Variety (Jan 1932)

VARIETY PICTURE CROSSES Tueeday, January 5, 1932 Ddidoiis' Is Being Held Ovor; HoBday Ki^ Forsake 'Sooky; Dbhonorable,' $24,000, G Chicago. Jan, 4. P-B. & K. again ha^ atyltched a flicker trpm tbie ' Chicago to: the Oriental for a holdover week. It's a practice that's becoming more and more Intense, management figuring' another week In the loop for a click fllm 'gamers more coin- than the same week In the outlying spots. This particular moye-over Is De- UdouB,' Gaynor-Farreii.'muslcal that got the bulk of the holiday trade last week. It gathered the majority of the patronage that was expected to attend 'Sooky' at the Roosevelt. At the Oriental 'Delicious' continues to show class, and Is currently man- aging to keep the bouse out of the red for Its sixth consecutive week. Run houses are not doing so well. Tonight or Never* will make It only a fortnight at the United Artists. Possibilities of the film were hurt badly by the flock of cuts Imposed by the censor outfit Another fort- nlghter . Is 'Jekyll and Hyde.' Chances, of this one were Impeded most by the stay of 'Frankenstein,' Just' preceding the opening of the Paramount flicker at AicVlckers. 'lAdles of the Big Bouse' Is ac' counting for a fairly, comfortable week at the Chicago and will likely take the loop lead, mostly due to the seating capacity. It's doing Its big- gest trade In the afternoons, a rule that la being repeated at most of the loop houses. Both the Chicago and the Oriental are grabbing bfC a load of stage attractions, and their pull 1 Is being felt by the vaudfllm Palace, where the strength of the namies'has been decreasing somewhat the past few .weeks. - Ij<iop-E<nd Is running another tab like . presentation currently and i second-run flicker..' House Is slated to return to Its first love, burlesque, shortly. . Its present tab show Is close to that classification now. Eatlmatea for Thia Week Chicago (Publix-B. & K.) <4,000: se-tS-8E). 1,adles of the Big House' (Par) and stage diow.. No strong names but Is manaiglng'to keep on right side at 187,000. - Xast week 'Delicious* (Fox) turned In a nifty score of 146,600, and went over to the Oriental. Wcyickers (Publlx-B. & K.) (2, 200; 60-75-86). ^JekyU and Hyde* (Par): Will stick It out for two weeks; then' makes way for 'Emma^ (M-O) on Friday (8). First week rambled on the holiday wave to good 825,400; currently to flabby ■ 818,000. Oriental (Publlx-B. & K.) (8,200; 60-76-85) Delicious 'Fox and stage show. Fans aTe taking this one to their hearts for a second week; house -remains up like a beacon at a nice 833,000; theatre increasing Its stage show budget and the results are already noticeable. Last week 'Private lives' (U-O), for Its sec- ond loop week, snared a winning 884,200. Palate (RKO) (2,600 ; 60-75-86) lien of Chance' (Radio) and vaude. Helen Kane In person and no heavy fluctuations at the register In sight. Indications are for pleasant enough 822,000. Ijast week the New Tear's Eve 82 top helped to fine 826,600. Roosevelt (Publlx-B. & K.) (1,- 600; 60-76-86) 'Over the HIU* (Fox) tjfot exciting; ambling along with- out pressure to likely 814,000. Last week '£ooky* (Pu-) was a terrific blow to local Par office which had high hopes for the kid flickers; dlS' mal In six days to 87,600. State-Lake (RKO) (2,700; «0-76- 85) 'Dishonorable' (U). Picking house up somewhat, fans seemingly particularly Interested In Paul Lukas; predicts a satisfying. 824,- 000 for Itsell Liitst week 'Peach o' Reno' (Radio) took Its holiday week at 816,900 and flit United ArttsU (Publlx-TTA) (1, 700; 50-76-86) 'Tonight Or Never' (TTA). Two weeks for Gloria Swan son; opener not good at 818,800, and currently to probable 811.000; 'Cock of the Air* (UA) groomed to come In on Friday (8). 