Variety (Oct 1931)

VARIETY PICTH R ES Tuesday, October 6, 1931 My Leadffs 'Devotion-Days, msoi^siaooo Phllaflelphja. Oct. B. With the world aerlies startljig here today . (Monday) and the crowds starting to come In over the week-end, helped: by the earrly eei.- eon foothall.gaiues, film business Is expected to take a jump this week. A couple of good box ofHce pictures will probably have more eftect, as a matter of .fact, thaii all the other conditions combined. . - For example, 'Palmy Days' seems due for a' substantial week at Keith's of around ^18,000 and a sec- ond week is virtually assured. Aha .Harding's personal following figures as the comeon; for 'Devo- tion' at the 'Mastbaum, where a pos- sible $36,500 Is. Indicated. .'The Spider,' at Fox, although panned by some critics, looks ll^o a strong at- traction with extra help of the only stage show In town. . Liikely $27,000 and maybe a. liUle more. "Alexander HELmilton' had many seat mix-ups at its opening at the Stanley aiid received mixed no- tices. . Should get $16,000 with ex- pected -bulld-iip common to Arliss here. On the- other hand, film is not expected to cash In on world series Tlsitbrs. The Barle should Jump to $18,50.0 with' 'The Big Gamble,' because its location is Ideal for drop-ins and Gene Dennis, mlnd-readeri who scored tremendously at this house last winter, Is back as the sole stage performer. Last week was Just a little bit worse than expected. The' Fox's $24,800 for 'The.Brat' and the Karl ton's $5,600 for 'Bought,' second downtown showing, were as^gobd.as anything In town; Estimates for This Week Mastbaiim (4,800: 35-60-76)—'De- votion' (Pathe). Mixed notices but raves for Ann Harding; her follow- ing ought, to mean a lot; probable $86,600, with' ;worId series innux helping all houses. Last week 'Mod em Ago' (MrQ) not over $84,000 and perhaps not'..quIte that Fox (8,000; 85-^'75)—The Spl der" (Fox) and stage' show. An- other case of mixed not.lces, bnf Ed- mund Lowe has nice clientele; near $26,600 and $27;000. LQst'week 'The Braf (Pox), $24,800. Stanley (3,700 ; 35-50-76)—'Alex- ander Hamilton '(WB). Great-no- tices for star and impressive send- ofC at premiere, but picture figured too historical; $16,000 or slightly better, with little aid expected from world sarles crowds. ' lAst week •Waterloo, Bridge' (U) poor at $10,- 000 in second and flrial.'week. Keith's (1,800; 35-6tl>-76)—'Palmy Days' (UA). Fine start for Cantor picture, ivith continuance almost certain; close to $1<8,000. Last week •Phantom of Paris", (M-G-fl) weak at $11,500. Earle (2,000; 25-66)—'Big Gamble' (Pathe). House location good for world series d^op-ins, also return of Gene Dennis,- mind reader, should help; likely $18,600. . I,ast .week •Pagan Lady' (Col), $16,000, just fair. Stanton (1,700; 26-66)^'60 Fath- .oms Deep' (Col). Fairly good trade, with around $11,000 probable. Last week 'East of Borneo' (U) weak at $7,000 in second week. Karlton (1,000; 60) —'Mary Ann' (Fox). Strong $6,000 indicated last week. 'Bought' (WB), $5,600. Arcadia' (600; 60)—'Squaw Man' (M-G). Notices not so hot but, be- ing first run, $3,000 ' likely. . Lost -week 'Night Life in Reno' (Art- Class) poor at $2,200. DETROIT IS SOCKLESS, f,500FORDREYFUy BUFFALO HOLDING BACK Due to Warmth—•Bridge' 97/100, C«ntury—Hipp $16|000 Buffalo, Oct. 6. Business this week. looks fair. Warm' days upsetting otherwise im- posing grosses. Buffalo (Publlx) (3,600; 30-40-66) —•Street Scene' (UA)i Over $26,000 indicated.. Last week 'My Sin' (Par) $25.((00. Hipp (Publix) (2,400; 2B-3B-60)— 'High Stakes', with Oisen and J.ohh- son.on stage. Looks like'good $16,- S>00. Last week 'Phantom of Paris' (M-G)-airound $14,000. Century (Publix) (3,400; 25-36t50) -:-'Waterloo Bridge' (U). Fair and ought 'to do around $7,000. Last Week 'Rebound' (Pathe)' to around $5,000. •■ Great Lakes (Fox) (3,400; 26-86- 50)—'Bad Girl' (Fox). Near $13,000 on second week; last week same film $18,600, fine. l-afayette (Ind) (3,400; 36)— •Woman of Experience;' Win, prob- ably do over $8,000. Last: week 'Sweepstakes' climbed to ;$8,900, NEWARK PULL, MAKING $21,000 GRADE ■ Newark, Oct. B. (Drawing Population, 85P/>00) With every house open . for ' the first time in two years it looks like the good. old. days. . 