Variety (Aug 1933)

ITue^ftjr. August iSf^ ^933 P I C IF H B E G B O S S E $ VARIETY Sts^e Shows Peipig Up Qu BOs; IIBdnite auk^ Plus Sally Rand Wow 49G;PdB^27G;CermakPicNSH Chicago, Aug. 1.4; . Stage fihowB aire t&& big. lure In theatres here this week, with the Chicago, the Palace aniol 'the iState LAke all making special plays oil fhe stage %nd.' ... PalaciE) ..has Sthel Barrymore to bolster the foiirth^ w«6k of Mlltbn ^'Berle's" resiaerice, "which . ought .to pusti the house to a hice 127.000 with 'Secret of the Blue Room. ^ At the Chicago 'Midnight Club' Is flerured bit weak, but second week' of. Sally Ba,nd will build the gross to .about $49,000, 'swell. Laist week she i^c<^ i^ounted for a sensational $62,000. Jimmy . Pattern is -the attraction - at the - State^X&ke, 6vet 'Silvet Cord/ House is looking for an okay $20,000 on the combo. ' .,. Big disappointment is the United Artists with 'Man Who p^ired.^ Thafs . the pio takeoff' on . MayoV Cermak of Chicago. It doesh't look like more than about $T,Q(Ut and oiit on its first week. * .Estimates'fbr This Webk . Chicago (B&K> (8.940; 36-66r76) 'Midnight Club'' (Par) and «taget r^how. Sally; Rand. held, over for sec-, end week. Will dQ around $49»000/ big. Last week ' Anoth er La nguage^ UVILLE NORMAL ISIuisanoe/ $9,000 —'Moon,' $4,000^ 'Annio/ Tfrnfip Last Wk = publicity for th^. fan dancer,' Miss Jiand. McVickeril (B&K:) (2.284. 25-36)^ /Another lianguage' (MQ). Plci ,mov6d over from/. Chicago theatre,. ;wlll do, aroxmd j9xB00, Nine daysjiL •Uduble'Harness* (Kit?)), 'I'ii^B'OO., Oriental (B&:k) (3,200; 40-66-83): 'Bong of Songs'. (Par) (2d ^eek)' M $20,000, very stronr.: Last wedk 126,100, big. Palace (RiECO) (2,683; 40-6S-83) •Secret of the Blue Boom' (U) and vaude. Ethel Barry more -added to fourth week of Milton Berle. .House gave five shows Saturday and.Sun- 4^7, . Look for $27^000 on the week^ 'big. . Last week 'Headline Shooter'' (RKO) $26,000; Okay; . State Lake (Jones) (2.700; 20-86) Silver Cord' (RKO) and Vaude. A Jimmy Mattern. . added attraction. fLook for over $20,000 on the weekT Xwt- JTSOk- .'Tb_6 jy.oman I. Stole" (Col). $10,000, plenty aU right. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 36-: 66) 'Man Who Dared' (Fox). Looks bad. Pic Is a takeoff on the life of! the late Anton C(»rmak .of' Chicago.; Will do only afounci $7,000 and out; 'The Mtisqtierader* (UA) opens; Aug. 16. ^Annie/ 'Moon/ 'Haniess' 40Gs Among' Em in K. C. Kansa& City, Aujg. 14» Dressier, BeCryl 'Tugboat Annie,' Loew's Midland, 25 cents iitiy seat, any time, tells the story. of where the big crowds were this week; One of the heaviest grosses since Jthe. two-bit-iScale_went-into effect, in prodpect.. " At tiieT "lilainstreet 'DoUbie 'Harness,^-^Ith Ha1rding--aTni- Ppwcl^ coupled in the billing. Is showing some improvement. Estimates For This Week Liberty (Dujjlnsky) (860; 10-15- 20)—-'Employee's Entrdiice' (FN), 'Kiss Before the Mirror' (U). Split house doing no newspaper adver- tising, depending on its lobby dis- play only together with the public- ity the pictures hfa,ve been given by the first runs, and getting along nicely. This week will show close to $2,000, fair. Last week 'Con- stant Woman' (WW) and 'Diplo- maniacs' (RKO) ditto. M^instpeet (RKO) (3,060; 25-40) —'Double Harness' (RKO). Change to a Friday opening gave.house a good break and the weekend takings Were better than for some time with straight picture policy. Looks like close tO: $7,50.0, good; Last 'week ^What.-PrIce-Innoeence«7-(-€!