Variety (Jul 1934)

9 PI CTVIIE CROSSES Tueeduj, Jdj S, 1934 'Baby and 'Kiss' WithB Apart in LA^ in Mild Wk. Los Angeles; July 2. Still ptetty quiet on the Paclflc strip. Trade atraggly with nothing to cause a furore. The tate Is th»« week's leader of first runs with • j« by Take a . Bow'. . \ Paramount, on fluick switch of booking, -has 'JClss and Make Up'! which with holiday counted ln will bring the final total around satis- factory $12,000. Warner houses, with ♦Return of the Terror,* and the RKO playing 'Cockeyed Cavaliers', are having itiiiet siestas. Estimates for This Week Downtown (WB) (1>800; 26-35-40- 55)--'Return of Terrof (WB). Fair campaign and response will glide through to around mild $3,700. Last week 'Modern Hero' (WB) pulled out alfter six days to around $2,700. Hollywdod (WB) (2,7B€; 2B-36-40- 65)—'Return of Terror' (WB). Up a bit over previous week but only near $3,d00. Last week 'Modern Hero* (WB), six days, around $3,3X)0. Los Angeles (Wm. Fox) (2,800; 15-25)—'Marrying Widows* (Tower) arid 'Take the Stand' (Liberty) epllt. With kid trade slack and, shoppers Infrequent hard going to finish with $2,700. Last week 1 Can*t Escapa (Alex-Beacon) and 'Affairs of a Gentleman' (U), fair enough at $3:000. . . Pahtagis (Pan) (2,700; 25-40)— •Hollywood Party' (MG) and 'iSisters Under Skin* (Col) split. House back to nornaal take at close to $2,700. liast week 'Little Man* (U) bowed o»t to excellent returns for second week of better than $4,000. . Paramount (Partmar) (8;596; 30- 40-B6*)—'Kiss and Make Up* (Par) and stage show. In on last mlnutg booking and with no; efEective stage aid Okay at around $12,000. Last week 'Shoot the Works* (Par) did corking week with poor stage, Just short of $14,000. -"V . ^ RKO (2,950; 25-85-40)—'Cockeyed Cavaliers^ (Radio). This Wheeler and Woolsey did not'get much En- couragement locally and Is just pac- ing along to a $8,700 finish. week "Finishing School* (Radio), helped by Baer-Camera pictures, $9 800 'state (Loew-Fox) (2.024; 80-40- 5B)-^'Baby* Take a Bow' (Fox). They're Shirley Temple wild In this town. Youngster credited with much help toward a good $12,500. JMt week 'Manhattan Melodrama* (MG), a good $ 13,100. LINCOLN'S BATFLE OF THE B.O/S, BUT BIZ OK Lincoln, July 2. Fiiror strikes theatre ro^ this week with proa^cts of the same sit nation to bold sway for many weeks to come. The old Statfe, renamed Klva, - and the Rlalto have been grabbed up by representatives bit the Griffiths Btos. strong southerin. or- ganization, and there's a mad on In existence' between them and J. H. Cooper, who has the LTC Interests here. The State (Kiva) opens for the first time since It was shuttered mid-May with '20th Century.' Indications of l\ght loom with the IVTC bid for patronage with a strong lineup. Including 'Little Miss Mark- er* (Stuart), 'Black Cat* (Lincoln) and 'Looking for Trouble* (Or pheum). lAst week «aw a ehrlvellng heat wave, which ran a grueling six-day marathon with the b.O;,.,the former the winner In every Estimates for This Week Colonial (LTC) (760; 10-15)— ^Hollywood Party' (MG) and 'Char- lie Chan' (FOX), split. Fair, $700. Last week 'Private Scandal* (Par) dualed with 'Midnight Lady' (Ches) and 'Hell Caf (Radio) 'with Baer- Carnera fight moved over; from the Orpheum, for an extended three-day run, split, take oke at $860. Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-16-26)— •Cock-Eyed Cavaliers' (Radio) No horror In figures; nice $1,900 ex- pected. Last week 'Honorable Guy' (WB) was yanked after three days for 'Merry-Wives Reno' (WB^, Which could well have stood a full week; take bad $1,400, strictly on last half. Orpheum (LTC) (1,200; 10-15-25) —'Dinner at Eight' (MG). In for the full week, $900 will be nice enough. Last week Baer-Carnera with 'Call It Luck* (Fox) dualed ^ flrstjtialf^waavery nice combo; last halir Wog Over l¥Isco' (WB) leveled off to a $1,100, good enough. Kiva (Cornhusker TI) (500; IQ-- 18-20)—'20th Century* (Col). Sees opening of this spot, and the pic Iboks oke