Variety (Jan 1935)

Tuesday, Jiuiuarr 1,1936 P ICT E C R OS S ES Holiday Week Zonns lops Paraik jtt^^^S TACOMA ROARING I Shirley T«mpl*'a 'Brfoht Snaogino Bio f^^O Break but Ui* champogiie bubbles, ; boys; U'i • new yw that's start- ing in " high gear, with . business booming to record figures through- out th« loop. Qrbss this week will about triple the total loop groBs of the. week preceding, and will iiiore ° thian make up for Borae of the, box- ■ office ~ Blaps several of the houses took In the pre-Xnias aession. , Class and coin leader of the b. o. - parade as 'Imitation of Life' un-^ -'questionably. Backed by the cream 'Chicago house and with four days : tor holiday business and admission ; prices the picture should march right up into the 160,000 numerals. This I puts the spot, more than twice as much ahea4 of its nearest competition on gross, but the other houses are doing well enough with . their smaller capacities and smaller admission price. 'Forsaking AH ^ Others- has nothing to worry about at the Roosevelt. Opening Saturday .(29), it started socking away re ' celpts Immedlatelyi and this three day holiday ride should .send the house away to a mlfehty start on a '.'great .sesBlon..': ..y.:.' l... ; \ i>uke Ellington band on the stage Is-the reason-for the- surge; of coin into ths oriental register, and the . cashiers ■ are expecting a topping session oh the. New Year's shows, Milton Berle oh the Palace stage Is coupled with 'Romance \in Manhat^- tan' at the Pailace, virhere they will . have reserved. seats' on the New Year's we show COLUMBUS DISCOVERS Box OffiOas Qood Over Both '. Holiday Paribda Tacoma, Deo. SI; The old year dlea In Tacoma with ja rlp-snortlng closing week for the thjeatres after the uaual pre-Tula I slump.'. ' Eatimatai for Thia Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (700; 26-86) I — 'Trans-Atlahtio Merry-.Go-Bound' (UA). Heading for good |3,000. I Last week 'College Rhythm' (Par), I four days, $700; slow, fUter big first week at 14,100. Music Box (Hamrick) (1^400; 16- 26-36)—'Silver Streak' (Radio) and I vaude, split, with ^Tho Mighty Bax- Columbus, Deo. SI. hum' (UA). Heading for nice $ 4,000 In : spite of split-ups knocking Last week 'Murder In. Clouds' (WB) local schedules cockeyed, , last week aind va.ude, split :Wlth 'Kid Millions' Was happy for the theatre boys, and (UA) for $4,000,'nice enough, this webk should be as big. Roxy (J-vH) (1,SOO; 26-85)— Mercbanfs report heaviest shop- 'Bright Eyes'' (Fox). In for entire ping In several years, with streets week, bfC to big start and will, do packed night and day. Sidewalk great $5,200. Last week 'Cl^irley trade for film shops is conseque'htly Chan ih London' (Fox) and Til EiX big. It' (Col) dual, split with 'Student 'Barnum' and Crosby got the biz Tour' (MQ) and 'Among the Miss in big cbunks, with Shirley Temple | Ing' (Col), $2,600, alow, and a Majestic split week coming along fine, too. Xmas eve crowds didn't pay an usher'a salary, but the 26th was marvelous, maybe better than a record Thanksgiving. . All four shows worked heavily oh New Tear's Eve midnight perform- ance^ but nobody expected much. Broad got high-hat on the -city and reserved Beats. Palace working overtime on pro- moting Hepburn, with Ohio panting at pushing the Crawford-Gable- Montgomery picture. Estimataa for ThIa Week . - Ohio (Loew-UA) - 3,006; .30r44)— Forsaking-Air Others' (MQ) should garner ■ $10,000 with ease.. .'Mighty. Barhum; (UA) poured In a cool $11,- 600, and no surprise.' Broad (LoeW^IJA) (2,500; 30-44) Eatimatea for Thia .Week Apolib (B&k) (1,200; 25-35-60)— *Hbme oh the Range' (Par). First . run westerner here, and slAted to do okay. The run of Paramount class westerners: have done all right in the loop, and this one should be no exception. Likely to go to $7,000, good. Last week 'Evelyn Prentice' (MG) nice $6,100 Chieaso (B&K) (4,000; 35-55-75) 'Iniltatlbn of Life' (U). and stage . ehow. Ina Ray Hiitton band on stagei for a return date. in three , months. Box-offlce here gets an ex press elevator currently, arid, rides —up into tlTB~blgge3t^Boresr^lnce^h'e- World's Fair sessions, Indicating wallbplhg $60,000. Last week 'Bright Eyes' (Fox) built towards the ehd to AuUh at good $30,200 and ihoVed : over to the Garrlck Garriek (B&K) (900; 26-35-56)— •Bright Eyes' (Fox). Second week In the loop and a cinch for coin here Started nicely and sang a neat melr ody to pleasant $6,000; : Last week VSay Bride' (MGJ) took a fair first run count at $3,900. : : McVickara (Jones) (2,200; 25-35 BO)—'Power' (GB). Excellent notices - on this one, making a ;handsome box-office return .and riding, to win : ning $13,000 oh initial session. House passes back to .Paramouht oh Jan. 2 Oriental (B&K) (3,200; 25-36-40) —'Big Hearted Herbert' (WB) and vaude.. Duke Ellington band:, on stage and accounting, for the great bulk of the excellent business .. Shoves the register into high ground at. powerful 126.000. Last week 'Pur suit of Happiness* (Par) couldn' stand the pre-Xmas gaff, and the gross slipped away to nothing at ■ $13,800. Palace (RKO) (2.600: 26-35-55) "~TlbnTance~ln~Maiiihattan'--(Radlo)" . and vaude. Milton Berle headlining on holdover. With New Year's eve celebration should have little dlfil culty in crossing neat $23,000 cur rently to fine profits. Last week'. 'Caravan' - (Fox) and pre-Xmas hardly m'ahag'ed more than fairish $17,200. Rooibvelt (B&K) (1,606; 35-55-65) —'Forsaking All Others' (MG) Crawford-Gable - Montgomery com binatlon hard to beat for a holiday mood and tilts the gate to a hearty take at $22,000. Last week 'Painted Holiday Cheers for AD B way B.O. s; to $110,000; Torsakii^' $70,000, 'Heart' $60,000 MINISTER' IN $11,000 . . Prbvldanoe, Deip..$l Plenty of awall antertainment In town, the typa with dynamite for --'Bordertown" (WB) lias'$9,500 "in | the boxofftce. Exhibitors: anticipate sight. 'Here Is My Heart' (Par), no trouble .in making^ the hurdlea Zoomed at end of week, clearing a this week, soma stands figuring on clean $10,500. sugaring the groas with the help of Palaee-4(R4£ 0) (3.0K^i —80-44)— midnlght-showa Little Minister' (Radio) should situation pretty well screwy as sweep up a swell $12,500. 'Bright far as billing la concerned, just Byes' (Fox) hit $10,500. about the screwleat it has been in Majestic (RKO) (1,100; 30-44)— years. Bookings have been split by It's a Gift' (Par) should smash for several spots with an eye to the $4,000. Split week, with 'Kentucky holidays, and things will not be Kernels' (Radio) taking the rap and normal again for at lealst 10 daya. Peck's Bad Boy' (Fox) upping. It| Fay's, Albee and Majestic theatres Heavier spending this year, pres- ence in New York of, more out-of- towners than usual, a generally good list of attractions and with klda out of school until next Monday (7), the box ofllce holiday stockings are ripping at the seams. Outstander la 'Little Minister* at the Music Hall, which played to a record-breaking $16,000 opening day Thursday (27) and on the week wlH easily hit $110,000 or over, com ing close to the all-time high set by 'Little Woihen' oVer Thahksgtv- ing a year" ago, $118,000. The Hep- burn picture holds a second week. Hall's Christmas business and last day on 'Bright Eyes' Wednesday (26) was of; such volume that ,the Temple picture, may have been held, as originally plainned, but ads were already planted. It wound up with $88,000 Instead of the $80,000 which on Monday (24) seemed in pro's pect. : . ■ Forsaking All Others' is the only other new picture On Broadway of any note. It opened at the Capitol Christmas, morning and with a double break oh holiday business, the week . ending New Year's EVe; it is climbing for "a" 'smash $70,000. Ted Lewis on stage is no hurt, either. Neck and-heck -on patronage is 'Here Is My Heart'on ita second week at the Parambunt, sprinting for a $80,000 or more. The Crosby picture, with Fred Waring's band unit, would have to play to larger numbers of' patrons to equal the Cap on gross, since It la scaled hit about $3,000 for the stretch. TINT week) and 'Night Alarm' (MaJ) (Ist week), aa double bill, under $6,000. Mayfair (8,800; 28-66-65)—'I Sell Anything* (WB). Gloawl Ita week last night (Monday) af so-so $7,300. 