Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

30 .1/ o I i o n P i c t ii r Nov em ber 1 , 19 3 0 "Titans' " Big Splurge Writes Picture History ( Continued from page 29) herded approximately 25,000 patrons into the RKO Majestic in the first five days of its run, a 225 per cent rating for RKO's hit. This is 12,000 more than "The Cockeyed World" got in seven days, which was the former record. Competition is hard hit and admits it. $17,500 in 5 Days Real Dough at Casey Kansas City — Amos 'n' Andy grossed approximately $17,000 for the five days ending Wednesday night at the RKO Mainstreet. This is a rating of 150 per cent. The picture is being held for a second week and it is concededly cutting into business of opposition houses. Atlanta's $25,000 Is Sensation for 5 Days Atlanta — Knocking competition into a cocked hat, Amos 'n' Andy are riding home winners, grossing approximately $25,000 in five days at the Capitol, RKO and Universal stand. This is from the Friday opening up to and including Wednesday night. The picture is going into a second week. $21,800 Blast Rocks Dallas Show Business Dallas — Amos 'n' Andy exploded a bombshell in this city with their "Check and Double Check," getting $21,800 from Friday up to and including Wednesday at the RKO Majestic. The first three days the picture was bucking the state fair, but despite this it knocked records for a row, with halfblock lines extending both ways. The picture has stimulated business in other houses except the Melba, two doors away, which was blanked out at times. However, some of the overflow went to the Melba. Rain Doesn't Mean a Thing; Big at Des Moines Des Moines — Rain didn't mean a thing to Amos 'n' Andy, who went soaring for a new record at the RKO Orpheum, the first four days shoving the house way out in front with the SRO sign out. The picture is bringing good business all around, "Whoopee" doubling the business at the Des Moines. The Paramount is doing only average business on "Heads Up." Standees Send Grosses Soaring at Scranton Scranton, Pa. — "Check and Double Check" taxed the capacity of the 1,800-seat Capitol, opening here on Monday, and again on Tuesday and Wednesday, the last named being Mitchell Day, a holiday for anthracite miners. Hundreds of men, women and children stood throughout the performances, something unusual these days. ComerfordParamount Publix regulations prohibit making public the gross. Admissions are 50 cents matinee and night, 15 cents for children matinee, and 25 cents at night. Color Omaha — Orpheum employes for the past two weeks have had a lot to say. Whether its over the phone, at the box office, the doorman or ticket taker — the greeting has been "Check and Double Check, RKO Orpheum thanks you." The idea was originated by Manager Ralph Pierce. The picture is spotted in for a week and its overflow is greatly helping business at other theatres. Frisco Capitulates with $21,500 in Five Days San Francisco — Amos 'n' Andy broke every record at the Orpheum with about $21,500 gross, which is a rating of 180 per cent. This is up to and including Wednesday night, when it looked like the picture would run for weeks. The draw is affecting all other pictures. Their heavy draw occasioned surprise locally, as there was skepticism as to whether the radio stars could duplicate their radio following on the screen for they are dialogists first and actors second. Big Opening at Oakland Presages New Record Oakland — "Check and Double Check" opened to smash business here Wednesday night. It looks like the film is on the way to a record. $16,500 Portland Smash; $7,000 Above "Rio Rita" Portland — From Saturday to Wednesday, "Check and Double Check" just walked away from the town, drawing $16,500 at the RKO Orpheum, according to Manager Gamble. This is $7,000 more than "Rio Rita," which held the previous record. The way the picture is standing 'em up, it looks like it's in for a run. Competitors concede that the Orpheum is leading the field by a heavy margin. $20,000 Mill City Smash; Ovprflow Aids Another Minneapolis — It's the same story here on Amos 'n' Andy, the sensational drawing cards grabbing off $20,000 in five days at the RKO Orpheum. The opposition claims no effect on business at their theatres, but this is due to the rush of radio fans to downtown houses, with the other theatres getting the overflow. Publix' Minnesota is a case in point, claiming the biggest Saturday and Sunday in six weeks, despite the RKO smash. Amos V Andy Crash B. O. Record at Albany Albany — Box-office records of the year were sent tottering by Amos 'n' Andy up to Wednesday night of this week. The picture opened at a midnight show Friday, playing to tremendous business which has necessitated seven shows daily. Business was far ahead of "Animal Crackers." the previous attraction, which also went over big. "Check and Double Check" also helped business at other houses, which are enjoying good business in ideal show weather. The Strand is playing "Whoopee," while "The Sea Wolf" is filling House Records In Many Spots Take a Tumble Harmanus-Bleeker Hall and "Good News" is running fairly strong at the Leland. New Orleans Flocks to Film; $23,000 for Week Possible New Orleans — They're wondering how so many of the dear old public can jam their way into the RKO Orpheum here. House records have already succumbed to the Amos 'n' Andy onslaught and the week threatens to end with a gross in the neighborhood of $23,000. Believe it or not, if that figure is reach or approached, it looks like a new show day for the New Orleans show world. Even Censors Praise Picture in Virginia Richmond — Amos 'n' Andy have passed the state board of motion picture censorship and their "Check and Double Check" is practically assured a landslide business in Virginia. "The picture passed without eliminations," said Mrs. Emma Speed Sampson, one of the three Virginia censors who have expressed themselves as being greatly pleased with the film and also benefitted by its laugh-provoking dialogue and scenes. While it is reported to be attracting great crowds to the Keith house in Washington, the picture already has been assured record-breaking receipts in Richmond for Gosden, one of the pair, is a native son. Exploitation work in connection with the picture has been on an elaborate scale. The picture is to have a midnight showing in the Byrd Nov. 10 and its regular engagement there will begin Nov. 15, states Stewart B. Tucker, house manager. Cleveland Does Between $17,000, $18,000 5 Days Cleveland — Amos 'n' Andy grossed between $17,000 and $18,000 Saturday to Wednesday, inclusive, getting big matinee business and fair evening business. Business was only slightly above average, the picture proving just normal competition. It is going into a second week. $26,000 Topples FiveDay Record at Boston Boston — All house records were broken by "Check and Double Check" at Keith's Memorial, the film getting around $26,000 for its first five days. The best previous top at the house was scored by "Sunny Side Up." Business is good at other theatres. All New England Runs Are Reported as Going Big Boston — New England is going strong for Amos 'n' Andy. With the film off to a new record here, record business is reported from the Albee. Providence ; Keith, Lowell : Keith, Portland ; Paramount, Haverhill and Warner, Worcester. Big business is reported but estimates are not yet available from Warners Palace, Lawrence and Publix Empire. New Bedford.