Variety (April 1933)

10 VARIETY PICT E GROSSES Tuesday, AprU 4, 1933 'RaspotiD'Ballyed to $11,000. Npls. Hot Selling—Tvt. Jones' $3,300—'Sailor's Luck' $5,000, Okay for 7 Days Minneapolis, April 3. For the third successive week, the Stnte has a big edge over all loop opposition and is monopolizing a large proportion of the first-run bnsincss. This time 'Rasputin' is turning the trick. Several other pictures in town are not without merit, but none carries a really strong box offlce punch. •Sailor's Luck,' at the Century, has been carrying along the best of the bunch, and bids fair to sail through Its nine-day run to a very respect- ab'e finish. Tiivate Jones' and "Lawyer Man,' at the Orpheum and Lyric, are well ]il:cd, and may build after slow starts. Because of the one-day en- g.isement of Eddie Cantor and his company at the Orph, 'Jones* will run but six days. Auto show at the Municipal Audi- toiium, offering a large amount of f.itertainment at fwo-bits admis- sion, half-price compared with for- mer years, proved considerable op- position for the theati'es over the week-end. Two road shows, Eddie Cantor and 'Of Thee I Sing.' the first In a long "while, here, and box offlce naturals, also pulled from the iilm emporiums. The State alone Be?ms immune to all this opposi- tion. Estimates for This Week State (Publlx) (2,200; 55)—'Ras- pv.tln' (MG). Sold as a daring sex thriller, with the three Barrymores fiufnciently emphasized, sensational ■ copy told of 'innocent girls caught In the web of a demoniac monk.' Among the thrills promised to cus- tomers were 'love orgies In Raspu- .tin's hideaway.' Got bang-up re- sults and every Indication biz -will hold up nicely. Looks like $11,000, very big. Last week '42nd Street' (WB). $14,500, enormous. Orpheum (RKO) (2,890; 40)—'Pri- vate Jones' (U). Started better than Its two predecessors. Only six days, its run interrupted April 4 by Eddie Cantor troupe. Should be $3,300, light. Last week, 'Our Bet- ters' (RKO), $3,900, bad. Cantor and Jessel may get around $8,000 on two performances, wonderful. Century (Publlx) (1.600; 40)— •Sailor's Luck* (Fox). Went In two days ahead of schedule on account of 'Men Must Fight,' flop. Probable $5,000 on seven days. Last week •Men Must Fight' (MG), $2,100 for live days, mild. Uptown (Publlx) (1,400; 40)— •S'tate Fair' (Fox). Big $4,000 In- dicated. Last week 'Sign of the C'oss' (Par), $3,000, good. Lyric (Publix) (1.300; 35)—'Law- yer Man' (WB). Neither Powell nor title seems to mean anything to box office. Maybe $3,000. light. Last week '20,000 Years in Sing Sing' (FN) $3,600. Grand (Publix) (1,100; 35)—'Sign Of the Cross' (Par). Second loop run and a full week should top a good $2,600. Last week 'Strange Interlude' (MG), second loop run and full week $3,000. big. Aster (Publlx) (900; 25)—Infer- nal Machine' (Fox), first run; 'Is- land of Lost Souls' (Par), second loop run, and 'Fast Life' (MG), sec- ond run. split. Maybe $800, light. Last week Secrets of French Police' (RKO) and 'Mysterious Rider' (Par), loop first runs, split, $700, light. 'Gabriel' and '42d SL' Just About Drain L'viUe Louisville, April 4. Jack Schwartz's Brown Theatre Corp. took over control of the Brown March 31; will continue showing of RKO and Columbia pic- tures. Rialto, after sensationally suc- cessful week on '42nd Street,' held it over a second week and doing nicely. Loew's Is doing lot of plugging on 'Gabriel,' getting fair attention. Rest are suflerlng. National may book vaudeville out of Chicago, with pictures. Cantor and Jessel vaudeville show due April 8. Hurley's Gayety burlesque ben- efiting some from lack of stage shows In city. Estimates for This Week Loew's (3,400; 25-35-50)—'Ga- briel Over White House' (MG). With aid of big national ads may hit $8,500, fair. Last week 'Raspu- tin' (MG) did swell with $11,000. Rialto (Fourth Ave.) (2,700; 25- 30-55)—'42nd Street.' After whoo- pee business first week held over to $5,000, good. Last week a big $11,- 700. Strand (Fourth Ave.) (1,706; 25- 35-50)—'She Done Him Wrong' (Par). Expects $8,000, excellent. Last