. B.) "Mexican Spitfire" (RKO) WARNER— (2,400) (25c-35c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $6,800. (Average, $4,500) "High School" (20th-Fox) "Judge Hardy and Son" (M-G-M) WISCONSIN— (3,200) (25c-35c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $4,700. (Average, $5,500) 'Wind' Leads Omaha With Strong $22,700 Omaha, Feb. 5.— "Gone With the Wind" garnered a smash $22,700 in its first week at the Paramount. Estimated takings for the week ending Jan. 31-Feb. 1 : "Fighting 69th" (W. B.) "Mexican Spitfire" (RKO) BRANDEIS— (1,200) (25c-35c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $6,200. (Average, $4,000) "Housekeeper's Daughter" (U. A.) "Emergency Squad" (Para.) OMAHA— (2,200) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $6,200. (Average. $6,000) "Secret of Dr. Kildare" (M-G-M) "Nick Carter, Master Detective" (M-G-M) ORPHEUM— (3,000) (25c-40c) 7 days Gross: $6,100. (Average, $7,600) "Gone With the Wind" (M-G-M) PARAMOUNT— (3,000) (75c-$1.10-$1.50) 7 days. Gross: $22,700. (Average, $16,500) New York Review "Louise" ( M ayer-Burstyn ) Transcribed into terms of the screen, the opera "Louise," by Gustave Charpentier is entertainment for those discriminating audiences who either are fond of good music, attractively rendered, or of opera itself. The film is in French. There is, in addition, for the selling of the film, the star, Grace Moore, who is in fine voice in the title role. Supporting her are Georges Thill of the Paris Opera, as her sweetheart, and Andre Pernet, of the same company, as her father. Both are excellent. The use of the screen medium permits of a somewhat greater latitude in the depiction of such scenes as the carnival in Montmartre, but for the most part the pattern of the original stage opera is closely followed. Abel Gance directed and Deems Taylor provided a foreword and is credited with the English subtitles. The story tells of the young girl in love with a composer-poet, an affair strongly disapproved by the girl's parents. She persists in seeing him, eventually leaves home, returns briefly when she learns her father is ill, then leaves again finally, as the call of youthful freedom and romance overwhelm her desire to please her aging parents. Running time, 80 minutes. "G."* Charles S. Aaronson 'G" denotes general classification. Short Subject Reviews "Nothing But Pleasure" {Columbia') Buster Keaton, in his artless way, becomes involved in a series of misadventures which wind up in some hilarious scenes. He sells his old car and travels with his wife, Dorothy Appleby, to Detroit to purchase a new one. He neglects to buy insurance and his car is wrecked by bandits. Highlighting the comedy is a scene where Keaton attempts to put an inebriated lady to bed. Running time, 17 mins. "Park Your Baby" (Columbia) Scrappy, in a black and white cartoon, organizes a baby checking service in a department store. A pair of twins from the gashouse district is checked and the fun begins. After they drive Scrappy to desperation, he puts them into a "bad-boy pacifier" after which their own father fails to recognize them. Clever animation. Running time, 6 mins. "U. S. Treasury" (Columbia) Another in a series of Washington glimpses, "U. S. Treasury" describes the activities of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The money printing process, which is always an interesting subject, is described in considerable detail. Methods of detecting counterfeits are also discussed. Should make a good addition to the program. Running time, 10 mins. "The Heckler" (Columbia) Charley Chase, as a loud-voiced sports fan, delights in upsetting the morale of baseball players with his calls of "Watch him miss it !" Charley is so successful that some gamblers pay him to travel with the team. The players get even by making Charley catch cold, and he develops a hoarse throat. Should produce laughs. Running time, 17 mins. "Community Sing, No. 5" (Columbia) Donald Grayson leads a group of singers in some old gypsy songs. Included are "Two Guitars," "The Gay Merchant," "Dark Eyes," "Volga Boatman" and "Abdul Albuldul Amir." Grayson frequently exhorts the audience to join the singing. Running time, 10 mins. 