'I Am a Thief (WB) the successor. Palace (1.700; 85-60-66)—'Bright EJyes* (Fox) and vaude. Hot from a good week at Muslo Hall, getting kids here and looks tb hit around $16,000 or over, nice. Might be held over. Last week 'Music In the Air'. (Fox) did a brodle, under $8,000. Paramount (2,664; 36-66-76-85)— Here Is My Heart' (Par) and M'ar- ing band unit (2nd week). On pretty good start prior to Xmas got $49,600 first week while , second (holdover) stanza Is romping madly for a smash $60,000 week. 'Sweet Adeline' (WB) Is booked to open Friday (4) but may possibly be set back so that the Crosby picture can stay a third lap. Paul Ash and band is booked for the pit week of Jan. 11. Picture to follow 'Adeline' is 'Loves of a Bengal Lancer* (Par). Radio City Muaio Hall (4,945; 40- 60-86.«9-$1.10)— 'LltUe Minister' (Radio) and stage show. Opened very strong and looks to mount an easy $110^000.- threatening the $118,000 record held by 'Little Womm'- -(Radio), . also- .Hepburh. Holds over.. 'Bright Eyes' (Fox) was sluggish over Its weekend and Xmas eve but ,on two final days spurted for a sxirprise $88,000 finish. Rialto (2,000; 40-66)—'Murder in Clouds' (WB). Ended Its seven day stay last night (Monday) at $12,000, have stuck to regular openings, but Strand and Loew'a Jockeyed open Ings purposely to get better breaks on pictures Strand put across twp midnight shows, isiinday and' Monday, each perforniance marked by a different bill. First tim<» such a stunt has -been—attehiptad—In—thisr^^ne-horse: town. Strand aelaoted New Year's Eve for opening of -Here, la My Heart'. ■ "':/..-; Exhibltbrs bumaid up over Satur day amateur nlghta at the spacious Metropolitan theatre, put on by Sta- tion WPRO In conjunction with commercial account Natives going for the free show. Ideia, and packing Detroit, Dec. "31T'^( the 3,500"seats each night: aflCair Is Three houses this week hold over staged. It's got to a point where their picture fare. ' United Artists sponsors will not permit any one with Eddie Cantor's 'Kid Millions,' wnder 18 years of age Into the house, should make its two weeks' engage- Estimataa for Thia Week ment a pleasant one, in face of I Fay'a (2,009; 16'-26-40)—Helldo- the poor business done here the rado' (Fox) ahd 'Night Club Revel- past severa'l weeks. Adams with ry' on stage. Strong combination; 'Chu Chin CHoW with good notices one of the nicest bills in town; with should do better this week than the aid of a midnight show on New last. Fox holding 'Bright Eyes' Year's Eve this, one should have ho over, word of riiouth advertising by difficulty in topping $9,000. Last those who saw picture past "three week 'The World Accuses' and stage days win undoubtedly put this week show came through only because of over big. ' - 'fiesh' portion of bill; nice at $8,300. ^Ith—plenty—bf-^men—going^to-h picture was $49,600. The Rivoli brought Ih 'Mighty Bamum' In time for the Yuletlde holiday and while , the. first week drops under the high expectations held for it, at $47,000 it Is still elicit- ing strong response. Second week may be $86,000, under hopes again Roxy rose to a smart $30,600 on first week of 'Green Gables' over Christ mas, and on the .hbldbver through New Year's looks to pass $40,000. aided by. a $1.10 top in prices New Year's Eve. 'Murder ih the Clouds' ended its wee k at t he Rial to last night (Mon^ "aay) with arouh3r~$T2,(roi(rrTn the till. 'Best Mian Wins' opened on a Monday night preview Ih time for New Year's^ Aster's Incumbent, right up the alley for the kids, 'Babes in Toyland,* wound up a 20 day run last night (Mbh) at $30^000, fine.' 'Wicked Woman' (MO) the successor. A new picture at a-house-ot-4ea.