Variety (June 1932)

VARIETY P I CTll RE G R SSE S Tuesday, Juiie 7, 1932 M Holds Up in L A. on 2d Wk. For $10,500; Garbo Around $26,500; Stage Ups 'Conunandments/ $12,500 Lbs Angeles, June 6. With weather rather unsiettled, theatres, fot a better start on the •current' week than had been con- jured for this time of the year, es- pecially the week aftei a holiday. Bain Saturday (4) and thtfeatenlng weather gunday helped box offlces considerably. Garbo and 'Desire MV at the State is- running a bit . Ahead: of the Chinese, Sphere 'Grand Boter is in its sixth week. Chinese ts how eivirig WiU Mahoney heavy bining and attributing repeats to hl9 draw power. Paul Ash, after a good start at tfie RKO and getting house the best take it has had in many a moon, went Into his second stanza tn tl^ top form. Orpheiim also add- ing new life with vaude policy. Estimates for This. Week Chinese (Fox) (2,028; 60-$l.B0), ^3tend Hotel'' ,(H--G.) and stage ■how (6th week). Drop about «^,600 below'I>ecoration Day week, which talt close to $25,900. . Oownt6wn (WB) (1,800; 26-66), ^olly Louvain' .(FN) and vaude. Ot£ at 18,100.. 'Rich Are Always With Us' (WB) close to ?i2,00O last .Wtiek. I ■ • ' ' Hollywood (WB) (2,766; 35-7B), rrenderfoot' (FN). Bigger than an- : ilclpated at $15i500, but Won't hold. Women did not rave over Robinson Jn Two Seconds' (WB), so it .bid tareWeil with $13,600 la&t week. . ' Orpheiim (2,270: 36-90),, 'Radio Patrol' and vaude. P'cture not rated of heaviest .calibre ^nd despite Tajiiile names Indicates only_^10,- OOO, but a profit 'Flesh Is Weak' <M-6) plus campaign oh new vaude poUcy did trick here Ijiat week, get-r ting an even f12,000, which means» • success. , Pantaoes (Fox) (2.700; 10r40-65- 'Tansan*. (M-6). and stage ■ a^ow. Not more than $6,600. 'Scax- fode' (UA) disappointing as with hpUday seBsion did only $7,BO0. . Paramount Publix) (8,696; 36-^$l), TForgotteh Commandments' (Par) and stage show. Stage show out<- standing feature of program and jnay help to around $12,600. 'Clara Dcfan' (Par) was no holiday bait as. take could, not make $12,000. RKO (2,960; / 26-60), 'Night World' <U) d,nd stage show. Looks as 'though Paul Ash policy is going to'Click. Lew Ay res picture will be. jMSt incidental to $10,ei00. 'Are Tou Listening* (M-Q) and flret ve0k of Paul Ash good at $12,000. dtato (Loew-Fox) (2,024; 35-75), *Deslre Me* (M-Q) and stage .show. Gar^ BUi^eflrd her^, arpund $26,600 win te no. surprise. 'Feller Needs a Friend' (M-G) had them there ah4 $26,000 the answer. . v ELLINGTON'S $20,000 AMONG CINCY'S OK BIZ DENVER $14,000 AND ORPH $15,000 TICKLE Denver. June 6. Garbo's 'Deslr6' is pulling strong' and backed by flnie-stage show thi!> looks like a big week at the Denver. Snappy vaude layout at the Or- phieum also draw, but with 60-cent top gross does not pile up as fast as formerly. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Huffman) (1,600; 35-60- 76)—-Vivlenne Ware' (Fox). Around $6,500. Last week 'Young America' (Fox) did a nosedive to $4,500,, poorest in weeks, and; with a holi- day at that. Denver (Publix) (2,300; 26-40-66> —'Desire Me' (M-G) and stage show. Will show very good $14,000. Last week, 'Two Seconds' (FN) an Qkay $11,100. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 26-36f50) —'Flesh Is Weak' (M-Q) and vaude. AU right at $16,000 pace.' I^ast week 'Are You Listening?' . (M-Q) only $10,000. Paramount (Publlx) (2,000; ^5-36- 50)—'Sinners In Sun' (Par). A moderate $6,030. Last week 'Night Court' (M-Q) $6,900, fair. Rialto (Huffman) (900; 2B-35-B0) —'Room 13' (Fox)i A little slow on $3,000. Last week 'Scandal tor Sale* (U). An averagp $3,600 deisplte un favorable reviews.. EMPTIES IN It. 0. Only $12,000 for 'Desire' This Week —Orph $7,000, State $8,000 New Orleans. June 6. Neai-ly all Idcstl film exchanges are being sued for $750 each by. the State of Louisiana for. past license funds due, and the Saenger has