Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

Ot lober 4 , 19 3 0 Motion Picture News 41 "Whoopee" Opens At Montreal and Grosses $12,000 Montreal — With no sign of the return ot" the orchestras or vaudeville to the various main stem theatres, the musicians' strike situation locally steadied down during the week, patrons taking it for granted that a regular film fare would be served at the respective houses. The Princess had a strong drawing card in "Whoopee," which bagged $12,000, representing 105%. 1 he Capitol was busy with "For the Defense," takings being $12,500, or 100%. "Our Blushing Brides" also made good at the Palace, rating 95% for $14,000. Manager Howard Conover is running split weeks at the Imperial and scored nicely with "On Your Back" for the last half. The weather was varied. Estimated takings: "WHOOPEE" (United Artists) PRINCESS— (2^72), 25c-75c. 7 days. Other attractions: Hearst Metrotone news. Universal Topics, comedy. Cross: $12,000. Rating: 105%. "FOR THE DEFENSE" (Paramount) CAPITOL— (2,670), 25c-75c, 7 days. Other attractions: Fox Movietone news, special sport short Last Yard ing: 100% cartoon, comedy. Gross: $12, 5W. The Rat "OUR BLUSHING BRIDES" (M-G-M) PALACE— (2,600), 25c-75c, 7 days. Other attractions: Fox Movietone news, comedy, musical novelty. Gross: $14,000. Rating: 95%. "GRUMPY" (Paramount) LOEWS— (2,952). 25c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: Fox news, George Beatty in "A Sailor's Luck," Dogville comedy, "Who Killed Rover?" Gross: $11,500. Rating: 95%. "SONG O' MY HEART" (Fox) IMPERIAL— (1,650). 25c-50c, 3 days. Other attractions: Paramount news, Metrotone news, comedy. Gross: S3.SI.0. Rating: 85%. (Repeat run.) "ON YOUR BACK" (Fox) IMPERIAL— (1.650), 25c-50c, 4 days. Other attractions: Universal news, cartoon comedy. Gross: $3,600. Rating: •':'■ "THE RUNAWAY BRIDE" (RKO) STRAND— (7501. lSc-5Qc, 7 days. Other attractions: Pathe news, added feature, Warner Bros.' "The Man Hunter." Gross: $3,800. Rating: 80%. Bandit Suspect Arraigned Boston — As a result of the capture of Percy Allen, 23, of Dorchester, at the Humboldt, in Roxbury, police recovered a strong box containing $2S7 which had been removed from a hiding place in the theatre. The capture was made by Patrolman William L. O'Brien, who heard a noise in the theatre in the early morning and crept inside. Allen's arrest followed. He was held for the grand jury when arraigned in District Court. Durkee Chain Changes Baltimore — Changes in Durkee Theatrical Enterprises recently include Earl Tyson, manager of the Belnord, resigned ; William E. Stumpf, former manager of the Fulton, transferred to the Red Wing as manager, succeeding Roy Miller, appointed manager of the newly opened Patterson ; John Smearman succeeds William Brieman as manager of the Grand. Highlandtown, as Brieman will manage the newly opened Edgewood. Gambrill at Racine Racine. Wis. — George W. Gambrill is manager of RKO's newly remodeled Main Street theatre here. Mathew Fox. formerly booker at Tiffany's exchange in Milwaukee, has been named assistant to Gambrill. Life of the Party Chicago — A theatre manager, assigned by his chain to a house in the south side "black belt," was visited by a minor executive of the organization. The latter considered the visit to be something of a slumming trip, as was evidenced by his comments on the audience, the program and other incidentals. He wanted to rub pickaninnies' heads for good luck; engage comical negroes in conversation and, when a hot colored jazz band finally came on the stage he asked permission to take an instrument and play along with them, explaining that he, himself, had once been a musician. The manager, naturally, dissuaded him. "Well," commented the discouraged one, about to depart, "you've certainly got a queer looking audience here. I suppose they're plenty hard to handle sometimes." "On the contrary," smiled the manager sadly, "our colored guests give us no trouble whatever." Comedy Week at Ottawa with Four Marxmen on Top Ottawa — It was largely a comedy week at Ottawa theatres, with "Animal Crackers" playing both the Regent and Imperial theatres; "Forward March," at Keith's; "Top Speed" at the Centre and "So This Is London" at the Avalon for three days. Marx Brothers were an unknown quantity in the Canadian capital until "Cocoanuts" was presented, but the people quickly flocked to "Crackers" on the strength of their first film success. The Regent took in $4,900, or 100%. as a result. Keith's soared to $3,500, or 90%, with Buster Keaton's "Forward March." The McLarnin-Singer light pictures helped "Top Speed" at the Centre to $2,900, which represented 90%. Showers occurred during the week. Estimated takings : "ANIMAL CRACKERS" (Paramount) REGENT— (1,225), 2Sc-75c, 6 days. Other attractions: Paramount news, Mickey Mouse in "Galloping Gaucho," orchestra. Gross: $4,900. Rating: 100%. "FORWARD MARCH" (M-G-M) B. F. KEITH'S— (2.596). 