Variety (March 1932)

K4JUC7T PICT E C S S E $ Tae9da7, March 1, 1932 L A. Knee-Deep in Policy Changes^ But After First Week^ Spw^^ Blali; Xadies^^ /I4OS Angeles, Feb. 29. Policy clianees, always imminent te this biirg, currently affetit oey «ral houses. Paranlount bas . dis-: continued George Cunningham-pro- duced local units and this week has the Henry Halstead. band as a filler; Warners' Downtown, running along In i.8,«00-{9,000 brackets, with the • amailer figure typical. Is trying the ■tlmulatlve potency, of 10 vaudeville acts booked 'by Pert Levey. Orpheum Is going* into a isecond week of its new policy. Added at- tractions, when like 'liucky Day,' will keep eiifl Work's benignity un- Impaired. Negro musical snatched doi^e to ?20,000; Compare that with the recent averages of f5,300. , •Estimates for Thia WeiBk o Chinese (Fox) (2,028; 50,-$1.5p) Hata Harl' (MrQ) and. stage show (6th week). Advertising final fort- night; 'Grand Hotel' (M-G) doped to follow; Garbb'B fifth week should be around $15,000. Fourth week cl&ltned over $20,000. Criterion (Fox) (1,600;, 35-65) •Business and Pleasure' (Fox) (1st 'week). Will Rogers opened .Thurs- day; looks like fair $9,000 for stiaxter. Final six days of 'Freaiks' (M-G) flat |4,0OO. Dbwhtown (WB) (1,800; 25-76) Tireman Save My Child' (FN) and vaude. Same budget, foi* 10-act pol- icy; bettering $12,000. lASt week 'Cross Examination' hovered near regulation $8;0Q0. Hollywood (WB) (2,756; 35-75) 'Alias the Doctor': (FN) ' and stage ■how. Bartbelmess picture ought to bie around $13,000. Nothing on rostrum by way of names. Jack Crawford ^s m.c. ih third week and' liked. Holdover of popular 'Fire- man' Worth nearly $14,000, good, . Ork>heum (2,270: 35-90), 'Lucky Day* and 'Ladles of Jury' (Radio) <2nd-final week). Likely to have |13,00[0 for segue! to great $18,500, Plus Pantages' $26,000 week will give colored revue smashing three week tally near $48,000. Pantages (Fox) (2,700; 20-40-66- tO) 'Lovers Courageous' (H-.G) and; stage show,. Bob 'Montgomery fea- ture did fairly three weeks ago at State;, likely to get $7,500. Last week studio mob went to 'Guards- men' . for some pointers in acting technique iand house climbed to nearly $9,000, good. Paramount (Franklin) (3,596; 35:- 76) 'Strangers in Love' (Par) and atage show. Around $14,000; Fred- eric March plastered all over town on 24 sheets. Duncan Sisters com- bined with Tiffany's 'Hotel Con- tinental' for $17,500 last weekK ac- ceptable. \ "« RKO- (2,950; 80-65) 'Maker of Men' (Col) and vaud<e. Pretty safe gamble from week to week of $9,000-$li,000. 'Girl of Rio' (Radio) last week, $9,000. Music Supervisor Sam Fre^d. came to town and fired entire house orchestra; will reor- State (Loew-Fox) (2,024; 35-$l) •Silent Witness' (Fox) and stage ■how. Opening pace presages un- der $10,000, very good; names not local magnets. Last, week 'The Champ' (M-G) smacked but a nice $23,000. United Artists (Franklin) (2,100; $5-$l) 'Broken Lullaby' (Par) (1st week). Despite liberal spending of money retitled 'Man I Killed' not doing well. Anticipate $8,000, Last week 'Arrowsmlth' (UA) around $11,000, winding up bouncing en- S&SrG TTl 6 H t« Western (WB') (2,500; 50-$1.50) •Han Who Played* (3rd week). Re- served seat try ending to $8,500; back to second riihs starting Thura day (3). FRISCO IS BRISK, WITH