Variety (Aug 1932)

10 VARIETY P I CT V E CROSSES Tuesday/August 30, 1932 Mpk. SizzDng with Wow Trade: 1)own to Earth; Dandy $15,000; Minneapolis. Aug. 29 The happy combination 6t good product and Hrst-rate showmanship is still leaping the hurdlej3 which impeded box-oince prosperity. As far as leadiiis loop sliowhouses are concerned, the depression has been over for more than a month. • If pictures continue to maintain recent quality standards .local theatrical ofllclals- br^ coniBdent that the good times wlU ' continue Indeflnltely. A factor In . the Improvement doubtlessly is the lessened seating capacity, due to the closing, of the 4,200-seat Minnesota and 1.800-seat tJentury,-formerly-the -Publlx ace houses. Publix ajpparently Is con Biderable money ahead in keeping th^se theatres dark. .'Down to Karth' Is the current big box-offlce noise, but "War Corre spondentV and 'White Zombie' also are going great guna. The Will Rogers* picture at the State has the town by Its ears. A. big opening was Just about all that 'Down to E^h* needed, and it got that big opening and Is. oft on Its way . to give the leadliig. Publlx theatre an- other highly profitable week. :RKO Orphcum circused the Mar- ciis Show, putting out more sheets than the Rlngll'ng circus. It also played up the revue's allegedly sen- satlonc^I .^eprtures In its clever ad- veftlstng' . Aa a result, the stage show: la more of a magnet than "Wax Co/Tespondent/ although Holt and Craved draw here- Sensational and skillful advertis- ing also la bringing customers In for "White Zomljfe' at the Lyric and la delivering by sending the cus- tomers away talking about it. .Opposition of the 'Walkathon,' drawing 11,000 nightly at the munl- 'ci|){Ll aiQdltorlum. may be affecting theatrical .iattehddhce adversely, but iQOi^'tooi-oflice'results are gratify- ing nevertheless, i ■ 'Horse-^Feathers' did so big at the Stat^ laat week that It was moved Iiiiti^dlately . to the. Uptown, lead- injET' PUbil^t neighborhood house, for a-40<;Qnd:-^CQnsec.utive we<^k In town. S^calii: Is.;the same at both theatres. ;C>;EBtiMi»te« for Thi« Week fiiiiki,^(^W.lx) (2,200; BB) 'Down to Eai;!th'', (Fox>. On6 of the best Wilt; Rofeeirs pictures, and Roger? alway^., sji^e-flre here, word-of- mou^ is-'-boosting plenty for a d^q'dy '$16;000. Strong supporting prdgwun -of. shorts. I^ast week, 'Hors.e Feathers' (Par), hurt by bad weather break last couple of nights, but Immense $17,400 just the same. Orpheam'(RKO) (2,890; BSy 'War Correspondent' (Col) and Marcus Show on stage. Heavliest explolta- tlbn campaign In months for Mar- cus Show which Is being sold as an American ver.<ilon of the French •Folles Sergere' with plenty of scantily di^P.ed femininity. All of whlcli Is bearing box-office fruit; should top .$12,000, big. Last week, 'Blonde Captive' (Col) and Hobart Bosworth In person, hurt by weather, $11,000. - Lyric (Publlx) (1,300; 3B) "White Zombie' (UA>. Effective exptoita- tioh for this shocker and public ap- parently hasn't had fill of this sort of splne-chUllng fare; about $8,000 indicated, bi^. Last week, 'Rich Are Always With Us' (FN), |6,900, good. Grand (Publlx) (1.100; 8B) 'Red Headed Wohian' (M-G), second loop run; and 'By Whose Hand' (Col) split, should reach good $2,000. Last week, 'Sunnybrook. Farm' (Fox), second loop run, and 'Bachelor Affairs' (Fox), $1,600, fair. Aster (Publlx) (900; 26) 'Man About Town,' 'Girl Crazy' (Par) and IMake Me a Star'. (Par), divid- ing week; two latter second loop runs; about $1,200, good. Last week, 'Office Girl' (RKO), 'Are These Our Children' ■ (RKO) and 'Lost Squadron' (RKO), divlvling week, latter two second loop rims, $900, light. Bank's Marquee Bid A showman, back from the . aouth,' Is- figuring on puttting his money In future in a Ral- elgh, N. C, bank. ■ 'He found one there called the Watchovla Trust Co. Taradise' Features Balto's BO. Parade; ahrorce' to $17,01 lO-Percenters File New Suits for Commissions Los Angeles, Aug. 29. Three agents who have previous- ly filed suits for commissions