Variety (Dec 1934)

10 VARIETY PICTM RE C S SE S Tuesday, Pecembtir 25, 1934 Hangs S(id(f(rp,0()^^ SweetStartlQdsG^ V :< J.OS Angeles, Pec.V34.. - : riavlrig top atiractlohBr most p ture. houses are ehjoylng; the Yule; Bplrlt aind going to town the cur-- rent weiek so . fair' as grosses' are cbhcerhed, despite the street car Btrike, which stili drags ton. ; ' ' Paramount is^lth 'Broadway Bill' Is running lit the foreiground and will have a finale £di» the hrst stanza of-this, opus iaroUpd the - $23,000 mark. Warners and: RKO opened Saturday (22) with, 'Sweet Adeline' at a ismart pace and pic- ture will hold through to New Year's Eve. .:■ ; 'Music in the Air' at Chinese and State off to poor istart for iive-day stay will hot count ihuch on. take. : X 'Babes in Toylarid' xit Four Star' and United Artists getting good taice from the kiddies and dping top grosses for these houses since their reopening. 'Imitation of vLlfe' held for fourth week at, Pantages and doing better than regular house av-- erage; trade for single week runs^ : Estimafes for This Wieek Chinese (Grrauman). (2,028; 30- 40-65)—'Music; in; the : Air' (Fox). Off to Wd : start and bows out its five-day run with around |3,700, awfui. . .'i3rlghtj Eyes' (Pox) opens (26) and figur'-d for big take, jliast week .'The lAst Gentlenian'. (20th. Century) was very bi(id brodie: for house whiclv . went- -Into- red with $5,400 take. Criterion .(Partmar) (1,600; 26- 30-40)—Tather Brown, Detective' . (Par) and stage show, i Dblhg bet- ter than average attraction and will come, through with around $4,000 as solo attraction. Last week 'Ladies By Chblce' (Col) and 'Marines Are Coming' (Mascot) for live-days, an. even $1,100 which Is terrible. Downtown (WB) (1,800; 25-30- 40)r^'Whit6 Lies* (Col), 'The Last' Wilderness' (J«rry Fairbanks) split . and vaudeville. , In for five days, windin.g up tonight, will be mild at $3,600. 'Silver Streak' (Radio) arid 'Men of the Night' (Col) :with vaude open (26). : Last week, 'I Am a Thief; (WB)i Though off, came in bit " better'"thatt: calculated with $4,0i06. Four Star (Fox) (900; 30-55)— . 'Babes in Toyiand* (MG), ,This is a natural for the kids who' live In. the neighborhood ancl should come. . through with around $4,800 which is nice . profit Last week 'Death on the Diamond'; (MG), hit oiver predictions with $2,400. : ^.Hollywood (WB) .,(2,766; .36^0^: 65) —'Sweet Adellhe' (WB). Opened (22) with heavy trade and looks as though It will get $10,000. Last week 'Green Gables' (Radio) -wound up-a. nine-day sojourn with $4,600 which is not in the hit claaii. Pantages (Pan) (2.700; 25-40)-^ iTnitatlbri of Life' (U),(4th week). For final Week no complaints com- ing with an even $4,000. Laist week, third stanza proved (excellent with ■ ■ -$4,900. ■ Paramount (Partmar) (3,695; 30- : 40-55)-^'Broadway iBlll' (Col) arid stage show. Getting around $10i00d —^or—fh-str-three'-dayst^^Ht—ftit^n^ easy $23,000 arid stays for- second week. Last week 'Onei Hour Late* (Par) put house into the 'red' -with , an $.8,400 .count ,up. RKO (2,960; 25-35-40)—'Sweet Adeline^ (WB)w In for nine days and good ^at indicated - $10,000, Last week 'Green Gables' (Radio) lingered here for a nine-day siesta , which beat Hollywood a bit, but —sees red at $6,100. _ _State.jL6.effi-F6x)_'X2.024; 30=40- 66) —'Music -in the Air* (Fox). Though Gloria Swanson in cast this one for five day stay is no sbip and tunes off toiilght with around $3,800. 