Variety (Feb 1935)

a RE CR • S SES Tueadiy, February 5, 1935 Philadelphia, Feb, 4. the bulk of the advertislngf office's Pliinty of hoW^over'fitos-Jn;th lattentlon. fJertaln tb Dest $lQ.00ft ir-ieniy ii«« » , ^ --^ .ahd may do, better. -Lily' (Par) Last : ■week wa,$ strong: downtown Bi^ctor this week and In ^ ^ '^!lifK3^S^o?^cSdiiSy- to draw the fans In over y VS-itJthiuThT&ce6^ its th.o wcek^ 'Gambling-JFox). twin price scale decidedly with the new .«e^wre ^0°* .atlS'"?^^; i5Gale:v_calUns=4.OE^0-:CentB::;to one L^ ; (1,200;; o^iorf?'lnd°5B"ahd • 66 ■ ia^t^^ I 2.B-3B-40)-'Sllver : Strea*:~ iilriES. Current bill Includes 'Wings and 'Romance In-^Manhattan' In the Dark' on the iscreen and a (Radio)., Ballfoad picture a nat- Koxy stace show that ivbn higher utal In this train center., Other praise ftom the critlcs than any he picture doing ^ts share, too.-Likely has shown, here In Phlily yet. At^; $5,000. Last week 'Grand Old Girl' tendance hftsn't been anything to (Radio) aptly titled for here, nearly ■write home about; the out-of-the- $B,000 with 'West of : the Pecos' Vay 'lpcatton of-^the- theatre prob^^^ the other half of bill; ably hurting plenty during these snowy . days. Chanccis', are that RoxyrMastbaum's flrist week with Its new scale and followlhg Its -flwltch from a IVIonday to a Thurs- . day opening, won't gross anything over $25,000. ! On Thursday house will get its first • 'name' since Its re-openlng.- Name Is Jack Benny and if he fares as well here as he has been in the •west, the bl,g house on West Mar- ket street-may get a hew lease, of . life. ■ ■■ Estimates for This We>k Aiclino: (1,200; 35-45*55)—'Cllve of Thflin' (TTA't: Critlcia compared i t . . _ , ^^^r^^^^ y Feb; 4. unfavorably to 'Bengal Lancer' bui , splendid weather, which blessed Colman following helped. Will the Balto burghers oyer the week- probably get ■$7,500 in Second, week ehd, coupled with three staple at- afjer first week's $9,200. tractions on tap at as iriany loop Arcadia (610; 25-35^40)—'For- flrst-ruhners, are the factors lend- saltlng All Others' (MG)--Second ing their aid In th© sizzling biz that run arid ;looks hot. $2,600 conser- ig showing up at.threovof the burg's vative.. : Letst , week^ 'Here's My loop houses; Heart' (Par) Fairish $2,000. ^ . . L The vaudfllm Hippodrome hops *o Boyd (2,400; 26-40-45)—'David the top of the flight this week and - Copperfleld'- (MG). : - V^ry big and will establish a ,new high gross of Should hit $13,000 or $14,000 in sec- $23,000. Jack iBenny, headlining the on'li week. Last w6ek, $18,300; Istage show, Is the lure; the pic, Earle (2,000; 25-85^40)—'Red Hot 'Catrilval,' is pleasant enough, but Tii-es'. (FN.) and yaude. . House not .mild. The house held six, shows on doing so very well these days. ,MayT Lsaturday, and ha;s expanded its be $14,000 for this cbmblriatidn. Last schedule to as manjr today (Monr . week, 'I've Been Around' (U) and day). Remaining days of session vaude. Just over $15*000. ' ' will play Ave; customarily the thea- Fox (3,000; 40r65-66)—'Under tre holds to the standard four shows /jprsssure' . (Pox) and . stage show, aiily.. Fact that Behny. was. away Ought to get. $16*000, Last week, ©n Sunday "hurt isome, but he had , 'Charlie Chan in Paris' (Fox) a:nd run iip such a lead on two opening Btr-.