Variety (Dec 1928)

PICTURE Wednesday, December 5, 1928 Balto Stage Show Style Changing; Sound Fihns Now on Draw Basis 0 Baltimore, Dec. 4. (Drawing Population, 800,000) Weather: Fair Unit stage show with first run pictui^es apparently the vogue, in thi.s town, due chiefly to the success of the Loew Century with that en- tertainment, With, the .Hipp.instal- ling a I'^sident stage : organization, Keith-booked, and the No\y Garden using a K-A unit stage show when- ever available, the trend for stage entertainment in the nombos seems feet in that direction. Meanwhiie business has been be- low par. -Air-heavy -with, rumors of roadju.stment.s. The, facts seem that individual vaude acts in con- junnion with first run pictures arc slipping and tlic novelty of the tam- ers is waning. Sound films.are here to stay Init they must be witn a good , picture or they won't got. the draw.- All this means that the ex- hibitor's piobleni is pretty much the. kiame is before the advent., of the ' tbund stuff.. ' . ■ . .. ; ' Another -nmior is that Keitn vaude may move back to the M^iry- land on a two-a-day polic^'and the Shubert legit return to the AudiT torium. This is ba:,ed on the fact that the Auditorium, following the folding (jf dramatic stock, is with- out bookings. . . l^ast wetiv started rather badly but Thanksgiving saved the b. o. s. Estimates for Last Week Century V (Loew) "The Wind" (wired) V3.200; 25-tiO). Not great b o. piPtui-e but well liked by the discerning.' After disappointing Btavt holidays came-lo rescue. . Very good week at $21,000. , Stanley t Loew-Stanley) Masks of Devil" (Wired) (3,600; 25-60). Essentially woman's ttliir. Popular- ity of Gilbert,, plus, holiday, aided. $17,000. • • Valencia (Loew-UA) "Napoleon (wired) (1,500; 25-50). Caviar to average film .fan.: French cast and histrionic style left, them cold and they let b. o. alone. Not. over $3,t ^'^Parkway (Loew-UA) "White Shadows"^ (wired) (1,000; 15-35) "Third week In town Hor this one. riVst week here, li.xcellent; $4,800. Metropolitan (Ecjiiity Corp.) "Sing- ing.Fool" (wli-ed) (8th week) (1,400; 55-50). Naturally eased up, in re- cent weeks. Last one announced as final, but holding over. Ninth con- secutive week and matches "Jazz Singer' run in .same house last .sea- son. Canadian-Made Meii Off; loss of $540,000 (Draw Pop, 700,000) Weather: Wairm and vvet - ; Toronto, Doc. 4. "Lilac Time," getting" awa^- to routine opening, built to bRO biz second day on raves from dailies and played to capacity balance of week, leading everything in. sight at $16,000, despite Tivoli is smallest main drag hoii.se in town (1.400). . Do Your " Duty" was "strongvat Pantagos, bettering $13,000, but credit goes to stage attraction. Shea's Hippodrome off with $il,- 000 for "State • Streef Sadie," but slump not blamed on picture because pictures .seldom mean much one way or the other to this house. "Woman from lMoscow" also failed to draw at Loew's, putting house slightly under $10,000. bad. Pola Negri about as hot here as an esqui maux .swimming pool. . The Canadian-made "Carry ,on, Sergeant," was ;.withd,r,awn and the Regent went dark. .). A, bmith president of Canadian International Films, said: "The directors have d«^f'idcd to spend no more money or take no more interest in the pic- ture " If it is shelved, as now seems likely. Ontario's fir.st experiment in picture productipn, brought a net loss of $540,000 and plenty of worry on the head of Bruce Bairnsfatlier, Quebec decision that Sunday pic- tures, not illegal there n.ot expected to have any beating on conditions In Ontario, ^vhere strict six-day week held to. Estimates for Last Week Tivoli (PP) (1,400: 35-65)—"i;;.ilac Time" (FN).. Drew raves from throe or four daUes and built to SRQ biz almost at once. Almost capacity at $16,000. Held ovet- Poor Vande B3I Sets Keith's Back to $12,000 Syracuse, N. Y.. Dec: 4. (Drawing Population,_220,000) ■ Weather: Variable Keith's sltimp, with respon.sibility divided between , the. reopening ot he