week 'King's Vacation' (WB). poor at $3,000. Brown (2.000; 25-35-40)—'Chrlsto-' pher Strong' (RKO) Oft at $1,700. Last week 'Great Jasper' (RKO), $1,500, poor. Alamo (900; 15-25-40)—'Death Kiss' (WW). Off at $1,100. Last week miserable with 'Laughter In Hell* (U), doing onJy $1,000. Eveiything*s Very Hotsy 'Round the Indpls. B. O.'s Indianapolis, April 3. Conditions here are good. Things picking up conservatively, due more, perhaps, to good pics. With the union wage war settled, all houses are boosting everything. This week Loew's Palace did plenty of adver- tising and exploitation with 'Gabriel Over the White House.' Ohio, recently opened with for- elgns. Is plugging along nicely, and returns are increasing weekly. Estimates for This Week Apollo (Fourth Ave.) (1,100; 25- 40)—'Big Cage' (U). Should end up around $3,400. good. This pic has more than the usual appeal because of Beatty's winter headquarters be- ing at Peru. Ind. Last week's Great Jasper' (RKO) bucked up to $3,000. good. Circle (Circle) (2.600; 25-40)— 'Blondle Johnson' (FN). Started well and should hold up to around $3,000. Last week 'Lady's Profes- sion' (Par) fairly at $2,800. Indiana (Circle) (3.300; 26-40)— 'Pick Up' (Par). Looks a natural for this spot. Will finish around $7,- 500. good. Keller Sisters on stage this week. Last week 'So This Is Africa' (Col) started slowly but built nicelv to $6,600. Loew's Palace (Loew) (2.800; 26- 40)—'Gabriel' (MG). Will get nice $6,000. because of the campaign ex- ploiting the tone of the pic. Last week 'Rasputin' (MG) excellent $10,000 for this spot. Ohio (Lampbell) (1.400; 25)—'Nur Am Rhein' ('Only on the Rhine'). Around $750, good for third week of theatre's reopening. Last week 'Eln Walzer vom Strauss' around same figure. %MX Only Mfld in Wask; Some Think It's a Religions Pic Buffalo Trade So-So Cantor's Nifty $10,500 Is High Mark in Birmingham Birmingham, April 3. Opening of spring season is bring- ing slow business this week except for Eddie Cantor, who is grossing nicely. Understanding here option has been let on old Pantages for possible reopening soon. Things are still hanging fire on reopening of Uitz closed week before last when RKO turned the house back to land- lords. Estimates for This Week Alabama (Wilby) (2,800; 25-35-40) •Kid From Spain' (ITA). Great busi- ness, like a neat SI0.500. Last week 'Cynara' (UA) lantcd four days and replaced with 'Pick Up' (Par), week fair. $6,Ono. Empire (BTAC) <1.100; 25) 'Kev- hole' (WK). Town's Htcond best bet, $2,100. Last we^'k 'Hard Too Handle' (WB) $1,900. Strand (Wilby) fSOO; 25) 'Madame B'anche' (MG). Around $1,800. Last week 'Dangerously Yours' (Fox) $1,600. Galax (Wilby) (500; 15) 'Hello Everybody" (Par). Down go prices again. Kate Smith originally booked Into big Wilby hou.se but later killed out. Here four days followed by •Fast Workers' (MG); good week on fiocount of Kate Smith. $1,100. Last week 'Lady From Nowhere' and •Revenge at Monte Carlo,' spotty $300. Washington, April 3. First real spring sunshine town has seen this year playing havoc with b.o. Everybody working on their autos and jamming stores. Add second government pay cut and nation's capital turned In poorest all-around openings in year. Washington Is real test of effect of pay cuts. Predominantly U. S. clerks when a cut comes It hits everybody at once. Result seems to be that they tighten up first few weeks afterward and then as they adjust their budget things get back 1o normal again. Of course, with even two cuts wage scale is com- paratively ht?h here. . Another explanation of slump this week Is lack of hit shows. With ex- ception of 'Gabriel Over the White House' there is nothing to set world on fire. Morton Downey is only stage name and Is doing well. But fact that he played Fox lasst fall coupled with slight decrease in his air popularity will keep him from setting any records. He still gets ovation, though. Tenor is working right along with local publicity of- fice with emphasis on air angle. Man-In-street interview stunt was even picked up by chain. He is one of best In game for exploiting and it is helping. 