Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

38 Motion Picture News $50 License Fee On Pee Wees At Harrisburg Harrisburg, Pa. — Annual license fee of $50 on indoor and outdoor miniature golf courses has been levied by the city council. Four courses which have been operating on Sundays in defiance of the "blue" laws, have discontinued Sunday operation at the request of the mayor. First Simple Simon to Be Made by Blumenstock Mort Blumenstock has been signed to direct Louis Simon in the first series ot two-reel comedies to be produced by Simple Simon Comedies, states Mack Stark, general manager. Blumenstock left Paramount recently after two years at the eastern studio, during which time he directed 40 shorts, starring Eddie Cantor, Irene Bordoni, Lulu McConnell, Tom Howard, Smith and Dale and others. He introduced the current Broadway star, Ethel Merman, to the screen in a short for which he provided both the story and the settings. He is credited by the Paramount studio with the direction of "The Return of Sherlock Holmes" and the co-direction of the last Jeanne Eagles picture, "Jealousy." In directing Louis Simon, Blumenstock will be assisted by his brother, Sid, who was associated with him in this capacity at the Paramount studio. Telegraph Company to Handle B'way Tickets Tickets for reserved seat houses on Broadway are to be handled by the Postal Telegraph Co. on a flat surcharge of 50 cents. The company will take and fill orders and deliver the tickets to the box-office for the 50-cent fee. The move followed a jam between the League of New York Theatres, formed to eliminate ticket speculation, and 16 broker members, who resigned in a body when their demand for a 75-cent surcharge privilege was refused. Better Product Hurts Wilmington Pee Wees Wilmington, Del. — John P. McLaughlin, service manager of Wilmington theatres, says miniature golf courses are not hampering the attendance of the Queen, although officials find that a slight drop in attendance is being shown in the other houses. McLaughlin said that since Aug. 29 attendance at the Queen has shown an increase and attributes the increase to better product. Cracksmen Fail to Open Winthrop Theatre Safe Winthrop, Mass. — Robbery of the safe of the Winthrop theatre was foiled when burglars were apparently frightened away. Charles Clark, assistant manager, found the dial of the safe hammered off when he opened the theatre, but the door had not been opened. Stars in New Series Ken Maynard, who recently signed to make a series of six talker westerns for Tiffany, the first of which will be "The Midnight Stage." Commercial Body Intervenes When Strike Threatens Hoquiam, Wash. — Faced with a decrease in entertainment facilities, the Hoquiam Chamber of Commerce has made a strong effort to prevent closing of the Seventh Street as a result of a controversy between the Fox West Coast management and the operators' union. The projectionists insist that two men must be maintained in the projection booth, while Cecil Gwinn, manager of Fox theatres in the Grays Harbor district, maintains that only one operator is necessary to satisfactory and safe projection of sound pictures. The Fox organization operates more than 50 theatres in Washington, using only one projectionist in each booth. Woodlaw Sues for Writ Against Operators Portland — Suit has been brought by Woodlaw Investment Co., operators of the Circle, asking a permanent injunction restraining the operators' union from picketing the theatre. A temporary injunction against the picketing was granted by Judge Tucker. Since that time the union has given up its request for two operators in the booths of second-run theatres, but is asking that the one man be paid $90 a week for six hours instead of $70, the present scale. Guilty in Bombing San Francisco — Found guilty of placing a fuse bomb in a San Jose theatre, Jack Sutton, San Francisco picture operator, will soon learn what his punishment is to be. Sutton waived jury trial when arraigned before Judge Percy O'Connor. November 1, 1930 RKO Freak Off To Smash Start In Detroit Run Detroit — Huge business done by Amos 'n' Andy's picture, "Check and Double I heck," at the RKO Downtown will send the Radio freak attraction into a second week and probably a third, despite the fact that theatre business here has been marked terrible for some months. Fifi Dorsay is showing heavy drawing power at the Fox coming through on a second week. "Hell's Angels" is taking the air at the Shubert, but its exit is due to previous bookings. The picture has exceeded the guarantee of $12,000 each week of the four it has played the house. Fifi Dorsay proved a top-side attraction last week with capacity audiences crowding the Fox theatre at every performance. It was estimated that 1,400 people passed through the doors each hour during the week. The second anniversary show, and "Scotland Yard" with Edmund Lowe, helped to hang up a $40,000 gross. Ideal theatre weather, with two "snappy" days to drive the customers Inside, did not help local attendance much, due more or less to a poor assortment of screen and stage entertainment. Norma Talmadge's "DuBarry," thrown into the United Artists house the first of the week, flopped feebly, with Winnie Lightner's "Life of the Party" gradually fading away. Estimated takings: "SCOTLAND YARD" (Fox) FOX— (5,500) 15c-25c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: F. & M. "Country Club" Idea, Fifi Dorsay, news, comedy. Gross: $37,000. "HELL'S ANGELS" (Howard Hughes) SHUBERT DETROIT— (1,757) S0c-75c-$l-$1.50, 7 days, fourth week. Other attractions: mine. Gross: $12,000. "MATRIMONIAL BED" (Para.) FISHER— (2,800) 3SC-40C-7SC. 7 days. Other attractions: News, Publix unit, comedy. Gross: $15,000. "EAST IS WEST" (Col.) RKO DOWNTOWN— (2,950), 25c-50c. 7 days. Other attractions: Football short, news, cartoon comedy. Gross: $14,000. "THOSE THREE FRENCH GIRLS" (M-C-M) MADISON— (1,976) 3Sc-50c-75c, 7 days, second week. Other attractions: News, novelty, comedy. Gross: $11,000. "BILLY THE KID" (M-G-M) PARAMOUNT— (3,448) 35c-50c-75c, 7 days, first week. Other attractions: News, Charlotte Greenwood comedy. Gross: $13,000. "HER WEDDING NIGHT" (Para.) MICHIGAN— (4,100) 35c-50c-7Sc, 7 days. Other attractions: "Toot Sweet" Publix unit, Mitzi Green, news, comedy. Gross: $20,000. "LIFE OF THE PARTY" (Para.) STATE— (3.000) 35c-50c-75c, 7 days, second week. Other attractions: Clara Bow short, "comedy, news, Gross: $7,500. "DUBARRY. WOMAN OF PASSION" (U.A.) UNITED ARTISTS— (2.070) 35c-50c-75c, five days, first week. Other attractions: Grantland Rice sportlight, comedy, news, novelty. Gross: $7,000. "ANYBODY'S WOMAN" (Para.) RIVIERA— (2,800) 15c-25c-50c, 7 days, second run. Other attractions: Clark & McCullough, travelogue, comedy. Gross: $10,000. "DOUGH BOYS" (U.A.) HOLLYWOOD— (3,436) 10c-2Sc-50c, 4 days, second run. Other attractions: Stage show, comedy. Gross: $6,500. "THE SQUEALER" (Col.) HOLLYWOOD— (3.436) 10c-25c-50c, 3 days, second run. Other attractions: Stage show, sound nevvsreel. comedy. Gross: $5,700. Dallas Firm Expands Dallas — Oak Lawn Amusement Co., operating the Oak Lawn, a neighborhood house, is planning a $50,000 house, seating 1.000, at Wycliffe and Oak Lawn Aves. Both houses are to be operated by the company. They will be about one mile apart on the same thoroughfare.