Variety (Feb 1935)

VAIOETY PI C T ECROSSES IVieaday, Febiiitcy 12, IMS toi ^IRON DUKE,'^,500--. 'Qlldtd Lily* $8,000, U«dt In be- lumbut . . .. ; . Los Anseles, Feb. With three highly exploited pic- tures oil the first run horizon, trade, despite this uncertain, or othery/lse rainy spell, hopped up cdnsldiarably on the week. Paramount , gpt off to trreat Bolng with 'The Glided Lily* and led the field oh . the take tape, : State and Chinese, ahowlne David Gopperfleld,' also In same class, with the take at both houses Indicative of exceptional big busi- ness, Hollywood and RKO screen- Ine 'Devil Dogs of the Air' also in the boosted trade group, with pic- ture Indicative of holdover at both houses. . : ■■ ■ _ Eatimate* for This, W«ik ; Chineiur <Graumah) (2,(j28; jO-4(i- ^6)^'Copperfleld' (M6), Adult tradie , very strong, with school kids also . giving big play which should bring a lirofltable week to house at tl3,- BOO atid naay hold. Last week The County Chairman*: (Fox). Bit be- low expectatlons in garnering $7.4<!0; which Is slight profit for house.; Criterion (Partmar) (lieoO; 80-40- «5)—'Bengal Lancer' (Par). After big tradie at Par this • one hopped : in here for this first run milking ..process; which will amount to around $3,700. ;: \- • V Downtown (WBy (l,«00; 26-30-40) —'Right to Live' <WB) and 'Be- hind the. Evidence' (Gol), split. Not ah outstanding draw combination, Which will keep: thie take within the 13,300 figure. Last wieek 'JEnchanted April* (Radio) and 'White Cocka- too' (WB). Ann Harding draw was meaningless, which kept take below calculations at $4,800, Fiimarte (Relsenfeld) (900; :40-S0) V —"Man of Aran* (fi-B) (2d week). . H^ld up ifeiiiajfkabljr "well for hold' , over stanza, which will wind . up with around $1,800, Last week, first \ tor this on^ considered very good at $2,600 Four Star (Fox) (900; 30-55)— •Baboona' (Fox) (2d week). Hold over did not seem warranted, with picture fikeded for around $1,500 on •five-day extension. Last week, first 7^ —for^hlB-^Foxer,—tuned off w l th^- ■ - vproflt at $3,100 Hollywood (WB) (2,756; 26-3.5-65- 65)—'Devil Dogs' (WB). Off to —^ang start and looks^aa-though-ex B<ve^6ne.waii sure it would get the ac« Alabama. . Business good.. For exploitation there ^yasn't any- thing - BO terrifically expensive. Circus baniiers made of oilcloth were strung up oh principal ■ istreet corners, land a sound truck was used for the downtown district' Latter used nearly every week by some bouse Is nothing dot of ordinary. Estimates for This Week Rit* (Wllby) (1,600; 26-30) — Mighty Bamum' (UA>-i Outstand- ing picture in town and going good, i ;3,900. Last week, 'Biography ot Bachelor Olrl' (HG), weak $2,700. Alabama (Wllby) (2,800; 30-36-40) 'Gilded Lily' (Par). ■ Not as eensa- tiocal as it might biLve beieh, $6,000. Last week, 'One ,>ExcltiniB; Adven- ture' (MG); Amos and Andy In person, Sunday, at 66c. top, and another picture, from Tuesday through Thursday,. 