Variety (Mar 1935)

We(ine8da7t March 6f 1935 P iC F r 4. tt U S S E S VARIETY II Vainie t| 35 Mins^ Baltimore^ March -1. (BMt Exploltationi Hlppbdrom*) Buri:'* biz,~Pn tb* whol«, la awell Main thla week, and, with, tlia Ideal waather looking to hold light through, eom* . fancy groasM «re ''beiiig"Tuh 'Up. :^. Sock of thlV "w^k la 'Roberta* at the vaudfllih Hipp. After the phei- Bomenal opening day (Friday), It waa decided to run flva ahowa dally; haa also cut the stage-show, to Ita hony minimum, SG^mlns., likewise haa the hewsreel ibeen skeletoned, and trailers on next attraction have be<en dispensed' with. That means « turn-over overy two hoiira and 10 minuted, iEirid represents Ju^it iabput the shortest bill house ever pra- aented. Drastic cut In aked was necessary, however, ^ to coina with the surge of 'ciistomera that have to be handled. Loo^is a cinch for 926,000. big. Win hold over, Another bright beacon over Balto ..la._th« .!biz.-being. done at the Ceh tury, where the. Gaslno do Pareo unit on- sta:giB contrasta-'VaiiesBa' on the flcreen. The pic got an oka Snough press biit revue credited : with draw. ■ —-JtedJ^Qiitson, Hlpp^a fylgelman. has the shlp.ment'of gowns worn by models in the apparel display scene In pic, 'Roberta.' He Is having 'em raiodeled oii stag^ tomorrow <Wed.) night, and has 'em on display In loop dept. store for a day to boot, -Gdod_exploltatlve—angle—used-^was. hiring armed' guards to hover over T^emr--thU8—lnvpressirig—public—with laxtreme value <jf clothing. For 'Rumba' .at Keith's, Larry ficbanberger has had advance bUild up under way for month by haying all sports and dept. ' stores 'plug It In publicizing the new semi-bad minton game,. Rumba. ,,Free_lessons and tourneys, are being given in places ■\yhere. the p ic l a plugged, prizes' being ducafs to show. Also, In burg's pop; loop dancehall a Rhumba contest .will be held which Will directly plug the pic, Estimates for This Week . Century (Loew-tIA) (3,000; 16- 15- 86-40-66-66) ^ 'Vanessa' ..(MQ) and Casino de Paree unit on ros- trum. . Combo bill selling both ways, .profitable $i22,600. Isast week 'After Office Hoursl "(.MQ) and stage-show topped by ' Jimmy . Durante, sock $24,100. . Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,200; 16- 25-36-40-66-66).— 'Roberta* (Ra- dio) and va;ude. Fr^d Astalra Is slaying 'em; pic In general Is talk o' the town. A new groisa record will be achieved, $25,000. . ^Last Week •Whole Town's Tiilking' (Col) and -Taude; excellent $16,600. Keith'a (Schanberger) (2,600; 15- 26-30-35-4Q)r-'Rumba' (Par). .Opens today. (Tuesday)..: Last week .'Night Lilfe."of abds'. (U>, -Juist under mild . $4;000.. .. . • New (Mechanic) (1,800; 16-40-60) — Little Colonel' (Fox) (2d week). Got a. nifty $7,100: on..flrat session; looks like good $4,300 currently, and probable that Shirley Temple cap keep It going a third stanza. . Stanley (WB) (3,450; 15'-25-40)— •Living on^.