against clients have started new cases to recover their .10% on earn- ings made since original actions started. • , Leo Morrison attached the Fox salary of Spencer Tracy in a new $700 Municipal court suit. This makes the fourth action totaling: $4,500 by the agent against Tracy. Frank & Dunlap also filed suit against George Bancroft asking llO.bOO as one-tenth of his salary for his last Paramount picture. . Baltlmoire, Aug. 29. Business continues on the hearty upsv/ing currently, which will mean higher totals at practicaily every theatre In this town. Many reasons offered by the explaining exhlbs: the return of the vacationists, the start of the new season, and some of the exhlbs ar« even ■ willlrig to talk about better product. . This burg Is girding for a new season of stage fare all around, and it's likely that before October rolls around there will be five vaude the- atres on the main grind. That'll take • In the Hippodrome, Century «ind Keith's, with'the New and Au- ditorium aa hot possibilities. This area Is strictly vaude-consclous. Auditorium Is now under the eye of. Len McLaughlin, who's trying to set the house first as the roadr show arena of this town, and Is hik- ing up to New York this week to contact the film home offices about those two-a-day ^pios. "Bird of Paradise' rates as the ace. ticket seller of the current week, the femmes ' gulping down their lunches In order to be on time for the low-down on South Sea la- lahd free love: Also counting were the highly happy notices. Backed by pne of the most In- tense cainpalgns ever In the local Hearst rag, 'Blondie of the FollleB' got away at a neat pace. New the- atre, which snapped 'American Mad- ness' off the screen last week after two days, may bring the filcker back later In the season. Just waiting for the bank-run scare (whlc^h, by the way, was unfounded iand blew up within 48 hours) to be complete-, ly forgotten. Down at the off-street Rivoll, the clouds continue dark in the pres- ent receivership operation. About the only product 'available for this spot is British output, and English talkers In this house is comparable to the same type of film fare down on the Bowery or oh Madison and Halstead. They want scarred faces and horses; hot 'by jove' and after- noon tea. Estimates for This Week. Century (Loew-UA) (3,000; 38-40- 65-65-75)—'Divorce In Family' (M- G) and 'Rio Rita' tab. Stage show name Is counting at the front gate, and in combo with the- Jackie Cooper-filcker, is heading the gross to higher altitudes at hey-hey $17, 000. 'Crooner' (FN) last week had an erratic stay to finish on. the fair upside at $13,800. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,iB00; 25-35-50)—'Bird of Paradise' (Ra- dio) and vaude. Little Jack Little headlining Is a lady's card, and this flicker is femme picture what is. Put 'em both together,; tliey spell $11,000, something to remember 'em by. 'Ase of Consent' (Radio) pre ceding stanza batted pleasant profits at $9,100. Keith's (Schanberger) (2,4od; 15- 25-40)—'Big City Blues' (WB). And that's, about the shade oC the box ofllce currently. House needs some- thing to scoop it out of the wal- lows. Figuring on vaiide as the re- cuscltator. If something isn't done shortly, may take a pulmotor. Cur- rently maybe $2,000, while last week's 'Devil and Deep' (Par) was no better at Its $2,200. New (Mechanic) (1,800; 25-40-50) —'Passport to Heir (Fox). Picking house up a bit on th6 sex angle here, which gets the shoppers, milling in this theatre's vicinity. On its mati- nee strength, may touch $5,500. Last week five days of repeat for 'Con- gorilla* (Fox) meant $1,800, disap- polntin.g'. Stanley (Loew-UA) (3.600; 25-40- 55-05-75)—'Blondie o£ Follies' (M- G). Getting the night time trade from the more sophisticated mob. Likely to scamper to $12,000, happy enough. 