'Bright Eyes' (Pox) opens (25). Last week 'Last Geritleriian' (20th Century) was tough, struggle, but ma.riaged to hit S6.000 which is poor. United Artists (Fdx-UA) (2,100; 26-30-4D-55)r-'Babe:s in Toyiand' (MG)., ■ Kiddies are flllin^: up the place a bit this week and this one •should be best house has,^had Blnce. reopening with around $4,800. Last week; 'Prentice'; (MG) riiuch better than anticipated at ;$4',50.(j; ■ - ^^SVVEEriADEtlNEr $7,800 N«w Hav«h Biz Spiatty in .Holiday ■ '■■■.■■'■■-Cbhfusion: • ■'■ New Haven, li)ec.. 24. It's a mixed week hbre, with Roger Sherman and; Bljbu playing lull week Avhile Paramount arid Poll's mark time with . four-day runs to catch 'em pri Xmas day openings. - 'Sweet Adeline' bpeiied: big; de^ spite general apathy of seasbii aiid 'Toyiand' is drawing the adults as well as the kids. Estimates for This Week Paramount (Publlx) (2,348;, 35-60) —'Father Brown* (Par) and 'World Accuses* (CJhes). Just a four-day flli-in bill and probably ifair around $2,70(). Last week 'One Hbur Late* (Par) and. stage show. Light last half held things to $,8,300. "but not bad:•. y Pbli's (Loew) (3,040; 3i1-60)— 'Helldprado* CFox) and 'Strange Wives' ,(U), Anbther sjplit-weisk bill headed for a mild $3;000 on four days,;/ Last .week 'Music In Ali*' (Fox) and..*White Lies* (Col) around $6,000, very poor. Rbger Sherman (WB) (i2,200; 36- 60)—!Sweet Adeline* (WB) aiid 'Murder in Clouds* (WB).'. Divided^ comment on 'Adeline,? but iilce busi- ness, -with .co-feature helping a lot; good $7,800, Last week 'Babbitt* (WB) and 'I Am a Thief (WB). At $4,20.Q,; not too bad for this time of year. Bijou (Lbew) (1,600; 26-:35)— 'Babes In Toyiand' (MG) arid 'Weat- erher* (Col).; Oii wajr to.better than a nice $4,000. Last week 'Silver gtreak* (Radio) and 'Bachelor of Arts* (Fox); . iBurprlslngly good . at $3,300. - mmm MARSCR^ ..Buffalo, Dec. 24. Picture business In Buffalo cur- rently finds itself in the most jum- bled state in many years. Spllt-up of weeks and programs, due partly tb the desire tb get in on Christmas Day business, has completely dis- rupted local schedules and takings have quieted down considerably, <il- though-somewhat--better-than:^ex-T pected. Christmas Day will un- doubtedly mark a resumption of heavy activity,,. Last week was featured chiefly by the second week's showing of Iriil- tatiori of Life^ at the Lafayette, which ran 'way ahead of expecta- tlbris; Everything elsewhere was quiet. " Estimates fotr This yVepk Buffalo (Shea) (3,600; 30-40-66)— 'Music m Alr*.(P.ox) and stage show. Slow sailing for tbe opening^ as ex- pected, but will probably break out -Chrlatmaa Int.n hnHdny_-returps. Birmingham, Dec. 24. Hangover from Christmas Is al- most ««rtaln to kill a big portion of th« business this week. Alabama Is trying: deaparately to Btav9 off the after—Ohrlstmaa depreission by. run- ning In 'Kid MlUions.' pantages re- opens today (24) with stage shows and vaudeville. ; Eitimatca for This Wesk Alabama (WUby) (2,800; S5-r40)-^ 'Kid Millions' (UA). Moderately good considering conditions, $8,000. Last week, 'Painted Veil' (MG) and 'Llmehouso Blues* (Par); on split week; thei latter brought in to save a dlsaaterouB Garbo run $6,700. - Ritjt (WUby) (1,600; 26^30)—'Gay Bride' (MG). With 'LltUe Minister' (Radio) mbylng in Monday; :$4i000. Last week 'Kentucky Kernels' (Radio) $3i7d0, fair. Strand (WUby) (800; 26)—'Babea In Toylaiid' (MQ). At $1,200, light Last week •Plrrt World Wiar' (Fox) $1,700, stable: Empire (Acme) (1,100; 25)— 'Secret Bride' (WB). William arid Stanwyck, $1,900. average. ' Last