'MATA' $23,000—PROV. DIahonorable' mtyd 'Ladles' Light on WWi and W» ; ' Providence, Jan. 4. (Drawing Population 316,000) •Mata Hari>, at 1>>ew*s State, Is top this week. Other houses will be around average. Estimates for This Week Loew'a State (8,600; 20-60-76). •Mata Harr (M-G). Getting raves and breaks; maltlnees exceptionally big; should have no difficulty reach- ing $28,000. Last week "Private Lives* (M-G) at 821.000. Majestio (Fay) (2,200; 15-60) 'Around World* (UA) and 'Age For Love* (UA). Will get along due to Fairbanks; Indications for a good 810,600. Last week'Deildous' (Fox); broke |11,000, fine. Paramount (2,200; 16-60)/Ladles of Big House' (Par)v Just so-so; not much more than 8S'.600. Last week 'Sooky* (Par), fair at 88,800. RKO Albee (2,5t)0; 16-60) 'Dis- honorable' (U). Class trade only will see this one; not over 86,600; house now showing foreign films In conjunction with regular bill four times weekly. Last week 'Peach (VReno* (Radio) good at 88,000. RKO Victory (1,600; 16-36) 'Men of Chance' (Radio) and 'Freighters of Destiny* (TUt). Just so-so, 83,300. Last week 'House Divided' (U) and Tip OfT (Pathe); 86,300, oke. Fays (1,600; 16-60) 'Rainbow Trail' (Fox) and vaude. Good aU around bill and 87,000. Last week, 'DeadUne' (Col) nice at 87,200. Delicioos' and "Mata' Even in 2 Portland Wks.-Each $19,000 'UVESV MILD, $11,500 Birminghann Eases Down—Tallulah, Aa Leoal Girl, «4,800 Birmingham, Jan. 4. (Drawing population, 883,000) This week la moderate. How much the Alabama will draw with- out giving an auto away Is & mat- ter of dispute. ' During December all sorts- of prizes were distributed nightly. Estimates for This Week Alabama (Publlx) (2,800; 25-86- 60) 'Private Uvea' (M-G) and vaude. Picture is ' disappointing, but names will draw a mild 811,600. Last week "DeliolouB^ (Fox) copped BweU 818,000. Ritz (RKO) (1,600; 25-40) 'Dis- honorable' (U). Liked and 84,800, fair. Last week 'Feajph o' Reno' (Radio) good at 86,000. Strand (BTAC) (800; 26-40) 'His Woman' (Par). Not very good, 82,- 900. Last week 'SUence' (Par), moderate at 83,100. . Empire (BTAC) (1,100; 26-40) The Cheat* (Par). Tallulab Bank- head, Alabama girl, big draw here, 84,800. Last week 'TeUow Tlokef (Fox), $4,000. Galax (BTAC) (600; 15-2B) "The Right of Way* (FN) and 'The Spider* (Fox) splits. Fair at $900. Last week 'Mad Parade' (Par) and •Wicked' (Fox) another average week, $1;000. OJiufer 18'Okay with $6,800 in Louisville Louisville, Jaa 4> Brown theatre begins 1932 with a drastic reduction In prices and awltch to a split-week policy. Prices reduced to 16-25-30-40. Rumors current of plans by Fourth Ave. to switch from RKO to F-M but Officials say nothing de- cided as yet Reservations for New Tear's Eve celebrations at n.ght clubd.gave theatre managers optlm- Istlo feeling. Ail arranged mid- night shows and pulled down some extra money. Estimates For This Week Loew'a (3,262 ; 26-36-60-^0)—'Mata Harl' (M-G). Fihe at $15,000. Last 'Nitoociie' Is Paris' Dec Leader on ^ $5P0m2Wks/-^oriu^l5thm Portland, Ore., Jan. 4. (Drawing Population, 400,000) New Tear biz drew an extra break this year with most houses holding two midnight mats New Teiar's Eve and the following Saturday. Busi- ness In general Jumped Into okay figures. ' Two . pictures held throughout holiday season for two week runs. These were ^Delicious' at the Broad' way and 'Mata Harl' at the United Artists, ' both running even with Gairbo In the smaller house. Orpheum's going a strong pace for top gross currently with 'Strictly Dishonorable.' Paramount came out' of a recent slump with 'Rainbow Trail' and is getting results. Qxtra opposlsh ottered by Ameri can Legion, which opened the Fox Heillg to show, sound version of "Birth of a Nation," getUng much free exploitation from Legion angle. Walter Seigfried opened new Duf- win stock troupe at the Dufwin, and is clicking fairly at 76-cent top. Troupe plane to last out the season at that house. Estimates for This Week Orpheum (RKO) (2,000; 26-60)— 'Dishonorable* (U) and vnude. Get- ting good results and holiday trade likely to go to $11,000. Last week 'Peach o* Reno* (Radio) okay at 812,600. Paramount (FWC) (3,000; 25-60)— 'Rainbow Trail' (Pox) and P-M unit. ,WiOi extra midnight mats, and to reach nice $10,600. Last week 'Sooky* (Par) did fairly, $9,000. Broadway (Fox-Portland) (2,000; 26-60)—'Delicious* (Fox). Doing moderate second week tor 86,600. First week big at 812,60. United Artists (Fox-POrtland) (1,200; 26-60)—'Mata Hart* (M-O). In second week and happy on 87,600. First week clicked for $12,000. Music Box (Hamrlck) (2,000; 25- 36)—'Woman from Monte Carlo' (FN). An okay $6,000. Last week had 'Under 18* (WB) $6,300. 