for Its share, $900 very Well. - Stuart (LTC) (1,900; 10-25-40)— *MIs8 Marker" (Par). Swell pros- pects and with decent break will get Over $3,000 In tbls toprprlced house, ^st week 'Manhattan Melodrama' ^MG) In the only cool theatre In ^wn reacbe4 up to $2,900, okay. INDIANAPOLIS HEAT HURT Only Fight Pice Drawing Against the Weather Well Indianapolis, July 2. Withering heat has cut down the theatre grosses , considerably,. leav- ing nothing standing but as a strong attractipii for this week. Shoot the Works* at tiie Circle Is faring better than anything eslse In town with an indicated gross of $6,- 000, which Bood in these tlnies. Estimates for THis Week Apollo (Fourth Ave.) (1,100; 20- 25-40)—'She Learned About Sail- ors' (Fox). Fairly good at $3,260. Last week the holdover session of Baby Take a Bow' (Fox) was-thin ^*Ciwle'(Katz-Feld) (2.6.00; 25-40) --'Shoot the Works' (Par). Not much competition for this pic other than the weather. Results are very good at $6,000. Last week Dr. Monica* (FN) was very sick at $2,- "^^Lyrie (Olson) (2,000; 26-40)-^ Baer-Carnera fight films and^ Af- fairs of a Gentleman* (U). Hold- over of five extra days Is doing moderately well with . $2,900, Will make room on. Fourth of July for 'The Key,' (WB). Last week the Initial stanza of the fight pictures with 'Affairs* was seiasational, de- spite mid-week attack of hot weather, aind the take was near something of a record at $8,600. LoeWs Palace (Loew's) (2,800; 25-40) —'Murder in the Private Car* (MG). Not doing very much at $3,400, lightweight Last week •Operator 13' (MG) did better than expected with a" gross of $6,000, okay. ALL'S FAIR IN PORT., •FRISCO'56, W 3i€ Vode k Always Sore-Fire Wlien It Comes to B'ham Birmingham, July 2. Vaudeville has reached the point that when an Independent unit comes through, it gets the business. Ray Teal baok In town this week* for a half week .at Alabama^ The Eiae^r-Camera fight is also a good bet this week. Estimates for This Week Alabama (Wilby) (2,800; 30-36- 40)^'CandlelIght* (U) and Ray Teal stage show; last half 'Many Happy ReturltiB^ (Par)* Looks strong for $8,000. Last week 'Tar- zan' (MG) and 'Thirty-Day Prlri- ceiss' (Par) $7,000. Ritz (WUby) (1(500; 26)—'He Was Her Man' (WB). Blondell and Cagney won't mean so much this week, $2,000. Last week 'Bottoms Up' (Fox) -oke $2,60D. Empire (BTAC) (1,100; 26)—'Fog Over Frisco* (FN). Fair, $2,100. Last week 'I've Got Your Number' (WB) $2,600, oke. Strand (WIlby) (800; 25)^Baer- Carnera Fight Films (Olwer). These fight films aren't the draw they used to be but still a pretty good week, $1,500. Last week Laughing Boy* (MG), $900. Thin Man' Best b MiniL, $7,000; W-WNeat$4^ Portland, Ore., July 2. Battle royal between rival Baer- Carnera fight plx was the b.o. high- light last week. Bound 1: Parker booked copyrighted fight. pio Into the Broadway, getting big exploita- tion. Round 2: Hamrick rushed eopy of the .same pic Into the Music Box, with 'copyright* deleted from the title* Round 3: Pressure brought to bear on. Better Business bureavi and censor board to squash the Musfic Box pic. " Round 4: Andy Saso, of the Music Boix, arrested for falling to have his pic censored. Round 6: Hamrick refused to pull fight pic from the Miislc Box, but 'Benefit of New York Milk Fund' deleted from title. Roun4 6: Pic passed by city censors, and agree- ment made between Broadway and Music Box to make no further men tlon of either pic in newsprint Round 7: Music Box appears In print with exploitation of special noon showing for business 'men. Neither side seemed to score knockout, but hitting beloW the belt with such lines as 'only authentic and official' was the ord^r of the b.o. battle. In actual gross business, the Broadway scored more heavily, due to better print- and steadier general patronage, easily doubled usual week's attendance. EiitTmateS for This Week Broadway (Parker) (2,000; 25-40) "Fog Over Frisco' (FN) and 'Let's Talk It Over* (U), also fight films held over. Getting a fair break, principally