Variety (Jun 1935)

10 VASIETY PICT E CROSSES Wedneaday, June 5, 1935 'Have It' 8G Natural in Seattle Kidnap Imrnd; Others Niinib Seattle, June 4. (Best Exploitation: Orpheum) Most of the management are not gambling so liotsy on exploitation during the lumber strike, • resulting In thousands of workers in that and allied trades idling. Budgets are be- ing held to normal, as a- rule. The Btate sales- tax and warmer weath- er are other, deterrents. Orpheum alone is getting money, due to 'Let 'Em Have It' timeliness and tfe-ln on the Weyerhaeuser kitnapin^'. Vaude is. now out at both Or- pheum and Paramount, with the Rex (John Dannz) alone having stage faro, and doing so-so. 'Miserables' has been showing Bomething at the Blue Mouse and Is held over for third week. Me- morial Day helped only a little. Best exploitation is for 'Let 'Em Havo It." Orpheum tied into the Weyerhaeuser kidnapping. House, using special front, with newspaper copy expanded and playing up 'En- raged American's answer to cold- blooded kidnapper's snarl, the inside Btory of greatest anhunt in his- tory.' Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (950; 27- 87-42).—'Miserables' (UA) (3rd week). Lgoks good with okay $1,900 In till first three days. Last-week, eame film, $4,700, good. Coliseum (Evergreen) (1,800; 22- 82). 'Colo.nel' (Fox) and 'McFad- den' (Par), dual. Indicated $3,000 lair. Last week 'Spring' (Fox) and •Pimpernel' ^VA^j, dual. $3,400, mild. 5th Ave. (Evergreen) (2,400; 27- 87-42)—'Flarhe' (MG). Appears •headed for $5,000, terrible. Last •week 'Town' (Par). Slumped to clow $7,600. Liberty (J-vH) (1,900; 10-15-27) —'Mills of Gods' (Col) and 'Air Hawks* (Col), dual, possibly $3,000 fair. Last week 'Party Wire' (Col) and 'Swell Head' (Col), dual, $3,100. Music Box (Hamrick) (900; 27- 87-42)—'Break Hearts' (Radio). Hepburn back for top lines. Indi- cated $4,000, poor. Last week 'G- Men' (WB) (3rd week), shifted from Orpheum. Slow $2,300. Orpheum (Hamrick)' (2,700; 27- 37-42)—'Have It' (UA) and 'Yes- terday' (Par) dual, new policy here aa stage band and vaude goes out, anticipated $8,000, good. Last week 1'ury' (WB) and vaude, $3,900, good. -ParamDant^--tEvergreen^"—fSTtOfl-;- 27-37-410 — -'Vampire' (MG)—arrd" 'Stolen Harmony' (Par), dual, in eight $4,000, moderate. Last week 'Devil' (Par) and 'Vagabond Lady' (MG), dual. $4,400, not bad, as nut cut by olflng vaude. 'N. Y. Night; 9iG, Teople WiU Talk/ ), Okay in K. C. adverse reviews and finished with a light $7,200. Newman (Par) (1,800; 26-40)— 'People Win Talk' (Par). Right down the alley for the Rugglesr Boland fans and they are giving it a fair play. Like the others hurt by the bad weather but expected to show close to $6,000, great. Last week final seven dayis of 16-day run 'Goln' to Town' (Par) $8,000, big. Tower (Rewot) (2,200; 25)— •Werewolf (U) and stage show. Children refused adrnlssion but the others, who like the shudderers are going for it strong. Expected to get close to $8,000,. good. Last week 'Party Wire' (Col) and stage show, helped by Memorial Day, $7,800, sweet. Uptown (Fox) (2,040; 25-40)— 'Our Little Girl' (Fok) (2d week). Temple film likely to check up right at $4,500, good, after $5,600 the first week, also good. PHILLY FEELS BLAH, 'ESCAPE' 13G ALONE OK Philadelphia, June 4. (Best Exploitation: Boyd) Another dull week forecast in the downtown film house. 'Escape Me Never' only outstander in the lot. Cricks raved about Elisabeth Berg- ner,.and her 'Escape Me Never' will hit $13,000 or nearly this In its first week at the Aldine, making a hold- over for a second week assured. These same cricks weren't so en- thusiastic about ' Katharine Hep- burn's 'Break of Hearts' and it looks very uncertain for the film to hold beyond a week. Teaser mall campaign on Hep- burn in musical circles, suggesting subtly that leading character might be Intended to represent w.k. local orchestra conductor (Stokowskl) was well planned, but won't be able to help a great deal; $9,000 or less ■ —indicated' Kansas City, June 4. ( est Exploitation: Midland) Only three scattering days out of the 31 in May were without rain, here, and it continued strong over the weekend, with the managers developing nice cases of the Jitters as grosses dipped. The RKO Mainstreet slipped •Break of Hearts' in Thursday, a day ahead of the regular opening date, but Miss Hepburn has never been strong box office here. Newman is celebrating its 16th anniversary with 'People Will Talk' and opefied fair. House has its first running of 'Screeno' June 5 and is billing it 'The entertainment scoop of a generation.' 