^te show. Weaklsh. $13,000. days, and is a, cinch to continue the Karlton (1,000: 25-35-40)—'Grand pounding pace he has established, Old Lady* (Col). Luck if it. gets that, notwithstanding his absence of $2,700. Last week. White Cockatoo' a day, he wlil give the house bpth .(WB). Pretty poor, $2,600. new gross and attendance records. ■ Keith's (2,000; 30-40-60)—'Mighty customers are lined up for a block Barrium' (UA). . Might get $2,800. constantly, Last week, 'Right to Live' (WB). The opposish vaudfllm stand, Ceh- Falr. $2. 600.. : . • - ._ _ ■ . turv. is doing plen t y all right fo r Roxy-MMtbaunri (4.800; 40-56-66) itaelf , also. The R ooiie y and the' ir^'Wings In the Dark' (Pa:r) and I TImbergs on the rostrum and 'Cllve stage show. Opened Thurs day with J of India' on th e screen h as the burg fpauced price scale. JiSay get| agog. Pleasantly fllled. hoiises all $25,000. Last week,* /Gilded Lily' houris; with prospect pointing to ■ (Par) and stage show. Four extra a hefty $19,600. The initial 'March flays weren't so hot. Not over Uf Time', reel is also being shown at $12,000 for half week. the houise; arid is helping rather, Stanley (3,700'; 25-40-55)—'Lives of subject of a high-powered advance a, Bengal Lancer' (Par). Word-of- bally cariipaign. ■ mouth helping plenty. In for third Keith's doing dandy, with 'Bengal week and ought to. get $11,000, Last Lancer' in its second week, which week gave it over $13,000: ; wlU be ballooned to an llrday Stanton (1,700; 3S'-40-60).—'Ba- stretch, certain of copping t, sWeet boona' (Fox)... Ought to boost house $7^500,; which dovetails nicely with gross to $6,500 or a little better, the corking $9,000 snagged during laast^eekrt^tlyer-StreakMrR^te^;- thS initial SfeV en~dayT^tia(;rtd and Btag». show. Bpfintlner strongly toward a 8well-<lfl.Bn(L—IiaatJgfl,elc4.| Gopperfleld' (MO) 'and acts, ehim- moring $21,600, Hippodronia (Rapiuiport) (2.200; 16-26-36-40-66-66)r-'CarntvaV. (Col) and. Jack Benny on stage. . Packed houses since the: bark, of the start- er's gun; slight, alump, but not .as great as might have been expected, on Sunday, when Benny and Mary Livingstone went to N. T. for the Jello broadcast, Extra shows every day during.. rest of. engtigement. Mamigement would /havte llkMl) to arrange a h.o, of BennyT-biiKpfclor/ contracts wouldn't permit comlc; to remain, A new. all-tim^ high gross of $23,000 will be set, credit going, of course, to ^nny. ; Last week, second of "Broadway.BlU' : (Col) arid stage show- headed by Paul Ash, very nice $14,700; Fortnight total for 'Bill,' fine $21,700. \ Keith^a (Sbanberger) (2,600; 16- 25-30-86-40)'-T'Benisal Lancer' (Par) (2d week). Will go 11 days, , with Gilded Lliy, (Par). ppenlng on Fri-_ day. The li . days wiH-'tag a neat 17^600, supplementing the. fine $9,000 rung up opening week, a seven-day period. New ^Mechanic) (1,800; 16-25-30- 35-40-60)—'Under Pressure' (Pox). The Lowe-McLaglen combo has lost riauch.'of Its caste at the b.o. in this' burg; giant-gunned opposish hurt- ing much also. : Not over $3,000, and may not Stick; iuU route of eight days set for It. Last week 'Lottery Lover* (Fox) Jerked off In six 4ays, $2,600. ■■ Stsnlsy (WB) (3.460; 16-26-40)— Maybe It's ;Love' (FN). Absence of names clipped chances of this ohe right fromJhilJrtart;, {Scarcely inore than terrible $4,000. Last week White Cckskatoo' (W&) slipped after nice start, ending up with scant '$6,0fllQ..,::' A not s6 hot, $4,8p0r New and SJanley. with llghi/ tlm ber