Variety (May 1932)

tucsdar, May ,3, 1932 PICTaRE CROSSES VARIETY On ^ombir Tab and IIMpiece', at : Chicago, May 2. Loop Is spotty >jurrently, though the past fortnight has exhibited a much better pace t)ian the town has ^bowh in several months. Bven the average fllplcera are managing to hold to fair grosses while the smack films and spots are once more teach- ing the town what S.R.O. rieahs. . standout points include new Jlfe ei the Oriental on the booking of the tab version of the legit voodoo mystery, 'Zombie,' and the complete sellout for 'Grand Hotel' on its two- a-day at. the Woods.. 'Oriental will take one of Its best •weeks and this house, -v^hlch started the tab'Version fandango. Is set to receive more of the mldget'^leglt pre- sentatloris.': 'Hotel' on its opening . 13 performances was capacity at ■ $19,300, and indicates a good run. 'Advance sale is strobg, .,. . According to present plans the Bposevelt will fold May 4. Lack of product the immediate reason. Some talk of trying double features at the spot. If so, it will have t6 foflow the Warnfer Orpheum on picture re- ^ At the other run houses ' there's ho real strength being ^hown- Best chances are for 'Symphony* at the State-Lake. And here it is strictly a build-up chance on \vord of mouth Blnce there was little business at the jump-off. Loop lead is not going to the Chi cago this week. Best house can do Is tie .for that position with the boosting Oriental. Estimates ^or This Week • Chicago (Publix-B. & K.) (4,000; BO-75-86)—'Mouthpiece* (WB> and Btage show. Betty Compson head- lining regular F^M unit, gettlnr heavy ad space and managing, to account for some coin In a not ex- citing week. Indications, are for $37,000, fairly profitable. Last week heavy winner at $45,900 on 'So Big' (WB) and Jackie Cboper In person. McVickers (Publix-B. & K.) (2,- 200; 50-75-85)—'Wet Parade* (M-G). Picture comes In here after having been pushed around from h6use to house. Originally intended for Oriental. Medium pace and •Will be flatisfted. with "flabby"^ $23,000 for opener. 'Strange Case* (Par) to follow. 'Miracle Man* (Par) finished last six days of 13-day stay to meaningless $9,900. Oriental (t»ublix-B. & K.) (3,200; BO-75-85)—'Sky Brides* (Par) and •Zombie/ tab, as stage show. .Tab ■getting the credit currently, boost Ing trade mightily to blooming $37, 000. Last week 'Misleading Lady' (Par) and Bing Crosby fine at $32,900. Palace (RKO) (2,500; ,50-75-85) 'Office Girl' (BIP) and vaude. Ben Bernie band, local fav, may take $25,000, with no help whatsoever, • oke.. Last week .'Careless Lady' (Fox) fair at $21,400. Roosevelt (Publix-B. & K.) (1,- 600; 50-75-85)—'Explorers of World' (Raspin), Picture has done better than most of recent predecessors sticking 13 days. Took fine $16,400 on opening sfeven, and likely to keep above $10,000 for final six. House elated to go dark May 4. . State-Lake (RKO) (2^700; 50.-75- ■ 85)—'Symphony' (Radio).. Opened Saturday (30). Notices excellent and word of mouth likely to build to fine $20,000. Last week 'Young America' (Fox) cold at $7,300.. United Artists (Publix-UA)-r'This Is.the Night* (Par). Fair trade, but will be satisfied with so.^so $19,000. 'Tarzan' (M-G) completed . three good weeks to oke $10,300. 