Variety (Jan 1934)

Tuesday* January 16, 1934 P ■ X T. EAR OS S E S VARfETY Chi RO, Pace Okay as Grosses Ctimb 15^ in Month on Vaude ibnpetus; 'Hollywooif Tops BUFFALO IMPROVES at m HollywoQd' $15,000, 'Blood Mondy' antj Uniy $1 0^000^ Buffalo, Jan. 16. GroWges ^oldlhg .their own curr rently, after indications of TVfealc- ness last- week. Good, prpgtajns helping, Estirnailes for This Week feuffalo (Shea) (3,600.; 30-40-55) 'Going' Hollywood' (Par) and stagje show. iHbuse celebrfUilng fifth -an- niversary with heavy .istage show. B way Generally Strong; '8 Girls' I; %' N% 35G; 'Fugitive 4()G;'Sons'14G; Lederer 6S& NSG is Chicago; Jan, 1,5. Much. morale. .throughout the town at presents. -Business has been consistently bettet since the holidays. This takes in not: only the neighborhoods but the .i.bop. Esti- mated that the giroBs pickiip has been 15% In the past month and the trend continues upwards. Much of this pickup is credited to the sudden -increase of vaude throughout the. Balabah & Katz and indie stands. There are now- seven iull-we^k stands In Chlbagd, includ-, jng such neighborhoods as the Mar- bro, Uptbwri, Soiithtown and Capi- tol, beSltflfes the three loop spots. And three other houses are ready to add vaude for full weeks. Besides these ftill stands there are approximately 20. split-week outfits, All wbich started sbme six mpnths. aigd by skillful vaude bboUliig at the B. & IC. Congress on weekrend dates. The excellent results at the Congress Induced B. & K: to add houses one aft6r. another until there are now 10 B. & .K. nabe-spots playr Irig week-end dates with B. i& K- admitting that it was the exc^lent -work on these bookings thiit . boosted grbisses as mUch as 75% on week ends. Business in the loop Is good this week. The ace Chicago will make plenty with 'Going Hollywood, which is likely to touch $42,000; •Dinner at ighf is clicking easily on its pop-priced run at the Oi;iental and on present pace looks like smashing $^25,000, fattest mark. at this house in many weeks. Both the Palace and the Stater Lalte are depending on thfeir viaude shows currently and both are doing well. Cantor is going into his fourth week in 'Roman Scandals' and will clear oiit, this Wednesday (?J)^af k clean-up stay. Other United Art- ists pictures are backed up and hollering for screen space. Estimates for This Week Chicago (B, & K.) (3,940; 35-45- 76)—'Going Hollywood* (MG) and fitage show. Excellent variety sho>^: is backing up the draw of the pic- ture. Will Mahoniey, Don Carlos band, Gomez and Wlhona, Picture ia a cinch for $42,000, an emphatic money-maker at this week's over- head. Last week Mary Pickford ^rove a hard bargaiin with B, & K but the firm camfe out on top despite the heavy padding on the expense sheet, doing a roaring $57,100, which was plenty in thie black. McVicker-s (B&K) (2,284; _25-35V —'By Candlellghtr (U). B, & K. has consistently found that Saturday openings are not good yet persists In opening long run pictures, on the week-ends. This opened slowly on Saturday (13) but excellent notices and word-of-mouth starting to build and likely to touch $13,000. good. Picture Is of the type generally con- sidered pie here. Last week, 'Con- vention City' (WB) finished fairly at $11,200. Oriental..