2d Big Week ; Minneapolis, Jan. 4. (Drawing Pouplation, 600,000) Prosperity conspicuously In evi- dence along the . Rlalto again. Vigor- ous comeback of business, following the severe pre-Chrlstmas slump, has cheered the theatrical frater- nity. Chlrstmas week was - above ex- pectations and this week is also fiying. Strength on the screen undoubtedly Is the. principal factor In the spurt Midnight shows new year's eve figured In the Christmas' week grosses of all loop houses, except the Pantages which started Its new year's week on Wednesday.. That helped to - swell last week gross- considerably. The Minnesota week 'Private Lives* (M-G), $12,300. Strand (1,866; 26-35-60) (Fourth Ave,)-^'DeHciou8* (Fox). Held over for second week, a nice $8,700. Last week, $11,600. Drown (2,214; 16-26-30-40)— 'Guilty Generation' (Col). In eight days $7,200, mild. Last week 'Sut clde Fleet' (Patlie) $8,700. Rialto (2,910; 35-50) (Fourth Ave.) —'Ladles of Big House' (Par) and vaude. Will see good $16,700. Last week 'Local Boy' (FN), $14,100. Alamo (1,100; 16-26-40) (Fourth Ave.)—'Under 18' (WB). Oke at $6,800. Last week 'Rainbow Trail (Fox) pulled surprise with nice $6,000» , . , . es amassed the magnificent sum of $31,000 Christmas week with 'De- licious,* and this wtek 'JekyI and Hyde' bids fair to bit a splendid $28,000 here. The Orpheum got close to $18,000 Christmas week with 'Peach O' Reno* and currently on 'Strictly Dishonorable' i» pulling them in aivd looks like a nifty $16,000. The State had a special public preview of 'Private Lives' for its New Tear^s Eve midnight show, and sold out at $1. Film is in later. House- has "Ijadles of Big House' now, and Is doing nicely, with $8,000 indicated. In point of total attend ance the Lyric, with 'Rainbow Trail,' broke house records Chrlet mas week. Estimates for This Week Minnesota (PubUx) (4,200; 76)— 'Jekyll and Hyde' (Par) and unit Great campaign helping; biggest Friday opening in theatre's history critics and public like it, and dandy week in. prospect; should mean much to Freddie March here; loolcs like a fine $28,000. Last week 'De llclous' (Fox) nearly $30,300, great Orpheum (RKO) (2,890 ; 60)—'Dis- honorable' (17) and vaude. Neat ad vertising here, too; plenty of praise from reviewers and much word-of mouth boosting; about 816,000, fine. "Last week 'Peach o' Reno' (Radio) almost $18,000, swell. State (Publlx) <2,200; 60)—liSdles of Big House' (Par).: Sylvia Sydney getting a following and very good $10,000 in prospect. Last week 'Sooky' (Par) only $8,700. Midnite show of 'Private Lives' (M-O) con trlbuted over $2,000 at $1 a throw. Pantages (UA) (1,400; 60)—To- night or Never' (UA). Swanson pop ular and picture has built; this sec- ond week, including midnite New Tear's, may exceed $9,000, good First week over $6,000 clainied, sat- isfactory. Lyrlo (Publix) (1,300 ; 36)—'Good Sport' (Fox). No names to lure but picture liked apd maybe $4,000, not so good. Last week 'Rainbow Trail' (Fox) broke some, attendance rec' ords and got $5,600, fine, Aster (Publix) (900; 26)—'Dead line' (Col) and 'Speckled Band' (FD), split. Should reach good $1, 100, with 'Deadline' accounting for most of It. Lost week 'Working Girls' (Par) around $2,000, fine. Grand (Publix) (1,100; 26)—'Am bossador Bill' (Fox) and "Franken jstein' (U), split, second run.. About $1,600, indicated; satisfactory. Last week 'Sin of Madeion Claudet* full seven days' second loop run, about $2,600, good. BUFFALO THRIVES 'Ladies' stands $26,000 Chance— 'Secrat Seryieo* Close to $16,009 : Buffalo, Jan. 4. A real. revival