oh the 'Frisco* pic, around $6,000. Last week 'Reg istered Nurse' (FN) and Baer-Car hera fight pic; latter was tho big 4raw and swelled the b.o. up to great $7,000. United Artiste (Parker) (1,000 26-40) 'Born to Be Bad' (UA). Hit ting fair pace In this small house for $3,600. Last week 'Looking for Trouble' (UA), got serious trouble at the b.o. and fiopped for poor $2,800. Paramount (FWC) (3,000; 26-40) 'Now I'll Tell' (Fox) and 'Spring time for Henry' (Fox). Running Under recent grosses,, fair $4,000 Last week 'Little Miss Marker' (Par), clicked for big matinee biz with 'Sisters Under Skin' (Col), did well at strong $4,600. Music Box (Hamrick) (1,400; 26 3 6)=^Stlngaree^( Radio) Goi ntf-fUST^ fairly for $2,500. Last week 'Halt a Sinner* (U) and Baer-Camer; fight pic boosted this house up tc good $4,000, chiefly on the fight pin's appeal. Oriental (Hamrick) (2,600; 2o-S.», 'Smarty' (WB) and 'Murder on Blackboard' (Radio). Average re- turns for average fare, around $2,000. Last week 'Glamour' (U), and Gilmore Circus road u.nit about doubled usual biz with good enough $3,600." Scorching Weather and Tepid Fix Augur Chilly Grosses in PhiBy N. H. VERY FETCHIT Slow at B. 0> But Quick oh the Scram-i-Out o' Town MIiineaipoHs, July^2. for the second euccesslve week the State has the town's ace attrac- tion and looks set to cop honors again. 'Thin Man* Is putting it in front currently. - With intense heat, church agita- tion; and the usual summer apathy Indications point to $7,000 as the week's high. Most of the takings will go w^U under that figure and the aggregate haul will not go much ■above $20,000 for all six of the loop's first runs. This, despite? a fairly strong array of attractions. "Little Man,. What Now?', ex- pected to be a No. 1. boxoflftce per- former, is proving somewhat of a disappointment for the Minnesota, probably due In part to the critics' lukewarm reception. However, both this picture and 'Thin Man' being helped by the novels' prestige. For a change a Wheeler-Woolseiy picture, 'Cockeyed Cavaliers*, has the critics ain^ne its praises. As a result It seems set- to garner a moderately good sum for the Or- pheum. 'Upperworld', too. Is doing fairly well for the Lyric. Estimatep for This Week Minnesota (Publlx) (4.200; 26-85 40)—'Little Man* (U). Drag of novel and Margaret Sullavan helping, but reviewers treated it coldly. Will be lucky to shoot much over $6,000 House closes for. Indefinite period after this one, lease requiring only six months a year operation. Last week 'Dr. Monica' (WB) a poor $4,000. • Orpheum (Singer) (2,890; 25-35 40)—'Cockeyed Cavaliers'. (Radio). Critics comment favorably upon absence of smi^t. Magnet for kids and looks around $4,600, pretty good. Last week *Vergle Winters* (Radio) $7,000, good Century (Publlx) (1,600; 25-35-40) —'Miss Marker' .(Par). Second successive loop. week. A sock at the State last week and off to an other good sev€n'days here. Around $5,000 in prospect. Last week 'Many Happy Returns* (Par) $3,690, light State (Publlx) (3,200; 26-36^40)'^ 'Thin Man* (M-Q). Much to fans liking. A $7,000 clip Indicated, good Last week 'Miss Marker' (Par) $9,000, fine. World (StefCes) (360; 25^35-50-76) —'Sweden'. Good travel picture for this large Scandinavian community Should grab satlisfactory $1,600 on build-up after cold opening. Last week, fifth and last of 'Catherine' (UA) $1,800, oke. Uptown (Publlx) (1,200; 26-36)— 'Viva VilW (M-G). On way to around $2,0iO0^ nice. Last week 'Men in White' (M-G) $1,700. Lyric (Publlx) (1,800; 20-26)- ♦Upperworld' (WB). Dandy attrac tlon for house and building after slow start due to 105 temperatures Should hit pretty good $2,600. Last week 'Hollywood Party' (M-G) $2 mOO (ira'nd (Publlx) (1,100; 15-25)— '2A Mlilioh Sweethearts' (FN), sec- ==^LiLJtocpjcjm,. aimLJ^ Vy' (Fox), first run, split ■ nc $1,000 indicated, fair. Last . 