Temple with lyiutual burlesque ^Vhich took .piany »?a-'^^V,V"f„,''th^ tomers, and a terrible bill for th^ nrat half, was the outstanding fea- ture of the Syracuse week. I^^'*-h^. clicking consistently at from $14,000 to $16,000, went clown to about 000, with the real draw perhaps a bit under that figure; "Masks of the Devil" al.so drew $12,000 into ,th€! State's strongbox. Gilbert's appeal seeriis to be falling °^St^ongest picture of the week, all things considered, was Corinne Griffith's "Outcast." It got $9,000 at the Strand. "Faiil;" held over-at the Empire!, did so-so. Estimates for Last Week Keith's (vaudefilm; 2.595; 30-50). Business oft first half, due to weak bill and intfensified opposition. Stronger bill last half helped. About $12,000. : / Strand (wired; 1,700; 40) "Out- cast" (FN). About $9,000, excellent. Empire (vvired; 1,600; 40) "Fa:zil (Fox>. ' Held, over for 10-day en- gagement. About $7,000. Heavy femme patronage. . , State (wired; 3,300; 20-50) "Ma:Sks of Dfevil" (M-GrM).. About $12,000, fair. , • Eckel (wired; 1,500;, 35) "Moran of Marines" (Par), With Impro- vised mechanizied score, about $8,- "^feriahton:' (films; 1,750; 20-.35). Poor. , Riviera (wired; 1,100; 25). Ex- cellent. ' , *, . Vaude Best in Milwaukee; Keith's Palace, $18,000 Milwaukee, Dec. 4. (Drawing Population, 650,000) Weather: Cold Business nothing to rave over al- Flu Epidemic Kept L i Houses From Making Money Stage Shows Got Best Break in Kansas City ^iD.uuv, on fin'* "r»r, Business nothing to rave over, ai- Pantages (FP) (3.400; 30-60)—Do j^ j^ weather ideal. "Singing Your Duty" (FN). Picture <irew ^^^^ ^ GJarden, after eight laughs and stage 'l^t drew the l^^^j^g dough. , Better than $13,000.^ Good. , jg a normal first weeK Uptown (FP) (3,0a0|- 30-60)— ^^^^ of ,the houses. "Mother "Man Who Laughs' (U). Knows Best" in third week strong and smart notices. $lJ,50ti. ..ajj^.^ People" did fairly Fafr?^Plenty of word-of-mouth ad: Show People" did fairly at Ma jestic, ending that house's stand as vertising—all favorable. ^ a silent picture theatre. Into sound :») (2,600; 3a-60)-- Thanksgiving. Garden and Majestic Sadie (Painej. . _■ - urograms, oh turlcey day. H ppodrome (FP) (2.600; 3a-60)- '^tate Street Sadie", (Pat)ie Slipped little at $11,000, with^stag< stealing a iniarch on tlie other down show rather than Picture taking ^^^^^ j^^^g^g Gilbert and Tahna Draws Off in New Orleans e's New Orleans, Deo. 4. (Drawing Population, 500,000) Weather: Clear Two, former sure--fires fell by the wayside , here last week when John (i'.lbert and Norma Talmadge failed to attract previous quotas at the box oftices of Loew's State and the Sacnger. State got over , 16,000 with Gilbert and the Saenger went past $19,000 with.Talmadge. Thanks- giving was the life saver in both in- stances. „ , f)ipheum had an excellent week with "The Michigan Kid," but popu- lar vaude show helping. Orpheum topped $11,000, its best in several weeks. Strand is coming into favor witn a good brand of "Silent" pictures and Now Orleans' favorite bandster X>on Phillipini. It went to^ $6i000 with "Outcast," and to splendid profit. ... , Estimates for Last Week Loew's State (3,218; 50).—'Masks (2 300- 30-60) - "Woman Estinrjates for Last Week fro,n%oscow" VPar) Pola Negri Alhambra (U) "Lonesome" (U) no hem Third suc^^^ Negri (1,800; 25-35-50). Advertised as per- rticture to flop here—second one for feet talker, did not ^ prove reqord house Under $10,000. Bad. breaker but coasted in over $9,000. PrSs (Erlanger) (2,500; 50- Garden (Brln) "Singing Fool" Princess (^riangew v ^ I ^^^^ (1,200; 26-60-76). Highest priced straight, picture house in town and on eighth week still over $8,500. Majestic (Brln) ::Show People , (M-G-M) (1,600; 25-50-75). Well Vl^m.