Variety (Nov 1931)

VARIETY PICTItfRE CROSSES Tueadajt NoTcmber 3, 1931 Xlaudet' Gets Raves, $38,000; Star FmaT $24 JO; Good; First Time Colman Film N5.G. Chicago, Nov. 3. - Three comfortable dates in town, Cbicago, Oriental and Palace,, which •re set safely for profits currently; the first on strength of Its filcker, the other two depending strictly on their stages. Sophie Tucker Is bringing warmth Into the Oriental, which goes Into Ita third smiling week out of the red, something of a record these days at . this house. Picture, 'Slde- ■how,' la playing second fiddle to the femme stage star. 'Sin of Madelon Claudet' at the Chicago'will have a satisfactory «tay as the result of good exploita- tion and ad-wrltlng. Helen Hayes, an entire newcomer to the flick- ers, and not pfurtlcularly well kpown aa a legit In this province, was sold In advance by additional copy. She drew nicely in the oj>en- Ing In spite of bod weather, which hurt things generally, and built «ver the week end from the excel- lent scrlbbUniera and the word-of- tongue. Bill Plne^ B. & K. publicist, man- aged to get a special ad in the rrrlbune,' pointing to Hiss Tinee's review in the same edition. First time this has ever been accom7 plished here. No collusion. Merely happened to catcli the early night edition and hod the hurry-up ad Inserted In the following prints. IJevotlon' got going at the State- Xifike after a rather slow hop-otC; here also being, boosted by the no- Uces and the talk, Tive Star Final' Is managing to get across, the line at the McVickers, while 'Mad Ge- nluo' is a frank dlsappbliitment at the Roosevelt And at the other run spot. United Artists, Ronald Colman is doing his weakest In years. Estimates for This Week Chicago (Publix-B. &: K) (4,000; E0-7S-86). 'Sin of Madelon Claudet' (MO) and stage show. Publiz- B&K have great faith in this pic- ture and spent much time and money in plugging. Liooks like $38,- MO, oke. Iiast week "Walllngford' <MQ) was slightly under early ex- pectations at 138,300. Loop (Jonea) (1,600; 36-60). Vdad to Reno' (Par) and vaude. Former Rialto opens with vaud* and films on Saturday (7). Mae Hurray headlining the stage. Pic ture is a B&K turndown, having been originally slated for the 6rl' ental, Jones setting price low in order to entice the mob down to the south end of the loop. McVickers (Publlx-B&K) (2,200; BO-76-86). 'Five Star Final' (FN) For the first week tO' $24,000, a to- tal figure rating as fair enough in these embattled days. Will make it at least two weeks. 'Alexander Hamilton' (%71>) staytd 10 days to bad $21,100. Oriental (Publix-B&K) (3,200: 60-76-85). 'Sideshow* (WB) and stage show. Sophie Tucker on the platform and doing well at the g-te. Indicates $30,000, floe. liOst week 'Susan L«nox' (MG) held well in Its second loop week to $27,200. Palac« (RKO) (2,300; 60-76-86) Trlends and Lovers' (Radio and vaude. Regulation five-act line up, but no wallop either way. Running along currently to smooth finish for destined $23,000. Iiast week 'Wicked'(Fox) managed to help atage show to good enough $28,900< Roosevelt (Publix-B&K) (1,600 60-76-86). 'Mad Genius' (WB) couldn't get going and gets out on Wednesday (4) with 'Cisco Kid' (Fox) replacing. Barrymore flicker likely to grab only $17,000 for its entire '11-day session. First week was weak at $12,300. State-Lake (RKO) (2,700; 60-76 SB). 