on' tap, are being "rather sty </i/vnMinniiti tvt nr A nrrk" 1 ™ blg-shouldered attrac -COPPERFiaD' HEADED Century (L6ew-UA) (3,000; 15-25 35-40-55-66)—'Cllve of India' (UA) FOR $12,000, OMAHA Biz Oiilv So^ fa GettfagB«$23,( week). Ddlng nicely at $6,000.'I<ast week (2d) plenty good at 47,600. United/Artista (UA) (1,200; 30- 36'i-66)'-T-'Trans^Atlantlc Mefryr-Go- Round' (UA). Will skin by at $6,800. Last week 'Man Who Reclaimed' (U) took terrible beating at $3,000; Warfield (F-WC> (2,648: 86-40- 66)—'Gilded Lily' (Par) and Bill Robinson'on stage. Should get big $23,000.; Last week 'David Copper- fleld^ (MG) disappointing but safe, at $20,000. ;: San Pranciaco, Feb. .4, Biz. Just fair to riiiddling these days. Several of the houses are at normal pac(B> hut one or two have flrst->ate flops. 'Gilded LUy' will be .best this week; with ^Baboona,^ on a dual bill, tiiklng place ihoney. dther houses have Just run of the mill pictures. . Eatimataa for: Thia Week Fox (Leo) (6.000; 26-40)-r-^White Cockatoo^ (WB)'and 'One In a Mil^ lion' (Radio). May get $8,900 to break even^ ; Last week . 'Charlie Chan' (Fox) and Tve Been Around' (U) oke at $9.600.. . ■-. • ■ Qolden-Gate-(RiCO)-(2,860;-S0-^ 36-40)—'Wednesday's Child' (RKO) arid-^augmented—atag'e^-ehow-i—foE- Terith Jubilee. Ought to hit close to good $14,600. Last week 'En- chanted April' (RKO) got average $12,800. Orphaum (F&M) (2,662; 80-35r 40) —"When a Man's a Man* (Fox) and 'Carnival' (Fox). Should do around $12^000 for nln<e days. Last week •Mills :of the Gods' (Col) and 'Stra:ight froth Heart' (U) kissed the canvas for. under $2,600 arid yanked after Ave days. Paramou nt CP-WC) (2.482; 80- Denver,/Peb. 4; -; i)avid . Copiperfleld?. Is copping Denver's biggest chuiik of amuser ment riibney with IBongal ^Lance^ runner-up in a rather lethargic box ofllce market ' , Estimates for Thia NWaak' • Aladdiii (Huffiriany (i,6(>0; 2MBr 60)—"Rieht to Live' (WB). Aroyhd $1,600, not good. I;iast week 'Ever- green* (B-G), the third of their Alms to show in D<6nver, didr.bniy fair, closing with $1,750. / Denham. (Cooper) (1,600:; 25-36- 60)—'Lives of a Bengal Lancer' (Par). Running -to- around:r$4,000( okay for holdover stanza. Last week 'Lives of a. Bengal Lancer' (Par) did BO well it was held over. Last Week It. did $8,000,-ringing, up standouts every, afternoon and eve- .nlng but , the opener. Evidently the word of mouth plugging did the pic- tufe good. ■ : Denver (Huffman) (2,500; 26-35- 50) -rr 'David- COpperfleld' (MG), Sbcko .business for Dickens' classic. Gross niay total $11,000. Last week 'the Mighty Bamurii' (UA) did less than expected, closing with $5,000, a grand less than average. Orpheum (Huffman) (2,600; 25 35-50)^'Baboona,' (Fox). Poof at $3,000. Last week 'Bordertown' (WB) did a grand less than average and flnIshed clos6 to $6,000, Parambuht (Huftmari) (2,000; 26 aK.RO)-'Jealousy' (Col) and 'White Lies' (Col) doubled and spHt week with 'Night I s Young * (MG) . Figure $1,600. Not fancy. Last weelT'Cbunly Chairrrian' (Fox), which did b6 well at the Denver the previous week, was moved to the Paramount for three dijtyS, arid, while doing nicely, was hot good enough to last another week, so 'The Band Plays On' (MG) finished the seven days, - but the gross was below average by $400-^- the final figure being $1,600. N. H.'S BAND BATTLE 35- 40)-^'Baboona*. (Pox) and 'Ked Hot Tires' (WB). Looks good for better than $12,000. Last week okeh at slightly mlore: than $12,000 for "Bordertown'- (WB) and 'Eyjer;: green* (G-B). 