Variety (Apr 1935)

10 VARIETY P I C T « m E C ■ • S t E s Wednesday* April 3, 1935 mm :/Baltimore, April 2. ■ XB««t Exploitation: Ceptury) Biz skidded sharply ' this ■week, from the plane it has' been piacine lor the last month or niore. • Exhlbs •re unanimously complaining, and the causes blanied for the slump are legion^ as usual; One angle is that on Sunday: two powerful b. o. jiix were, reHeased to the - nabes, ^Robertiv'. and ^Little Colonel.' The iubsequents made inerrle with 'em and were turning patrons ayp^ay ever the week-end.-. . . -About best is the Cientury with a' stage show that bbastd a fair ' jjame In Herb Williams plus 'Ca- Blno, Murder. Case' on screen. Will get lowest figure house has shown In months, |16,000, but it's a slight profit. One of. the stunts with which Publicist Herb Morgan abetted 'Ca- , isino Murder Case" at Century was, Hlmlng of print before the recent- ly cor raled recruits to Police Dept. Won space on Page One. -V Estirnatei for ThU Week' . Cen^iupy (Loew^tfA)" '(3,000; 16-'^ 2B-35-40-55-66) — 'Casino .Murder' <MG) and 'Herb Williams lieadlng —vaA iap7'"' rurni tfg^~brtf^^ , il6,C00. Last week 'West Point: of Air'. (MG) and vaude headed by Evierett Marshall, solid at $18,000, .Hippodromo (Rappaport) (2,200; JB-25-35-40-5S-66) -- 'Laddie' (Ra-. dio) and vaude headed by Garmela 'ri Ponsclle. No. lure being evidenced eithei' by stage show or screen; iiltrii mild $10,700, lowest level; to wjiich this spot has eased to. in many - . months. .. Last. week Let's . Live. Tonight. (Col) and Eddy Duciiln ork on stage snagged-very good ?t6,400; band did . the pulling. Koith^ (Schinberger .(2,B0»j 15^ - 2BV30 -35-40y-^'King's Horses' <Par), Got a nice start ;but stumbled;. bliz filld sharply and stayed down, which yiiW affect gross, presaging total of no more than mild $4,200. Lalst W'eek •Edwin Drdod' XUJ, nice at $5,400. Novy (Mechanic) <1,800: 15-26-30-: SB-40-B0)—'Scandals', (Fox). Ver- sion last year was disliked; this one didn't get good notices and two : other shows of similar type oppos- : " liig: it. Too many screen revues of : the type la the loop, lately. All fac- tors add iit> in a miaiiner that lin- peiles the: b. v. pace-considerably, ; and will keep gross down to bor- derline biz level of $4,000. House : 5!ttll. probably 'shuttet' at the end of sesslbii aiid stiy dark for a fort- . night. Last week, second of ^^Life . at 40,' was' stretched to nine days, . resulting. In sound $5,400. Total 16 diiy run totaled hide $11,100, _ Stanley (WB) (3,460: 15-25-40)— •Love In Blobrti'.(Par). .Fact It Is one of- three musicals In Jtbe- loop , is detraotingi but notices weren't . bad and are helping iabme. Will Juist shade $6,000, -whidh is n; g. at »this , big flwahker, burdened by terrific carrying ' charges. Last —^week—Sold-J5igBer8'-.-(FN)-came-to- flae-$0,800. ( . In $11,000, mbre than estlniat'e. The exploitation, cleverly done, caused the film to build day by day into a second week., Last week was the first the house has been laperated by RKO for two years or more, having lost thei theatre, through foreclosure. . Piaramount (Huffman) (2,000; 25- 35 - 50) —Casino Mufrder Case' (MQ). Nice, $4i000. Last week 'Living oii Velvet'' (FN) under average with $3,600. ^ Washington, April 2. ^ (Best Exploitation: Fox) ■.. If the b.o. ever proved that Cftpl- Best Gross in Deny^ . Denver, Aprir 2. . "(Best E:l(ploltatloir:~Denver) : Penham with stage show best rbuslness ■ in relation to average business but Denver and . Orpheum took in most .nibhey tying for: top Sositiph with around $6i000 