Variety (Aug 1934)

^ I £ T Ji JI E € H O S S C S livyB^9Gpm;l^dace$l(m t-'^S-- -- -?\-\-v-;,;'-:.,. .Chicago, Aug. C be«t stride yet this summer, the liauHea in the loop are noticing a I'.'gtiwbiitl'' ;ttpipttic' of--ihat' regiater.- yirithout having the out-and-out Bocx. of laat summer, when it was tiitll; to manage t» get Into a theatre, there i« nevertheleM a steady additional waU6p for the 4owntowtt^^|^ 't«bi»lneas Friday. Sat- fiiiAar atul 8un4|)ky ahowi when the "^WBP' goia it ii>i»»» <rf pM^Miimfiimm IR town for nr pecK Ik* ^^Iptel- 4* No que<ition oC oompoMUon for n«e groM Iff 4«lMi4(Mi thMi WMk. The aniintniotli B. ft. IC Chicago ia rid- ing i»itii b4»it Qgare aimsft laat auihiiier. Has a powerful combina- tion of Biner Crosby in '81m Xorte Me Not' on the screen and tbe Fred Waring orchestra on the rostrum. Is'uthing can compete with that line-up and tlie take zooms far be- yoij<i reacli of all other competition. In second spot is the Palace, WluTo the only attraction is Ted l-'io-IIito and orchestra. The fliclc- er, 'liacht'lor IJalt,' doesn't flffure as box-oMlce in any way, with Fio- Itllo battling It out alone to give the house its protty fair gross. No qut'stion that the reduced admis- sion has boosted attendance pleas- antly. Now it's up to the shows to kei-:> that attendai^''¥ii^!^ . .the Wii!Mini< margin. *;!iTe C'onioa the Navy' is the loop s run pirtur5*Hick. Tossed olt a \\ .liloiiing $13,200 on its first week at the lloottevelt and continues cur- rently to a consistently lively pace. ..,.Ha.s caught on and Is going places \iitt the register. - .Siate-Lake has crossed Olivr to a >on.si.stently winning lane. futttniT above $12,000 weekly noW« oil tM overhead which rarely tops $10,000. .^g^bttlit,lt«#tady P^m^--P*^'-- Estimates for This Week Apollo (B&K) (1,450; 2S-3S-65)— •Willi W ith Two Faces' (WB). Origi- nal intention of opening on Aug. 1 waK cancelled. Will open, however, by Aug. 15. li. & K. has this pic- ■^ture 1 hilled for the Chicago at pres- '•nt. hut may still use it to start this Vl^ew loop addittolt. :*)*^e I^es lli IfWf <l*«r) «iid Frjiid Waring band <Mi atiiige. Irra- #ist1ble box ofAce twosoma thiit Is going to rip the register for a lusty ll.'.ooo, toppin.iT everything In the l>i.st s«\i.son. Crosby is box oflice Oyn iniito in the lirst place, and also In the first pl;ice as box olTlce la WarinK; and two firsts must pay off. l^ist week was a heavy winner also Willi 'Handy Andy' (l<'*>x) and Max Itacr in p'jrson. Hlid off somewhat at niKht. but pace was enough to Ireop it at powerful $41,900. Oarrick (lUK) CJOO; 2U-35-S0)— -^f Human Bondage' (Radioh At t*reKeat the outstanding picture of !ihe loop. Han off two slashing sessions itt the.. Pal(^cf Mid tb«n Wii^ |h« holdbvei^^^S. . ii again jttiaitiiii tli« ikiltejr ttf thiii hou«e;;re> : Verting from first-run to im»9. Iltdtd - bf er: Picture will raliie thtir: box oillro to figures it h.is not yet scon at a melodious $.''i,000. Heavy eve- ning' play accounting f->r that healthy gio.ss. Last week 'Grand C.inrtry' (Vox) was bird-seed Bt inanny $2,S00. Oriental (liitK) (:?.200; 2S-S.8-l6> S.Klie McKee' (M(;) and vaude. I,o<>p impetus noticeable here, with the take being steadily upped as the Fair mobs thcri^ase; That low top tn helping; 8te:tdy j|oing thia-ae*' «lon to good enough liS.OOO. lAit Hreek 'Cfhaniga of Heart' (Fox) man- i^M mriy good 114,100^^ Palaea (HKb) (|.