(B&K!) (3.200; 40-50-60) —•Dinner at Eight' (MG). Comes in "here after a four-week $1.50 stay at the Apollo a couple of months ago when .it did only so-so trade, In this house doing happy biz at pop figures. Getting a, well-round6d play at all hours and all classes which makes it an easy wirtner at $25,000 for the opening week. Last week, 'Design for Living' (Par) fin- ished a three-week- ride at .;good 1$10,200, with picture showing better pace strength at closing than at. the beginning. ■ Palace (RKd) (2,583; 40-65-83)— *If I Were Free' (RKO), and 'Cotton Club Revue' on stage. Steady trade currently with more power on stage than on picture. On the right s.lde of the ledger at .good $23,000. Last week, 'Counsellor at Law* (U) steamed the box office neatly to hotcha $27,100. Roosevelt (B&K) (1.500; 25-35)— •Sons of the Desert' (MG),. House is becoming a.flve-day stand. Cur- rent Laurel and Hardy slated for ah exit this coming Friday with. 'As Husbands Go' (Fox) to replace. Looks fair at $7,000 for stay. Last week. 'Women in. His Life' (MG) starved and yanked at miserable $5,700. State-Lake (Jones) (2,700; 20-30- 40)—'Master of Men' (Col) and vaude. House in on the general climb and headed upwards to .$17,- 000, fine. Last week, 'Goodbyfe Love' =^"^RKO)'=smTnjfi5d=a;i75tmd=bat^i^^ got by on its general rep Which kept the register in line at good $16,200. United Artists (B&K-tJA) (1,700; 85-65)—'Roman Scandals' (UA),. Three and half weeks for thia.Can- tbr picture and all the way through to exceedingly pleasant figures. On final week looks capable of touch- ing $14,000, potent for the length of stay. 'Gallant Lady' (UA) comes In Wednesday (17) to be followed by •Moulin Rouge' (UA). *CenturV PrOffreSS' Revue kpicture being received indifferently. While business appears . spottier this week than since Christmas; Sends Indpls. U> mm^^i^Km^M^l^MmS^m^ iridianapolis, Jan. 15, Century of Progress Revue„' which the first stage show to; be pre- sented at Loew's Palace in six yearis, is eretting plenty of attentlOh this week .krid It. dominates the down- town business with a smashing $1.6.- 500 pace,- Fugitive Lovers'vis the screen fare at the L'oew hbuse^ but it's the stage show .that Is the mag- net. The Lyric, wfilch has been having this only vaude in tbwn, felt tbe competition a little and slid down.to no better.than a par wbek of $6,000 after more .than a nibnth of fast traveling at a clip ground two grand highfer than that. , There's nothing else on the hori- zon With the big Ijidiana fibuhdering badly witli a split Week policy While the Apollo iiost Its consistent femme trade With a try at a. western. Fron- tier Marshall.* The Circle ne<er got going with: , 'Le t's Fall in Love.'- Esiimaibs for This Week ApoHo (Fourth Ave.) (1,100; 20- 25-40)—'Frontier Marshall' (Fox) Questlbnable bboking in this house. Take is only $2;750. bad. Last'Wefek 'Counsellor at LaW' (U), $3,200, meager/ Circle . (Katz^l^eld) (2,€00; 25-'10V —'Let's Fall in Love' (Col). Ed- mund Lowe featured along With' musical angle.-bUt neither one means fl thln.cr and. the grbss shows it at only $4,000, light. Last, week 'Henry 8th' (UA) over the top at $6,400 Indiana (Katz-Feld) (3.100; 20- 25-40)—'House on 56th Street' (FN) aiid 'Havana Widbws' (FN), split. Verv dull at $3,900. Last w^ek. World Changes' (FN) for. only four days and last half of Week with Sitting Pretty (Par) chalked up $5,000, mild. Lyric (Olson) (2,000; 20-25-40)— Bombay Mail* (U) and vaude. Felt the stage show competition at the Palace and. slipped somewhat, $6,000, par only. Last Week, 'Lady Killer' (WB) and vaudeT very good at $7,500. Loew's Palace (Loew's (2,800; 25 35-55)_'Fuigitive Lovers' (MG) and •Century of Progress Revue.