^ lw% l-Vi** Pmirtft enough for second week; $7,500 Here in me V.,OUriS m^^;,, ^j^^^y -Runaway Gins" Ufa Eastern Division DiStribu- (Col) (1,200; 10-26-40). Maybe Kansas City, Dec. 4. It was liie theatres^Malnstreet, Pantage.s, C^lobe, Shubert and Or- pheum—with stage shows,, that got the money last week; those with pictures and .canned vaudeville suf- fering. ■ , Pantages and Mainstreet opened strong, dropped a little the first three days and finished big, with the holiday doing its share. Two Publix hou.ses—Newman and Roval—did hot, fare so well- until Thursday when business btailt a lit- tle. Same true with Loew's Mid- land. , Since Publix reclaimed the. New man and Royal from the LOew or- ganization, and spent a number of thousand dollars dolling them, up, an expensive publicity campaign has been maintained, overshadow- ing both the Mainstreet iarid Mid- land, but cutting into the Midland's business more than any other house. Estimates for Last Week Uew's Midland (4,000; 25-35-50) "Alasks of DeviU" Looked like set- up for females trade but evidently getting cold to John Gilbert, for business not so forte. Talking shorts, Though feature fully syn-, chr'onized, canned music cut off in middle of perfOrjnance and Midland orchestra cut lii. Change quickly recognized and appreciated; $19,000. Mainstreet—"Outcast" (3,200; 35- 50-60). Corinne Griffith and Ed- mund Loew had hard time ,with their lovemaklng until final fadeout. Stage show fast and entertaining; $20,000. • , , , Newman—"Docks of New York'! (1,980; 35-60). Pretty good enter- tainment. Picture given extensive advertising but returns off until Thursday, too late to help the wetek much; $12,000. Pantages—"The, Crash" (2,200; 25i-35-50,)., Another First TSTational house able to get on a:ccount of not being rna-de for wired theatres. Mainstreet has first caH on First Nationals. Stage show; $.10,200. Royal—Win That Girl" (920; 35- 50). Dave Rollins iR: this film-of college affairs. Rollins ainother Ka,n- sas City home' towner, attracted most of local interest and did not cause his*triends and admirers; dis- appointment. Several shorts; $3,000. Globe had "Romance of Under- world" on screen and return, of Bridge musical stock. Uptown, "Honeymoon Fla-ts." pic ture with stage, show. .l'50)_l-'Q Ships." Never got going Bad at $5,000. but escaped red. Ufa Distribution Over Urged to Build in S. A. Los Angoles, Dev. 4. {Drawing Population, 1,450,000) Weather: Fair With'influenza gripping the town aind orders issued by health depart-, ment that people coughing or sneez- ing in theatres be returned their admission, the Thanksgiving turkey did not taste so juicy. Business about 35 percent off for the w<»ek, corresponding with la.st yiear..' Loew's State was the leader of the town. It had'Sally O'Neil in person with an F. and M, revue, and "The Outcast" starring Corinne Griffith, on screen. About $3,500 behind was Warners with "On Trial," second week.. This talker . did not click nearly as Avell as the prevlouis W. B. Vitaphon^s have in . • the past.. "Manhattan Cocktail." Paramount, with sound and Nancy Carroll singing on screen, meant nothing at all In the Alet, For the first five days the pictui'e got jiist a little over $13,500. Also last week of AVest Coast operation for this Publix house. ''Noah's Ark" seems to be in the petering out sta;ges at Grauman's Chinese. For fourth week trade very light at mats, with W-eek-end savior. "Interference" in next to final week at .Carthay Circle started week , off lightly, getting $1,070 . for firist ; two days; with holiday and week- end bringing fair average. "Lilac Time." at Criterion for sec- ond aind final week, , held up better than avei*age. united Artists had "Hit of the Show" in sound \vith Joe E. Brown, star , of picture, in stage act. That helped lots toward a low gross. "The Patriot," with Jannihgs did very well at Egyptian, which is in v the fiu artia. Boulevard had "Plas- tered in Paris," starring a local, boy, Sammy Cohen, and his drawing, power showed itself in house where none to good business has pre- vailed- of late. Estimates for Last Week BoMlevard (W.O—"Plastered in Paris" (Fox) (2,164; 25-50). With F. and M, stage show and comic of picture favorite under conditions locally; $6,600 great; Carthay Circle (W.C.