Variety (Dec 1934)

Toesday, Pecenibier 18f 1934 I C T a it C C R A S S E S VAIflETY $22,500 Baltimore, Doc. IT. Though the; lire-Xmos slump has tet in -with a vengeance, there la one phenomenal exception that la dety- Jngr the custpm9,rlly seasonal b,o; . :orlinp and rolling' up - a- rare and fancy figure. That's the vaudiaim ; Century, where .a.. local taleint. revue has house wishing the . walls were xnade of-rubber. - Pii the screen, is •Gay Bride/ pic that camie in quietly find snagged the best, notices In town, helping nicely. Relatlyeis of .oast all.saw lt:;openlhg day. ahd are now out drunimlng up. biz with ^ word-o'-mbuth; liooks like a ter- riflc $22,500. .; • . . .„3eat of the town is iiardly more, than trudglhg^^^^ hpiisea hiave- pretty pallid Une-ups for moat part, . With the vaudfllm HTpp looking beat ior money chancesi -:,y Estimates for This Week Century (toew-U^A) (3,000; ■16-2S- »6r40-55-66)—'Gay Bride' (M<?) and •okay. Baltlniorei' local talent^nbt iamateur—revue on atage.; Ted' , Claire hircfa. . Pic very pleasantly received, but It's the. stage.; show that's. making the mobs foreigo their Xmas shopping. Leaped off like a greyhound and thrashing on to a smashing |22,600, which liets house an extra lining of coin, due to low hut. Last Week 'Prentice', (MG) and vaude, better than: stalwart ■ f18.000.• Hippodrehe (Rappaport) ' (2,200; lB-25-35-40-B5-:66) :r— 'White Lies' - (Col) and Wlrth Circus on stage, . Crix cracked , down oh the;. fllm, "Which, packs ho provocative names that might have helped. Sawdust has quite-a-few partlaiaha here and Is supt»ortlng,bni well enough to get hpuse home to a fair $13,000 or . better; Last week .*K, C, Princess' (WB) and: acts headed "by Blanche Calloway's ork, - just under $12,500, ■. -'eoundv' > ' :■• Keith's (Schanberger) (2,600; 15- : 25-30-35-40)—'Wake tJp and Dream' (U). Not much marquee value, and doesn't look to better' a grln-and- bear-lt $3,000. Last week only half a grand more for 'It's a Gift* (Par), . under expectations.. . New (Mechahic) (1,800; 16*25-30- 85-40-B0)^'Bachelpr of Arts' (Fox). Good press pried it a bit upwards, . <but absence of names In cast and the shopping hustle' keeping the ,l»Urghers btherwiise occupied, leav- ing lean pickings. Maybe a mild 13,000. Last week 'Music in Air* ..(Fox), good $4,400. ^ Stanley (WB) (3,450; 16-25-40)— ^imehouae Blues' (Par) closes tP- ; Bight -with ;'Behold My Wife' (Par) opening . - tomorrow (Tuesday). - ~: •rFather-Br:OWSr-DetectlVe*- (-WB) was , to start tombirpw, but a late cancel- . lation shoots In 'Wife'; for the -week, closing tonight (Monday), 'Lime- house' nothing much at near $5,000, Though It wasn't thrown oft stride as much as expected. - PORT.'S HOLDOVERS Plenty Bui All O. K.-.V'Age of Ihno. cehce' Also Nice : Pohtland, Ore., Dec. 17. •Painted Veil,* at the United Art- ists, hit the week's high spot for (Straight pix. 'Imitation bl Life,' at the Orpheum, got good attention and • warran ted holdi ng over by moving -It to Kamricirs otner house, the Music Box, fpi?, a good second week. ^ •Veil' aliao held at. JParker's UA. L V Disappointing: :was J!Mr3. .: tVire^ which got a: build-up by Paramount, but failed to get much enthusiastic response from the yoiinger element of pic goers.. Pic gave that house a filump in gross between 'College Bhythm' and 'Hell in the Heavens.' 