^ ser importance, 'West of the Pecbs,' Criterion's tenant, should attract children and come out on its first week endihg Thursday night (Si with $8,000 or so. On Friday (4) house will probably try its luck with 'Wandering Jew,' which has been laying around for. some time look- ing for a place to land. Both of Broadway's vaude cOm' blnations. State and Palace, are dbthg well, each having draughty pictures on display. Former with 'Kid Millions' may go to as much as $25,000, while Palace ought to end work and the bank payoff, the tbwn '^•"j^^''*"* Others' (MG). Start will soon find Its rightful place In ^"tr/'Vf*''' '""^ Ts^irtTa^ir-Thi. We.k rs^it^^^W'^tS^rwir^kS 'Kid Millions' (UA). Will ring tH^l .gweet iSelff (^ ond week. Wll get $16,000. Last nothing to brag about there are In- surprise of the town at Lji^ations that house should gross 114,500. .1 close to $9,000 with the help of a -witlr-grottndr-»16;000 on 'Brlghtr Michigan (United-Detroit; (4.100; naidnight show.: Last week 'Bright -35-55)—'Here Is Mv Heart Eyes' (Fox) and 'Bachelor of ArtsJ- 25 . (Par) and giant stage show with Dave Apollon. Latter never misses' here; should garner a nice $20,000. Last week good despite the holidays $17,000, with 'Enter Madame' (Par) and 165-people stage presentation. Fox (Iride) (5,100; 25-35-55)— 'Bright Tr.yp.Q' (T^nir) Tn tnr apvpti (Fox); made a nice showing despite lopposish and other circumstances; finished with more than $10,000 in the till; excellent. Strand (2,200; 16-25-40)—'Here Is My Heart' (Par) and 'Home on the Range' (Par). In for nine days, npftnlng with New Year's Eve mid Eyes.' The Strand, according to latest estimates, will reopen the end of this month or Feb. 1, with the . at traction either 'Devil Dogs of Air, first Cosmopolitan (Hearst) for re lease-by-Warner "Bros. Or 'Sweet Music' (Vallee-Dvorak) on Its screen," Meantime four pictures ready for January release will be sold to other houses ■xf^^ Not holding 'Gables' for a third lower . Xmas w eek-for-the-^a-osbr f°o<*----^BS*t-Man-TOnei--(€oi)Tcam' - ■ - . * in on a New Year's preview. Rivoli (2,200; 40-66-76-86-99)— 'Mighty Bamum' (UA) (2nd week). Appealing ihostly to men and not so much to women and children whb have much else to.' select from jiist now, felt below hopes opening week, igettlhg $47,000, and on aecond (cur- rent) week over New. Year's will probably be no more than $36,000, okay, : ■ . Roxy (8,200; 26-36-66) --- •Green Gables' (Radio) (2nd week) and stage show. Clicked strong on first we«k over Santa's big day, $39,600. and Is estimated t6 _go over $40.000 second ~ on: second week. Doesn't stay a third, 'It'i a Gift* (Par) coming in Friday (4). House goes to $1.10 top New Year's Eve. State (2,300; 36-66-76) — "Kid Millions' (UA) and vaude. Gross may reach to a smiling $26,000 oh strength of the Cantor draw. Liast week 'College Rhythm' (Par) around: $2(r,000. ^BRIGHT EYES' BEST, $8,000 Indianapolia Switohaa Opaninga for Holidays—'Heart' 17,600 , -Indianapolis, Dec. 31. Opening dates Juggled at all houses except the vaudfilm Lyric,. in order to enable downtown to shoot its ace pictures New Year's day. Winding up a week's run on the current films today (Monday), having also opened on -Chrlstthas day^ Week, the Roxy releasing it for RKO neighborhoods, 'It's a Gift.' bought from Par, will succeed to the pro- jection booth here, opening Friday (4). Paramouht's next, opening same date, is also an outside buy, 'Sweet Adeline' (WB), to have been the Strand's holiday incumbent un- til nre snuttered the house. Estimates for This Weak ;' • Astor (1.012; 25-40-55)—'Babes in TOyland' (MG) (3rd week). Proved a good bet for this time of - the year and on 20 days, endihg last night, $30,000. Loews' set back its nabe bookings that picture may be retained here :ais long as . U was. Second " week"-was $8,600. " 'Wicked Woman' (MG) opened last night (Monday). Capitol (5,400; 35-75-85-$1.10)— 'Forsaking All Others' (MG) and stage show. Opened Christmas morning and ends week on New Year's Eve for . double holiday break that may. mean smash $70,000.: Holds over. 'Band Plays On' (MG), in ahead for only four days, smoth ered to death, only $6,000 for that period. Criterion ;(876; 25-40-65)—'West of Pecos' (Radio). Opened Friday (28) and likely to attract kids for week that may go to $8,000; good. 