'Wings in Dark' (Par), got around $8,000. Amos and Andy got around $3,600 for one day, which Is Included In week's gross. Pantages (Wilby) (1,860; 30-36)^- Notbrlous Gentleman* (tJ) arid vaiide. People who walk way down to this house do iso for the vaude- ville, arid the picture Is. purely sec-, ondary, $2,200. Laist 1 week, 'Grid- Iron Flash* (Radio); arid Dap Fitch, mlnstreU on stage,; $3,100, pretty good. ■ ■'■ Enipirs (Acme) <1,100; 26)—'Bab- bitt* (FN>. -Memory of the novel will hielp and may do oke; $2,600. Last; week, 'Evergrecri' (GB), "better than expected $2,000, and the town, talked about Jessie Matthews; the British star. Strand (Wllby) (800; 26) — 'St Louis kid* (WB). Okeh for a little above average, $1,900.. Last .week. Under Pressure* (Fox), $1,600,. so-so. ploitatiori win carry It through to a good take of around $10,500; Last week 'Romance of Manhiattan* (Ra- dio). .Had rather turbulent weather . elements to contend 'Vidth and checked out with bit over $5,200 Pantages (Pan) (2,700; 25-40)-^ •Edwin Drood' (U). Plenty seats ; dusted off by the customers, with the take for this one eixceptlonally big at $5,000, which gives Pan nice . profit. 'Last week 'Notorious Gen Ueirian* (U) and 'Million Dollar BabyJ .(Mono), y Could~ ,not_take the gaff and pulled after six days with LtftkejofJJMOA Columbus, O., Feb. 11, . Hartman, town's only legtt house, surprised .this weeik when it ojtened for pictures. Not first time for houi^e, but first in many months, started with Iron Duke,* ai swell idea, as town 1^ hot for Arllss. 'Evergreen' Is next. Weather ooritlnue* bad, with slush, zeiro and sunshine getting theatre/men'.erasy,-v..7 ' Estimatss for Thisi Desk Ohio (Loew-UA) (8.076; 30-42)-r- ^llded Lily* (Par). Should be tops with $8,600. 'David Copperfleld* (MG), fell on. last two days last week, with bad weather, taking $9,000, still plenty good. Broad (Loew-UA) (2,600; 30-42) 'Bachelor Girl* (MO). Worth $8,000 any week. 'Sequoia' (MO) splurged but a neat $7,000 last weiek. Palace (RKO) («,076; 80-42)— 'C;han in Paris' (Fox) and Homance in Manhattan* (Radio), split. Will draw weak $6,000. "Wings in Dark* (Par) went over to tune of $8,600 Hartman (Neth) (1,400; 30^42)— 'iron; Duke* (GIB). introduces house's new picture policy. Should draw okay . $3,500 If first crow;d8 hold tip.' Majestie (RKCt) (1,100; , 80-42)— 'Secret Bride' (WB) and 'Silver Sti-eak' (U). Okay (or $3,800. Last week 'Reclaimed Hla Head,' (U), and 'Gr^nd Old Olrl* (Ra41o) dls- appblnted with bare |2,80Q. nioia m Washington, Feb, 11. First let-up In cold ywaVe Isn't meaning muqh to the. Capital. Boys ;tbBH^ed' ace ' iii^lcturer ohto T^^^^ steadily during sero winds iand now they are up against it for product. Series of smash legit attractions can be called an alibi also. > 'David Copperfleld* is topping everything, Including two stage show spots. Pic has won mote ed- itorial build-ups from scribes than aqything to hit town In years. Even -reached-pQlntJwJierejcrltlcs.foegln:by apologlElng for devoting space to the pic for the umpty-umpthL time. Only other biz worth considering is at the Ear1e\where "Devil Dogs of ifag-Aclr' w tt B lau ^ iche^d: w lth' a lo t o f Detroit, Feb. 11. Zero weather thlg week may prove to. be damaging to box offices. Following through with good com- bination bills, the Michigan and Fox will get the bulk of the cola. Shrine Circus in Coliseum, at Fair Grounds, and drawing good crowds, undoubtedly will pull down receipts enough to make It tough to get at least average biz, just when things were beginning to look up. good tie-ups and special screening of . film on air liner between Wash I and Pittsburgh. Lattier broke news columns as first pic shown on reg: ularly scheduled filght. Estimatss for This Weak Fox (Loew) (8,484: 26-85-60)— 'Rumba* (Par) and Tan^e. George I Glvot heading nice stage show and pic not panned much. Liooks like satisfactory ; $20,000. Last week "Wings in' Dark^ (t>ar). slipped after Paramount (Peurtmar) (3,596; 30 40-55)r—'Glided Lily* (Par) and "./'stage show. Went big for this Col ' bert pic, .which - will hit an easy .