8t. Franeia (F-WC) (1,426; 80- 36- 65)—bengal Lancer* (Par) (3d Omaha; Feb. 4. r5rld ;l'ic£>re continues Its itTrng -Of extra.-run pics with "David Cop-r psrfield' as the last of the line bc- ] fore the houses closes for repairs. 'COpperfleld' broke in Friday (1) to stay till Monday (11). . Pollowing -^hat—-the—name—get«—changed - to " *Oni'fiha'~With""a new" marquee,—new' chairs, enlarged lobby and other renovations. Brandeis is giving extra plugging to 'Silver Streak' and 'Romarice in Manhattan.' Figured as one of the Staga Shows . Perk B.O; 'Wings/ $8,500 Pace Proyidence, Feb. 4. Heartened by a welcome come- country's leading railroad centers, back that took most stands out of Omaha probably is orie of the best the red quite unexpectedly last "in country for the streamline yarn and theatre is making the most of it. Opening started heavy. . Current week is last town will see for some time without vaude, as Par opens next Friday (8) with week, fllm houses along the hiain stem look for another sprint this stanza that will put grosses well over the average mark. Traffic con- Continental Revue' on the stage for dltibris are easing up and trans- a full weel^. After that it'll be at least three days every week with a vaude and picture bill; other days double features. . Last week was acceptable all around, but nothing .extra." . Estimates for This Week World (Blank-Trl-State) (2,100; 25-40)—'Gopperfleld' (MG) and •March of Time' reel. Campaign portatlon facilities practically near normal. Estimates for This Weak ^ . Fay's (2,000; 15-20-40)—'Sons of Steel' and 'The Merry Whirl' on stage.. Opening pacie good, and indications Just now point to a nice wis'ek around $7,800. Last week 'Mysterious Woman' (WB) and has been afoot far ahead of film, stage show; started off bad because starting everything off to advan- of storm but succeeded in making tage. In for eleven days and can the hurdles .at $7,300, slightly under do $12,000 without stretching. Fol- average. . ^ ^ ■ . ■ lowing this .the house goes dark for ,^,Loew's State (3,200^.15-25-40)— renovlzing..; Last wefek 'Bengal Night is Young' (MG), and Be- Lancers' (Par) licked the cold and hind the Evidence- (Col). Also ^thon-wc.rit^vei:u>nly^air--t\dieji;jiQiv.:c niai, temperatures came. back. Ten but not so . .strong. Even though davs .ami -ii.half for $11,000. - opposish is not so - hot,, gross- this <2 OtS'' 25-40)—'Cllve of India' ;age. Last ^veek. 'David Cppperfleld' (UA) ' arid 'One «our Late* (Par), (MQ)^ suffered because of . atorm, PrO£^-am huvrlecUy flet but getting' and failed to make the comeback most houses enjoyed; so-so at $7,600. Majaatic (Pay) (2,200; 16-26-40)— Gentlemen Are Bom' (WB) and 'Red Hot Tires' (WB). This bill is boiind to comie throiigh. Judging by opening pace. ' Unless things go screwy before week is over, house looks for at least $7,600; bke. Last week The White Cockatoo' (WB) and 'The Right to Live' (WB) was fair, at $7,300. RKO Albaa (2,600: 16-25-40)— 'Straight From the Heart' (U) and vaudeville with Irene Vermillion Pix deemed weak; it's the stage show that's going to get the credit for $8,800 gross; bke. Last week 'School for Girls' (Liberty) also de- pended upon the vaudeville to come through at. $7,800; fair. • '.. RKO Victory (1,600; 