Variety (May 1934)

VARIETY PICT E CBOSSES Tuesday, May 1, 1931 in 2 WB Spots; MandO&JSiPllQiuetlJLWk. I.ijs Ahgelesr They ai-e ivaiUng for the sumniel* touvists to i)ei;k trade aground town. AH the other excuses have been u.sed; Me£^ntim«;^. the Chinese, with 'Kpthschild,' cipntinues as the leader In its fourth week, aim xne jr«»,ra- mount will ^hlt. couple of grand above the previous week through having Olsen and jonnson on stage. State is not top happy with 'All Men Are Enemies,' while 'Spitfire' Is not setting the cinders aglow at the RKO. Warner Iioyses stimulated considerably witli 'Gambling JLiady' and 'We're Not Dressing," in second week at Unitied Artists, is off, while the Los Angeles, With its double 'billing of 'City Limits' and 'Let's Be Ritzy,' put house on the gi'ade. Estimiates f«f This Week Chinese (Graumah) (2,028; 66- Jl.eoJi-r-'Rothschild' , <Centui'y) ia,nd stfigo show (4th week); Bieginhing of normal drop and %yill come through arbiind $16,600 currently, lieat profit. Last week; ?20,90b. . Downtown (WB) (1,800; 26-36-^40- 65) —'Gambling Lady* (WB). Looks like Stanwyck in eobd graces hete. aigiaiiu Will wind up with art easy ^0, 500. Last week, 'As Earth Turns' (WB) had terrific struggle to hit close to $4,0uu. Hollywood (WB) (2,766 ; 25-36-40- 66) —'Gambling Lady' (WB). Will bring house back Into smile column at around $7,200. Last week, 'As Earth Turns' (WB), plenty tough, 14,400. ; Los Angeles. (Wm. Fox) (2,800; 16-26)—'City Limits' (Mono) and •Let's Be Ritzy' (U) split, Biz climbing a little here and looks like £(^ure $4,300. Last week, 'Voice In the Night' (Mono) and 'Countess of Monte Cristo' (U), $4,000. Orpheum (Bdw>> (2,270; 25-35- 40) —'I Believed in Tou' (Fox), 'Show-QfE' (MG) split and vaude. Flock of show for money and [cus- tomers not turned over enough in- busy periods to mean heavy grosses. Current 4,600 wlir be satisfactory. Last week; 'Ever 3ince Eve* (Fox) and 'Palooka' (UA). $4,900. Pantages (Pan) (2,700; 26-4'0)— •Half A Sinner' (U) and 'Whirlppol' (Col) spilt. Just a long pull to no resvults, possibly $2,000. Last Tveek, 'The Ohbul' (Gaumont) and 'Uncer- tain Lady* (U), $1,750. Paramount (PaTtma;r) (3.695; 80- 40-66)—'She Made Her Bed* (Par) and stia.ge 'shoW'.. Olsen arid John- son stage outfit depended upon to draw most of fine ^18,000 house will get. Last week, 'Witching Hour' (Par), with Century Progress Unit, could Tiot make much headway. Had stage unit b^en sold Instead of being kept secret house could have come home with $5,000 over the $12,300 It eoi. ' ' RKO (2,950; 25-35-40)—'Spitfire' (Radio). Spurting and maybe $6,000. Leader, and house lucky to top weak $4,500. Last week, 'Glamour' (U), only $3,300. State (Loew-Fox) (2,024; 30-40- ^6)—'All Men Are Enemies' (Fo::). Will see a blah $2,600 on five days. •Stand Up and Cheer' (Fox) opens Thursday (3). Last Y^eek, 'Tarzan' (MG) $11,200. United Artists (Grauman) (2,100; 80-40-55) — 'We're Not Dressing' (Par) <2d week). Stalking along nicely, and on final eight days will march In with around $7,600. Last week, $12,600. • Xmas Weather in B'ham, Grosses likewise tbillj^ Birmingham* ApHl iSO. Christmas weather in the last week of April! As long as this holds out, box-office grosses will be uncer- tain. Rain Saturday . put a ctimp into buslheiss. and cold weather made a firp oomiprtable.'. Estimates for -Week Alabama (Wilby) (2,800; 30-35-40) —'You're Telling. Me' (Par) and Ray Teal stage show four days, followed by 'Trumpet Blows' (Par). Mod- erately good $6,500. Last week •David Haruiri' (Fox) $8,500. Ritjt (Wilby) (1,600; 25)—"Death Takes a Holiday' (Par). Nice tally has plenty of talk,, about $2,600. Last week $2,800. for 'Melody in Spring' (Par). Empire (BTAC) (1,100; 26)—'Easy to Love' (WB). So-so $2,000. Last week 'Ever in My H6art' (WB) -.$2,300, ^ _ Strand (WflTiy)~?8W''12rt;)—Mas- sacre' (FN). Dix as an Indian sub- ject will stagger a fair $1,000. Last week 'Devil Tiger' (Fox) same. •'i ■ ■ Bonita Granville Set . Hollywodd, April, 30. Bonita Granville, 9," has been set by RKO to jjlay the part of Ann Harding's daughter In *Vergle Win- ters.' Youngster had similar part in '^^estward Passage.' 