<yl-)r-only- set for six days but. did riot show any strengthf after 'a fair bpcnirig, only'$6,000, fair. Midland (Loew) (■f.OOO; 25)— 'Tugboat Annie* (MG), Going strong with prospects- for, a near record (for the prices;) of $24,0d0, heyhey. Last woek 'Another Lan guage' itincolii Looks Good Aiid Promises Better Lincoln, Neb., Aug. 14.. Indie theatres about town get the breaks this week with a layout of pics fitting exactly with what patronage of their houses, have shown to be popular'. To make the breaks doubly, good; the opposi^h liTC hasn't got a; thing that'll ex- cite. Nearlrig the time when LTO loses the leiase on the Orpheum (Sept. 1) the fanfare that's finding its way into this spot wouldn't draw moderately even on nightly changes^ . With the .time, drawing, near that the .Indie Corp.. gets the Orph, Cal Bard and (Seorge Monroe were vis- ited oVer the week ,end by Amy Cox, representiative of the RKO vaude booking offlc.es,, and possibil- ity of lier liriing lip .either the. Hi-' alto or Orph stages .for fiesh .is . pr'actically cinchedi. Present. plans are that , the hoiises. can get off to a siriash-grosb by /opening strong ■6h State fiolr week. .and carrying right into the opening of the tnree local' tJ's' and colleg:es. Oiitstate ■conditions—w«rrant-the—belie£-^hat- tiie iverage/lS,©©©- sl-udes will -have- more spending money than In ye&rs i>aBt. ; ' Cool weather is' slowing down diitside conipetish' and grosses on the whole are very gratifying. It's -the .-first time for many a-summer that with so ' many houses in opera- tion -everybody has been making it aind a bit to spare. Estimates^ for . This Week ^. Colonial (LTC) (760; 10-16-20) 'Silk Express' (WB) doubtfully fu- tured with $660; Last week 'Girl in 419' (Par) and 'Jimmy Dolan' (WB) dawdled, $600. Liberty (Ittdle TC) (1.400; 10) 'Phantom-Broadcast' (■Mon)( No in- dicatldn of letting this dime house down, nice $800 In sight. Last week, 'West of Singapore' (Mon) and 'Unknown Valley^ (CJol), split, took a swell $1,000.- Liheoln (LTC) (1;600; 10-16-26) 'Silver Cord' (RKO). Slim faro for the usual quality .entertainment In this 1 house: Moderate, $1,300. Last week 'Midnight Mary' (MG) and, ■'Barbarian' (MG) 'Split was only: so-so, $1,400. State (Indie TC) (600; 10-16-26). 'Her First Mate' (U). LCoks like a, second consecutive click week here. $1,600. Last week 'Moonlight and Pretzels'. (U) took the town like wildfire, exceptionttl $1,700. Stuart (LTC) (1,900; 10-25-35-65- .60) 'Song of Songs' (Par). Has mighty slim chance at these top- heavy prices, $1,900. Last week 'An- other Language' (MG) was fair ~wlth-$2;200-take: ^ ■- Louisville, Aug. 14. Work started on redecorating Walnut, which may become New Macauley's while Harry Martin puts on rlta with stock company . .of it high calibre. Wailter Ma^Dowell, mgr. Loew's, back from Vacation In' New York. Dan Thompson, Times' film critic, editing book, page In absence of Marlon A. ;Greep, drama' dammer and boOk editor, now touring Eu 6 way a La the Good Ole Days. m for 'Pilgrimage, m For ^AnnieVPar m Others % The weather vane veers in the direction of box offlc'eS for a change, fope. Jones and Hare made persdnal I and. coupled with other factors of; appearance here at Brown hotel I inducement, is enabling theatres to. to inaugurate WHAS radio record gain their footing again. AmeriCfi's series. i biggest key . has been hard hit this Estimates for thia Wfl«k summer, not only by adverse tem- Loew's t8,.4()0; _25^40J! «Tho rTui-_ Pwature conditions, but some poor sance'" (MG)^ May do ieaV $9,0^^^ ^ Last week 'Tugboat' Annie' (MG) Subscription of major theatres to overcame