'Doctor X' (FN) managed to mystify fair $9,900 into the turn- stiles, t ' IHRD'-WARING BEST IN PROV., $12,000 • Providence, Aug. 29. Houses facing'abbiit the toughest opposition of the season, but despite this things look pretty rosy. Oppo- elsh la headed by Fred Waring and hia band at the RKO Albee; Wayne King and hla band at Rhodes for one night engagement (29); opening of Conn'is new Metropolitan theatre with eight acts of vaudeville and picture for the top price of 30c., and the reopening of Modern (27) -with burlesque. 'Bird of Paradise' the. feature at the Albee. is being strengthened by Warlng^B band, and-gross Is expect- ed to reach $12,000. Twin-bill at the Majestic headed by 'Congorllla' looks like the winner In the first run movie division. 'Horse t'ealhers* being held over at Paramount. . Eatimatea for This Week Loew'a State (3,700; 16-5B-7B)— 'Last Mile^ (W-W). House, .selling picture from all angles in attempt to offset handicap of no names In the casti but hiot Mkely to do any- thing over $7,000. Last week 'Blondie of the Follies* (M-G) waa the strongest gross house has had in months: okay at $10,500. RKO Albee (2,300; 16-BB-66)— 'Bird of Paradise' (Radio) and vaude with Fred Warlng's P'ennsylvanlana headlining. Houae built up picture with extra spreads In the news- papers.. Waring Is expected to tilt gross to $12,000. Last week 'Hold 'Em Jair (Radio) was okay but largely because of vaudeville; $8,700. Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 15-66)— 'Congorllla' (Fox), and 'Unholy Love' (Allied). Nice twln-blU with the Johnsons' film holding the spot- light. Great possibilities for .fine gross, most likely $9,000. Last week Doctor X' (FN) and 'Crooner' (FN) okay at $8,600: Paramount (2,200; 15-66)—'Horse Feathers* (Par).' second week not so forte; nothing over $6,000 In pros- pect as feature, probably showed all its strength the first week when. It skyrocketed to a splendid $11,600, which represents more than double the coin house has been getting all summer. ■ RKO Victory (1,600; 10-26-30)— 'By . Whose Hand7* (Col), and 'My Pal the Itine* (U). Bill not half bad aiid showing fairly good strength; chances iafe for at least $2,000. Last week 'Hollywood Speaks' (Col), and 'Wild Women of Borneo' (First Div) so-so at $1,400. °. Metropolitan (Conn) (3,400; 10- 26-30)—"From Broadway to Chey- enne*'with eight acts'of vaudeville first half, ai^d 'Docli;s :Of. San Fran- cisco* last halt with vaudeville. Novelty of a new house will put these pictures In the money this week. At least $6,600, okay. Last half of last weiek 'Race Track' soared skyward on crest o( opening to swell $3,700. Ifirf Smash $18,000; BeDBett's Off $24,000 Among Detroit's Biz 50^000 Titles Film Industry has a surplus of titles estimated to exceed 60,000. This represents the col-. .lection since the Hays Com- mittee on Title Registration was establlslied in New York In 1926. Where the cpm.blhed majpi^ companies neyer use over BOO 'feature titles Iii the course of a production year, the report which will be maiae at the an- nual meeting, of the committee, due In September,' shows. that during the past' year 4,600 titles have been filed. Cool but It much. For Detroit, Aug. 29. weather, over the week-end didn't help all houses very the . third week business . Is better at the Downtown which will do a terrific $18,000 with 'Bird of Paradise,' meaning a certain second week.. The Fox Is still suffering from a combination of bad second choice pictures and iinlon troubles. Labor dlfBcultles are being worked on, but the picture prospect still looks dark.. Last week the Fox went to a new low of $9,000, which means that the stage shows , miust come back. In the meantime it-is headaches for all respionslble for the straight picture policy. . Estimates for This Week Michigan (4,046; 15-35-72-75)-^ ■Two Against the World* (WB) and stage show. At. $24,000 house. is off a little. Last'week 'Blondie of the Follies' (M-G) was Very big at $36,100. Downtown (2,750; 15-25-55)—'Bird of Paradise' (RKO). A smash at $18,000. Lost week 'Age of Inno- cence' (RKO) -Was good at $9,000. Fisher . (2,666; 15-36-72-75) — 'Downstairs' (M-G). Fair $13,000. Last week 'Horse Feathers' (Par) in its second Week okay at $17,000. Fox (6,100; 16-25-55)—'War Cor- respondent' (Col). This one bought after Publix turned it down. Names may help It, but the lack of stage show will offset; bad $10,000. Last week 'The Purchase Price' (WB) was also a second choice picture, all bringing plenty of western spaces' in the auditorium that is big enough for a ball park. A very bad and new low $9,000. 