ORPHEUM NEAR $19,000 San Francisco, Feb, 29, The Oriental, his history and hab- its, being the topic of general con- vcreatibn these daySj PWC is sitting pretty with 'Hatchet Man' at Locw'a Warfleld. A murmur of .opposition to the picture by local Chinese was easily smoothed out. RKO, tod, has an in on the Oriental biz with Anna- May Wong in person at the Golden Gate, Remainder of the town also click- ing merrily, excellence of weather pulling crowds to the mountains arid beaches, keeping grosses from what otherwise might be skyrocketing. Estimates, for This Week Fox (6,000; 35-65)—'Woman from Monte Carlo' (FN) and staige show. Below the line with $25,000. Last week 'Two Kinds of Women' (Par) hit $30,000. Golden Gate (RKO) (2,844; 35-60) —'Secret Witness' (U) and vaude. With Anna May. Wong in person; KOdd at $14,000. Last week Weaver NEWARK FAIR WB Reopening Mosque This. Week —$25,000 for LoiBwV Newark, Feb. 29. , 'Bnima,* at Loew*B, wlli clean up at $26,000. Jaucry Rich at Proc- tor's ought to scale $20,000, Noth- ing else probably high. ' Warners will throw over 8,000 seats into the ring a;galn by open- ing the Mosque Friday (4) wltb pic- tures only iat 40c. .top. Estimates for This Week Branford . (WB) (2,966; 20-35-60) —•Hatchet Man' (FN) and F-M unit. Ought to be good for $16,000, Last week, despite excellent wbrd-of- mouth, 'Man Who Played God' (WB) very poor .on $12,000. Caiiitol vWB) (1,200; 16-26-35)— 'Hell'a House* (Zeldman-Capitol), and 'Tonight or Never* (UA), Not likely to reach $5,000, Last week, 'Jekyll' (Par) and 'Three Wise Girls' (Col) great at , $5,700. Little (Cinema) (299; 60)—'Die von Rumpelplatz' (Capitol), and 'Gretl and Liesl' (New Era). Try- ing -a first run and repeat as ex- periment; about $13,000. Last week 'Das Alte Lied* (Lola Kreutzberg) feeble near $1,200. Loew's State (2,780; 80-50)— Emma' (M-G) and vaude. Dressier will be strong at near $26,000. Last week 'West of Broadway* (M-G), with Conrad Nagel In person, good at $20,000; Newark (Adams-Par) (2,248; 15- 26-50-60)—'Lullaby' (Par) and vaude. Possibly too highbrow but should reach $16,500. Last' week 'Tomorrow* (Par) r.ear $14,000. Proctor (RKO) (2,300; 25-40-50- 60)—'Panama Flo* (Pathe) and vaude. Larry Rich's show opening with five a day and^ should reach at least $20,000. Last week Mills Brothers with 'Woman Commands' (Radio) splendid at $26,000. ' Terminal (Skouras) (1,900; 15-25) —'Prestige' (Pathe) and 'In Line of Duty' (Monogram), with 'High Pres- sure' (WB) and 'Qrief Street* (Ches- terfield) on split. Not likely to pass $4,000. Last week. ^Dahce Team^ (Fox) and /Secret Menace* (Car- dinal) with 'Age for Love' (UA) and 'Sporting Chance* (Peerless) got most of irad^ the first half; almost $4,000. 'Greeks' $8300, Lomsville, As Biz Holds Normally Louisville, Feb. 29. < Battle for supremacy looms as rumors are that Brown plans to bring RKO vaude in competition with Rlalto's Fanchon & Marco units. But Rialto may want to gp back to RKO sooner or later. Strand created Interest In 'Man Who Played God' by . Inviting all ministers to preview two days be- fore opening. Estimates for This Week Loew's (3,252; 25-35-50-60) 'Greeks' (UA). Fair at $8,300. Last week 'Freaks' (M-G) $5,300.. Strand (Fourth Ave.) (1,866; 25- 35-50) 'Man Who Played God' (WB). A good $8,000, Last week 'Shanghai