-Velvet' (WB). —Cdmpe-^ tish bruising this hoiise, maybe $5,- 800i off. Last week 'Sweet Music' (WB) hurdled the $8,000 in eight Valencia (LoewrUA) (1,000; 16- 25-35)—'Babpona' (FN). Getting good ehpush <iuota of kids and men to more than meet . obligations at $3,400. Last week ^Winning Ticket' ; (MG), n;?T.. at $2,700X mET MUSIC' Xewark,. March 6. , 'Sweet Music' at the Bria.nford will probably do flne at $12,000. ^Proc- tor's with 'EnchaTited -April' and •Murder on the Hoheymboh' will be okay with nearly $9,000. Too nice weather. Sunday was no .igreat help, as every one who had a bus took it but and eviery one else took a rlde ;witli ah ow.ner. Estimates for This Week "Brahford-CWB) (2,966; 16t66)— •Sweet Music' (WB). .By droiHplng one feature ishow okay ; on length, but. probably a mistake to change a double to a single. Opening nicely .and expects. :$12,b60. . Last : week 'Devil Dogs' (WB) arid I've Been Around* (U) grand at nearly $17,000. Capitol (WB) (1,200; 16-26-85- 40)—Xlves of a Bengal Lancer' (Par) and 'Straight from the Heart' (li). 'Lanciers' had a long, profit- able; run at. the Newark, but ought to have sonie life left. Maybe over $4,000. Last week 'Mighty Bar- num' (UA) and 'School for Girls' (jbtono) not much at $3,800; LIttIb (Franklin) (299; 30-40)-^ 'Uomo dl Corragio'/(Luce). House expects $2,000. Last week 'Sluby- Ulanskie' (Blok-Musa) fell down on second week to a bad $600, but enr gagement profitable and Polish films will always have a place here. ).oewV State (2,780; 15-76)— •Shadow of Doubt'. (MG) and VatudOs Crowds absent. Maybe $10,000, poor.: Last week 'Clive of^ndia' (UA) dia- appoliiting with nearly $13,000. Paramount- Newark .(Adams-Par) (2,248; 16-99)—'Car 99' (Par) and 'Scandals of 1935' on. stage. Not so bad. at $18,000. Iiast week 'RUmba' (Par) helped by 'Femme Follies' on boards good at $16,000. ' Prootor^a. (RKO) (2,300; 15-65)— 'Enchanted April' (Radio) aind •Murder on a Honeymoon' (Radio); Sxpect nearly $9,000. Last week. 'Scarlet Pimpernel' (UA) and 'Silver Streak' (Radio) fine at nearly $10,000..;,:■ ^'^ ..\ Terminal (iskouras) (1,900; 16:-26- 40)--'Mysteriou8 Mr. Wong' (Mono) and 'Helldor&do' (Fox) with 'Ba- bbona' (Fox) and •Roniance in Man- hattan'. (Radio) split. Opehlrig'good arid ought to be okay at $4,000; Last weiek •Whbri'a/Man's a Man' "(Fox) arid 'Charlie Chan In Paris' (Fox) with 'Two Heads on a Pillow' (FD) and 'Ghost Walks' (FD) split/Okay ■ $4,000; — ■ ."■,.'-■-■, XOLONQ'TOPPING HUB, ; DOCTOR^$15,000 TACdMA SANS DAZZLE •Swaet Musie.' $2,700) Fair, at Blut . ■; -lyibUit'^ ■ liacoma, March 6. Locally this is Just another week. No Bpeclal effort to'collect the du- cata «x<!ept through routine ads;- Eaitimatea for Thit Week . Blua Mouaa (Hamrlck) <700; 26- 36)—'Sweet Music' (WB). Antlci- pated to see $2,700, good.. Last week, 'Clive of India' (UA), got $3,100, good. Music Box (Hamrlck) (1,400; 16- 36)—"Murder on. a Honeymoon' (Radio) and / vaiide.- . split with •Grand Old Girl' (Radio) and "Right Prom the Heart* (U), dual. May rate $4,000, which la okay.. Last week, 'Wings ; in the Dark' (Par) and vaude, first half (3 days), big $3,000, holiday helping; la:st 4 days, 'White Cockatoo^ (WB) and Har- lem Rhapsody, colored revue, $2,600, fair, for $6,500 week, good. . . Rb)?y (J-VH) (1,300; 25-36)— •Diary of a Bachelor Girl' (MG), and .'The Band Plays On' (MG), pplit, good $3,600. Last week, 'Forsak- ing All Others' (MG), great, $5,000. %gles'Zingy $6,500; ^^^^^^^^ sition -Golunabusr-MarchHir Boston, March 6. . (Best Exploitation: Metropolitan) Best bet In the hub b. o. film ra.ce is 'Little Coloiiel,* at; the Keith Me- morial where the Shirley Teriiple feature,-running'SingleHa bolstering biz nicely as the first straight film attraction to fbiiow-the blg^taient 'Jubileb' month. Will hover close to $20,000 on- the week, and plan Is. to hold It for another frame. . •'Whole Towri'a Talking,* doubled with 'Soclelty Doctor* at