'Letty Lyttoh' (M-G) follows. Woods (Jones) (1,200; 50-$lr$1.50) *^'Grand Hotel* (M-G). Complete sellouts and fine advance. Means $22,500 weekly for 16 shows. Bid $19,400 for opening 13 performances Tacoma Brighter Tacoma, May 2. Fox-Weat Coast still using gobs of film at Rlalto, and Intake fair, Otph'eum is up with 'Symphony' for last half being heavily billed. Town iseems holding together, aYid sooh tourists should come along. Strange as it seems, August is usu- ally the best month of the year here. .Estimates for This Week ' drpheum (RKO) (1,500; 25-35-50) '-'Carnival Boat' (Pathe) and 'Sym- phony' (Radio). Set for strong week, $5,500. tast week, 'Tough to Be Famous' (FN) tnd 'Scalndal for Sale' (U) oke for $5,000. Blue Mouse (HamrlcU) (650; 25) —'Crowd Roars" (WB). Up some around $2,000. Last week fair, 'Sky Devils' (UA). $1,800. ,„nialto : (Fox) (1,200; 2.5-35)— Choaters at Play' (Fox) and 'Dis- orderly Conduct' (Fox). Each bUrnpd up in one day; 'Wet Parade" '•^i-Cj held three days; 'After To- ST. LOUIS CALM Wet Parade' $i6,(>00-^'Lena Rivers' |12,00O—'Daddy' $18,000 St. Louis, May 2. There will, be nothing Btartling at the box olBces this ^yeek. Prob- ably nothing greatly disappointing either. ■ ; ■ In caafes where pictures are weak stage bills will help' considerably. Rain arid cool weather also aiding. Good portion of the money ■will be taken by . 'Grand Hotel,* Tyliich opened as roadshow at thfe Grand Central. Picture got rave Tiotlces and Is off to a good sta,rt.. Estimates for This Week ! St. Louis (RKO) (4,000; 25-35-50) —'Lena Rivers' (Tiff) and vaiide. Looks slightly above average of last few weeks at $12,000. Last week Office Girl' and Olsen arid Johnson ori stage, $14,300. Loew's State (3,000; 26-35-50)— Wet Parade' (M^G). Local contro- versy about staging a, beer parade helping some to.bring fair week at $16,000. Last week .'Scarface' (UA). got big $20,000.'■ Fox (Fox) (6,000; 25-35-50)— Amateur Daddy* (Fox) and sta«e show. Popularity of Baxter Jielping house ■ to nice $18,000.' Last week Cock of Air* (UA), with Texas Guihari and Fatty Arbuckle ori stage, $18,000. , ■ Ambassador (Par) (3,000; 35-50 65)—'World and Flesh* (Par) and unit. Not clicking heavily arid away off at $14,000. Last week 'Miracle Man* (Paif) disappointed on $17,800, Missouri (Par) (3,500; 26-35-50)— 'Sky Bride* (Par) and 'Ferguson Case* (FN). Biz up at $12,000. Last week 'This Is the Night* (Par) and. 'Love Affair' <Par), usual $8,400. Grand Central (Par) (2,000; 60 $1.50)—'Grand Hotel' (M-G). Re opened house aftier more than year of darkness;- picture off to good start at $1.60 top with prospects of two or three weeks. 'MOUTHPIEGE'$13,000; NEWARK'S TEPID WK. Newark, N. J., May 2 Good shows, this week but any draws lacking. It's word of mquth or riothing. Last week humbled everyone except Loew's, where Cab Calloway was a steady, pull. Par- ticularly sad at Proctor's where Mltzi Green fell down after a big opening. 'Fifty Million Frenchmen," at the Shubert, closed at the end of the first week without waiting to take chances on a second week end . Closing of the telephone company and other offices all day Saturday is going to hurt fair week ends more than half-holidays did. Estimates for This Week Branford (WB) (2,906; 20-35-50) —'Mouthpiece' (WB). Should make nice $13,000. Last wiek 'Crowd Roars' (WB) fair at $11,500. Capitol (WB) (1,200; 15-25-35)— 'Cohens and Kellys in Hollywood" (U) and 'Stowaway. Should beat $4,500. Last week 'Arsene Lupin" (M-G). and 'A#ter Tomorrow' (Fox) okay at nearly $4,800. ■ Little (Cinema) (299; 50)—'.Das Lied 1st Aus' (Associated Cinema) Second week bad at $800. Last week fair at nearly $1,400. Loew's State (2,780; 80-50)—'Hell Divers' (M-G) arid vaude; Good for nearly $16,000. Last week Cab Cal loway pulled 'Beast of the City', (M G) upi to fine $18,000. Newark (Adams-Par) (2.248; 15 25'^50-60)-^'This Is the Night' (Par) and vaude. Fine show should spread even though no names; »12, 000. Last week 'Misleading Lady (Par) sunk to same figure. Proctor's (RKO) (2.300; 25-40-50 : 60)—'Scandal for Sale' (U) and vaude. Good stasc show but hardly better than $13,500. Last week five show policy quickly stopped and Mltzi Green died with 'Carnival Boat' (Pathe) at $14,000. Terminal (Skouras) (1.900; 15-26) —'Disorderly Conduct' (Fox) and 'Law Of the We.st' (SonO-Art), Ayith 'Broken Wing' (Par) and. 'Maid to Order' (Syndicate) on split. Noth ing here to suggest anything better than weak $3,200. Last wook 'Play Girl' (FN) and 'Behind Stone Walls' (Syndicate) with 'Dancor.s in the Dark* (Par) and 'The Reckoning' (Hollywood) on split. $3,100^ p oor rfiorrow' (Fox) and 'Two Kind.'? Women' (Par) double bill booked for la.'^t two days Of this week, with this film conglomeration e.\pof.-tlnR to do around $3,000. La.'st week 'Wavward' (Par;, 'Milliohaire" (Fox). 'Are You' Listoninp' (MG) 'Amateiu' Daddy" (Fox) and 'Miracle Man" (I'ar) scrambled to reach $3,- 150. mUTHPIECE'PULLS > OK $lS,OdO IN BALTO. Baltimore, May 2. Baltimore is voting today on Llbr eral Sunday, arid If enough ypters mark their xes,lri the right box, the blue laws will go the way of bug- gies, red-flanriei underwear, and powdered wigs. : ' 'j. Estimates for Thts Woofe Auditorium (Schanijergers) (1,» ^0.5.60-$1.50), 'Grand Hotel' (M-G). First TOadshow In town this-season. Last'week (first) accounted for $24,- 200, very big. , Century (LbeW-IiA) (3.200; 25- 60), 'Misleading Lady' (Par) and Vjaude. Not bad in crossing $19,000. I^t week 'Feller Needs a Friend" and ('Girl Crazy' (tab) got $24,000. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,500; 25-50), •Fireriaari* (FN) arid vaude. Strong bill with Rose Midgets; will get juvd trade : and / okay $13,500. Last week 'Woman Commands' (Radio), with Pola Negri In picture and in perison, $9^300. Keith's (Schanbergers) (2,500; 25- 50), 'Mouthpiece' (WB) and vaude. Boswell Sisters heading staige bill; looks like an outstariding week at about $15,000. Last week 'Love .Af- fair,* plus Dorothy Mackaill- on stage,'$7,400. New (Mechanic) (1,800; 26-50), ■Vlvlenne Ware' (Fox). Opposltiori holding this 'one down to fair aver- age of $7,000. Last week .'Cheaters at Play* (Fox) got $4,700. , Parkway (Loew-UA) (1,200; 25 35), 'Wet Parade* (M-G). Just fair $3,800. Last week 'Arsene Lupin* (M-G) $4,950. Valencia (Lofew-UA) (1,000; 25 35)». 'Wet-Parade* (M-(}). Hardly more than fair $3,600. Last week •Arsene Lupin' (M-G) got. $3,100», 'HOTEL' $20,000. PITTS.; ALL ELSE TAKE UCING Pittsburgh, May 2. 