* House courageously kept advanced prices in face of low price competition, but ran strong and steadily to reach $16,500, Wow and socko. Last week, the holdover stanza of Dinner at Eight' (MG), no better than fair at $5,500 with expectations being higher. shbw. Well liked, but failed meet expectations; $17,000. . Hipp (Shea) (2,400; 25-40). lood Money'^ (tJA) and 'Hot Chocolate^ unit win help boost gross ovfer $10,000. Last week 'Hoopla' (Fox) and 'Student Prince' tab. Latter played major part in Week's figure of $lliO.QO. _ . 6reat Lakes (Shea) (3,400; .25.40). 'Roman Scandals' (UA).; Running start With U A. giving the ^aturej plenty of newspaper space. Should go over $10,000. , Last week ^Dm- ner at Eii:ht' (MG) In second Week rather below anticipated business-at $7,300. Got $21,000 in the'two Ayeeks. Century (Shea) (3,400; 26). Th^ , —/ir-M\ ; and Girl World Changes' (FN) . Without a Boom* (Par).. Return to double features, showing signs or catbhihg oh. Nice $7m. Last week Havana Widows': (FN) and JHeH and High Water' (Par). $7,000. a, good figure at the 25c. tariff. •Lafayette dnd;) (3,400;^ 26-35). 'Above the Clouds' (Col,) and^yaude to I rieSponsible, January tip strfang, ■„ , In addition to generally im^proved conditions ifi all industry,: increased employment, repeal and.otlier fac- tors which either; multiply or lobSen dollars for the theatres, last Week's aiito show arid the presence in New York of many oUt-of-town buyers has .been stimiiilating business. Jan- uary is buyer!s month and city is flooded with • tiepresentaiitlves from all. over the. country. They, are al- w^ays good bbx office on their perl- bdlc visits to New York, Oddlv enough, since It's one of the sights 'for the out,-bf-tbwners, the Music Hall this week is disappoint- ingr on'its .box office countup... 'Man of Two Worlds', .. Francis Lederer's first .picture, will riot do $65.OO0i This is poorer tHa,n the bouse did ithe previous week with 'If I Were Free;' with under $70,000. Pararitoiint and Ciapltbl are bbth doing faiHy Well, former with 'Eight Girls in. a Boat,' which is paced for Neat show should do gbod $10.00^ $42,000, latter With 'Fugitive Lovers,' Last week 'Cy Candlelight; (Un) and maybe $40.000.. Gap opened a little vaude. Fell babk bettered $9,000 s:ightly, but COMPETISH IN BOSTON BREAK FOR CUSTOMERS Boston, Jan. 15, Town's biz currently much brighter than last week. Extra pep is lent by the race just started by Met vs. RKO, Boston. With both spots out to bring In the best, obtainable, the public ain't going to Ibse. Proving again that competish Is life of trade and helps everybody, too. Estimates for This Week Keith's (RKO) (4,000; 25-36-50)— 'Man's Castle' (Col) set to snatch $13,000. Last week 'Flying Down to Rio' (RKO) on Its. second week pulled $7,000, nifty enough. oston (RKO) (4.000; 35-50-65)— 'tiet's Fall in Love' (Col) and Bert .Lahr topping a. gala yaude bill; swinging house back to its stride befor.e the slump last week. Prob- ably $24,500. Last week 'Fog' (Col) arid Ambs *n* Aridy topping bill; short of expectations at $20,600. Orpheum (Loew's) (3,000; 30-40- 60)—'Dinner at Eight' (MG) arid fine vaude; another week of hangup biz I'esulting frbm. strong program. Full steam .ahead' for $16,000,. Jim dandy. Last week 'Going Hblly- wood' (MG), $15,600, took it oh chin State (Loew'b) (3,000; 30-40-60)— 'Fugitive Lovers' (MG), doing nlcie-^ ly, apparently due to Robert Montr gpmery. Should shove through to excellent $12,500, creamy. Last. Week 'Roman Scandals' (UA) one bf bfeat the uptown Loew house has had in nioons, shooting high at $14,500. ,. Met (M&P) (4,330; 30-40-50-.65)-- 'Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen' (Par) and Cab Calloway shojv on stage; latter