Variety (April 1933)

Tuesday, April 4,. 1933 PICTIIttE G S § E S VARIETY New Beer's Eve Consisteiit Uptrend Marks PhiHy; Kasputin,' 16G; Earle, 17G; Fox, 18|4G Philadelphia. April 3. Nothlner really sensational ex- pected. 'Rasputin,' which had a road- show engagement of four weeks at the Aldlne around the Christmas holidays, looks good at the Boyd otad should get a sound $16,000 on the week, which would warrant the holdover that the S-W people have planned. The house average, under new conditions and with the reduced scale, is around $14,000. The Karle is likewise promising with Cab Calloway heading the stage revue and 'Crime of the Cen- tury" on the screen. Good notices were the rule, although the picture caused some difference of opinion, and the getaway pace was satisfac- tory; $17,000 can be expected. The Fox, after a couple of bad weeks, should pick up a little with •Pleasure Cruise'; ought to hit $18,- 600. 'Our Betters' received mixed no- tices on its Stanley opening; no more than $12,000 can be expected, pretty sad after the three and a half weeks of fine trade for '42d Street.' The Stanton, on the other hand, should register a nice gain. Special exploitation and advertising is fig- ured to give 'Gabriel Over the White House' a fine head start, and this picture stands an excellent chance of hitting $11,000, which would mean a swell gain over recent Iiouse aver- age. '42d Street,' moved to the Karlton after its sensational run at the Stanley, should get $6,000, which means two grand over the normal figure for the theatre. Estimates for This '.Veek Arcadia (600; 25-40-50)—'Rome express' (U). Corking bet for this house; $2,900 not impossible. Last week 'Son-Daughter' (MG) weak at $2,000, which was about the figure oxpected. Boyd (2,400; 40-55-)—'Rasputin' (MQ). Second run for this big Bats' rymore picture oft nicely If not sen- sationally; should get $16,000, which would justify a second week. Ijaat week 'Keyhole* (WB) fell just under the hoped-for $12,000 figure. Earle (2,000; 40-66)—'Crime of the Century' (Par) and vaude. Cab C^I loway on stage bill should help d. lot; $17,000 indicated. Last week, *What! No Beer?' (MG)'and vaude only $15,000, not so forte. Fox (3,000; 35-55-75)—'Pleasure Cruise' (Fox) and stage show.; $18, 600 figured, which is an upward trend. Last week 'Sailor's Luck' (Fox) and stage show, weak at $16,- 000; picture being generally panned. Karlton (1,000; 30-40-50) — '42d Street' (WB). Moved here after three and a half swell weeks at Stanley. Should get $6,000. Last week 'Clear All Wires' (MG) fairly Sood at $3,900. Keith's (2.000; 15-25-35)—'Race- track' (WW) and vaude. Carrillo picture floured better than some of house's recent attractions. Another $7,000 expected, with a posslbirity for half a grand more. Last week • "Manhattan Tower' (Rem) and vaude. after three bad weeks went back almost to $7,000 mark, which should be clnssifled as satisfactory Stanley (3,700; 40-55)—'Our Bet- ters' (RKO). Notices decidedly mixed. Artistic picture witli just a fair weelt forecast. Not more than $12,000. Last week '42d Street' (WB) ffot its expected $14,500 in last *ix if'.ya. Stanton (1,700; 30-40-55)—'Ga- briel' (MC). Big exploitation and advertisinsr campaign should help plenty. No reason why gross shouldn't top $11,000, which would be four grand over recent average. Last week 'Men Must Fight' (MG) poor at .*C,r>00. So Much B. O. Patronage, It's Surprising N. H. Mgrs. New Haven, April 3. Tough to figure this town these days. Maybe the fans figure they'll spend before another crash grabs their dough. Picture houses doing surprising business currently de- spite competition of a four-perform- ance sellout on 'Of Thee I Sing,' at the Shubert. Present list of standouts brings an even distribution of trade. Estimates for This Week Paramount (Publix) (2,348; 35-50) —'Murders In Zoo' (Par) and 'Hearts of Humanity' (Fox) will be lucky to get $4,600, mild. Last week 'Pick Up' (Par) and 'Wild Horse