'Grand Hotel' a smash here at AI dine, but everything else taking a terrific drubbing. Road show film got around $20,000 in first week, vir- tual capacity, arid advarices Indicates month's run easily, with more than an outside chance of six weeks. Nothing else cllckirig ^wlth deluxe site3 dolner a nosedive despite name attraotions arid: heavy ,• plugging. Paul Whitenian at Stanley with 'Greeks* opened disappointingly and Saturday. rain dldn*t help any. A poor $22,000 is all that can be hoped for^ plenty bad for such an expen sive la.yout.. Pienn even •worse oifl with 'Miracle Man' at a miserable $16,000 clip. Another big disappointment Is 'Symphony of Six Minion' at the Warner. Picture got a big send-off from the cricks and human' interest stuff figured to pull heavily, but no go; unlikely, to see better than very ordinary $8,500." They're not going for 'Devil's Lottery* at the Pulton either, takings 'way below average and a slovenly $4,800 in prospect. ' Estimates for This Week) Aldine (Loew's) (1,800; 60-75-$l- $1.50), 'Grand Hotel' (M-G). First road show film here since 'Trader Horn* and a sriiash $20,000 in first full week Just short of capacity, dUe to mats being slightly off. Nights complete sellouts.. Big advance sale portends long, profitable run, Davis "(WB) (1,750; 10-15-25-35- 50), 'Carnival Boat* (RKO). "Weak programmer a feeble contender and will be lucky to get a fiimsy $2,300. Last week 'Beauty and the Boss' ("WB) not much better at $2,500. Fiilton (Shea-Hyde) (1,700; 10- 15-25-35-50), 'Devil's Lottery' (Fox). They don't go for Laridl or cockney accents around here, and it looks like a poor $4,800, worst here in some time. Last, week 'Wayward" (Par) slightly oVer $6,000. Harris (WB) (1,800; 10-15'25- 35), 'The Struggle* (UA) and 'Night Patrol' (indie). No noticeable draw in this combo, $2,10<l all that can be hoped for. Last week 'Steady Com- pany' (U) and 'Sin's Pay Day' (in- die) gathoreid $2,350, very poor. Penn (Loew'3-UA) (3,300;25-36-e0- 75), 'Miracle Man' (Par) and stage show. No go here. Will barely touch $16,000, worst here in, sonic timcl Last week 'Night Court' (M-G) and stage show with Stoop- narle and Bud poor at'^17,500.. Stanley (WB) (3.C00; 2o-3iji-C0), •Greeks Had a Word for Them' (UA) and Paul "Whlteman. . When they won't go for even Whitenian here that's some indication of how tight money is, Looks like a poor week and red all over the place-at $22,000. Last week 'She Wanted a Millionaire' (Fox) a.nd tab, 'Good News.' $1S,600, 'way off. Warner C^VB) (2,000; 2ar35-60), 'Symi.hony of Six Million' (RKO); Big things expected of this One. pral.sc of cricks and word-of-mouth figuring to put it over, but not a chance of bettering a poor $8,500. Last week 'Man Wanted' (WB) $7,500, bad. . lyntonV$6»at^ Par Stage, Screen Brisk Ste^^ Grosses MODERATE MONtREAL 'Miracle' $12,000—'Daddy' aind 'Lady' $11,0CO—'Cohens'. $15,000 . . Montreal, Maj-2. 'Current week has nothing out of the way and will Hkely see grosses back to low figures. Tihree days more of Sir John Martin-Harvey at His Majesty's Won't affect film re- ceipts much,' since past week of 'Bells' faded badly towards the end. Loew's ■will be the best of the main stiems on 'Cohens and Kellys' and vaude.; Nabes only gObd here and. there. . Estimates for This' Week His Majesty's (CT) (1,900; 60- $2,50), 'King's Messenger" (legit). Three days. Last week 'Bells' fell far off last three days and probably did hot exceed $8,000. Palace (FP) (2.700; 76). 'Miracle Man' (Pai'). Outlook is for, little above $12,000. Last week "Franken- stein''(U) did fine business, $17,000; despite censor cuts. . . Capitol (FP) (2,700; 60);;'Amateur Daddy' (Pox) and 'Caireless Lady' (Fox), iNot having much drag, $11,000. 