Variety (Jul 1934)

VARIETY p I c T n ii i can s s e t Tae84«7« luly 24, 1934 feiuHTs 3 Days at Par* iiyiltl^l Rpii^esr T^^^ Nan in 2d Wk, $9,000 Los Angeles, July '23. Hot sio),'« none to helpful to box- ufMoe, but business Is a bit more on tiio uptrend tlMiA ih« .i^l^ftirldus \V«H'k. I'aiamount hops into the vaA- puard with Joe renner. in for a throo (lay pers<mal in conjunction with 'Klnier and Elsie' whicli plays for six days, but only 113,000 on engagement. Capacity house dltfing duration of Pinner's eniMiifiiient, three days being 110.000. "Warner houses. Downtown Itnd Hollywood, are doing best business they have had in .four months with 'Dr. Monies.' EKO tgm. soiniL» trU Above averafe witlli 'WHttfcA'lEkMM*' tgt: ■ ' titimatti>er ThirWe«k Downtown (WB) (1,800; 26-35- 40-55)-^*Dr. Monica* (WB). Gives Indications of hitting an easy >8,500, best since '20,000,000 Sweets hearts'. I*ast week 'The Personal- ity Kid' (Wi{) skidded and faded to tune of $3,000. Hollywood (WB) (2,756; 25-35- 40-66)—'Dr. Monica' (WB). Will hit ah easy $8,»00. Last week 'Fer- Bonality Kid' (WB) fMilr WOUnd. up with poor 13,300. , , Lee AngelM (Wm. Fox) i%mi 15-25)—'Shock* (Mono) *nd "Wl Love With Life' (Chest). Bit of Im- provement here at 11^900^ .JMt week 'Back Page' (]iiiyf*lr> a^d *lx)ve Captive' (U) ait even tMO». Oit»heum (Bdwy.) (2,270; 15-26- 8S)-^'CaU It Luck* (Fox) and The Merry Prinks' (WB) spUt. ■ *nd Vaude. Hegardless of Aisreeii tare, iVifKiitiiy/ gets the amiiaement hiiiisiry; which brings tak« to aurdund Mt wieeklwild Gold' (P6x) aiiiS} for Henry' (Fox) 'iltowWI fatr $7,200. :#«Miitf^ (Pan) 2J00t 25-40)-^ /ir«Nter. an Slla«klM^ (Radio) and •PiMrtt* 4C<*)». ' Trade herei way <>S; «ah not get inu^ oyer ll.MO. LiMit week 'Bom to Be house' has 3^tTh*d« Wound * ,-wt.over liw^:-■ ImiiM^ (ifHi »»' Mv|i)^-^'iaitter and Mo* (Par) puid . '.4^«''MioWi''' :':jr6«'^ Pehher*«' thlfoo "day •t«^ fl«.o$9. while b«Jte«eoi on H^^^ (litar«^>iMtt bo oM^ di| thft iMilf dfMienvd#y«^ iiophio tAns' (IParV |»^<>«r HKO (OSO; ZB-95*4e)---'iruman Bondage' (mdto>V Looks as though it trlU rtt^li |8>000 and may hold •eef>nd weAk/ Last -Ww* 'Vergle WintWiT'lRadio). di^l HMrijr gOod '«t> sO^Ohd' '.'WoeH', «iri|i|rr'|^i ,■ tui^ . Is.ooOi' ■■.^•■v •tale (LoewFOSc) («,«24j IO-4«. Ii)-^^hln Man' (MO) (2nd week). fitiMmg fti own' iHeOly -on holdover if fvi days» Will h» iBfteund f«. ;>|aiifc;ye f»,tl4J<MI^:v- --r'-X;-.'X z':-,:, 3c Dogs, 2c Lemonade ^ At Coney Lures B'klyn; ^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ Brocktyn, July 58. Another brutal hot spell with the majority traip.sing to beaches, particularly Coney Island where a nickel la still the pass key to a thousand plea.sures. I'ioturo houses suffering plenty this week except Fox on second week 'Baby Takes Bo.w* at chance for $19,000. .