Express' (Par) $8,100, .Rialto (Fourth Ave.) (2,910; 35- 60-60) 'Forbidden' (Col,): and unit Will see $9,800, fair. Last week 'Millionaire' (Fox) $7,600. Brown (2,100; 20-30-40) 'Hatchet Man' (FN). Pair near $5,200, Last week 'Peach b' Reno' (Radio) $6,- 000. . . Alamo (Fourth Ave.) (1,1,00; 16- 25-40) 'Gay Caballero' (Fox). An •average $3,300. Last week 'Nice Women' (Fox) $3,100. Bros, oh stage and 'Big Shot' (Pathe) pulled great $17,000, Orpheum (RKO) (2,270; 35-60)— 'Lady With Past' (Pathe) and stage band. Duke Ellington's second week and building nicely at $19,000, Last week 'Ladies ot Jury' (Ra.dio) and Ellington.: tin okay $14,000, much lilper than house average. Paramount (Fox) (-2,700; 35-50)— 'Lullaby' (Par). Just a fair $12,000. ^Second week of 'Mata Harl* drew .flfl.tiOO'. - United Artists (1,200; 26-40-00)— 'Arrowsmlth' (UA) (4th week)—On $7,000 good stays fifth week. Third week was $8,500. Warfield (Fox) (2.672; 30-60)— 'Hatchet Man' (WB) and stage show. Near $21,000 expected. Last week'Plumber' (M-G) swell, $24,000. Warners (1,305; 35-50-60) —'Man Who Played God' (WB). George ArHss getting $12,000. Last week 'Expert' (WB) did $8,000. Tacoma Average . Tacoma,'Feb. 29, Not so good this week, except for Arliss at the Blue Mouse. Playing day and date with Muslo Box, Se- attle, b6th Hamrlck houses. Estimates for This Week Orpheum (RKO) (1,600; 25-60)— 'Heaven on Earth* (U) and vaudo, and 'Fireman' (FN) last half. All for $4,500, fair. Last week 'Law and Order* (U) and 'Lady with Paat' (Pathe) fair at $4,900. Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (660; 26- 35.60)—'Man Who Played- God' (WB). Going oke to $3,500. liast week, also good, 'Airowsmlth* (UA) at $ai,600.' ■ Rialto (Fox) (l,200j,26-60)—-Dance Team* (Fox), 'Ladles of Big House' (Par), and 'Road to Reno* (Par), Three way split for $4,000, fair. Last week 'Shanghai Express* (Par), Madelon ' Claudet* (M-Q), and Cheat* (Par); a, nice $4,250, Pitt in Despair; Neither Penn Nor Pittsburgh, Feb, 29, Gloom- Will continue here this week. Allbla flying, thick and fast, from Lent t6 Zlegfeld'p 'Hot-Cha,' but nobody has thought of the in^ come'tax. Fulton, alone, Is showing signs of life with 'Lady With a Past.' Opened Thursday moderately, but Friday and Saturday were two biggest days in month. Indications oi an excel- lent $9,250 and ppsislblllty of a hold- over.., " ; After hitting a two-year low "with 'Freaks,* Penn figured on comeback with 'Shanghai Express,* but Diet- rich, despite rave notices, appar- ently bas4^ caught on too strongly here yet and film signifles ho niore than ordinary $21,600. Stanley, with 'Fireman-Save My Child* and Hor- ace Heldt, unlikely to climb out of the rut either., May equal the Penn figure, but no more. Estimates I for This Week Davie (WB) (1,760; 10-16-26^35- 50), 'Unexpected Father* (U). Will be lucky to reach $3,000. Last week 'Reckless Age' (Par) slightly under that. Fiiltbn.(Shea-Hyde) (1,800; 10-16- 26-35-50). 