Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

42 .1/ o t i o n Picture News October '1 , 19 3 0 Sills Picture On Cleveland Top with 105% Cleveland — Business was not so good downtown during the week just ended, and the neighborhood houses report that there was almost no business at all. Diagnosticians are about at the end of their rope trying to explain why a good week is followed by a couple of bad weeks. One of the surprises of the week was the better-thanaverage business at the Allen theatre with Milton Sills' last picture, "The Sea Wolf." "Animal Crackers" didn't click during its second week at the Stillman, and other firstruns failed to stir up much interest. The one exception to this condition was "Common Clay," which played a second-run engagement at Loew's Park to the biggest matinee business in eight months. The weather was uncertain, with rains alternating with excessive humidity. Estimated takings : "ANIMAL CRACKERS" (Paramount) STILLMAX — (1,900), 40c-75c. 7 days, second week.Other attractions: "Naked Man Against Beast," (Talking Picture Epic); Fox news. Gross: $12,000. Rating: 80%. "THE SEA WOLF" (Fox) ALLEN— (3,300), 30c -60c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Teacher's Pet." (M-G-M): Hearst Metrotone news (M-G-M). Gross: $19,000. Rating: 105%. "ANYBODY'S WAR" (Paramount) STATE— (3,400), 30c-60c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Shindig." (Columbia): "Tapping Toes," (Fischer); Paramount news. "Under Ballet" (stage presentation); Belle Baker in person. Gross: $18,000. Rating: 90%. "THE LITTLE ACCIDENT" (Universal) RKO PALACE— (3,600), 25c-75c, 7 days. Other attractions: Pathe news, Pathe Review, Irene Bordoni headed vaudeville. Gross: $22,500. Rating: 92%. "LEATHERNECKING" (RKO) RKO HIPPODROME— (4,500), 25c-75c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Grandma's Girl" (Educational); Terrv toon cartoon. Fox Movietone news. Gross: $14,500. Rating: 73%. 'Raffles' Jimmies $10,400 Out of Des Moines Fans Des Moines — With weather a little cool for outdoor golf and every one back in town from the vacation tours, business at all theatres in Des Moines was good with no picture making an outstanding lead over the others. Colman, playing at the Des Moines in "Raffles," was the high spot of the week with 130%. Estimated takings: "LOVE IN THE ROUGH" (Paramount) PARAMOUNT— (1.700), 25c-35o.60c, 3 days. Other attractions: Paramount news, four acts of stage vaude, organ solo. Gross: $5,300. Rating: 100%. "BIG BOY" (Warners) PARAMOUNT— (1,700), 25c-35c-60c, 4 days. Other attractions: "U." news, Al Morey stage show and an organ special. Gross: $6,625. Rating: 125%. "RAFFLES" (Paramount) DES MOINES— (1,600), 25c-35c-50c. Other attractions: Paramount news, stape act. Gross: $10,400. Rating: 130%. "SHE'S MY WEAKNESS" (RKO) ORPHEUM 12.0110). 4 days. Other attractions: Pathe news. Pathe Revue, four acts vaude. Gross: $4,380. Rating: 10091 "DANGER LIGHTS" (RKO) ORPHEUM— (2,000), 3 days. Other attractions: Pathe news, RKO vaude. Gross: S4.S18. Rating: 110%. "EYES OF THE WORLD" (Universal) STRAND-(l.lOO), 20c-30c, 4 days Other attractions: Paramount news. Gross: $2,250, Rating: 115%. "MEN OF THE NORTH" (Metro) STRAND (1,100). 20c-30c, 3 davs. Other attractions: "('." news. Gross: $2,744. Rating: 98%. Snaring Hubbies Chicago — J. B. Smerlker, manager of B. & K.'s Covent Garden, convinced himself that neighborhood husbands were not doing the right thing by their wives. In consequence, he got the Midtown North Business Men's Association to back his plan for improving things. The plan, which is doing pretty well by itself, the theatre and the wives, was to get the neighborhood husband to bring his wife to the Covent Garden, buy one ticket and be admitted free himself. "Love in Rough" Clicks Heavily Taking $20,000 Providence — Despite the hot spell, several country fairs and a George M. Cohan opening, exhibitors here did fine business for the week, attractions of exceptional calibre proving that fans will go to the movies when they are offered something they want to see. Loew's State cracked $20,000 with "Love in the Rough," although comedy value of "Laurel-Hardy Murder Case" did plenty to pull 'em in as a side-show. "The Dawn Patrol," Paramount, likewise clicked into heavy dough with $15,000 for the week, while "Moby Dick," at the Majestic, was another over 100%, grossing better than $14,000. What amazed exhibitors was the unusual success of "Africa Speaks," a Columbia product, which grossed $10,500 at the RKOVictory. Dr. Paul L. Hoeffler, explorer who shot the film, made a personal appearance. The RKO Albee was down to $8,500 with "The Santa Fe Trail," despite fine publicity tie-ups. Estimated takings ; "MOBY DICK" (WB) MAJESTIC— (2,400), lOc-SOc, 7 days. Other attractions: "The Yacht Club Bovs." Traveltalk. Paramount news. Gross: $14,000. Rating: 110%. "THE DAWN PATROL" (FN) PARAMOUNT— (2,300), lOc-SOc, 7 days. Other attractions: Joe Alexander, organist. Paramount news. Gross: $15,000. Rating: 110%. "LOVE IN THE ROUGH" (M-G-M) LOEW'S STATE— (2.S00). 