Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1927)

1262 Motion P i c t II re News Reports from Key Cities Brief Reviews of Box Office Conditions at Leading Theatres About the Country New York City BrsiXESS on Broadway was pretty well recovered last week from its slump of the previous seven days, and many of the houses showed substantial fjains in receipts. The outstanding item of interest, of course, is still the Roxy and the crowds are flocking to see the house. Opinions and stories differ on the gross taken in by the Roxy's second week of operation. Proba})ly it was not far from .$!().'). 000, although claims for a substantially higher figure are being made. "The Love of Sunjii" was the feature. The Paramount enjoyed a very comfortable week after a slump during the previous period, going well over $70,000 on "Evening Clothes." The second week of "The Beloved Rogue" at the Strand was thoroughly successful, although the picture did not go into the third week understood to have been expected of it when it opened. Norma Shearer, who is always popular at the Capitol, put the house well above .$.50,000 with "The Demi-Bride," which seemed to please. "The Big Parade" showed some gain last week, as did "What Price Glory." "The Rough Riders" started off very well, and "Old Ironsides" showed improvement. The Vitaphone shows were off a little, while "Metropolis" at the Rialto showed excellent strength, holding to a figure which promises a run. The Colony's return to the multiple show policy proved disappointing, which is natural after a term as a two-a-day house. Chicago ANOTHER week of normal business was the report of both outlying and loop theatres in Chicago last week, continued favorable weather and som(> good pictures offsetting the Lenten handicap. At the Chicago Theatre only an average business was done with "The Scarlet Letter," while at the Oriental Paul Ash and "Blind Alleys" combined ^id a big business. McVickers got away to a good start with its extended run of "Sorrows of Satan." Lubliner & Trinz, Senate and Harding both Avere playing "The Kid Brother," and box office reports Avere considered somewhat disappointing for a Lloyd feature, being onlv slightlv above normal. The Uptown Theatre with "Tell It to the Marines" did better than average business and on the Southside with "Orchids and Ermine" and an elaborate Bennie Kreuger show the Tivoli did a big business. The Granada reports better than average business with "Getting Gertie's Garter," and a big stage show. In the smaller neighborhood houses business was somewhat spotty, some having had a good week, while others complained of poor business. St. Louis THE first-run houses enjoyed from fail' to good business during the week ended on .March 2:"), but the jiatronMii-c of the neighborhood shows was far below what it should be, even considering the fact that many people are observing the Lenten season. This is largely due to the fact that many are without employment or working part time. At the Ambassador Colleen Moore occu[)ied the screen in "Orchids and Ermine" and aided by the Publix unit "Opera Versus Jazz" pulled in her share of the shekels for the week. Over at Loew's State Theatre on Washington Avenue the chief screen attraction was "The Red Mill," and business was good, considering general conditions. Another film on the program was the comedy, ' ' Are Brunettes Safe ? " in which Charlie Chase was starred. The Missouri had a good week with "Evening Clothes" as the big screen offering. The usual program of song, dance and orchestral offerings was also included. Across the street at the Grand Central business might be classified as fair to middling. On the screen was seen Patsy Ruth Miller in "What Every Girl Should Know." Miss Miller has a very large following in St. Louis and her fans and fanettes were out in force to see her work. The St. Louis Theatre, Grand Boulevard at Morgan Street, continued to pull in the crowds. For the week the screen offering was Madge Bellamy in "Ankles Preferred." Much of this house's good business for the week was due to the Variety Show that Ned Wayburn put on. Wayburn also appeared in person Wednesday and Thursday. Philadelphia T N spite of the much-heralded Lenten ■*■ slump, business has held up remarkably well in the downtown first-run houses last week. This is especially true of the recently opened Fox Locust Theatre, where "What Price Glory" is playing to turnaway business. House records have been broken at the Aldine, a Stanley road-show house, with John Barrymore in "Don Juan" with Vitaphone music. "McFadden's Flats" flanked by some good presentation acts, had a fair week at the Stanley. Wallace Beery in "Casey at the Bat" at the Stanton, did not do so well, the title failing to attract matinee audiences, which are largely governed bv titles. The Fox, with "Ankles Preferred,'' and a fair presentation program, did a mediocre business, not up to some of the preceding weeks. The Arcadia and the Karlton, the former with "Orchids and Ermine," and the latter with "A Kiss in a Taxi," ran along to about average business. "Tell It to the Marines" SAvitched from the. Stanton to the Palace, continued its success there. Minneapolis A NOTTTER week of fine spring weather -^* found business 'booming at many of the picture theatres in ^Minneapolis last week. "What Price Glory" stayed over for a second week at the Metropolitan and the tilin did a verv good week's business, al though it is likely that "Tell It to the Marines," which opened at the Strand Theatre, proved a strong counter attraction. This latter picture showed to large crowds at the Strand and was held over for a second week; the fact that things were popping in China during the week, and that the local papers were filled with references to the marines, undoubtedly helped to jam the house. At the State Adolphe Menjou in ' ' Blonde or Brunette" gave that theatre one of the busiest weeks it has experienced for a long time, although the film was by no means the entire attraction. Dayton's semi-annual style show was .staged in conjunction with the photoplay, and with 40 models and a number of song and dance acts included on the bill, it was not a very difficult task to draw in the crowds. Reginald Denny proved a bit disappointing in "The Cheerful Fraud" at the Garrick. The business was not quite up to standard, although "Tell It to the Marines," located a few doors away, may have been responsible for this. Mae Murray in "Altars of Desire" proved a popular attraetioh at the Lyric. Outlying houses reported a fairly lively week for the ticket-sellers. "It" went over big at the Loring, and Richard Dix in "Paradise for Two" proved a good drawing card. The Bainbridge stock company, by inaugurating its visiting star season at the Shubert, provided some real competition, offering P^dith Taliaferro in "Pygmalion" and drawing fine houses all week. ^an Francisco 'TpHE San Francisco motion picture houses •*■ did very well last week, for two reasons. One being because the weather was favorable and the other being because of favorable pictures. "Casey at the Bat," at the St. Francis, did an excellent business, not only because of the picture, but also because the papers played up the poem, "Casey at the Bat," that was written in San Francisco forty years ago. Because of its success, "Casev at the Bat" has been held over. "The Scariet Letter," shown at the Imperial, attracted attention because of the effective advertising in the windows aiul the book stores showed the book. "After Six Days," shown at the Rivoli at advanced prices, did not do as well as expected, sonu think because it was not well enough advertised. The Granada did well with "The Mysterious Rider," i)art of the crowd being caused bv the farewell party of Eddie Peabody. "The Love Thrill" at the California attracted the average crowd and more going because weather conditions permitted. Rube Wolfe attracted many to the Locav's AVarfield, as did the Fanchon & Marco presentation of "Golf Ideas," as this was the beginning of the golf season. The ]>icture "Orchids and Ermine" was considered fair. "Flying High" at the I^nion Square did well and the Golden Gate reports good business with "Nobody's AVidow, " although the main reason for success was the few vaudeville acts that were high class. The Cameo reports good business witli