Mesa' (Par) $6,300, oke. Palace (Arthur) (2.040; 35-50)— •Gabriel* (MG) and 'Pleasure Cruise' (Fox). Headed for an oke $7,400. Last week, aided by a coloring con- test aimed at kid trade, 'King Kong' (RKO) got a sweet $7,900. Roser Sherman (WB) (2,200; 36- 50)—'Christopher Strong* (RKO) and 'Mind Reader* (WB). Nicely iMlanced bill opened at a big $7,200 clip. Last week 'Keyhole' (WB) and 'Grand Slam* (WB) built to a strict- ly okay $6,900. College (Arthur) (1.565: 25-40)— 'Mussolini' (Col) and 'Humanity* (Fox). A campaign of one-sheets printed in Italian will help draw from the foreign quarter. Looks good for a satisfactory $3,000. Last week 'Parole Girl* and stage show held to a n.s.g. $2,400. Chicago, April 3. Balaban & Katz will have an extra 11 p. m. .iiterformance tlie night of April 7 for suds-wel- comers. They ar-s billing it aa 'New Beer's Eve." B way Expects a Big Lnfl Next Wk. But Currently 'Gabriel' Nifty; ¥ 15G; 'Keyhole 92G ALL'S TOO QUIET ON THE B'EYN THEATRE FRONT " Brooklyn,-April 3. Peaceful as a mortician's chapel In front of the picture houses. Par- amount is offering a weak flicker, •Pick Up' (Par), and a stage show with Walter O'Keefe and Janet Reade. Around $21,000, mild busi- ness, indeed. Estimates for This Week Paramount (Par) (4,200; 25-35- 45-55-75)—'Pickup' (Par) and stage show. Xo click; mebbe $22,000, Which moans a slight profit with a much cliooper stage sliow. Last week 'Holl to Tipaven' (Par) count- ed on AN'allor Winchell and Bon Ber- nle on the stage to draw, but pro- duced iindor $26,000, for a pront of around $200, con.sldering the $12,000 Investment for the two acts. Albee (ItKO) (3,600; 25-35-55) — fKlng Koiig' (RKO), and Gus Kd- ward's revue on'sta/re. A big $23,- 000 in viow. Last week 'Sailor's Luclc* H'-oxi only $12,800. Fox (4,000; 25-35-50)—'Daring lUBRIE' NOT SO LUSTY, '42D ST..' WOW, DETROIT Detroit, April 3. Opening a day early the Michl- ean with '42nd Street' led the pro- cession leading to better times—it Is hoped. Getting a play that made one forget about the seventh week of the holiday and no one's got a dollar. From the opening this one started to jam them in, although the bad weather didn't help. Weaith- er permitting, house should gross around $36,000, possibly more. The Downtown rescinded Its clos- Ing order to play 'King Kong' a sec- ond week after a first week with plenty of profit. House dropped vaude for the 'Kong* engagement, but still grossed several thousand larger than with the flesl). The Fox seems to be worst suf- ferer of the present situation with a series of weak pictures and no stage shows to bolster. For a third week house has been deep In the red with current attraction 'Humanity' not strong enough to snap it out of the depth. The United Artists opened weak with 'Gabriel,' partly due to the weather, but should build with the week. Last week ail houses, witli the ex- ception of the Downtown, with 'Kong' and 'Pick Up* at the Mich, were mild. 'Kong* big for these times, with a better break In weath- er would have gone to town; as Is' it got $9,500, a profit. The Michigan started out well with 'Pick Up* and wound up with a fair $16,900, not bad considering a weak picture bolstered witli two names. Estimates for This Week Michigan (F-P) (4,045; 15-25-36- 40-55)—'42nd St.' (WB) and stage show. Very hot cha to a big $36,- 000 gate, mebbe more. Last week 'Pick Up' (Par) and stage show fair at $16,000. Fox (6,100; 15-25-35-40-55)—'Hu- manity' (Fox). Looks mild for only $6,000. Last week 'Sailor's Luck' fair at $6,000. ^Downtown (RKO) (2,750; 15-25- 35-40-55)—'King Kong' (RKO). Second week mild at $4,800. First week a good $9,500. United Artists (P-P) (2,018; 15- 25-35^-55)—'GSabrlel Over White House' (MG). Slow start, due to weather, but building to a fair $7,- 500. Last week 'Sign of the Cross' (Par) weak at $3,900 in its second week. Fisher (P-P> (2.065; 15-25-30-40) —'Clear All Wires' (MG). Slow goin', about $5,500. Last weok "A Lady's Profession' (Par) $5,300. Daughters' (MaJ). and