^'trand again offering double features with no rise at the box office. Big thing at Coney Island these days is three-cent frankfhrtef : and two-cent drthk. EfttmatOt fbf^ Thie Wi«k V.l^ox (4,000; SS-a.'i-aO)—'Baby Take a Bow' and stage show. Hecond week for this flicker. Claimed will do about $19,000, big. Last week over $20,000. Albee (RKO) (:?,500; 23-33-50)— 'Whom the Gods Destroy' tCol) and vaude featuring Bu.ster Shaver. Mild $12,000. Last week 'Of Uttelin Bondage' (Radio) $10,000, oke. Metropolitan (Loew) (3,000; 25- 85-50)—Shoot the Works' (Par) and vaude with Will Mahoney. Weflina h $13, 0 0 0 . — liast w ee k 'fl tam - boul Quest* did 114.000. •tr«n^) (t,ego; M'S5-65) —'Mid- Atilit r^yihi^ tv^r *>Hl 'Yoo Mado Sundays turning in enough to get by. Palace haa perhaps the best at< traction In 'Circus Clown' concur- rent wH^ two day stand circus here and 'Return of the Terror.* May gamer $0,500. Capitol' ha,s '^ahe lOyre' and ttere Coihes the (Jroom,' a no-star pirogram that cannot hope for much above $5,000, bar 'sur- prises. Loew's maybe a better bet this week than usual, 'Murder on the Blae|cbo«rd' and 'Strictly Dynamite* Wlti) i^iiraAtOrlMpec combo siire to makci the irrado M 16.600. princess showing ^Cobkeyed Ciivitllers' and 'Suceeu at Pride,?: liitaybe |5.0Q!<I^ Imperial,' 19 «^ «*nde and 'Before { Ifdnite^ und Wktim <or Trouble/ 4.OOO: . : ■ ■ ' ■ ■■■ ■■■ ■ " ' Nabes Just about making it Estimates for This Week Palaee (PP) (2J00: 50)—'Circus Clown' (WB) and "Return of Terror' (WB). If pace continues should garner $6,500 anyway.. Last week 'Shoot the Works' (Far) and 'Fri- day llth' (Brit) n<>t «o hot at t5.Q00. dmitor (FP) («,7<rt>; 60^-i'iian* Byre' (Mono) and 'Hero Comes Groom* (Piar). K6 mtmiei and not liable to groM above ICOOO. Last week 'Baby, 'Take Bbw^ (Fox) and LeVa Be Rltay' (F0«> tOM^I town at 16,500. "■ Loaw^s (FP) (3.200: 50)—"Murder on Blackboard* (Radio) and 'Strict- ly Dynamite' (Radio). Better than average and lik^y to make $5,500 which will be good. Last week 'Fog Over Frisco' (WB) and 'Affairs of Gentleman' (U), about |4,000. Prineeaa (CT) (1,900; 60)-.-^O«cl|.« eyed Cavaliers' (liadio) and . !«ii»<> CoiMi at Any Price' (Radio). Poa>> •ible 16,000. Lttil 'W#Bk ^Born to Be Bad' (UA) iuid 'Par^'a Over* (Col) not so good. $4,600. imperial (Ind) (1>00; 40)—'Be- fore Midnite' (FOX) and 'Fishing for Trevble' (U). Maybe $4,000. Last weeic *l>fora-Moran* (MaJ) and 'Man- hattan Love Bong' (Mona). $3,500. CihMiii 4e Parie (Frjahce-Film) (190: iO')-^'!^ a^drre des Valses,' |1.769i - La»t we«l( repeat of L'Eper 'Drummond' Balto. m ''«r M^'iwor.. I.i*;t. :«r«ek'Uttrt' 6iG is MontTs Best Hot ■ B^ 2S. Tetnp bobbing around thw 100- mark M leaving box office.s, as well as the burg, limp. Only rejolcer this session is the Century where -Str ik es B ack .* with Phil Harris ork on rostrum, is snatching 'pJiJl attendance. Standees In order at first and last shows first three days and it may be a hurrah $20,000. 'MIn and Bill' has been revived and Bhoved Into Loew's sub.sc- quenter, the Valencia. Many seem to want a second look and Marie Dressler's autoblog is being carried by News-Post. If pace contilvties it'll bo nice $3,500 on week. The New is Just about okay with 'Grand Canary,' on Warner Baxter, but the Stanley continues to wallow aroimd i|tefre<:tively with 'MUMil^t AliW,?:^\:; ■ ^W^-f:'- Estimates for This Week Century (Loew-UA) (3,000; 25- 35-40-55-66)—'Drummond Strikes Back' (ITA) and Phil Harris band. Chiefly the pic pulling but Harris crew is lending a beckoning flipper too. The $20,000 augured is fancy. Last week 'Stamboui Quest' (MO) and Ben Bernte on 4taff«i i liiMSt $121,000. Keith'e (Schanberger) (2,500; 25- 30-J5-49'»6| — 'Oreat Flirtation' (Par). A disappointer at 13.600. Last week 'Here Comes Qroorh' (Par) einagged. 