'Dealers in Death' (Topical) (2nd 'Bright Eyes,' Apollo, seemed cream of orop seven days with a fine $8,000. Generally, thero wasn't the upward surge at the .turn of Christmas'expected. - ..- 'Here Is My Heart,' Indiana, good wlth- a. take- of $7,500,_but cohslderr.. ■ ably under previous Crosby vehicles. 'Barnum' fairly good at $6,000. The Lyric hitting a steady pace at a re- spectable $6,250, Estimates for This Week Apollo (Fourth Ave.) (1,100; 25- 40)—'Bright Eyes' (Fox). Will do holdover after a dandy $8,000 since Christmas day. 'Bachelor of Arts' (Fox) only $1,000 on previous four- day run. . Circle (Katz-Feld) (2,600; 25-40) —-'Kentucky Kernels' (Radio). sion to weakish $9,800 State-Lake (Jones) (2,700; 20-25 86)-7'By Your Lea-ve' (Radio) and vaude. Boosting into a high mark currently to $15,000 for mighty profits, Last week 'Exciting Adven ture' (U) was off with the rest of the Santa Claus slump to: $10,100 United Artists (B&K-UA) (1,700 35-55-65)—•Kid-Mllllons'-(UA)_(4th weele). Built steadily and. running In fine fettle to finish an excellent mohth's. stay. Will close its final stanza to great $12,000. picking up over last week's $10,800. 'Mighty Barnum' (UA) next JAMES' UaUOR SHEET Arthur James, vctcvdu film trade paper man, is getting out a liquor journal, to be, published weekly. James has formed a tie-up with the bartenders' union, with bis pa per to serve along house organ lines for that labor unit although cii:cu lating generally. days more of a. 10-day run, with new stage show, should bring $18,- f)00.; Last week 'Captain Hates the Sea' (Col) . for four days and ■Bright Eyes' (Fox) for three ■ days did well at $16,500. Fisher (United-Detroit) (2,9.75; 30-40). 'Babe^ in Toyland' (MG) and. 'Limehbuse Blues' ( P a r ) -Shbuld do- a good"week of $5,500. Last week 'Merry Widow' (MGM) and 'Gbntlemen Are Born' (FN), did okay at $5,000. Adams (-Balaban) (1,770; 26-40) —'Chu Chin Chow' (G-B) and 'Hell In the Heavens' (Fox). Should come ' through with $5,500. Last week same bill of' duals turned in the sum of $5,000. . State (United-Detrolt) (3,000; 25- 40)-r-'Father , Brown Detect 1 v e ' (Par) and 'Home Oh the Range' (Par). On the way to a nea.t; $4,000. . Last week 'Firebird' (War) and 'Marines Are Coming' (Mas- cot), stlntlngly gave up a weak $3,200. ; ::' night show. 'Father Brown Detec tlve' (Par) and 'One Hour Late (Par) ended one week's run tonight with $7,500 in the till for a fair showing. RKO Albea (2.600; 15-25-40)— 'Little Minister* (Radio) and stage I show. Swell start and everj' -lndl cation. that present pace will con [tlnue; getting all classes; till should show a swell $11,000 by the end of the. week. Last week . 'Grand Old Lady' (RKO) and stage show also came through nicely at $9,600. RKO Victory (1.500; 10-15-25)— 'Silver . Streak' (Radio) with the [help of a midnight show would give I hou.se good break at $1,500 On split week. Last weer 'Woman in the Dark" (Radio) and 'The House of Danger' came through, too, on split week at $1,100. Carlton (Fay) (1,400; 15-25-40)— 'Bright Byes' (Fox) and 'Bachelor Of Arts' (Fox). Holdover from Ma- jestic; off to ft nice start on second leg, and wcok should see .nt least $7,00Q in the till. Winds up mild week today at $4,000. 'Romance In Manhattan' . (Radio) opens tomorrow (Tues.a). 'Flirta- tion Walk'. (FN) mere $1,400 in four- day session as repeat following eight days at Indiana. Indiana (KatZrFeld) (3,100; 25-40) —'Here Is My Heart' (Par); Ends seven days today with creditable $7,600.-. 'Little Minister'- (Radlo)- opens tomorrow (Tues.). 'One Hour Late' (Par) played four days pre- vious to Christmas to slender $1,200. Lyric (Olson) (2,000;: 25-30-40)— 'Lottery Lover' ' (Fox) and vaude. Only house in town sticking to Fri- day : opening through holidays. Pocketing a little this weelc with, pace of $6,250, okay. Last week 'Se- cret Bride' (FN) all right-at $5,700. Loew's Palace (Loew's) (2,800; 25- 40)—'Barnum' (UA). Better than par at $6,000 if under, expectations. Forsaking All Others' (MQ) opens today (Moh.). Last, week 'Babes In Toyland'.(MG) and 'Band Plays On* (MG), dual, fair at $4,260; -