'One New York Night' seems to have caught the fancy of the shop- pers as it is getting a nice pl.ay and good comments, which will help a lot. For the first time in its his- tory the Tower is barring children for its showing of 'Werewolf of London,' on orders from the city censor. Uptown, the big Fox resi- dential, is holding 'Our Little Girl' for the second week and making a fine showing with it. Loew'.s Midland gets the credit for the best exploitation stunt with a ticup with a large department store for ,1 fashion display in the theatre salon, which fr.ive the theatre a swell halc pa^ic advertisement in tlie .Star, as well as display cards in 15 of the store windows. The final tests by the MOM traveling studio in its 'search for screen tal- ent,' on the theatre .staso Frida.v evening, also was a nice publicity affai)-. Estimates for This Week Mainstreet (RKO) (3,200; 15-25- 40)—'Break of Hearts' (Radio).-Fair reviews and will wind up with just a fair $8,000. Last week 'G Men' (FN) final six days of a two weeks' run, $6,000, nice. Midland (Loew) (4,000; 15-25-40) —'One New York Night' (MG) and •March of Time.' Looks like close to $9,500, pretty good. Last week •Flame Within' (MG) took it on the chin the last four days aftier 'Let-'Em Have-^t^--looks very--un- certain at the Stanton, having been compared unfavorably to 'G Men' Last week's biz was dull and fea tureless. Estimates for This Week Aldine (1,200; 40-55-64)—'Escape Me' (UA). First week's gross should hit $13,000, or close to It, pix holding. Last week, 'Miserables' (UAT. Third week, $6,000. Arcadia (600; 25-40-50)—'Vam- pire' (MQ). Second run. Moderate $2,000 seen. Last week, "Let's Live' (Col). Second run, weak $1,700. Boyd (2,400; 40-55)—'Break Hearts' (Radio) notices n.s.g., $9 000 or less Indicated. Last week 'Scoundrel' (Par). Built nicely and surprised with ?11,000. Earle (2,000; 25-40-50)—'DevlV (Par) and vaude. Cricks panned film and stage show offers no names; $12,000 seen. Last week 'Dynamite' (U) and vaude. Up to a neat $14,500, with Molly Picon given much credit. Fox (3,000; 40-55-65)—'Pampas (Fox) and stage show headed by Armida. If combo does seven days gross won't exceed weak $12,000 Last week, 'Daring' (Fox) and stage show. Dismal $10,000 In five days. Karlton (1,000; 25-35-40)—'G Men' (WB). Third downtown house for this hit. Will get eight days and probably $5,000. Last week, 'Dinky (WB). Awful $1,200 in four days. Keith's (2,000; 30-40-50)—'China town' (U). First first-run for this house since reopening in winter- Mebbe $3,200. Last week, 'Star' (Radio). Second run, poor $2,700. Stanley (3,700; 40-55)—'Caliente (WB). Lucky to get over $8,000, a disappointer. Last week, 'Town' (Par). Sad $C,000 in last four days Stanton (1,700; 30-40-50)—'Have It' (UA). Not more than $5,000 seen. Last week, 'Air Hawks' (Col) $5,500. have to. Vaud* will t>« continued at the lower price. No one Is golnff very flar this week, but •MUerablee' wlU probably do all rlsbt on a disappointing $13,- 000. On eight days the Branford will take a nice $11,000 for 'Girl from Tenth Avenue' and •Mr. Dyna- mite,' and •Proctor'^ •will be nicely satisfied with $10,000 for 'Break of Hearts' and 'Strangera All.' Brandford hoe a tie-up with Standard Oil for 'Oil for the tramps of China' and 'baa a one-sheet on every tank wagon and eervlce sta- Upn. ^ Estimates for This Week Brandford (WB) (2.966; 15-65)— •Girl from 10th Ave.' (WB) and 'Mr. Dynamite' (U). With the holiday will take a fine $11,000 on eight days. Laat week six days $6,600 for 'Dinky' (WB) and 'Vagabond Lady' (MG). Capitol (WB) (1,200; 16-25-35-40) —'Frankenstein' (U) and "Wedding Nlghf.aJA). On eight days, should be near $4,000, although 'Frankle' hasn't much pull left. House made a mistake to pass up '6 Men' for 'Frankenstein,' even though it did run two weeks at the Branford. Last week 'Reckless' (MG) and 'Air Hawks' (Col) pretty fair on six days with $3,B00. Little (Franklin) (299; 35-50)— 'Nora O'Neale' (Du World). Irish not thronging for this one and pos- sibly they miss the stage shows usually given in the past with Gaelic films. On nine days, a weak $1,000. Last week 'Huszarszelem' (Danu- bian) took three days for a weak $300. Loew's State (2,780; 16-75)— Miserables' (UA) and vaude. Raves and may beat the expected $13,000. Last week 'Mark of the Vampire' (MG) did not build and didn't quite reach $12,000. Paramount-Newark - (Adams-Par) (2,248; 16-99) — 'Scoundrel' (Par) and 'Spices of 1936' on stage. Play- liig stage show above picture. Not expecting, much, but at least $8,500. Last week on nine days 'Goln* to Town' (Par) got a sweet $18,000. Proctor's (RKO) (2,300; 15-55)— Break of Hearts' (Radio) and Strangers All' "(Radio) with Ross McLarnin fight pIx. Will be good at $10,000. Last, week 'Informer' (Radio) and '$10 Raise* (Fox) okay at $9,200. Terminal (Skouras) (1,900; 15-25- 40)—'One Night of Love' (Col) and 'Broadway Bill' (Col) with 'Ladles Love Danger' (Fox) and 'Wagon Trail' (Syn), split. Revivals were in for a week, but they died and were pulled Sunday. The second half cannot hold, however, and the house has nothing else in sight. Not much over an awful $2,000 on this •booidnBr"-ijast—week-'-Life'-vBegins' (Fox) and—HDowboy Millionaire' (Fox) with 'Death Flies East* (Col) and 'People's Enemy' (Radio) split on six days $2,700. NEWARK'S 40c VAUDFILM Disturbs Pre-Summer Calm—'Miser ables' $13,000 Newark, June 4 (Best Exploitation: Branford) The summer's calm has been .■shattered by - the Newark's bomb- .shell of cutting prices next Friday for the summer. Man.agement of tlic otiier houses refused to come to a meeting set by the Newark to talk it over and so the Newark went ahead wltli a 40c orchestra price weekday nights against a -present 55c-65c at the other houses. One houso intends to meet this compe- tition and the others will probably ads from the Hearst-Cosmo tie-up that brings the notice. House mak- ing the most of this advantage, though. Estimates for This Week Omaha (Blank-Trl-State) (2,100; 25- 40)—'Let 'Em Have If (UA) and 'Vagabond lAdy' (MG), Continues the double bill policy set last week, but this only temporary. In addi- tion current 'March of Time' on this bin. Long show got a good start on the holiday and headed to strong money at $8,500. lAst week hold- over on 'Goln' to Town' (Par) with 'Marietta' (MG) brought back for dual run from Saturday. Only five days, but good ones and reached $5,500. Brandeis (Singer-RKO) (1,200; 26- 35-40)—'Callente' (FN) and 'Vil- lage Tale* (Radio), dual. First is only musical of past few weeks and accounting for the healthy biz here. Holiday did Its part. Two good for $5,000, nice money. Last week 'In- former' (Radio) and 'Mary Jane's Pa' (FN) made up the dual bill. Quality in the first but limited ap- peal, only average, $4,000. , Orpheum (Blank-Trl-State) (2,- 970; 25-40)—'Pampas Moon' (Fox) and 'Casino Murder Case' (MG), dual. These two moved the house opening up to Thursday, and got the benefit of the holiday. Good figure, $8,300. Last week 'Glass Key' (Par) doubled with 'Night at the Rltz' (WB), gave way a day early and ran only six days. Fair enough at $0,750. OMAHA ALL WET BUT NOT AT B.O. Omaha, June 4. (Best Exiploitation: Brandeis) Rain continues to overshadow the picture with regularity unknown here past several seasons. Month of May has seen less than five days without it, and current weekend brought the heaviest moisture yet. Outstate it's floods and damage In the millions, but here only excessive moisture taking the edge oft things. Despite this unseasonal condition, pic houses standing up well and few complaints; heavy division of spoils all around due in no little measure to factor of only three first run houses on the row. This, however, gives a measure of stability to the operating spots. Heaviest bit of outside