Variety (Mar 1934)

Tuesday, Mardi 13, 1934 P I C Y E CROSSES VARIETY Vonder Bar' Smash QOM Stanley; mr m (kyatSlSm FoxPhilly Philadelphia, March. 12. •Wonder Bar' girabs most of the •ttentldn lo Phllly^ff downtown. film bouse area this week. This one jriiould revei^e the n.s.g. verdicts ffiven to recent Jolsoh pictures. . Al made a brief personal appearance at the: .Friday opening at the Stanley, find the dailies opened np wide for tbe picture .and star. ■Baaed on the fair percentage of weather breaks, .fievdreil' other ct'iers .should turn Ih good grosses. iiJthough there is nothing else sen- ■atlonal In vlew; However, If the ■now continue and Phllly keeps on bcktng tardy in Us snow-cleaning- there's no tolling how biz may htP- knocked galley-west. Estimate* of this Weelf , Alidine , (1,300; <l6>S6-66)—'Nana t\$A). Ought to get .$9,600 ih sec-^ Oftfl week, but weather will tell the iitpry in all PhlUy houses. Last ynfck, $iil,00D. .'Arcadia (600r ;25-40-6t))—'Queen Christina* (MG). Second run and ought to get sound $2,800. Iiast week; rOinner at ^ight* (MO), $3,300 in ■even days. ■ feloyd <2,400; 40-56-66)—'Bolero' CPar); May up a peg froim recent; house average'.' $10,000 likely..' Liast week, 'Journal of a Crime' (WB). |8,«00. Earle, (2,0dp; 40-6B-6B)—'Six of a Kind* (Pax); and vaiide. Sophie Tncker headlines. Good $15,000 in- dicated, which is' satisfactory under edndltlons. Liast week, 'Hips. Hips, Booray' (RKO) and vaude. $16,500. fox (3,000; 30-40-60)—'David Ha- nun' (Fox), and stage show. N.T.G.-s Paradise Revue and Johnny Marvin 9h, stage. About $13,60q: indicated, axi[a that's above the theatre's, new , 'W'sekly average with reduced scale, liftst week, 'Devil Tiger* (Fox), and «tage show, $19,000, very big and achieved with help of lioughran- Camera fight fllnis. Karlton (1,000; 80-46-60)—■'Once to' Every Woman* (U). Lucky if tfalci first run gets $2,600. Last week, 'ton Can't Buy Everything" (MG), 9z;800, only me^ocre. 'Keith's (2.000; 26-36^40)—^er Since Eve' (Fox), and pop vaude. Hduse doesn't chaiige much in wi^Hsly averaiges. Maybe $6,800 this w«ek. Last week, ^old That Girl' (Pox), flrst-ruh for a change and Mily $6,600. Stanley (3,7'0jJ; .40r66-65)—'Won- der Bar* (WB). Plenty Of 'ballyhoo for opening and dome real money fi^omi8ed for first week If sndw gives : a chance.' Smash $30.000'or more Sndfcated. vLast Week, It Happened One Nfght*^ (Col), $9,00a in last five days. Stantpn (1,700? 80-40-56)—"Good Dame' (Par)-. About $7i50ff' Iniil- •aited. Last week; This Side of Heaven' (MG). Only $6,900 despite' save ilces. ■ . Walnut (1,500;■ 26-60)—'Son' of Kong' (RKO); and stage pre8'enta<- tlon. 6ught to up a little on irtrength of t>lcture. Maybe-$6,000. Last week, 'Sin' of Nora- Moran' <Maj), and 'Montemarte Madness' ffrevue). Only $4,500. DEtMAR REVEU HELPS 'SINCE EVE'TO $7,000 indiahapolls,' March 12. Plugged heavily, with lots of ad. topace, 'Nan«i,*^,at Li6ei*-'s'.l*alace, Is doing better than par flfeurieii with uvf indicated' tkke of $6',0p0 6n the week. Ge.herialiy, biz. is bit..this week In the' dow'ntowrt ' sectloh^-r with the heavy' snowfall and Lent serving as the leading. alibis of the managers. . Estimates for Thi Week Apollo (iFourth Ave.) . (1,100;: 20- rt-40)—?David Hairum* (Fox). Hold- orver of this Rogers piC Is doing plenty okay with. $5,000 locftning up for, the second week. !Last week in tts opening stanza, -the house S^jfTiered a smashing. $7,000, ;Wbich. la the best In a couple, of years. Circle (Katz-Feld) (2;6(50; 