'So Big' (WB) and 'Heart of- New -York' (WB) , about $11,600 Loew's- (FP) (3.2,00; 35-60); 'Cohens and Kellyi' (U) and' vaude. Sure to hold'up aro'und $15,000. Last week 'Devil's Lottery' : (Fox) near $14,500. Princess (CT) (1,600; 35-GO), •Three Wise Girls' (Col) and 'Men In Her Life* (Col). House doing quite well ■and . should hold to $8,500. Last week 'Girl. Crazy' (Radio) and 'Secret Service** XRadlo) $8,000. Imperial XFP) (1,900; 26-40), 'Mls- tlgri" (Par, French).. Attracting good support from French-Cana- dians; nice $5,600. Last week, sec- ond of 'Une Heure pres-de Tol'^Par, French), did well at $5,000, Cinema de Paris (Ind) (600; 26- 60); 'Le Rol du Clrage' (French) Figures $1,800. Last week 'Patfurin de" la Dame en Nolr' (French) rated fahr. at $2,000. .' GOOD FILMS LOOSEN UP PROV.-IETTY' $18,000 Providence, May 2. Providence' has Its first roadshow in years in 'Grarid Hotel' at the Carlton, local legit house. Picture will stay here for nine days only, causing much comment arid biz seems okay. Town's two vaiideyiUe houses are plugging personal appearances of picture folk. Fay's playing up Her bert Rawlinson and Agnes Ayres, and the Albee. featuring Bobby Ag- new. Both houses are in the money. At the straight picture houses 'So Big,' at the Majestic, and 'Letty Lynton,' at Loew's State, are the leaders. . Estimates for This Week - RKO Albee (2,300; 15-50-CO)— •Symphony" (Radio) and vaude. Do- ing fair'-with evenly balanced bill for first time in weeks.- Close, to $9,000. Last'wecfk 'Scandal for Sale" (Radio) came through at $9,300 be- cause of vaude. Carlton (Fay): (1.400; 50-$1.50)— •Grand Hotel' (M-d). Talk is tliat prices too stiff for picture, but doing well.. In for nine days. Fay's (2,000; ' 15-50)—'.Sin's Pay Day' and vaude. Former screen stars, Rawlinson and Ayres, have much to do with good showing here. Hou!3e figures easily oh getting around $7,000. Last week 'Lena Rlver.<j' did nicely at $7,300. Loew's State (3,700; 20-50-75)— 'Letty Lynton' (M-G). Going well despite soriie of stiffest competition house has had.iri months. Plugging Joan. Crawford via contests and all sorts of tie-ups. Will not see a penny less than $18,000. Last week 'Wet Parade" (M-G) not so"strong- at $14,000. Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 15-50)—'So Big' (U'B), Barbara Stanwyck has many friends here, and house should clip close to, $10,000 without n-iueh difficulty. La.st week 'Crowd Roars' (WB) so-so at $Jt,000. Paramount- (2.200; IS^JiO)—'Sky Bride' (Par). This one .scf;ms to be out of luck. Probably won't comr- near $3,000. poor. Last wook 'Flosli and World' (Par) slightly bettor at $7 200. RKO Victory (1,600; 10-30)—'The RockoDlng' and 'Office Girl.' Just fairlHl), liousc cannot ho))C for any- thing bettor than $2,000. Last Week 'Destry' and 'Monster "VV^lHs* $5,200. Businessls perking up along Broadr way lifter seyevail weekis of yacillat- ihg grosses; - If not depresspd by unkindly boxofflce weather, ' th^ ; \veek will result-In the best intake ! genei-ally along the street in some , time. Paramount and Capitol are seit- ting a. brisk pace. Former, with tt. . . strong stage s>ho\\- of ether names supporting 'Echirig the Mask,*' is . stepping crisply to a go.^1 of ,$70,- 000. Oapltol ha."? a fine cbande of doing $05,000. With Joan Crawford's Letty Lynton.' Big jump lor this over, past couple 6c weeks and pic- ture will hold over. ' Another outstanding film shririe is the Winter tSardenwhere 'Mouth- piece,* on Its second week, will nearly equarits initial seven days' $37,500. SU-and is also up a little on 'So Big.