each, iroadway continues to surprise everybody and ran Above average with exteniJed. fun,: Pafambunt average but Aladdin below. ■Weddlhg/Night'store window and flopf displays a natural for Jewelry, deipt. and other retailers' tleups. tslimates for This Week Aladdin (Huffmih) (1,500; 25-35- B0)r-*Great Hotel Murder' . (Fox)v Not so hot at $2,000, sathe as last w«iek for 'Let's LlviB Again* (Col,),: below normal. Broadway (Huffman) (1,500; 26- 40)—'Life , Ueglns at. 40! , (B*.ox). Moved from $13,000 Aveek at: thie Denver. (3opd at $3,000; Last week 'Aftief Ofllce Hpurs' ; (MQ), moved frpm an $8,000 week at _JheJ5etty,er,,andl!Ppwerl_C6B),.sl}ll.t: did about $1,400, below average. House, used fpr legit since its 1890 opeiilng, is doing better than ex- ■ pected.;. Denham (Cooper) (1,600;- 25-35- BO)—'Car 99' :(Pa.r) and sta:g e sho w. Doing very well at: antietfjatM S5,500> Last week 'All the King's Houses' (Par) tipped the boxofflce to average, and tufned in $4,000. ■ Denver (Hufeman) (2,600; 25-35- 60)—-Wedding Night (UA): Strong- bally not counting for much; ::only $6,000.. Last week: 'Life: Begins at 40' (Fox) packed them in and the gfbss of $13,000 was good enbugh to put the film upi to thfe Broadway for a full week. - - OrpheHm-(RKO)_(2,6da;_25r35-4Q.). -r'Robei'ta' (Itadio) ■ r2d week). 6;K. at.$6,0C",'.. T.'Rst wr^i- 'JVjho-.'t."/' '.oo]. not merely new flickers, it is .dping so this week. Main stem has three new Pictures against four repeats. And the; repeats are busting records while the hot-ofC^thcTpah stuff Is struggling on the cellar doorstep. Robeirta.'.: is > sailing thtougli its fpurth. wiek at :Kelth'|3, making a total of four shadowdranias; to last a mbhth in^ the history bf house. 'Little Colonel'' Is at the Columbia tifter a" big week - at the Pox: arid Iftoking- at ia 'house 'record for re- ipeats.- J Town " got :,a swell; break pn •weather, when: thousands of -tour- ists pbUred in to gape at cherry blossoms and; . were ; shuhted.. into theatres , by rain and cold. Spas- nipdip siinehine' iniefely enticed 'em in 'from the . outskirts arid then faded. . Best bally isturit of weiek worked by iibew outfit in anniversary blow- out staged for Fox maestro, Phil Lampkin. Boys rounded up; all local band leaderi, i including the opposi-: tlPn; batoriWavers, jfbr. a. Jianquet. _ :. Estimates for This; Week ; Fox (Leew) iZMir 2^^36-69)-:- 'l^caridals; of 1936' (Fox) and vaude Benny Davis f eyrie is pleasing 'em after they get Iriside-but'iilc can't starid up against holdbver opposi tion; ;_$21,()0.0 will be oke .but;lriot what It should be. Last week IFolies Berisefe' (UA) $21,000, fair. Earle (WB) (2,424; 25-35-40-69)— tefs Live Tonight' (Col) and vaude. Mitzl Green helping on stage. Plo panned in type and talk, however. Week won't beat a light $14,600. Last week 'Ruggles' (Par) built to big $19,200. . BelaBeo-TRadih) (800; 26-36-50 -60)==T'Edwiri--Drood*—(U)W^Hblly-- wbdd's first invasion" ot'arty toreign flicker stronghold, ;: Probably , oke $1;600. - Last week 'Mari of Aran' (QB) got all of arty riiob to tune of good $1,800. ; Met (WB) (1,853; 26-40)-^'Hap- p6ned One Night' (Col.); Re-vlval surprising with above average first ruri figure; .$6,600. Last week 'Love in Bloorii'-(Par) fair, $4,000. . Palace (Loew) (2,363; 25-35-60)— •Life Begins' (2d wk;). (Fox), ;Bet- ter:; than_usual Will Rogers groisses; headed for okb $W,O'00.