Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

42 Motion Picture News November 22, 1930 Crack British humorist, P. G. Wodehouse, is now writing dialogue for the movies, in Hollywood, which credits him with the following crack: When Mr. Wodehouse was first approached by a producer and asked to write a scenario, he replied, "Why, I thought the motion pictures already had a scenario." — Photoplay. 'Whoopee,' 'Carlo' High in Ottawa; Chevalier Weak Ottawa — "Whoopee" at the Centre was the sensation of the year when, with the help of extra performances, it grossed no less than $8,000 in a 1,200-seat house at 50c top, the highest rating of any local house in years. The Armistice holiday helped to shove up the receipts, but the weather was mild and the hockey season opening was a counter-attraction. "Monte Carlo" was a big hit at B. F. Keith's with $4,200 for three days, particularly after the Governor-General and Viscountess Willingdon attended a performance. The surprise of the year was that Maurice Chevalier in "Playboy of Paris" proved disappointing at the Regent box-office, despite the big French population here. The gross was $4,100. Other attractions were just so-so. Estimated takings : "WHOOPEE" (United Artists) CENTRB^-(1,200) 15c-25c-35c-50c, 6 days. Other attractions: Mickey Mouse in "Fire Fighters" (Columbia), "Curiosities" (Columbia). Gross: $8,000. "MONTE CARLO" (Paramount) B. F. KEITH'S— (2,592), 15c-25c-35c-50c-60c, 3 days. Other attractions: News, "You're in the Army Now" (Paramount). Gross: $4,200. "PLAYBOY OF PARIS" (Paramount) REGENT— (1,225), 25c-35c-45c-50c-60c-7Sc, 6 days. Other attractions: "Wild Waves" (Columbia), news, "Bigger and Better" (M-G-M), "Armistice Memories," orchestra. Gross: $4,100. "THE SANTA FE TRAIL" (Paramount) IMPERIAL— (1,200), 15c-25c-35c-50c, 6 days. Other attractions: News, "All for Mabel" (Pathe), "Drums of Fear" (Pathe), Character Song (Vitaphone). Gross: $2,300. "FOR THE LOVE O' LIL" (Columbia) AVALON— (990), 25c35c, 3 days. Other attractions: News, "How's My Baby" (Educational), "Mexicana" (M-G-M). Gross: $1,050. "BROTHERS" (Columbia) B. F. KEITH'S— (2.592), 15c-25c-35c-SOc-60c, 3 days. Other attractions: News, "Don't Bite Your Dentist" (Educational), "Come Take a Trip in My Airship" (Paramount). Gross: $3,300. "ALL QUIET" (Universal) AVALON— (990), 25c-35c, 3 days. Other attractions: News, Laurel and Hardy comedy (M-G-M). Gross: $1,150. Film in Legit Theatre Dayton, O. — It is now definitely settled that the Victory, the city's only legitimate house, which has been dark for several months, will be converted into a full-fledged picture theatre. Sound equipment is being installed, and the house is expected to open late this month, showing First National pictures. "Africa Speaks" Gets $15,000 in Toronto; Is Held Toronto — The one picture to go over the top in Toronto was "Africa Speaks," which drew the crowds to the Tivoli to the tune of $15,000 and was held over by Manager James Lynch. The second week of "Whoopee" at Loew's, the first to be held over by Manager Bernstein in 17 years, held up nicely, earning $16,000. The Imperial was not up to the mark with "Scotland Yard," while the Uptown continued its peaceful slump with "The Sea God" and "Blushing Brides." Something is going to happen to the Uptown before long, it is intimated by Manager Knevels, and it will be a stage show policy. Big football and hockey crowds, with mild weather outdoors, put a dent in the show business generally. Incidentally, this was the last week for Jack Arthur's stage presentations at the Imperial, complete Publix units having been booked. Estimated takings : "WHOOPEE" (United Artists) LOEW'S— (2,200), 25c-30c-40c-60c-75c, 6 days, second week. Other attractions: News, Our Gang in "School's Out" (M-G-M). Gross: $16,000. Rating: 95%. "AFRICA SPEAKS" (Columbia) XrVOLI— (1,600), 25c-35c-50c-65c-75c, 6 days. Other attractions: News, Andy Clyde comedy (Educational), Knute Rockne's "Flying Feet" (Pathe), Baby Rose Marie, Tivoli Talking Reporter. Gross: $15,000. "SCOTLAND YARD" (Fox) IMPERIAL— (3,600). 