of boxoffice ac- tivity is taking place here currently. Improvement Is a holdover from the holidays. Estimates for This Week Buffalo Publix) (3,600; 30-40-65) •Ladies of Big House' (Par) and unit. Heavy but with great stage show should earn fine 826,0()0. Last week Delicious' (Fox) bumper, holl* day business for $31,000. Hippodrome (Publix) (2,400; 26- 35-50) 'Secret Service* (R&dio) and vaude. Should reach gci od $ 16.000. lAst week.'Local Boy* (WB) and James Hall personally, skyrocketed to $20,900 in 7H days, Great Lakes (Publix (8,400; 25- 86-60) 'Private Xives' (M-G). Smart business may e,dge past 820,000. Lost week 'Sooky' (Par) only $8,600 in six days. Century (Pubjlx) (3,400; 25-86- 60) 'Suicide Fleet* (Pathe). Looks good for 810,000. I«st week "West of Broadway' (M-G), 810,400. Lafayette (Ind) (3,400; 36) 'Bad Company* .(Radio). Indicates over $9,000. Last week 'Dangerous Af- fair* (Col) over $10,000. Court Street (Shea) (1,600; 26) Safe in Hell' (FN). Looks big, maybe $3,000. Last week 'Walling-, ford' (MG), $2,600. mata'$38,000 m Pitt—Buddy Rogers $35,000 at Stanley . Pittsburgh, Jan. 4. (Drawing Population, 1,000,000) Extra shows, holiday trade and b. o. names all along the line are ex- pected to start the year oft in great fashion this week. Penn has 'Mata Harl,* while the Stanley has Buddy Rogers In i>erson. A merry chase 4s anticipated. Counting New Tear-s Eve mid- night figures in current week's tak- ings, Penn should have sllght]y.the better of the argument, with all-day picture trade, while Stanley, with weak !Under 18' on screen, must de]>end on four-a-day Rogers draw. Looks line $38,000 for Garbo, with probably $86,000 for Rogers. Fulton Is holding up surprisingly well on 'Delicious.' PosslbiUtles of $9,000 for a second week and talk of holding it oyer again. Warner Is getting seven days, as well as extra midnight show with 'Manhattan Pa- rade' and points to $11,000; while the Harris is sailing along to $6,800 with 'Heaveii on Earth' and vaude. 'Her Majesty, Love,' however, at Davis expected to take it on the chin at no better than $3,200, picture having taken a severe drubbing in the dailies. Impossible to tell yet just how much return of stage shows after 16-week strike of musicians is go ing to mean since last fortnight has been composed of holiday lyeeks with resultant boom of trade all around. Enrlght and Sheridan Square, In East Liberty, are fight- ing It out with vaudfilm on split week policy, with Sheridan getting the break on screen product and Enrlght flghUng back with fairly formidable stage.names. Estimates for This Week Davis (WB) (1,750; 10-16-26-86- 60)—'Her Majesty, Love* (FN). In- dlfTerent. musical severely panned, and Marilyn Miller's name unlikely to mean much; no better than poor $8,200 looked for. Last week 'Frankenstein' (U); In'second week, dust short of $5,000, giving film close to $10,000 on fortnight following b1g week at Stanley. Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1,800; 10- 16-26-36-60)—'Delicious' (Fox) (2d week). Running close to $9,000, ex cellent. Follows $11,600 Xmas week opening; talk of. a- third- week. Harris (WB) (1,800: 10-20-30-40) —'Heaven on Earth' (U) and vaude. Diamond street site off to good start with vaudfllm; takings more than doubled first week, and poS' sibllitles of going to $6,800 for cur- rent session. Last week lUlnbow Trail' (Fox) about $6,300. Penrt (Loew'-UA) (3,300; 26-35 60-76)—'Mata Harl' (M-G) and stage, show. <, Garbo still biggest name'around here; should do mini mum of $37,000; with a chance of going beyond that, Last week "Pri vate Lives'. (M-G), not counting New Tear's Eve midnight show, flirted with $33,000. Stanley (WB) (3,600; 26-36-60)— 'Under 18* (WB) and stage show. Buddy Rogers in person the big noise this week; film attraction dis- counted almost entirely; looks like e&sy $36,000. Last' week 'Strictly Dishonorable' (U) and Jean Harlow in person, $33,000. Warner (WB) (2,000; 26-36-SO)— Paris; Dec. 21 Film leader, over here at