~Lasl week same pic won $18,000. : Keith's (RKO) (1,830; 25-35V60)-^ 'Roberta' (Radio). Sensational fpurth week pushing $7,0001 Last week, third, came back to build to wow $10,000. Columbia (Loew) (1,263; 26-40)— 'Little Coloriel' (Fox). Repeat af- ter big stay-at Fox ought to beat house holdover figure* with $7,200. Last week .'Under Pressure' (Fox) satisfactory $4,000. • ; UNITS BATHE IN IND.; HARP SHOW $1^^^ Indianapolis, April 2. (Best Exploitation; Lyric) Qutspeiedlng all competition, A. B. Marcus ■ 'La Vie Paree' stage unit is-can;ylng.^he;iJJxrJc_along:jto: a; record-walloping flgurei of $13,000. Pic, 'Traveling Saleslady', is on the same bill, but the Marcus show Is getting all the: iattentlon. House did extra shows both Saturday and , ■ Sunday In order to; handle crowds ;ea I and still the ticket sale vhad to. be stpppeid several times to ■ prevent a complete .overflow: tb the sldewa,lks; The- Indiana, foregoing its usual straight dBlm ipoUoy to buck . the Lyric,, is -playing .the■ ICaslno de Pa- ree' unit on its stage in addltiori to- 'McFadderi's Plats' on the screeri, but the take won't rCaPh par with no mbre thari $10,500. This is in the red in view of the heavy nut and In spltp of the Increswed prlc(| scale. - -.None..of..'the...nth.er houses, has.any-, thing. tb brap about, with;. two of ■ '-"W ! .-I'.i' ;■ -ling tliroiit;",! niiV-V.V^I''''-' overs, and tb* remaining orie dying on Its feet. Tying up with the newspapers on national want-ad week and obtain- ing almeat three :pia.ge8 of free ad space through promotions, Ma:nager Ted, :ifrichplas of the Lyric copped the honors of the week. on- his ad vance campaign. Eatlmatee for this Week Apollo (Fourth Ave) (1,100; 26r40) —'Gbl<l Diggers' (WB) (2d wk) Moving slowly, with a slender $2,- 960. Last weel^ In Ita debut, it did pretty wen at $5„600, Circle (Katz-Feld) (2,600; 25-40)— 'Roberta' (Radio). Repeat run after having played two weekls at the In diana; suffering from tob much op.- positibn in the downtown sector and the take won't go above a bad $1, 900. it the house-keeps it. iri^^ for. a full week; Last week; 'Laddie' (Ra- dio) :wa8 dlsappbiritlngly ::mlld at $4,000, in: spite of personal ap;^ear- anciB of Virginia Weidler, Alrii's child star. ■ ;.; --r^-.- - ■: -■:' "■, ■: Indiana (Katz-Feld) (3.100; 26-35 40)—'McFadderi's Plats' (Par) arid 'Casirio de Paree* . revue on, stage, Taking a mild licking at an under par gross of $10,506. Last week 'Ro- berta' (Radio) finished Its. second week -with a good $6,000.; Lyrib (Olson) (2,000; 25-30-40)— 'Traveling Saleslady' ; (WB) and Marcus' la, /Vie: Paree' unit- on stage; Looks like the best we^k of the season due to eock packed by the stage show. Qross will hit $13,- 300, terrific. Last week.'In Spite of Danger* (Col) and vaude,. moderate at-$.5i2M Lpew'e Palace (Loew's) (2,?00;> 25^40)^'CasiriQ Murder Case' (MG). House staff buttoned up. on thiis one and is trying to ride thrbugh until next week. Results this week are sad at $3,000. Last week 'West Point of Air' (MO) off with only a fair $4,800; DORSEYS, APOLLON HYPO PTSBG. FILMS : - Pittsburgh, April 2. (Beit E]<ploitation: Fulton) Drab session in; prospect with .onlyL.Eulton.-makinganythlng--of-a flurry. 'Scarlet Pimpernel' holding up in second week after great open- ing session of $8,500 and should click off nice $6,000, aipproxiriiating figures of 'Monte Cristo' iri it^ record -breaking five - week run. Otherwise, - however,— towri Isri't^ showing much action, althprigh Lien- ten depression Isn't as riiarked this year as it has beien ;in past. After fortnight, bf straight pic-' tures, Alvtn' returns to preserita- tlons, Dorsey Bros, ork with Bob Crosby • bolstering 'Ed'wlri Drobd.' CombinatiPn should register $10,500, Just_ in-between. "West Point, bf Air' no great shakes at Penri; weak $18,000 - In prospect with Dave Apollon's revue pbssibiyShelping a bit on favorable word'-of-mouth. .'Mississippi,'/While an improvement over last week's. 