10-15-25)— *Llttle Minister' (Radio) and 'Texas Terror*. Looks like $1,260 on split week. Last week 'Calling All Cars' and 'Courage of the North' did nice ly on split week, too, at $1,200. . Strand (Indie) (2,200; 15-25-40)— 'Lives »of a Bengal Lancer' (Par) (2nd week). Started second week "ar~cncburaglng—pace;- should- come dose to $7,000 with little difficulty. First week's gross .touched $8,500 despite tough condftibris. Opened hleely. and kept up a falriy good pace whUe tha other stands suffered. New Haven. Feb. 4 ' It's a battle of " music here this week with Will. Osborne at Roger Sherman and Jimmy Lunceford at Parariiount,. Both bpys are dravring well, with both Alms offering good support. Houses had advertised -Sunday - stage shows, following couple of weeks when Par got aWay with it, but authorities clamped down this week, meaning both orchs .offered condensed pit programs for Sabbath. Unusual condition at Poll's had Hauptmann_.triai-nre.wj3reet-yaniMdr after .two days, said to be on re quest of Attorney General Wilentz Reel had been plugged as a special feature. ■■■ 'David Gopperfleld' (MG) holding over at Bijou after big week at Poll's (both Loew's). Eatirriatea for Thia Week Paramount (Publix) (2,848; 36 50)—'Wings in . Dark' (Par) and Jimmy Lunceford. . 'Harlem Ex press' Btagie show. Looks headed for good $8,500, with draw about even. Last week 'Bengal. Lancer' (Par) was a heavy single at $8,790; Poli'a (Loew) - (3,040; 35-50)— 'Little Minister' (Radio) and 'Se crets of Chateau' (U). Slowing up a bit this week. Paced around oke $9,000. Last* week 'Gopperfleld (MG).- Got all of town's heavy dough for sweet $11,400. Roger Sherman (WB) (2,200; .85 50)—'Woman .In Red' (WB) arid Will Osborne 'Revue in Tempo' First stage fare in many years is gettlnig nice reception. Good $8,000 in sight if last half holds up. Last week 'Right toUve' (WB) and 'Red Hot Tires' (WB). Touched bottom at less than $4,000. . Bijou (Loew) (1,500; 85,-60)^ 'Gopperfleld' (MG). Holdover still doing riice business. Probably-good^ $3,500 on six days. Last week 'Chan In Paris' (Fox) and 'Wicked Woman'; (MG). Better t.han-a-good: $3,700 on eight days at reduced scale, 26-35c. Pittsburgh, Feb. 4. Barnum and Bailey's will have to give UP Its billing of greatest show on earth to local theatrical situa- tion, at least for time being; This week marks opening gun in prjce- war battle of names and with some of the boys sttU maneuvering arid others staying put, it^s a-.little dlfll- - cult yet to figure but what the re- sult will be and where it'll end. . At any rate Penn will quite defl- nitely have the edge this week with that 40c top and a bill including Biography of a Bachelor Girl,' 'Ca- sino de Parse' unit and in addition 'March of Time' nowsreel; which had a bigger lnstltutional ad splash than a flock of big-time features. Length of entire show,; over three hours, militates against a quick turnover, but' opening day. lines seemed to presage the trend and a $26,000 week looks , like a safe bet. Suffering ■■ chieAy, of course,' will be Stanley and Alvin, although otherwise - strong stage draws should hold up these two sites in part for current session at any rate. Stanley, main- taining its 60c scale, has George Givot and Ina Ray Hutton on stage with 'Right to Live' and should col- lect around $14,000, not bad, every- thing considered, while AlvIn has.Ed