15c50c, 3 days. Other attractions: Pathe news. "Kiddies' Colortone Revue," "Screen Snapshots." Gross: £3.500. Rating: 90%. "TOP SPEED" (First National) CENTRE— (1.200). 15c-50c. 6 days. Other attractions: "Voice of Hollywood," McLarnin-Singer fight pictures. Gross: 52,91X1. Rating: 90%. •ANIMAL CRACKERS" (Paramount) IMPERIAL— (1,200), 25c-75c, 6 days. Other attractions: Fox Movietone news, Mickey Mouse in "Galloping Gaucho," comedy. Gross: $2,900. Rating: 88%. "THE SINGER OF SEVILLE" (M-G-M) B. F. KEITH'S— (2.596). 15c-50c. 3 days. Other attractions: Universal news. George O'Brien in "A Sailor's Luck," Mickey Mouse cartoon. Gross: $3,600. Rating: 90%. "SO THIS IS LONDON" (Fox) AVALON (990), 25c-35c. 3 days. Other attractions! Fox Movietone news. Our Gang comedy, cartoon. Gross: $1,200. Rating: 95%. "HOLIDAY" (Pathe) AVALON— (990), 25c-35c. 3 days. Other attractions! Fox Movietone news. "Voice of Hollywood," comedy. Gross: $1,350. Rating: -100%. Mitzi Green Aids "Spoilers" Click at $22,000 Toronto — The combination of Mitzi Green, juvenile screen star, in personal appearances, "The Spoilers" as the screen attraction, a fine stage show and the Jewish New Year observance brought a recordbreaking week to the Imperial theatre. Gross was $22,000, equal to 140% — greater than the opening week under the new policy at the Imperial a few weeks back. "Dawn Patrol" rated 90% at the Tivoli, or $12,000, the people showing an attitude of indifference toward air features. Business was good at Loew's for "Eyes of the World" with receipts of $14,000^ or 90%, but regular patrons flocked to get their last glimpse of vaudeville which goes into the discard Oct. 3. The weather was rainy in spots. Estimated takings: "THE SPOILERS" (Paramount) IMPERIAL— (3,600), 25c-75c, 6 days. Other attractions: Paramount news, cartoon comedy, "The Bandmaster"; Mitzi Green in person; orchestra, stage presentation, "Revue Moderne"; stage band. Gross: $22,000. Rating: 140%. "DAWN PATROL" (First National) TIVOLI— (1,600), 25c-75c, 6 days. Other attractions: Fox Movietone news. "Freshman's Goat" (comedy); "Tivoli Talking Reporter." Gross: $12,&00. Rating: 90%. "EYES OF THE WORLD" (United Artists) LOEW'S— (2.200). 25o-75c. 6 days. Other attractions: Metrotone news. Our Gang comedy, five vaudeville acts, orchestra. Gross: $14,000. Rating: 90%. "SWEETHEARTS AND WIVES" (First Nat.) SHEA'S HIPPODROME— (2,600). 30c-7Sc, 6 days. Other attractions: Universal news, "Si, Si, Senor" (comedy); five vaudeville acts. Gross: $13,000. Rating: 85%. "WAY OUT WEST" (M-G-M) UPTOWN— (3,000), 15c-50c, 3 days. Other attractions: Paramount news, scenic, "Colortone Follies," "Hot Air Merchant" (comedy). Gross: $5,500. Rating: 85%. "LET US BE GAY" (M-G-M) UPTOWN— (3.000), 15c-50c, 3 days. Other attractions: Paramount news, "Some Baby." (comedy); cartoon, "Barnacle Bill"; "Sing, You Dancers." Gross: $6,000. Rating: 95%. William Morris on Screen Hollywood — William Morris, stage actor and author and father of Chester Morris, will make his screen debut in "Brothers," Columbia film. Plan Amusement Park Theatre San Antonio — A $1,000,000 amusement park, which eventually will include a picture theatre, is being planned for this city. The park will be known as Longhorn Amusement Park. Construction of the first unit, which will be an enclosed stadium seating 7,000 and which will be given over to all sorts of athletic events, will begin at once. All sorts of amusement devices will be constructed later. Mishawaka House Dark Mishawaka. lnd. — Operation of the Temple has been suspended for remodeling and other improvements following the purchase of a lease on the building for 50 years by the B. C. & L. Theatre Corp. Opening under the new management will take place in a couple of weeks. Heading the firm which leased the theatre are Max Brown, L. P. Cocheweti and Harry Louenstein. Gullia Returns to Old Grounds Wellington, O. — J. Gullia, who operated a theatre in Akron several years ago and who sold out to go into the theatre business in Xew York, is back in this territory, having leased the Lo-Net theatre from W. J. Powell.