'We're Not Dressing' <Par) Mystery of Mr. X' (M-G), eec- '=-uri9, $1,600. (Publlx) f900; 16-26)— Wor Bar* (FN), third loop run 'l)av. v>.arum' (Fox>, third run, an€ New Haven, J^ly 2. Business is very $tepln Fetchlt. Torrid spell has everything that moves on wheels headed for the beaches and plo . houses are just getting what's lieft behind. Grosses currently; .will depend on Wednesday weather, with managers praying for a rainy holiday to hold *em In town. Estimates for This Week P'aramdunt (Publlx) (2,348; ^5- 60)—r'Shbot the Works* (Par) and Monte Carlo Nights! (Mono). Tottering to light $4,500, but no fault of the bill. Last week 'Here Comes iSroom' (Par) and 'Mystery Liner' (Mono) not much better at $4,800. Poli'a (Loew) (3.040; 36-50)— 20th Century' (Col) and 'Most Precious ■Thing' (Col), Feeling the heat plenty and will probably register season's low at $6,500; liast week 'Little Man' (U) and 'CaJl It Luck* (Fox), held up to a satisfac- tory $7,000. - Roger Sherman (WB) (2,200; 36? 60)^'Try Again' (Radio) and Murder on Blackboard' (Radio), Side Streets' (WB) originally set for 'Try' spot, but held back; light 13,500. Last week 'Love Captive' U) and 'Personality Kid' (WB). Slipped off to weak $3,200. College (Loew) (1,665; 25-40)— Now I'll Tell' (Fox) and 'Let's Talk It Oyer* (U>. So-so $3,800 In view. Last week 'Born to Be Bad* (20th Cent.) and 'Affairs of Gentleman' U) faded after good starts, but 1:4,000 was oke. 'Merry Wives of Reno* (WB), first run, should reach $900, fair . Last week 'Jimm y th e Ctent* (WB), 'Har old Teen' (WB), second loop runs and 'Black Cat' fU), flr^t run, split, $1,000. DESPITE WASH. HEAT, IHARKER/'THINMAN'OK Washington, July 2. Sizzling sidewalks are hard on the lads who haven't the pics, but at least t-wo spots.are maniaglng to cllhif to upper-bracket grosses with sweltering populace figuring that combo of good show and cooling plants Is worth the trip downtown. Business Is falling right Into laps of two top Loew houses. Palace Is cleaning up on 'Thin Man* follow- ing rave notices trom critics at pre- views and Fox offering 'Little Miss Marker' plus Will Mahoney on stage looks like unbelievable fig- ure conslderlnfT the weather. Earle. was pretty smart In bookr ing 'Circus Clown* for first week after school with holiday thrown In, but expected kid audiences are splitting Fox which leaves "WB vaude house on the spot. Estimates for I'his Week Fox (Loew) (8,434; 26-36-60)-^ *Ml8S Marker* (Par) and vaude. Shirley Temple slaying 'em and with Will Mahoney plus Gertrude Nlesen's radio rep flocking to stage end week should see bl^r $25,000. Last week Joe Penner In person gets all credit for shooting 'Holly- wood Party' (MG) to -beautiful $27,000. Earle (WB) (2,424; 26-36-40-60) —Circus Clown' (FN) and vaude. Joe El. Brown supposed, to get kids but opposition Is pulling same class and James Mieltoh on stage not get- ting enough night' trade to better probable light $11,600. Last week ."Dr. Moni<*a' (WB) took the femnies for oke $13,600. Keith's (RKO) (1,830; 25-35-60)— fCockeyed Cavaliers' (Radio). Wheeler and Woolsey getting better notices, but fans still remember 'So This Is Africa' and won't up gross beyond fair $6,000. Last week 'Ver- gie Winters' (Radio) lasted nine days to bring house back to Friday openings to turn In nice $1.1,000. Palace (Loew) (2,363; 26-35-60)— 'Thin Man' (MG). Rave from press as combo comedy-mystery for peo pie who ordinarily don't like either as well as those who do. Headed for big $17,000. Last week 'Change of Heart* (Fox) ' took satisfactory $12,600. Met (WB) (li583; 26-40)—'He =WJ!w3..Ja:ex.J^^ani^(WB.).