the State, looks rugged, too, with Indications of $16,000. At the Met 'Living on Velvet' oh the screen, and Kitty Car- liisle on the stage will garner about $22,000. Otherwise, .town remaina: ratiier quiet this week; with balniy weather cutting Into week-end biz. . This week the picture houses have ITour film names playing as opposi- tion on legit atages: Walter Huston in •Dodsworth,' and. Bebe Daniels. Ben Lyon, Skeets Gallagher In 'Hollywood Holiday * Met publicity department did. a good -Job on Kitty Carlisle's personal appearance. Nothing spectacular, but plenty of Interviews, feature stories and cuts. ^ - Estimates for This Week~~ ~ Keith Memorial (RKO) (2,900; 26- 35-40-55)—'Little Colonel' (Fox). Takes over the straight fllni policy, to: which this house revertis this week; for a promise of $20,000. Scale reduced frbrii T6c top to forriier flfm top of 55c. Last week the slimmest of the four week_s ot vaude shows. Abouf $i6;000 on 'Good Fairy' (U) and stage. . Met (M&P) (4,200; 35-50-65)— •Livlrigr oh Velvet' (FN) and stage show. Starring Kitty Carslisle and Phil Cook, on the wajr to a cbmfort- a.ble but rion-sensatlonal $22,000. Mltzt Green did very nicely for the house last week in her personal ap- pearance, combined with 'Sweet Mu- sic' (WB) on the iscreen; $34,000, beat cash harvest since first of the year. State (Loew) (3,600; 25-30-40-50) —'Town's Talking' (Col) dualed with 'Society Doctor* (MG). Flirt- ing with $18,000, oke. Last week also good with 'After Office Hours' (MG) and 'Best Man' Wins' (Col), doubled, $16,000. * Orpheum (Loew) (3,000; 25-40-55) —'Bachelor Girl* (MG), 2d run, and vaude. Will attract about $10,000, fair. 'Clive of India' (UA), 2 d run ; and vaude, a little better at $12,000. .Keith Boston (RKO) (2.300; 26- 30-40-60)—'Mystery Woman' (Fox) and 'Cocktail Hour* unit on stage taking a swan dive to about $8,000. Blackstone's magic show, on the stage arid 'Night Life of the Gods' (U) as screen lure gathered in a good $13,000 last week, Paramount (M&P) (1,800; 25-35- 50)—'One More Spring* (Fox) and 'Lottery Lover' (Fox). Aiming for about $7,000, fair. Last week a dandy $8,300 for 'All the King's Horses* (Par) and 'White Cockatoo' (WB), double. • Fenway XMffiP) (1,500;' 25-30-46- 50)—'One More Spring* (Fox) and 'Lottery Lover*,(Fox), dual, will ring UB,.about $3,500. Around $4,600 last week for 'King's Horses' (Par) and 'C6ckn,too' (WB). :■. Scollay (M&P) (2,700; 25-35-50)— 'Rumba' (Par), 2d run, and 'Rocky Mountain Mystery* (Par), Ist run, doubled, looks like $4,500* fair. Mod- ern (M&P) screening the same bill this week. Last week around $5,000 for • 'Wings in -Dark' (Par) ' and 'Woman in: Red' (WB), dual. • (Best Expioftationr Broad) > Weather better but business last week was bad all around. Should pick tip this week with, flock of good pica shbw.lirg._ Cole. .:Bros.-Clyde Beatty circus here for a week, char- ity,—whlch~may" or" may "hot put soma, dents In b.b. figures. Broad went the limit oh •Riiggles* with napkins, wifldow tleups, dod- gers and whole works. Even put usher ori horse for one-man parade, di:essed' as" co'wbby, with sign oh back. . [ "_ Estimatea for Thia Week Broad (Loew-UA) (2,600; 30-42) —•Rugglea of Red Gap* (Par). Should top tha brqwdi with $6,600. Last week "Under Pressure* (Fox), drew sighs and about $3,000. Palaeo (RKO) (3,076; 30-42)— •Sweet Music* (WB). Looks good for at least $6,000. Last week •Town*a Talking* (Col), was