'The Threads of a Nation' (Columbia) Here is a history in color of the development, growth and manufacture of cotton. From its beginnings, cotton is shown as it was used by ancient civilizations. The manufacturing process is described in detail. Running time, 11 mins. "Vacation Diary" (RKO-Pathe) Glorifying the advantages of Bermuda as the spot for the ideal winter vacation, this reel follows two secretaries on a two-week trip. One of the girls keeps a diary which introduces the reel's highlights. Swimming in the surf, dancing under the stars and sailing in the moonlight are some of the pleasures. Nine minutes. 'Teddy, the Rough Rider' ( Warners) Many will regard this as the best of the "Historical Feature" series. It certainly is worthy of playing time in every theatre, not only for its Americanism but because it tells an absorbing story which, in fact, has featurelength possibilities. It is the story of Teddy Roosevelt the fighter, always battling for the people, tracing his career from Police Commissioner in New York through successive steps until he becomes President and after his retirement. Sidney Blackmer performs splendidly in the role, and has Pierre Watkin, Theodor Von Eltz and Arthur Loft in chief support. Ray Enright turned in a swell job of direction. In color. Running time, 19 mins. 'Girl Friday' Hits $24,100, Los Angeles Los Angeles, Feb. 5. — "His Girl Friday" and "Cafe Hostess" drew a strong $24,100 at the Hillstreet and Pantages, $12,500 at the formeife. yd $11,600 at the latter. "Gone WitfS&e Wind" continued its top pace in the fifth week at the Carthay Circle and United Artists. Estimated takings for the week ending Jan. 31 : "Gone With the Wind" (M-G-M) CARTHAY CIRCLE— (1,518) (75c-$1.50) 7 days, 5th week. Gross: $20,700. (Average, $17,000) "Remember" (M-G-M) "The Shop Around the Corner" (M-G-M) CHINESE — (2,500) (30c-75c) 7 days. Gross: $12,200. (Average, $12,500) "Of Mice and Men" (U. A.) 4 STAR— (900) (40c-55c) 7 days, 6th week. Gross: $2,000. (Average, $3,250) "His Girl Friday" (Col.) "Cafe Hostess" (Col.) HILLSTREET— (2,700) (30c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $12,500. (Average, $6,500) "Remember" (M-G-M) "The Shop Around the Corner" (M-G-M) LOEWS STATE— (2,500) (30c-75c) 7 days. Gross: $13,500. (Average, $14,000) "His Girl Friday" (Col.) "Cafe Hostess" (Col.) PANTAGES— (2,000) (30c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $11,600. (Average, $7,000) "Geronimo" (Para.) PARAMOUNT— (3,595) (30c-65c) 7 days. Stage: F. & M. revue, Chief Thundercloud, Leon Navara and orchestra. Gross: $15,000. (Average, $18,000) "Gone With the Wind" (M-G-M) UNITED ARTISTS— (2,100) (75c-$1.50) 7 days, 5th week. Gross: $24,100. "The Fighting 69th" (W. B.) WARNER BROS. (Hollywood)— (3,000) (30c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $12,300. (Average, $14,000) "The Fighting 69th" (W. B.) WARNER BROS. (Downtown)— (3,400) (30c -65c) 7 days. Gross: $12,700. (Average, $12,000) 'Wind' Establishes Kansas City Record Kansas City, Feb. 5. — A new all time high for any picture was set by "Gone with the Wind" when it took ( $41,000 at Loew's Midland. "The Fighting 69th" and "Mexican Spitfire" took $8,100 at the Orpheum. The weather was cold. Estimated takings for the week ending Jan. 30-Feb. 1 : "Congo Maisie" (M-G-M) ESQUIRE— (800) (25c-40c) 8 days. Gross: $2,700. (Average, $2,800) "Gone With the Wind" (M-G-M) MIDLAND— (4,000) (75c-$1.12) 7 days. Gross: $41,000. "Invisible Stripes" (W. B.) "Granny, Get Get Your Gun" (W. B.) NEWMAN— (1,900) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $4,800. (Average, $7,000) "The Fighting 69th" (W. B.) "Mexican Spitfire" (RKO) ORPHEUM— (1,500) (25c-40c) 7 days. Gross: $8,100. (Average, $5,000) "Cafe Hostess" (Col.) TOWER— (2,200) (25c) 7 days. Stage: Nelson Sisters, Glamour Girls, Elaine Arden, 4 McNallie Sisters. Gross: $4,800. (Average. $5,000) "Congo Maisie" (M-G-M) UPTOWN— (2,000) (2Sc-40c) 8 days. Gross: $3,500. (Average, $3,800) Charter Three Firms Albany, Feb. 5. — Chinese American Films, Inc., has been incorporated here by Rudolph Allen, S. E. Sydney and Miriam Kaplan, New York. Other concerns are : Lams Productions, Inc., by Lee Moselle, Rose Lader and Geraldine Weiss, New York; Roder Amusement Co., Inc., by William J. Boxer, Samuel Levitt and Rochelle Dronge, New York.