sour notice handicap to I the NRA is credited" la some quar- reach a smashing $13,000, best gross ters with having a favorable reao- In two yiears. tiori at the ticket wlrid6ws of the Rialto (Fourth Ave:) (3,000; 26- town, but to what degree exactly 30-40) 'Three-Cornered Moon' (Par), cannot be determined in view Of ofC at $4,000. ^ Last week 'Mary propitious theatre weather 'which Stevens' (WB), lilce $6^000. . has ^prevailed since the blue eagle Strand (Fourth Ave.) nCi,786;;' 25^i w^^ 40) 'Her First Mate' (U). So-so at Not only Is It believed that NRA $2,100. Last week 'Gambling Ship' allegiance has aided considerably, (Par), $2,400. but that re-employment all over Bro.wh (1,500; 15-26.-40) 'Ni>_Maxr. Greater-New- York as a result of rlage Ties' (RKO). Average $1,200. nrA is hifivihg some result at the Last week, .'Headline Shooters' box office. (BKO), $1,300. _ ,^ The Capitol this week Is creating Alamo (960; l|-20-26r •Devils the most excitement with 'Tugboat Brotlier' (MG) and 'Flddllnj Buck-1 Annie,' a dr^w natural pairing arpo (U).. Split week, mild $1,000.1 jjarle Dressier and Wallace Beery: Last week Made on Broadway chances to hit $70,000, very big,, are i^^l •Wrecker' (U), spUt, anything biit remote, the highest $1,100. 'ANNIE' 24G IN WASE LEAVES OTHERS LITTLE . Wasiiington,. AugJJL_ (MG), well lilccd by majority and held for $12,000, good. .Newman (Par) (1,800; 25-40)— ''three Cornered Moon' (i?ar), -Shotlia-draw=$9;0 0 Orgaacl?=Bast--vveek= ,'Midnight Club'. (Par)^ eased, off a little affer a normal opening but delivered $8,000, olce. . . Uptown (Fox) (2;'040; 23-40)— '.LiCe in the Raw' .(Fox). .-Anptljer Zanc Grey westorh, should appeal to* the youngsters, estimated for $3,500, fair. Last week 'Hello Sis- ter' (Fox), $3,000. Everything: and then some Is the. Beery-Dressier--cOmbo—In—'Tugboat- Annie' at Loew's' Palace. If (and the—if "Should^ 156'^ carefully noted) anybody else does any business it will come from the overflow at the Palace* None 0^ the other fare In the town is particularly outstanding. Best name Is Richard Dix at Keith's, but he Is doing very little in .'No Mar- riage Ties,' while ' all the rest of them are all In the same class. Estimates for This Week Coiuffibia (Leew) (1,263; is^^s- 36-40)—'Hauntied Gold' will prob- ably get the usual $2,000. Last week 'Study in Scarlet' (WW) just nosed throught with the $3,000 anticipated. EaHe (WB) (2,424; 25-35-50-60.- 70)—'Private, Detective' (WB) and Vaughn De Leath heading vaude. Going to be bad week - at maybe $11,500. Last weelc Arliss in 'Vol- taire' (WB) did $18,000, okay.. Fox (Loew's) (2,434; 16-25-36-60) —'Arizona to Broadway' (Fox), and vaude. Like the rest of them, not -ijolng-^m-uchr'-maybe—$1-5*600-ion-Tther week. Last week 'Midnight' ClUb' (Par) and Mills Bros. stage got $23,500. Met (WB) (1.B83; 15-25-35-50-60-^ .70)—'Narrow Corner' (WB). But little, win iend up at $3,000. Last week 'She Done Him Wrong' (Par) in for about 'steenth repeat, got .$i>,ouo. ■■ —' : — Palace (Loew's) (2.363; 35-50-60) -^'Tugboat Annie' (MG). With highe.st scale in town will get about $24;0 00 o n jhe week, and that'a.bus- ThessT XasT w&^lt ^XnoMef~Xah>-" guage* (MG) failed to register' as high cis anticipated, getting about $10,000. f ' .KeJth^s CRKO) (1,S30; lo-25r35- 50)—'No. - Marriagej Ties' (RKO)« Won't do over . $2,500, poor. Last week 'Moonlight and Pretzels' (IT) in for nine days got a good start but drifted to a .final, count of $3,700. IN BAUO Baltimore, Aug. 14, Ace attractions all the.way doWn the llhe and'it's a toss-up for the coin. 