stage hIiow. Brutal $9,000. Last weeii, 'J<ailor Be Good,' $10,000. MetroQolitan (Loew) (.O.SOO; 23- 35-55-75)—'I'm a Bum' {VS). and vaudeville featuring Jack Pearl. Jolson and Peari not brinijintr much extra busine.sH; mnybf $2S.O00. lifi.st week 'Rasputin' (MCO did $2-1,000, okay. Strand (Wr.) (2,000; 25-33-55)- '42d Street' (WI5). Second week, around $13,000. oke. I,iRt w'-k a splendid $17,000. Orph Vode, 'Kong,' 'Gabe,' Mussolini Hi-Light Boston Boston, April 3. Orpheum's switch back to vaude gives that house the spot after 14- week slump. It has also brought the downtown houses to the brink of a price war. For Vic Morris has not only doubled his show but slashed admish, and the biz gener- ally vipws this with alarm. Other managers insist they will stand pat, but the rush is on for the Orpheum, and they may be forced to pare down to compete. In opinion of some this would be calamitous; just when tide is turning, with unions still holdouts, whole line-up would have tougher time than ever raising prices later. Even penny's loss counts these days, they argue; the lower the admish the rougher tiie uphill cHmb later. Orpheum put on five good acts, with 'White Sister,' slicing top fig- use to 40c, the lowest ever, and it means the bouse has got to pack 'em in to get by. Immediate effect was bigger ad- vertising by the Scollay which for couple of months has had things pretty well own way in demonstrat- ing the tremendous appeSl of fiesh combined with film. The town never saw such a fight as this, Scollay and Orpheum battling over vaude, which not long since was in the dis card. , Best of the film newcomers for Ik>x office Is 'Gabriel,' which follows "White Sister' into Loew's State. 'Gabe' has the reviewers raving, and public Intrigued. Exploitation was one of most lavish for a film since days of 'Cock-Eyed World.' So State Is prospering again after quite a long slump. 'King Kong' smacked off a homer the first week, and looks good on its second week. Publlx seems loath to part with '42d Street,' as well It might; It is making the rounds of houses, and doing swell at each stop. Estimates for This Week Keith's (RKO) (4,000; 35-50) 'King Kong* (RKO). Vaude still omitted this second week. Femmes find its comicalities more than offset any fearsome angles, so plenty pile in but mostly males evenings. 'Kong* rang up $21,700 for first week, a sort of depresh record, and likely to reacli $12,000, okay, on second week. Boston (RKO) (4,000; 25-40-55) 'Cohens and Kellys in Trouble' (U) and vaude revue. Good all round show keeping biz fine. Ought to gross $12,000. They're nuts about Sidney and Murray here. Last week 'Constant Woman* (W-W) and vaude okay $9,500. Orpheum (Loew) (3,000; 25-35-40) 'White Sister' (MG) and vaude. Return of fiesh and slash in prices combine to double gross here, after much suffering due to failure of films alone to draw. For 21 years vaude standby and a landmark a.nd sudden dropping of vaude lost al- most all of it. Surprise Is that old patronage all came quickly back with return of variety. Just how this will affect other combo houses yet to be seen. At moment but two big houses are playing straight vaude; others, however, will enter field later. Orpheum should hit $14,000,""best—in-more than three months. Last week 'Rasputin' (MG) away off at $G,000. State (Loew) (3,000: 30-50) 'Ga- briel' (MG). Doing splendidly. Tre- mendous exploitation by Joe DI Pesa; should do $12,000, or more. Last week 'AVIille Sister' (MG) grand for $11,500. Met (Publix) f4,3.10; 33-50-G5) 'The Keyhole" (WJi) and stage show. Disappointing, depending wholly on slurs for draw; maybe $20,000. L.i.st week 'Pick Up' (i'ar) and stage show Rood $24,S0O. Scollay (I'ulWix) (2,WO; 2G-3.5-40- 55) ■42d .Street' (WI^) and oi^lit acl.s vaude. Film plus appeal of tlie hfi> .'itage bill should ;,'ive hou.Me Jlfi.'i'j'). Ah yot manaif'T Vinson refiis'^s to sla.sli price.M. Thi.s wefk may ti-U the tale. Last week 'King of the Junglc'^'TPaTj and vaude, did fine for $12,000. Paramount CPublix) Cl.SOO; 2*^- 3j-jOi 'S^lririly I'or.