'Gabriel' is puzzle. Loew put big campaign behind it and of all towns where it should go this is it. Opened weak and is building slowly. Gen- eral opinion is that theme of bally- hoo based on title Is too indefinite for mob. Nobody knows what it is all about. Some even get notion it is religious show. Clever gag was sendino; two trumpeters out four mornings about dawn to blow bugles in various sections of city carrylirg- out Gabriel idea. Plants called all papers each a. m. asking what all noise was about. King Kong' is slipping after beautiful opening. Town is still gasping from exploitation which preceded it. Even high school pa- pers are using it in cartoons. Will turn in nice two weeks but won't break records it aimed at on open- ing. CSrace Moore vaude debut was suocefis at Fox last week. Diva was billed as 'Americas Greatest Opera Ktar.' After Schumann-Heink and Mary Garden mob was sur- prised to find that .she could really sing. They liked her. Didn't draw non-musically inclined crowd much but those that did come paid night prices. 'Sign of Cross' is in second week at Met. Despite weak run here at road show prices. It kicked In beau- tiful $9,500 opener. Demonstrated clearly that all they were waiting for was popular prices. Some of the churches squawked and word of mouth wasn't so good, but they Buffalo. April 3. Weather fine, which means biz suffers to some extent all around, but particularly at the Buffalo, where 'Gabriel Over White House' is a disappointer at $12,000. 'Kong' on second week at Great Lakes doing pretty well at $6,000. Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Shea) (3.600; 30-40-66)— 'Gabriel Over White House' (MG) and stage show. Off to a very poor start. $12,000 looks tops, a severe disappointment. Last week 'Pick Up' (Par) got only $12,200. Great Lakes (Shea) (3.400; 26-40) —'King Kong' (RKO) (2d week). Still holding up fairly well, heading for $ff,00O. Last week a good $9,100. Century (Shea) (3,400; 25)— 'Cohens and Kellvs In Trouble' (U) and 'Men Must Fight' (MG). Will be around average from Indications, $6,000. Last week 'Hard to Handle' (WB) and 'Afraid to Talk' (U) $5.- 800. okay. Hipp (Shea) (2.400; 25)—'Clear All Wires' (MG) and 'Lucky Devils' (RKO). Double bill expects to get around $7,000, fair. Last week 'From Hell to Heaven' (WB) and 'No Other Woman' (U) managed to get $7,200. Lafayette (Ind) (3.400; 25)— 'Racetrack' (WW) and 'Jungle Bride' (Mon). Just so-so. maybe $6,000. Last week "When Strangers Marry' (Col) and 'Smoke Lightning' (Fox) ditto. 18.000 FOR'i2D ST/IS SEATTLE'S BIG NOISE Seattle, April 3. '42d Street' Is getting top dough; great lines and national exploitation a tremendous help. Paramount theatre union trouble settled. Trying to give most for the money is fav local Indoor snort for show- men. Yaude and bands looking up for added values. Fifth Ave. Joins NRF string this week, settling back to old policy of big pic, one at a time, while duals move to Para- mount. Former managed by Jim Clemmer, pioneer showman. How- ever, Par has been nursed and hypoed, but somehow falls to re- spond as It should. It's % nice show- shop but off the path arid uphill. Estimates for This Week Paramount (NRF) (3,106; 25-40) —'Sailor's Luck' (Fox), and 'Dan- gerously Yours' (Fox). Double, go- ing for $3,800, so-so. Last week 'Grand Slam' (FN) only fair, despite big exploitation, $3,400. Fifth Avo. (NRF) (2,300; 24-40)— 'Gabriel Over the White House' (MG). Serial In dally, big adver- tising, bally, all helping, with polit- ical timeliness also a plug, but eas- ing after a big start to $6,600, good enough. Last week, 'A Lady's Pro- fession' (Par) and 'Men Must Fight* (MG) slow at $4,100. Liberty (J-vH) (2,000; 10-25)— 'Breach of Promise' (WW), and 'A Man's Land' (Tiff). Double, big value, for big $6,000. Last week 'De- ception' (Col), and 'Intruder' (Al- lied), double, okay $4,000. Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (1,000; 25- 35)—'Big Drive' (FN). Held for second week, heavy exploitation a f<j.ctor, including three bands, firing squad, bombs and fireworks from roof, real stuff liked; anticipates a fair $3,000. Last week big at $6,000. tapering after a sensational start. Music Box (Hamrick) (950; 25-40) —'42d Street' (WB). Plenty of push helping this one for $8,000. truly sensational here. Last week. 'Per- fect Understanding' (UA) not so hot, cool at $3,000. Coliseum (NRF) (1,800; 16-25) — 'Hot Pepper' (Fox), and 'Lawyer's Man' (FN) double. Mildly okay with $3,200 in prospect. Last week 'Frisco Jenny' (FN), and 'Fast Life' (MG). good at $3,600. Rex (Hamrick) (1.400; 16-25)— 'Central Park' (FN) and vaude. Good $3,400 likely. Last week 'Lucky Devils' (RKO) and aude, okay for $3,200. came anyway. Road show lent prestige. Estimates for This Week Earle (WB) (2.424; 25-35-50-60- 70) "Girl Missing' (WB) and vaudo. Morton Downey getting the crowd. Should net nice $21,000. Last week 'The Keyhole' (WB) in o. k. $20,- 000. Fox (Loew) (3,434; 15-25-35-50- 00) 'Men Must Fight* (M-G) and vaude. Light $18,500. First week without top vaude name in months. Last week 'Lady's Profession' (Par) and Grace Moore, fair $20,- 000. Slipped towards end along with everything else. Keith's (RKO) 1.830; 15-25-35- 60 'King Kong' (RKO). Second week a little off but o. k., maybe $6,0t0. Last week opened tremen- dous following campaign, but started to slip, $15,000 big money though. Met (WB) (1.583; 25-35-50-60- 70) 'Sign of the Cross' (Par). Sec- ond week getting o. k. $5,000. Last week was surprising with big $9.r)00. Palace (Loew) (2,3C3; 16-25-35- 50-60) 'Gabriel Over the White House' (M-G). Not what it should be in Nation's Capital, where In- terest ought to be top. Will only get average $16,000 despite big bal- lyhoo. Last week 'Pick Up' (Par) faced big opposition at opening and general slump toward finish of week. Weak with $12,500. Rialto (U) (1,583; 15-25-35-50X 'Destination Unknown) (U). Only fair with $5,000. Last week 'Cohens and Kellys in Trouble' (U) suffered with everybody else, but held to $5,600. Columbia (Loew) (1,232; 15-25- 35-40) 'Infernal Machine' (Fox) Average $3,000. Last week 'Smoke Lightning' (Fox) with George O'Brien, little house's best bet. got o. k. $3,300. 'Gabrier Blows Its B. 0. Horn m Balto for ISCs Biz Rea^ Too Good In CoL to Shot Down Despite Union Wars Columbus, April 3. Another alleged finale week this session here, with Loew and RKO houses being advised last Friday that they were to remain open through the current week, but close this Friday unless the salary troubles with the stagehands are ironed out. May be the last and again may not, though. Ohio and Grand are on the go as far as biz is concerned. Both should show plenty profit, as they did last week, with other houses lucky to get by In any form. Palace already is booming Its next two shows, the condensed 'Scandals' being booked for the stage next week and 'King Kong' to follow. Last week was an outstander for the Grand and the Ohio. Grand did record biz of its history with '42d Street' and held over for a second stanza with a third almost cer- tain. This sets new mark for Hold- overs in years. Ohio with 'Raspu- tin' also did turnaway biz, but failed to go in for holdover as 'Ga- briel' already too well covered In exploitation to be put off. Estimates for This Week Palace (RKO) (3,074; 25-40) 'Sweepings' (RKO). Hardly better than $5,500 in sight. Last week 'Private Jones' (U) none too good with mild $3,800., Ohio (Loew-UA) (3,000; 25-40) 'Gabriel' (M-G). Started hot enough to insure at least $9,000, which means plenty cash in the net col- umns. Last week 'Rasputin' (M-G) did plenty standee biz and gar- nered top $14,000. Broad (Loew-UA) (2,500; 25-40) 'Crime of the Century" (Par). Not too much expected, but fair enough at $4,500. Last week 'Broadway Bad' (Fox) plenty bad at $3,500. Grand (N'eth) (1.100; 25-40) '42d Street' (WB). Second week and still standing 'em after a week of stan dees last week. Should hit splendid $10,000 this week after doing trc mendous $12,000 last week; third session almost assured. Majestic (RKO) (1.100: 25-35) 'Men of Ameri-a' (RKO). Not there at $2,200. I.