13,800,^ ^•li' (Maj). Dual bill only^ ^lifOrifd snappily. but three days out Montreal, .July 2.1. Another week of heat aho.ul with tvpryono looking for the old Kwini- mlng hole and main stems not hav- ing overmuch, to brinj; '. tn in. .lust the sAniie^ iSmusCmrnt pjiUs.pretty :frt|gMtJ^';t»;W**||il»^ Hixii. .$i^0(*P,;, j>vor»; ■: ■ of port was boai'ded by criticis and accord»>d worst set of notices in many moons, and then they con- tinued to liottilianl with folIow-URS. Vanked in six rtay^ on poor $2,700. Stanley (VVH) (3,450: 15-25-40) — •MidjiiKht Alibi' (PN) Hicliard Ilarthelniess' popul.'irity has dwin- <llod here; u pour $0^000 or less. r,ast week eipi.illy bad with'SmtM^ity' (WH) also around $,"*,000. ; • Valencia (I,oew-UA) (l,009r M- 35)—'Alin and Kill' (MO). Revival plastering a smile on a hoiiHO that s.'Idoin Btiorts onft,. . $:3,5QOt. Last WO.-U ■i:(:.\-ond '^Ueinif FtO RITO HELPS TACOMA In PiNM pft for '-Tacoma, July 28. AnotW^^^!^ thflAtre^ ioom.s for Taeoma, alr^dy having diiH- culty Ailing its present ceuis^ 1'he IK w house is outgrowth of lawsutt bet\v«'en Mike IJaroviteh and Con- stanti estate, latter operaliriy the Riviera, small-seater, second run, in hetirt of downtown district. Bar- oviteh in flxing up store theatre at site of former Colonial theatre, but with reduced widthr as part of the< old Colonial Is now in store room. This week finds the town «16wed up. Yet folks are getting used to the strike itnd Alaska ship loodinj,rs heifi) local jM^roIi a^M Estimates for This Week Music Box (Hamrick) 1,400; 25- 35)—'We're Rich Again' (Radio) and Ted Fio Rito band and revue, three days, and 'Stlngaree' (Radio), four days, for anticipated $4,500; okay. Fio Rito sharing; terms Last week 'LJttle Miss Marker' (Par)^ 14,100. Ro>»y (J-VH) <1,300: 15-25)— •Myitery_o f Mr. X' (MC.M). f<oii tafy for four days, split with 'Char ley Chan's Courage' (Fox) and 'I Believe in You' (Fo3(> dual, 3 days. Should see $2,500. Liist week, 'Such Women Are Dangerous' (Fox) and 'Call It Luck' (Fox), four days, good $1,500; then 'Slie Learned About Sailors' (Fox) and 'Murder in Trin- idad' (Fox) dual.' S days, no go at $800, for $2,300 week. slow. Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (650; 15- 25)—'Sorrel * 8eh' <UA) .and 'The Trumpet Blows' (Par) dual. Maybe $1,700. Last week, 'Personality Kid' (WB) and 'Double Door' (Par) dual split with 'li«ny Hai»py Returns' (Par) ^y. f 1.199. '2 FACES'STANDS OUT Portland, Ore., Ju)y 23. This week'a total grosses taking H bad il^mp from last week'a avor- age» acoount of general strike con- ditions and uncertainty ywbere the longshore trouble is gOin|r to end. Hardly a high spot in aliyl>. 9. 