week 'Oehtleriien Are Bbrri'' (FN) $1,700. Pantaoes (WUby) (2i606; 25-30- 36)—'If■ A Gift* (Par) and vaude- ville. Today marks'13te-vpenlrig- of thia house which has been com- pletely redecorated ; arid reilnished. Has been dark halt dozen .years. Good for $4,000. ' HoldoTers, Short We^$ Hansen Leaves Exhib >i^iTies Behind Him ■ Hollywood,; bee.'24. Mark . Hansen, plbrieer indie iexhlb who has been active; in' the Los Angeles a^ea for, 10'-years, has .idls- posed of the last of his theatres and is. temporarily retiring froni the exhibition field. .. ^ ..Marcal; theatre was taicen" over Sunday (23) iby GaKston and SUttbn >yho also operat© the Dale, .Long, Beach, arid \ the. Novelty, , L. A., downtown grind. About a 60-60 break at art estimated $13,500. Last week 'Transatlantic' (UA) and stage show: Just another show, with the customers:retaliat- ing, abbut $12,000. Hipp (Shea) (2,400; 25 - 40)— 'Babes in Toylarid* (MGf) arid 'Stu - dent Tour* (MG). Holiday show with special aim at the kids. Saturdayi Sunday arid Monday will probably hold takings to about $6,600. Lasft -week ■ 'Dbw-Juan'":-(U)"■and'^irs^a Gift*: (Par) fa;iled to excite. Low at $5,300. Great Lakes (Shea) (3i400; 26-40) -'Little Minister* (Radio). Christ- mas Day openlrig for this should mean substantial takings. Gross .should better $7,500; Last week 'Lpyetime' (Fox) arid 'Housewife* {-WrTri\- .n^rftT*nj^^^^^i' wi^i''. .~>^ j \ ' y /.| » vcfgv> vrctiXA .vxtMf swur J $6,000. ; Century (Shea) (3,400;: 25)—'I Am a Thief (WB) and 'Side Streets' (WB); Still going along witb regu- lar, double feature programs ■ arid will probably; better $5,000. Last w'^eek ?Ready for Love' (!Par) arid 'Wagbn - Wheels' (Par), average at '$5,20o;' ■ ■ .;;;-::■ Lafayette (Ind) (3,400; 25)—'Iml- tatiori' arid 'Kentucky Kernels' (Ra- .dlp). Holdover of 'Iriiitatlpn* Intb third week" drained flrst-riin busi- ness. 'Kernels' opens Chrlstrtias Day. Week to Thursday; with Christmas. Day split, should better $0,500. Last week, , second bf 'Imi- tation;' was a real surprise. Tak- irigs held up for over $9,600. SCHUDKRAUT FOR 'CRUSADES' Hollywood, Dec. 24. Joseph Shclldkraut . arrived here, today (24). ;. He goes into C. B. be Mille's 'The Crusades;' Box Heebie-Jeebies V : - SeatUe,Dec. 2^;'^^ . This biirg la holding pixes over 'a few days. If .strong enough or else .tiurining. .short weeks. Ih order to bring, upi to Cbrlstmaa day change. Paramount ; (EiVeiiKreen) alonie finds Tuesday lis ireg obahge date and Orphchim "(Hamrick) . can't ' change on account of stage bookings. Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hanu-ick) (l.OOd; 2Bt40)— ^Anne • of Oreen Gables* (Radio). Dragging on five day week for; Tuesday change account holi- days. Terrible at; $1,600. Last .i^eek^ Mime film -got |2;600, not hot either.' Coliseum (iSvergreen) (1,800; 15- 26)-r-'Outcast Lady' (MQ) arid 'Ser- vants Entrance' (Fox) dual. Six day week may grab $3,000.-v Okay; Last week; 'Have a Heart' (MQ) and "Last Gentlemen'. (UA) dual. $3,800. Pair. ' Fifth Avenue (Eiyfii'Si'een) (2,400; 25-40) —; 'Flirtation Walk' (FN). Holding for five day week, looks weak. Around 13.200. . Liberty (Evergreen) (1,900; 25- 36)—'Love Me Tonight* (Col) (8th week). 