cut its prices to 26-36-60. House has Garbo currently In 'Desire Me' and Greta has attracted greater grosses. As for the other houses the empties are too plentiful. . Estimates for This Week Saenger (3,400; 25-35-60)—'Desire Me'-H[M-Q). From indications will- not pass $12,000. Last week MItzl Green drawing above 'Sinners' (Par), for $12,000. Pola KTegrl in person next week. Loew's State (3,260; 60)^'Love Is a Backet.' Another . $8,000 week looms because few are approaching the stalls. Last week 'Vlvlenne Ware' tried and found wanting, JUst $8,000. . . Orpheum (RKO) <2,600; 26-^- 50)—'For this Defense' (Col). Will be smothered to the tune of $7,000, too many . attorneys ^ahd attorney titles recently. . Last week 'Radio Patrol* (Radio) $8,000. Tudor (800; 36)-^'Man About Town.' Will drop house to- $1,600. Last week 'Two \Seconds' tolled $2,200.:-: • ^ • • Pitt's Trodile 1$ Hea^, Stan Tops Peiin, $21,000 NO ST. L BLUES WITH BIZ IN BLACK . Cincinnati. June 6. Biz . Is jup" despite the climbing tehiperature. 'Scarface' and 'As Tou Desire Me' are the particular magnets. Duke Ellington Is also pepping the Albee gate to a very nice $20,000. on the final week of RKO vaude Into this stand. Next week F&M comes in. Joining the darkened Strand will be' Keith's an. unrefrlgerated house, Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3.800; 35-65)— •Strangers of the Evening' (Tiff) and vaude. Duke Ellington and band top the stage lineup. This Is final week for RKO acts, stage fare changing to P&M units nejtt Week, Pulling at a nice $20,000 gait. Last \ week 'Tenderfoot' (FN). $17,560, not I bad, either, ' Lyric (RKO) (1,285; 30-50)—'As Tou Desire Me' (M-G). Garboing tin a corking $11,600, plenty oke liast week 'Two Seconds' (FN) $7. SOO, so-so. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 30-50)— •Scarface' (UA). Extra newspaper bally of film's thrilling gangster story helping to build to $14,500 good. Last week 'Vlvlenne Ware' (Fox) $13,000, nice. . . Capitol. (RKO) (2,200; 30-50)— •Society Girl' (Fox). J^nies Dunn bigger-typed than title. Looks like $8,000, fair. Last week 'Huddle; (M-G) $11,600, strong. Keith's. (Llbson) (1,-00; 25-40)— *No Greater Love' (Fox). Closing attraction for this unchillcd hou.'?c until fall should hit $3,500, fair. Last week 'Wiser Sex' (Par),. $3,700 Family (RKO) (1,000; 15-25)— •Qhost Valley' (Fox) and Xove In Hi^rh Gear' (Mayfair). SpUt week $2,800, fair. Ln^t week 'Rider of Death Valley' (U) and 'Hell's Head quarters' (*:a:yfalr), $3,000. Strand (RKO) (1,350; 25-40)— Went shut for summer last week, with 'Scandal for Sale! (U) drawing close to average $3,000. Plttsbdrgh, June 6, Hot . weather continuing to crimp things. Af-^r a brief riespite last week, with holiday, bolstering a bit, matters are settling back into their jiormal stride, and normalcy here isn't so forte any more. > Penn and tho Stanley currently have name stage attractions Mn Johnny Welssmuller. and Earl Hlhes, the colored band looking like the best bet. at the Stan. Estimates for This Week Davrs (WB) (1,750; iO-l6-2B-36- 60)i 'State's Attorney' (Radio) Moved here after turning in nice gross a,t the Warner for preceding session. Laid principally to Bar rymore draw Inasmuch as picture ftiUowlng 'Mouthpiece.' . Should' mianage $3,000 here. Last week •Destry* (U) about same. Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1,800; 10- 15-26-35-BO), 'Young Bride' (Radio).' Weak, but two-for-ones should per- mit average showing. - Looks IIk6 miaximum of $6,000. Last weekr'So- ciety Girl' (Fox) around $5,400. Penn (Loew-UA) (3,300; 25-35- C0-7B), 'Reserved for Ladies' (Par) and Weissmuller in person. Book- ing switches at last minute brought. Leslie Howard filni In after 'Sin- ners In Sun' and 'Clara Deane' had both been penciled. English-made figured no draw, with Howard still mostly a stage name. Looks like disappointment, around $16,500, poor. Last week 'Huddle' (M-G) brutal at $15,000. Stanley (WB) (3,600; 26-36-60), Street of Women' (FN) and Earl Hlnes. band. Combo should niove along to fair $21,000, all right everything considered. Last week •Two SiBConds' (FN) and Tashm'an in person around $23,000. Warner (WB) (2.000; 26-35-60). 