26-40) —•Mandalay' (WB). Things are mild eit this spot with $3^800. Last week 'It Happened One Night' (Col) got $5,200. Indiana (Katz-Feld) (3,100; 20-. •6-40)—'Meanest GaJ In Town' (RKO) and 'Ninth Guest* (Col), dual, is verx dull at $3i500.. La'St Week Tve Gdi Tour,Number' (WB) and Kate smith In person on stage around $9,000. . Lyric (Olson) (2,000; 20-25-40)— ^Sver Since Eve* (Fox) and Harry Delmar's Revels on stage. Around $7<000i Last week"'Poor Rich' (U) -aM=fBott&ms-tIp'—unit-on=stage-wM Tory thin at $5,600. Lovw'a Palace- (2,800; 25-4Q)— Vana' (UA). Good campaign In advance .. and favorable comments helping house to perk, up and hit better than average at $6,000. Last week 'Cat and Fiddle' (MG) dlsftD- polnfed keenly with a hiedlocre $4,900. BROOKLYN HO-HUM Miriam Hopkina and ' ix' Oke $27,- 000; Fo^ Good 17G,; Others Off Tacoma Grosses ... Brooklyn, March 12. Toung blizzard over. the\ week- end crippled transportation .and prevented customers . from coming downtown to cast their optics On tolerable, attractions. I IJhexpected competition cropped up -nrhen Torgotten Men', war flicker, with lurid ad c6py,'waja-i dered into the Majest.,<^ next door to the Strand, which has Robinson In 'Dark Hazard' this -week. Paramount Is doing okay with 'Six of a Kind' and Mariam Hopr Idna on stage, and Fox better than average with "Ninth Guesf^. .Estimates For.This-Week Paramiouht (Par) (4,000^ 26-36- &0-65)r^'iSIx of a Kind' (Par) and stage show featuring Miriam Hop- kins. Pic got mild notices but Miss Hopkins well received. Around $27,000, okay.. Last week 'No More Women* (Par) and Sally Raind in person'produced $28,000: Fox (F&M) . (4,000; 25-35-50)— '9th Giuest*^ (Fox) and stage show teaturing^ Ray Heatherton^ NBC warbler. - Show well sold and should. bring in good $17,000. Last week^' 'Lonjg liost Father' (Radio), $12,300. n,s.g. Albee (RKO) 3,500; 26-86-66)— 'Hips, Hip* Hooray' (Radio) and 'ArtietQ and Models of 193^ with Jans and Whaien and Jimmy iSavo on stage- .^A slow .grosser, probably only $16,000. Last week, "It Hap- liened One Night' (Col) $i8;000. :' Loew's I Metropolitan (Loew) (2,400; 26-35-50)—'Moiilitt Rouge' (20tfa> eind vaude. Frances Arms, 'Mrs. Rubinofl' on the airlines, heading the bill. Looks like mHd $17,000. Last week, 'Queen Chrlsr tina* (MG), $17,500, not so hot. Strand (WB) (2,000;. 25-35-60)^ 'Dark Hazard* (FN). Fair, $7,500 looked for. Last week, 'Mandalay*^ (WB), $8,300, oke. Tacoma, March 12. Greta Garbo naturally getting the major b. o. in this burg this week, Roxy stepping to the front with 'Queen Christina.-* Last week the Music Box stepped out with Chic Sale in person. Hamrlck's Blue Mouse is riding along as. usual, giv- ing lots of show for the money. V Estirnates for This yVeek usic Box (Hamrick)' .(1,400; 25t. 35)—^'Design for Living'. (Par), three days-; 'Hips, Hips. Hopray' (RKO), six days. Indicated $3,600 for both. Last weeki 'I've Got Tdur Number* (WB), and 'Hi, Nenie' (WB), split: Chick Sale in; person with former responsible for okay $4;bp0 gate. Roxy (J. vH.) (1,300; 25-35)— ^Queen Christina* . (MG).. Garbo spreaid all over , town, biz looks lllce $4,600^ big for town and prices. Last week, 'It Happened One Night' (Col), $3,900. lue Mouse' (Hamrick) (650; 15- 25)—Thundering Herd' (Par), and 3y Candlelight' (U), dual first half; •I Like It That Way' (U), and'White Woman' (Par), dual, last half, in- dications for $1,600. Last T<reek, 'Big Shakedown' (FN), and 'Madame Spy' (U), dual, first half; ^Advice to Lovelotu' (UA), last half, only fair $1,700. $16,0M (My Bright '(In b Providenee Providence, March 12. Lent,^ enow and tepid Mils are eomblned this week to make poor showings for: all houses except In one or-two case^. Stands, With stage shows seem to be faring bet- ter than the picture houses, but edge id slight; 'Nana* at Loew's State has the support of a fairly, irood variety bill, and present outlook augrurs well for a $16,000 gross. 