«00; S«^U-86)— "Bachelor Ball^ <lkadto) iind vftude. fed Fio-IUto ttehd headlining and Hccoantihg for the bulk of the trade. An old-time favorite of thla town and they're wetcomirtg him home with some hearty trade. Will man- age $16,000 currently, good. I,ast week 'Of Human Bondage' (Iladio) Was surprisingly strong on Its hold- f.0ver session to fop $20,100. State-Lake (Tones) (2.700; 20-25- •5)—'l^fs Talk It Over* (U; and vaude. llemarkablc, the patronage tills house has developed through conaiatent enterUlnment at a price. Ai>ove. llt.OOO again thU, weeK and ©eras at^fnan yntt at liJ.^00. ^.UnllMl AftUtt (n&lC-UA) (1,700; ,fi^6-S5) — 'Ittilldog Drummond' tUA) (Ud week). Three weeks will about wash it up. Had a good run. l.ast week w.i.H above $13,000 for bteasant i)rotit.'< and currently slioiild ^tlok above $9,000. 'AfTairs of Gel-, 4iM'^;(i^Ai<dfa«:.t« mvniu ;i Pwt Strike Orer^ M lielwv NSII,lleM» Kz^ -FortiaifcAv''*^?^-.*'^';'^^^ I>6ck strike over and general bl« picking up should have helped grosses, but weather bdmlpied the burg's b.o. barometer. Current prod- uct is mostly average fare and get- ting average results. Some houses holding off strong piz untU gettMal conditions look better for ducaflH^ dcnds in the next few weeks/ 'Verg4e Winters' at the Music Box set the burg's top mark last weelc. Also collected raves and prompted enough grapevine discussion to ex- ploit itself. Pie atarts plenty argu- ments among the bfiyini ptibllc. aH good for the b.o. . ^ F Parker's Broadway switclied. title of 'Murder in Private Gar*; to "Mys- tery in Private OavV iUrarMt that might help some, ^aria fittetlude' at ParkM''i(^ t7A got only a^ireriHre attenii«M^' - Jldtise f<dlo#i thii week witb ^iri vifvom iriasi^ aiui tn line fttr better than hovmai bis, but nothing startling. Parambuht ran its gross up a few extra notches with strong combo of •Kiss and Make Up' and 'Charlie Chan' (Fox). At the'Broadway an- other combo of 'Side Streets' and 'Merry Frinks' was Just good enough to hold that house In blaek ink. Conforming to the letter of the NRA code. Hamrlrk's houses con- template discontinuance of all free passes. Music Pox. Oriental and Blue Mouse formerly gave away hundreds of ducates on exploitation tie-ups and in payment for news space. Estimates for This Weelc •roadway <Parker) (2,000: t«-40) ^'One More River' (U) and 'Mys- tery Private Car' (MO). Getting along fairly for $S.500. lAst week 'Side Streets' (FN) and 'Merry Frinks' (FN) good enough at $3,200. United Artists (Parker) (1.000; 25-40—'Girl From Mis.souri' (MG). Harlow getting good attention and should click an okay $3,000. I.Ast week 'Paris Interlude' (MO) just fair at $2,700. Paramount (FWC) (3,000; 25-40) —'Kiss and Make Up' (Par) and 'Charlie Chan* (Fox). Strong combo getting extra bis for this house, around $3,800, good. I,ast woeK 'Grand Canary' (Par) and 'BtaMiT and p:isle' (Par) hit $3,300. Music Box (Hamrick) (1.400; 25- 35V—'Here Comes the Navy' (WB). Going about average fpr thli lioiase; $2,500. good, lAsk Weeii ' 'Vlem Winters? (Radio) got raVsir iPRT bit response boostill« tk|a ihj«|^ to Oriental (Hamrick) (2.500i SS-II) —'Let's Try Agaih' (Radiol) aha Frienda of Mr. Sweeney (WB). Go- inirJvMfairiy for $2,000. Last week ^B^baifasslnir Mothents' (U) and •The Key' (WB), hit an average liollywood Party,' $2,700, 'V'^^'■'' v',^:Tacoii^a, Aug. 6. 'Human Bk>Qdage' looks to fbliow in 'Vergle Winters' step by giving the Music Box a nice take. 'Holly- wood Party' opened at the Roxy and will hold full week. if. Blue Mouse showing some improvement past week, with weeks days holding stronger than WoelHMli'^' «|d(|ifS would indicate. IEttimate».:lii^^l%is %oekV:. I Miisic Box (Hamrick) (1,400: 25- 35)—'Of Human Bondage' (Radio). Nice campaign helping this ojie nlon^. to probable $.'?,200. Last week. 'Life of Verpri© Winter^ (Rndlo) Rtroner at $3,350. ' Roxy (J-vH) (1..300: l.'")-25) — ■Hollywaod I\irty' (.MC.M). Trying it for full week, if ■ Imlds up, with ojicning indicative pf $2,700. Last werk. 'Party is dver' (Col) but 'Chicago Follies' on stage the hig rea.son for $3.-100 for, three days: then 'Stambouj Quest* (ii|UM>^and '<!r|me of ttelen Stanle]^ («Jbl) dual, liast half, foi* wcck'i totia |S;ioo, Blig; Adthlsh for ^ajife lihoW," JSVJS. : Blue Motfie iitami ick) (dso; 15- 26) '20 Day Princess" (Par) single- ton, four d.iN-.s; 'Kricnd.i of Mr. Sweeney' (\Vi;» lind The Crcat I'Tirtation* (Par) dual, 3 day.s, for week's Kross of around Jl.rjOM. Lust wclc, 'Dovil T;ikes a Holiday' (Par) and 'Lot's T.ilk it Over' (V) dual, split with 'His 'Inat'st Gnnibi*-' (Radi^r an,d 'Here Comes the 4 DIVIDE $18^ : ", 'IfoW'Haven; Aag; An up-and-down week In view, with two de luxers dying on their feet and other two groiirtMr PNM^tT fair summer figures. ^ ^ ^ College getting good riiiiiOBafe on bargain shows of two featureis and stage show for 40 cents. Globe, second-runner, showing 'Hitler's Reign of Terror' at. road show prices for wejBk's i ui^ ; Paramount (Pubiix) (2,348; 35-50) —'Ladies Should Listen' (Par) and 'I Can't Escape' (Beacon). Just too bad this week, around $3,200 which ties last week's 'Elmer and Elsie' (Par) and 'Green Eyes' (Ches). Poll's (Loew) (8,040; 35-50)—Girl From Missouri' (MG) and 'Defense Rests' (Col). Town's leader at big $8,000. Last week 'Haqdy Andy' (Fox) and 'Blind Oate^ (dol). Very pleasing at $7,600. Roger Sherman (WB) (2,200; 85- 50)—Man With Two Faces' (WB) and 'We're Rich Again' (Radld).' Not so hot this week around $3,300, but last week was big at $6,000 on 'Human Bondage' (Radio) and 'Friends of Sweeney' (WB). Colleiie (Loew) (1,665; 25-40)— 'Paris Interlude' (MG) and 'Lady Is Willing' (Col), plus stag:e show. Big opening indicates oke 18,800, Last week 'His Greatest QaiBible' (Ra- dio), 'She Waa a Lady'^ox) and stage (ih oy. jtiii^ fjOr lit, $1,400. BOSTON KINDA HJUl HETS ''•^ ■■'Bbstoiii,' Aug. 0. Cash tills were a little heavier last week, what with the letting up of the heat, but none of the business was anything to brag about. Or- pheum, with 'Bulldog Drummond' town. . ■ ■ • Both RKO hovneai, Koltli% aiid the Boston, had yery sorry business, and altliotti^ tlif Boston looka a lit- tle better this we^ the Memorial is abotit the saine. Met with 'Man with Two Faces,' and 'The Gold- bergs' on the stage, looks as good as anything, with a probablo in sight, o.k. : v;' Estimates for This Week Keith's (RKO) <2.»00; 1S-40-BS)— G reatest Oamble' (RMib), Pell off at the opening