- :--$19;800- -on -the stanza. -Last week,- . Jsecorid/ of . .'Bengal; Lancer'. (Par) Buzzied through for its final nine days at exceptional fast pace, wind Ing up'with $21,100 which is great RKO (2,960; 25^35-55-66)—'Devil Dogs', (WB">; A natural for this house and getting them in on; steady 7 .grind; whiiphns headed i6r around $12,000. Last week 'Romance Manhattan' (Radio). Kind of tough sledding to a $4,400 windup, nothing to brag of. .: State (Loew-Fox) (2,024; 30-40 65)—'Copperfleld' (MG). Matinees here very big, \vlth. night trade far ' : above average, which should bring. .. _.the:week^B: Income to ;a: very healthy $15,0.00.. Last week 'County Chair- man* (Fox). Though no local iwtriic, oke to tiihe of $10,400. • "'United Artists (Fox-UA) (2,100; 25-30-40-56)—'Night Is Young' (MG) and 'Under Pressure' (Fox) split, ^::_eM_fitag©_8hbwi„t^^ run bar^ln house with an 8.dded $3,500 for stage show kind of being overlooked iw t6ke for the week will just be bit: over previous one at $3;300. Last week 'Transatlantic' (UA), 'Mystery Woman* (Fox) and Stage show a little better than calculated, but heavy loss to house with $3,100. BIRMINiGHAM DIVIDED Surprisingly eriough,_ town now I big bow-In to good $28,000. boasts of'nine oTperi:all nlghrihea-T,; Earfe (WiB)'v(2,424; 25-36^i^^60)"^ tree, all doing bualness. : I ' Devll Dogs' (WB) and vau de. iria Estimates for^Yhis Week Quality of 'Lily'a Minor- Locsl JsBUe J—$6>000 Gt'oas, ■' ; " ' ' filnrilrigftam, "Feb'riir " Business Is reacting to springlike weatiier. As a whole, the.tbwn can't complain, but 'Glided Lily' isn't clicking quite' as weU as it should. -Fans-.ate_divldiad :as-tQ_whether it Is a , good or bad plx and when a situation develops such as' this the box office can be depended upon to. get some of both kind of customers- 'Mighty Barhum' bookdd into the Rtt Is a little surprising, at that. Michigan (United-Detroit) (4,100; 25-35-56)—'Rumba' (Par) arid stage show'.. Screeri fare will be the. big riolse,..even_though-thehfie3h-end^ls headed by DeRose, riiajgilclari. Looks lllire ' the old' days are back " agaih^ with the many . Sunday night hold- outs evidenced here the past month Receipts should hit a smart dip with figures around $17,000. Last week "Wings in the Dark' (Par) claimed a fine $18,000 Fox (Inde) (6,100; 26-36-66)— 'Enchanted April* (Radio) and stage show with Benny Meroff and Ros coe Ates. Bound to send them out talking. Theatre has come to front as offering biggest amusement value in town. Combination in line to garner a near $19,000, swellegalnt. Last week 'Iron Diike* (GB), "March of' Time* (FD)—end Baby Rosirl Marie on stage,' sent receipts to a great $20,000. United-Artiata (United - Detroit) (2,070; 25^35-56) —"David Copper- fleld* (MG). Picture given nice campalgri, house opening two hours earlier—to—permit-slx-^shows-daily, "rakings are indicated, to. be a; near. $9,000, better than average. Last wieek- 'Cllve of India' (UA), wound up a fortnight engagement, which amounted to $16,000, grand, Fisher (United-Detroit) (2,976; 25-30-40)—'Secret Bride' (WB) and 'Bordertown' (WB)i Stronger bill than Usual here; should confiiB near $3,200. Last week 'Father Brown" (Par) and 'Here Is My Heart' (Par) delivered a regular $3,100 , Adams (Balaban) (1,770! 