Variety (Mar 1934)

10 VARIETY P I C ¥ E GROSSES Tuesday, March 6, 1934 Loop Booms; 4 of 6 Spots Go Flesh; on New PoEcy; March Happy days agai here's a zest r and hop to showmen In the loop as competition gets hot- ter and attractions get bigger; The pld lethargy, has been Icicked Irt. the alley and everybody's, yipping It up. Four first-rua houses In th^ loop re noAV pla:ylng. ITesh. and there's a heavy Ukolihopd of still another ad- ition to the increasing; number pf '^stage shows. Chicago, Palace, State-T-iake and Orlei^tal.are a,.ll giy- ing vaude aiid picture bargains and Instead of tlie competition hurting it's helping all around. .Loop showhaeh are learning that the trick is to. get the psople show-In- terested enoush to hike it for the downtown spots. Qhce the cro"^\'ds iare milling ar every theatre, gets its share. Oriental went to vaude-presenta-, tipn. JL'Ylday iaiiii had . ita first hold- out on a matinee in months. tai; looks set to settle down, to steady business once the booking problems are' Straightened put. This B.. & K, house Is playiiig same policy, as thie .Jones- StateriLake, vaude-presenta- tibh Tflth. subsequent release plc^ lures at 40c top, Hlgherj-prlced houses have little to tear..;; Despite " the .cbtopfetitive Qi^ehlng of the.Oriental, the.Palace currently, with a top of 83c, is . get- ting it's share of trade with the world premiere of the Hepburn flick, 'SpitHre.' Same goes for the Chicago, where Tashlon Follies' and the Duncan Sisters fab' on. the stage are .doing. UNIT AND 'SUZANNE' $14,500 AT FOX, WASH. Waishingtoh, March 5. aii right this week and Pox has queer mixture, but ought to conie out on top, Working- iii 'Artists an4 Models' unit with 'I Am Suzanne'.gives. Fox the edge. Estimates for This week Fox (Lbew) (3,434r 25-35-60) 1 Am Suzanne.. (Fox) and Vaude. 'Artists and Models* Unit present I vode, $2,400, fair, and weelc should get $20,000. Liast gars in Ermine' (Mono), and. vaude, weiek 'Cat and Fiddle' (M-G), plus | $2,100. Ramon NOvarro in person, clicked to nice $25,000. Earle (WB) (2.424; 25-35-40-60) 'Ninth Guest* (WB) and vaude. Mae Questel getting some air fans. Pic drawing niystery'followers arid oke with $16,000. Last -week- (Bolero' (J>at), $16,500. Keith's (RKO) (1,830; 25-35-60) •It H(appened :Ohe Night' (Col). Second week headed for $8,000, l^ast week, counting midnight show, near ^14,500, . Palace (Loew) (2,363; 26-35-66) Carbliha' (Pox). Palace. Around $6,000. Last week, 'I Believed In You' (Pox); $3,800, 86- eo. Lyric (RKO) (1,394; 35-44)—-'Pa- looka* (UA). Supported by special campaign and wham Joe Palooka cartoon coloring contest In Times- Star, with newp and office plugs for six days, getting $7,000, a Durante haymaker. Last week, 'Girl With- out a" Room* (Par), $4,000, tame go- ing. Keith's (LIbson) (1.500; 30-40)— 'I've Got Your Number' (WB). Joan Blohdcll the selling angle. vMelP" drama trade coming tof $4^200, okc. T-ast week, 'Maridalay' (WB), $4,- 500; nice. Gr^hd (RKO) (1.025; 25-35)— 'Queen Christina' (M(3), second run, and 'LiOiig Loist Fatl?er* (RKO), first showing, split. Should fetch $2,000; all right. . Last week, 'Sea Killers' (indie) with personal appearance of Capt, John Di Craig, and 'Carolina' (Fox), second run, divided, $1,800. Family (RKO) (1,000; 16-25)— Reform (ilrl' (MaJ). and 'Midnight' (tT), sepiarate. Close to. average with $1,600. Last week, 'Speed. Wings' (Col), and 'Sleepers East' (Fex), split, W.406. Strand (Ind) (1,200; 25-36)— 'Poor Rich' (XJ); .and five acts of Last weeki 'iSeg okay. McVIckers Is pla.ylng Its last 35.40) 'Sleepers East' (Pox). K0-s6 b.o. flick with 'You Can't Buy ^ith possible $3,000. Last Plenty Compeihioii In liid.; Ktte &ml]t, %aAa' Oke 12i6 indiahapplls, March 6: Keen competition thla week among the downtowners with, every house Looks like nice I offering strong., bills. Kate - Smith $19,000. Last we^k second o£ 'Chris- and her shoW on the stage at the tina' (M-G), a good $12,000. Indiana are out in froht with $12,500 Rialto (U) (1,853;. 