'Gold Diggers,' hardly likely to hit above $9,000 at Stariley, whilb Warner continues to drag. Not even rave notices for 'Whole Town's Talking,* on dual -with-JEvensong,—is- able-to get-ther rFlfth avenue site abbve $4,25'0." Robinson picture well-liked but he's apparently had too . mariy baddies, making It too tough for 'Town' to overcome. Either that or they just Want gangsters. •Pulton on 'Pimpernel* tossed a big dinner for newspapermen and civic leaders, followed by capacity private screening, details of which were broadcast simultaneously over WWSW with corifiments on flicker by promlnen^^embers,pJLaudienc Ertimatea for This Week Alvin (Harris) (2,000; 25-40)— •Edwin Dropd^ (U) and Dorsey Bros, ork . with Bob Crosby. : Back to stage shows here after fortnight of straight flicker fare and expected Jump riot materializing. Maybe $10,500, which isn't bad, isn't good either. Last week second of 'Lif^ Begins at 40* (Fox) all right at $7,000, giving Rogers flicker around $18,000 on two weeks, plenty okay without stage. support. Fulton (Shea-Hydie) (i,750; 15- 25-40)—'Scarlet , Pimpernel' (UA) (2d week). Stepping along briskly in holdover sessiori and. should get around $6,000, making a third week entirely possible. 'Night: Life of Gods' (TT) waiting nrnnnrl to g^t in. First week of 'Pimpernel' great at $8,600, running neck-and-neck with figures rolled up here by 'Monte Cristo' In record-breaking five-week stay last fall. P?!!l!lJL9ew's..lXA):_(3,30jO.;_25 - 35^ 40)=MVeBt Point of Air' (MG) arid Dave Apollon's revue. Going no- where at all and will be lucky to cortie through with $18)000, consid- erably below, house's recent takings. Last week George Olsen-Ethel Shiitta with rFoltes Bergere' (UA) made nice b.o. combo and came thrbugh to $22,600. • Stanley (WB) (3,600;. . 26-40)— 'Mississippi' (Par). Picture a. dis- appointment .but; two • potent b.o. names, Crosby and Fields, should be strong enough to attriact $9,000, nothing .to brag about, although an. improvement over , last week's 'Gold Diggers' (WB) at . $7,300. Only thing that saved this one from a worse licking was-presence in. cast of Dlok Powell, Pittsburgh's y.r-oy'--.\ film, .v^n. No i:li)Vjbt .I'.v'Ui lavish mu'slcals per se being washed u]^. parCIculariy in key ceriters. ' Warner (WB) (2,000; 26-40)— 'Whole Towns Talking' (Col) and 'Evensong' (GB). Crackerjack dual but nb biz. Robinson has apparently miade too many bad ones to climb back imimedlately with ?'^own' while English-made film doesn't mean a lot. Around $4,200 looked for, slightly better than, usual but noth- Irig like the expected pickVup. Last week fNlght at the Ritz' (WB) And 'Dog of Flanders' (Radio) sickly at $3,400. ..;. ~ ' JBostori, April 2. (Best Exploitation: Fine Arts)' It's mostly Jack Benny this week Iri Boston, although 'Roberta' at the Keith Memorial rates notice. Rest of the town quiet. , Benny , starred in. the Met ,gtage show broke records over the week- end, and in Lent. Will crowd $42,- 000, tremendous. Met's pic-, 'Pri- vate; Worlds' getting ; minority credit for biz. : 'Roberta', at the Memorial, Iri Its. third week, promises about $15,000, very good. Third week of this film looks better than the second week of 'Divorcee.' 