1^. Monica' registered well 4t the Mu- sic Box but nite bis »t all down- town spots is off considerably. Parker'a^A |»^ expected With, -^^S n^fte 5wo Facoe.' hilt iMtkliiv to brag about f***:^ dm AmyUiittg elao Most- ly liViraM isM (or less than cver^ agi9 iWWli^ Hamrick^ cast side orifhtnl^ fa Iho Mmi-nabe class, did «ttit« wfU with 'When sinners Meet' and ^Personality Kid.' This house has a hresik ■ firom being less effected by tr^pmrtAtion troubles and gasoline famine in the burg. Estimates for This Week Broadway (iUer) (2,000; 28-49) —'Return of Tirror' (FN). Just holding fairish pace under adverse strike conditions, possible |4,00Q. Last week "Midnight Alibi' (Il9) and sorreir (UA) good beyond peetations at $4,000. United Artists (Parfcer> :(|,l 26-40)—'Man TWO FWjOS* (FN). Better than ospioted these times rs hd will Click ^fctvoi^ Ua tc week 'Stamboirt tared weU aad: lieW its at Paramevnt (TWO) <M»9} n^4*> -'BabrTakoa««i'^^^^q^ Comes tM OrooBi' (JNr)^ Opi^bo Kctting fair .;.hr^. around |3.600. Last MlrVl^ Works' (Par) and fWtMton'' (PMe>->4ld all Its bis on first pH:, iHtli^Vlirdkr tion' no help, fair 93,200. Miisio loii (Hamrick) (1,400; 25- l6)-^Dr; Monica* (WB). Registered well and okay for $3,000. Last week 'C^wlmjM O^valiOrs' (Radio) weujft|«l«^.;|pi 'diincibiiitlii*' at $2,800. Oriental (Hamrick) (2,500; 25-S5) —'Sea Killers' (Star) and -We're Ulch Again' (Radio). Below average at $2,000. LaFt week When Sin- ners Meet' (Radio) and 'Personality Kid,' combo better than average with $2,400. Omaha Has Only 3 First Riiipliif^'Balv'^7^ . ' i 5' Omaha, Julj^ 2$. First timo la nearly a year the" W i iw (M S ^ihani e ) (M 0 9 i it 3 9 M iUre row has bnlir t,hr^'q»ft i^y^ 40-69)r-'(|r*nd tiAntUT' (Fox). Will trade.:On Ptfxter tat for okay |4,999. lAsT week 'Lady Is Witling' (Col) houses as attractions, iiBd . AirpUty^ ingdMal bills. Number wns^tttdown from four with. tM olosfng of the PiomiiiOttnt WoAhsaday (19). Only time In iwvoii iMMirs aihieo its eon>> strttttlon thepitre has be«n closed even for a irtnfflf day, find roasons given are eonsorshlp bans which took next threo scheduled attrac- tions off the calendar, though biz last few weoks has been nothing extra. Number of flrst-run houses wa* hiked to four last fall when Mort Singer opened the Brandeis with pix, but Paramount's closing takee out only single feature house of the row. . World and Orpheum, two remain- ing houses, being'operiktied by Tri- Ifhlfii, i|l««r:|^:}c|ii|» oju: titft "Here Comes Ihfy'an!'Baby'Biastim darkened State, as w<ll as the Par. Brandeis completes the IHt. Singer- operated, and is only house of the row which now and then retracks to stngl^'fMtttirt bills. : V V Heat #|tVo silmoH didly setting r«cdrds nnd liOtM behiellc^ the box om6«is. h^t holdinli «* ^oll as usual In iummer; OrpAfiiih to be the leader Current Week with Shirley Temple's "Jiaby Take St Bow," the magnet *nd "tiet's Talk It Over" to help >>ut.' Rill far over- shadows mediocrity In pictures at the other houses and will show It at the till. Brandeis gets imck to Friday opehihgs after nearly, a month of irrejralAr dates climaxed by a nine- dar tm 6n "Bond4f^.^ Itp hia is only <«o-«d. but ma^r do well half is; A iliictttri vflirtton df i iice Omahan's. play the high spot Estimates for This Week Orpheum (Blank) (2,979; 26-40)— 'Baby Take Bow* (Fox) And -Let's Talk It Otrer* (U) dual. This lM^«iit :i)ouse in toytn.heopmes the d<Mmt^ With elOtiiv ^ Pair uptown. Bill; most attraettvo 10 town And should siM a hieti gnMir arbi»iid <?. - ^00. Last week The KoyV (WB) with. 'Springtime for Henry' (Pox) saw a good week at $ 7 ,0 00 .