26-40)— 'Chan in. Paris' (Fox) and "Woman in Dark' (Radio). Located in center of hotel . district; conglstent business Tiere. "Takings are Indtcated rb^be $3,300". .Last week "Reclalriied His Head'..(U.) land : 'Mystiery Woman' (Fox), plus Dlbnne featurette, swelled the proceedings to $3,700 .. State. LUnlt.ed-Detrc(it) .C3A0O; 26. 40)—'Night Is: Toung^ (MG) and 'Best Man Wins* (Col) should, bat out ?3,000,. weakish; Ray Hutton no pull. Big bally on pic . resulted in sock opening, but probably won't hold Up 'beyond good $19,000; Last week "Right to Live' light-$14,000r- Keith's (RKO) (1,830; 26.-35t60)— 'Murder on Honeymoon' (Re^dio). Edna May Oliver following and in veterate mystery mob not enough to augur over light $6,000, if it stays full seven days. last week 'Grand Old Girl' (Radio) pulled after four days to light $4,000.- Palace (Lo - >) (2.863; 26-36-60)— "David Copperfleld'' (MO). Romping toward big $2S,000. Last week, sec« opd of- "Bengal LAncer* ' <Par),' turned In wow $15,000. Met (WB) (1(683; 26-40)^'Maybe It's Love* (FN>J^-Nbt so hot, maybe light ;2,600. Last week "White Cockatoo* (WB) slipped after-nice beginning to merely oke $4,000. Columbia Clioew) (1,263; 25-40)^ Hielldoradd' (Fox). Maybe - okie $4,000:.; Jjast week .Writer Madaine' (Par) stood up: to same figure.: Pittsburgh, Feb. 11. Battle lines are still fbrinlnic in the "Pittsburgh price war and . witn the whole situation toesy-^urvy, lt*s getting tougher. and tougher. No doubt now, what with tlie Stanley dropplngj to meet the. Penn sc&le, that situation will shortly get down to earth but at .the moment any kind of cslmates are pretty reckless. 'Nobody felt Stanley could main- tain Its 00c top for long against rival Penn*s . 40o ; ticket and .first week, with latter doubling former's taJce, proved .that' pretty conclu- slvely^ While both of them have stage ^ows again' this week, they're be- ing ;given only secondary billing: so for: the present, .session, it'll, be tbe^ picture thit counts. . Slrice that'a s6, Stanley seeriui to have: that edge with "Devil Dogs of the Air,' backed by swell campalgli and the fiood Cf. Hearst publicity, although there's a pcisslblllty that management may not have given Itself time enough to publicize the price reduction. An- nounceirient of It came only a few hours'before new bill opening. At aiiy.^te,-aji-$18,6b0-.week-should^;re-^ suit, while the Penn* with "CUve' won't be very far bieblrid that, maybe $17,000. Incidentally, that combined, i^e, $36,000, looks like Baltimore, Feb. 11. Widely . diversified: and oholoe chunks of cellulold .ori exhibit cur- rently and. with a sole exception, all are iencouraglhg big bbz-offlce. re> turns.: : Best is the vaudfllm Ceritury with "Sequoia* Oii screen ■ and a Benny Davis revue on the rostrum. Bis built steadily over the.weekr-end arid It looks like the house will count uo a succulent $20,000 for the session; The- Stanley, for; first time in months, finds a line trt front of its till, prompted by 'Devil Dogs of Air.