'Man About Twoh' (Fox). Lucky to stagger to weak $7,000. Last week 'St^-te's Attorney' (Radio) all right at $10,500. . SC. Louts, June 6. The cin mas are enjoying their few days before the Muny opera, which opened last hlgjit and which ilsually cots into grosses.' Hov/ever, picture houses stand to malutaln recent averages this week. Ambassador will do a . little bet ter than that with Bing Crosby. In person. . Loew's State looks up. a little too. with the Jalckle Cooper picture. Others will be happy to get the average. . 'Estitnates For This Week Ambassador (Par) (3.000 ; 86-60 66)—'Love Is a Racket' (FN) and BIng Crosby In person. CSrooner responsible for what looks like the- atre's first nice money in weeks. $20,000. Last week 'Rich AlWays With Us' (FN) an okaiy $16,300. , Fox (fox) (6,000; 25-36-50)— •Vivienhe Ware' (Fox) and ..unit. No big money here again this week, not. over $12,000, Just fair. Last week 'Society Girls' (Fox) $14, 900, up a little. Loew's Stat* (3,000; 25r35.-50)— 'Feller Needs a Friend* (M-G). Headed for a mild $10,000. Last week 'As Tou Desire Me* (M-G) $20,500, Okay. _ ' Missouri (Par) (3,500; 25-35-60) Street' Of Women' (WB) and 'Steady Company* (U). Drawing fairly, $7,000. Last week 'Clara Deane' (Par) and 'Destry Rides Again' (U) $6,600. average. , Hfelcome' Tab Heats CE Bott$I2,00(| U. S. PAY cut PROSPECT HURTING WASHINGTON Washington, June 6. With Congress playing around with the government payroll, the regular picture patrons are staying home and wondering what's, solos to happen. Good pictures still stand up, though the grosses are somewhat curtailed. ' ■ Efetirnates for This Week Columbia (Loew) (1,232; 60-$l- $1.60) 'Grand Hotel' (M-G-M). Fourth and final week will do a}>out $8,500; .last week $10,000, great four-week engagement. Earle (Warner) (2,244; 26^35-60- 70) 'Strange Love of Molly Lbuvaln' <WB) and Horace. £[eldt band. First time this musical organiEatloh here, since its grand clean-up. at the Fox and is repeating, $18,000, which thO: bouse did also last week with 'Ten- derfoot,' Joe E. Brown being real b. o. here. Fox (Loew) (26-35-60) «New Morals for Old' (M-Q) - and Loew unit with Harry Rose. Probably about $18,00.0; . last vfeek with Johnny Weissmuller on stage and 'Society Girl' grossed looked to be $23,600. Met (Warner) (1,700; 2Br3B-50- 70)—^'Congress Dances' . (U; A.).. Stepped up on advertising and looks set for about $9,000; latt week 'So Big' got to $6,000. Keith's (RKO) (:,834; 25-35-50)— •Westward: Passage' finds Ann Harding not drawing up to previous pictures—maybe it was 'Prestige' that did it—but the week will come through okay at around $9,500; last with 'Radio Patrol' (U) and cut 'Russia's 6-Year Plan' about $6,000. Palace (Loew) (2,363; 35-60-75)— 'As You Desire Me' (M-Q). Being held for second week: and will, get about $8,000 against $12,000 on first Rialto (U)' (1,070; 25-35-60-70)— Opened after, shutting tor the sum- mer on a rental to launch a Mexi- can-made picture, "Flame of Mexi- co.' Gave opening night away for a biallyhoo, and will probably at- tract enough to pay the week's rient, anyhow. . IniGanapolis Holds Up; In^ Maybe $20,000 'SOCIEn GIRL'HOLDS UP IN DETROIT OFF-WEEK 'Detroit, June 6. This Is the last week for the United Artists, leaving four first- runs from a high total of nine. General picture complexion runs to personal appearances. The. Fox, with Flfl D'Orsay, McLaglen and Lowe, will get a few extra dollars, and tho Mills Bros, for a repeat dat« will-also add on at the Fisher. Rain spoiled the weekend ;as .far as any real business was concerned. Estimates for This Week Michigan (4,045; 