-Miller)— "Interference'? dialog ^Par) (1,500; 25-$1.50). 4th week. Started off poorly, but picked up enough to. edge around $8,500. . Criterio.. (W.G.)—"Lilac / Time," sound (F.N.) (1,600; 25-75). This Colleen Moore for second and fliial stanza, big at around $9,000. Egyptian (W.C.-U.A.)—"The Pa- triot" (Pair) (1,800: 25-75). With this one for intelligentsia $7,500 igood. . , Grauman's Chinese (U. AO—^ "Noah's Ark," AMtaphone (W.B.) (1,938; 50-$1.50). 4th week. Fair-at $17,800. Loew's State (W.C.-Loew)-^"Outr (F.N.) (2,242; 25-$l). Wired. Because South America is one of „, the few virgin continents for big cast ^ , x-,- —. . chain theatres and an invasion that Sally O'Neil in person brought them is inevitable will mean fortunes for j" for t^'^J^rifflth product^^^^^ the first invader. Universal is con. t^J^s star means nothing here. $25, rra Eastern Division uisiriou- kuou U.^uv; iv-^o-^u;. i«ayoe, ^idering ^^^epting "^^^^ ^^'V ,o L^t5nV an injunction sound wi 1 bring this house back from 1,500 to 2,500 seats in many Rattan Cocktail," sound (Par) tors inc., is seeking "^J '"^"J^^'^J .bJJ at present sticks to little gross Latin key cities. Monroe Isen, its (3.595; 25-75). Looks as though against Ufa i<iims, inc.., ""V of about $2,800. general manager for the soiuthern sound means nothing here. Gross Wide Pictures. Inc. and i-.auca- pgi^^^ (Keith) "Waterfront" (FN) hemisphere, and now In New York, way bielow normal at under $20,000. tional Pictures. Inc. from interfer- ^2,400;, 25-60.-76). Va«de draw.here..Ldnilts that , formulating plans for United Artists (U.A.)—Hit of ing with an alleged contract grant- ^18 000. L^ch a circuit will be one of the ehow." sound (F.B.O ). (Z^oa; 25- ing the plaintiff the exclusive re- Riverside (Keith) "Annapolis" Lm^ of conferences he will ^D- With star of picture m person ^^.^inor litrhts to Ufa pictures until (Pathe) (3,000; 25-40-50-60). Did P'^h lights .^^ on stage and only one-week run un- S^vul n two veai o\^^ with vaude. have with the Universal prepident K^^. jj^y.. ,10.000 okay, but 1930 with a two-oreai o^^^^^^ Strand (Fox) "Mother Knows immediately upon his return from Low. ^.,„ Gerhard ^^^one of Ufa. JJ. wu (Fox) (1,200; 25-50-60). Go- the coast early next month. | Warner Bros. (W.B.)—"On Trml,' Hams; president of world v\ lae, aiiu I .^^ erood enouerh to stretch Into I Toitora nr^ nraptieallv 11 I uii?>, iJic.T.»u^.... \ mg gooa enougn i rvarles Van. Zandt of Educational, ^-^^^^ week; $12,000. ere served. The charge is that VVisconsiiY (Fox) ' Cha wcr^ - Ufa and the others have entered into a conspiracy To: nullify a -pre- vious contract whereby ].')avid Brill was to have the sole eastern dis ing good enough to stretch into - $12,000. (Fox) "Varsity" (Par) (2,000: 26-35-50-60-75)., Stage show big bet; $16,500. Talkers are practically unknown I vit. (W.B.) (2,756; 25-75). This in South America. The handful of afi talker no panic in second weeK. native indies who dominate the ex- | $21,000. Loew's State (3.218; 50).-'Masks ^ „ rights in America to Ufa of Devil." Needed two holidays to J'1 iB"" bring this one up to $16,800. Saenger (3.568; 65). — "Woman Disputed." TIard sledding for $19,200.. . Orpheum (2,400; 50).—"Michigan ..Kid." Helped by excellent vau.de bill. $11,100. • ., . Tudor (800; , 50). —"Varsity. • A host of football devotees in town. $4,900. ^-^ ■■■„ Strand (2,200; 60). ^ "Outcast. Liked immensely and drew $6,00.0. Sunday Fee Doubled At Fitchburg, to $25 Fitchburg, Mass., Dec, 4. Theatres which keep open Sxin- days have had their license fee doubled here and now pay $25 in- stead of $12.50. "^Tnus^Tffcreas*^^ Mayor Joseph A. Lowe who' is g(.'titng out tills year. Lowe has nothing agaiiust the Sunday jjhows apparently, tor Jt w.as his poll that showed sentiment in favor of Sunday performances. business depres.sion has hit Fiti.'hburg hard. , Several industries have moved away, causing increase in the tax rate and the mayor tiiought the theatres should, bear