'One Night .of Love* ended a suc- cessful four weeks iat the Mayfair, .grossing around $17,000. for the inonth, -which is big stiift in these ■parts; 'AhniB of (Sreeh Gables'. \va^ .just fairish at the MUslo Box for two weeks,. but kept that house above average. _ Two vaude house. Paramount and .Qrpheum, estimated at juat about grpaslhg enough extra to . clear their -v aude liudgtits, aiVd' prbbably edging a bit extra on weeks with weak pix. Principal value of vaude In thia burg la In taking,the sting Put of a weak plc, otherwise' tlie b. o. barohieter *«flects the screen product Fritz ■Lelber did three good days with a leglt road unit at the Masonic audt- torium. ■■'.':■, ^ _ -E8tiiriato8 for This Week -^Broadway CParlcer)-nC2;0 ^Gay Bride' (MG).. Going fairly .for about $4,800. Last week 'Bab- .bitt' (FN). $4,200. ; y^^Unitod Artists (Parlier) (1000: 26- : 40)--'Painted Veil' : (MG) (2d week). •P""ed- after. 10 days, totaling ah Okay $6,600 for the run, ■ .^Paramount (Evergreen) (3.000; «-40)—'E[eH in the Heavens' (Par) and vaude and stage band. Keeping this house average for $6,000. .Last ^eek 'Mrs. Wiggs'CPar) disappoint- ing at $5,700. ■ ; ' . .. ■ ..P''Pheum (Hamrick) (2,000; 26- ^•,{7-'-A-ge 6C Innbcencc " (Kadlo) With vaude and stage band. .Going. »»er nicely .and should get okay $4,600; : Laat weiBk flmltatlon at Llfei' (U) -with vaude. held up strong to close dt $6,200, Mayfair (P'arker-Bvergreeri) '- (i,-- 400; 25-40)—'Wagon Wheels' (Par). .Tiist a fair average for this house at $3,000. Ladt weeic ended' rim of 'One Night of. Lpver. (Col), fourth -week $2,700, total .grosB of first three -weeks $16,000. . ^ Music Box (Hamrick) (1,000; 26- 35)—'Imltatloh of Life' (U). Moved here for second week after first at Orpheum and getting okay. $3,000. Last week .'Anne of. Green Gables' (RkO), second week, $2,600; first, $4,000. : in Boffalo Is 2d Week . ; ; Buffalo, Deo. 17. BPxofncies slowed down currently in the expected pre-holiday slump. Kot' mUch can ^ e expected between now and Christmas, most of the houses merely marking time: The present week , will probably ejie average. grosses at the -Buffalo and somewhat .l>6tter than ' average at the Lafayette .where Imitation' is in its second week. The Lakes will straighten itself out this -week with a new Tuesday opening day In or- der to get in on new Christmas Day business. ^ -^^ :' Last!-week .was prihclpally note- worthy'- by -TmltatiPh* ; running the Lafayette gross tip to nearly $13,000 for one of the' finest showings In months/ At 26c straight this rep- resents' top business. Lboks aai though the feature will »)e held un- til Christmas. .Efttim'ates-for This.. Weeic Buffalo (Shea) (3,600; 80-40-66)— 'Transatlantic ' Merry - Go - Round' (UA). and.: stage ishbw; ' Good show, the Benny Davis, act always run- ning -well here. Conditions will probably hold: gross down to under $15,000. Last week, 'Limehovise Blues* (Par) : and Nick Lucas in person^ this one had a sUddeh sink- ing spell after fair opening and failed to attract even average! tak-. ings; subnormal at $13,000. Hipp (Shea) (2,400; 26-40)—TDon Juan' (UA) and. 'It's a Gift' (Par). Continuing double feature policy and should gfet around $6,000i aver- age. Last week, 'Pursuit of Happi- ness' (Par) and "Lemon Drop Kid' (Par), return tb double features, didn't; "meawrTnueh'^lthough nice bill was offered; slid off somewhat to $5,800. Great Lakes (Shea) (3,400; 26-40) —'Lovetime' (Fox) and 'House-wife' (WB). Just another. week, before Chrlstnias for this oniB which ttieans pirobably. aroUnd $6,000. Last week, 'Kid Minions' (UA), etc. A badly jumbled week here. 