packing 'em to standees nights, good big biz daytimes; result is prospects, of •$31,000, rich. EJd Smith has town talking Over his list ^bf-=comlng==showSi=^M^iT'y^Pick-fofd next, and big ones to follbw. Last week 'Mr. Skltch' (Fox) and stage came through to profitable $24,500. Paramount fM&P) (1,800; .35-45 55)--'Eight Girls in Boat' (Par) and 'Olsen's Big Monient' (Fox), poorest program this pop spot has had in long while; yet biz quite hefty .for the fare. Appears good' to strike $8,500. Last week 'Havana Widows' (FN) and 'Hell and High Water (Par) $9,560, scrumptious. Providence, Jan; 16. . Looks like another hotcha week for most atandS. Weather man has been extremely kind, aind every- body's happy. Biz pretty well dis- tributed, there being no 'particular standout, . , «-i.* Loew's State and Fay's have slight edge over other stands, largely be-: cause of vaudeville, Opposiah for straight picture houses is; particu- larly strong, ptage shows way abov^ average. Picture • fare boasts of names with drawing power. ' ; 'Fugitive Lovers,' at Loew s, with Lew Parker'B 'Antics of 1934' head- ng stage show; Clpsfe. to $13,000 an- ticipated. 'Big Shakedown' Is prin- cipal picture at Fray's, 'King's Scan- dals' topping variety bill. Looks like a nice $7,300. Conventibri City* and •Solitaire Man' at Majestic has slight edge over 'White Woman* and 'Girl With- out a Room' at the Paramount, ma- estlc garnfeting at least $7,200, near- ly a grand more than the other spot. Ariios 'n* Andy in twbday appear- ance at the RKO Albiee, with 'Car- nival Lady* on the scre^iri. Tilted prices for' the week-end engage-r ment brought close to $2,500, radio stars doing four shows daily. Ann Corio at Modern should help to pep things up At this burlesque spot. Estimates for This Week Fay'^ (2,000; 15-25-40) —'Big (WB) and vaudeville. dlsappointlhgiy, but is holding up better than the Hall on its.dive after reviews got out. , iPar hsis Wiring's Perinsyivarilans on its stage this week,' with -band, ttttractlb'n figured to be furnishing stable support for the picture. 'I Was a Spy,' a BHtlsh-made ait the Rbxy, received generally .goo€ notices and is; building'on k chance to connect for a possible $35,000. ex- cellent. If s the first week of Rube Wblf, m. c. hw-e,. and that won't be a bad break for. him, either. The first Laurel and Hardy com- edy to gb to the Rialtb, 'Sons of the Desert,'- Is drawing strongly and, gaited for around $14,000 bri the Week, will be held over. Picture played Brooklyn first - fu.ri before Arthur Matyer brought It In here Friday (12) i the prior date across the .river apparently not hurting on this engagement. Cantor's 'Roman ScaridHls' fell little under expectations last'weeki getting $25,600, biit Is holding up stoutly, on its fourth (final) vv^eek It should end up somewhere be tween $17,000 and $18,000 after very profitable nionth's run. .'Gal lant Lady' . (TJA). opens Saturday (20). Second week of 'Flying Down to Rio* at the RkO Center will be fair ly good, $11,000. or so after first severi days' take of $15,000'. Neither of the Warner houses,. Strand or Hollywood, are in the money this week. 'Eiiasy to Love' will be fortunate) to touch $12,000 at the. Strand, While reissue of Disraeli' at the other house is pretty la,ck- luStre at Indicated $6,500, Warners are opening 'Fashions of 1934' Thursday night (18) on a $W pre- miere. Next for the Strand is 'Massacre,' with Dick Barthelmess. It'll prob- ably come In Thursday night (18). After a slow week on 'Before Mid- night.' which couldn't get more than $6,200. Mayfair last night (Monday) brought In 'Myrt and Marge.