'Lady With Past' (Pathe). Doing v^ery well and sailing along for $9,260, etxcellent; may hold for fortnight. Last week 'Stiepping Sis- ters' (Fox) not so forte, $5,500. Harris (WB) (1,800; 10-15-25-35- 40), 'Caballero' (Fox). Sharp re- cession noted at this Diamond street grind; George O'Brien usually big b,o. here, but plenty off now; no more than $2,800. Last week 'Girl of Rio' (Radio) and 'Cannon BaU Express* (Sono-Art) unablfe to bet- ter $2,650. Penri CLoew-trA) (3,300; 26-35- 60-75), 'Shanghai Express' (Par) and stage show. Rave notices but b.o. pace a disappointment; Dietrich has. consistently failed to mean any- thing locally; around very ordinary $21,500. Last week 'Freaks' (M-G) and Joe Cook ohi stage, $16,000, worst here In a couplie of years. Stanley (WB) (3,600; 25-35-60), 'Fireman' (FN) and . stage show. Little likelihood of bettering $21,000. Last week 'Tomorrow* (Par) about the same. Warner (WB) (2,000; 25-35-60), 'Man Who Played <3od' (WB) (2d week). Sharp decline always noted here at end of fortnight sessions; about $8,000 for closing stanza. Last week around $16,000, good. FLAND SEES NICE BIZ; $12,500 FOR TLEASURE' Portland, Ore,, Feb. 29, Picture grosses are generally up this week. 'Shanghai Express,' at the Par- amount, boosted that house back to the qjd high levels last week and theatre, is following up this week with 'Business and Pleasure,* -and doing well; 'Express' is at the Unit- ed Artists fCr a second week. Or- pheum has 'Lady With a Past* and getting okay results. Broadway failed to. get going with 'Freaks' last week. House has 'Broken Lullaby' this week and do Ing fairly. Estimates for Thifi Week. Orpheum (RKO) (2,000; 25-60)— 'Lady With Past* (Pathe) and vaude. Getting, over fairly for $8,500. Last week 'Rue Morgue* (U) only $6,000. Paramount (Fox-Portland) (3,000; 26-30)—'Business and iPl^asure: (Fox) with F-M unit. Going for neat $12,500. Last week 'Slianghai Express' (Par) clicked for big $14>- 000 and moved to U. A. . Broadway (Fox-Portlarid) (2,000; 25-60)—'Broken Lullaby* (Par). Do- ing fairly, $7,500, Last week 'Freaks' (M-G) a poor $6,000, United Artists. (Fox-Portlfind) (1,- 000; • 25-60)—'Shttrighai Expre.ss' (Par), Okay at $5,000. Last week 'Hell Divers' (M-G), third week, $4,000. ... Music Box (Hamrick) (2,000; 25- 35)—'Man Who Played God' (WB). .Second week going for nice $6,000. First week $9,500, very big. INDIANAPOUS SLOW •Witness' 110.000 O. Kd—•Flrtmtin' at V7fiOO If Fair Indianapolis, Feb. .29. Business is still slow. Warm weather, however, is aiding. Arllas film at the Apollo isetms to be in for a good week ahd may g^t a chance tor a holdover. Last week 'No One Man* (Par) was pulled out for a two-day show- ing of. the (German film, 'Private Secretary.' Patronage was fair after change. , Lyric, M((ith all vaude bill, sticks to fine attendance^ Indiana, now straight sound, has 'Girl Crazy,' in its tab form, coming In Friday (4) for a full week. Estimates for This Week Lyrio (Fourth Ave.) vaudfllm (2,600; 26-35-60)—'Silent Witness* (Fox). Will reach $10,000, good. Last week 'Fine Wbnien* (U) closed at $9,600. . Apollo (Fourth Ave.) (1,100; 26- 36-60)—'Man Who Played God' (WB). Will reach $8,000, oke for this house. Last week 'Millionaire' (Fox) fell despite feminine pull; closed at $5,000. Palac« (Loew) (2,800; 25-85-60)— 'Polly Of Circus' (M-G). May climb to $7,500 because of Gable-Davles. Last week "Freaks' (M-G) too heavy, closed at poor $6,600. Indiana (Ptiblix) (3,300; 26-35-50) —'Firemaii*- (FN). May click for fair $17,000.: Last week 'Shanghai Express* (Par), In nine da,ys, pulled $22,000. , .• Circle (Publlx) (2,600; 25-36-60) —'Safe In Hell* (FN). May take $4,600, but Will have to climb plenty. 