'Kid Millions' was held over Saturday; Sunday and. Monday to the tune of about $3,000. ■ Double feature, 'Gentlemen Are Born' (WB) and 'Marie Ga- lerite' (Fox) which opened "Tuesday was forced to suspend Saturday in order to make room for the Lom- bardo show and 'Elinor Norton' (Fox) .--for r half -a {: day bhly, "the double feature resuming on Sunday $3,000. Century (Shiea) _ C3>4d0; 25)-^ 'iReady for'Love' (Ear^ and "Wagon Wheels' (Par). Another dbuble- barrelled program ought to come close to $5,000.. Last week, 'Gam- bllhg" (Fox) and 'Nights in Holly- wood' (Pox)-; George M. Cohan fea- ture; did better than anticipated on opening and got up to: nearly $4,800. .- Lafayette (Ind) (3,400; . 25)— 'Imitation' (U) (2d week). Attrac- tion still going: strong: and probably good until Christmas. Should: get $8,500. Last-week ran up to a spec- tacular gross demonstrating that It can :be done if you have the pic- ture. Despite seasonal drawback nothing could hold this down arid MHEHOUSE,'$14,000^ MONTT OTHERWISE tlT. Montreal, Dec 17. : .PterXJtnas_5tejjk_and..aPjt_.aJlojtiiQ: be looked for, faps being more shop than theatre-conscious. However, everybody congratulatory on better times and more spending, so main stems may come through in better shape. Loe-w's Is the. big show. 'Limc- house Nights' will get a- possible $14,000, very good, bolstered by Cab Calloway ork. Palace show- ing 'Behold My Wife' and 'It's a Gift' may pick up $7,000. Capitol should assess around the same fig- ures on 'Great ISxpCctations' which will bring in all the Dickens fans, and 'Wake Up and Dream." Prin- cess has "'Our Daily livcart' anil 'I'll Fix It' which may gros« $6,000. Im-. perial rovlvlner 'All Qutot Weateni Frpnt,' maybe $1,600. Nabe* feeling the' shopping trend also, . ■■ Estimates for thi* Week His Majesty's (Ind) (1.600; 60- $1.60). French Operetta Society. Working out on subscrlpUon basis and just' igettlng by on': around $2,000. Palace (FP) (2,700; 60)—'Behold My Wife' (Par) and 'It's a Gift* (par). Attractive bill which Is up against it seasonally and la iiot likely to get much 6-ver $6,600. Last- week .'Evelyn. Preritlce'' (MG) and 'Love Time' (Fox) grossed nice $8,000. ■■ - .. - : Capital (FP) (2,700; 60)^'Great Expectations' (U) and 'Wake Up and Dream' (U). This is a big Dickens town and so may boost to $7,000i Last week 'White Parade' (Fox) and 'Bachelor of Arts' (Fox), $7,600. Loew's (FP) (2,700; 60)—'Lime- house Nights' (Par) and. Cab Callo- way band. Will top the town at may-- be $14,000. Last week 'Pursuit of Happiness' (WB) and Danlela-Lypn personals with va-ude got $12,000. Princess (CT) (1,900; 60J—'Ciiur.. Daily Bread' (UA) arid: I'll Fix If (Col). -Should gross $6,000, oke. Laat week'a repeat of 'We Live Again' (UA) and 'That's Gratitude' (Col), $5,500. ; • Imperial (Ftance-Pilm) (1,800; 30)—'AH Quiet (U) and vaude. Mild $1,500 in sight Last week 'Cheat- ing Cheaters' (U) and vaude, $1,760, a little better. . Cinema de Paris (France-Film) (600;'. 60)—'M'sleu de la Sante.*. Third week^ $1,700, after $2,000 last week. ■ ■ / .'