Lowry, always a favo here, in for fortnight and a $jO,000 week se^ms In the cards, for which Lbwry arid Lowry alone can be thanked. With- out him, In face of such stern •com- petition, house would be having a time of It. ■•- Of cour.se, straight picture sites, Fulton and Warner, aren't even in the running.' Fulton, down froni 40 tb 26c, will be lucky to wind up v.'ith : 2,760 on 'Night Is Tourig,' while Warner is hardly likely to be vei-y much over $3,000 with 'West of Pecos' and 'By Your Leave." It'll be a great life if the boys don't weakeri, biit weaken they must, some of 'em anyway, of it may be curtains. , Estimates for This Waek Alvin (Harris) (2,000; 25-40)—. Man Who Reclaimed His Head' (U) and Ed Lowry on stage. Lowry, one of"" most popular m,c;'s to hit - this town, will be a llfesaver here thiis week in f a6e of such overpower- ing opposition, and should hold tak- ings up to $10,000, plenty good. Last week 'Lottery Lover' (Foic) and Mitzl Green on stage around $7,000. ■ • Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1,750; 15-20- 25)—'Night Is Young' (MG). This straight picture site, with a lowered adniissiOn iand'la' none too healthy outlook-ln-productris-golngrto-ftnd^- the sledding plenty tough. Lots of fed-in sight-this-week7^maybe-$2,760.— Last week 'Band Plays Oh' (MG) not much better at $3,100. Pisnn (Loew's UA) (3,300; 25-35- 40)—'Bachelor Girl' (M^l) and 'Ca- sino De Parse' unit. Picking up all the spare coin in town with this combo at new low scale, with some additional help frorii wldelyrplugged . March of Time' newsreel. House ha» . to go at top speed to proAt at cur- rent admission price and overhead, but a prospective $25,000 will do it. Laat-wefik ' David CflPP-ejfl-eld'-tMfii. bullt day by day to great $20,000- and would have easily stayed a sec- :: -ond- week -had not Tiew-policy, etc.,-- been announced several days before. Stanley (WB) (3,600;. 25-40-60)— : 'Right to Live' (WB) and George Givot arid Hutton band on stage. Warners ace deluxer still sticking to its price guns In face of drastic cuts from rival Penn and making a -falrlyl-creditable showing at $14,000, although that's not profitable. Last week 'Llmehouse Blues' (Par)" and stage show pretty depressing at $10,600. Warner (WB) (2,000; 25-40)— West vof Pecos' (Raidio) and 'By You r—Leave^^Jtadio)..—Ey.fin_.duals_ can't Bland up' against competitive trend and taking it on the chin at $3,000, or slightly better. Last week 'Romance in Manhattan' (Radio) and 'I'm a Thief (WB) not very much above that at $3,460., INDIE DUAL CLICKS 'Marines,' 'Limberlost,' Pulling 100 in Buffalo Via Ad Splurge ■ Buffalo, Feb. 4. ; Lafayette and Hipp are in front current week, forriner with double feature and latter with 'Copper- field.' Lafayette showing two In- dies, ■ but management went for half-page displays In most of the papers at the opening. Last week marked by a sub- normal figure for Paul Whiteman a six days at the Buffalo, and a very good gross for 'Bengal Lancer' .in Its flrst week: at the Lakes,, with the new 'March of Time'. reel not hurting. ■ Estimates for -This Week Buffalo (Shea) (3.600; 30-40-65) —'Wings in the Dark', (Par) and stage Show. Satisfactory show shows iridlcations of bettering $16,- '000,' fa i r. La-st—week—^Behold - My- Wife' (Par) . and Paul Whiteman under expectations at $17,000. —. xVtO^r^ ■2Rr4n-) ■Ripp—^(Sifear (Continued on page 27)