Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

30 .1/ o t i o ii P i c t it r e X e iv s N ov ember 29 , 19 3 0 Cause and Effect? On Tuesday the Warner New York newspaper ads carried this slogan: "Hit after Hit after Hit at Warner Bros. Theatres." Two days later the slogan was changed to: "You'll always see STARS at Warner Bros. Theatres." Sounds like roughhouse. Li Feet First's" Flop at Tampa Hard to Dope Tampa — Casting aside its split week policy in vogue at the Tampa ever since it was opened and on the strength of the reviews of the latest Lloyd picture, ''Feet First," the film was booked for a full week. The opening was big, but the film failed to hold up and at the end of four days it was pulled and another picture set in. Just why the picture did such a flop is hard to say. The papers here gave it excellent notices. The audiences seemed to like it. so the only answer is, it was "just one of those things." Pa. Theatres Fight Quack Ballyhoos; Practice Grows Philadelphia — Exhibitors in this territory are tired of quack advertising schemes and are voicing their resentment via a newly appointed better business committee which will check on all plans before the M. P. T. O. will give its approval for members to proceed. David Barrist has been named chairman with Allen Benn and Ben Bertel his associates. The committee promises to work closely with the Better Business Bureau. Fake advertising schemes and premium gags foisted on exhibitors by men who make a one-time appearance in a given town seem to be on the increase. Motion Picture News, in recent weeks, has received a number of complaints from theatre operators widely scattered throughout the country who tell of varied and, in some instances, unique methods by which they are parted from their money. Vaude Back in Wilmington But It's Only for Kids Wilmington, Del. — It will be something like old times Saturday at the Grand Opera House when a whole hour will be devoted to vaudeville, something that has been missing from Wilmington picture houses for a couple of years. However, it is not a permanent adjunct to the program. It is only a stunt for the kids, arranged by William L. Peacock, manager and veteran theatre man who was taken into the StanleyWarner fold when the house changed hands. Peacock is putting on Wetherill's Punch and Judy act, Rhoad's Marionettes, and Harry D'Esta, ventriloquist. 'Big Trail' Slips To $6,375; Others Okay in Omaha Omaha — A continuance of mild weather held up business in all the major houses with one exception. "The Big Trail" at the Paramount collected only $6,375 in face of stronger bills everywhere else. Folks seemed to shun the picture as they would a covered wagon as an every-day conveyance. With good stage support, "The Doorway to Hell" at the World got top profits of the week at $13,750. This house is ideally located and is steadily gaining with a combination policy. 'The Cat Creeps." aided by Blossom Seeley, brought the Orpheum $16,800 for only a slightly above normal week. State was par both halves. "Sinners' Holidav." first three davs. did $2,250, and "Numbered Men." last half, hit $2,500. Estimated takings: "THE DOORWAY TO HELL" (Warners) WORLD— (2.500), 25c-35c60c. 7 days. Other attractions: Five Pubtix acts. Marie Peterson ballet, band, news. Gross: >l,.7r0 "THE CAT CREEPS" (Univ.) ORPHEUM— (3,000), 25c-35e-60c, 7 ,lavs. Other attractions: Blossom See'ev and three RKO acts, "Toby the Pup" (RKOl. Sonrtlieht. news. Gross: $16,800. "THE BIG TRAIL" (Fox) PARAMOUNT— (2.900). 2Sc-3Sc-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Up to Mars" (Para.), news. Gross: $6,375. "SINNERS' HOLIDAY" (Warners) STATE— (1.200). 