- ■ 0. & J. Indlanapolla, Dec. 17. ■ It'a a landslide at the Lyric this week, with Olsen and Johhisoh's unit on the stage responsible for a po&l- tlvely smashing grosa of $12,600. Flbn half of the bill is 'Murder In the Clouds' but the stage show' is the draw. Nothing else in town seema able to stand up against this, powerful niagnet, and the other houses are jerking pictures right and left and playing off their sluffs. Everyone downtown, except the Lyric, is also manipulating play dates In order to be ready to open Christmas Day with ace flliri attract tlohs. ■. ■ ■ ■ Estinriates for This Weak Apollo (Fourth Ave.) (1,100; .26- 40)—'Music . in Air' (Fox). Ex- tremely thin at $2,il00. Last week 'Madame DuBarry' (WB). Finished very poorly at $2,400. Circle (Katz-Feld) <2,60Q; 26- 40)—'West of Pecos'. (Radio) and 'Firebird' (WB) split week. Buai^ neaa la at a standstill here. With the latter pic yanked after only two days. Gross for week won't reach more than a terrible $2,000, Last week 'Lady By Choice' (C61) and Ted Lewis on the stage built up to a very strong $12,000. with the price scale upped slightly. - ■ Indiana (Katz-Feld) (3,100; 26 40)—'Behold My Wife' (Par). Cus and—Monday. Doubtful If a side- 4bmeF&-are-very-scaree-an<t^thls-one^ -departntentristores th e th eatres-ai from Lombardo, the bill will get won't last, a full week, with the pace getting some overflow, notably the indicating a miserable $3,400. Last week'' 'Anne of Green : Gables' (Radio) was also near a new low for the year with a barren $4,000. Lyric (Olson) (2,000; 26-30-40)— 'Murder in- Clbuds' (WB) arid Olsen and' Johnson unit on stage. Nothing in the last threov years has ap- proached. this terrific pace and the gross is sure to hit a socko $12,500 as a result of doing five shows daily over the week-end. Not far from house record, which . was' set at a higher scale. Last week 'Babbitt' (FN) and vaude slim at $4,200. Loew's Pa face (Loew's) (2,800; 25-40)—'Gay Bride' (MG). Opened two days earlier than usual,. but is trailing weakly towards a figure of $8.900. T.f>st week 'Wicked WiwwHa^ (MG) lasted only five days with a !<»*oss of $1,500 for a ne-w all time •low. 'BAM BLAH Okay at B.O.; tucky Kernels' (Radio)... Maybe $3,- 900, moderate. Last week, 'Monte (Irlsto* (UA) (2d week), $4i500, okay. -. Empire (Acme) (1,100; 25)—'Gen-' tlemen are Bom« (FN). $1,700, mod -! erate. Last week, 'Desirable'' (WB),: about $1,800. Strand (Wllby) (800; 26) ^Firat World War* (Fox). Looks like $1,600, fair. Last week, 'Student. Tour' (MO), same, ers Aren't Even Bothering InWadt^T^^ : - Waahingrtori, Dec. 17. Boys aren't even bothering to fight pre-Christinas slump this year. Running In ao-so celluloid with lit- tle or nothing behind It, .saving good' fltuff and exploitation budgets for splurges when holiday season opens. Best bet so far as net return goes seems to be return pf 'Painted Veil' i to; main stem. Pix did- two nice weeks at Palace and la being shot Into Columbia to carry pre-holiday alump arid ia only real moneymaker in town. Keith's still yanking 'em In dizzy fashion and if public doesn't get mad at never knowing what house is showing^, local RKO spot win come out on top. Estimates for This Week -Earle (WB) -(2i'|24; 25-36-40-60)— 'Liriiehbuae Blues' (Par), and vaude. Molaaaes 'n' January puling soriie air fans but we«Eik won't better light $14,000; Last'week 'Pursuit of Hap- plfaess'i (Par) took oke: 117,000. Fox ' (Loew) (3,434; 26-36-60)— .'Hell in Heavens' (Fox) and vaude. Bstelle Taylor well liked on stage. Pie light; $18,000 maybe. Last week 'White Parade* (Fox) held up to good $22,000. Keith's (RKO) (1,830; 26-36-60)— 'Chu Chin Chow' (GB). Opened yesterday (16) oke but not big. I^ast week 'Imitation of Life' (U) closed, with nice .