25c-35c-40c-60c-75c, 6 days. Other attractions: News, Jack Arthur's "Spotlight Revels," stage band, concert orchestra. Gross: $17,000. "THE STORM" (Universal) SHEA'S HIPPODROME— (2,600), 30c-SOc-60c-75c, 6 days. Other attractions: Five vaudeville acts, news, cartoon comedy. Gross: $16,000. "THE SEA GOD" (Paramount) UPTOWN— (3,000), 15c-25c-35c-50c, 3 days. Other attractions: News, Paramount Talkartoon, "Two Plus Fours" (Pathe comedy). Gross: $5,200. Nuts in "Assorted Nuts" Hollywood — The next Wheeler-Woolsey comedy for Radio has drawn the title of "Assorted Nuts." Eddie Cline is again scheduled to direct and Dorothy Lee play the feminine lead. Cleveland Hands $18,000 Each to 'Widow' and 6Wif e' Cleveland — Gloria Swanson in "What a Widow" opened to good business at the Allen and held up well all through the week. "Billy, the Kid," with Realife production, had a better-than-average second week at the Stillman. "Old English" delighted the minority fans who appreciate fine character portrayal, but it was not a mass picture. "The Office Wife" made a good showing at the Hippodrome, and the other attractions made a fair average for the week. Weather was propitious, but unemployment continues in such numbers as to seriously handicap all theatres. Estimated takings : "BILLY, THE KID" (M-C-M) STILLMAN— (1,900), 40c-75c, 7 days, second week. Other attractions: "The Village Barber" (M-G-M). "Old Man River" (M-G-M), news. Cross: $14,000. "WHAT A WIDOW" (United Artist) ALLEN— (3,300), 30c-60c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Looser Than Loose" (M-G-M), "America Comes" (United Artist), news. Gross: $18,000. "DU BARRY" (United Artist) STATE— (3.400), 30c-60c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Royal Revels" (stage show), news. Gross: $17,500. "OLD ENGLISH" (Warners) RKO PALACE— (3,600). 25c-75c, 7 days. Other attractions: Vaudeville, news. Gross: $22,000. "THE OFFICE WIFE" (Warners) RKO HIPPODROME— (4,500), 25c-75c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Leatherpushers" (Universal), "The Last Minute" (Rockne-Pathe), "Pure and Simple" (RKO), news. Gross: $18,000. Mike's Work Sheet Mike Simmons, director of advertising and publicity for Sono Art-World Wide, has just completed a work sheet for the use of exhibitors. It lists the company's output, with a description of each feature, and has spaces for the entry of playdates, rentals, etc. It should prove helpful to all showmen. 'Feet First' Steps Ahead in Montreal To $16,000 Pace Montreal — The contrasting influences of mild weather and the opening of the professional hockey season combined to rap the theatre business on the nose in Montreal. Despite the observance of Armistice Day as a public holiday, only one theatre scored perfect points on the week's business, this being the Palace with "Feet First," which ran up $16,000. Holiday prices helped to boost receipts, but vacant seats were noticeable almost everywhere. The second week of "What a Widow" at the Princess held up to $12,000, representing 90%, but it might have been more, in view of the holiday. An indication of the business trend was noted in the lack of hold-overs. Estimated takings: "FEET FIRST" (Paramount) PALACE— (2,600), 25c-40c-60c-75c-99c, 7 days. Other attractions: News, "Memories" (Armistice reel), "Camera Trails" (Paramount). Gross: $16,000. "SCOTLAND YARD" (Fox) CAPITOL— (2,670"), 25c-35c-40c-50c-85c, 7 days. Other attractions: News, Armistice reel, "Monday Melodies" (Columbia), stage presentation, orchestra. Gross: $15,500. "HEADS UP" (Paramount) LOEW'S— (2,982), 25c-40c-65c-75c-85c, 7 days. Other attractions: News, "Rolling Along" (novelty reel), five vaudeville acts, orchestra. Gross: $14,500. "WHAT A WIDOW" (United Artists) PRINCESS— (2.272), 25c-35c-40c-65c-75c, 7 days, second week. Other attractions: "Parlez Vous" (Universal), "Haniberger and His Horse Radish" (Columbia), news. Gross: $12,000. "CALL OF THE FLESH" (M-G-M) IMPERIAL— (1,914), 15c-25c-40c, 3 days. Other attractions: News, "Go Ahead and Sing" (Paramount). Gross: $3,500. "BRIDE OF THE REGIMENT" (First National) IMPERIAL— (1,914), 15c-2Sc-40c, 4 days. Other attractions: News, "The Golf Specialist" (RKO), Screen Snapshots (Columbia). Gross: $3,100. "ESCAPE" (Radio) STRAND— (750), 15c-25c-40c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Under Montana Skies" (Tiffany added feature), news, cartoon. Gross: $4,400. "CLANCY IN WALL STREET" (Aristocrat) ROXY— (550), 25c-50c-75c, 7 days. Other attractions: News Pathe Audio Review, "Oom Pah Pah" (Pathe), Sportlight (Pathe). Gross: $2,700. Posters Get Play Providence — Billboard advertising is cropping up in opposition to newspaper and radio exploitation throughout Rhode Island. The Fay chain, operating pictures, vaudeville and stock, has erected hand-painted signs on huge billboards throughout the state. In addition, the Carlton stock company goes on the air every Sunday night. Salesmen Now Exhibitors Denver — Fred Lind, former Universal salesman, has resigned, and with Sid Wisebaum, sono Art salesman, has purchased the Chief theatre at Steamboat Springs, Colo.