* State fairly bullish with 'Dinner ler for advertising but Uie result will be disappointing, gross going under $65,000.' 'If I Were Free' (RKO), in ahead, did considerably better; winding up near to $70,000; - Rjaltd (2,000; 36-40-65)—'Sons of the Desert' ■ (MG). Will .hold over all or portion of a second week after pace that suggests good $14,000 in initial seven days. Last week, sec- ond of 'Man's Castle* (Col), $11,00.0. Rivioli (2,200; 40-65-75-85)^'Ro-; man Scandals' (UA) (4th week). Final week for the Cantbr musical will be above expectations, between $17,000 arid $18,000 after a third Week which, held the picture down tO: $25,600 When better than that was hoped foi^. *Gallant Lady' (UAf opens Saturday (20), 'Moulin Rouge' (UA) to follow that. RKO Center (3,525; 26-40)--^'Fly- ing Down to Rib' (RKO) (2d week). This Is. getting to be a run house the way It looks, 'Flying Down' on its holdover week is mairitalning good;pull arid probably arourid $11.- 000 win be the result. Firat week was $15,000. Raxy (6,200; 25-35-55,-65)r^1 Was a Spy' (Gaumont-Fox) arid stage show. .Foreign-made picture rat- ing, arid getting, the business; bhances good to hit $35,00& or more. Last week 'By Candlelight' (U) also good, $28,200. Strand (2,900; 36-55-75-85)-T-'Ea3y to Love'- (WB). Short on.draft, $12,- 000'.. looks tops. With 'Massacre' CW^B), next on books, probably Cbm- Ing til Thursday night (ii).. Last week 'Lady Killer' (WB) on hold- over beat that a little, $14,300. State (2,000; 86-55-75)—TDinner at Eight' (M<^) and vaude. Names pri. 'pinrier' assures better than average b.o. bait, so riiaybe fn.OOO. Last -week *G6lng Hollywood' (MG) failed to prove, as strong, around $16,000. Shakedown' , . . Bill apparently to the liking of the natives, slow In starting but picking Ut Eight,' Palace sluggish with 'K I up. House a,nticipates $,t least $7,- -yvere Free,' probiably not more than 200, nice. Last week 'I Was ii Spy' ' - (Fox) and vaudeville, with Molasses and January headlining; very good at $7,500. Loew's State (3,200 15-25-40)— VFygitive L(Overi3' (MG) and vaude- ville. Another evenly balanced.bill; assured of at least $13,500, oke. Last week 'Roman Scandals* (UA). Ed- die Cantor bettered- his last record here wheri gross hurdled marvelous $19,300. Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 15-25-40)— 'Solitaire Mian' (MG) and 'Conven- tion City' (WB). Best double fea- ture bill in tO'wn, and. the. natives know it. House should have no dif- ficulty in getting at least . $'7^^200, $11,000 Estimates for This Week Astor (1,012-; $1.10-$1.65-$2.20)— 'Queen Christina' (MG) (3d week) Looks to be in for a fairly good run. Capitol (5,400; 36-75-85-$1.10)— 'Fugitive Loveirs' (MG) arid stage show. Off to a. disappointing start after a big ad campaign and will be lucky to hurdle $40,000, fairly good but under expectations. Last week 'Dinner at Eight' (MG) on holdover ju.st under this,' Hollywood (1,553; 35-55-75-85)— 'Disraeli' (WB). Reissue of the Arliss picture, best he ever made, meaning nothing oh Broadway; only good. Last week ;Mr, Skltch' (Fox) »6,5oo. 'Fashions of 1934' (WB) and 'House bn 56th Strpe.t' (WB) exceeded a;il anticipations at $9,100, big. „ Paramount -^2,200; 15-26-40— •White Wbman' (Par) and 'Girl Without a tloom' (Par). ' Close to $6,500, oke. Last week 'Design tor Living' (Par) and 'Rainbow Over iJrbtidway* caught $9,300 for nine- day run, RKO Albee (2,200; 16-26-40)— 'Horseplay' (U) and 'Criminal at Large' (Helber), double. Four-day run will be around $3,?00. 