'Devotion' (Pathe). Boomed by the rave notices and the fcmihes. Held longer than expected. Opener was strong at $21,200, with the cur rent week dropping to Indicated $12,000. 'Dangerous Affair' (Co|) last Columbia on RKO contract for last year, comes in on Friday (6) United Artists (Fubllx-UA) (1 700; 60-76-86). 'Unholy Garden' <UA). l/ooks like just two weeks here. First session to $22,900 and current on to $13,000. 'Age of Love' <UA) next. Tacoma OrpL $6,000 Tacoina, Nov. 2. (Drawing Population 126,000) All around good attractions make for steady biz this week. Estimates for This Week Orpheum (RKO) (2,700: 26-60) "Pagan Lady' (Col) and vaude Split week with 'Five Star Final' (FN); looks good for $6,000. Last week "Last Plight' (FN) and 'Dan- gerous Affair* (Col) oke'; $5,300. Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (650; 26- 46-60). 'Unholy Garden* (UA). Go- POLITICAL NEWARK Beer Parades' Hurt Theatre*^ 'Qenlus' 17,000 o n 6 Pay Newark, Nov. S. (Draw. Pep., 850^) Bitterly fought political campaign is hurting business with parades, free eats and drinks, and free shows in addition to the ordinary political activity. Beer parade Friday night caused bitter complaints all around as it hurt everybody. Last week's grosses all under expectations. This week Greta Garbo, at Loew's, will lead with 'Monkey Business' at Par-Newark, and 'Devotion'at Proc- tor's, probably following strongly in. that order. Election Day should mean a turn for the better. Estimates for This week Branford (WB) (2,966; 20-86-60) Cisco Kid' (Fox). WeaJc at $7,000. Last week ^Heartbreak' (Fox), bad at $6,800. Capitol (WB) (1,200; 16-26-86) ■Dreyfus Ca8«'. (Col). Ought, to reach $6,000. Last week' Fenrod and Sam' (FN) and "Purple Sage* (Fox) good at $6,200. Carlton (Ufa) (473; 86-60) Die- Blonde NachUgall' (Ufa) and "Rd- sen-Montag* (Ufa). Even a double bill will rave hard sledding against Zwel Herzen' at the LitUe; $1,000. Xiast week 'Liebeswalzer' (Ufa) weak at $900.. Little (Fine Arts TheaUe) (299: 60-65) 'Zwel Herzen in % Takf. With prices raised should get fine $2,800. Last week 'Kaiserllebchen' (Tobis) weaK at $1,000. Loew's State (2,780; 80-60) 'Susan Lenox* (M-G) and vaude. At least $22,000, probably more. Last week Street Scene* (UA) good at over $17,000. ■ Mosque (WB) (3,281;. 20-36-60) "Mad Genius* (WB). On eight days should get weak $7,000. Last week ■Honor of Family' (WB) very bad at $3,600 and cut a day. Newark (Adams-Par) (2,248; 16- 26-60-60) "Monkey Business' (Par) and vaude. WUI get fine $19,000. Last week 'Beloved Bachelor" (Par) fair at $12,600. ■ ^ ,^ Proctor's (RKO) (2,200; 26-40-60- 6P) 'Devotion* (Pathe) and vaude. Ann Harding, local girl from East Orange, always draws. Nearly $19,- 000. Last week 'Newly Rich' with seven acts,' okay at $16,000. Terminal (Skouras) (1,900; 16-25) Personal Maid* (Pat) and 'Notre Dame* (U) split New policy and prices, maybe $4,000; Last week 'American Tragedy* (Par) fair at $4,600. 