'No One Man* (Par) pulled early last week got $2,000; 'Private Secre- tary,* in twd days, $1,700. BALTO STHl SPOTTY; WRESS' OVER $19,000 • Baltimore, Feb. 29. The Rivoll, Which goes on the block March 8, Is being rented oiit meanwhile for a double bill of men only ahd women only sex scenarios. First time in history for this once deluxer. It's still a battle of stage names at the combos, with stage fare being played up ahead of screen celebs. Loew is bringing on Hollywood ^personalities; Keith's has been leaning to radio lights. The Hipp has featured a number of legit names. No doubt the com- petition Is affecting straight film spots. Biz Is fluctuating wildly here. Stanley Is the most erratic. 'Fr.eaks' last week dove to $14,000 here but 'Shanghai Express* should get btz currently. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew-UA) 'Beast of City' (M-Gl) (3,200; 26-60) and stage show. Looks like good week; Jean Harlow on stage and screen a definite reason; possibly $22,000. •Greeks* (UA) last week very much okay with James Hall on stage; $23,600. Stanley (Loew, Stanley-Crandall) 'Shanghai Express' (Par) (3,600; 25-60). While Dietrich no b.o. riot here In J>revious pictures, timeliness of subject counted on to get trade; seems better than $19,000. Last week 'Freaks* (M-G) too gruesome and low at $14,000. Valencia (Loew-UA) 'Arrow- smith* (UA) (1,200; 26-36). Drew well at. Stanley and looks satisfac- tory here; $3,200. Last week 'To- morrow' (Par) got • pretty fair $2,900. Parkway (Loew-UA) 'Arrow- smith* (UA) (1,000; 25-35). Good film for this select uptown stand; should find nice $4,200. 'Tomorrow,' last week, $3,800. • New (Mechanic) 'Millionaire* (Fox) (1,800; 25-50). Feeling com- petition from, cbihbos; but $1,000 fair enough. 'Business and Pleas- ure* (Fox), last week, $7,500. Hipp (Rappaport) 'The Run- arbund*. and vaude (2,500; 25.-50). Appears steady and possibly $15,- 000. Last week 'Lady with Past' (Pathe) $14,700 with Leon Janhey on stage, Rivoli (Rome) 'Fools of Pa.sslon' and 'Damaged Souls* (1,800; 26-40). Sex double bill to segregated audi- ences; may get some trade for $4,500, 'Feathered Serpent' last week, last of old policy, off at $3,200. Keith's (Schanbergers) 'Hus- band's Holiday* (Par) and vaude (2,500; 25-50), Off to good start and. maybe $12,000. 'Hig Pressure' (WB) last week, and 'Sisters of Skillet* heading stage bill, good arid $16,000 claimed. HOLMES' POETIC TROUPE Hollywood, Fob. 29, First three of the. Ben Holmes- Leigh Jasori series of fariious pocm.s shorts got started at Standard Studio. Hclmcs direot."?, 'Whi.sperlng Biil,' With. Chic Sale, 'Laaca* with Hobart Bosworth, and 'Sonne Little Bug* with Louise Lazcnda, are the starters, 'Casey at the Bat,' With James Gleason, will follow. Ko release set yet. Burly Dancer And lullaby $24,000, Minn. ,; Minneapolis, Feb. 29, Business is going along very well. But the boys have been fooled to6. often by temporary spurts, so they're .taking nothing for granted, 'business was eminently satisfac« tory last week and seems all right currently. This week's leaders are Broken Lullaby.' 'Lady With Past,' Taxi' and 'Gay Caballero.