16-26.-36-60) Indicated. Will Rogers Is holding 'Beloved'., (U). Second week doing his own at the Apollo as usual with satisfactory business, $4,060 worth- a" nifty $5,800> . * while. Last week s^me pic had stifl: Estimates for This Week . opposition, so, $7,000 good. ■ , a«aii« a™v ^^ tnn. 9a exploitation gave it nice start, but ers always good at this fPpt^^ no easing a bit; week should get $6,000, matter what he has to buck, Nice satlsftctoiy. Last week. "I^st proAt at *6,800. Last wee^ Round-Up' (Par); fair, $4,000. ^^^H* ,<UA) not^so good ^t $2,400.^ Columbia (Loew) (1.263; 16.26- Circ^ (Katz-Peld) (2,60(^;; 26-40) — - Fair, —^^^t Happened. One Night' (Col)- Week r^^^'U^^ be good $6,260. Last, week Pitt AO Tangled Up in Weather; 'Bar t Good; Delmar Unit $8,200 Lone Cowboy* (M-G), nice $4,600. ilero $8 jOO; Mr $4 jO Ev6rythlhg.' Next week starts super tuns as the aice picture house of town. Estimates For This Week Chicago (B&K) (3,940; ^6-46-76) •—'Fashion Follies' (WB) and ^Topsy and Eva' tab on st&ge, Tab coriies in here aft^r six weeks of mediocre ..legit run. at . the Apollo. Managing to pick the gross up more than five grand abOve previous take and goes on the right side ot the ledger at an indicated $33,000. House is getting into fine shape with the Oriental, goitig to subsequent run, giving: the Chicago a chance to. grab off ' some Of . tl^e' better product. •Fashion •Follies' was originally carded for the Oriental. Last week was pitiful for 'Bolero' (Par) at $27,700. Notices okay biit simply one of those things.. McViekera (B&K) (2,284; 25-36 «5)-^'You Can't Buy Everything' (MG). Last of the orie-weekers in switched trOfla. Palace to Capitol, this house. Starting next week I both RKO, for continued first run With 'David Harum' (Pox) house ,| and breezing on momentum engen- WIll strive to regain its standing as I dered in first seven days, the prime picture spot In the town. I Bi^ by and large nothing to ring •Everything* looks okay enough at laughter from eijhlbs. for which Uie $7,000. Last week Tour Fright- weather works is chiefly to blapae. ened People* (Par) weak at $6,200. During Past seyejral months o^^^^^ Oriental (B&K) (8,200; 26-35-40) few weekends hM» been __'F.ip-v.t riiria In n Boat* CPart and bv favorable b. o. climatic cpnm- ^ludf' SSfng slx^aSs Tn^sS^l SrAav'^fnt iL'Sttio?.?!br a L^et banAriow. opening With new PoHcy ^L^^tiV^i^^^^^ on Frid3.y (2). to standout trade Hurry-up opening caused some takes this house out of the red but gives the rest of its loop spots a cliahce to iiiiake ffiOhey. First week with 'Boat' as a subsequent release Cincinnati, March 6. Bolero* is pacing the pix pack along the principal patlis this week ^ Close behind are 'Good Damie' and j t^st week 'Moulin iRouge' (UA) was 'Palooka.* 'It Happened One_Night* | satisfactory at $6,460, 'Bolero' (Par) moderate at $3,800 indianli (Katz-Feld) (3.100; 20'-26- 40)—'I've Got Your Number' (WB) and Kate Smith' revue on stage. First local: appearance of MIbs Smith,; aided by low admission priiies, ' helps this spot out of the rut it's, been In. Business Is . no more than good at $12,600, which isn^t as. smashing as' had been looked for. Lyric Cblson) (2,000; 20-26-40)— •Poor Rich* (U) and 'Bottoms Up' on stage. Opposition cutting in this week, but still will hit $6,000, not bad. Last week 'Advice to . Love- lorn* (UA) and "Words and Music' oh stage plenty okay at $7,000, due to strong stage show. Loew's Palace (Loew's) (2,800; 26-40)^'Cat and Fiddle' (MG). Lag 'ging sOhiewhat on . this one. Looks no better' than a mediocre $4,900. GARBO IN SEATFLE; ilOUGE' 5G Seattle, March 5, Big weiek iat the Orpheiim, with Magician Blackstone the reason, is followed tliils Week With: .radio- stage show billed as Wen . Niles band and ra^io revelers. Ai^tlsts are from KOii^ , local CBC