competi- tion picture business has had In five years entered the set-up with the opening of the Ak-Sar-Ben racing meet Decoration Day. Record crowd of 11,000 saw the meet under way, and will hold forth till the Fourth. This means a daily drag against shows on the mats, but no effect at night. Few night spots opening around the city, but nothing more than normal summer operations. Train strike contnues. New films about an even pull all around, all topping average. Best result probably at the Omaha with 'Let 'Em Have It' and 'Vagabond Lady' holding to the double feature precedent set last week. Holiday openings—on the only sunny day for over a week—bolstering all, with only Orpheum having to move date ahead to hit the special day. Orph stays this way current, but will hold next feature eight days to get back to Fridays. Last week was a bit more than average with short weeks at the Omaha and the Orpheum. Five days at the Omaha with a hold- over on 'Goln' to Town' with a re- run of 'Naughty Marietta' for the first dual bill since the remodelllni; of the house, strong biz. Orph cut its week to six days to allow for the holiday opening. Exploitation credit this week to the Brandeis, ljut better labelled advertising credit as Its naiional Crix Cold, Fans Hot for Hepburn, Cincy $10,000 Wk. Cincinnati, June 4, (Best Exploitation: Albee) Summer policy inaugurated this week, with ace houses shaving budg- ets and prices. Town is all screen, the Shubert, only pixflesh stand, having closed for extensive altera- tions, its reopening set for Aug| 23. Current fare moderate, but biz fa- vorable generally. First money by 'Break of Hearts,* with $10,000 for Albee. New scale at ace RKO theatres, Albee, Palace and Capitol, Is 35c. to 6, then 35-42c. for weekdays, and 35c. to 1 on Sat. and Sun., with 35- 42c. thereafter. Keith's is 30c. to 6 and- 30-42O.-after- that--on--all days. Changes embrace nickel -eut-s and extension of early-Jjird periods. RKO publicity department devot ed chief attention to 'Break of Hearts.* Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,300; 36-42)— 'Break Hearts' (Radio) extraed by .'March of' Time.' Hepburn the typer. Crix deplore shopworn plot for important cast. Trade mostly femme, indicating Charles Boyer's pop leap with gals. Looks like $10,- 000, all right. Last week 'Flame' (MG) cooled off In last half for a slow $S,500. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 35-42)— 'Pampas' (Fox) and Ross-McLarnIn clips. Baxter rooters and fight fans on hand for $9,500, satisfactory. Last week 'ndiscretion' (MG) and vaude, Guy Lombardo band topping, $20,- 000, hotsy totsy. Flesh addition was for one week "only, transferred from smaller Shubert; closed May 23 for improvements. Lyric (RKO) (1,500; 25-30-40)— 'Vampire' (MG). Peppy start points to $5,000, good. Last week 'Town' (Par). Mover over from Albee, $6,- 000, okay. Got $13,500 at Albee seven days. Capitol (RKO) (2,000; Z^-i2) 'Have If (UA). Maybe $4,500, nice. Last week 'Little Gu-l* (Fox) 2d downtown wk. $4,000, not bad, following $13,500 inltlaler at I'alace. Keith's (Libson) (1,500: 30-42)— '10th Avenue' (WB). Setter Davis in big letters. Should hit $4,000, pleasing. Last week 'Callente' (WB) got $5,200 for $6,700 take on 10-day run. Grand (RKO) (1,200; 25-ao--10)— 'Town' (Par), 3d downtown wk, it3,- 000, dandy. Last week 'Miserables' (UA), 3d downtown week, $2,000 Got $13,500 first week at Albee, $4,- 500 In second at Capitol. Family (RKO) (1,00; 15-25)—'Air Hawks' (Col) and 'Love Danr-'or (Fox), split, $2,000, fair. Last week 'Shadows' (Col) and 'Shot in Dark (Ind), divided, $2,300. Strand (Ind) (1,200; 15-20-30)- 'Chinatown' (U). Attractive front and -suitable meller product for transients fetching $2,200, above av eragc. Last week 'Gigolette' (Ra- dio), $1,400. Seitz on Crime Shorts Hollywood, June 4. George Seitz \yiU direct 'A Thrill for Thelma," next of the Crime Does Not Pay series of short featurettes at Metro. Company 1b filling casts of various pictures in the sei'ies from stock contract talent. lET'EMHAVEir THOMAS'BEST INNSGPin Pittsburgh, June 4. (Best Exploitation: Penn) In the