<ast week 'Vampire Bat' (Maj). same. Baltimore. April 3. Business continues on the up- grade in town, and proving a 8ur« prise to everybody^ who are still trying to make the grosses agree with depressions, Lents and wob- bly banks. Attractions themselves are obviously no world-beaters, but the public is coming to see them In sufRclent quantities to keep the ledgers in the black. 'Gabriel Over the White House* appears to have the best of the lot as far as pictures are concerned. Publicity is giving this one the bier breaks, with the Hearst rags spreading themselves. Picture Is causing comment and figures as a build possibility from the start. 'Pick-Up' Is taking care of Itself at the Century, though It Is being helped plenty by the tab 'Desert Song,' which is receiving heavy plugging from the Loew mob.* Hippodrome is getting its bier noise from Ben Bernie on its stage, and the total will be high up, on a par with the Century. Maryland stays in Alms one more week, this time to take care of a' state-right deal. 'Manhattan Tower* Is being premiered at the spot on a grlild before it goes cn sale to the local exhibs. House reverts to legit next week. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew-UA) (3.000; 25- 35-40-55-66)—'Pick Up* (Par) and 'Desert Song* tab. About half and half on the gross-strength, the in- terest being divided just that way by the operating crowd. Both halves are showing good indications, and will hold the register to pleasant figures at $16,000. Last week 'Wom- an Accused' (Par) fell off, got no support from the sta.:ce, and finished with a wobbly $14,100, off. Hippodrome (Rappnport) (2,600; 26-35-40-55-65) — 'Billion Dollar Scandal' (Par) and vaude. Ben Bernie on the stage doing extreme- ly well. The new life at the gate is going to mean $16,000, plenty hot- cha. Li.st week hit $11,800, an ex- ceptional figure for a hold-over, the second session of 'King Kong' (RKO). Keith's (Schanbergor) (2,400; 26- 35-40-55-06)—'Luxury Liner' (Par). On the drop-in trade of the femmes and the picture patterned to satisfy their easy-going nature, should take $3,500, okay. Last week 'Cohens and Kellys in Trouble" (U) clipped off $4,100, good. Maryland (Penn Mutual) (1,800; 25-35-40-56-65)—'Manhattan Tower* (Rem). State-righter in here on a deal. Should make it about $3,000 for the session. 'Cavalcade' (Fox) finished its regulation fortnight on roadshow to fair busine.'ss. They're waiting in this town. On the two weeks around $12,000. Stanley (Loew) (3.400; 25-36-40- 55-66)—'Gabriel' (MG). Outstand- ing film In town; heading for $15,- 000, a powerful gross. 'Rasputin' (MG) last week pr«)ved that the public has learned to wait, by piling 'cm in after having died a month ago on its roadshow. Tcok a nifty $14,800. 5 of N. 0/s 7 Banks Closed Means B. 0. Crepe New Orleans, April 3. Show business here is prostrate w;lth five out of this town's seven banks practically clo.sed. The houses are fortunate In getting even a semblance of business notwithstand- ing the'^financial debacle. Loew's State currently presenting 'Gabriel Over the White House' will do $11.- 000, remarkable under the circum- stances. Orpheum and .Saenger will not get $6,000, Orpheum has 'Chris- topher Strong' and ."aonKer 'Grand Slam.' Orpheum has announced it will close Thursday unless musicians ac- cede to 25% cut. Sta.!;ohands have accepted but harmoni.sts have nbt budged from their ultimatum of 12',^%. However, they go into a huddle again Tuesday morning and will undoubtedly take the cut. Tudor will not got $1,000 with 'Luxury Liner' unless there is some hank resustication. Film biz better order crepe for the local houses. Lewis Selling Posies HoIlyw(>od, April 3. A trfo of unengatred press agents has Kono into the flower business while waiting for .<<tudio connections, opening the Palette and Brush I-'lorist Shoppe on Siin.«<<t boulevard. Thoy are Cliff I.,owis. Ron Fergu- .•;on and Seymour Tlionipson. Latter pair worked for Lewis when he headed the Colum^iia studio pub- licity department.