and |S>000 at most, no good, is In sight. Last week 'Grand Canary' (Fox), polled only $10,500 over a 10-day etrfetch, bad. Boston (RKO) (3,200; 25-30-40)— 'Lady Is Willing' (Col) and 'Monte Carlo Nights'. Very sour $6,500 in sight, but a little better than last week when $5,500 was the best for Black Moon' (Col), and 'Bachelor Bait' (Radio), |(|iil~MMither blraOe of mediocre pix. Orpheum (Loew) (8,000; 80-40- 55)—'Stamboul Quest' (MO) and vaude. Should do a fair $11,000, which Will not tdtiOh laat week's $12,200;; eai-ncd by 'JI$ul}$oig Driini- mond'; WAi):.-im4 jmM4^ ihg here coMt«rM Iftth reet Of thro town. State (LOeW) (3,600; 30-40-66)— Qin p6m .(MO^-H^ouid Better Weather Helping B way Harlow, 'Andy' H.O.; Arliss Big At $11,000 and $9,000, f^s B.O. Unlars Ace cihema bis at comfortable gait currently, with combined gross grands back of last week, when 'Handy Andy' take Koomed to regu- lar season mark. This week's b. o. leader is 'Human Bondage' at $11,000, followed by "ajMiiid canary* with $9,000. Town's dolled up for national and state roostings of Fraternal Order of Eagles that start Thursday (9) and ,continue over weekend. At- teild4hoe to be Clncy's largest in year*, reachihg peak; Sunday (12) for parade of 25,o6o marchera and fi<^^j^ handA* 4riiita^ atWi^m^r-■■■■ Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,300: 35-44)— Human Bondage' (Radio). Popu- larity of Maugham's novel and ex- tra press ads a help for $11,000, good. Last week 'Whom Gods De- stroy' (tiol), $7,800. all right. Palaee (RICO) (2.000; 35-44)— 'GraiMl t^iMiify' <pyc(it>^iirpri^ good Ji^OeO. lAttrel a«d Hardy shOvt m V Ov hjUrt^ lAat week •Handy An4y' (F0jt)» -^awtiUMiiit tot eight diays. ahneated ah imlMMlao ?16.000. Keith's (Llbson) (1,500; 30^40)-^ Here Comes the Navy' (WB) (2d week)). At $4,500, smooth sailing, following $8,000 on first seven days for theatre's biggest figure in Lyric (RKO) (1,394; 35-44)—'Bull- dog Drummond' (UA). Second downtown run, $4,800. okay. Pic fetched a nifty $14,000 during initial week at Albee. 'Handy Andy' (Fox) comes, in Wednesday (8) for main line reMat^ X<aat week 'His Greatest chimie^: (iladfi»). $M00. not bad. Family (RKO) (1,000; 15-25)— 'Witching Hour' (Par). Mystery drama patronage to tiine ctf $^400, fair. Last weMl 'CrtniO DOetor' (Radio), $1,800, nk*. Strand (Ind) (1,200: l$-25)— •Let's Try Again' (Radio). First Radio product for this RKO *op- posish stand. Looks like $1,000, tame. Last week 'Let's Talk It Over' (U) and extra steam from •Life of Dillinger' tab collection of clips and news stills* PMt together bring $11,000, pretty good. 'Jane Eyre' '(Mono):';^ liuitr.vwoall'^^*. ;'had $6,300. Met (M & P) (4.500; 85-50-05)— 'Man with Two Faces' (FN) and 'The Goldberg.^'. Looks set for $19,000, o k. Better than last week's 'Sophie Lang* (Par) which did $16,400 With only a routine stage bill. Paramouilt (M * P) (1,800; 25- 3S.$0):-^'XAdle« Should I4aten'( Pur) 'l^la: «hM^^ W tor^^ fairly good, biit^ fthade ttinder la<f weed's $6,700 With •I»er»onality Kid' (WB). and 'fiimer and £1010" (PaTX;^ Iffilitia Not Corering Waterfront, Seattle, Aug. 6. Several thousand men going back, on the job at the waterfront im- proves biz tone and show shops re- .spond with takings on the upbeat, Paramount (Evergreen) going strong with campaiin for 'Shoot the Works' and 'Chicago Follies' on .stage. Coliseum is getting dough for return of 'Sadie McKee.' Fifth .Vvenue is going placea w'ith Will Rogers - in 'Handy Andy/. Jl^tiic Hall is piayinr titf 'Here €f<>hiii?M«> Xjivy V so therili la life a;il around thi&'towli.':'--'v EstimsteS fof ^TWa ^«"'* Blue Mouse (HSamrlck) (1,000; 1.