'CHEER'AND'20 MItUON' DET.'S OUTSTANDERS Detroit, April 30. ., Both, the . Fpx, arid, the Michigan are expecting musical pictxires to tur the trick this week. The Fox has 'Stand Up and Cheer'; with Rae. Samuels unit on stage while the Michigan .has '20 Million Sweiet- hearts' and 'King's Scandals Re- vue' on stagre. .. The United .Artists holds 'Men in White' over for a second week while the Downtown holds 'No Greater Glory'for a second week as. well.. The Fisher has 'Harold Teeh' while the State duals again with 'Sing and Like It' 'Keep 'Bm Rolling.' Last week the Michigan was, plenty, hacha with George Olsen's band and Ethel Shutta- in ..person and accounting for. plenty of busi- ness, coupled with : 'Melody In Spring,' for a nibp $31,600. The Fox was Just, so-s6: with "Wild Cargo.' attractilhg too. niahy men and not enough wonien," esjpeclally with Olsen snaring the femmes at the Michigan. The Fox Wound up with a comparatively mild $20,000. Estimates for This Week Fox (inde) (5,100; 16-26-35r40- 65) 'Stand Up and Cheer' (Fox) and stage show. Will lead town at $22,000, Last week 'Wild Cargo' (Radio) fair $20,000. Michigan (Par) (4,046; 15-26-36- 40-56) '20 MiUIon Sweethearts' (WB) and stage show. Okay $20.- 000 in sight. Last week 'Melody In Spring' (Par) and Olsen band ^with Ethel Shutta in person big $31,600. United Artists (Par) (2,018; 16- 25-35-40-65) 'Men in White? <MG) (2nd week). Better than average $9,000. ■ Last week got a nice enough $8,000, Ddwntown (RKO) (2,666; 16-26- 36-40) 'No Greater Glory' (Col). Looks to $4,000, average. Last week nice $2,600 on 'All Men Are Enemies' (Fox); Fisher (Par) (2,760; 16-26-36-40) •HarbJd Teen' (Par). Only $4,000 Indicated, poor. Last week Tbu're Telling Me' (Par) and stage, mild $7,500. State (Par) (3.000; 16-26-36-40) 'Sing and Lilke It' (U) and .^Keep 'Enf Rolling' (RKO) mild $3,000 suggested. ..liast week l^azy River* (MG) and 'One Is Guilty' (Col) same. B'KLYNOFF Blasts Baho. for $23,00(h 'Sweediearts' $11,000 Baltimore, April 30. •Rothschild,' at the Century. Is iiirinclpally puihpiner the pesos cur- rently. Rest of town Just Jogging along at ,an Unspectacular gait, though 'S'^eethearts,' at Stanley, looks good. Host of sports allurements de^ tractlng fl|*om pic houses and the balmy weather is offering the call o* the wild. Estimates for This. Week Century (Loew-tlA) (3,000; 26- 35- 40-55.-66)-r'RPthschil.d' (UA) and 'Melody JWad Parade? Unit. Stage fiash well liked but pic is snatching the customers. Lobby lockouts and packed mats. A cinch for smashing $23,000. Last week 'Tarzan'. (M-G) and vaude under expectations. Turnaways UiOuntlng into what is gauged at nearly a $1,000 loss up to foiirth day, then biZ slanted sharply. But ended up at good $20,000. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,600; 26-35^40-66-66)—'Finishing School' (Radio) and 'Bottoms Up' unit. Just fair and hPuse has already started plugging next week's Uhe-up; may- be $13,000. Last week 'Wild Cargo' (Radio) and 'Sweet And Lowdown' Unit. Nice enough, $15,000. Keith^s (Schanberger) (2,600; 26- 30-36-40-60)—'Wharf'Angel' (Par). Will grab pke $4,600. Last week, nine days, 'Melody in Spiring' (Par) $6;000. New (Mechanic) (1,800; 25-30- 36- 40-60)—'Such Women Are Dan- gerous' (Fox). Warner Baxter has enough following to file $4,000. Last ^week,—Comlng=Out=Party^(-Fox)- jerked after three days, under $1,000. Stanley (WB) (3,450; 15-26-40) —'20 Million Sweethearts' (FN). Heavy advance bally and $11,000 looks pretty gdod. Itast week 'Registered Nurse' (FN), six days, couldn't budge red-veined $7,200. Valencia (Loew-UA) (1,000; 25- 36) — 'Damaged Lives' (indie). Holding over for a second helping after $6,000 on Initial heat. And the $3,600 In view will make for nice fortnight. Fifjif $14,500 Best — Paramount Folding in Three Weeks