15-35-60-75), 'For Defense' (Cjol) and stage show. Will do $25,000, fair. I^St week Lombardo and Burns and Allen for very good $38,200. Fishop (2.CC5; 15-35-60-75), 'Molly Louvain' (FN) and Mills Bros, in person. Around $10,000, Last \veck •Tenderfoot' (FN) oke at $14,200. Fox (5,100; 15-25-50), 'Society Girl* (Fox) and stage show. Near $18i000. Last week 'Man /About Town' (Fox) nice On $13,600. United Artists (2,018; 15-35-60- 76), 'De.sire Me' (M-G) (2d week). Aboiit $12,000. Last week same film a fair $13,200. wmx; $11,000. IS MERRIEST IN K. C Kansas City, June 6. Loew's Midland Is making a poor showing with 'When a Feller Needs a Friend' while the Malnstreet with 'Rich Are Always With Us' and the Newmah showing. 'Merrily' We Go to Heir are little better. The • Newman, 6ifter giving an automobile away on two Friday evenings, discontinued the free car but may renew it later as the gag gave the. house a big Friday night. Estimates for This Week Liberty (Publlx-Dubinsky) (860; 10-15-25) "Broken Wing' (Par). Since the reduction in price the little house has been grinding along nicely and this week will bold up the average to a fair $3,000. Last week 'Mouthpiece* (WB), $3,800. Loew's Midland (Loew) (4,000; 25r60) 'When a Feller Needs a Friend' (M-G). Not so hot consider- ing the Jiackle Cooper-'Chl.c* Sale followers here; $12,000, poor. Last week 'As You Desire Me' (M-G) okay with $19,000. Mainstreet (RKO) (3,200 ; 25-36- 60) 'Rich Always With Us' (FN). Chatterton expected to draw heav- ily but plus the. staige show $13,000 is poor. Last week 'Office Girl' and Doctor Rockwell, heavily featured, better at $15,500. , Newmah (Publix-Dublnsky) (1,- 81)0; 25-35-50) 'Merrily We Go to Heir (Par); From the story 'I, Jerry, Take Thee, Joan* which ran in the 'Star,' helps a little; nice $11,000 pace. Last week 'Street of Women' (WB) $6,000, poor. ABTHUB KOBER TO €01. . Hollywobd, June 6. Arthur Kobei*, writer; may land on the Columbia lot by the end of this week. Kober's Paramount contract ex-, plred Friday (10). Indianapolis. June .6. A barrage of nauseating acid laid down in the Indiana and Circle, Skoiu-as-Publlx deluxers, didnlt bother the Indiana last week, buj^ dropped the Circle further in the red. Labor trouble caused the stench attacks, it Is "believed, al- though B. :V. Sturdivant, district manager, refused to comment. Sturdivant also refuses to elaborate or dhange his announcement that the two houses will close this Thursday (9). Newspaj)ers have been publishing appeals to prevent further stench attacks so tjie the- atres can remain open. The In- diana had the WLW radio tab show. The Indiana has Guy Lombardo. and 'Love Is a Racket' this week. Bcrkell stock, at Kelt'''s. has closed for'the summer. Estimates for This Week Apollo (Fourth. Ave.) (1,100; 25- 35-50), 'Society Glr— 'Fo_). In for a pleasant. $5,000 week. Jimmy Dunn' pictures have been warmly received here. Last week 'Man About Town' (Fox) fair at $4,500. Circle (Skouras-Publix) (2,600; 25-35-60), 'Reserved for Ladies' will have to climb to make $3,000, poor. Last week 'Young Bride' (Radio) and 'Clara Deane* (Par) around $4,000. Indiana (Skouras-Publix) (3,300; 35-50-75), 'Love Is a Racket' (FN) and Guy Lombardo band oh stage. Maybe $20,000, good. They go for radio outfits In this town. Prices scaled up from 25-50-65 to 35-60-75. Last week 'Forgotten Command- ments' (Par) and WLW stage show reaped $20,000 despite stench bombs. Lyric (Fourth Ave.) (2,600; 25-35- 50), 'While Paris Sleeps' (Fox) and Adelaide Half -on stage. Should keeij. close to '$9,000. Last week: Speedway race crowd boosted to ? 11,000 for 'CoheniB and Kellys.