==_J£=^Cagney- Blondell fans don't get wise that It's a, new type for the wise-crackers, week shoiild hold up to o. k. $3,600. Last week repeat of 'Little Man' (U) took satisfactory $3,300. Columbia (Loew) (1,263; 25-40)— 'Operator 13' (MG). Repeat after big week at Fox should get satisfac- tory $3,000 in face of house being only downtown spot without cooler. Last week 'Such Women Are Dan- gerous* (Fox) was lifted by Warner Baxter fans and none else to pass able $4,90«. Philadelphia, July a. Scorching weather lind pictures that aire, for the moet part, littlel more ■than routine- programmers; coniblnlng Into a sub-normal weeki. Pox may survive with Shirley Temple's new one, 'Baby Take a Bow*: on the screen and WCAU's Made In Phllly' revue oh the stages Latter got good notices and engages plenty of home talent. (Combination would produce ia $24,000 w.eek In the regular season; lucky If it gets $17,600 right now. Rest of the houses will lag badly. Stanley didn't get oft to a good start with 'Hollywood Party,' al- though it was figured a' good .hot- weather plctuire.. May improve It the promised relief from the scorch> ng temperatures arrives this week pi otherwise $11,000 or less. •Vergie Winters,' getting none too good notices, .won't prosper greatly at the Boyd, although Ann Harding is almost a home-town girl because of her earlier Hedgerow conneci- tions; $8,600 . should be top.'He was Her Man* may get a <6w fiashes of trade at the Stanton, but they won't bring a gross of over $6;600. The £arle has Joe E. Brown's 'Circus Clown,* which Is gettiner some special exploitation, on the screen, and a revue^ ♦Words^ and Music,* decidedly shy on namies, on the stage. Combination lucky to get $12,600. Karlton's 'Great FUrtatlorf shouldn't get over $2,600, and Ar-; cadla's 'Little Miss Marker' (second run) will hit around $1,900 or $2,000. Last week found few. features. Fox held "over the Baer-Carnera fight pictures and hit $16,000, a grand higher than ea^pected,. al- though feature, 'She Learned About Sailors,* and stage show weren^t so hot. Rest of the town floundered, with Earle's puny $12,000 top. Estimates for This Week Arcadia (600; 26-40-60)—'Miss Marker* (Par). Second run, should get $1,900 or $2,000. Last week. Thirty-Day Princess* (Par), dipped to $1,700. r J Boyd (2,400; 40-56-65)—Vergie Winters* (Radio). Harding picture looks weak, notices won't .help, $8,- 600. Last week, ♦Where Sinners Meet' (Radio), flne notices; no biz;' $8,000 tops. parle (2,000; 40-65-65)—'Circus Clown^ (FN) and vaude. No names on stage program. Brown picture getting some extra plugging; maybe $12,600. Last week, 'Personality Kid* (WB) and vaude; very dismal $12,000. Fox (3,000; 40-60-60)—'Baby Take Bow' (FOx) and stage show, WCAU's 'Made in Phllly.' Revue pretty good draw but weather off-; setting; maybe $17,600. Last weelr. She Learned About Sailors* (Fox), and stage show, $16,000, becausel Bae.r-Carnera pictures were held over for second week. Karlton (1,000; 80-40-50)—'Great Flirtation' (Par). Nothing very, promising, $2,600 at top. Last weeir, 'Private Scandal* (Par), $2,600, dlfi>. mal. , Stanley (3.700; 40-66-65)—'Hollsr* wood Party' (MG). Start wasn't hot but may improve, $11,000 In** dicated. Last week, "Thin Marf (MG), better things expected of !t»' $10,000., • Stanton (1,70.0; 80r 40-66)—'He Was Her Man' (WB). LOoiks Juet fair, $6,600. Last week, 'Black Cat* (U), slightly above recent house average, $6,200. UNOFFICIALLY IT'S 'NO PRODUCT WEEK'IN N.O. New Orleans, July 2. Unbfllcially, 'nb-product week* and the boys are worrying. Saenger has the somewhat posthumous 'Shoot the Works' for. the town's topper at $8,000. Loew's State try- ing valiantly with 'Murder In Rear Car.' Orpheum held over quite regret- fully 'Vergie' in the second week of her 'discontent.' Others just cross- ing their fingers. Estimatea for This Week Saenger (3,668; 40)—'Shoot the Works' (Par). Iiotsa names, but composite impression flaccid and $8,000 trill be welcome. Last week 'Bottoms Up' (Fox), poor $6,000. Loew's State (3,218; 40)—'Murder In Rear Car' (MG). Upplrtg house f rom_-recent=4oWs. .-to=$7,O..0.Qi_^ ^ Lafltv week *Born to Be Bad' (UA)» meagre $6,000. Orpheum $2,400; 35) — 'Vergie Winters' (Radio), with flte plx to July 4. Rueful at $6,000 in second week. Last week combo clipped nice $10,000. Tudor (700; 25)—'Wild Gold.* Another Boles for $2,000. Last week 'Smarty* (WB) not so smart, $1,600. St. Charles (2,200; 25)—"Keep 'em Rolling.' Just fair at $1,500. Last week 'From Headquarters' <WB) drew $1,800.