Brooklyn, April SO. With competition so bitter in the downtown area, , the sedate little Strand has decided to lower its price scale. BCCectlve Thursday, :the Warner houser will have, a top of 40c and a low of two bits tor after- noons. ' Strand is surrounded by grind houses like Orpheum across the. istreet; Majestic, formerly leii^t,' next door, and now Werba's Brook- lyn, two blocks away. .The ailing Paramount, handsome downtown deiuxer^ will, close, its. doors May 17. Notice , has gone up oi;. the bulletin board. Biz in general riot so hot, but Fbx wori't holler a bit^ Stage fare this week Is tolerable. Estimates for This Week Paramount (Par) (4i000; 2&-86- 50-65)—•Witching Hour' (Par) and stage .show featuring Block and Sully and Gertrude Nlesen. May riot get more than $16,000, blah; Last week, 'Wharf Angel' (Par) and Bebe I>anlels and Ben Lyon on stage fpr mild $19,000. Fox (Conco) (4,000; 26-35-50)— I'll Tell the World' (Fox) and stage show featuring: Olga Baclaribva. Picture is a help,' Around $14,600, nlcia. Last week, ~'Sing, and Like It' (Fox), $13ii0Q0. Albee (RKO) (3,600: 26-36-60)-^ 'As the Sarth Turri^' (WB) and vaude, featuring Ed Sullivan revue. Uninteresting $14,000. Last week. 'This Man l8 Mine' (Radio), $16,000. Loew's Matrepolitan (Loew) — •Looking for Trouble' (UA) and vaUdOi featuring WiU Osborne's or- chestra and James Barton, Mild $14,000. Last week, .'Tarzan' (MG), ditto. Strand. <WB) (2,000; 26-36^40)— 'Modem Hero' CWB). Under $6,- 000^ pioor. lASt weelE, ^Gambling Lady' (WB). $7,000. ittoms Up'-Tak 22G; Wash. Washington, April 30. Only one possibility of breaking a record this wiaek and that's on a repeat. But everybody Is doirig nicely. '20 MlUlon Sweethearts' is. only new ace attraction in town, so reason seems to be that, with the Cherry Blossom Festival over, the public is getting back to indoor, amusements. Keith's Is buildirig when critics received 'This Man Is Mirie" better than expected In face of pre-con- ceived notiona that it was mediocre. House also has four-reel verision of Pathe's lurad Age,' biUed as 'This Is America,* which also came in' with public rather dubious, but is getting aweU word of mouth. Estimatea for This Week Earle (WB) (2.424; 26-40-60)—'20 Million Sweethearts' . (WB) and vaude. Bamona on; stage, but big spread on radio names in plo plUs Dick Powell are resjponslbie for house heading for. big $21,000. Last week, 'Registered Nurse' (FN), fair $16,000. Fox (Loew) (3.434; 26-30-60)— 'Bottoms Up' (Fox) and vaude. John Boles .itlus gal bally on '60 Million Frenchmen- -tab started weiek off nice; maybe good $22,000. Last week,^ 'Good Dame' - (Par) . and 'Spices of li934' built to nice $23,000. Keith's (RKO) (1,830; 26-36-60)-^ 'This Man la Mine' (Radio). Word of mouth, on foUr-reeler of Pathe's 'This. Is , America' helping toward unexpectedly satisfactory $9,000. Last week, 'Spitfire' (Radio) slid slightly .to turn In oJc.'Vbut not big $11,000. Rialto (U) (1.863; 26-36-40-60)— •ru Tell the Wprid' (U). Nice co- operatiori from local UP sheet;' al- though nothirig like World-Telly short subject stUnt. Looks like o.k. $6,000: Last week, 'Let's Be Ritzy' (U) suffered from opposition to take light $3,000.\ Met (YlTB) (1,683; ,25-40)—'Come On, Marines' (Par).' Better than expected, looking like .o.k.. $5,000 Last week, It Happened One Night' (Col), back after five weeks up street and run around neighbor hood, took good i $4,000. Columbia (Loew) (1,263; 26-40)— •Man in White' (MG). Only played week, at Fox arid was building ateadily-when-quitr-Reisult-js-shoot: ing at house record with probability of beautiful $6,600. Last week, 'Rip- tide' MO), also repeat after two weeks, nice $6,000. MG's 'Baggage' Remake Hollywood, April 30. Metro will'remake the stage play 'Excess Baggage,' which the com- pany made, silently seven years ago. John I^arkln is on the lot to write the script. Stage Show Houses Lead Weak Prov.; 'Sorrel' $9,000, Confuses Public 'ROTHSCHILD'S' $11,500 IN 2D WK. TOPS