'Lady by Choice' (Col) to open tombrrbw. Bad going on final four days of Tonight,' $1,300. Last week, same film, $3,000.. Music Bojr^i9AqOlB^4D)^=ilmita=^ tlon of Ldfe' XU) held over for four day weeki with big blasts of bally- hoo, for "Chu Chin Chow' (GB) to open tomorrow. For the four days, 'IriiltatlonVgot $l,«00, venr chilly. . Mueio Hall (Hamrick) (2,300; 25-40)—-Kid MlUlons' (UA). An- other four day week, fpr the same reason, wUl do around. $2,000, bad. Last week, same film, got big $7,000. Orpheum (Hamrick) (2,700; 26- 36)—'Silver Streak' (Radlo)^ ind vaude, Levey bookings, so must stibk to reg change date, fuU week looks to reach $6,800. fair. Last week. 'Murder In the ClOuda' (WB) and vaude, slowed tto^T^OO^ Paramount (Evergreen) (3,106; 26-3B) liimehouse Blues' (Par) arid 'Bachelor of Art* (Pox) dual, with vaude, also Including Levey' bbblt-' Ings, as Cushman shows caricelled; E:xpected to get $B;000, t»bor. Last week, 'Pursuit of Happiness' (Par) and 'Elinor Norton* (Poji). dual, arid vaude, worth $B,40p, off. MONT'L EXPECTS XMAS Montreal, Dec. 24. . Week Of Christmas; should Jack up grosses which, except for Loew's, rpp lne wavM pretty badly, the Capitol being forced to yank 'Great Expectations' and sub- stitute current week's plx with ari extra twb day showlrigi HeaVy acl- vance; bookings for New Year's Eve mldnlte shows look like nice money. Palace Is showing 'Music in the Air': and 'Hell In the' Heavens* with, good, name cksts and should cash in for $8,600. Capitol hals 'Babes In Toyiand' and 'Case of the Howl- ing- Dog* hilt ban against children In this town's, cinema will cut gross that elsewhere at this season would have been high. On a nine day showing should gross $9,600. Loew's banking on 'Happiness Ahekd' and big vaude prez and may gross $12,- 000/ after a big last week's grossi Princess hiay get $7,000 on two British plx, 'LltUe Friend' arid 'Camels Are Coriiing.' Impierlal working out a try for; better grosis On 'Successful Failure' (Moriq) and 'When a .Man Sees Red', which may take In 13.000. Cinema de Paris starts a. pew plx UQt' after three %es' andlocal Stage SNv {15,500^ ill i^tt^burgli s week repeat. Nabes scraping along on;: diminished igrosses.. Estimates for .This Week.' Palace (PP) : (2,700; 60)—'Music in the Air' (Pox) and 'Hell In the Heavens' (Fbx)v;: Popular : stars should boost this to'. $8i600;. Last week 'Behold My Wife' (Par) and 'It's a Gift' (Par); $6,600. Qapitol (PP) (2,700 !50)--'Babe8 in Toyiand' (MG) and 'Howling Dog* (WB). Running nine days to a good start would gross $9,60o; Last week 'Great fixpectatioris' (U) and 'Wake Up and Dream' (U) yanked after five days, $4,000, blah, Loew's (FP) (3.200; .50)—'Happl^ ness Ahead' (WB) and , vaude. ought to grbss reasonably at $12^000 with last week's Cab Callowaiy prez and ,'Limehouse Blues' (Par) paying off at $18,000 for one of the best week's Of year; Princess (CT) (1,900; 60)—'Little Friend*. (GB) and '<Cariiels Are Com- ing* . (Brit).. Good house for British i>lx arid might -gross $7,000. Last week 'Our Dally Bread' (UA) and '1*11 Plx It' (Col) $5,000, n.s.g; Imperial (France-Film) (1,800; 30)-r-'Successful PaUure' ^ (Mono) and ■ i'When Man Sees Red* ; (U). Maybe: up to $3,000: Last :Week 'Western Front* (U).; naiddling at $2,000. Cinema de Paris (France-Pllrii) (600; 60)—'L'Or.v Liable to make a hit for this house at. $i2,500. Last week's third repeat of 'M'sieU' de la Sante' $1,800. OMAHA DOES BETTER THANirm Omaha, Dec. 24.. It's, ia: short week at all Omaha .picture houses. Brandels and World; new bills, run only:;flVe days, while Orph features get only four, all moving out for new pictures on Christmas . day. All ■ openings will be '; on : Christmas day->nd New Year's Eve, and. then shift back to normal. '. . i'or the short runs nothing strong iS: offered. 