* Loew's Palace (Loew) (2,800; 25 35-50), 'Beast of City' (M-G). Will saunter for $6i500. Last week 'Do sire Me' (M-G) rather tame for Garbo, but finished at $7,000. Mar<:h's 1 Up and Down Holly wood,.June 6 Fredric March has been given the lend in 'Sign of the Cross,' but lo^es 'Farewell to Arm,s' to Gary Cooper, Chicago, June 6, Weather: warmish to hot. Pop* ulatlon: disappearing tp the beaches aind parks. Despite the discouraging factors Publlx-B. & K. Is beginning a de- termined drive to rebuild' grosses, particularly at the two ace spots. Oriental and Cihicago. Circuit has; loosened up on all type^s of app^p-. prlatlons. from advertising to names. In th9 determination to play the game across the board. At the CJh^cago currently 'Every- body's Welcome*. (tab) is getting the big play both from the ads abfid pa- trbnagfe. , Coupled with 'Society. Girl* (Fox) show looks like another' ginning week, the second consecu- tive profit-mtUier, which Is . news' these days for the bis spots. The Oriental is also doing the 'special attraction' thing, using Genel Dennis, thd m^ntalist. in conjunction with, the Fanchon-Marco stage show. •Westward Passage,' despite Ann Harding, .is having a dlfllcult time surmounting the mausoleum atmos- phere which has been pervading the State-Lake for months. . Estimaitas for This Week Chicaflo (Publiz-B. & K.) (41000; 50-76-86)—'Society Girl' (Fox), and. 'Everybody's Welcome* (tab) , on stage. Flicker originally slated for' Oriental, and playing second flddl.e to stage show here. Prospects bright for fine $38,000. Last \treek 'Desire Me' (M-Q) also high on $38,200. Oriental (Publlx-B. & K.) (3,200; 60-75-86)—'Two Seconds' (WB) and • stage show. Flicker on a 'pink,' after having been thumbed down by censors. 'Chicago World's Fairest,' Fanchpn & Mayco. show, ■. means something since' .unit cchtalns 16 Cbl femme contest winners. And Gene Dennis, the mental worker, on top. . Expected to build'and prophetesiB will hold for second week. Combination may connect for good enough $24,000. Last week 'Feller Needs a Friend' (M-Q) fairish at. $22,800. Palace (RKO) (2,B0»; 60-76-85) — 'Night World' (U) and "vaude, Benny Rubin-Jack Haley headlln* '. ing,. but.maybe $20,000 hardly, fair. Last week seven acts aided 'Fergu« son C:ase' (WB) to poor $19,200. State-Lake (RKO) (2.700; 35-40. 60)—'Westward Passage* (Radio). Price cuts no longer a,help.' Ann Harding managing to hold film to possible $12,000. "Radio PatrPl* (U) a melancholy one-weaker at $7,200. United Artists (Publix-UA) (1,- 70O; BO-76-86)—'Congress - Dances' (UA). Favorable reports from critics, but hardly more than one week at Indicated $12,000. 'Letty . Lynton' (M-G) finished a fine three weeks to $10,400. 'Tenderfoot* (WB) < to follow,' demonstrating the tight- . ness of the product situation. Woods (Jones) (1,200; 50-$l- $1.50)—'Grand HoteV (M-(3) (7th . week). May last Into July. House • has readjusted its scale, adding more 50c and $1 seats. Off about $7,000 frPm capacity, but last week^ with Memprlal day extra show, touched .fine $14,200. Currently should stock near $12,000. 'Desire'$11,000 at Ohio Widrant a Stage Siow Columbus. June 6. •Deslte; Me' a;hd Qarbo giving the Ohio the break this week with this house sans a isiage show for the first time in its history. Closing of the Broad expected to be of soma help to the Palace, too, this week, with 'Mouthpiece' highly publicized. Stock at the Hartman had a light week and had no effect on the film houses lost week. " Estimates for This Week Palace (RKO) (3,074; 25-40). '.Mouthpiece' (WB). Indicates .fair $5,000. Last week World' poor $3,200. Loew (Loew-UA). 'Desire Me' (M-G). good $11,000 even though house has cut matinee prices. Last week '.Vivienne Ware' (Paj-) and final stage show a:bout $12,400. Grand (Neth) (1,100; 15-33), 'Ten- derfoot' (FN). Fair enough $4.OQ0. Last week 'Two Seconds' (WB) $4,600. Majestic (RKO) (1,100; 10-25), 'Amateur Daddy' (Fox). . Will draw on Ba':ttcr name and Should toi) $2,600. Last w^ek 'While Paris Sleeps' (Fox) $2,200, moderate. Broad (Loew-UA) (2,500; 25-40). Now dark. Last week 'Huddle' (M-G) got fair- $6,700, 'Explorers of (3,000; 25-50), Should garner