present Is 'Nltouche* which has rolled un around $63,000 "on Its opening fort^J night at the Paramount Business generally Is fair but with few hlith. lights. . ■ "Trader Horn* has completed ita 16th week at the Madeleine and is holding up pretty well. Some 14 months after It premiered 'Resquli. ler* Is at the Imperial with the going none too smooth. Following table is for the week ending Dec 17, . Estimatesf Paramount (Par) (1,900) 'NU touche' (Braunberger.) Still goinff strong; around $26,000 for its sec*' ond week; first wCek was $28,000. Gaumont Palaea (G. F. F. A.)' Captain Craddock' (UFA). Second week at $16,000 against a $20,000 first week; not bad. Olympia (Halk). (1,900) 'Chanteur Inconnu' (Osso). After a $19,000 . first .week, eased to $16,000 second Me'iiiin Rouge (Natan) (2,200) Rol du drags'. (Natan). Holding up well for a firth week, $10,000; Marivaux (NaUn) (1,200) 'Aprea. I'Amour* (Natan). Doing as much in'its second'.week as first, near ;7,000. MIraelea (Ballby) (700) 'Congres s'Amuse' ..(UFA). SIxtli week here and $6,2001; even with, preceding Madeleine (Metro) (700) 'Trader Horn' (M-6). Touching $4,300 on 16th week, very good. Aubert Palace (G. F. F. A.) (800) 'City Lights' (UA). Second week slipped from $6,200 to $6,600. Colisee (Haik) (660) 'La Chlenne* (Braunberger). Fourth week at this ritzy spot; $6,000 nice. - Imperial (Natan) (600) 'Resaull* ler' (Natan). Nearly 60 weeks be- tween this showing and the Moulin r.ouge where It opened; $2,000 poor. ladies' Newark Cinch, $30,000; Trank'$28,000 Newark, Jan. 4. (Drawing Population, 850,000) Sensational business marks the opening of 'Frankenstein* at Proc- tor's. The crowd Saturday- after- noon smashed glass doors, the brass stanchions, and things In general. Business was bad everywhere New Tear's due to steady rain. Special shows New Tear's Eve were gen- erally good with prices from 76c, to $2 (at Proctor's). ; New Tear's counte on this week for most houses. Estimates for This Week Branford (WB) (2,966; 20-35-60) —'Manhattan Parade' (WB) and P- M unit. Great opening, but prob- ably won't hold the gait; good at $16,000. Last week 'Delicious' (Fox) fine at $20,000. Capitol (WB) (1,200; 16-26-35)-* 'Guilty Generation' (Col) and 'For- gotten Women' (FN). Will benefit from Proctor's overflow, $6,000. Last week 'Safe in Hell' (FN) and 'Rich Man's Folly' (Par) good at $6,300. Carlton (Ufa) (436; 36-60) -i 'Operabair (Emelke). English titlett and Enigllsh translations dubbed on German fllm expected to draw American trade, as well as German; $1,600. Last week 'Emil und die De- tektive' (Ufa) fair at $1,100. . Little (Fine Arts Theatre) (299;' 60)—'Die Lindenwirtin vom Rhelm' (Elsom). Second week fair at $1,000, Last week good at $2,100. Loew's State (2,780: 30-60)—"Fly- ing High'. (M-G) and vaude. Does not include New Tear's and okay at $16,600. Last week 'Possessed' (M- G) eplended iat $27,000. Mosque .(WB) (?,281; ,20-30-35- EQ)JU<surrendei^. (Pox) and va'ude. Not quite up to expectations, $10, - 000. Last week 'Under 18' (WS). dropped from big opening to $12,000. Newark (Par-Adams) (2,248; 15- 25^60-60)—'Ladies of Big House* (Par) and -vau'e. Very big near $30,000. Last week 'Sooky' (Par) mats: and 'Law of the. Sea' (Mono- gram) nights, $13,900. Proctor's (RKO) (2,300; 25-40- 60-60)—'Frankenstein' (U) and vaude. Does not include New Tear^s: terrific smash good for $28,- 000 and may reach record ot $29,100; probably- holds over. Last week ' 'O Reno'. (Radio) fine at $22,000. Terminal (Skouras) (1,900; 15-25) —'Qver the Hill' (Fox) fend 'RanB« Feud' (Col) with 'Heaven on Earth_ (U) iand -Law of the Tong* (Syrtdl- cate) on split Not so strong at $4i000. La.1t week 'Local Boy' (FN) and 'Pocatello Kid' (TIB) with 'Un- holy Garden' (UA), on split okay at not quite $7,000. ■Manhattan Parade' (WB), Got New Tear's Eve opening; running through this Friday, which will give it seven days and likely $11,000. Last week Fairbanks travelog and 'Compromised' (FN) in five days. Just under $8,008.