'Babes in Toyiand' at the Orpheum probably the: leader. eVeri though it runs one day less than .the others.' Four days riaaly reach $4,000. . 'Marie Galante' at the World opened good and Is set for $2^700 on the five days. Brandeis has a couple Of weakles for fea- tures in 'Fugitive Lady' and 'Wednesday's Child'' but Is boister- Irig . the bill, to good effect with .a Dizzy and Daffy Dean short. The slump expected last week was far below anticipations. All houses report business ;was prac- tically average despite the heaviest TiblidayTactlvlty In a couple'of yeBrsi Maybe dosing^ the; Par kept busiv riess up at other theatres.' With close of ^current bill World Inaugurates a new policy Of single feaitiires. HbUse was' first in town with double features and for more than three years has hardly. devi- ated from that policy, except on specials. Now, with the Par closed,' plenty of good pictures are left for both the World and the Orph and plan la to take the best to the. World at. the old; Par prices^ 26c mats and 40c nights, and to Oontlnue the Orph on . a strong double-feature poficyr Estimates for This Week Orpheum (Blank) (2,976; 26-40)— 'Babes In Toyiand' (MG) dualled with 'Home bri the Range' (Par). LaUrel-Hardy film getting pilenty of nbtice by; the hujge " lobby explbitar tlon of Mariager Bill Mlskel. Four days to around $4,000. ; Last week was good with 'Hell in Heavens' (Fox) and .'Caravan' (Fox) at around- an average-$7,700.-—— -—^ . World .r(Blank)"^ (2,100; -25-35)— •Marie Galante* (Fox) and 'Red- head' (Mbno). Opened well ori -the last scheduling of double features at this hou.se. Five days about $2,700. House opens Christmas day with 'Here Is My Heart' begirining a new policy of slrigle features. Last y^eek 'Howling Dog'. (WB) and Pittsburgh, Dec. i24. Usual holiday upswing after fort- night of worst business In years la looked fof this week,; although esti- mates are quite difficult due to pro- miscuous juggling of opening days to take advantage of Chri.stmas In- auETurals. ■■;.■..;■.•■ - v. :■■.■; Only two houses to ket away Fri- day; as per schedule were Aivln arid Pitt. Former, with 'Bright Eyes' and Ibcally-recrulted 'Pittsburgh On Parade' on, staige got away to a fly- ing start despite shopping crowds and on a lO-day run should collect sizzling $li5,500 for the best takings hero in sbriie time,. Pitt, too, gives every iridlcatlon of picking up with 'Dangerous ebrner" and 'World's Fair Follies* and should hit well over $6,000, a figure this hOuso hasn't seen in a month of Sundays. ; Estimates for This Week Alvin (IJarris) (2,000; • 25-40)— •Bright Eyes' (Fox) and 'Pittsburgh On Parade' on stage. Natural corii-; bination for holldiay trade. . Looks like a pushover: for; $15,600 on ia coritemplaited 10-day run. , Ijiast week Mills Bros, on stage bolstered. 'Exciting Adventure' (U) to give house a wirinlng week at $11,000; ■ while others were suffering plenty^ : Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1,750; 15- 26-40)—'Toyiand' (MG). Opens to- day (24). Last week, 'Student Tour' (MQ) yariked after four days to miserable $1,400, with 'Gambling' (Fox) going in and proving a dls- . tlnct disappolritment at $1,550 in-- five da;ys. •Ghu Chin ChOw' opens day before. New Tear's , and houso hopes for 10-.day stay In order to get it back ori Thui^sday bperiirig; ' Penn (Loew*s (UA) (3,300; 25-36- 50)^'Barnum*. '(UA). Opens today (24) behind-big--campaign; -Last Week 'Evelyn