a l^art of the burden. . pictures. Brill assigned his '•oniract to the Ufa Eastern Division Dis tributors. Inc. , Complaint mentions a niimbev of Ufa films which were not screened to the plaintiff for acceptance but were released regardless at the 55th St. Cinema and St. George Play- house. Brooklyn, a couple of .sure- .sealers, and al.so In other cities. These pictures include ' "Love in Nature," "Siegfried," Kremhold's, Revenge," "Frederick, the Great,'' "Peter, the Pirate," "Sci rots of the Orient." ■ Ufa Eastern Division covenanted to accopt 12 features and 26 shoots a.year, outside of those which Ufa distributed through M-r;-M and Paramount.. Loop's Public Preview 01iiV;it,M>. ])<'i". 4. lOor the first tinif in this town a pvcviow pf a film was held before a public audience while tlio ropulai' performance was on. It happened at B. rfo K. s Koosc- velt when "The Lion's Koar, "Mack Sennett's first two-ret-l souml com edy was unwound In the middle of an evening performame. "Sunday" Closes 4 Shreveport, Iowa, Dec. 4 Four theatres Ark.-Tex., near here, pending Outcome of injunction suit charging Sunday showings in vio lation of city;' laws. The houses started showing on Sunday, Sept hibiting .end _ of ;the . .fllm. hiz there cannot afford the $15,000 oir more asked for wire installations.. In all S. A., Isen says, there are not over 20 theatres which cpUld afford the iprices asked by Western and Gen- in Texarkana, jjlgctric. ' ' A cheaper device are closed ^j,j y^^^,^ marketed before. in F©x in Northern Jersey Fox has taken over the Plaza, EngeKvood, N. J., to asstime opera- tion Dec. 15. Theatre, which has dies 6n the other side of the-Gulf been, playing stock, js figured to go can hope to get sound, Isen declares, vaudfilm and be wired. Tha.t Universal- anticipates such a Afiquisitlon is on an operating, ...„„ -.. 7—— device sooner than it may erect its arrangement for the builders, who 30, as a t^st and were closed by Ljjgj^^^j.gg jg borne out by the impor- foreclosed on a mortgage two weeks injunction *two weeks later Final hearing of the cases will be In Texarkana. next week. GILL, MIDWESCO P. A Robert Gill, district manager for Fox theatres In western territory, has been appointed head of the publicity and exploitation depart- ment for the Fox-Mid-Wesco the- atres, with head offices in Mil- waukee, incitiicis «o uviii^ vi«v 1---. ---. — - - tant place sound product has on the ago. The Plaza was built a .year program Isen is arranging for ago at a reported cost of $220,000 Laemmie's perjusal. and has since been , operated by in- •In all S. A. there a.re, now not dependent interests. Did well with more than 2,700. thetares. Most of stock since changing to that policy these, Lsen states, have but around hast summer, but evidently not suf- 300 seats. James Re-elected in Ohio Cleveland, Dec/ 4. William M. James was re-elected auKee. ^ i preg ident of the Motion Picture. ^jt^KellyT'fbYinerly'^SSisfanrc^^ — of the (Chicago Herald-Examiner, fifth time at the annual conven " has been retained as Gill's assist- |tion in Columbus; J, J- Ilarwood, Cleveland, vice pres. at large; Jf. A. Ackerinan, Cin cinnati, first vice-pres.; Henry flcient to balance the previous losses with vaudfilm. It gives Fox its first representa- tion in northern New Jersey terri- tory, previously sewed up by Stan- ley-Fabian. ant, with special state duties in Wisconsin. Cutting "Show Boat" Los Angt les, Dec. 4. Universal . previewed its. first cinnuw, .u=. v,..-.,v... °* *'^^^^''?',;"n\rr^ .Biber-sort. Jr., Delaware, O., second and is now cutting it dovMi to re ••MY MM" DEC. 21 vice-pres.; John Oamm, Wads- lease footage, preparat..r> t.. ^. rr "My Man," Vitaphone film star- worth, O., third vice-pre.?.; George, ing for music dialog and m.u. ring Fannie Brlce, Is scheduled to Fenberp.^, Oranvllle, O , secretary: P^^I;*-^ - j,,. ,<.),.a^,^d follow "On Trial" at the Warner Harry Abram, I^ncaster. 0., tr»>,'u.- , The pictu .-wm theatre. New York, Dec. 21. I urer. -i^^- ^ '