'American Tragedy' is packing, 'em. at the Newark and should top $20,000. Ldew's won't be much behind with 'This Modern Age.' . * ' Estimates for This.Week. Branford (WBJ (2,966; 20-86^50) 'Sykllne'. (Fox). Headed for bad $9,000. Last week 'The Spider' (Fox) weak lit $11,000.', Capjtol (WB) (1,200; 15-25-35) 'I Like .Your Nerve' (FN) and 'Moth- te's Million^ (U). Double-billing the films-they're, scared of; should approach. $5,000. Last week 'Side Show' (WB) and 'Caught' (Par) okay'at $6,5.00. .' •; Carlton (UFA) (478 ; 85-50) -Die Drei von der Tankstelle' (Ufa). Opened weir but will, take time'to get them coming here; lAaybe $1,000. Little (Fine Arts Theatre) (299: 50-66) 'Danton'. (Capitol). Good for; a fair $1,200. Last -week.'Mystery of Life,' $1,600 but unprofitable. Loew's Stiate (2,780; 30-50) 'Mod- ern Age' (M-G) and Vaude. Joan Crawford in anything good for nearly $20,000 here. . lAst week 'Huckleberry Finn'. (Par) . sad at $11,500. Mosque CVTB) (8,281: 20-35-60) "Waterloo Bridge' (U). Good cinough at $13,000. . Last week 'Hamilton' (WB) clicked at $17,500. Newark (Adams-Par) (2,248; 15- 35-60-60) 'American Tragedy' (Par) and Vaude; Price Jump of JOd for circh means bigger grosses ib^ the good onesl; if this one' doesn't fade, nearly'. $21;000, fine. Last week' 'Si- lence'. (Par) good at over $15,000. Proctor's (RKO) (2,200; 2B-40- 60-60) '60 Fathoms Deep' (CqI) and Vaude. Vaude a rear draw here; good $15,600 currently ' indicated. Last' week 'Bad Company'. (Pathe), helped by Wee Willie Robyn in per- son, fine at nearly $19,000. - Terminal (Pox) (1,900; 25-36) Common Law' (Pathe). About $4,600, Just fair. Last week 'Bad Girl' (Fox) same'figure. $7, Detroit, Oct. 5. 'Palmy Days' and 'Dreyfus Case' total as the leading grossers this week. 'Dreyfus' is being shown at Orchestra Hall. First time this spot has been used for roadshowlng a sound picture. Otherwise business letharclc. Estimates for This Week Michigan—'Road to Singapore' (WB) and stage show (4,046; 15- 26-36-60). Radio show on stage the draw rather than picture; will get a so-so $28,000. Lost, week 'Per- sonal Maid' (Far)' was fair at $28,- 400. Fox—'Purple Sage' (Pox) and etage show (6,100; 15-26-60). West erns mean little in large houses; this one looks poor for $27,600. Last week 'Wicked' (Fox) was wieak at $26,400. Fisher-^'Phiantom of Paris' (M-G) and stage show (2,300; 16-25-36-60). Not so forte and will get by if get- ting $17,000. Last week 'I Like Your Nerve' (FN) for'$17,100. ' Downtown—'Bad Company' (Ra- dio) (2,760: 16-25-EO). Only about Tovm's Guaranteti Swea City, la.,. Oct. 6. Sound theatre Is to open here Kov. 1 with the Chamber of . Commerce guaranteeing flnain- clal success through pledging of . $600 for screen advertising. N. I. Morness Is the exhib. DeTotion' Looks Good At $12,500 in Frisco; 2 Houses Poll Fibns Foreign W. C. Hooses - Hollywood^ Oct. 6. Coast circuit of foreign film houses being contemplated by Ralph Plncue and Herbert Kosher of the Columbia, San Francisco. • First .house, to open this week,, is the Union Square,- S. F., as this in- ternational Art theatre, playing German, French and Spanish pic- tures. Also reported 'Tobis maLy Inva'de the coast, -with several men sup- posed to be here to open houses in key cities. San Francisco, Oct. 5. Buster Keaton and Ann Harding have the nialto to themselves in a week generally char^icterized by sad bl2 everywhere. But Keaton in 'Sidewalk^ of New York' is "being pull'e'd out at'the Fox on six days;- •Wicked' at the Warfleld and 'Reckless Hour* at' the Golden Gate are'' weak sisters. ' 'Street Scene' continues healthily in . its . deuce stanza at the United Artists. . ' ' Estlmiltes for This Week Fox-(6.000; 35-60. 