'Vanessa.' doubled . with 'Caisino Case' at the State n.s.h. and ditto for';'PrincrsX"0'HeKt'"^t~tHe'TCeltH; Boston. Exploitation nifty of the week pulled by George Kraska of the Fine Arts, forelgri flimer. For 'Un- finished Symphony,' Kraska did what was generally conceived tb be Iriipdsslble in the" expioitafiori field- here.' Dr. Serge ' Koussevitzky, maestrb of the .BbS.tbn Symphony orchesti'a has never been known to endorse anything. Doubtless; a tough, nut to crack,, but he broke the rule to stamp his approval.-on; the Schubert film. Not only was Kraska allowed to print an en- dorsement in his newspaper ad- vertising- but he also benefited frbrii some luscious publicity as a result of the: famoria eQn;du.btor's attending a; showing, of the filrii. Iri-a public statement Dr. Koussevitzky said he had already seen the pic twice in Paris and would see it again in Bos- ton. Furthermore, he was urging his own musicians to catch it at the Fine- Arts. Maest r ols recom- Irnenaanon -means Iplefity in . this town; arid although distinctly tame on paper the tie-up was the most successful, from a b. o. angle, puUed in this town for many weeks. Estimates for This Week Met (M&P) (4,200; 35-50-65)— 'Private Worlds' (Par) and Jack Benny and Mary Livirigston on stage. Turning them away this week.: - Broke Mae West . record o-ver the weekend. Will, hit $42,000 or better. Running five shows here since rppening- day and bizT' will probably demand continuance of that policy. Only 300 duckts issued to both Benny broadcasts Sunday; Benny playing ball with the theatre on requests for gratis admissions. Last week a slipshod $24,500 for 'Mississippi' (Par) and stage show. Keith Memorial (RKO) (2,900; 25-35-40-65)—'Roberta' (Radio) (3d, week). Hints $15,000, exceptional. Last week a very heavy $22,400 for second stanza of same film; Pic; goes directly to the Keith Boston April 5 for a fourth week at same prices; ■ State (Loew) (3,600; 26-30-40-56) —"Vanessa" (MG) and 'Caslnp Mur- der Case' (MG), dual. About $13,- 000. calm. Last .week loxv, $12i600 for^-West—Peiflt-o f Air' (M Q)—and- 'Tlriies Square Lady' (MG), dual. Orpheum (Loew) (3,000; 25-40- 65)—'Wedding Night' (UA), 2nd run, and vaude. A seedy $9,000. Last week not much better, $10,200, with-'PoUes-Bergere«-(UA)7-2nd-runr and stage show. Keith Boston (RKO) (2,300; 25- 30-40-50)—'Princess O'Hara' (U) and vaude at $9,000, h.s.g. Last week more peppy, $12,000, for 'Cap- tain Hurricane' (Radio) and Ina Ray Hutton on stage.; 'Soberta* cpriies here from across the street for a continuation of the run. Prices win be upped to match .the scale of the- Membflal's' three;-weeks of ■ the pic, ;Film will screeri eight days, ailnd then two weeks of the 'Fplles Bergere' unit beginning April 13. / Becbnd week of the unit will be a 'revised' edition, sariie acts,.fresh routines. ^ ■■ Paramount (M&P) (1,800; 25-35-- 50!)-;^^Gprjd :.pIggers'-CWC)v:2H(T TunT- ; : J?hlladelphla, April 2. A flock of new pictures bowed in late last week; but indications are for a pretty tepid week as far as ^business is concerned. In fact, there isn't really a cinch wallop in the bunch arid several are likely to be very much on the floppo order. Estimates fpr.'Thia Week ' Aldine (i;'200; 35'-40r65)--'Wed- dirig Night' (UA). Hold for third week pn strength of second week's nibe $8,000. Should see $6,000. Arcadia (600; 25-40-50)—'All the King's Horses' (Par), So-so $2,100 seen. Last week 'Sequoia' (MG).. Swell $3,600 in eight days. Boyd : (2,400; 35-40-66)—'Private Worlds' (Par). Theriie won't help biz; although cricks raved. Lucky to get $9,500 in its single - week. 