station, and Include some , good talent. . If idea clicks at., b. o. may hold until March 22 .when the 'Jazzmania' unit opens for wieek. , . Paramount Is getting along with' vaudfiim at barg:kin prices,. iget- tlhg great biz Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, then tapetring off, but doing okay at that, and apparently steady, ,which Is something. .Mati- nee biz is up at Paramount for the early show, due. to 'revival' bdokihg daily at 12 o'clock of a well known, picture, run only, at that tiinei. New shows fit.. both .. .Hamrlck houses. Fifth is niaklng.'who6peei over the return of Greta .Garbo, in 'Queen Christina,' which is .doihig: the town's'real .biz; . . Estimates for Thi^ Week Blue Mbiise .(Hamrlck).' (960; 26- 35) 'Man of "Two TVorlds' (Radio). Making much ovei* Lederer, but pic is not. drawing; Likely $2,600. bad. Last week; : third- of 'Ronian' Scan'r dais' (UA) okay with $3,500, Coliseum <EVergreen) '(1,800; 26) 'Son of a Sailor' (FN) and 'Orient Exi>ress'. (FN) first half duallng; 'Advice to- Lovelorn' (UA) and .•Female' (WB) last half dualed, $3,860 'ariticlpated for week, about averagre. Last we.ek, 'Dancing Lady' (MG) and 'As Husbands Go' (Fo^) dual, got a big, $4,800. Fifth Avenue CEvergreen) (2,400; 25-40) 'Queen Christina' (MGi), 31g advance, campaign' and plenty on the ball for Garbo, expeoted to garner' a heat $9,000. Last week 'Carolina' (Pox) was fair With $6,600. Liberty (J-vH) (1,900; 26-35) 'It Happened One Night' (Col) (2d wk.).. Fine $6,000; Last"weiek, pic- ture got the saine amount. Music Box (Hamrlck) (900; 26^ 35) 'Moulin Rouge' (UA). Eh route to a big $6,000. Last, week, 'Hips. Hips Hoor9,y' (Raidio) good at $4,100. Orpheum (Oldkhow) (2,700; (26 36) 'Long: liOst Father' (Radio) and •Devil's Playground' (Prin.) dual, with Wen Niles Radio Revelers on stage, anticipates $4,600, fair. Last week, 'Dark Hazard' (FN) and Blackatohe, Magician, on stage; built well, with lines forming on last day.. Walloping week, $8,100. Paramount (Evergreen) (3,106; 20-80) 'No More Women* (Par) and stage show, heading for . a good $7,000. Last week, 'You Can't Buy Everything* (MG) and stage show, owing to change date* moved up to Thursdays in for only-six days, aiid fair $6,600. trade tilt. Followed the now usual Saturday and Sunday heada,ches occasioned by rain, snow and severe 'Nana Opens Slow, Cfimbs in Newark 'Death Takes a HoHday' $14,0()0^Sunday Opera New Competition Pittsburgh, Marc li 5. Week before last it' was a blizi. zard, Last week it was a qnow-' storm. This week it's a downpour that looks like the beginning of the worst flood this burg has had since 1907.... Keeping 'em In from the but^; lying districts where, highways are Hooded and treacherous. Just an Indication oC what the theatres have had to cohtend with here. Both Penn and Stanley are hixck to Straight pictures this week, ^or»» mer with 'Mbulih Rouge' and latter with . '.Wonder Bar.' Looks Hk6 a pushover for 'Bar,' Which had. them lined' up opening day despite the . weather and Should collect $19,000. o9 the opening session,,probably as- suring a' h. Those marquee names responsible, .with Diick PoweU, especially, a local fav. Penh liad an Idea 'Rouge' could stand on its own, but management has found out otherwise. A staiB:e show,' In . addition, wouldn't have hurt to offset thO Stanley^cbmpetl-^ tloh because .present indications Point to a feeble session for .th6 Bennett picture, with hot more than 9,000, if thati looked for. Absence, of stage shows in both de.luxerS is naturally a boon to Pitt;: where, there's a first-rate unit; Harty Delmar's .'Revels,' to uphold the stage end. .Small-seater. should not: encounter - any difliculty rblllhg up $8,200, fine. Otherwise, however, pickings everywhere.:; ;Estimates for This Week Davis (WB) (1,700; 26-35)—Easy to Love' (WB) and 'Bombay Mall* (U). ;Duals apparently not solving this house's.,ills; $2,260, not 'miuch more than .house did .with singles. I^ast week, 'Tlllle and Crus' (Pary and 'Bedside* (WB) about the same. Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1,750; 16- 25-40)-r'Sons of the Desert' (MG); Doubtful if it will get $3,200. That's on the. wrong side. Last- week, 'Should Ladies Behave' (MG), yanked, after three days to $1,100, giving house a neW all-time: iow'. Penii (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-36- 60)—'Moulin Rouge' (UA). Con- stance Bennett can pick up only so. much business locally, regardless of theatre or picture. This one at $9,000 will be slightly below her usual average. Last week, .'All of Me' (Par) and 'Century of Progress Revue' in the red plenty at $14,000. Pitt (Shaffer) (1,600; 15r25-40).— 'Fog* (Col) and Harry lielmar'fl 'Revels/ First-rate stiige show, to- gether with fact thiat Pitt has town's only flesh this week, should make it soft pickin'S. .A neat $8,200 in prospect. Last week, 'Sweetheart cf Sigma Chi' (Mono) and 'Broad- way Feek-a-Boo* all right at $7,300. Stanley (WB) (3,600; 26-35-50)— 'Wonder Bar' (WB). Expects $19,000, Tvhich is next to momentous In light of conditions and weather. Opening drive probably assures this one the originally contemplated sec- ond weekl Last week, 'Search for Beauty' (Par) and Ben Bernle's band wound up great, credit for an unexpected $20,000 going to the old maeistro. Warner (WB) (2,000; 25-35-50) —'Journal of a Crime' <WB). Sell* ing Chatterton anytime here is hard. Selling her now tougher than ever. That's why a weak $3,000 is all this one can hope for.. Last week, Tve Got Your Number' (WB) ^ound. $2,900. Newark, March 6. Break in the weather Js ringing people out^. although postponed [.shopping kept sbnpe from, the thea- I tfes the. end of, the week. - 'Carolina' at Proctor's got .off to a hicia start, 9,nd, with'arctic weather remaining Estimates for This Week ibee (RKO) (3,300; 36-44)^*60 lero' (JPar). Headed for $8,600, fairly good. Last week, 'Moulin picture looks heartily o",*^® »^f^| Rouge'^ <.UA). With turnaway fPJ . „««.„cr .«m*»t»,..6 side of the ledger at $22,000, very midnight opening on strength away, should be near $16.000.'Nana' okay despite the rather stiff over- perponallng by'Moulin Rouge «ara- at Loew's did not open so Well, but head, that being the one ticklish van,. skidded durlnjg siege of cold pyj,g^ ^ Saturday and should be point in the whole situation. But, and snow and landed $12,000. • around $14,600. 'Death Takes a at pace, nothing to worry about. Palace (BKO) - S^iSzrl .^^r**}— Holiday' broke nicely at the Newark Last week of straight pictures was 'Good Dame' (Par).^ on openin^r and sboutt pleasant with 'Death Takes a Holl- and Sylvia Sidnejr topping title and Kjq^j Branford is doing well day' (Par) at $17,1()0 and picture lauded by cricks for wj^st|nf;KOOd r j^j^ 'Mandalay* and 'Croqs Country shifted over to the Roosevelt on entertainment "Oin superficial car- Grulse,' and should beat $10,()()0. Saturday (3) for additional loop hey love theme. At teasr $7,600 in Rialto/continuing its afegressive time. kf^';^^r?^^®K^u?^^s^^^pnt«^^^^ Palace (RKO) (2,583; 40-60-83)— Night' (Col) bested on • the stage for Saturday mats. ♦Spitfire' (RKO) and Vaude. Sent ^rawing up. to ^12*^^^^^^^ >eni in for this one away with a wide andL^^apitoI (RKO) (Auo^^^ handsome advertising campaign Happened pne^ N^^ had several sell-outs on about a 'world premiere'. Picture tinned first run by transrer. irom Tower.* Next Sunday the Is all Katharine Hepburn, who's On --^ - house starts Sunday opera, running the screen alpproxlmately 99% of two shows with International Opera the time. Biz on the up With a with good solid family trade, vaude Stars Co. at 99c to 36c. zoom and likely to touch $26,000, and pictures. No smut and plenty Estimates for This Week sky high. lASt week 'Hips Hips for their money is .the motto and Branford (WB) (2,966; 15-65)— Hooray' and Downey unit helped working out steadily to $14,000 pace .j^^^^j^^jj^^^^. ^.