-.-20)—'Merry Frink.s' (\VP.) and 11 is CriMlf.st Gamble' (Itadio* dual. Indif.'ited to land arouiiil $2,500, whi' h is, okay. I.,ast wo k, 'IJotl- Hide' (VVH) and 'iJfi,'iMrs In.'Er- inin.;' (.Mono) gro.ssod $2,CoO. ' Coliseum (Evergrrcn) il.SiJO; 15- 23)-T-'Sadie McKee' (MGM) and 'Very Honorable CJiiy' (FN) dual. RspoclaJly big at matinees. Maybe $4,400. Last weqk, 'Viva Vilia* (.Mr;.Ml rind 'Great Fllrtatlpn' (Par) ■!ual, flt.i :liod at $4,400v: • : :. Will tli>^ Sim.} old draw, luok.t like sporty $11,000 and probable hold- over. Last week, 'Operator 13' (MfJM) xot $X.OOO. b!»,'. Liberty J-vH) (l.;»0'J; 10-15-25) — 'One Is Coilty' fCol) and 'The Trail l>rivt>' (l'». Coni'io <if mystery thrillf^r 'ind wef-,tfin tli.'At .'ilways ret?istors with I^ib rlii nfele, hea<ling for $I.1.'')0. Lrist wfoif, 'City Limits' (Mono* ,in 1 '.Swfilcn, Land of Vik- Inu'.'^' fj^'.'i'e ItitjMt). dual. Okay ?3.;"oo. Music Box niiimrifk) (300; 2R- ?.:,)-■<>{ Human Bondage' (R.-idio). Hot r(!->is'^ from Musi'' Hall ex- [)(>( fo 1 toiii Ji $?,.8i)0. Last w'"'k. M'ln with Two I'lros' (I-'N). $3,. 't I'l, Koo l. Music Hail (Hamrick) (2,305; 25- 'ffere ('omefi th#» N-avV' (WB). Ifop's i^un to $^,000. Lfist Week, or Human Rondage' (Radio:) liked and big at '$0,000*'" •:' ^ ■ '■.'■-^'■^r- ;' Psrsmount IKvwJilHM (S.^t; 25-3.V)-r'.Hhoot the Works^ -/Par) And; ChiE'.s DaVis in 'Chicago'Follies' on stage, plti.M nugm^hteii .}Ul(>.<t Hiif- •fano .hand, with piii»IiHtv dept; also shpotinx ^he workjif, Hhoyid hrush Clownr tW^^ Iniit atiigo wit^ $i^oo, Jletier theifttre 'weather, helping .sbnrte'what^'' aikMlg^•a:■"»Nk|d^ray ftrst run front that was under severe at- ? tack for a while froni a heat siege, biit hothing ttenaattortai iiii '(Hi'OwrMng at the box office, anyway. Despite bis generally being tepid, there are ' three holdovers schedtilodrr-tha CttBfial. Roa^ and Mayfair. -IgSSMi t^ reljil sttottCth is bein* stioWii by 'Bothschild' at the Bivott; , oh its i>op first run epigaireinent fei« V lowing a three montha* $3'atay at the AStor. Picture stilfered: -'kcivn^r- ' ■'. what oh its initial week, but atill : away above Rlv averages at $35,000. ' The second week (last), with better . weather, came close to equaling the first seven days, house getting $32,- i 500. while this week (third* takings are estimated at $28,000. The Riv Is ' doins excellent business around the $30,000 mark, considering its ca- pacity, regardless of what the pic- ■ ture Is. 'Rothschild' in John Wright's opinion would be a cinch for six weeks, but It can't remain on the premises that long, becau.se it is delaying other United Artlats pictures awaiting first run here, in- cluding 'Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back,' ne*t on schedule. As result : 'Rothschild' goes after four weeks. 