$10,600 for seven days and: 'Man Who Reclaimed His Head' (U) took fair $3,600 for four Palace (Loew) (2,363; 26-36-60)— 'College Rhythm' (Par) (2d week); Diving to cellar, maybe light $7,000. Last week oke $16,600. Met (WB) (1,683; 26-40)—'Men- ace' (Par). Mystery yarn always out-of-way spot's best bet. Ptobable $3,000, although light, is not as bad asVit might be in pre-hoiiday sear soil. Last week 'Flirtation Walk' :(FN)TW«^sr»hUke^"-bf "bite $3,600 'ih third week downtown.. Columbia (Loew) (1,263; 26-40)— 'Painted Veil' (MG). Repeat after two big weeks: at Palace looks like nice ~$4,0X)0; Last week ''Gariibllng' (Fox) took $2,600, -light. BROOKLYN INDIFF 'Wicked Woman/ $12,000 — Fox $15,000—Albee (18.000 , Brooklyn, Dec. 17. Prince of Wales and Garbo In person aren't exactly needed at the downtown box ofBcea this; week. Judging by crowds Infeating the Albee and Fox. Rest of flrs^ runs are off. ■ - ' '• " Estintstes for This" Week " Paramount (4,000; 25-36^50-66)— 'College Rhythm' (Par).. Received about $9,000 from Monday to-Frlday. Holdovier until tomorrow will bring biz to total of $16,000. 'Limehouae Blues' (Par) comes In tomorrow (Tuesday). Fox (4,000; 25-35-50)—'Gay Bride' (MG) and stage - show. Looks ' to $16,000, pretty good. Last week 'Cheating Cheaters' (U) and 'First World War* (Fox) did $16,000, good. " Metropolitan (3,000; 25-35-50)— 'Wicked Woman' (MG) and vaude lieaded by Ferde Grofe. Mebbe $12,000, weak. Last week 'We Live -A g a in '. ( UA) dld-$13,00Qr^nlld- . Newark, Dec. 17. For the first time-In recent his- tbry all stores -were open Saturday night and they -WUI open every night this week, .except two of the big ones. Thla will preaumably hurt but it seemed to do no harm' Sat- urday night. . ... . .- Ted Lewis at LoeWs is pulling them: in In great style and if it were not for the anticipated slump this week he would go far ahead of the expected $16,000. Branford looks for $11,000 on eight days, with Imita- tion of Life' arid 'Big Hearted Her- bert'. , Newly opened Broad, with its fare of bid pictureai is not doing so well as yet. Frank L,; Smith announces that the Sbubert. -will open. Chrlstmaa with musical stock. 'My Maryland' leads off. Estimates for this Week Branford (WB) (2,966; 16-65)— 'Imitation of Life' (U) and 'Big Hearted Herbert' (WB). On eight. days will . be- nice $11,000. Last week, second of 'Flirtation'. (WB), $6,700. making a dismal. $16,800 for two weeks oh what -was . expected to cop big coin. - Capitol (WB) (1.200; 16-26-36-40) T-'Fireblrd' . (WB) and 'Ready for Love' (Par). Nothing much here, doubtful of .$d,000«. Last week 'Ijast Gentleman': (UA) and 'One Exciting Adventure* (U) gpt nowhere -with $3,500. ■■•■■:':■■ Little (Franklin) (229; 35-50)— Tower* <GB) (8d week). Will be good at $1,000. Last' week, second, good $1,600. , Loew's State (2,780; 16-76)—"We Live Again' (UA) and vaude. Film means little here, but Ted Lewis on stage Is sweeping along in great style, $16,000, which is great for thiis week, Lsist week 'Transatlan-. tic (UA) mUd $11,000. Paramount*Newark (Adams-Par) (2,248; 20-29)—'President Vanishes' (Par) arid vaude. Openinjg dull but news of nfew linlt ori stage brought th^rix in by Saturday night arid may-. bei $10,600. Last week 'LIriiehousis Blues' (Par) nice at $14,400. Proctor's (RKO) (2,300; 15-66)— 'Captain Hates Sea' (Col) arid-^Fu- gitive Lady (Col). Will be okay at $7,600. Last week, second of 'Gay 'Divorcee' (Radio) ;nice -at $8,000. . Terminal (Skourais) (l,960; 16-26- 40)—Fighting Trooper' (Syn) and Wbite -Parade': (Radio) with 'Grid- iron Flash' (Radio) arid 'Successful Failure' (FD), split. Not so bad on opening and may take a nlpe $4,000. Last week, 'Lost in Stratosphere' (Mono) and . 