Motion Picture News (Oct - Dec 1928)

December 8, 192S 1761 Key City Reports First-Hand Information from News Correspondents Thanksgiving Turk Runs True to Form Holiday Influence All on Right Side of Showmen's Ledgers NEW YORK CITY.— The old reliable and annual event of the Thanksgiving Turkey again ran true to form as far as giving aid to theatre attendance is concerned, for the mid-week holiday helped chalk up better marks than were registered on preceding weeks. A l)etter than usual line-up of pictures also helped matters along — to say nothing of the fact that the usual Thanksgiving football games were also in evidence, helping swell the Broadway crowds. This all combined to make the cash registers sing a lustier tune. The Capitol kept up its fine attendance mark of late with a week's showing of John Gilbert in "Masks of the Devil." Gilbert's popularity "was strongly in evidence and business at the close of the week appeared to justify the continuance of the Capitol's recently adopted policy of holding 'em over — but this house let go of Gilbert 10 take in Columbia's "Submarine." the latter having made a comfortable run at the Embassy .several weeks ago. Probably a jam in bookings prevented the hold-over. The Roxy took a spurt for the better after a couple weeks ballyhoo of the fact that this house would present "Napoleon's Barber" (Fox sound) and all sound program. It is possible that Roxy himself was astounded by the fact that this bill outdrew what this prominent manager has always deemed the ultimate in picture theatre entertainment — recent offerings of a picture plus an excellent orchestra and elaborate presentation by most capable artists. However, it is possible that Mr. Rothafe! still has the right hunch and that it was only the novelty of the program that stimulated attendance. The Strand can find nothing much to kick about with the business done last week with '"Outcast" (F. N.) with sound. Trade w^as very fair with this not-out-of-the-ordinary picture. It is being routed over to the 6th avenue Hipp for a week's stand. The favorable week had its effect on the Paramount but not to the point where any commotion was caused. The gate here was an im Columbia's "Submarine Booked Into Capitol i i Q\ UBMARINE." Columbia's pro^S duct ion which recently en^^^ joyed a nine weeks* run at the Embassy Theatre in New York, opened last Saturday, December 1, at the Capitol Theatre on Broadway. During its Embassy engagement, the picture was booked at $2 top and was in silent form. At the Capitol, the production is shown with a synchronized musical score and talk and sound effects. "Pals, Just Pals," by Irving Berlin is the theme song. The synchronization was made over the Western Electric system. provement over several preceding weeks but the house is still under the excellent marks it used to make. The picture used here was "Manhattan Cocktail" (Par — with dialogue). Frank Fay, the new master of ceremonies, is now installed here. Tlie Rialto. w^ith "Wings," finished the run of that picture with signs of weakness undeniably in evidence. But why not — after its long run in this town? It can still golout to the neighborhoods and make a creditable showing. The Rivoli will give "Woman Disputed" one more week and then usher in Del Rio and "Revenge" on Dec. 8. Last week's business on "Woman Disputed" was fair — practically the same as preceding week. FBO's "Gang War," during its two-week stay at the Colony, Universal's Broadway white elephant, gave this house excellent business, disputing an assertion that not even a good picture can get a break on what is called an extremely tough spot along the street. Warner's "Singing Fool" still leads the parade as far as the specials are concerned. Xo noticeable falling off at the Winter Garden at all. Paramount's talker, "Interference," in its second week at the Criterion, again held to capacity and another good week's business was done by M-G-M's "Alias Jimmy Valentine" at the Astor. "On Trial." rated as one of the best Warner talkies to date, also continues to very good business, while Fox's "Four Devils" at the Gaiety also shared in the general prosperity o,f the week. At the Embassy, "The Viking" (M-G-M). did well enough on a short week. The Cameo has a British war picture, "The Somme," and last week's trade was good. After a four and a half months* stay at top prices at the Central "Lilac Time" gave 'way to "The Barker" (F.N.) on Wednesday night of the current week. The former will go into the Strand Dec. 9th for a run at popular prices. Baltimore Theatres Do Well; "Masks of Devil" Sets High Mark BALTIMORE. — Thanksgiving day, coming as a holiday during the week beginning Monday, November 24, was a big booster for practically all the first-run theatres making the majority show good figures on the right side of the ledger. While "The Singing Fool," starring Al Jolson, still had them coming during its eighth week at Warner's Metropolitan, patronage began to drop off to some extent during the regular days. Perhaps the best business for the week was done at the Stanley, where "Masks of the Devil/' co-starring John Gilbert and Alma Rubens, with Theodore Roberts, did excellently on the weak days as well as on the strong days. "The Wind," starring Lillian Gish, with a Loew-Publix stage show headed by Ted Claire and his syncopators, pulled them in at Loew's Century perhaps on the strength of the Gish name but many complaints were heard about this picture not having a popular appeal. "Tol'able David." starring Richard Barthelniess, was brought back for another showing after seven years by the Motion Picture Guild at the Little Theatre, and did slowly during the regular days but boosted up during the latter part of the week. "Nothing to Wear," co-featuring Jacqueline Logan and Theodore von Eltz with Bryant Washburn and Jane Winton. proved one of the b?st sophisticated comedies of the year offered at the Keith-.'Mbee Hippodrome with five acts nf Keith-Albee vaudeville. Business was slow (hiring the first three days but it boosted to very good during the latter three. "Phyllis of the Follies" was offered on the s;une bill with Ken Murray's stage revue at the Keith-.-Mbee New Garden and business throughout the week was very good. Ken Murray has a big following in Baltimore. "Marriage by Contract," starring Patsy Ruth Miller, did not pull so well at the New Theatre during the first three days but the holiday boost ed business however and the latter three days were very good. A generally good week for this house. "Sunrise," the F. W. Murnau production, costarring George O'Brien and Janet Gaynor with Margaret Livingston, pulled goud during the first three days at the Rivoli and ran up to excellent during the latter three. "Napoleon." the Abel Gance French-made picture, proved a slow business getter at Loew's \"alencia during the week. Business was slow all the week at the Auditorium, a legitimate house where "The Road to Ruin," starring Helen Foster, was on view with a continuous performance daily with 40 and 60 cents prices at night. This was the second week for that picture there. The public may have been disappointed for it is said there was nothing in the film that was startling after it had been examined by the Maryland Censor Board. Gold Weather Guts Into Birmingham Grosses Birmingham, Ala. — A sudden cold snap caused a very decided drop in box office receipts the first two days of the past week and helped to hold down weekly grosses in Birmingham. The Alabama, with "The Awakening" (United Artists), Vilma Banky's first starring vehicle, drew favorable criticism but drew poorly at the b. o. The Ritz had probably the best business in town during the week, due to the personal appearance of Nick Lucas, "tlie crooning troubadour." The Ritz also presented "Dry Martini" on the screen. The Strand had only fair business on "The Battle of the Sexes" and the Galax did passably well with "The Michigan Kid." The Trianon with "Pep and Prep" got by fairly well.