-onal' (Par> tn'l This Is the week when the thea- tres vt'ill have to try to make up in grosses what will be lost Holy Week, starting Sunday (9). Just about the same time maybe le?al beer will come along and divertTSttll further business from the town's theatres. From all indications, although the Lent thing is still to be considered, along with the marlted outdoors, spring weather, considerable im- provement will be shown this week. Radio City Music Hall points to the best business comparatively in expectation of beating last week's nice $90,000 by. getting $92,000 or better. It's a Warner booking. 'The Keyhole,' with Kay Francis and George Brent as bait. The other R. C house, RKO Roxy, with $33,000 probable, has inaugu- rated a stage band new policy and pictures. Feature is 'Pleasure Cruise. The Capitol comes back to life with 'Gabriel Over the White House,' a natural and with rave no- tices. Although opinions are mixed, which makes for inierest, looks like a big $55,000. Paramount, on other hand, won't come near previous week's talce of $34,600. Picture is 'Murders in the Zoo' and the 'Crazy Week' stage show is a novelty Idea, but $24,000 on six days pretty brutal. Mayfair, under Walter Reade's operation, is expected to do its best in a long while with 'M,' Joe Plun- kett's German importation. May reach a nice $16,000 or more. Down at tne Rlalto, another War- ner booking away from its own house. Strand, isn't doing so well. 'Girl Missing' may not reach $9,000. Arthur Mayer is now devoting his sole time to operation of this house, formerly a Pijblix run. Strand and Rlvoll are on tall end of runs. Strand, on fourth week of '42nd Street,' should get around $20,000, while 'Secrets,' on its third week ending tonight, looks to do about the same, both okay. WB will hold '42nd Street' an extra week. 'Oliver Twist' (Monogram), first indie booking here, follows 'Secrets' at RIv, probably opening Wednesday (12). •Cavalcade,* which closed a suc- cessful 13-week run at the Gaiety Sunday night (2), goes Into the Music Hail Thursday (6). The old Roxy, playing an indie this week, 'West of Sinpagore,' will probably get around $17,000; if any more. It will be on the strength of possible draw of John Fogarty, on the stage. Estimates for This Weak Astor (1,012; $1.10-$1.65-$2.20)— 'White Sister* (MG) (3rd week). A disappolnter and probably out in a couple weeks. 'Hell Below' com- ing In. Capitol (5,400; 35-76-99-$1.6S)— 'Gabriel Over the White House' (MG) and stage show. Holds over after a very first big week of $55,000^ sweet music for house after the licking it's been taking recently. Last week 'Rasputin' (MG) got only $30,000, under expectations; first time at pop prices. Gaiety (811; $1.10-$1.65)—'Caval- cade' (Fox) (13th week). Closed Sunday night (2) after 12 "4 v/eeks, something for Fox to write the ex- hibs about. Two-a-dayer took $8,800 on Its 12th week and $5,500 on the final four days. Mayfair (2.200; 35'^5-75) — 'M' (Foremco). German import send- ing house to a nice $15,000 or better and holds over. Joe Plunkett, owner of picture, and Walter Reade, shar- ing on this Nero import. Last week 'State Trooper' (Col) surprised by getting $8,700. Palace (1,700; 25-40-55-75)—'King Kong' (RKO) (3d week). Holding up to nice $10,000 on h. o. week. Second week nice $12,100. Paramount (3,664; 35-55-75)— 'Murders In the Zoo (Par) and stage show. Chiller needs word-of-mouth and will get It for possible Increase of pace to beat poor $24,000. 'Crazy Week' stage show Idea, well sold by Jack Mclnerney in ada and oxploita- 'Infernal Macliine' (Fox). Poor $G,000 in sight. La.st week T.ady .s Profes.sion' (Par) and 'Humanity' (Fox) fail- for $7,100. Tremont (Indie) (1,543; 40-30-C8- $1.10) 'Mu.s.sollnl Speaks' (Col). Off ■<martly on first week. Got grand reviews, and an Arthur Hrl.sh.inc bouquet unexpectedly. r'ine ex- ploitation by Tim O'Toole and Co- lumbia staff, premiere being made a news event. Such fllm.H haven't prospered, and road.showing would Heem dubious However ir looks like $3,0')0 tion, may iiclp a little, but .