* Flick la only one in town calculated to lure' the men and actlbn-pic dev-- otees and .the theaitre is conse- quently caterln(( to large evening; throngs. Balcony of the mammoth house has been opened for this en- gagement; shelf hKS been sealed since 'FUrtatlon Walk* strutted there several. laoiiths. fMtck.. Looks . like gross will reach a good $10,000. With . the/.Stanley. :drawlng the nieri; Keith's . Is getting the gals on "Glided Lily.' Opened Saturday to Immediate attention. Marieigement was pretty adroit in spotting typa of i>Ic this week; Isn't conflicting with other product. Prancing along at a pace that Intimates a gross Of $7,600 for the week end may hang brii for a; few extra days. Indie vaudfllm Hipp le_dblrig all the limit for blJiTTlnJli^iBS urideTtmr w right for itself, also, "finchanted April,* oh the spools. Isn't being par- ticularly liked arid Isn't doing as well as most Ann Harding vehicles in^nage In Balto'. Potent b.o. factor iseems to be Bob Crosby, vocalizing on'; the stage with the: Dorsey Brothers' band. Toungster has the local femmea ga-ga; they're .storms ; ing the istage door all hours, sending him flowers and penning blm: notes.; Night biz :lust fair, but mats are Jammed; $16,000 in prospect, fine.: Esiimates for This Week Ceritury (Lbciw-UA); (3,000; 16r 26-36-40r66-66) -r "Sequoia' (MO) . and- Berinyi^. Davis.:.unit.:: on : :Btageu Pic well sold by deft advance bally, and wbrd-of-mouth Is shooting the gross up to splendid $20,000. Last week "Cllve of India* (UA> and vaUd headed by Rooneys and Tim- bergs, firm $18,500. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,200; 16-26-35-40-66-66) — 'Enchanted April' (Radio) and Bob Crosby and Dorsey . Bros.' band. Stage end wowing-^erii-arid-^responBlble-for-nico;- $16,000. Last week "Carnival* (Col) and Jack Benny on: stage for new house high, $21,800; Slightly under estimate due to jolt glveri biz all lowered scales and It'll be- pretty much of an even break, deiiendlng on product. Alvin; hoping for an early break; with its new early-bird matinee price of 16c,: still feeling the Ed Lowry impetus, m.c. in Ills second and last week, and should Just about hold its own > at a decent enough $8,000. Small-Beater Harris house looking fbrward to'ia flock of mo films, 'Good Fairy,'; "Little Colonel* and 'Life Begins at 40.' to carry It ^hroiighJviiile_bigger.Bltes.are fight- ing it out with stage names. 'B9.hoonaL-shnTi1d pull' Fultori-Jip a bit to $3,800, perhaps a trifle better, and Warner,, sut-prfsingly enough, has been orily slightly aifected or none at all, with "White Cockatoo* and 'Carnival' shapings up" in-the neighborhood: of .a.:$.4,600, .week.. . ' Estrmates for Thia Week Alvin (HarrlB) (2,000; 16-26-40)— "Under PressureT (Fox) and atage . (Contlriued on rege 80) 'Best Man,' $11000; msm ■ , ; ■: Prbvidence, Feb., 11. Bualness seems to be like the weather, fair iand warmer. After a week of bitter cold and blizzard: like %eather,~^tb:e"t«m>efature'~iB""on-lan' •upward-'cHmb -a:nd -Is-taking-busir- nesB along, with it. Most stands report nice: going but business appears to be spotty. Bills are slightly, better than, average arid with , the exceptional mild weather over the weekend giving: exhibitors a nice toe-hpld, things looks oke for the week..'-"', • Outstaridlng biz seKBiris to be at the Strand, where The Gilded Lily' and 'The Best Man Wins', are going at a strong pace, with indications that bouse will lead by a wide margin.' 'Cllve of India; looks oke, too.-.-L ^ ' , ,.. : — .• " . ■ . ' ■ ■-- Eatlmatea for ThIa Week _r;F«yVJX2,6bd;:.iB-xfci{ii^'M^ of Chateiiu* (U) and vau>e.. St^ge show oke and doing most of the pulling, aa has been the case_ln last few weeks. Looks ~Hke~ lU^tOD, better than average; Last week Last week I ?Sons-:ol^Steei:L_(Cheat)__als;Q_jder- •SWefet Adellhe', (WB) and "White pended Upon the stage show fpr (Cockatoo' (WB) not so sweet, with $7,600, fair. a so-so-$3,200. . . • . LoewV ttate (liMOi ll-M-40)—. 