* Astor continues at capacity on third week of 'Grand. Hotel* (M-G), while Gaiety, exhibiting 'Symphony,' will only hold tliat film Cor the origl- rial four weeks" leasfe. The balance of the street's pic- ture houses are off. Roxy's 'Yivl^'rine Ware' is limplne along to possibly $40,000. Mayfair ig uhable to get out Its recent lethai'gy at $7,5.00, ' 'Roadhouse Murder.* . Unusual currently: is the flock of mystery talkers,. Roxy, Mayfair and Paramourit all . have that type of film fare. At the Rlalto "Wet Parade* .Indi- cates no better than $11,000 and goes out tomorrow (Wednesday), after two bad weeks, letting in 'Case of CHara Dean' (Par), originally slated for the Paramount. RIyoll next gets 'Congress Dances* (UA). If pirlnt Is available It will shove out 'Miracle Man' Tuesday (1.0) j if not date will be May 12. Estimates for Thii Weak Astor (1,102; $l-$2) 'Grand Hotel': (M7G) (3rd week), Capacity con- tinues with assurance of long run. Metro has already decided not to generally release, picture anywhere uritil next winter. ■ Capitol (5,400; 2o-85-$1.50) Xetty Lynton' <M-G) arid stage show (let week). "Title not retarding draw; good $65,000 a possibility and sec- ond week certaim Previous week 'Arei You Listening?"- (M-G) weak at $42,000. Gaiety (808; $l-$2) 'Symphony* (Radio) (3rd week).. Poor on $6,900 arid won't go beyond four weeks. Mayfair gets picture May 19. Paramount (3,664; 40-65-85) 'Be- hlng Mask* (Col) and stage show. Strong stage show this week, hcad^ ing for $70,000, high; draw ascribed to Lombardo, Mills Bros., Burns and Allen, others. Last week 'Sky Bride' (Par) $41,800 poor. Rialto (2,000; 40-65-86), 'Wet Parade* (M-G) (2d week).. Very bad at $11,000; out tomorrow (Wedriesday), giving way to 'Case of Clara Dean' (Par), originally.not intended for ielther this or the RiVoll run. First seven days of 'Parade* $18,000. Mayfair (2.200;. S5-65-85-$l), 'Roadhouse Murder' (Radio). On its back at $7,500. Same low figure chalked for 'Cohens and Kellys' (U), in ahead. Rivoli (2.200; 40-Cu-83-$l), 'Mir- acle Man' (Par) (2d week). Doing poorly and probably $14,000 on bcc- ond week; firat seven days $26,000; out Tuesday (10) if print of 'Con- gress Danoe.s' (UA) ready. : Roxy ((5,200; 50-75-$1.50), 'Vivien Ware' (Fox) and .stage show. May ease over $40,000, but doubt- ful; previous incumbent 'Amateur' Dadd'i" (Fox) disappointing on $44.oro. Strand (2,900; 35-50-75-$!). 'So Big" (FN). Pepping biz a little to around $20,000. fairly good. Showed. $15,800 on 'Ferguson Case' (FN) last .weekv" Winter Garden (1,418; 35-65-85- $1), 'Mouthpiece" ;(WB) (2d week). Standing, up stoutly; presages pretty $35,000, only a few cartwheels under first week's $37,500. Bankhead's Coast Delay HoIly>yood, May 2. Four weeks of retalcea arid added scenes On 'Thunder Below* will wind up today (2) at Parariiount. Pic- ture Is Tallulah Bankhead's. first on the coast lot. Film .started Feb. 13 and finished Marc;h 13. Picture then went back into-production Mfirch 2<i when ex- ecs didn't like the iic-gative as first filmed. Kahn. Back To White y. Ilrjllywood, May 2. Complotln^' 'The Harbor Master* for Metro, Gordon Kahn has left the studio. Ho is going with Tom White to dialog a strles of ti-.-tvel .shorts, a job he started beforv Iils Metro en- gagement, t