->liow scheduled to go out after six days. Last week 'Pick Up' (Par) sunk to $34,600. Radio City Music Hall (5.945; 35- 55-75)—'The Keyhole' (WB) and stage show. Francis-Brent team drawing 'em for a big $92,000. beat- ing last week's very nice $90,000 on •Sweepings' (RKO). Rivoli (2,200; 40-55-75-85)—'Se- crets' (UA) (3rd week). Getting around $15,000 this week, okay, and holds over a fourth. Third stretch of seven days was $20,000. 'Oliver Twist' (Mono) opens Wednesday (12). RKO Roxy (3.525; 35-55-75)— 'Pleasure Cruise' (Fox) and stage show. New policy of stage band units, with Horace Heidt, aiding for an okay $33,000, same as on 'Pri- vate Jones' (U)i which was poor. Roxy (6.200; 25-35)—'West of Singapore' (Mono) and stage show. Indie picture leaves majority of drawing to stage show and John Fogarty, ether tenor, heading it. Probabilities are for around $17,000, okay. Last week 'Daring Daugh- ters' (Tower) grossed $16,500. Strand (2,900; 35-55-65-75)—'42n(l Street' (WB) (4th week). Musical holding up well and should get around $20,000 this week; may hold a fifth. Third week's takings ran to $22,000. Rialto (2,000; 25-40-65) — 'Girl Missing* (WB). Not drawing as ex- pected, and if $9,000 will be lucky. Might build to that and beyond through title and word of mouth. Last week 'Lady's Profession' (Par) drew a swell $13,600. NEWARK MILD 'Rasputin' Tops Town with $17,000 —'42nd St.' in 3rd Week Newark, April 3. Mild week here. The Barrymorea in 'Rasputin' will bring Loew's whatever business there is and may reach $17,000. There's nothing else. Mussolini at Mosque so far doubt- ful, but heavily advertised and may build. Terminal, dropping 'Cavalcade,' back to regular prices again. House cuts earlier opening, starting now at 11. Apparently no opposition to Ger- man films here. Little is doing well enough with them. Warners runs them sporadically at Stanley and at Regent, Elizabeth, and weekly at Castle, Irvlngton. At Caistle they ace added at end of regular double bill. Estimates for This Week Branford (WB) (2,966; 15-65)— '42nd Street* (WB). First tima Branford has ever run a picture a third week. Can hardly be expect- ed to get much more than $8,000, nice enough for third week. Second week fine at $14,600. Capitol (WB) (1.200; 16-25-35-50) —'What! No Beer?' (MG) and 'Dangerously Tours' (Fox). If first run of the beer picture any cri- terion, bill won't hit $5,000. But It may be what they want here. Last week 'Kid from Spain' (UA) and 'Radio Murder Mystery' (RKO) fine at $6,600. Little (Cinema) (299; 15-25-40- 50)—'Zapfenstreich 'am Rhein' (Tri- umph) and 'Pension Scholler' (Sil- va). Going nicely and pretty sure of $1,200. Tliey seem to fail for German comedies here. 'Last week 'Der Hauptmann von Kopenick' (Klnematrade) and 'Elisabeth von Osterrelch' (Tobis) oltay with ov6r $1,100. Loew's State (2,780; 16-75) — 'Rasputin' (MG) and vaude. Grand week, times considered, and may go as high as $17,000. Last week 'Men Must Fight' (MG), bad at $8,000, , Newark (Adams-Par) (2,248; 16>| 99)—'Strictly Personal' (Par) and\ vaude. Feeble opening and not likely to pass $8,000. Last week 'Woman Accused' (Par) beat expec- tations, getting $10,800. Proctor's (RKO) (2.300; 15-75)— 'Our Betters' (RKO) and vaude. No knockout, but Bennett good for femme trade, maybe $10,000. Last week 'King Kong* (RKO) fine at $17,000. Terminal (Skoura.s) (1,900; 15-50) —'Broadway Bad' (Fox) and 'Race Track' (WW). Opens Monday and run.s through Thursday. Without a week-ond can hardly amount to more than $1,000. Last week on lli«4 days 'Cavalcade' (r-'ox> it $1 10 top .sfiueezcd out $12,000. Zasu Pitts' Fourth at Radio Hollywood, April 3 Za.su Pitl.s will iiave a iiart in Radios 'Cirele.-js.' ThiH in In addition to the titree •'It tfi'it .<jtu'lio for which .^he recent- ly siL;rii;i a contract.