fall- tire, with only $4,100. Ohio (Loew-UA) (3,079; 30-42)— •Devil Dogs of Ah* (WB). Not bad, headed for $9,000. Last week •After Office Hours' did $6,000, off a bit Majestiai (RKO) . (1,100; 30-42)— 'Carnival' (Col) and 'Notorious Gentleman' (U). Gasping for $2,600. Last week 'Westr of Pecos' (Radio) and •Right to Live* (Radio), barely took $3,000. eon on OMAHA'S GOLD RUSH Shirley Temple Socking at' $11,000: 'Roberta' $7,260 . • Omaha, March 6. s. (Best exploitation: Brandeis) . : Week will show around $33,000 flve~grand over last week, with good pictures the reason, but final rush to get in a show before Lent starts also a factor. Brandeis rates credit for best ex- ploitation..of the week on strength of full page of 'Polly the Shopper' In the Bee-News, using captions arid song titles and stills- from 'Roberta' to sell the page. Also because of set of extra ads house Is running advertising March as the month of hits. . Estimatea for This Week Orpheum (Blank-Trl-State) (2,- 967; 26-40)—'Little Colonel' (Pox) with 'Rocky Mountain Mystery' (Par). A socko week all due to Shirley Temple; Will at least equal her ,other records at $11,000. Last week •Biography of a Bachelor Girl' (MG) combined with 'Secret of the Chateau'- (Fox) were a' couple of weaklesT—$7i;2S0, under averagg. - • Brandeis (Singer-RKO) (1,200; 25-36-40)—'Roberta* (Radio). Single featured and starting the house off on a campaign for March as the month of hits. Biz tops and will probably reach the holdover figure. Getting a higher topi than other rec-' ord-breaklrig pictures played to. may give this a chance for a new record.. $7,260, swell coin In this small house. Last week 'Whole Town's Talking* (Col) and 'Maybe It's Love* (FN) was a well balanced program that built toward the end of the week. Went over $6,000 and expectations. * __ - Paramount (Blank-Trl-State) (2,- 765; 26-35-66)—'Right to Llv.e' (WB) arild a five act vaude bill fiirst, three days; 'Under Pressure' (Fox) and 'Enter Madame' (Par) double featured four days; Combined week at about $7,000, first three days re- sponsible for two-thirdq of the total on the strength of the vaude bill. Last week 'Charlie Chan in Paris' (Fox) with 'Chez Paree* unit on stage threo da^s and 'Night Is Young' (MG) and 'Helldorado' (Par) four days were good for $7,500, av- erage only. Omaha (Blank-Tri-.iState) (2*100; 25-50)r-'After OflJce Hours' (MG). Started good, but only for Opening day as It went back to average when opposition broke In strong Friday. $7,000, average. Last week Devil Dogs* (WB) reopened the house under Its new name after ex- tehslvo renovizing. Week of seven and a half days good for $8,000. due to strong campaign and good open- ing,■ ,000, Pittsburgh; v« _ Pittsburgh, March 9. (Best Exploitation: Fulton) - Lines and standees and man- agerial sriiiles. That's the story this week, with one of the best ses- sions in months In prospect. Getting off to a better than $8,000 week-end without any stage supi- port, 'Roberta' looks like the sea- son's mop-up at the Stanley with $18,500. Raves from all the news- papers and it's the first time since 'Little Women' -that- a picture alone .at this house has had the ushers barking out 'standing room only'/ Present Indications are for a hold- over although •Living on Velvet' has been announced to bpeh Friday (8). At the Penn, the combination of George Jessel oh the stage and •After Office Hours' . In celluloid looks hefty enough to collect $22,000 or better on the strengfth of three potent marquee nariies, Jessel, Gable and Bennett. Elsewhere, however, takings are Just so-so. 