'ExphHtatioii Days h Dixie' Ups Seattle AyOyenliird'llG's V ^eattie. Aug. 29, Fleet Week,*" with Its fr^e Street shows, dragged Into this.'week'and isn't any, theatre help any more,, although the rainy week end offset that satisfactorily. Local showmen are doing all they can for exploiting tand trying to sell what they have to best mioney. Fox-. West Coast northwest division Is not sparing on selling. Vic Gaunt- Wtt, adv. mgr.,'has Harold Schaeffer handling ' special exploitation for Fifth Ave., theatre. Bob Armstrong, here as . p. a. when Paramount 'waa running Its own ace house, latterly with Jisnsen-von Herberg, Is now special adv. for Fox theatre. This combo Is going after results. Evi- dently Frank Newman, Sr., dlv. mgr., believes in extensive bally. Ted Champion for Hamrlck Is writing f^ome nifty adv. copy^ This week for 'Igloo' theatre fr.Qnt Is at- mospheric aplenty, while truck with Igloo atop trailer; and two dog sleds, the parade in command of three men, is doing the streets. At Orpheum Jack Sampson is new adv; man. This week. Is Fifth anniversary for opening local.new Orpheum,. so Mayor Dore was on hand Sunday night to cut big birth- day cake. Last .week as living bal- lyhoo for • 'Bird of Paradise,'. Mgr. Herb Sobottka used free show in outer - lobby, six sailor boya . with string Instruments, tap and local hula dancer. Liberty Is the leader in. selling cars for $1; now doing this weekly, giving car for this value every Fri- day nights Reckoned to help around $1,200 a week, and figure the cost of a Ford V-8 for yourself. Fox' houses this week also are giving away two Nashes to the tune of $1 each. It's helping biz; The boys here are mingling merchandis- ing of autos, exploitation and adver- tsing to sell their wares and, con- sidering these Items, they are sell- ing pretty well, too. Blanche Sweet is headline attrac- tion at Fifth Ave. stage show this week. Estimates for This Week . Fifth Ave. (FWC) (2,300; 25-65)— 'Blondie of the Follies' (M-G). Heavy billing for .Marlon Davles and Robert Montgomery; Blanche Sweet headlining F & M stage show. Looks to reach corking $13,600. Last week 'Horse Feathers' (Par) got sensa- tional dough, $16,000. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 26-35-40) —'Bird of Paradise' (Radio). .Great advance plugging and, best -week in a long time; a good $9,500. Last week 'Age of Consent' (Radio) off at $4,200. . . Fox (FWC) (2,100; 26-65)—'Horse Feathers' (Par). Hot release follow- Ins Fifth Ave., aind above average take of .$6,000; Last week 'Speak Easily* (M-G). Nothing out of or- dinary, although pic liked and stage band presentation, oke; $4,000. Liberty (Jensen-von Herberg) (2,000; .10-15-25)—'Race Track' (Tiff). Car a week for $1, is aid in reaching okay $4,500. Last week 'Man Called Back' (Tiff) nice biz at $5,100. ' Music Box (Hamrlck) (900; 26- 35)—'Igloo'. . (U). Big campaign helped to fair $2,800. Last week 'Stranger in Town' (WB) wasn't the hottest thing in town, around $3,000. Coliseum (FWC) (1.800; 15-30)— '"Vanishing Frontier' (Par) and 'Huddle' (M-G) split week. House holding nice. biz gains, in fourth week leading all houses in circuit, for percentage increases in contest. Loolcs $3,000, good. Last week 'As You-Desire Me' (M-G) nice pace at $2,700.' SAKNT DABFS SHOSTS Hollywood, Aug. 29. Danny Dare, stage director at the local'Paramount .theatre, will stage three' musical iahorts foV Metro. Jack .Cummii^s wUl suB|ervIee« FRISCO FRISKI^ fiTH STRONG ^ SHOWS San Francisco, Aug. 29. ' Competition. Is of razor keenness this week as four, of the clnema*s ace drawing cards flash across local screens. Bven the dog races andl hundred; and one other a;ttractlona can't stop some faney grosses frooi piling up. . , Buster Keaton and Jlmmle D\ii« rante In 'Speak B&sily,' with swell stage show hesiSed by first week of Jess Stafford's band,: getting th« Warfield off to a snappy start and over U2p,0fli0", looked for. Chevalier ° puljlng the ferns M Paramount; . 