'Success at Any Price* at the RKO Albee unlikely to cause any. great disturbance. Shubert's 'Passing Show^ on stage will help to keep things going at.la fairly decent pa«e. ground-$8,50.0. ;•• • Estimates for This Week != Fay's <2,000; 15-26-40)—"Devil Tiger* (Fox) i. and vaude. Plenty of kctlon In this bill;-and Just suited for >type of'patronage at this spot; Ipoks. -like -something In . nelghbdr- hood of; $7,200; nice. Last week, *I've Got Tour Number' (WB), tepid &t.$6,-W0. : Loew's State' (3.200; 16-26-40)— fNana' (UA). land vaude. Picture backed, by nice ballyhoo, and has support- fromV stage- show; should have no difllculty:^ -reaching $16,000 with the breaks the way they are now..' Last week .'Mystery of Mr. X* i(MG) .was liked enough to give house.-edgO' over opposish at $13,000. Majestic (Fay.) (2.200; 15-26r-40)^ rDark Hazard' (WB), and 'Beloved* (U).. Whether this one will be able fo stand tip-fiihder the .pressure of stage-opposish la doubtful;. Just now it looks like ■ $6,500, ' sb^so. Last week, 'Hieat Lighthing* ("WB), and 'Coming oat Party' (Fox) suflEered with the majority of the stands; oflE at $4,500. Paramount (2,200; 16-26-40)—'Six of ,a Kind' (Par) and revival of'Love Paradie'. (Par); nothing to indicate that gross will be much over $4,000, btC, Last week, 'Good.pame* (Par), and '16 Fathoms Deep' -(Mono), off, too, at $4,500. RKO Albee . (2,500; 15-25-60)— 'Success at Any Price' (Radio), and 'Passing Show'on stage. Looks like fitage bill will have ;to do all the pulling; opening tepid, out house looks for pick-up to garner at least =$]ff;60(rrncaerweeT<rTnie^^ (U)rand 'Mldhight Nights' on stage, $o-so at $8,100. RKO Victory (1,600; 10-15-25)— fCrlmln^l at Large' (Helber), and iMan'e iCastle' (Radio), both sec- ond runsu . Looks like tepid $960 on split week. Last Week, 'Flying' Down to Rio* (Radio) did surprising biz at $li266. No Ming in MrLuH Holds Death'to $15J)00 Buffalo, March 12. Lull in business continues here- abouts with the Lafayette showing^ the only Indications of life last week and for..current period. Great X^kes, which ha..-had declining grosses for several weeks did another nose-dive last -week, although should regrister some Improvement currently. Estimates for This Week. Buffalo (Shea) (3,400; 30-40-55T- 'Death' (Par^ and stage show. Aver (ige start, but finding good comment among first-run trade. Should make $16,000. Lajt week 'Bolero* (Par) and stage sho-w, $14,000, not very forte for here. Hipp (Shea) (2,400; 26^35)—'Side of H aven' (MG) and 'Double Life' (Par). Moving along, at about the same pace —'st.tcw weeks un- der dual feaiture policy. Opening takln&j indlcarte $6,000. Last week 'Meanest Gar (RKO) and 'Eight Glrls*^ .(Par); bettered estimates slightly for $6,300. Great Lakes (Shea^ (3,400; 26-40) —"BJaisy to Liove' ^WB) and "Fane's Baby' (Par). Somewhat'better dual features, may bring figure up to $6,- 000. Even this Is close to bottom here. . Last , week 'Suzanne' (Fox) and 'Search for Beauty' (Par) bad at $4,60a. Century (Shea) (3,400; 26)—'Ace of Aces' (RKO) and 'Orient Ex- press*- (Fclxy. Business running along^ to average takings of prob ably over $6,000. Last , week 'Hold That Girl* (Fox) and "Women In His Life' (MG) held up to estimated $6,606. ■ LafayeHe (Ihd.) (3,40a; 25)— 'Happefted- One Night' (Col) and 'Before Midnight' (Col). Second Week. Should get close to $10,00.0 Last week $14,000. Broadway Spotty, but M. H. Good Widi Hepburn $80,000; W 45 (Js; Talooka,' llfonder Bar' Holding Up ilolero,"Heiiry'Bbth 3G; ! Lincoh's Fures AlHirning Lincoln, .MarcIjL 1^. With Lent standing- in the way of every box oltlce, it's hard! to get the houses out of, the tnulUng trance they've been In ever since the 40- day endurance test started, . "Bolero* getting consistent and un- iraual plugging" all previous weelf, with 'Henry the Vlil'. long awa,Ited, iihould provide the only, two soeko bills until the stage show last half of the Orpheum comes-In. ^act that Sally Rand's In the 'Bolero' pic and the big noise Omaha; fathers raised about her, will be a." factor in selling. With biz. piddling along, the Easter egg season can't come around too soon for the boys. Win- ter, a late corner this time. Is ralsr Ing plenty of the 'throw another log on the fire' spirit, too. Estimates for This Week Capitol (Livingston) (850; 10-16) —'Easy to Lo-ve' (WB) with one vaude act on stage. .AH rlgrht, $1,200. Last week 'Ever in My Heart' (WIJ) xtird"^-vaude"=aTTd- ='Heat="Llghtwitter'^ (WB) split, fair $1,050. Colonial (LTC) (7.50; 10-15)—'She. Made Her Bed' (Fox), Average. $800. Last week 'Ever in My Hearf (Fox) and "Bombay Mail' (Fox), split, $850. Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-15-25)— •Henry Eighth' (UA) With a sbcko ad and direct mall campaign should What it is hoped will be- the last of snow for this inter,, the ..Ill-day fall on Saturday (10) knocked the pinions from under, box offices again and drove, managers to prayer that spring arrives soon. Touch of vernial atm6spher& came the first. of last week but departed . quickly; bringing a snowstorm on "Thursday. (8) which lasted .until 7 p; m^ and then Satur- day's blizziard. Second storm ex- tended until late at night and sc- rioiisly discouraged evening busi- ness. Because it draws a. healthy su- burban trade normally, the Mu^slc Hall suffers the most on this week's count-up. .it got a double dos^ of snoWr - since the week starts on Thursday at this house, but with the etrength of the Katherine Hepburn name and "Spltflrei' her. latest, on view here, the gross will still bo $80,000. or naore- But for the. two snowstorms the seven days would have shown $90,000 better. It le estimated. . Considering, the power of this at- traction and the maintained strength of Al Jolson's 'Wonder Bar^' Jlmniy Durahte's "Palookia' aiid. the fine showing- of 'Six of a Kind' at the Paramount, resistance to the weaither Is above averag;e. Other houses are poorer than usual, large- ly because of weaker box office. Joison musical, after a tremen- dous first seven days of $51,000, is trying for a second (curi-ent) week of $38,000, very big. 'Palooka,' get- ting a handsome first week of $43,,- 000. looks to about $30,000 and ap- pears mu.ch in demand. Durante picture next week will have the Schnozola in person at the Capitol against it, if not pulled. Same week the Music. Hall plays dceorge White's 'Scandals,' also with DUr rarite. With Durante on the screen at both the Rlv- and the Hall, his per- sonal at the Capitol, starting Friday (16), will afford an unusual situa- tion, outcome of which should prove interesting if Rlv doesn't back out on the experiment at the last min- ute, Polly Moran and Lou Holtz will be on the Cap stage with Big Beak Durante. After a chahcey holdover of 'Death Takes a iEIoIiday,' which on its ..second lap of seven days ended at $34,000, jtiiSt getting by,-the Par- amount Friday (9) brought In "Six Of a Kind,* and, despite the Satur- day flakefest, may get $45,000, very good. Where the Paramount last week held ovef "Death* on a pretty big gamble after a first week of $42;000, thiS' week the Capitol does the sfime thing by going a second week with Garbo*s 'Queen Christina.' Picture got only $38^000 its first week and at that figure is ho,t conceded to. have, merited a holdover. ItfU be lucky to grub out $26x000.currently, poor for a second -week here, i ' Metro has two picttires realdy for the Capitol which could have gone in—'ShowolT and "Lazy River.' Keeping, Garbo at the house a sec- ond week is obviously a. force on the picture. Another odd holdover is It Ilap- pened One Night' at the Palaee. Though doing $16,000 ort Its first ..weeki it Is doubted If the Gable and Colbert names will be stout enoiigh to keep the house from sliding to around $10,000 or $11,000 currently. tt doing better, It will be due to Corthle'8 "Hot Chocolate* taib which bcctiples the stage. , Balace's constant worry; the State, is exhibiting 'Boleto,' with Graham McNaJiiee and the. Pickens Sjsters lii' fte'vaude-vllle llnenp. Hduee- will top the Pal a long distance for a $16,000 week or .better. ;. Roxy appears to' be in for another discouraging week with 'Midnight,' made in the east by Cihester Erskln. It hasn't got the pep to hit more than $16,000, worse than last week's dud, 'Ninth Guest,*^ -vtrhich took the house to $20,500 for the first time in memory. Rialto Just gets by with 'Heat Lighting,' bought from Warner Bros get Out to a nice $3,000. Last week 'Six of a Kind' (Par) tied in with a Culbettson short did all right at $2,500. Orpheum (LTC) (1,200; 10-15-25) —'If I Were Free' (RKO) and vaude last balf slated for a likely $2,000., fair enough. La.st week 'Pamaged Lives' (Cap) took $.^00 first half and iHold That Girl* (Fgx.) with vaude last-three daya rounded take to $2.- 100, nice enough; State (Monroe) (500; 10-15r25)— ^Faire'.T-3aby'^(-paTTr=W6fi't=W"JEhy large sock, but looks to a fair $900; Last week 'Long Lost Father' (RKO) average at $700,. Stuart (LTC.) (1,900; 10-25-40)— *Bol.ero' (Par.) with fine notices and billing should put the hou.se Up to $3,000. Nice Lenten season tn'-p Last week 'Queen Chri.stina' O-KJ held up to pretty fair $2,600. Probabilities are for ax'oUnd '$9,500. Ai:thur Mayer is. bringing in- 'No More Women' on Friday (16), Oyer in Radio City at. the RKO Center it looks like another bad week, probably oply $il;000. - on ^Fashion Follies of 1934' and 'Let's Fall In Love,' with greatest: w.oriY as to what the latter may do. •Bedside,' taken fx'bm Wiarneirs, didn't do so hot at the Mayfalr, $7,100, and went out last ' niight <Mondiay), Walter Reade bringing, in 'The Quitter' pn .a preview, .After a very successful and profit- able four weeks' run of 'Catherine, the Great,' ending today (Tuesday), United Artists, premieres 'House of Rothschild' tomorrow evening, (Wednesday); It also is scheduled for fdur weeks, but if , doing big it may be that UA will take the, Astor for longer from Metro.' since latter .has nothing in Immediate sight for a two-a-day run here. "Viva Villa,* jvhich had been figured on, is on., the- tentative booking schedule of the Cap and more likely .-to land there. imates For This Week .' Aatbr (1.012; $l.l0-$1.65^$2,20)r^ •Cjatherine, the Great* (UA) (4th week): Ends Its run of four v^eeke tonight-, (Tuesday), "House of Rothschild' (UA) opening on a premiere tomorrow "hight (Wed). ^Catherine' got $12,200 for the five days of its. final weiek ilp-to and in* eluding Sunday (11). Capitol (5,40(>> 35-75-85-$1.10)t- . ^Queen Christina' (MG) (2nd week), Oarbo. picture holds over despite that its .first Week was only a fair $38,000. On the second it will be lucky to get $25,000. Jlmmle Dur- ante. Polly . Moran and Lou Hbltz come in on personals Friday (16). Mayfair (2,200; 35-55-65)-^"Bed- slde* (WB). Went out last night (Monday) after a so-so week at $7,100. Ne-w picture,. "The Quitter* (Mono)," had a preview late last night. Palace (1,7 ; 36-40-66-76)—It Happened One Night' (Col) (2nd week) a,nd Connie's Hot Chocolate Revue. Doubtful on- the holdover but. with the colored show on the dtage, may hit $11,000'and get by. First week Gable-Colbert names brought $16,000. i Paramount (3,664; 35-66-76-99)-^ 'six. of a Kind' (Par) and stage show. Comedies going good iust now,, naines of ;W. C. Fields. AIlsoi)i Sklpwbrth, Charlie Buggies, Mary Boland and Bums-Allen team on UliPt -should get house good $45,000 or more.. Last week, second of <Deatb Takes Holiday* (Par) and f>hll Baker, on staige; $34,000.. ; Radio City Musi Hall (6,945; f0 - 60-86T9»^$l.66)^'Spitflre' (RKO) and- stage show. Two days of snow holds " the Katharine Hepburn starrer down to $80,000 or a little over. This I9 still good, however. Last week-Will Rogers iskidded bad in "David Harum' (Fox), picture ending at Just under $65,000, -crim« son. '■ Rialto (2,000; 35-40-85)—"Heat Lightning' (WB). Aline MacMiahon name not heavy enough,, and plus bad Saturday (10) weather, house will do little more than get by at :$9i500. Last week, second of 'Dark Hazard' (WB), $9,000, okay for a holdover, week. : Rivoli (2,200; 40-55-75-85)-^ VPalobka' (UA) (JSnd Week). They like Jimmy Durante, as witness a big first week of $43,600 and a sec- ond, ending tonight (Tuesday) that Will be $30,0f00 or very close to It. |Looklng for Tronble' (UA) awalta entrance here. Since Durante goes into the Cap oh a personal Friday. (16), Durante picture may be pulled^ then,- though otherwise It could last iierhaps .four'weeks. . RKO Center (3,525; 25-40)— ^'asHloli Follies of 1934* (WB), four days, and" "Let's Fall iii Love' (<Dol), (hree days. Fears iare felt for the end Of the week with 'Let's Fall in Love' and doubted, on- strength of how 'Fashion FOUles* starts off, that the two will mean hidre than. $11.- 000, If that. Last week's doubleton, •Carolina' (Fox) and "Eight Girls in Boat' (Par), only $10,000. Roxy (6,200; 26-35-55-66)—"Mid- night' (U) and stage show. Hasn't got the draft and around $16,000,. bad, appears the answer. Last -yveek house got a palooka In ^Ninth (Juest" (Col), a sad $20,500. Strand (2,900^; 35-55-75-85)— 'Wonder Bar'. (WB) (2hd week). Jolsoh jnualeal holding up stoutly and On second -week should draw $38,000,, big. First seven days was terrific, $51,000. . ■St"aFe'^TZ;2CUr'^3b"bF^57^'Bo^ (Par) and vayde. George Raft.- Sally Rand picture, plus Graham .McNamee and Pickens Sisters on Jtage, should 411 add up to a nice ? 16,000 or above. Last week 'Nana' ft'A), with no nnmes on the ros- trum, ontiped a fine $18,600. This' houn" anpcnr.s to be operated Itt a voi-y .sliowmanly manner.