'CUve of India' (UA). Going along okay, but final outcome looks ra,ther doubtful; according to' present pace gross should be close to $10,000. .i^MaJaatio (Fay); (2,200:..16.-26-40)-^ ."Wbmari.-iri-Red!_(WB).~and-JCluui In Parla' (Fox). Juat now oke, but opposish is a bit tbo strong for pace to continue; not much more tlian $7,000 in prospect, fair. Last week 'Gentlemen Are Born' ("WB) arid 'Bed Hot Tires* (WB) off at $6,600: Strand (Indie) (2,200; 16-2B-40)— 'Gilded Lily* (Par) and "Best Man WinsV (Col). Doing the town up brown. Pace Indicates at least $11,000, excellent. Last week "Bengal Lancer* (Par) slipped " a bit In sedond week, but still fair at $5,000 RKO Alb*e (2,600; 16-26-40)— 'Rendezvous at Midnight* ,(U) a:nd made.' Anothwnciase" where pnrrs coasting, along .pn strength of stage :show.. :Not mucir3nore.-than_$0,000 In prospect, fair. Last week 'Straight From Heut' (U) also dO' pended upon stage, bke at $8,900. ~llKO~VleV6ry~Ci;«00; 10-15-26)-^ "Avenger" and 'Roma:nce in Marihat Jaji'_(B*dl!cOL_ftroJund_ .$.I0i) for two, days. Last week 'Fighting Lady* arid 'Coyote Trails' : eBoellerit at $1,860 OB split week. t-^eek—by— snow and sleet. Keith'e (Schanberger) (3,600; 16- 26-30-3B-40)-^'Gllded Lily* (Par). Femmes flocking to this one. Fine $7,600. Last week, second of "Bengal Lancer* (Par), extended 11 days and collected Juicy $8,000, which nicely augmented th(^ $9,000 snared, on opening week. New (Mechanic) (1.800; 16-26-30- 36-40-60)—'Chan In Parts' (Fox). Plo Is getting only the whodunit addicts; opposish . . sites with stronger attractions keeping gross at this house down to 'a quiescent ■ $3,000. Last; week o nly $2,700. wan, lor^Uriaer Pressure':~(Fox). r— SUnley (WB) (3,460; 15-26-40)— •Devil Dogs' (WB)-M3agney-0'Brien combo highly regarded by males and Jildft here._B.o._ pace. Tan. .a- fe^er^ over the week-end. Neat. $10,000 a cinch. Last, week 'Maybe It's Love* (FN) moribund $4,000. Close to all- time low. ■ _'EPWIir DROOD/ feBoa Indiahapolia Spotty—^"Rumba' Fair at $6,000 ■ Indlariapolis, Feb. 11' ; Business Is a trifle better In the downtown housies this week than It has been for a while.. There is no outata,nding money attraction In the . lot, but "Rumba* Is rery satlBfac- terr*trthe lndlana^itb $6,000 after—' several lean weeks. Eatimataa for ThIa Weak Apelle (Fburth Ave) (1,100; IS-. 40)—'Chan in Paris' (Fox); Very, ordinary at $3,000. Last week "Baboona' (Fox) l4nded in the red quite a^ltrat-$2;100:r^ ~ ——--^r- V- -^-Clrcle-(Katz-Feld)- :(I.«oa;-ll^40) —"Mystery of Edwin Drood' (U). Attempt liiade - to emphiulBe and oash In on Dickens' autboivhlp fol* ' lowing the success of 'CopperfleldT at the Loew house here, but the re* . suits were a poor $3,800. lAst weeK 'Enchanted April' (RKO) did badlf at $3,200. ■ Indisna (Katz-reld) ($400; $6-40) —"Rumba* (Par). Not big but okaf at $6,000 owing to good word,-6f^ mouth publicity and fftvorsible r«t views. Last \veek rwings in Darlf (Par) was moderate at $5,000. ' Lyrle (Olsoti) (3,000; $6-80-40)-* •When i: Man's a Men*-^ (Fox) andi^ stage show. George O'Brien has al* -ways„b.een a pet Btwr. on the screen here. Gtood reaction at $8,200. Xiast ; week "Under Pressure^ (Fox); and vaude was_o1tay. at '$6,600. _ _ Palace . (L6ew*B (2,800T 8«^4P)-- •Cllve of India' \(UA). Moderate at $15,300.. Last week "David Copper- field' (MQ) held up in Its eecond -week very well and oloaed to $4,600. . bke. .;■