'Marietta' next with big campaign. Last week 'Roberta' (Radio). Strong $13,000 in third and last; Earle■ (2,000; 25-35-40)—'Love iri Bloom' (Par) and vaude. Roxyettes UieIp-=stage^hbw7==butMiini=--panned^ Slim $12,500 seen. Last, week 'Let's ^ Live Tonight' (Col) and vaude. $13,- 600—a trifle better than expected, but not good. Fox (3,000; 40-55-65)—'$t0-RaiSe* : (Fox) and stage show. Pic praised, but no b.o. • draw. Lucky to get $14,000. Last ,week, 'Life Begins at . 40' (Fox) :and stage show,' Second week for Rogers' film grossed rather . good $15,500. ■ Karlton (l,OO0; S5-36-40.)--'Tra,n-.. slent i,ady' (U). Maybe $2,700. Poor. Last week 'Florentine Dagger' (WB) $2,500. . Ditto. House does better with secbnd-runs. . KeitVs (2,000: 30-40-50)—'Gold Diggers of .1936' (WB). Second ruri. Should.gfit.$2,50.0_Last^week .'Folies Bergere'' (UA).' So-so $1,900. Stanley (3,700; 35-40-55)—'West Polrit of the Air' (MG). Not what hoped, although staying nine. days. Week's gross won't be over $10,000. Last week 'Gold Diggers of 1935' (WB)... $5,000 in three days,over first;full week. A disappointment no matter how you look at it, ' ^ Stanton (1,700; 30-40r50)—'Casino Murder Case' (MG). Nix for much biz. $4,800 will be alii Last week It Happened; One Night' (Col) got serisatlonal $10,500 iri nine days, or ' $8,000 on first week. .... LINC0E1« COASTING 'Good Fairy' Is Topa With Okay / $3,000 Figure Lincoln, April 2. 'Good Fairy* will be tops this .week, although the row as a whole has a sad look. Sho wmen have , deciae-d-tp- Tea"d7wrth~the chin as lorig as the seasbn!s_ apt to be bru- tal to anything. There's no especial, attempt to plug anything. Every- body has an ad in the paper, and is taking a rest until after Easter. 'Fairy! at the Stuart will be up to average, and that's about all. Orph's decision to go to dual bills on the second halves of the week from now on will spurt that spot up to its probable average level. A good stage show is helping 'Sequoia;* which has the Lincoln dodging, was pulled Tate in tlie weiek from the booking list and 'Vanessa' subbed, but it's riot stretching. ' ' ' \ Estimates for This Week Colonial (LTC) ' (750; 10-15)— 'Gun Fire' (Mono) three days, 'Baboona' (Fox) and 'Winning Ticket' (MG), both two days, near $900 expected, fair. Last week 'Texas Terror' (Iridic), 'Murder on Honeymoon' (Radio) and 'Mystery Man' (WB) for three changes got $950, oke. • Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-20-25)— ■Vanessa'. (:.I(5), Doing a lonesome act. Management figured to lose on . this one, so why not in Lent? Gross will be near $1,900, n. s. h. Last week 'Living on Velvet' (WB) did pretty well at $2,600. tJrp-heum (LTU) (1,200; f»5L'5-25) ■—'Society Doctor' : (MG)^ and 'Women Must Dress* (Mono). Open- ing dual policy for one-half of the week and 'Woman in Red' (WB) With 'R ambles in Rh ythm' unit on the "vauae end for the other. Gross Is healthier with $2,500, in sight. Last week 'Little Men' (Mas) ■ arid stage show fbllowed by the miseries with 'Don Juan' (UA). Sallow with $1,800. Stuart (LTC) (1,900; 10-25-40)— 'Good Fairy' (U) and the pace is pointing to a nice enough $3,000. Lent has been a terrific denter on this, topi-priced house. Last .week 'Riifegles*- -was a sprintei*- ■wlth $3,800 in the till when the Week finished. ; Vafsity (Westland) (1,100; 10-16- 25)-—'Best: Man Wins' (Cbl) and 'I'll Love You Always' (Col) for an-. . other session of duals. House may get. $1,000, which is beginning to look like big rhoriey, but still not enough—-Last-Tiveek-'Jjef 5'BIV(T~Tcr=— nlghf (Col) and 'In Spite of. Da h - ■';;i^)-' ('Ci)l');.w-fi« .<lo\v at-1^950. : ^ :