——^ World (Blank) (2,100; 25-30)— 'Wild Cold' (Kox) and 'Murder in Private Car' (MCI), dual. Average bill, but may do a little better with less competition; about $4,000. Last week Charlie Chan' (Fox) with 'Litughing Boy' (MO) came out with a regular $4,000. Brandeis (Singer) (1,200; 20-25- 35)—'Greatest Gamble' (Radio) and 'We're Rich Again* (Radio), dual. Fairish bill, but may do little better with the local angle of AlVin Ash- er's authorship, of fhie oeeotid fea- turo: 94,000. mI jted. week 'HumAn Bon«m - (Rlkd^ dosed out » nine-day run ait a sinirlo fea- ture, and htid up: thrpUghout: Mi,- 600 in tfa« Middle of |ho holMfiMl this year. " '„ »mOu-t <T^V...K^ (2,765; 25-40) —Dark. 'Old-Fashioned Way' (Par) was the final attraction before the closing of this deluxer for the re- mainder of the summer: jileture pulled fairish on a world premiere; $7,200, not expectations. Iced Gmm i tekn ua B Cit>\ July 211. AJl heat records for tliis city and tirrltory IkAve been broken when on ih o ilat t t^ mercury , f o r th e tentli CMtseeutivo day passed the 100 mark, roaching as high as 107. but in*. Ml>it of this tm tlMatres are do- ing fairly wdlillilW]^ seeking the Chilled pliPiiB!ipl* j9r mIIoC. iii;oin the steamtiit-' 'lw* fti eft |iii-'9»tf ■'•ciPtoh- ing wind. After * nine-day run Of X)f BUt- man Bondage' the Malnstreet is back to a Friday opening, and Is showing We're Rich Again' and 'His Greatest Gamble.' Papers, gave show sweft rrrlows Aid bniiHness Is fair. •-■v"'-; ■ : '*(rtinMte»:ifd»'.'1^l»}$^¥ii^ iM'ainstnMt (RKO) (9,200; tl)— 'We're Rich Airain' (Radio) and ^Is Greatest Gamble' (Radio). Good hot weather fare and should get close to $7,000. Last week 'Of Human Bondage' (Radio) and 'Strictly Dynamite' (RadIO) sino dayis ob- tained $7,500. ' Midland (Loew) (4,000; 25)— 'Stamboul Quest' (MG). Another spy picture. Looks like around $8,- 500, fair. Last week'JBulldogJ3trum- mond' lVAi*>'lm^'-'*t^'mmt for $12,200. Newman (Par) (1,800; 26)—'Here Co rnea th ^ Navy' jy/Bj. and T he TO-YaiKio h^d mr Xmh^Nkm* of James Cagftey pisyed ttp In the ,*navy' pnhlltftity and it seamed td do the trick' |M tl>» cttsitiBmef<ii were wattlhr for soiits fVlday evening ant giving thO hotise a nice play the next two. days. Indications are for near $6.500. Last week 'Dr. Mon- lea' (Wny-and ^roat Flirtation' (I'ar). Helped some by the conven- tion visitors for $5,600. ^ Tower (Hcwot) (2,400; 2L>—Til Tell the Wor4d' (V) and stage show. Vl.'-itinf,' acts are Rita D^l Gardi company, Stearn«* * Dean, Frank Shepard, Jue Fong, Musical Mad- caps and Lester Harding, This in Addition to the house danelntHliMs and stage band. Is A lot Of iHo#;for « qtwir(«r and this fono#incrte *t9W-; Minneapolit* July VS. Despito itn^tbfit; l»«!*t wave, gk-n* erallyCMaek"' titaidninilllsiii^^nftWns and a second truck drivers' htnke, marked by serious riotjf and threats of oti«M«lidi£nji pic- tures itro demt^trating nn ability to M/Ok-A WAlibp this week, While uadoubtsdly h^rt, by circum»tftlice«* •mW take A Bow^ iwir 'IMr Comes th« N<avy,' arp nilHlng; up re* si>eetabi«l grosses. 'Baby, Take a Bow.