'Carnl- -_yal^Lady^(Goldsmith).=andi^^mo.3.= 'n' Andy on stage Saturday (13) and Sunday (14) only; good at $2,500 with prices boosted to 50c. Laist week 'Flying Down to Rio' (RKO) oh holdbver very nice at $5,500; RKO .Victory (1,600;. 10-16-25)— 'Picture Brides' and 'Buffalo Bill, Jr.' Around $1,100 for four days on split week. Last week 'Before Morning' and 'Her Mad Ni^ht' also oke at $950 on split week.. opens Thursday night (18) Mayfair (2,200; 35-55-65)—'Myrt and Marge' (U), Premiered here last night (Monday) after a week of 'Before Midnight' (Col), which failed to excite, $6,266, but not red for house. Palace. (1,760; 35-40-55-75)—'If Were Free' (RKO) and vaude. No draft In this one to speak of and $11,000, maybe'less, 'Bombay Mail' (U), hpre the previous week on first run, did a little better, around $12, 000. ^PFraTTVO=uTTt=(^C64 r=35-^4 0^55-75)— 'Eight Girls In a Boat' (Par) and Waring's Pennsylvanians on stage Waring band sturdily ?jupporting this picture for a -possible $42,000 good, Last week, second of 'Design for Living' (J'ar) finished to $40,000 Radio City Music Hall (5,945; 40 66-8"-99-$1.65) — 'Man - of Two Worlil.s' (RKO)' and 8t,age' show. This l.*j the flr.st anniver.sary week of the Music Hall, which went heav DANCING LAOr 13G'S, CANTOR 3DWK., MONTI Montreal, .Jan. IB. Eddie Cant panicked the town again last week s^nd takes a third call in 'Roman Scandals' currently. Picture will top |30,:000 ior Its three weeks'; run at the Princes^ on BOc top and with, under 2,000 seats, pretty nearly a recoYd and .&ot touched for over two years. His Majesty's EAibwirig English pantond^ime, 'Robinson Crusoe' surie of a good week With Old Couritry- ites flocking In and at $2 top may get $9:000. Palace with 'Only yes- terday' and 'Love, Honor and Qh, Baby' looks like gettlrig away -with some nice money arid should collect at least $10,000. Capitol has the hig draw of the week In 'Dancing Lady,' Gabl^-Crawford combo, that should hit around $13,000. Loew'd on last week of vau^e, 'Should Ladles Be- have* (MG) and Lita Grey Chap- lin, persorially,- cannot be much un-: der $12,000. Prlricess on third week 'Roman Sckndals* good for $9,000. Imperial takes . a week off with French operetta company, sub- .scription-based show. Cinema de Paris haa , 'II Etait Une Fols' and will gross usual $1,500. Nabes piekiftg^ np a ;llttl6, still plenty in redi Estitriates for. This Wjeek His Majesty's (Ind).(1,600; 50-$2> ;RbbInson Cru;oe* (legit) English pantomiriie, not seen here In many years, pretty certain to get good money around $9,000. Last week 'Charley's Aunt,' $4,006; . Palace (FP) (2,700; 60) 'Only Yesterday' (U) and 'Lo-ve,' Hbnor and Oh, Baby' (.U). Looks strorig for $10,000. 'Little Women' .(RKO) last week had a good week at $11,-' 500. Capitol (FP) (2,700; 60) 'Dancing Lady' (MG). Siire to top the town, $13,000 or better. Last week 'Her Sweetheart' (MG) attracted $11,000. Loew's (FP) (3,200; 65) 'Should Ladies Behave* (MG) and vaude with Lita Groy Chaplin headlining. Last .veek of vaude with good chances for $12,000, Last week 'lioop-La (Fox) and five acts vf.ude grossed at $10,000' Princess (CT) fl,900; 50) 'Roman S cand ala'_XLtA.)-,f 3d- wk)_,.'ln d iMas- tpr of Men' (Col)^ Gro.ssed close on $25,000 past fortnight and should add anothnr $9,000 currently. Imperial (Fra.ice-Fllm) (1,600; 25-75) Fram-.h operetta company. ►Should hit usual figure around $2,- 500. Last week 'Pour ICtre Aime' $1,750. Cihema de Paris (France-Film) (COO;50) '11 I'it.'iit TTn> Fols,' $1,500. La.«<t week ' ''toile de. Valence,* $1,70"0,