'Bldewalks of New York' (MOM) and stage show. Keaton being; yanked after six da:ys to $89,000 pace; move will give Gar- bo's 'Susan Lenox' (M-G) eight dajs. tioet week 'Phantom of Paris'.. (MOM) with John Gilbert did but $36,000. Golden Gate (RKO>—(2,844; 30- 40-66). •Reckless Hour* (FN). Vaude going below average at $14,000. Last week 'Ruharound' (Radio) struck a, low of $12,000. Orpheum (RKO)-^(2,270; 26-36- 60). Devotion'- (Pathe) with Ann Harding, healthy at likely $12,600. Last week "East of Bornoe' (U) did weak $8,600. Paramount (Pox)—(2,700; '36-60). My Sin' (Par) and .first half of Tabu* (Par)', .even -.the. double bill- ing not offsetting the weakness of Bankhead's draw here. Reaching likely poor $14,000. Last week the, final, and deuce week of/'Monkey Business* (Par) fair at $14,000. United Artl.'.s—(l,2b0; 25-40-60). Street Scene'. (UA) (2nd week). SUU holding up. an(f will do $11,000. Last week hit $16,000 and good. Warfleld (Fox)—2,672; 35-60-60). Wicked' (Fox). Stage show, illlssa Land! not known here and intake reaching about $18,600. Lftst week •Pardon US' (Roach) with Laurel and Hardy got $25,000, that house's best figure In months. Warner* — (1,866? 26-36-60-60). 'The Bargain' (FN). Being pulled out'nn.five days under $5,000. 'Ham- ilton' (WB) opens this Wednesday. Last week . 'Si4e . Show' (WB) touched bottom at $6,500. Modem, Prov^ AO Fifan ' Providence, Oct.' B. Modem theatre opened here with a straight picture policy. Theatre was scheduled to start -with vaud- film, but new owners made a last minute switch when reports reached them that RKO Intended to -put vaude baok. at the Albee, now .on straight pictures. Modem will show first-run pic- tures, mostly produced by indies. It has adopted: a price scale that is lowest in town. Top lis 30c, 6c un- der the top of the -RKO Victory, which recently made a 15c slash. The ne-w picture house may change twice weekly. $10,000 and off. Last week 'Smart Woman,' $11,500. United Artists —. 'Palmy Days' (UA) (2,018; 16-25r35-60-76). Get- ting nice play; wlU be here at least three weeks; this one will be okay with $20,000 for, six days. Last week 'Five Star Final' did fair $12, 000 in eight day?. Paramount — 'Monkey Business' (Par) (3,448; 15-25-35-60). Third week oft and will leave this Thurs- day; six final' days about $9,000 Last week $15,100 in second week. State—'Five SUr Final' (WB) (3,000; 16-26-60). Third week here getting few extra dollars; $6,600. Last week 'Modern Age" - (M-G) $7,100. . Orchestra Hall — 'Dreyfus Case' (Col) (1,'600; 26-36-50-76). Low scaled roadshow here getting' in t^IIectuals; nice ballyhoo for nice gross for six days limited engage mcnt; will get $7,500. September Productioii Survey Hollywood, Oct. 6, Average of about four more fea- tures per day for September over Ahgust, dally averse being 33.8. High day was Sept 15, when 88 fea^- ture unite were shooting. Dropped during the next two -weeks to. a low of. 29, but Jumped to 36 last week, with indications of a continued climb. Paramount Jumped from fifth to firist. place in activity, with seven pictures in production the'first half of the month and four for the re< mainder. Unltiad Artists made a more startling Jump, from the bot- tom of the list to second most active feature studio, with five pictures In production of September. Radio, dark three weeks except for a couple of shorts, wore the dunce . cap last month. Activity among the quickie producers cen- tered at International (new naine for Cinephone, leasing studio oper- ' ate'd by Ralph Like). SEPTEMBER PRODUCTION AVERAGES In 17 Active.Coast Studios (Bennett Dark)' /—September-1931 Units Active-S Feature Feature Studios Paramount ..... 6.5 United Artists .. Fox ^etro .'..,...... Pathe Universal .-. Warner-FN Columbia Tiffany , Radio Leasing Studios International (ex-Clnep'h.one) Educational .... Carr-Monogram (ex-National) . Metropolitan Tec-Art ..-. Darmour ....... Comedy .Studios - Roach .......... 4.6 4.4 4.3 2.8 2.3 2.6 2.0 .7 .8 1.3 .7 .8 .6 .6 .4 Short - Total .7 1.1 —Year 1930 Averages——^ 1920 192d 8.6 Working Daily.. 