10c-5l)c. 7 days. Other attractions: "The Laurel Hardy Murder Case," Hearst Metrotone news, Maurice at the organ. Gross: $20,000. Rating! 105%. "AFRJCA SPEAKS" (Columbia) RKO VICTORY— (1,600). 10c-50c. 7 days. Other attractions: "The New Waiter," "Hamburger and Horseradish." "Bandmaster." Krazy Kat, Pathe news. Gross: $10,500. Rating: 105%. "THE SANTA FE TRAIL" (Paramount) RKO ALBEE— (2.300), lOc-SOc, 7 days. Other attractions: "Society Goes Spaghetti." Pathe news, Pathe Audio Review. Gross: $8,000. Rating: 85%. Smith Recuperating Alliance, O. — Lemotto Smith, president of the Smith Amusement Co., operating houses in Alliance, Warren and Huntington, W. Va., is reported recuperating from an illness which has kept him confined to his In one since last August. McCormack, in 3d Week at 'Frisco Clicks $22,000 San Francisco — Business eased off considerably during the past week, although not at all houses. One reason for its not being so prosperous was because of Jewish holidays. Another reason was due to cloudy days and miniature golf clubs. The people, however, always enjoy good pictures, and while the latter all did good business, those with poorer films were hurt. Loew's Warfield did remarkable business for its third week with "Song of My Heart." Its gross was $22,000 and the rating 130%. Another good run was that of the "Sea Wolf," grossing $41,000 and rating 110%. Five other houses did 100% or over, and only three did less than 100%. Estimated takings : "SONG O' MY HEART" (Fox) LOEW'S WARFIELD— (2,700), S0c-65c-90c, third week. Other attractions: Fox news, Vagabond Director, Charlie Chase comedy, Jan liubini and his vio* lin. Gross: $22,000. Rating: 130%. "SEA WOLF" (Fox) FOX— (5,000), 50c-65c-75c-$l. 7 days. Other attractions: "Hermit King," concert, guest conductor; Fox news, Pat West, Fanchon & Marco's "Gobs of Joy." Gross: $41,0)0. Rating: 110%. "MOBY DICK" (Warners) EMBASSY— (1,400), 50c-65c-90c, second week. Other attractions: Newsreel, comedy, short subjects, Libo rious Hauptmann and his "Melody Artists." Gross: $22,000. Rating: 80%. "WHAT A WIDOW" (U. A.) PARAMOUNT— (2,700), 35c-50c-65c-$l. 7 days. Other attractions: Harry Gourfain's "Varieties"; Paramount news, Eddie Magil], "Crooning King"; at the console, Tim Crawford. Gross: $15,000. Rating: 108%. "MONTE CARLO" (Paramount) CALIFORNIA— (2,200), 35c-50c-65c-90c, 7 days. Other attractions: Short novelties, comedy, California orchestra. Gross: $12,000. Rating: 98%. "EYES OF THE WORLD1' (U. A.) ST. FRANCIS-(l,40O), 35c-50c-90c, 2d week. Other attractions: Paramount comedy, "Sailor's Luck," Paramount news. Larie de Pries' band. Gross: $10,200. Rating: 100%. "LEATHERNECKING" (Radio) ORPHEUM— (2,270). 3Oc-4Oc-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: Comedy, "Spaghetti";' Pathe news. "Buss" McClelland in an organ novelty; Jack Sprigg and RKOlians in "Ring Football." Gross: $8,000. Rating: 100%. "SHE'S MY WEAKNESS" (Radio) GOLDEN GATE— (2.500). 30o-40c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: Pathe news. RKO comedy, RKO vaudeville, RKOlians. Gross: $15,000. Rating: 100%. "THE GREEN GODDESS" (Warners) CASINO— (1.150), 3Sc-50c, 7 days. Other attractions:^ On the same program, "The Girl from Havana," feature; Fox news, music. Gross: $10,000. Rating: 100%. "BORROWED WIVES" (Tiffany) DAVIES— (1.150). 35c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: News. "Spooks." Rabbit cartoon; "Freshman's Goat," Educational comedy. Gross: S8.000. Rating: Improving New Haven House New Haven, Conn. — With the signing of final papers by the Fox New England Theatres for a 21-year lease of a business block adjoining the Hyperion for $262,500, plans have been divulged for using part of the street floor of this building, the Maher block, for a new entrance for the Hyperion. The theatre has recently been extensively remodeled and its seating capacity increased to 2,500. Silvey with Wagnon Chain San Francisco — J. P. Silvey, veteran picture house manager, has been named advertising director of the W. B. Wagnon houses in this district. He replaces W. Hicks, who suffered a nervous breakdown. "Queen's Husband" Next Hollywood — "The Queen's Husband" will be Lowell Sherman's next talker for RKO. As in the past, Sherman will direct and play the lead in the picture. Robert I". Sherwood wrote the comedy, which was purchased by William LeBaron on his rei-ent trip to New York.