'Good Fairy' something of a disappointment at the Alvin where it's unlikely to collect more than $8,500. Margaret iSuUavan has yet to register hero at the b.o; Eftg- llsh-made 'Evergreeri', with a local- ly unknown star, Jessie .Matthews, will have to hurnr up to make the $3,760 grade at the Fulton, while 'Murder on the Honeymoon', and 'Enchanted ■ April' should help the Warner to an oven break at $4,750. With 'Evergreen', Fulton manage- ment packed the house ait an invi- tation Sunday night screening and through a hook-up . with station WWSW broadcast the proceedings with plugs from prominently known members of the audience. . Estimates for This Week Alvin (Harris) (2,000; 26-40)— 'Good Fairy' (U), and stage show. Little help front stage; will be lucky to get $8,600 against stiff competi- tion around this week. Third pic- ture for Sullavan and she has yet to click with John Public here. Last week 'One More Spring' (Fox) and stage show a wow at $12,500. Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1,750; 15- 30-26)—'Evergreen' (GB). well liked by all but it's tough to get him in for this English-made and ita unknown performers. Hardly likely to top $3,750 arid even that max:b!B^an-overestimate.-Last-week 'Iron Duke' (GB) at $4,400 best here under house's new local scale; Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-36- 40)—'After Office Hours' (MG) and George Jessel. Two-way marquee strength on both stage and screen and should leave everybody happy with $22,000 br better. Management crediting Jessel more than flicker. First time for Jessel in a film house here and he's definitely proving his worth. Last week Ted Lewis dem- onstrated again that he's still tops In this town, collecting $23,000 with •Wings In the Dark' (Par). : Stanley (WB) (3.600; 25-35-40)— 'Roberta' (Radio). An ace musical that's zooming along to a great $18,000, the- best straight picture takings here since "^Little Women' W-months ago. "Wlihout stage sup- port,' got away to around $3,200 on Friday ,with close to $5,000 the fol- lowing .week and-at -present- speed should be a clrich for a holdover. Last week 'Sweet Music'. (WB) and N. T. G.'s revue took plenty on the chin at under $10,000. v Warner . (WB) (2,000; 25-40)— 'Murder on . Honeymoon* (Radio) and 'Enchanted April' (Radio). Dual bin attractive in name strength, if slightly less than that In entertain- ment, arid should permit hou.se to break even ia,t $4,700 or thereabouts. Last week 'Woman In Red' (WB) and 'Little Men' (Mascot) okay at around $5,000. San Francisco, March 6. (Best Exploitation: Orpheum). : Ihe wind blew and the rain fell and the 'house execs held their heads, .■•••a. bright weekend helped,' however, to retrieve a little of the ■ loss. ■■■■■ ■ . Warfleld with ita big stage show, band and line added to 'Sweet Music' will i lead the procession, while the Paramount looks like' a hummer for, the week with 'Vanessa* twinned with 'Car 99.' . Golden Ga.te takes third money with: 'Notorious Gentleman' .and Heldt's stage show plus three acts bf vaude. Orpheum cbmes to bftt with better than Usual gross on 'Whole Town's Talking.