33.8 (Average totall units daily so far ln 1931; Jahtiary, 36; February,' 3.3.6; March, 38.5;. April, 32.4; May, 36.7; June, 43.6;. July, 30.6;' August, 35.9; September, 37.4.) 29 FEATURES COMPLETED ON THE COAST IN SEPTEMBER, 1931 (Including One Spanish Version) Working Days ■••••....28 .28 Paramount 'Once a Lady' ........ •Rich Man's Folly' .... •Beloved Bachelor' ... •Girls About Town' 'Touchdown' Fox •Sob Sister* ...i .....82 •Ambassador Bill' , 26 •Ma4-Moments' (Sp.) ...^..,...12 , Columbia •Guilty Generation' i..'24 •Man in Her Life' .............20 •Ridin' for Justice' .18 U.niver8al •Heart and Hand' 40 'Spirit of Notre Dame'.... 28 MiBtro 'Flying High' 35 •The Chomp' 29 Working ' ii - -I 9i Paths . ^ - •Big Shot' 1..:.'.. •Freighters of Destiny' \fU^ Ti^khy ' ' -S 'Left Over Ladles' 12 'Fighting Mad' 8 . Like-Weeks 'Chinatown After' Dark'.•..«'.... 6 'Anybody's Blonde' ..:....<...; 4 Misceilaneoua •Arrowsmlth' (U.A) ...........87 •Other People's Business' (Radio)..... 2i •Racetrack' (Cruze-Tlft) 16 •Sporting Chance' (Herman)... 12 •Two-Fisted Justice' ' (Carr-Monogram) 9 •Cyclone Kid' (King-Big 4) .... 7 'Convicted' (Supreme) 9 •Hurricane Horseman' (Kent) . 6 Asst. Mgr. Quits. Syracuse, N. Y., Oct 6. Victor Frank is quitting the show for commercial business. Locating in this city, - Frank for 2% years has been asst. mgr. at local Loew's State. Change Small Town Policy Publix Finds Dark Houses Better Open as ' Natives Prove Stubborn '. .Chicago, Oct B. Heartening Upturn for the coming season la expected, as indicated from the large number of closed houses slated' for reopening within the next month. This takes in cir- cuit and'Indie spots throughout the midwest Publix-Oreat States makes the larieest splash, with six theatres to get going once more within the fortnight, to be followed later In the season with several more. Fubllx-niinols theatres reopening are the Castle In Blooml'ngton as the 'C!* house of town; the Princess in Peoria on Oct 4, as the 'B' spot; the Belasco In Qulncy on the 4th, thQ Rialto In Elgin on Oct. 11, the Majestic In Kankakee, on the 18th. All of these spots have been shut- tered for a year or more. Wood River theatre, in Wood River, BI., which has been running Saturdaiy and Sunday only, now stretches.to a full iveek. . - '\raude comes into the picture in many of these spots, with Publix finding that with two or- more thea- tres, a diversity of entertainment is essential. Otherwise, the public stays, away from the high prices at the first run. houses and waits ior the film to hit the smaller-theatres! Aurora and Peoria are already on the books, with Qulncy, Elgin and 'Waukegan on the brliik.' Publlx has discovered that the Idea of closing all houses but one In order to force trade, does not work out well In practice. Total business is found to be off, since there Is a public for first run houses exclusive from second run. Many people, rather than pay the higher tip for Initial run theatres, stay away from pictures entirely if there Is not a cheaper tariff spot for the later showings. 22 K. C HOUSES DARKFROM BOOTHMEN Kansas City, Oct 6. Deadlock between a number ot resldentlals and -tht ■ local opera* tors' union over , the number of men in the booths continues with both sides fimb All of the Pox Friendly theatres, except Plaza, Uptown aoid Isls; all of the Hughes-Franklin houses and a number, of Independents, 22 in all, closed Wednesday (30) after the night show and have remained dork. The Friendly houses, which had given notice to dose the Saturday night' before, kept open until the others closed, upon the request of City Manager McBlroy, who thought he could work out some plan of settlement Committees for both sides of the controversy have been meeting dally for days without reaching any kind of an agreement Walter S. Croft vice-president ol the International union of oP^l'^' tors, has been here several days buv has not taken part in the meetings, expressing the belief the local of- ficers could handle the matter. The dispute over the number or operators to be. employed has spread to other Missouri towns,