'Tugboat Annie' lias' ho com petition in to'wn for flr6t-run honors but It isn't going to be as simple as that 'Annie' la going to tag close to $19,000. into the Stanley box office, and that's plenty-plenty after a iieai>t-br(»kifigr~sttMBi^^. ' But the other houses are not sit' ting back. They're in business too this week. In fact, the current ses- sion offers the unusual situato'n of five houses wth five sock attrac- tions, and most unusual, it looks like there's going to be five theatre books with .black ink currently. Which may prove, after all, that give *em the attractions and they'll come, competition or no competi- tion. Hippodrome is riding pretty again with 'No Marriage Ties' on t he sc reen and Edmund Lowe on the stage. Lowe Is surprising _bjsr satis- fying fans and bbx-office, something that flicker actors in person, haven't been able to accomplish lately. New theatre, after weeks of blood' and sweat, is once more getting a peek at theatrical heaveii 'with 'Pilgrim- age,' which Is giving indications of -being—-just- - the --right—'amount- T>f- hearts-an d-flo wers for the s hop ping trade: "TTRe'PIlts-SiimiuervllIecbm- J!iln.atlQn..iaJxaxing.jL_nlcej;ime..of-it. at the Keith's with the hew release, 'Her First Mate.' Slightly doubtful is the Century which is being retarded at the reg- ister by a soggy piece, 'Storm at Daybreak.' Killing oft the chances for the stage show (Mills Bros.-Don Redman) to do much business. Edtimates for This Week Century (Loew-UA) (3,000; 25-35- 40-55-66)- — 'Storm at^ Daybreak' (MG) and vaiude. Mills Bros.-Dort Redman .and the Harli^m. show must do whatever business is to be done this week; and they indicate that they'll be able to overcome the flicker handicap and come through with a box-office winning statement. Retarding, the stage. show itself . is the fact that it's the second con- secutive colored headliner in this house, not so. good way doWn south in. pixie. Perhaps $1^,000, good enough and much profit, but it w()nlt..^_c.QmpaEe—.with—^the—happ3|t*»- dayig-in-Dixie here last week when 'College Humor' -(Par).-pouhded:..O.ut. a ripping $19,400; ^ Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,500; 26'-35-40-55-.66)-T-'No Marriage "Ties' (RKO) and vaude. Edmund Lowe; malcing an In the flesh appearance and helping along In the good work. querors' Is adding smiles to the Hippodrome. Will about double its business of. last week and do ap- proximately $12,000. .Last week $6,- i00=^ar=the"^lndle=^'3i^g^Slnner^S^n■g'= (Maj), ■vfhich hadn't any support at all from the stage end. Hou.se Is figuring to add itself to the colored' parade next week- by bringing i,n Connie's. Inn. 'Hot Choco^latos,'..but. without Ethel Waters, who was here a few months ago with.'Rhap- sody In Black/ Keith's (Schanberger) (2,400; 26- gross house has known In a; good lo ng s pell, and. topping last .week's aTsaTin6~^«4;000,'ilrawn 1^ Language' and; on the stige, "Robeirt' Montgomery. Had not Metro dajed 'Tugboat' and wanted to get it into the house, last .'welek's gross Would have niade a .holdoyer' Imperative^ :. tnjterms of 'moiiiey, the ::. Music Hall Is Tip over the Cap, bUt^^at $84, 000, good as this is,'the figure can not be. considered' as. big for this large house, with its ti'emendoiis ciapaclty. and . ^n 'overheaiiA which runs frohi ;$56,000 to $60,000 weekly. Hall plays 'Pilgrimage' direct from a twora-day r\xn at the Gaiety, wherO It.started tfut well but-flQ ished. .mpderately. Along with the sadden imiprove ment blanketing . Broadway first runs, the Paramount comes up from a mild $24,800 last week to a fine $36>000 currently,.very good. House is getting its new play on 'Three Cornered Moon': and Georgei Olson's :bandf-a combination that -seems to be worlcing out all right for the house. Both Roxys—the RKO. and the Seventh avenue largle—are on the way up this week. Old 'house, with 'Tarzan, the Fearless,' in celluloid and Lillian Shade heading the stage bin, expects to get around $31,000', nice, while the other Boxy over in Radio City should grub out $10,000 or better, best In several weelcs. Two'films there this week are'Mama Loves Papa,' for four days, and 'Devil's In Love' (Fox), balance, of week. ■ —Bcrtlr"Wurnerrhonses-"are-on; lrold'=~ overs.—A-fter a- nice first-Week Of $21,700, 'M:ary Stevens, M. D.,' at the Strand, will get in the neighbor- hood of $16,000, good for a second week, while 'Gold Diggers,'- up.; at the Hollywood,' hopes to ride" its ninth week into .$9,000 with the change in the we athe r. M usical sot $9,300 previous week, ' - -Enjoying -the -4>reaks—all- -around with the others, the Rialto opti- mistically- looks-td-$i-3v000,^erhaps- better, from 'Sing, Sinner, Sing* and will retain It a second wfeek or major portion of that period. 'Moonlight and Pretzels,' U niUsIcal, booked originally for Friday (18) Is set ,back a week to Aug. 25, but may be brought in a day or two ahead of that date depending' on how 'Sing, Sinner' behaves «n the holdover. Palace and State, each with': vaude, will be ahead of prior week's.; 'Midnight Club,' George Raft pic- ture .which did well at the Para-: ihount, will aid the Pal tow:ard a $13,000 week while at the State 'Hold Your Man' and Morton Downey in person are strengthening possibilities for $16,000, very nice. The May fair ppeneda new- one yesterday, 'Faithful Heart,'. after three weeks of 'Savage Gold,' an indie freak that did very well, getting $8,100 on its final week. Not so much (expected from Taithful,* which opened up mildly yesterday (14). • • . ■ ■ Fox brings *Power' and the G16ry,^ Jesse L. Lasky production into the Gaiety tomorrow night (Wednes- day) on a twO-a-day basis at $1.95 top as new opposition to 'Sohg.'ot Songs,' continuing remarkably well at the small-seater Criterion. Th<^ Dietrich picture got $8,100 last week. Its: fourth, and stays for. a while yet. Paramount has the Kduae until Aug. 22, with an Option- for an additional Week.. ' On its depar- ture, Columbia expects' to brine 'Lady For a Day' into .the house! 'as a roadishbw attraction, Par.i^ot liasr-. ing another picture until later when IDesign For Living' will her,, a. candlde.te. ' ; Estimates for Yhis Week CeipTtoi (5,400; 36-76-99-$i;e5) .'Tugboa;t Annie' • (MG) and stage Show. The 'MIn and Bill' team, Marie Dresslier and'Wallace Beery, are sucking 'em in .here this week, with expectations ■ .pointing -to- • a 30-40-50)—'Heir First Mate' (U). CJoniedy type okay for the matrons along this; walk^ and on its matinee draw will hold up without any trouble to $3,500, pleasant.. Last jveek-.!Meonliglvt-^nd-Pretzels'-('Er)-, held . up despite weak word-of- mouth-to-lini.sh-at~happy^4rl00. - - * New (Mechanic) (1,800; 25-30-40- 50)-^.'PiIgrimage' (Fox). .JFirst :plcr ture of strerijcrth from Fox here in' .some time, which should give the theatre a. chance to recoup a little on. an indicated $3,000. Opened on And--t-Ws-best--Di-x--fllek-er--sInce--^0h--|-FE^lday-4414f-^ in months, due to. the quick yank of 'Man Who Dar<?d' (Fox). 