'matinees ; heavy and nighi s extra good. Plenty nice wordi^ of-mouth helping here. Fox has Will-Rogers in 'Down to Earth' and extra stage - attractions In Frank and MUt 3rItton's band and.Bro3( Sisters^ together with the regular F & M Idea ahd Walt Roes^ ner In concert. . Other corner of the business square Is- Constance Bennett, Who's holding forth, at Warners In 'Two Against the World,' but Intake weak there.' • •• Golden Gate coming in for muoU extra advertising .on 'Bird of ParM dlse,' Clara Kimball Young in per«i son, ahd biz big. . Naborhood Fox .Ell Capltan, playx Ing deuce rup ' of 'Society Girl,' changed title to 'Society. Qlrl and the Pug,*' and in a district "where a pug la a... little tin god it's helped business considerably^ Estimates for Thia Week Fox (6,000; 60-70) — 'Down to Earth' (Fox) and stage show, -with added namea In the Brlttons' band and Brox Sistera. Will Rogers pull>. Ing and $32,000 a better clip than.In! aeveral. weeks. Last week 'Painted Woman' (Fox) was poor draw at $27,000 -with tab version of 'Follow, Thru' on stage. Golden Qate (RKO) (2,844; 36-6S« 66)—'Bird of Paradise' (Radio) andl ^fa.vi(l& headed by Horace Heldfig band. Heavy competlsh around town but heading for great $16,000. Last week 'Age of Consent' (Radio), wltli Dorothy Wilson, the picture's- lead^i In-personlng over Week-end, n.s. e; at $11,000, - Paramount (Fox) (2,700; .66-66)-* 'Love Me Tonight' (Par). ' Gals gox >lng for Chevalier a.nd .bell is rlng^. Ing. with $18,000. - Last week, seqon^ stanza of 'Horse Feathers' (Pa]^)a got good enough $11,000. . . Warfield (Fox) (2,672; 66-66)— 'Speak Easily',' (M-Q)-. Combo oil Keaton and Durante packs a wallop and It'll be over $20,000, with good Peggy O'Neill stage show marking! opening of Jess Stafford's band. Last week waa fair $17,000 on 'Biff City. Blues' (FN). Warners (1,365; 66-65)—'Two Against World' (WB). Constance Bennett falling to pull, and $7,000 Is poor plckln's. Second week of 'Dr. X' got nearly $9i000, which was, only grand behind opening week; excellent. Six Originals from Pens Of Par's Term Writers Hollywood, Aug. 29. Paramount's advance story de«i partment for development of origin nal Ideas by contract writers, has six stoHes jelling. They are 'Hula,' on which Harvey Ferguson Is working; 'Pied Piper of Paris,* Chevalier yarn being, written by Gquverneur Morris; 'Undesir- able,' assigned .to Thomson Burtis;! 'Lottery. Fever,' Milton Krims' story;; 'Headquarters,' by Hugh Stange, and 'Secretary to the Mayor,' being scripted by Albert Maltz and George Sklar, ' SIMPSON'S DOUBLE TAIK Hollywood, Aug. 29. Engaged for part in Fox's 'Sher- lock Holmes,' Ivan Simpson, English actor, has also been assigned to di- rect dialog on the picture. Picture started Wednesday (24) with CUviB Brook in lead. William K. Howard directs. Simpson Is the Englishman who has been with George Arliss,, on stage and screen, for years. Harry Katz Possible Ass't for John Balaban . Harry Katz, brother of Sam and Publlx division director for Illinois and Indiana, may step lip as an assistant to John Balaban In addi- tion to supervising, from the h. o., operation of his division. J. J. Ru- bens is in Chicago as division man^ ager of the Katz group. As a result of graduar absorption of all theatre operation for Publix, Sam Dembrow now concentrating almost entirely .on film buying- booklng, Balaban has been forced to consider need of an extra assistant. EKO TUBNBACK Los Angeles, Aug. 29. RKO is turning back the lease of the Tacoma Orpheum, which it took over from Pantages, to the house owner, H. S. Poe. Follows circuit's inability to ne- gotiate a pooling deal witli Fox- West Coast whereby RKO would have operation of all houses thetda