* The first nained, atjtlie Minnesota, was given tremendous exploitation, which helped It to a fine opening. It also marks date of Hlnda Wausau, bur- lesque strip dancer, in this deluxe house. Doing okay. ■ 'Arrowsmlth* reopens the U, As Pantages Wednesday (2) and a run of at least two weeks Is Indicated. Fact that the author Is a Mlnne« sotan, and that some of the scenes are laid in Minneapolis, will evoke Interest here. Local film circles still groggy over the :surprising gross garnered by; 'Unexpected Father* at the Lyric last week. That unpretentious com* edy copped nearly $6,5.00, giving the house Its~ biggest seven days since the establishment of a 36-cent top. rIEstimiates for This Week ; Minnesota (Publlx) (4;2d0: 75)— "Broken Lullaby* (Par) and stage show. Picture sold heavily, to pub- lic; Hindu Wausau, dancer from the burlesque house here, making her first appearance In a deluxe filriti house, and going over nicely. Looks like a good $24,000. Last week 'Shanghai Express* (Par) built nice-- ly.and finished to good $25,000. Orpheum (RKO) (2,890; 60)— •Lady With Past* (Pathe) and vaude. Constance Bennett a card and picturie liked. May reach $14,-. 000, good. Last week 'Man Who Played God' (WB) proved magnet^ around $13,000. State (Publix) (2,200; 60)—'Taxi' (WB). Cagney gradually building: local following; should finish pretty well for $6,000, Pair. Last week 'Millionaire' (Fox) around. $4,500, poor. . Pantages (UA) (1,400; 50). After months of darkness, due to lack of product, reopens with invitation preview of 'Arrowsmlth' (UA) and then indefinite run starling mid- week. Lyric (Publlx) (1,300; 35)—'Gay Caballero' (Fox). George O'Brien and western spell coin. at tills house; should hit $4.600., Last w^eek 'Unexpected Father* (U) almost $6,500; tremendous; Aster (Publlx) (900; 25)—'Makers of Men* (Col) and 'House Divided* (U), split. Maybe $1,000, not so good. Last weekj revival week, around $2,500, fine. Grand (Publix) (1,100; 25)-T-'Mata Harl' (M-G). Second loop run and playing full week to about $2,000, good. Last week, 'Private Lives' (M-G) and 'Forbidden* (Col), split, $1,400, fair. 'Forbidden' getting bet- ter play .of two. . . aOST SQUADRON'OKE IN CAPITAIr-$17,500 Wa,shIngton, Fob, 29.' Rushed in on short notice 'Lost Squadron,* at Keith's, Is stepping out to run: up a high total. Palace is also getting back Into Its stride this week With 'Emriia' booked in to take away the taste of last week's bad showing Of 'Freaks,' Earle, with 'Shanghai Gesture' and vaude, doing well, too. Fox is trying to save things witS a per.sonal appearance of El Bren- del, while the Met Is holdirig 'Man Who Played God' for a second week, as is the Rialto with 'Rue Morgue, Estimates for This Week Columbia (Loew) (1.323; 35-50), 'Hell Divers'^ (M-G). Into second week to about .$7,000. La.st week $13,000. Earle (WB) (2,000; 25-35), 'Shanghai Gesture' (Par) and vaude. Should get about $17;000. Last week 'Fireman' (FN), $19,500. Fiox (2,434;. 26-35-50), 'Gay CabaN lero' (Fox) and stage shpw, El' Brendel in person; .should run about $20,000. Last week 'Million- aire' (Fox) maybe $21,000, weak. Met (WB) (1,624; 25-;in.50-7';), 'Man Who Played God' (W13). in second week near $7,000. Last wcok about $11,000. RiaKo^'Rue- Morgue' (XT). .Sec- orid Week about $6,000. L.ist wpok near $9,000. ■ Keith's (RKO) (1,875;. 35-50). 'Lost Squadron' (Radio) and vau'le. Irene Rich on. stage; headed U>r another big $17,500; I^.st week 'Lady With. Pa.st* (Pathe) also strong near $17,000.