'Dared' dlod in five days, $1,100, Stanley (Loew-UA) (3,400.; 25-35- 40=5 5=6 5r—'TOgbMY^AiV trre''==(MrGX' No mistaking this one. Lining.them up early and long, pouring dollars into the wicket at a pace to count UP to walloping $1.0,000 for the cur-,.' rent..se33lon. It's a natural and ho squawk frOm any angle. Previous session was held to fair returns by 'Another Language' (MO) for $12,- 300, iw^oMpp^sim a second week; 'Anpt^^r Language*^ (MG) on screen >and* Bob' Mont- gomery , in persbii the ; previous week also brightened the Cap^s ^.,o. statement,' getting: $64,000,. ,blg./.i Criteribn^-.(875; - 65-H.10^:$1.66) . - •Song of Songs'..(JPar) (4th week). Maintaining'it» Iibld and stays 4efl- nitoly until . Aug. .- 22, poissibiy a week longer, to. be determined on^ then. Last weelc, 4iiird; two-a-day. attracted $8,100, good. Gaiety (808; 66 - $1.10 - ll.dS) •Ppwier and the Glory* (Fox), Opens here tomorrow night (Wednesday) on a. twice dally tryt-' Hollywood (1,643; 26^36-^6-76- 86-$1.10) 'Golddlggers* (WB) (9tb week). Musical hopes to . reach $9,000 or come close to It with better -weather in its favor. Take eighth week''wae f9;300. " Mayfair (2,200* 35-66-66) -'Faith-- ful Heart' (Hdber). Op«;ned yes- terday (Monday). i^S^yage Gpld* (Dyatt), held three weeks,, got $8; 100 the flhai seven days, nice* : Palace (1,700; j36-40r55-76) 'Mid- hlght Club* (Par) and vaiude. (?eorg4 Ratt ^ame above this onie, after a good flrst-run week at the Para- mount, doing pretty good and should eke out $13,000 on the week»- above recent averia,ges. Last week 'Mama^ Loves Papa' (Par) and vaude, $11,000. Paramount (3,664; 35-55-76) 'Three Gprnered Moon' (Par>_ and stage show. Favorable reviews on picture and George' Olsen's stage unit, including Ethel Shutta, aiding for a fine $36,000 Week. Dipped last Week to $24,800 on 'Her ^Bodyguard' (Par) and Jimmle Mattern, flier, in person. Radio City Music Hall (6,946; 35- 55-75) 'Pilgrimage' (-Fox)-and stage : show. In here from a, two-a-day run at- (Saietyr It-looks likft-Ta blg^ boost ove r previous week, or around T84i000.1 The Richard' Dix picture, ' 'No Marriage Ties' (RKO)v ^head- of— '- it, got $68,000, Rialto (2,QO0; 35-50-64) 'Sing; Sinner, Sing' (MaJ). Going so good at a possibility for $13,000 or over, that it will be held a part or all of a second weiek, with 'Moonlight and Pretzels' (U), musical, ' next on booking schedule. Last week 'The Wrecker'' (Col), with Jack Holt, drew better than-esrp6Cted;"$n;00(ir.^ Rivoli (2,200; 40-56-75-86). Sched- tiled to. reopieh. tomorrow' ('W'ednes- day) with 'Blttier Sweet' (UA),:date has been postponed a week .to Aug. 23. . ., RKO Rojyr (3,525;; 12-26^40)— 'Mama Loves Papa' (RKO), four days and' ^Devil's, in Love' (Fox), three, days. Duet ought to. click off about $l6,000 oh the weel^ better than house ha's been doing of late. Previous week, combination of 'Double Harnesis' (RKO),.foiir days mnd-^irr-Gr6at^t&~1)e—ATIve'-TFoxT:— three days, the gross was only -$8r9ee,-B ume red ;^ ' Roxy (6,20,0; 2 5 t3 5-55)—'Tarzan, the Fearless' (Pr-in> and stage show. This Indie's pace a big $31,000, aWay up. Last week It was $24,000, much better than average, on 'Big Brain' (RKO) and sts^ge show. S t ata (Z TOtmy—35-^5- ^75) — 'Hold t;our Man' (MG) and vaude. Morton Downey, heading the vaude bill, and Gable-ilarlow team, upplng ticket machin e nun ^^ to a jfl6,000. week^ "or^OveT. HO\5b6" prevTotis "weelc hit" ^ $14,000 oh 'When Ladies-. M«9t" (MG) also a draw, and vaude topped by JacJc Osterman. / Strand (2,300; ' 35-55-75)—'Mary Stevens, M, D.' (WB) (2nd week). Has the draft at;|16,000 On its hold* over week. First was $21,700, ex- cellent. 'Captured' (WB) comes in Thursday night (17).