'Dangerous Corner' (Radio) with 'Lady-by-^Choloe^ (Col) -:- and 'Gambling' (Fox) ' good enough at $3,800. ... ■■■ Pre-Xnias in Churchy lincoh Is B.O. Murder Lincolri, Dec. 17. The gross curve ia skidding: on the downbeat, still further this Week in most spots with a frantic effort being made by the Stuart arid Lin- coln, with 'Painted Veil' and 'Peck's Bad Bpy,* respectively, trying to keep .Christimasrconscipusness. :dl3-! . ease under quarantine. Both houses will- do well for the "reireo'n7~tfat~tTrat*B-mtie"T:'ra for~ joy, because yuletlde is the year'a. biggest celebration Iri this con- servative and . be-churched to.wn; .. Over at the Westland'a Vatsity, another British pic, 'Power' Is in, t5ut unnoticed. Talk of this house . going to vaude fs silenced now. It was flgured the spot would flesh by the first of the year, but by hold- ing back during the pre-Xmas crimp there's a nice bunch of plCr tures due In with the new year; : Estimates for This Week ^ Colonial (LTC) (750; 10-15)—'Ro- mancb Revler* (Indie) and 'Secret of the Chateau' (U), split About right and seasonal with $800. Last week 'Lost in the Stratosphere' (Mono), 'In Old Sante Fe' (Mascot) . and 'I Sell Anything* (WB), for 'Pajnted Veil' Way Off at $5,000; 'War' Fair $1,500 . Birmingham, Dec. 17. Managements foresaw trouble this week and shot In a few pictures no- lx)dy will ever m\ss. . ; The Pantages, dark many years, is to reopen Xnias dayi' Pictures and tab shows • is the menu. Will be the first stage shows in the Ham since way back wlion. Estimates for This Week Alabama (Wilby). ,(2.800; 30-35- •10)—'Painted Veil' (MG). Take it or leave it, and most folitS will leave it. . Garbo doesn't riiean ariythlng h.ci'o and ' this film 'riioaris less; jiiiUOO find lucliy,.: Last week, 'Merry \Vid0w' (MO))■ ,$5,700, -hot:$o good. - , Ritz (WUby) (1.600; 26-30^—'ij^en- Albee ($3,500; 25-35-50)—'Imita- tion of Life' (U) and vaude will do about $18,000, fairly good. Last week Captain Hates the Sea' (Col)- did $14,000, mild. . Strand (2,000; 25-35-DO)—Gam- bling' (Fox) and 'Evensong' (GB- Fox). Around $5,500, mild. Laist week 'Menace' (Par) and 'Fugitive Lady'.. {CipDr $5,000. ,.. 1 1.- ' '■": Vaudfilmer Only House to '. Hold Over in N. Haven New Haven, Dec. 17. Pro-Christmas, slump here and everybody knows it. Paramount managing to flght the drop with an oke stage show and they ran it Sun- day for first Sabbath show .of this type in town's history. ; Polilfl-and Par angling for Christ- m.as-day openings and will cut pre-; ceding week to four days'; IGurrently 'Music in the Air' on Poll's screen (Continued on page 61) ■ throo -eh* . ng ea-a nd good for. a boost to-$1,000.^ A good week., Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-16-26) —'Peck's Bad Boy' (Fox). Should get near $2,000, fair. Last week 'Anne of . Green Gables' (Radio) built to a strong $1,900. Orpheum (LTC) (1,200; 10-15-25) —'Love Time* (Fox) with an Andy Kirk-Mamie Smith headlined stage show.- The-money- staggerer with- a— probable sriiash $3,500'in the offing, a house record. Last week 'One Ex-^ citing Adventure' (U) and; stage . .show followed by 'Great Expecta- tions' (U) the last half going to the Dickens as It came. Gross on full stretch was about $1,900, off a little. Stuart (LTC) (1.900; 10-25-40) — 'Painted Veil' (MG). Garbo likely to get $2,700,:fair. Last week 'Col- lege Rhythm' (Par) in this college town only did fairly well with $2,600. ■ /-■■■ ■ ■ Varsity (Westland) (1.100; 10-25). —•Power' (GB). Only $1,100, n.s.h. Last week 'Captain Hates the Sea' (Col) Ralhered a little - over $9O0,> -' not good.: