Variety (May 1935)

Wednesday, May 22, 1935 V4RIE1¥ HOUSE REVIEWS VARIETY 21 PALACE, N. Y, When the Palace sells out these days It la most unusual, but that' the way It was Friday night. The tapes were up and the customers stood three and four deep for a time. House pulled about the same sized crowds when the film, 'Ro berta,' played there not long ago, but prior to and since then there has been no such attendance since the big time days. House has three-way draw, with the stage ehow, although good enough entertainment, probably the least Important. The feature, 'The Scoundrel' (Par), which Is Noel Coward's debut In films, is credited mostly, with the secondary attrac tlon for the weekend being Major Bowes' radio amateurs. 'Roberta' figures In the bill through Tamara topping and faring excellently In the-keystone spot o the flve-act show. She was fea tured In the musical comedy, ; Broadway standout last season, and a clean-up on the road this season into the winter. The at tractive Russian warbler starts with 'Lovely to Look At,' which was In the pix version, but not the ehow. Slic naturally includes 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes,' the number credited with making the show click. Her Russe ditty of former appearances is used for en coring. There are elements of variety re- calling the days when vaude was In high. Tamara's class is given contrast by such acts as Bobby May, Buster West and Lucille Page, and the De Cardos. May, In the deuce spot, sets the pace. He is a good enough club swinger, but a better ball manlpu lator. Impression of an old time Juggler won smiles. May's finale trick, having him upside down throwing balls on a xylophone and playing a tune, looked a topper for any present-day manipulator. Comedy assignment for the bill Is given "West and the third mem- ber of the act, Charles Eaton, turn going on fourth and a natural there. Miss Page seemed bored when getting that flossy bawling out speech oft her chest, but when she started the bizarre first dance number, she was sailing pretty and the numbers with the agile West sent the act off with the best score. Turn has versatility and punch that count. Six De Cardos, closing the show with teeter board acrobatics, isl the flash. Kid member's somersault- ing pirouette off the board looks like one of the best feats. Open- ing the show is the Jeanne Deve- reaux dance combo which has Foy, Tucker and Johnson, and also the tapping Jack Seymour. Ihee. ALVIN, PITT. Pittsburgh, May 17. No doubt figuring Shirley. Teni- ple's 'Our Little Girl' (Fox) was draw enough, management didn't bother much with the stage and presentation looks it. Show's pretty spotty and doesn't hang together at all. Although composed of four vaude acts, it's being billed as a unit un- der the title of 'One Hour with You, and chorus opening carries out this idea. Gals are in boxed clocks showing times In a dozen different cities, and start off swell with a tap routine that sounds like tick of pendulums. It's dragged on too long, however, and effectiveness is lost when each of the chorines steps down front for a vocal bit with spe- cial lyrics designed to fit the city she represents. Cut In half, It would have been a striking novelty, but as it stands whole thing Is pretty mo- notonous. At finish five femme trumpet players, costumed alike and part of Irene Vermillion's turn, come out in one for a fanfare and full .stage re- veals a male pianist before Miss \'ci-million makes her first entrance. Acrobatic dancer's act has been s:i:it into three sections here to give )r. oscntation a spread, but it doesn't Jicip her any apd shortens her re- t\ini.s. She's off practically cold at tii'^ end of the first session. .She's followe'd by HarrLs and Shore In what starts out to be a classy ballroom routine, but turns out to be a burlesque, and a good one, of that terp form. Gal, par- ticularly. Is a first-rate come<lienne and her mugging with her grotesque positions makes it a cinch for the team. They had to beg off, with speeches and everything. Too much concentration on dancing in the first part, since Miss Vermillion's on again at this point, this time with the house line. In a 'Spider and the Fly' routine. It's her best moment and permits her to remove the wraps for the first time. Edgar Bergen, ventriloquist, fol- lows, assisted by a femme, in his well-known sketch, 'The Operation.' It's a first-rate 10 minutes, and tliough a strictly talk act Invariably slows up the proceedings, Bergen, as a matter of fact gives this show some life. His routine ot chatter, u.sually pretty stale In this tyi)e of turn. Is fre.sh and he registered an out-and-out click. In blackface, "veteran Paul Mall comes up witli a hodgepodge of song, dance and gags In tlic old-fashloncd )nannor and give.'i the layout a weak next-to- ol o>:|ng. I-'or ;i finish it's tlie line again in a Hawaiian ni.imbor, with Miss Ver- nillHon coming on near the close to absorb the remainder of her bag of tricks. She brings the femme trumpeters on once more and winds up In a rash of brass and spins. Bernle Armstrong at the organ has another community songfest, and It's been his job for the last few weeks to accompany an ama- teur winner at the end of his own turn, since most of the prizes have gone to vocalists. Current tyro is a baritone who sings 'When Irish Eyes Are Smiling' as l£ he had all day to do it. Cohen. Metropolitan, Boston Boston, May 17. Tag on this week's offering Is 'Hollywood Hooey,' and the Idea Is thinly carried out as a musical comedy. HoUj-wood flash In the cast are Baclanova and Joaquin Garay, latter billed as 'Hollywood's newest Ramon Novarro.' Both the filmland entries sing. Miss Bacla nova vocals a number from the operetta 'Du Barry' and closes with a gypsy type of vocal that won her moderate recognition, but which did not demand an encore. The Rus- sian ex-star Is nice to look at, sings a smooth but unexciting number, and, among other good things-, she does not say she's glad to be back In Boston. As for Garay, who winds up the unit, he does not . do so well with his medley of pops until he goes In for comedy. That's on his closing number, when he does English and wop dialect. This last try saves his act an« he leaves the stage with many more friends than when he finished his opening medley. There's a lot of production and scenery throughout which make the unit look rather Important; and where the Hollywood people leave off In the final analysis, the others in the layout pick it up and raise the standard to reasonable heights. Ernie Stanton is a great help on this score, and so are Miriam and Mann, mixed team, who unwind an extreme moderne dance that clicks, This comes as the climax of a pro- duction number with the Ellda Bal let, spilt evenly In white and black costumes, who come out from be hind scenic panels in a dazzling ultra-ultra set for their routine. One of the highlights of the show. Stanton does an office skit that permits him to unload some of his slippery, suave patter with his Polack stooge. A telephone bit aided by the funny pantomime of the stooge. Is good material. Then there's the very good give-and-take act with his stooge In the audience, who comes upon stage with roller skates after they've had their verbal duel. Not to be dismissed lightly is the cleverly routined challenge dance, immediately following, in which Stanton tempts his roller- skating partner to duplicate his hoofing. Fair clicker is a George Arliss imitation by George Freems in costume. Anita Jacoby, In the opening frame, sets a good pace with her fast acrobatic taps. Three Dodge Brothers, rough-house hoofers, ap pear to be ace tappers who have de elded that it's slapping each other around that they need to pep up the routine. Result of this added note Is that they don't quite get serious attention until they close with a straight challenge. For an extra girlie fiash Harry Gourfain has imported 12 'Holly wood Beauties' to augment the IC house ballet gals, and the effect Is a Boston edition of the Rockettes idea. This was particularly notice able on a high kick number opening the show. In which the gals line up for a nice fiash. In the last stages of the production the 12 Imports merely dance on for background while the ballet rips off a hotcha rhumba number that paves the way for Baclanova's appearance. House band in the pit. Fablen Scvitsky's overture, also in pit, is 'Southern Rhapsody.' Goln' to Town' (Par) on tlie screen. Biz off at evening show. Fox. EMBASSY, N. Y. Celebration In London of the 25th anniversary of King George's reign Is elaborately covered by Fox and Its English affiliate, British-Movie- tone. It is done partly in color by British-Movietone, -with claim that this is the first time newsreels have been tinted. While the color job by Dufaycolor isn't good, the jubi- lee procession becomes impressive by its use. The reds seem too prom- inently defined, while other colors lack posltiveness. In addition to the pretentious ceremonies, the regal cavalcade and the cheering caught by the cam- eras, Fox record.? a goodly portion of the King'.i address to his lords. Second most important Item on this week's bill is the visit to Washington of 4,.500 farmers who hear the president on their prob- lems. Roosevelt gives them the kind of a talk that brings friendly lauglis, not saying much of Import- ance, concerning their plight. Par photographed this, also seeking out a few farmer.s for their views. They said little, too. Hearst has Mary McElroy, recent vidnap victim, pleading for the lite of one of the men why snatched lior. She makes a good screen sub"- Ject. Rest of the show rather lightweight In character, but varied. From Europe the reels sound a fairly Important note as Hitler ad- dresses May Day throngs (Fox) and Russia gives Its mute answer to the German dictator In an Im- pressive parade of its army's might. Par brought over the Russian nega- tive and has It here as an exclusive. The Hungarian parliament con- siders vital European problems, ac- cording to another clip which merely photographs delegrates, fall- ing to get cameras inside. Maxie Baer recuperates in New Jersey from a powder sting and Braddock, with his family, is pho- tographed. In the sports column, also, arc opening of races at Bel- mont (Fox); barring of Babe Dld- rlkson from a golf tourney (U); Important track meet at Princeton (Pathe) and another walking race (U), but nothing at all on baseball. L*w Lehr's efforts to Inject a laugh this week In connection with a farmer and his two trained bulls fall rather flat and Fox's fashion contribution on lace styles this week Is less pretentious than usual. Par greets Admiral Byrd on his return, getting intimate glimpses of his animals and penguins, and Pathe goes aboard the new French liner, Normandie, also photograph- ing a new German passenger pal- ace of the seas. Hitler seen here again. 'Fish from Hell' (Marine Pic- tures), In which an offscreen an- nouncer poorly covers a fishing ex- pedition, included on the show this week. Business pretty good Sat- urday afternoon. Char. MAE $17,500 IN CINCY Whole Town Perks Up Product on Good Cincinnati, May 21, Sweet assortment of product this week and biz of downtown houses Is best for quite a spell. Cool weather and light rains were b.o. aids first half. 'Goln' to Town' Is fronting, its $17,500 for the Albee being J2,500 better than Palace pull on 'Our Little Girl.' Shubert, only combo stand, normallng with $10,000 on '$10 Raise' and 'La Vie Paree' revue. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,300; 35-42)— 'Coin' to Town' (Par). Mae West naturaling for $17,600; swellest fig- ure here since 'Roberta.' Last week 'MIserables' (UA), $13,500. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 35-42)— 'Our Little Girl' (Pox). Shirley Temple a romp for merry $15,000. Last week 'Frankenstein' (U), $12,500. Shubert (RKO) (2,200; 25-42-55) —'$10 Raise' (Fox) and La Vie Paree revue. Picture brought back after recent Jerking from Capitol on single day showing. Maybe $10,000, fair, same as last week on 'Night at the Rltz' (WB) with George Olsen^band and Ethel Shutta. Capitol (RKO) (2,000; 35-42) •MIserables' (UA). Transferred from Albee for second week, $6,600, good. Last week 'People Will Talk' (Par). $3,800, light. Lyric (RKO) (1,500; 26-30-40) 'Frankenstein' (U). Switchover from Palace for second week, $5,000, nice. Last week 'G-Men' (WB) a holder on, $4,000, following $12,600 on first seven days at Albee. Keith's (RKO) (1,500; 35-42)— •Dinky' (WB), removed after four day.s, and •In Callente' (WB). Jackie Cooper at a disadvantage with Shirley Temple competlsh, and 'Dinky' was Just that at $2,100 for Its four days. 'Callente' In line for $1,500 on last half. Last week 'Black Fury' (WB), $4,200, tame. Grand (RKO) (1,200; 25-30-40)— 'Thin Man' (MG). Revlvaling for $3,000, okay. Last week 'Star of Midnight' (Radio) (2d wk). $2,700. Pic drew $11,500 on first week at Palace. Family (RKO) (1,000; 15-25)— Baby Face Harrington' (Col) and Eight Bells' (MG). Split, $2,300, nice. Last week 'No Ransom' (Ind) and 'One New York Night' (MG), separate, $1,900. Strand (Ind) (1,200; 15-20-30)— 'Behind Green Lights' (Mon) $1,400. Last week 'Princess O'Hara (U), $1,200. MAE AND SHIRLEY VIE 'Town' and 'Little Girl' Strong in Indianapolis Indianapolis, May 21. (Best Exploitation: Circle) Mae West'in 'Goln' to-Town' will do a strong $12,000 In nine days at the Circle. This does not equal marks of her previous pictures at this spot, but very good. Shirley Temple In 'Our Little Girl' at the smaller Apollo Is hitting a dandy $8,000 pace in first week, and look.s good for a sure hold-over. Small capacity and avalanche of kids at a dime a head shortened week-end take. Tying In with Old Gold cigaret window displays In downtown drug stores on Mae West and getting a splendid showing of cards In two hundred buses were highlights of a good canipaign given 'Goln' to Town' at the Circle. Estim'ates for This Week Apollo (Fourth Ave.) (1,100; 25- 40)—"Our Little Girl' (B'ox). Do- ing better than previous Temple pictures with good prospects of an excellent $8,000 gross. Last week 'Hoosler Schoolmaster' (Mono) was thin at $2,500. Circle (Katz-Feld) (2,600; 25-40) —'Goln' to Town' (Par). Very good on a nine-day run with a take of $12,000. Last week 'Bride of Frankenstein' (U) was yanked out on five days of Its holdover after drawing only a bad $,1800. Lyric (Olson) (2,000; 25-00-40) — 'Cowboy Millionaire' (Fox) and vaude. Par at $7,000. George O'Brien always does well at this house. Last week 'Dinky' (WB) and 'It's the Tops' stage unit was mild at $6,250. Loew's Palace (Loew's) (2,600; 25-40)—'Les MIserables' (UA), Fair in Its second week at $3,800. Last week same pic did good $8,000. ALBEE, BROOKLYN If the Albee slashed Its prices to draw crowds, the plan seemed a flop Friday night. With an excellent five-act bill on the stage and 'The Scoundrel' (Par) on the screen, the house was hardly half-filled. It was a typical Albee audience, only the theatre grossed less dough In drag- ging them In. Five-turn layout was good enough to play In standard fashion, but the management or booking office, or both, decided It should be m.c.'d, and chose Eddie Peabody, the head- liner, for the job. All this tended to do was slow up the proceedings so that the layout ran 67 minutes, when it should have consumed 60 at the most. Peabody is a likeable enough Introer, though an unfunny >ne. but as a novelty musician he 3 one of the tops. Holds down the next-to-closer here, playing the banjo, harp-guitar and violin, and t)ri)vo.s the usual 100% eock. If any- body rates as a virtuoso, Peabody does. Bill opens conventionally with the (Continued on page 69) SOGGY OMAHA GOES FOR 70WN' AND 'GIRL' Omaha, May 21. ( est Exploitation: Omaha) Rain has been the schedule dally past two weeks, sun showing through only once in the fortnight. Strike of street carmen also drags on, with no attempts at settlement, and begins to look like a fixture. Despite these adverse conditions week will see some exceptional money because of quality of films and plugging given them. Community Playhouse wound up Its season last week ending the only outside competition to pictures Exploitation on all attractions creditable and effective, but Omaha gets credit for most 'gags and hardest work. Estimates for This Week Orpheum (Blank-Tri-State) (2,976; 26-40) — 'Our Little Girl' (Fox) and 'Harrington' (MG) dual. Head- ed for a record, around $11,000. Last week 'One New York Night' (MG) and •People Will Talli' (Par). Over expectations at $7,250. Omaha (Blank-Trl-State) (2,100; 25- 40) —'Goln' to Town' (Par). Headed to the biggest week the house has had since its recent reno- vation. If holds to opening pace sure holdover. Started for nine grand and can do it by steadying after week-end. Last -week 'Riche- lieu' (UA). Brought In Arliss fol- lowing to satisfying business, but not enough for a sock. $6,000 good. Brandeis (SInger-RKO) (1,200; 26- 35-40)—'Black Fury' (FN) good enough to get the house back to single feature. Timely because of car strike, but can't get the women. Doing its part at $4,300, Ln^st week, 'Case of the Curious Bride" (FN) and 'I'll Love You Alway.s* (Col). Programmers get average $2,850 in five days. Portland Indifferent, 'Miserables' Suffers Portland, Ore., May 21. (Best Exploitation: United Artists) Parker's UA plugged heavily on 'Les Mi.serables,' but the Vic Hugo story has too much tragedy. It reg- istered well and collected rave.s but not living Up to the heavy Helling pre.s.'jurc. With its feature pic 'Four Hours to Kill,' the Paramount ran in 'Last Wilderness.' an Indie booking with Howard Hill, national archery coleb, In person and on screen. Par a.l»o lias vaude with Three Little Pigs in three hour program. Parkcr'.y UA wrung the last dime out of 'Reck- less' last week and that was none too much. Exploited that pic for seven weeks and held it for nine days, which was all It was worth in this burg. Mayfalr connected for a break this week with 'Let's Live Tonight' i)ush- Ing that house over the toj) for aii