HRST Portland, Ore., April 30. With opening of .baseball, dollar opera, dog races at Vancouver, Wash., and Al Pcarce here last week, the headaches were more plentiful thari usual. Big weeks are becoming comnibri at Parker's United Artists; 'Roth- schild' will do more biz than any picture , since 'Tugboat AJinle.' Music Box is trying out the first stage' show glnce that house re- oiiened. Jay C. Fllppen's 'World Ffiir Follies' has the spot aind If all goes wen there may be others to follow, 'No Greater Glory,' at the Para- mount, was given all the encourage- riient possible by the critics, but failed to hold a week. Lasted only five. days, replaced lay 'We're Not pressing.* Pantages has Ben Turpln heading the vaiide bill, but won't raise the ante. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (2,000; 26-40) —'Death Takes a Holiday' (Par). Won't break any record, but. will get its jshare, which is average $6,000. Last week 'Cat and the Fiddle' (MG) closed for $4,100. United Artists (Parker) (1,000; 25-40)'Rothschild' (UA) (2nd week). Looks like a. k.o. fbr the second lap. Every night attendance reminds of the good old days; a big $11,600. First week a good $7,500. Paramount (FWC) (3,000; 26-40) —'We're Not Dressing' (Par) and 'All Men Are Enemies' (Fox), dual. Not top many Interested and If It. dO(6s $4,000 win be more than ex- pected.: Last week 'No Greater Glory' (Col) and 'Coming Out Party' (Fpx) proved short-winded, Jerked in five days; had every possible help from press, but only $3,200. Music Box (Hamrick) (1,400; 26- 35)—'Gambling Lady' (WB) and stage show. First stage show this house has had and, with film,, liked a nice $8,000. Last week 'Bolero' (Par), $4,000. Pantages (S. & M.) (1,800; 15-26) 'One Tear Later' (Maj) and vaude. Stage show getting better right alongi It's what's doing the turn, maybe $2,300. Last week 'Beggars In Ermine' (Mono) and vaude the same did story as far as the picture is concerned, but Fay Courtney and Ben Turpln spread, $2,100. Oriental (Hamrick) (2,500; 26-36) —'Wharf Angel' (Par) and 'Let's Be Ritzy' (U) combo. Might be $2,500, oke. Last week 'Hips, Hopray' (Radio) for continued run and •Cosby Case* XU) plugged along at even gait and registered $2,200, Seattle Sh^e-Minded Again;'Cath'H500; 'Bottoms Up' $7,000 Seattle, April 30. Plenty of opposition for the show- shops these days, but vote of people at recent election wiped out the •daylight saving' scare. Wlndup of 'dollar opera' (San Carlo) at Civic aude cut into the first run houses, while the same Civic aude also houses .coupla wrestling matches and boating bouts weekly. Looks like quite a revival of vaude and stage shows, with suc- cess of Paramount thus far looking up and up. May 10 Jay C. Fllppen's 'World's Fair Follies' augments the llevy show at. Paramount; opening May 11, Al Pearce comes back to Seattle fpr second time. Coliseurii has KOL 'Carnival Hour* dally dur- ing week diays,. noon to 1 p.m., which Uses small stage at this house and helps bring- but early mat crowd, at 16 cents. Estimates for This Week Blue House (Hamrick) (1,000; 25-36)—'Finishing School' (Radio) and 'Heat Lightning' (WB), dual. Ahtlcipated $3,000 Is big. Last Weiek 'Upper World' (WB) and 'Keei> 'Em Rolling' (Radio) fair, $2,000, start- ing dual policy for this house. Coliseum (Evergreen) (1,800; 16- .25)=iGPing._HollywoPd*:4MGM)..ari4- 'Six oi a Kind' (Par), dual. Six days, shpuld get $3,600, good. ICOL stage presentation, 'Carnival .Hour,' moved over from dark Orpheum, helping eairly. matinee b. o. Last week 'Gallant Lady' (UA) and. .*Hi, Ndllle' (FN) dual, four days $1,900, good; 'Lazy River' (MG) and 'I Am Suzanne' (Fox) dual, four days, fair, $1,600 for $3,400 total for week. Fifth Avenue (Evergreen) (2;4O0; 25-40) ^'Tarzan and His Mate' (MGM) playing up the thrills. Around $6,500, a floppo. Last week Providence, April .30,. Entertainment exceptionally weak this stanza,, few spots boasting pf drawing bills.. Starts are just as tepid as the theatre fare. Although there's not, as mUch empha-sls on stage entertainment as there was a. few- months back, the two spots with combo bills are holding their own, and maintaining a load over the straight picture houses. Comparatively, Fay's is expected to do the biz this week with 'Mur- der In Trinidad' on the screen and all-colored revue on the stage'; There's strength in both features of the prograni, and unless there's a' sudden switch gross shpuld stay in the nelghbprhood of $6,800. Loew's state must once more deiil pend upon Its stage show to pull through this yreek, 'Sbrrell and Son,' the screen attraiction, causing no end of confusion amorig the natives. Estimates for This Week Fay'a (5,200; 16-25-40)—'Minder In Trinidad' (Fpx) and vaudeville. Stage show exceptionally gpod; pic- ture passable, and with the all- colored revue as . the principal bait there's no reason why this stand can't keep the figure around $6,800 without any difficulty. Last week 'All Men Are Enemies' (Fox) started off well, but took unex- pected slide with the others; $.6,100 okay, however. Loew's State (3,200; 15-25-40)— 'Sorrell and Son' (UA) and vaude- ville.. Present picture doesn't augur well, but there's ho. telling what the natives will do in the last rushes. Confusion with the old silent film of the same name caused a tepid opening, and baised pri that gross doesn't look as though it can; cross $9,000; . just so-so. Last week 'Tar- zan and His Mate' (MG) was an- other that started off strong, but petered out enough to clip takings down to $12,000 ; but oke at that. Majestic (2,200; 15-26-40)—'The Earth Turns' (WB) and 'Lovie Birds' (U). Weakness In names ift the first picture holding thing^ back; swell reviews may pep things in time to bring gross past , antic- ipated $6,700. Last week 'Wonder Bar' (WB) In second, stanza walk very weak at $3,300. Paramount (2,200; 16-26-40)— 'Trumpet Blows' (Par) and 'Twin. Husband' (Chest). George Raft doesn't mean much to the box of- ficer In these parts; reviews not kind., either, and witn bad weather spoil- ing early opening there's little pros- pect of this one touching $5,500. Last week 'Come On Marines' (Par) and 'The Quitter* (Chest) faded down to a poor $4,800. RKO Albee (2,200; 16-26-40)— 'Where Sinners Meet' (Radio) and •I'll Tell the World' (U) Opening promising, but audience reaction to first feature may kill chances of house maintaining lead over the other stands in town; reviews luke- warm, but the word-of-mouth wlU tell whether house can gamer $6,200 for the lead. Last week 'No Greater Glory' (Col) and 'This Man Is Mine' (Radio) opened strong, tapered off during the last part of eight and half day run, but nice at $7,000. RKO Victory (1,600; 10-16-25)— 'Crime Doctor' (Radio) and 'Social Register" (Col); looks as though it will be strong enough to garner, at least $2,600 for the week. Last week 'Hell On Earth' (Aeolian) and 'Sing and Like It' (Radio)). BUI didn^ ^tand up as well >as anticipated de- spite push behind it; "at $2,3Q0; 30 Days at Airfield For M-G's Plane Film Hollywood, April 30. Metro's production schedule on ^est Point of the Air' will provide for a minimum of 30 days on loca- tion at Randolph Field, Texas. Pro- ducing company has secured special permission from the Government to use this army flying field, Richard ROsson is slated to pull out with cast and crew next week. Wallace Beery and Robert Mont-, gomery have top spots In the fea- ture. 'Men in White' (MGM) went for strong finish, okay at $9,200. JUh^ Ety. .(ivJ£) =41,aojO;..l Happened One Night' (Col) (lOth week)y Now around $4,000. Last week, sariie film, $4,600. Music Box (Hamrick) (950; 26- 35)—'Catherine the Great' (UA). Looks set for two weeks. Look for $4,500, big. Last week 'Tins Man Is Mine' (Rubio) only fair, $3,?.00. Paramount (Evergreen) (:J.106; 26-35), 'Bottoms Up' (Fo'x). Big bally. Indicated, with stage .-l ow a help at b. o. Excellent sT.OOO Is fllRhted, Last week 'Death Takes a Holiday' (Par) only fair, $6,300.