25c-40c. 3 days. Other attractions: "Why Continue the Struggle?" (Para.). "Why Give Up?" (Educational), news. Gross: $2,250. "NUMBERED MEN" (F. N.) STATE— (1.20O), 25c-40c. 4 davs. Other attractions: "Just a Pal" (Para.). "Divorced Sweethearts" (Educational), news. Gross: $2,500. Lone Indeo't in Scranton Battle with Scranton Chain Scranton — This citv's lone independent house, the Grand, reopened Thanksgiving matinee, equipped completely with Western Flectric sound apparatus. The house will do battle with the Comerford-ParamountPublix string of houses in Scranton. With the wiring of the Grand, every house in the city has sound apparatus. Indignant Chieagoans Chicago — Mae Tinee's merciless panning of "War Nurse" (M-G-M) on the grounds of its being derogatory to the history of Our Women who helped Over There, helped to deliver the crowds at the Chicago during the week. Apparently, there were a lot of people anxious to become "indignant." Novel Something novel in the way of trailers has been prepared by A. Griffith Grey to boost the synchronized version of "The Birth of a Nation." It is a five minute interview with D. W. Griffith, with Walter Huston doing the interrogation. Griffith and Huston, over their cigarettes, discuss the factors which led D. W. to make the picture. Griffith reveals that his father was a Confederate soldier and that much of the background of the film was obtained from the stories and anecdotes told by his dad. It's an interesting and well done subject. HYNES. • Soft Snap "Our idea of Hollywood's sinecure," states F. P. A. in the New York World, "is to be the director who tells Bobby Jones how to make the shots." But how about the director, making a racketeer story starring Al Capone, telling the latter how to make HIS shots? Average Takes in K. C, Teet First' Gets 2nd Week Kansas City — It was just an average week among the Kansas City first runs, with the Royal playing a second week of "Feet First" and getting a slight edge on the others. Picture played its first week at the Newman and then sent to the Royal for another seven days. House grossed $5,000 on the Lloyd comedy. The Mainstreet had a good week with "The Cat Creeps," which gave the house $16,500. which is slightly above normal. The Midland hit an average week with "Remote Control," the Haines picture grossing $14,500. "Laughter" did well at the Newman, bringing the total receipts to $12,500. "Grumpy" got $6,000 for the Uptown, which is considered good. The Pantages failed to do much with ''Sweethearts on Parade," taking in only $7,200, which is considerably below normal business. The Globe had a good week with "Children of Pleasure," taking in about $7,000, which is the best the house has done since it reopened three weeks ago. Estimated takings: "REMOTE CONTROL" (M-G-M) LOEWS MIDLAND-(4.O0O). 25c-60c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Gems of M-G-M," Mr. and Mrs. Martin Johnson's "Naked Man vs. Beast," Silly Symphony, news. Gross: $14,500. "THE CAT CREEPS" (Univ.) MAINSTREET— (3.067). 35c-60c, 7 days. Other attractions: News and five acts RKO vaude. Gross: $16,500. "SWEETHEARTS ON PARADE" (Col.) PANTAGES— (2,190), 25c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: News and five acts vaude. Gross: $7,200. "GRUMPY" (Para.) UPTOWN— (2,200), 25c-50c, 7 days. Other attractions: "The Flower Garden" (M-G-M), "Broadway Follies" (Univ.). Cross: $6,000. "LAUGHTER" (Para.) NEWMAN— (2,000). 25c-60c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Racket Cheers" (Educational), news. Gross: $12,500. "FEET FIRST" (Para.) ROYAL— (900), 25c-60c, 7 days. Other attractions: "Office Blues" (Para.), "Scotch Highball" (Educational), news. Gross: $5,000. "CHILDREN OF PLEASURE" (M-G-M) GLOBE— (1.500), 10c-40c. 7 days. Other attractions: Musical stuck company. Gross: $7,000. Arthur Due On Coast, But Oldknow May Remain Los Angeles — Harry Arthur, Fox West Coast theatre executive, is expected here in a few weeks to confer with Oscar Oldknow. Arthur and Oldknow, it is reported, will work hand in hand in the operation of the Fox West Coast chain. Although it was expected Oldknow would return East shortly, the general opinion around F. W. C. is that he will remain indefinitely.