'Here Comes Navy* has not been . ' as powerful for the Straad as the Arliss starrer at the Kiv. but the Gagney draft in this one cohtinbes to be: very good on third, flnai, week ; ihdicatlona Of fll.OOO. ^ecohd lap of aOf«B:'4*ya waa f$1,200. BoOivtlia Mmoio Khli and the cap, : though ih ]MH09|ahla ;i^^ wera expecting move than thetr reapeotlvo pictures are going to get. 'Win'ld ^ Moves On' j|t the Hall wlli bo > around: $75^000, Picture opened very ' 8troh$p, but fell off some over the . week ehd. Cap's Harlow entry, 'Girl from Missouri,' looks short of $35,000, but It's okay. It holds over. ■ A new low is in prospect for the Paramount on 'Elmer and Elsie.'' pointing to below $14,000. Last week the house got only $14,400, brutal. All-time low Is $14,000. and very doubtful if this figure can b» ' reached currently to avoid setting a ^ new dip. House closes for a week Thursday (9), reopening Aug. 16 on a special premiere with 'Cleopatra,* and an augmented orchestra but nia V etage show. iT^'-^ Estimates for This Week Capitol (5,400; 35-75-85-$!.10), Clirl from Missouri' (MO) and : stage show, Harlow disappointing somewhat and hou.se will probably be short of $35,000 but safely within profit brackets. Stays a second week. Last week 'Paris Interlude' (MG) withered to $19,000. Mayfair (2,200; 35-55-05).'Friends of Mr. Sweeney' (WB). This ohk'>^ suddenly brought house to life, first week ending last hifht: (Monday) bringing $11,000,: Veiy gbOd. Hold*? : over as long a» imilntainhig sufi Hcient bo* oinoe strength. Prior picture. 'Wild <Jold^ (Fox), got $«.- 000. average.. P^ee (1.700; S5-50-«bJ!«). 'Crand Canary' (Fox) and vaude. Attn, t- Ihg imie and probably not more than il^O.OOO. mild. 'Old Fashion^^ l ahead, got around $11,000. -Paramount (3,j»4: 35-55-75-9!)) 'Elmer and EI.«ie' (I'ar) and nVt^d show. It's horrors h"ro a-'iin irnl almost rortriin of a ikw low of under $14,000. All-time lo\V is $li,- ' .000. Last week 'Ladies .Should Listen' (Par) only $14,400, murderl Radio City Music Hall (5,915; 40- . '>o-85-90-$i.65), 'World Moves On^ (Fox) and stage show. Fell Olt over weekend but with smart start will hold up to good $75,000, La*t - week 'Hat. Coat and. Clove' ifRa. dio) managcd to hop » little' ov* ?CO.O00. profit. ; Rialto (0,000; 40-*p.T8-S6), 'Per^ ; > sonality l^ld: (WD)v Moaning nothing but hiaybe h little'oVor $8,- 000. beating fighre of prbvloua week >^Jf'ock6y<>(i Cavaliers' (Radio). . RlVoHCf^ffOO; *0-65-75 S5). Roth- ? schild' (tJA) (34 Week). In ratio to hotise .avisrr.grs. this is the strong- ^•st draw Ih town and on third week lool<s to hold up to Kood $2H,000. .Second wtok w.a.s $3 2,500, close to ■ lirst seven d.-vya' take of .$^«,0O*i:h'W|'."'-?.i down to that bv h';at.' ■ " ■. ■T^'vi Roxy (G.'iOO; 25-:;ri-53-C5). 'tfandy. " .\n<lv' <i;>x) and .st;i!;o show. LoW ' •(■a!f up to 7 p.m. Iv'ning here and on this Will Rogers a protty-good wor k of $25,000 la lo.>keirJ ff>r, AW ,\ ■holds oyi?rv, liostv '-Vrip^k:'-v.'Shev r.enrned' :.A'hot({' Mfttil^ti^'^i4l%iyyMS- ■ :-22,000, .: ■'. '■•: - ■■ ■■■■■■ ; '■•omes Navy- <■W^r:(M*flhi^|^Wefil^i',. Final week lii estltnated )K Ir^jeiwm .«l-«,000,:''if|<!es;:;.alt'««r.a.';se«fohd'- wee***;, draft; of 1«»,200i 'Houfso Wif«>' (WBi State fl3Wi/< :$B-56-76). Mm Wltti tWb>'flkCes* fWHi and v i.,,!©. i .s'tirrihg no' ii«»cit'^tof«nt ind f(irtu-«''--i. n.ite .if ovr *!5,000. Pr" l '■•.-..sor,'' aihyol the Wviigi' U'MO, uo better* '