'Garden'-Devotion' 0;iOO in Portland; 'Cuban' Fair-$7^ PorUand, Ore., Nov. 2, (Drawing Population, 400,000) Biz is picking up again this week with some stronger bookings. Or- pheum, capitalizing on a two weeks* campaign for ■Devotion' and getting results. Paramount is holding an even keel with 'WalHngford.' Chief and strong oppoaish this week is Pacific International Live' stock Exposition and horse show, big annual civic feature. Estimates for This Week Paramount (FWC) (8,600; 26-60) •Wallingford' (M-G) and F-M unit Doing fairly for about $11,600. Last week 'Purple Sage' (Fox) better than expected at good $14,000. Broadway (Fox-Portland) (2,000 25-60), 'Cuban Love Song' (M-G) Going fairly for $7,600. Last week '24 Hours' (Par) poor results on $5,900. Orpheum (RKO) (2,000; 26-60) 'Devotion* (Pathe) and vaude. An7 swering to big exploitation cam palgn, In line for fine $11,000. Last week 'Smart Woman-(Radio) pretty bad, $6,700. United Artists (Fox-Portland) (1,200; 25-60), 'Unholy Garden' (UA). Likely best week's business this season; $10,000 and may hold over. Last week ■Palmy Days' (UA) nicely tor $8,600. Music Box (Hamrick) (2,000; 25 35), ■Expensive Woman" (AVB). Not bad on $4,000. Last week "Honor of Family" .(WB) $3,600. . Heilig (McCurdy) (2,000; 25-$l) Bcoadway Players Icglt stock. Kolb and Dill guesting currently in re turn of 'Good Old Days." Lost week William Farnum guesting In "Twelve Mlics Out" for okay $4,000.. mLOW TICKET IN FOR $37,000-^. F. San Francisco. Nov. 3. Just when the boys were all set to lean back and enjoy some healthy grosses Old Sol beat down out of the sky to hand, out body blows In three of the warmest days this year. Crowds swarmed to the beaches and for'rides letting, the theatres take it on the chin. Perhaps that. accounts for the poor biz RKO"a Golden Gate Is do- ing with "Ma' Kennedy and her *What-a-Man' Hudson in person at $2,000 the week. Uttie above.aver- age at $17,000. Warner - Bros, started out on wlnjgs with "Five-Star Final' and a WB house record of $18,000 Is in the offing. Fox aold *em well on Tellow Ticket' and on okay $40,000 we«k looks set ' - Estimates for This Week Fox (6,000; 86-86)—'teUow Tick- et* (Fox). £tage.show. Good plug- ging and wUl hit nice $37,000. Last week 'Heartbreak* (Fox) disheart- ening $28,000. Golden Gate (RKO) (2,844; 80-40- 66)—'Lady From Nowhere' (Ches- terfield). Vaude with Ma Ken- nedy and What-a-Mcun Hudson in person the big plug. Poor at $12,- 000. Lost week "High Stakes* (Ra- dio) $14,000. Orpheum (RKO) (2,270; 26-36-60) —'Platinum Blonde' (Col). Stage show. Plenty poor at $6,000. "Notre Dame^ (U), deuce week, $10,000. Paramount (Fox) (2,700; 86-60)— "QliVa About Town' (Par). Going poor at $12,000. Last week 'Sob Sis- ter' (Par) $16,000. United ArtisU (1,200; 26-40-60)— "Palmy Days' (UA) (3d week). Okay at $8,000. 2d week got $10,000. Warfield (Fox) (2,872 ; 86-60-60) —'(Jet Rich Quick Wallingford' (M-G-M). Stage show. Plenty of Hearst ad plugging helping and $22,000 likely. Last week "Road to Reno' (Par) nnder $21,000. Warners (1,366; 26-86-60-60)- •Five Star Final* (WB) opened heavily and may make house rec- ord of $18,000. 'Road to Singapore' (WB) $8,000 last week. lj?nig'and Pepper at $10,000 in Indianapofis Indianapolis, Nov. 2. Even with good pictures they're staying at home. Pepper; Martin, making personal appearance at Lyric, should help bring in young America, but outside of that It Is Qulet Estimates for This Week Indiana (Publlx) (8,300; 26-36-60) —'Honor of Family' (FN) and F-M unit About fair $16,600, with chance to .build; stage end not drawing as expected. Last week 'Twenty-four Hours' (Par) weak arouiid. $16,000, Circle (PubUx) (2,600 : 26-36-60)— Ruling Voice' (FN). Close to $7,000 because Huston appeals here; pic- ture also received more than, usual press yarns. Last week 'Devotion' (Pathe) about $6,500. Loew's Palace (Lbew) (2,800; 26- 36-60)-'Madelon Claudet' (M-:G). Good near. $8,000. Last week 'Side walks' (M-G) at $7,500. Ohio (Publlx) (1,100; 16-26)— "Murder at Midnight' (Tift). Will do well to reach $1,000. Last week 'Big Gamble' (Radio) about same figure. Lyric (Fourth Ave.) (2,600; 25-36- 60) —'Reckless Living' .(U) and vaude. With Pepper Martin. Should see $10,000, good. Last week "Fifty Fathoms" (Col) reaped about $9,000, Apollo (Fourth Ave.) (1,400 ; 26- 35-6Q)Tr-'Cisco Kid' (Fox). Looks neaur $6,600 because of Baxter and liowe. Last week 'Sob Sister*' (Fox) nosed In about same figure. 1 Ing for good' $3,000. Last Week ■Dreyfus Case" (Col), $2,000. Rialto (Fox) (1,200: 25-35-60) 'Cisco Kid' (Fox). Good at expected $5,000. Last week 'Susan Lenox' (MQ) great at $6,200. $40,000 in 3 Wks. for Talmy Days' at Princess, Mimtreal Beats 'Wh 'HOMICIDE" FOR $8,qad O K at Buffalo Century—'Smart Woman'914,009, Hip Buffalo, Nov. 3. Business is oft from preceding week's peaks, bot can't be tabbed as bad. Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Publlx) (3,600; 80-40-66), 'Susan Iienox' (M-G) and stage show). Should do good $26,000. Last week 'Sob Sister' (Fox) around $17,800. ' Hipp (Publlx) (2,400;. 26-36-60), 'Smart Woman' (Radio) and vaude. Over $14,000. I<ast week 'Beloved Bachelor" (Par) great on $16,200. Great Lakes (Publlx) (3,400; 26- 36-60), "Palmy Days' (UA). Near $14,000. Last week "Notre Dome* (U) good at $16^00. Century (Publlx) (3,400; 26-36), "Homicide Squad' (U). Neat near $8,000. Last week "Blast of Borneo"' (U) $6,900. Lafayette (Ind) (8,400 ; 26), "Mur- der at Midnight* (Tift). Around $10,000. Last week 'Fifty Fathoms' (Col) $10,600). Court Street (Shea) <1,600; 26), "Skyline'. Over $2,600. last week "Purple Sage* (Fox) under $8,000. Hnin. Hofiday Aids; AO Grid Films CGck, State 12 G's—Dame' W Big at Fox Wasbington on $30,000 Washington, Nov. 2, Premieres are getting to be the thing hereabouts. Fox doing it this week with 'Amabassador Bill' and Met with 'Mad Genius,' while neXt week RKO house is doing it with Seth Parker's "Way Back Home." All of which is leading toward sonie rather good figures. Estimates for This Week Columbia (Loew) (1,323; 25-35 60) 'Susan Lenox" (M-G). Will do a good $14,500, packing this old time house. Last week, second for 'Palmy Days" (UA), fair takings at $7,500. Earle (2,000; 25-36) 'Girls About Town' (Par) and Vaude. James Hall on stage and looks headed, for $19,600. lAst week 'Road to Reno' (Par) a slim $14,000. Fox (Fox) (2,434; 25-35-50).'Am- bassador Bill" (Pox). Undoubtedly top at $30,000. Last week "Cisco Kid" (Fox) around good $24,700. MetropoliUn (WB) (1,624; 25 35-50-76) "Mad Genius"- (WB). Points to $12,600. Last week, sec- ond for "24 Hours" (Par) about $6,900. Palace (Loew) (2,370;. 26-35-60 Minneapolis, Nov. ^ (Draw. Pop. 600,000) Xioop ahowhouses seem okay this week thanks to the University of Minnesota "Home Coming* celebra- tion. Transients fairly fiooded the town on the week end. Theatres and night clubs on Saturday had their biggest day in more than a year. With Football enthusiasm run' ning high, 'Notre Dame'as a natu. ral for the Orpheum. A "Movie Memory,' film containing clips from outstanding Minnesota football bat- tles since the university's inception, aiid' shots of other .campus activi- ties during past years, was a' big card for the Minnesota Saturday and Sunday, meaning more to the boxofflce than the feature, "24 Hours' or anything on the stage. The Seventh Street Is getting Its first break since its reopening in the shape of a. really first class picture, 'Five Star. Final,' moved over from the Orpheum for a second consecu- tive Lioop week. Estimates for This Week Minnesota (Publlx) (4,200; 76) '24 Hours' (Par) and F-M unit. Miriam Hopkins in cast will help; may get $26,000, pretty good. Last week 'Singapore' (WB) and Alice White in person to about $24,600, with Miss White getting most of credit State (Publlx) (2,200; 60) "Notre Dame" (U) and vauda Booking of this picture, with Minnesota "Home Coming Week' a happy idea; may go to $12,000, fine. Last week 'Five Star Final* (FN), around $7,200. Pantagea (CA) (1,400; 60) 'Street Scene' (UA). CrlUcs showered praise and - patrons also approve stage play In stock house a week ahead not to picture's advantage; may be held second week and looks around $7,000, good. Lyric (Publlx) (1,300; 86) 'Road to Reno' (Par). Flashy tlUe, but critics' panning likely to hurt; pos- sibly $3,600, not so good. Last week ■Wallingford' (M-G) about $4,600, good. ■ Aster (Publlx) (900; 26) Vad Parade' (Par). Doesn't elick. and win be lucky to reach $900, poor, lAai week "Wicked' (Fox) and The Bargain" (FN), split to about $1,100, fair. Seventh Street (RKO) (1,400; 26- 40) "Five Star Final" (FN). Brought over from Orpheum after big week there and will go full second week; best business yet here; maybe $8, 000, good. Last week "Reckless Llv ing" (U) and "Gay Diplomat" (Radio), split.to around $900, i>oor, Grand (Pubilx) (1,100; 26) "Mon- key Business' (Par). Second loop run and. will stay-full week; about $2,000 Indicated; good. Last week 'Bod Girl" (Fox) also full week and second loop run to about $1,800, good; 70) 'Cuban Love- Song* (M-G) Should do $21,000. Last week 'Be- loved Bachelor' (Par), $16,500, bad Rialto (U) (1,853; 25-35-60-76) 'Reckless Living' (U). Will end up around $6,600. Last week 'Woman Between' (Radio), maybe $6,000. Keith's (RKO) (1,876; 35-50) 'Consolation Marriage" (Radio). Possibly $7,000, just getting by. Vast week 'Dangerous Allair'; near $7, 500. Montreal, Nov. a, ' (Drawing Population, 600,000) Five thousand dollars taken Iq hold-up from Princess Monday morning , (20), representing tba week-end gross, gives a figure around $12,000 for the second week of "P'almy Days' (UA). Picture is held for a third week this week anS should collect another $10,000, which totals $40,000 for the three weeks- This Is one of the best records the. Princess can show for the year and beats even "Whoopee." Loew's only main stem showlnp vaude, eontinues outstanding amohe Big Three and will' gross, another $16,000 this week with 'Side Show' and five stage acts. Winnie Lights ner locally a draw. Palace ha» George Arlias in '.Alexander Hamil- ton' and may not do so well slnca the name doesn't mean a lot to Montrealers whose knowledge of early U. S. history is hazy. The city is footbalNcrazy this week with two championships In the ofilhg, and 'Spirit of Notre Dame' at the Capi- tol just fits in nicely. This hous« should be boosted to $18,000. Nabes are doing fairly except lat the: east end of the city, where un>* employiuent is more felt Estimates for This Week His Majesty's (CT) (1,600; 60' $2.50), "The Father* (legit). Hard to guess how this will pan out. Ad^ vance sales fair. Maybe $10,000, Second week of- Barry Jackson's- company in repertoire held up well at around $12,000. Palace (FP) (2,700 ; 76), "Alexan- der Hamilton* (WB). George Arllsa will bring intelligentsia, but liable to send average fan elsewhere. Can- not see better than $11,000. This the gross for last week"s "Modern AgeT (M-G). Capitol (FP) (2,700; 60), "Spirit of Notr e Dame" (U) and "The Bargain^- (WB). First picture here at psycho- logical week for season and should show gain over average gross; $13,m 000 would not be surprising. Last week "Night Nurse" . (WB) and 1 Like Tour Nerve' (FN) grossed $11,000. . Loew's (FP) (3,200; 86-60), 'Side Show" (WB) and vaude. House get- ting better every week, largely due to vaude. May reach $16,000. 'Phan- tom of Paris' (M-G) and vaude last week got fine $15,000. Princess (CT) (1,600; 36-60). Talmy Day^' (UA) (3d week). Al- most a record and can still. gross $10,000. lust week It fell oft only a little from first run to $12,000; $40,^ 000 for three weeks. Imperial (FP) (1.900; 26-40),'Sky- line' (Fox) and 'Alias the Bad Man* (Tiff). Average pictures which may bring la' $2,800. Last week 'High Stakes' (Radio) and "Too Many Cooks' (Radio) $2,600. Orpheum (CT) (1,000; 25-40), 'The Viking' (Col). Apt to go quite tait at $6,000. Last week 'Her Unborn Child (Ihd) failed to bold interest a« only $3,600. Cinema de Paris (Ind) (600; 60). 'Tampon du Caplston' (French) and 'Roi des Aulnes' (French). Experts ment with brace of films may Im^ prove to $2,000. tAst week "Amouri de Mlnult" (French) fair at $1,800. Dnal Fifans Still Prov/s Best-Majestic $13,500 Providence, Nov.. 2. (Drawing population, 31&,000) Majestlo continues leading witlf its double-feature progreims. Re^ ports of shortage in product ap- parently not affecting any of thtf Fay theatres. - ' "Madelon Claudet' at Loew's, will be second best: currently. Estimates for This Week. Majestio (Fay) (2,200; 16-60y 'Honor of Family" (WB) and 'Ruling! Voice" (WB).. Best.value in town; house making coin and present pace' Indicates over $13,600, excellent Last week "Singapo re" ( WB) and 'Expensive Women' (WB) down «* $9,000. Loew's State (8,600; $0-60-76) 'Madelon Claudet' (M-O). Getting raves but not tlie breaks; may reach $15,000. Last week 'Susan Lenox (M-G) fine at $20,000. Paramount (2,200; 16-60) 'GlrlS About Town' (Par). Not getting the coin so far, but word of mouth likely to help put this one over for $8,000. Last week 'BcloVed Bachelor" (Par) just so-so at $7,500. RKO Albee (2,600; 15-50) -mn' gerous AlTah" (Col). Moving f.alrly. $7,000. Last wieek "Notre Dnmo (U) a punch at $10,000. , IVIoderri (1,400; 15-35) 'Law , of Tong" end 'Cyclone Kid," iVlth va>i<lo. Lookfi bad; at present pace linii-so cannot possibly top $900 for f<nir days. Lost week for throe days 'Grief Street" and 'Tabu,' also sUige show; just so-so $050. ,. Fays (1,600; 15-50) 'Heartbronk' (Fox) and vaude. Will reach $7,UU0, good. -- Last week .'Purple Sage Just over $6,000.