^^j ^^^^^ ,^^.^33 the cashiers keep busy nicely to| that's profitable. Last week, Coun- try cruise* (U). Should do well and seller at Law* (U) excellent at | ^^^^ $io,000. Last week on eight 122,660 tune. rOeath Takes a Holiday' (Par). In United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 85- days beat tho.storm^withJHi,ilIellle:- (WB) and 'Can't Buy Everything* (MG) at a good $12,600. Capitol (WB) (1,200; 16-26-36-50) —'Eskimo* (MO) and 'Wine, Women and Song.' House not going very here after eight-day Oriental stay. 66-65)—'Moulin Rouge' (UA). Plen Looks ready for at least a week of ty of United Artists pictures wait good trade, which means <6,00p. Ing In line. for a chance at the Snot Is becoming the hold-over screen. 'Rouge* goes out after a ^ _ _ _. house of the loop. Last week'Caro- gfood two-week stay, taking in well at present, and this bill will ilna.' Vfox) moved over from the $19,100 foF opieriini? seBSlon andl-probabir"iiot~b«at t4,000^by-much-. Chlcaeo for good $7,200. likely to collect $9,000, fair enough f Last week 'Big Shakedown' (FN) aS&-Like (Jones) (2,700; 26-30- for current and final half. 'PAlooka' and 'Let's Fall Iji Love' on eight 40)i*B6SM^ mV 8lat«a to hit in here on W«^ hYittrtF^iJ[W\299- 80-40) House has.established its patronage'(7). I LittU (FrankUn) (299, 80-40) Das Lockende iel'. (Bavarian). House has not hit its stride, yet and maybe Germa,n films can't be made to go again. Probably, a weak S$600 Jjast week 'Zw^i Gute Kameraden' (Tbbis) poor at not quite $600. Loew's State (2,780; 16-76) Nana' (UA) and vode: (Opening disappointihg after {^11 the New. York publicity and extra space over here, but.-came back Saturday. Maybe $l4;j600. Last week ^Cat Piddle (MG) and 'Midway'Nights', oh stage fought stoma pretty well and ' was near $14,000. Newark (Adams-Par) (2,248; 16- 99)-ir'f)eath Takes a Holiday' (Par) and Showland unlt^ Opening pret tily and should beat a good $14,000 Last-week 'Bolero'• (Par) fell. doWh on-eight days, with the rest going over $12,000. Proctor's (RKO) (2,800; 26-35-40- 65-i60-75r85) —'Carolina' (Pox) and vode. Janet Gaynor opened as If her film would top the town this week With about $16,000. Last week ♦Suzanne' (Fox) and <jreenwich Vil lage Follies' on stage okay consld ering with $13,800. Terminal (Skoura.3) (1,900; 16-25- .40):^'Ninth. Gue st' (CoJ) ,.and _'Eyer Since Eve' (Pox), with 'Right to Ro- mance' (RKO) and 'Rex, King of Wild Horses,' split. First half ex- pected to bring something, bpt sec- ond not eounted oh. Maybe $3,000. Last week 'Man Two Worlds' "(RKO) and-*Ralnbow-Over-^oi way' (FD), with 'Man's Castle' (Col) and 'Stralghtawaiy' (Col) split, hkd nothing to combat the weather, and weak at $3,100. BIRMINGHAM DRENCHED Spring Rains Start—^Tashions' Okay /Near $6,(K)0 BIrminghaih. March 6. Quartifers, are Under water this week and business is about drowned^ Annual spring rains are on. Noth- ing to do but wait patiently for them to eease. Estimates for This Week Alabama (Wllby) (2,800; 30-35- 40).'Fashions of 1.984^ (PN). Will be a big surprise if it does more- than $6,000. Last week 'Roman Scandals' (UA) $6,500. Ritz (Wilby) (1,600; 25-30) 'Coun- isellOr at Law' (U). $1,800 and light; Laust Week 'Four Frightened People* (Par) $1,500. Strand (Wilby) (800; 25) 'Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen' (Pat). Get- ting the mothers if no one else. $1,000. Last week -Lips Betray' (Fox) $800; Empire (BTAC) (1,100; 25) 'Once to Every Wonian,* $1,600 .Last week, 'College Coach' (WB) $1,800. FIOBEY FOB 'USA' -Hollywoodi=MaTGh=6.- Robert Florey has been handed dlre'ction of 'Mona Lisa' at War- ners. Picture, not yet cast, is slated to fihish early In Aprll with Henry Blahke produclriir. orey, aec«^i>a'nled by his wife, will leave for an extensive vacash In the Orient Immediately upon completion of 'Lisa.'