Spring a young public's fancy turns to apparently every- thing but films. Business way oft again this week, except to some de- gree in one or two spots, with grosses continuing on the decline. Deluxers taking a back seat this week to a couple of the straights picture spots where things are com- paratively a bit cheerful. Warner, after a year with double features, has 'Let 'Em Have If on its own at same scale and biggest Decora- tion Day in years will enable house to push along pretty close to the $5,000 mark, considerably better than this site has been doing of late even with two features. G-Men cycle obviously still fresh, since the original continues to mop up In this territory and the same's predicted for the current edition. Fulton, too, getting a breather with 'Doubting Thomas' after several poor weeks and should likewise skip above the $5,000 deadline. Thaf s satisfactory, although no.t quite up to previous Rogers grossers, and possible hold- over still in doubt. Elsewhere, however. It's the dol- drums, Return for week of Johnny Perkins, a local fav, bolstering 'Pampas Moon' a bit at Alvin, may- be to around $9,000, while Penn, with 'Mark of Varnplre,' taking It plenty on chin and will ya.nk It Thursday (6), day ahead of sched- ule, for 'Public Hero No. 1' after woefully weak $4,500. Stanley, go- ing along in Just so-so fashion with 'Girl From Tenth Avenue' and. Frank-Milt Britton unit, with pos- sibly $13,500 In sight. Not so hot but management figures that with none-too-forte product available, flesh Is cutting down_ the possible losses considerably! " For 'Mark of Vampire,* Penn had a 'chamber of horrors' In vacant storeroom adjacent to theatre, dis- tributed 5,000 samples of 'wolfbane,' had men on the streets for three days in hat costume and likewise had a girl parading through the downtown section made up to look like the gal who plays the living corpse in the flicker. Estimates for This W»ek Alvin (Harris) (2,000 ; 23--40-55) ■=^*FaiTipira"M(Toii' (Fo-v) and Juhmiy— Perkins on stage. Rotund comic, who appeared-here earlier this sea- son for 16 weeks as m.c, helpinft flicker stagger through to $9,000, or possibly a trifle better, on seven days, bill opening Decoration Day, 24 hours earlier than usual. Last week, second of 'Our Little Girl' (Fox), about $4,000 In five days. Fulton (Shea-Hyde) 1,750; 25- 35-40)—'Doubting Thomas' (Fox). Will Rogers flicker, although gross won't be as hefty as this star has been running up locally of late, giv- ing this house some profit at bet- ter than $5,000 and may holdover few days. Last week, 'Mr. Dyna- mite' (U) yanked after five days to miserable, $2,000. Penn (Loew-UA) (3,300; 25- 35-40)—'Mark of Vampire' (MG). New low for the year at $4,500, if that, and this one goes o.ut tomor- row night (5) without rounding out the full week. First time this has happened at this site In years. Last week, 'Goin* to Town' (Par), just fair at $12,000. Stanley (WB) (3,600; 25-40-55)— 'Girl from 10th Ave.* (WB) and. Frank-Mllt Britton unit. Grosses haven't been so hot here of late but management figures even' so, with weakness of film product of late, that shows are lessening the losses. Around $13,500 in prospect this week. About the same last week with 'Callente' (WB) and Benny Meroff's show. Warner (WB) (2,000; 25-33-40)— 'Let 'Em Have If (UA). Back to single feature this week after more than a year with duals. All right, too, at least right now, with G-Men flicker getting away in great fash- ion and pushing ahead to around $5,000, swell. Last week, 'Strangers All' (RKO) and 'Cowboy Million- aire' (Fox), around the $4,000 mark. SHIRLEY AND TRANKIE' GET 'EM IN PROVIDENCE Providence, Juno 4. (Best Exploitation: Loew's) About the only rosy thing in town is Shirley Temple's 'Our Little Girl,' holdover at Fay's. Little gal Is hold- ing up swell in second week and threatens to pull more money in nt Fay's than the other spots can with new bills. Second best looks like 'Franken- stein' at Majestic, at least $8,000 for a nifty week. Fay's anticipatos nt least $0,000 with Shirley, and most of the other spots along the main (Continued on page DO)