Prentice* ItfG) played eight days and got plenty of Imi- petus from two-day stand, at ad- .vanced prices, of Guy Lombardo and his touririg stage show. Around $17,000, an right. Pitt (Shafer) (1,600; 25-35)—\ 'Dangerous Corner'. (RKC)) and •World's Fair Follies.' Opened fair- ly well hut . expected to boom with rest of *em and a $6,000 take in pros- pect. That's best hbUse has' done in "several riibnths. Last week 'Llghtriing Strikes Twice' (RKO) aind 'Schoolda,ys On Parade* unit about $4,000. Stanley (WB) (3,600; 25-35-50)-- 'Don Juan' (UA). In for, foui* days only, and will be lucky to collect $3;000, pretty bad.; 'Little Mlrilster* (RKO) opens tomorrow (25). Last week 'iSreen Gables' (RKO) pulled after Ave days to pbbr $4,800. Warner :(WB) (2,000;. 26-40)— -Babbitt' (WB) arid 'Home On Range* (Par). Hit hard first tevf days but certain to, swing Into high :for-flnish-Ttnd a7falr~(eriougir;$5;000."^ Last week 'Wiiko' Up* <U) and 'Ready for Love' (Par) in the dumps at $3,600; •Cheating Cheaters" (U) good enough at $4,000. Brandeis (Singer) (1,200; 20-25- 35)—'Fugitive:^ Lady* (Col) and 'Wednesday's .Child* (iRidlo). Start- ed for, average, which, is thought cheerful considering the seasbri, $2,500, .five: days; Last week 'Ken- tucky Kernels* (Radio) and 'Sldb Streets' (FN) nice at $4,400,. better than expectations. TACOMA IN SEMI-DOZE 'Kid Millions^ Promising—ChrlBtmaa Day Openings; Tacoma, bee. 14i . . Most shows getting full slap of pre^Chrlstmas theatre panic with tomorrow opening new bills. How- ever, 'Kid Miilions'. (tJ) starts with good campaign and looks to bring up the. MB week to real: flgurej EstlmtJei! for: This Week Blue Mouse (Hamxlok) (700; a8-$B) -^'Transatlantic ; MerryrGo.-Round' (UA) opens tomorrow (25). Last week 'College Rhythm' (Par) held over four days, and terrible at $700. But first full week good at $4,000. Music Box (Hamrick) (1,400; 16. 26-35) —'Murder in the Clouds* (WB) arid .■vaude,..three days; 'Kid; MUllbris' (U), four days, pushing total to indicated $4,000, okay. Last jgeek—iBahbltt^PN)— and vaud» three days, and 'Wagon Wheels* (Par) and 'By Your Leave* (Radio), split, gathered $4,600, substantial; . aP®"/ (J- vH) -(i;30a; - 25- 35 )— Charley Chart In Lbndori* (Fox) and Til Fix; It* (Col) dual,. split with 'Student Tour' (MQ) and 'Ariiong the Missing' (Col) dual. May rat» $2,600. slow. Last week 'Have • Heart' . (MG) arid 'Whom Gods Do- ?lroy!.^(eol)_ dual, split with 'Babes Tpyl^in.d'; (MG) and. 'That's-Gratl- tude (Col) dual, slow at$2i900; . BROOKLYN N. $. 6. 'Broadway Bill' at Fox Is.'Stepping .- ;.■_■.■;;;::■ Home, $20,000 / City of Church€i3 is full bf Christ- mas trees, mistletoes, good cheer, BQod fllriis but no buslnejss, except at the Fox,; which; Is doing big, and Strand on: above average takings. Trarislux won , a victory in th« courts herb the other day, when li was decided that tho newsreel hous« could^cqn.Htruct a theatre adjacent to LroamuH Hall High School, School ofriclals objected to the hOUs# on grounds it would Inilucnce kids to play hookey. : Litense Commis- • sioncr Moss mtiy appeal case; . . Estimates for This Week Psramourit (4,000; 25-35-60-66)— 'Here Is My Heart* (Par). Came In . yesterday and looks no more th^ $10,000. Last week 'LimchouiSe Bluer (Par) In for five days, produced about $10,000. ' 2B-8B-B0)—'Broadway ' BUI' (Col) and stage show. Wll' bring about $20,000: big. Last weef (Gay Bride* (MQ) llB.OOO. : Metropolitan (8,000; aB-8B-8C •Kid Millions* (UA) »nd vaude. (Continued on page 28)