Variety (Nov 1931)

TuefldajTt November 3; 1931 PICTURE CROSSES VARIETY Xlaudef Weak in L A, $18, '5 Star Final'k Big with $%m And R^s. Dbcuss Stage Shows ' Iios Aiiseles, Noy. 2, Town topay-turvy again. Biz blah fend senenJ uncertainty as to future Dolicy has everybody on tenter. Cooks. Save for 'Five Star Final' with a nifty $26,000 at the Western Sni 'Unholy Garden' with jlS.OOO at the U.A., nothing outstanding any- where. Unseasonal heat, around 92- •3, isn't helping matters either. • Paramount's $36,000 last week With Chevalier in person and back to $18,000 on the current pace for iQlrls About Town,' inakes the other Managers wonder about the .stage ■how thing locally. Still, the other two Warner houses, Hollywood and ©owntown, with the leavin's of the IWB product (now that the new IWestern gets the pick Of the crop), are being forced to add stage shows in order to preserve, b.o. strength. The weak $7,000: for 'Alexander Bamllton' at the Downtown, on sec- end run following three, good weeks •t the Western, makes that house problem. In Hollywood 'Honor of . the Family* equ^iUy weak with the same $7,000, Loew's State at $18,000 for <Sln of ^ladeloh Claudet' (nee 'Jdullaby') is very poor, and little better than the 'brutal $13,300 for last week's 'Sob iBlster.' 'Pagan Iiady* is ofC a couple of (G's, down to $12,000 at the RKO. ' Carthay Circle Is dark again awaiting 'Strictly Dishonorable' (U) Vov. 6 at $1.60. Final week of 'Con- ■olatlon Marriage' which lasted only a fortnight at the ^Carthay, under 14,000. Estimates for-This Week - Chinese (Fox) (2,028; 50-76), 'Tel- low Ticket' (Pox) (2nd-nnal week). Kever got started with $6,600 . first iweek and $4,000 on blowoff, .'Am- Jbassador Bill' next Criterion (Fox) (1,600; 86^65) 'Tellow Ticket' (Fox) (2nd-flnal veek). Somewhat better at the do^vntown day-and-dater, with over #8,000 on the opener and under |E,000 on the holdover. Orpheum (2,270; 26-50), 'Spirit of Kotre Dame' (U) (3rd-flnal week). Bad nice stay, with a big almost- •18,000 first week; under $8,000 on the holdover and $6,000 on the final Week's pace. 'Platinum Blonde' »ext ■ . PanUges (Fox) (2,700; 20-40-66- -tO), 'Monkey Business' (Par), and 'Stage show. Mild under $8,000 . iJast week's $10,600 for 'Pardon Us' with Moran and Mack at $2,600 In person certainly meant nothing to the house and the act 'Smiling Iileutenant' next .Paramount (Franklin) (3,696; 26 TE), 'Girls About Town' (Par) and stage show. Weak at $18,000, just E0% of last week's take for 'Be loved Bachelor* with Chevalier In person. .Costly stage show current' ly which' will leave house in red •X)nce a Lady* next. RKO (2,960; 80-66), 'Pagan Lady' (Col) and RKO vaudeville; $12,000, ' better than before the 8-.act thing, but oft since last week's $14,600 for fHomlcIde Squad.' "Woman of Ex tierlence' next State (Loew-Fox) (2,024; 36-$l). The Sin of Madelon Claudet' (M-O) and stage show. Weak $18,000. Last week 'Sob Sister' under $13,600. Next 'Riders of the Purple Sag.e.' United Artists (Franklin) (2,100 «6-$l), 'Unholy Garden' (UA) (let Week). Strong at $18,000. Last week, final of 'Palmy Days,' under $8,600. Wilshire (Fox) (2.296;. SB-60), "Smiling Lieutenant' (Par). Strong l^t over $6,600. Last week "Monkey Business,' $4,300. Next week, 'Susan Miiox.' .Western (WB) (2,600; 60-76) "Five Star Final' (FN) (1st week). Smash $26,000. Final week of Alex- ander HamUton,' $12,000. Downtown (WB) (1,800; 26-60) 'Alexander Hamilton' (WB). Poor at under $7,000 oh second run fol- kwlng the Western's three weeks^ House needs a hypo, probably stage shows. Next 'Blonde Crazy,' day date with Hollywood. Last week •Ruling Voice' under $13,000 for •Ight days. Hollywood (WB) (?,766; 36-60), •Honor of the Family' (FN). Poor at $7,000. Last week 'Ruling Voice" nnder $13,000 for long elisht-day Week. House probably will add stage band for succor. M-G'S MEW PLAYifflS Hollywood, Nov. 2. Metro has Issued contracts to Rroup. of new people who will be added to the featiired player ranks. They are Ray Millard, Virginia ■ Bruce, Robert Varno, who has been doing German versions. Georgette Rhodes, Helen Robinson, and Gwen- dolyn Witter. ■ All were placed under contract at this end. NEW HAVEN SOLID Band Helpind Par to $14,00O-T-'Gar- dan^'Claudet' Are Mild New Haven. Nov. 2. (Drawing Population, 300,<X>0) Diike Ellington, will probably get the biggest take in town this week. Needed extra midnight show Sa:tur- day to handle crowds. I<ast week Garbo, at Fox. Poll, got nicest figure in town for weeks. ' Setting of opening day-, for three Fox houses slniultaneottsly (Friday) gives publicity department chance to cut down on newspaper, space and line up ads more elBdently. estimates for This Week Paramount (Publlx) (2,363; 66.— 'Girls About Town' (Par) and Duke Ellington. Will do close to good $14,000. Last week "Waterloo Bridge' (U) $11,700. Fox Poli (Fox) (3,040; 66)—'Cisco Kid' (Fox) and unit. Looks fair at $13i000. ' Last week 'Siisan Lenox' (M-G) big at $18,000. Roger. Sherman (WB) (2,200; 60) —'Expensive Women.' Seems fair at $6,600. Last week 'Singapore' (WB) okay at $6,200. College (Fox) (1,666; 60)—'Made- lon Claudet' (M-G). Looks like moderate $4,200. Last week 'Unholy Garden' (UA) mild, $3;900. Bijou (Pox) (1,636; 60)—'Fifty Fathoms' (Col) and 'Skyline.' Should get nice $6,000, Last week 'Purple Sage' (Fox) and 'Sidewalks Of New York' (M-G) got swell $6,000. Good Totals in B'kiyn, $25,000 for Stranil Tmal' Brooklyn, Nov. 2. If any doubts about the drawing power of radio bands, they were dispelled this week with Cab Cal- loway at the Par and Abe Lyman at the Fox. The Par. keeps the Cotton Club aggregation fair an- other week. Business in general looks en- couraging with .'Five Star Final', at the Straiid doing well and holiday prices election day. Estimates for This Week Paramount (4,200; 26-36-60-76- 86) 'Girls About Town' (Par) and Stage Show. Calloway and seplans undoubtedly responsible for the better than average business; noth ing wrong with the ballyhoo with plenty of hotcha copy; should go around $46,000, excellent Last week Thurston and 'Woman Be tween' (Radio), $37,900, not bad. Fox (4,000; 26-36-60-66) 'Cisco Kid' (Fox) with Abe Lyman band. Looks good at $30,000; house has raised evening admissions to 66 cents. Last week with 'Heartbreak' (Fox), $23,700. Albee (3,700; 26-36-60-76) 'Con- solation Marriage' (Radio) and Vaude. Win get fair $21,000. Last week 'Notre Dame," in second week, finished to $20,200. Strand (2,600; 26-35-50) rPive Star Final' (WB). A bang and probably will get two weeks; looks like sock $26,000. Last week okay with 'Hamilton' (WB) for $16,600 Metropolitan (3,600; 26-36-60) 'Palmy Days' (UA) and Vaude. Just fair, probably ending, with $18,000. liist ' week "WalUngford' (M-G), $21,000. 'Cobaii' Near {10,000 on 8 Days in Denver—Fair Denver, Nov. 2, 'Cisco Kid,' at the Aladdin, will do the best comparative, business this week. . ; 'Walltngford,' at the RIalto, with a Thursday night premiere, started out big but will finish only fair. Good stage show at Denver holding that house. Huffman's Aladdin (1,600; 35-50 75)—'Cisco Kid" (Fox). A fine $9, 000. Last week 'Pagan Lady' (Col.) $6,000, fair. Denver (Publlx) (2,300; 25-35-65) —'Girls About Town" (Par). Should see $16,000, fair. Lost week 'Beloved Bachelor" (Par) did a fair $14,900, Paramount (Publlx) (2,000; 25 35-50)—'Cuban ■ Love Song" (M-G) Good near $10,000 on eight days. Lddt week $4,200 best 'Rood to Reno' (Par) could do In six days. Rialto (Publlx) (1.040; 26-36-50)— 'WalUngford' (M-G). A fair $3,600 Lost week 'Phantom of Paris' (M-G) did $4,000 for nine days. Huffman's Tabor (1,900; 26-35-50) —'Sob Sister" (Fox), Will be all right at $9,000. Last week 'Danger ous Aflalr* (Col) same figure. BOSTON JUMPS WITH $18,500 FOR HP OFF' Boston, Nov. 2. Weather ideal and good bllld all around, so that new week looks like a pip. Met headed high with Thurston, and State, looks best in a long time with 'Madelon Claudet.' Smaller houses won't, complain either. Estimates for This Week Met (4,000; 60-76), 'Mad Genius' (WB) and Thurston. Will do around $40,000, fine. Last week $36i000 with 24 Hours' (Par). Keith's (RKO) (4,000 ; 36-60-60), 'Platinum Blonde' (Col). Getting plenty publicity but not more than mild $14,000. Last week 'Consolar tloh Marriage' (Radio) same figure. Loew's State (4,000; 35-60), 'Made- lon Claudet' (M-G) and vaude. Headed for fine $26,000, Last week ■Unholy Garden' (UA) did well at $21,000. ' Olympia (2,000; 36-60-60), 'Ciisco Kid' (Fox). Should get fine $9;000. Last week $8;000 on Oiast Flight' (FN); Keith-Boston (vaudflim): (4,000; 36-60), 'Tip Oif (Paths). Bstelle Taylor In person; should do a fine $18,600/ Last week 'Homicide Squad' (U) got $17,800, . Cohnnbos b Tonnoil on Stage Fare; Ohio $18,000-Pal $23,000 Columbus, Nov. 2, (Drawing Population, 476,000) Records are falling with the loudest crash ever heard in' this or any other town near its size. Mill- ing mobs have forced the Palace to Include an extra - show every day this week. Reason is the Marx Brothers In person. . And Loew's Ohio la also very much in the .fight with Ted Lewis. For the other, houses—it's just too bad this week. Estimates for This Week Palace (RKO) (3,074; 26-60)— 'Platinum Blonde' (Col) and vaude. Marx Brothers in person and If not around $23,000 even the opposition will be. surprised; five full shows dally for first time. Last week 'Notre Dame' (U) good $13,000. Ohio (Loew-UA) (3,000 ; 26-60) 'Heartbreak' (Pox) and Ted Lewis unit Good for extra fine $18,000, best In months and plenty welcome. Last week "Wicked' (Pox) Just managed to get over $101000. Broad (Loew-UA) (2,600; 26-60) 'Cisco Kid' (Par). Won't better $5,000. Last week 'Madelon Clau- det' (M-G). SUd badly at close but BCrttped through with $8,600. Grand (Neth) (1,100; 26-60) ■Hamilton* (WB). Class draw but competition too great; no better than $4,000. Last week "Five Star Final' (FN) came through with fly ing colors, $6,700. Majestie (RKO) (1,100; 10-26) 'Tlp-0«r and 'Shanghaied Love/ Good for . average $1,900, with big cards doing little damage here. Last week "Fanny Foley' (Radio) and 'Reckless Living" (U) good enough at few cents over $2,000. 'Claudet'and TeDow Are Each Near $75,000 at Cap and Roxy; Budness Just Far on B way 'GIRLS'WEAK IN N. 0. $12,000 at Saenger^'Oevotion' Sat- isfactory at $13,000 NiBW Orleans, Nov. 2. Tepid pictures attracting but minor attention currently. Excep- tion is the Orpheuftt. which is lead- ing on 'Devotion.' 'Dreyfus Case' is also showing Bti:ength at the small Tudor. Estimates for This Week Saenger '(3,600; 65)—'Girls About Town' (Par). WiU be lucky to gar- ner $12,000, with little chance of pickup. I,ast week "Sob Sister' (FN) trifle short of $12,000. Loew's State (8,200; 60)—'Cisco Kid' (Pox). Looks around $10,000. Last week'Mddelon Claudet' (M-G) drew $16,000, big. Orpheum (2,400; 60)—'Devotion' (Pathe).' Lookis safe for' $13,000. Last week "Notre Dame' (U) got $13,000, fine. Strand (1,800; 60)—•Ruling Voice' (PK). May only get $2,100, bad. Last week 'Beloved Bachelor* (Par) attracted $2,300, not good. Tudor (800; 86)—^"Dreyfus Case' (Col). May do $4,000, excellent heror Lost week 'Susan Lenox'. (M- G), second run after Saenger, got $3,000. 'Garden' Reopening 'Ham House ta Big $4,200 Birmingham, Nov. X (Drawing Population, 326,000) Just about-the.tlme the skies be gan to clear a storm came up. Busi neas was beginning to get better, then it suddenly flopped. Maybe it's the sudden cold weather keep- ing folks home eleantng out the chimneys. Estimates for This Week Alabama (Publlx) (26-36-60)— 'Cisco Kid' (Fox) and vaude.'Weak and vaude the draw; $10,600, Last week '24 Hours* (Far) $11,000. Strand (BTAC) (800; 26-40)— 'Chances' (BW). War subject a drawback, $2,800. - t,ast week "Wal- Ungford' (M-G) did the expected fair biz at $3,000. RiU RKO) (1,600; 26-40)—'Con solatlon Marriage' (Radio). Pretty good, $4,800. I^t week 'Platinum Blonde' (Col) well liked, $6,000. Galax (BTAC) (600; 26-40)— 'Squaw Man' (M-G). Baxter in com petlng plcture> moderate $900.- Last week 'Holy Terror' (Fox) mild, $860. Empire (BTAC) (1,100; 26-40) 'Unholy Garden' (UA). Reopening week and knockout business, $4,200. Temple (Indie) (2,660; 16-20)— ■Virtuous Husband' (U). and 'Sin Ship' ~ (Radio). . Cheapest, show in town will catch the thrifty; split week at $1,000. Last week 'DIrlg. Ible' (Col) and 'Common Ijaw* (Pathe), fair at $960. Pittsburgh About Average Fulton's Two-for-Ones a Help—'Claudet' $20,500 at Penn—'Blonde' $15,500, Stanley Pittsburgh, Nov. 2. (Drawing . Population, 1,000,000) Things are OS this week. Little likelihood . of anything better than average all along the line. Leader looks like "Madelon Claud- et' at the I>enn, which should spiirt mat trade. Got erreat notices and points to nice $20,600, considering that. Helen Hayes means nothing as a screen draw. "Platinum Blonde' is a bit disappointing at the Stanley in the face of unanimous critical ap- proval Fulton, still going strong on two- for-onos four days a week, seems to have hit a steady level, and a profit- able one, ambling between - $7,000 and $8,600,' 'Sob Sister' should get around $7,800,. James Dunn being billed above picture's title. 'Mad Genius' Is oft to poor start at War- ner with prospects no better than $8,500. Estimates for This Week Davis (WB) (1,700; 10-16-26-50) —'I Like Your Nerve' (FN). Even Doug, Jr., and Loretta Toung can't beat $3,000, poor. I,ast week 'Mon- key Business' (Par) . yanked after four days to switch house to Fri- day opening; Marx film, a second downtown run, under $2,500 for brief .engagement Fulton (Shea^Hyde) (1,800: 10 16-25-35-50)—'Sob Sister' (Fox). Good showing laid to James Dunn, billed above title here;- looks like nice $7,800; two-for-ones, good four days a week, seem to' be doing very well for this site. Last week 'The Brat' (Fox) around $7,400. Harris (WB) (1,800; lt)-20-30-4&) Double feature 'Fanny Foley* (Ra- dio) and Hoot . Gibson western should result In $2,800. tiaat week 'Murder at Midnight' (Tift) and feature western about same. Penn (Loew-UA) (3,300; 26-36 60-60) 'Madelon Claudet' (M-Q) Great notices and big mat trade anticipated; $20,600, very good. Last week 'Susan Lenox' M-G) great ait just short of $30,000, Sheridan Square (RkO) (1,800 10-16-26-35-60) 'Phantom of Paris' (M-G). Picture previously played to new; low at Penn; nothing better expected in East Liberty; poor $2,^ 800. Last week 'Palmy Days' (UA) around $4,900. . . Stanley (WB) (8,600; 26-36-66) 'Platinum Blonde' (Col)'. Big cam palgn and film won excellent no tlces, so $16,500 a bit disappointing laid principally'to lack of recog nized' screen names. Last week 'DO' votlon' (Pathe) yanked after five days to put house on Thursday opening; about $12,500 for short period, Warner (WB) (2,000; 26-36-60) 'Mad Genius' (WB). . Good Barry more display but subject matter not of wide appeal here; weak $8, 600 indicated. Last week 'Cisco Kid' (Fox) close to $11,000. Business along Broadway lii but fair this week, though itherell be election day cTuesday). to help with holiday prices. 'Madelon Clau- det' . is sending the Capitol to - around $76,000 and a holdover, whil* the Roxy's 'Yellow Ticket' should also do $76,000 and Rialtb's "Unholr Garden' near $32,00o. These threa houses may even build slightly, ta better figures. paramount With "Girls About , Town' will be around $50,000 again and the Mayfdlr takes the sa.gglng «pot of the! Street hitting a new low for $12,000 with. 'Consolation Marriage.' First week of November and it's moving day for the holdovers. An- other week will see 'Monkey Busi- ness' make way for 'Age for LoveT (UA) at the RlvoU (11) and 'Ftv* Star Final' moves from the Winter Garden Wednesday (4) to be re- placed by "Ruling Voice' (FN). Only special on the Street, 'Guards- matt,' makes 'way for 'The Champ' (MG) Monday (9). Of the newer run films "Mad Oe- nlua' looks hardly apt to stick mor* than three weeks, with $18,000 tor its second stanza at the Hollywood and the only reason for "Fanny Foley* lingering at Warners . to « shortage of product Estimates for This Week . . Aator (1,120; $l-$2). The Guards- man' (MG) (9th week). .Runs out Monday (9) after pretty consistent trade; to be replaced by *Th» Champ' -(MO), new Wallace Beerr piece. Broadway (1,900; S6-85-$l). Th* TipofT (Pathe) and stage show (2na and final week). Television .novelty continues as booked for two week stay; $16,000. Last week same show $18,000. Capitol (6,400; 26-8&-$1.60). "Mad- elon Claudet' (MO) (1st week). Helen Hayes film debut for $76,000 or better. Horace Heidt band on stage; holding over. Last week Susan Lenox' 'finished aecond stanza to $77,9001^ fine. Hollywood (1,816; 60-e?-$l). "MaA Genius' (WB) (2nd week). At 418,- 000 means doubtful At more than, three weeks. Last week $26i000. Paramount (3,664; 40-66-86) 'Oirla About Town' (Par) and stage show. Just mooching eJong, big advanc« campaign for Blng Crosby this Fri- day; $60,000. Last week, "Woman Between' (Radio) $49,000 as Cab Calloway bolstered. Rialto (2,000; 26-40) 'Unholy Gar- den' (UA) (1st week). Stanza reads near $32,000, pretty fair. Lost six days of 'Palmy Days'. (UA), end- ing the fifth week, $11,700. Mayfair (2,200; 40-$l) 'Consola- tion Marriage' (Radio). Hitting new low at $12,000. Last week, 'Notr* Dame' (U), second week, $16,900. Rivoll (2,200; 40-66-86-$l) 'Mon- key Business' (Par) (4th week). Ready to blow at a finale $20,000 and successful month's run; 'Age for Love' (UA) follows Nov. U. Last week $26,900. Roxy (6,200; 60-76-$1.60) "Yellow Ticket, (Pox) and stage show. Foreign clientele pushing this one for $76,000; pretty good. Last week 'Cisco Kid' (Fox), $69,800, light Strand (2,900; 26-50-76) 'Platinum Blonde (Col). Not so hot at $12,000. Last week 'Hamilton' (WB), stay at the Hollywood, $12,800. Warners (1,100; 60-76) "Fanny Foley* (Radio) (2nd week). Bad at $1,600 and held only because of product shortage, liast week, open- ing, $2,600; poor. Winter Garden (l,4l8; 36-86-$l) 'Ruling Voice' (FN). Opens Wednes- day (4). "Five Star Final' (WB) finishing seven weeks at $14,000, after ^consistently profitable run. Last week, $16,700. Vanderbilt (Tobis) (826; 50-76-$l> 'EIne Freundln 6o Goldig Wie DnT (Ondra-I<amac) (2nd week). Built a little over weekend with holiday Tuesday, probably helping for $3,600. Last week, $3,100; balcony seata dropped to 26c. for matinees. Cosmopolitan (Ufa) (60-76-$l- $1.60-$2) "Das Floetenconcert von SansBOUcl' (3rd week). Dropped t* poor $2,600. Last w.eek, $3,000. Derr-Sullivan's Next Hollywood, Nov. 1 B. B. Derr and Charles Sullivan, leaving Howard Hughes Nov, 20^ may align with Fox, Team has had several studio bids but is doing the deciding slowly. Dixie Lee in Vaude Leo Fitzgerald Is bringing Dlxls Lee from talkers Into vaude, Ott- stage she's Mrs. Blng Crosby. •■ Mies Lee will do a. singing set with Lenny Hayden as pianist- partMT.