* United Artists slid opening day . to Saturday, to have only five-day week with Doug Fairbanks, and will open 'Folies Bergere* ahead of schedule Thursday (7), All film emporiums are still Jockeying for openings, following change made last week by Orpheum. Paramount gbes to Wednesday so as not to disturb the big acer of the Fox West Coast chain. —Or-pheum-^used—teaser—campaign"" for 'While Town's Talking,* offering' : to throw money away on ■ Market Street, Frisco's main drag. Big truck had pretty usherettes throw- ing : envelopes from barrel;; En- velopes had -coins from a peririy to quarter, and $600 was scattered. Estimates for This Week Fox (Leo) (ejOOO; 25-40)—'While Patient Slept* (WB) and 'Beyond Bengal' (Ind). Should do fair busi- ness at $6,900. 'Bengal' has sonie edge taken off by having been road- showed at Columbia a few weeks ago.. Last week pretty good at $7,- 500. for-LWoman in Red,' (WB) and 'Little Meri^ (Mascot). --;-Golden Gate (RKO) (2;86(»; 30-36- .40)-'-'Notorlous Gentleman' (Radio) with : vaude , and Hoi;ace Heldt's band. Pretty nice at near $14,000. Last week 'Society Doctor* (Radio) with vaude and band swell at $14.- 600. Orpheum (F&M) (2,662; 80-36-40) —'Whole Town's Talking' (Col). Ought to ramble past the $9,000 mark; Last week (2nd) of 'Good Fairy* got by all right at about $6,300. Paramount (FWC) (2,670; 30-36- 40)—'Vanessa* (MGM) and 'Car 99* (Paf). Should sock *em for better than $16,000 because of the Hayes, Robson, Montgomery trio In lights. Lastjjreek very good at $11,800 on 'All King's Horses' (Par) and 'Liv- ing on Velvet* (WB). St. Francia (FWC) (1,426; 30-35- 55)—•Little Colonel'. (Pox). On moyeover from Warfield ought to-be well In the black with $6,600. Last week (3rd). 'Devil Dogs! (WB) with the Fleet still In the bay, was right at $5,000. United Artists (UA) (1,200; 30-35- 55)—'Don Juan* .(UA) Iboks a lemon for five days at $3,000. Last week (3rd) of 'Clive' (UA). oke at $4,000. Warfield (FWC) (2,648; 35-40-65) — Sweet Music' (Fox) and stage show.. Ought to do In-neighborhood pf $22,000 with names in cast. The- . - atro; pulled a nifty by having Gary" Leon, who doesn't get along so well With Rudy Vallee, as stage star. Mr. and Mrs. Public caught on and are coming to looki Last week 'Little Colonel' (Fox) right sweet with $22,600.. ■ lANCER' SUPS TO $6,250, MUUH Birmingham, March 6. (Best Exploitation: Alabama) •Bengal Lancer's away to a nice start Friday and Saturday, but Is slipping, and by the end of the week may be Just another picture. 'One More Spring/ at Ritz, is doing right well. More rain In prospect this week from the weather bureau. Nothing startling in the way of ballyhoo, but Alabama shades others by straw with ushers In India hats, etc. • ■ ...-■,■:■.•■ -, /;'.:■.:.■ ■ Estimatea for Thia Week .Alabama (WilbyJ (2,800; 30-35-40) —'Bengal Lancer' (Par). Slipping as it has done in other spots in the south, $6,250 moderate. Last week 'Bright EyesllFoxj...$T,.OQQ.LwJth .ojold weaflier keeping quite a few away, okay, anyhow, . Ritz (Wllby) (1.600; 25-30)—'One More. -Spring' (Fox), $3,300, good. Last 'week 'We Live Again' (UA), Just another week. $2,300. Empire (Acme) (1;100; 25)— 'White Cockatoo' (WB). Not much at $2,00iD!;. Last week 'Whole Town's Talking' (Col), $2,T00, moderate, Strand (Wllby) (800; 25)—'Chan in Paris' (Fox) and 'Don Juan' (UA); Light for a split week, $1,500. . Pantages (WJlby),(1.850; 30-35)— 'Father Broivrfr' (Par)' arid "vdude, $2,20.0, ll^ht. XBit9lne.<is faUinp off past two weeksNjLast week 'Edwin Drood' (U) and vftuda, $2,100.