^ on a hot Fri- day and in the midst Of the str'k^*^ opened to the biggest Jbix the Ocn* tury has had in more than two years. Has ehance for fine $8,000. A fine stilling Job, with one tic-up including a dancing school whereby, without cost to the theatre, every child under li: attending the uhow received a coupon for one free dancing lesson, is helping. Another good campaign ha«? helped to put over 'Navy' at th«» State, Sam Cliirk haying come from the Warner Chicago.«^loCF tO iundst p. a. Don Alexander. 'Whom the Gods Destroy' also 1m garnering attention at the Orpheum in the face of strong oppo.sitlon und coriditipns. ! While far froi& boin|r a sock It seems to 'have 'it8': i »l i ii i » iv ' Estimates for This Week Century (i^ublix) (1,600; 25-35- 4 0) — 'B a by y Tako- a Bow-'—U*-'ox). Tip-top exploitation and held 'om out opening day and still rollmg along. May hit swell $8,00p. Last week 'Shoot the Wofliar. <|1^K tt,* 000, disappointing. Orpheum (Singer) (2,890; 26-35- 40)—Whom the Gods Destroy* (Col). No names to help, but well sold and copped favorable notices from reviewers. Around $4,00U in prospect, fair. I.,ast week, 'Human Bondage' (Radio), $7,000, big. State (Publix) (2,200; 25-35-40)-- 'Here Comes the Navy' (WB). May not interest the femmes partlcu*. larly. but Cagney a draw here, ad<# vortised and exploited In big way. and v^ry pleasing to the oustonters. Looks a good $7,000. Last week ■'■'Z. ....or 13' (M<a)» 18.900, big. World (Steffes) (Im; Si-9i*lt» 75^—-itussia of Today «ad M mmi- day' (Kiniomatrade),: 0oeoiid wMk should; brihi fair tl«l»9. First Uptewn ^ubiixV ai«0^ /Vanities' (Far^ . 4r^iiii« |2.6«e in* dtoated, ok«h. lAit *Badlo McKee' (MO), |2;W9. : Lyric (Piibrix) (1.900; 99-25)-^ 'Kiss and Make Up' (P<ur). HeadOd for fair $2,000. Last week *tter6 Comes the Groom' (Par), $1,900. Grand (Publix) (1,200: 15-25)— 'Viva Villa* (MG). Second loop run. should hit pretty good $1,500. l^-'ist week, 'Man In White' (MG), $1,200. Aster (Publix) (900; 16-25) —'20 Million Sweethearts' (FN), 'Witch- ing Hour' (Par) and 'Stand Up and Cheer' (Fox), second runs, split. Around $800 indicated, fair. I^Ht week 'Scandals' (l<'ox) and 'Trumpet Blows' (Par), and 'Call It LuvJi' <Fox), first run, $700. ^ ; EUGENE LYONS WILL DO v.; ■ " Hollywood, July L'3 On completing a Soviet story foif^. A.vi.n»:, 8t9ii at Sam Ooldwyn's^ Biigeiio t^hs moves to lP»nMiioont to work on script of Cecil fii X>e- Milic's 'Chocolate,' also » Jlovietor. He is doing fb« (SiOldwTfk iiii^ WtA- Vickl■,Baum..^:■•' 'r'-'• ■ ^liw tortnor Vnite^^ 'Fteisi Moscow correspondent returns to New Yofk after the Paramount stint to appear as news 'eommeiitttiair program, ...'-O ' 'X ' ■ Hollywood, July £3. Lee Tracy had his option Plucked at Paramount on <!Qnin«(lM»^ «lFO» B«l0.ng to-Me.'-. ■■■■■■■ ■'^■■.V;/ Next, will be "Lemon Dr4>p KUtf #ttil fitelen Mack. I^OMy Wong to Chores Lanny Ross trained Iri tOdajr (Monday) from the east for Para- mount's 'College Rhythm.' Same train bore Anna May Woug in ;«6r:,,Pai^«,rUrtel^f^ turn $4,fe00. lAf^x week 'Blaek Moon* (Col) and vaudeville, $5,000. Uptown (Fox; (2,040; 25)—Jane Fyro' (Mono). I>ependlng upon tlioHe who have read the book the nianagement Is. expectlhg som< ad-: ditional business for this oitie and it is likely to ktick for thef »fcond w^ek, Withvifc hy h t rt d W^'tMra t ^ shpuld ir^t 16.900; . Last wce|t ,'ChaJ«