extra grand. Good enough bl-/- at the Broadway with 'Mark of Vampire.' Barne.", circus provided two-day op- po.slsh. Estimates for This Week) Broadway (Parker) (2,000; 25-40) 'Mark of the Vampii-c' (.MG^ Get- ting good play i.n hoi-|-or an;;!o ;in(l coring for good (;nongh $5,000. Last week 'Black Fury' (FX). Ansvnrod Men' Brooklyn's Topper at $27,( Dietrich Surprise Brooklyn, May 21. (Best Exploitation: Par) Plenty of good fiickers in down- town area with plenty of price- cutting, to boot. Circus played her» last week and took away a pile. Managers of the downtown the- aters aren't feeling any too happy over present b.o. setup. New and revised .scale of prices at the Par with fifty-cent top and two-bit low. 'G Men' on the screenr packing 'em In. Looks like beaucoup $-7,000 with possible holdover for added two weeks. Another headache In Roro Hall sector to theatre operators Is Trans- Lux which is now offering full- length pictures plus news clips. Top of two-bits is producing healthy play at this small house. Albee Is playing 'Scoundrel of 49th St.' to fair-sized audiences. Strand for a change, appears to be perking up considerably, giving 'em the new Dietrich fiicker .'Devil Is a Woman* and 'Party Wire.' Joe Lee, at the Par, , used all pos- sible sources to exploit the Cagney pic. Bucked the circus opposition with several hundred three sheets, 24 sheets and 100,000 circus heralds. Also 'G Men' tteup with Bernarr Macfadden's True Detective Maga- zine. Fifteen thousand copies of the mag distributed free of charge. Reserves had to be called out to handle crowds at b.o. Lavish dis- plays in windows, lobbies and gazette contests, Estimates for This Week Paramount (4,000; 25-35-50)—'Q Men' (WB). Going like a cyclone this week. A splendid $27,000 In view. Last week 'Go Injo Your Dance* • (FN), received a good $16,700. Fox (4,000; 25-35-50)—'Awaken* Ing of Jim Burke' (Col) and staga show. Mild $121000. Last week '8 Bells' (Col) $12,000. Albee (3,500: 25-35-50)—'Scoundrel of 49th St.' (Par) and vaude featur- ing Eddie Peabody. Fairish $15,000. Last week 'White's 1935 Scandals' (Fox) $12,500. Loew's Metropolitan (2,400; 25- 35-50) — 'Age ot Indiscretion' (Radio) and vaude featuring Eari Carroll Vanities with Mitchell and Durant. In vicinity of $15,000. oke. Last week 'Cardinal Richelieu' (UA) $14,500, oke. Strand (2,000; 25-35-50)—'Devil Is a Woman' (Par) and 'Party Wire* will do In region of $6,000, satisfac- tory. Last week 'Love in Bloom' (Par) and 'Men of the Hout* $3,500, weak. CLEVELAND (Continued from page 10) cnstein' (U) and Rimac's ork, $14,600. Hippodrome (WB) (3,529; 30-40) —'Our Little Girl' (Fox). Coming after two veeks hold-over of 'O Men,' and pushed nicely, about $13,500 is indicated. Last week, sec- ond week of 'G Men,' (WB) $8,000. Allen (RKO) (3,000; 25-40)—'O Men' (WB). Moved from Hippo- drome after two weeks run, a new- policy between two houses that al- ways doesn't work, looks like $3,000. Last week, 'It's a Small World' (Fox) pulled In only $1,950 on half- week run. Stillman (Loew's) (1,872: 25-35)— 'McFadden's Flats' (Par;. Too much hokum for a downtown spot, but liked enough to cash In a-mere .■JS.SOO. I^st week a shade better with third week liold-ovcr of Marietta' (MG), hitting $4,800. Both far below standard, however. heavy prcH.Mure for okay $5,400. United Artists (Parker) (1,000; 25-40)—'Les MIserables' (UA). Proved too psychologically mloer- :ible to break any records, but reg- istered well and getting fair $5,500. Last week 'Reckless' (MG). Got every dime possible, $6,600 on nine days. Paramount (Evergreen) (3,000; 25-40J—'Four Hours to Kill' (Par) ind 'Last Wilderness' (Ind) with vaude and nppoarance ot Three Lit- tle Pigs, fair $C,000. Last week Devil Is a Woriian' (Par) and 'It's a .Small World' (Fox) with vaude di.sap))ointlng at $5,700. Orpheum (Hiimrlck) (2,000; 23-40) —'Mr. Dynamite' (U) and vaude. Hitting average pace for this hou.se, fair $-1,500. Last week, 'Right to Live' (WB) and 'Strangers All' (Ra- dio) and vaude. Closed a bit under par at $4,200. Mayfair (Parker-Evergreen) (1,- 400; 25-40)—'Let's Live Tonight' (Col). A swell brouk for this small house and should hit a biimpcr $;t.000. La.st week '.Stolen Harmony' (Par> and '.Strange Wives' (U). Did hetler than expected with okay $2,800. Mueic Box fllamrlok) (1,000; 15- 25)—'Whole 'J'own's Talking' (Col) and 'Wliit(! I^ics.' J-)(ith second run :ind fairly fnr Sl.HOO. Last week 'Kniic !■(;.■ CIKO) :uul 'Woman In ll'-tV Sci-iiMil riiu combo col- lecu-d an okay $1."00.