Variety (Jun 1935)

0 VARIETY PICTURE GROSSES Wednesday, June 12, 1935 L. A. Deluxers Take Life: 'Have It' loon Hefty $22,508; lamps BaOy to I; %&i Slumps, 12G: 'Ike' Oke Los Angeles, June 11. (Best Exploitation: RKO-H'wood) Chinese-State and RKO-Holly- wood were the quartet of houses to arouse themselves from a lethargical state during current stanza, with business perking up considerably In all four. Chinese and State have the dual combo, 'Pampas Moon' and, 'Let 'Em Have It,' while the RKO and Holly- wood house, 'Oil for Lamps of China.' Though take at these houses will not be equal In dollars and cents to that of the Paramount, the latter house Is In the dropsy spbt with 'The Glass Key,' despite th« fact that picture Is credited ns being the best of the George Ratt series. Pour Star, which has been going great guns, hit a snag with its cur- rent attraction, 'Thunder In the fiast,* an import which will linger only a single stanza, RKO and Hollywood are top- notchers on e::ploltation with 'Lamps.' Houses garnered a moun- tain of free space from the Hearst papers, coupled with an extensive campaign on the book, which eclip'sed anything the other houses In town did on their campaigns. Book replicas 30 feet tall were spotted in the gardens of the Am- bassador hotel facing Wilshire blvd. A sound truck around town bally- hoolng, too. Tleups made with chain drug stores for window displays, book markers spread In all rental libraries, cards given out in hotels for'malllncr and 100 24-sheet stands, besides; just scared the other houses from trying to. compete against the edrst publicity barrage. Estimates for This Week Chiriece (Grauman) (2,02S; 30-40- 65)—'Pampas' (Fox) and 'Have It' (UA) split, Best of double billera house has had to date, with result nice profit In sight at $10,000 figure. Last week 'Doubting' (Kox) and 'Ca- sino' (MG). Came through as ex- pected to an even $7,800. Downtown (WE) (1,800; 25-33-40) —'Alibi Ike' (WB). Kids going • strong for this Joe E. Brown, but elders shying bit, so around $3,800 will have to be olce. Last week 'Fury' (FN). House had no regrets with this Muni opus, which slid out with a neat $4^100. Filmarte.(Reisenfeld) (900; 40-50) —'Spring Parade' (U). Not such a b.o. cyclone as house figured, and win struggle to reach a $2,400. Last week 'Man Who Knew' (G-B). Slid off bit after opening, and finaled to a $2,900 tone. Four Star (Fox) (COO; 30-55) — Thunder East' (UA). Not big enough to mean much, as Oberon had ngr stand, so house will have to content itself with a $2,900 take, I^ast I week, fourth, 'Miscrablos' <UA). Slowed considerably In final milking process, which drew $2,1!00. Grand International (Tlosoner) (785; 35)—'Maxim' (AmKIno) (2d week). This one rather weak brother, and no reason for holdover, which will not reach $400. Last week, Initial stanza, just got an even $700. Hollywood (WB) (2,756; 25-35-40- B5)—'Lamps' (FN). Off to great start with terrific ballyhoo, and will hit a big $10,000, which may mean second week. Last week 'Hearts' (Radio). Ju::t a big headache with a $4,500 total. Pantages (Pan) (2,700: 25-40)— THcaler' (Monogram) and 'Men of Hour' (Col) split. Off to poor start, which never speeded, so house has to be satisfied with around 53,300. Last week 'Mary Dow' (U) and 'Frightened' (Mascot). Much better than expected, with a profitable $4,- 200 take for Pan. Paramount (Partmar) (3,595; 30- 40-55)—'Glass Key' (Par) and stage show. Opened very weakly and will have tough road to go to hit an oven $12,000. Last week 'Four Hour.';' (Par). With Ramon Novarro on stage house was s.Tvcd from doom, as bettor than G5% of the $18,300 coming in can be credltrd to his draw power with the Latin pop of community. RKO (2,950; 25-35-40-55)—'Lamps' (T'N). Though not going at as fast a clip as tho Hollywood, tliis house dointr around tho 'G Mou' business, which will bring good profit at $10,000. Last week 'Henrts' (Radio). ju.<!t a sick sistor, wliicli tunod oft with SI,COO and gave house dys- pcD.Tia. Si te (Loow-Fo;:) (2,021: 30-10- 55)—'Pampas' (Fox) ,nnd 'Ilavp H' (UA) Sl)lit. Best Iioiiso Ji:\s dmip in long while, with take sure to hit n good profit at $lL'.5nn. L;i:-t work 'JJoiibtln,'!' (Fo,\> .'uul 'C.i.slno' (.M(n. Plenty okn and bettor llinn .mllcl- pated with $10,200. United Artists (Fox-T^\) (2,100: 2,')-30--)0-u.'))—'Doubting' (l"o\) .nnd 'Casino'' (MG) split. A'ory, very tough, will not hit over Sl.lnO, hm-i. week 'Fl.imo' (MG) and ',«;canda1;:' (Ji'ox). Just a load of gri^f to very poor 01,';oo, wliich brliif;-.s nioin tlian grand jof;s to house. 'Diggers,' 'Miserables* $6,300 and 3G in B'ham Birmingham, June 11, (Best Exploitation: Ritz) 'Gold Diggers' at Alabama Is de- pending more or less on triumphs of other years to pull them In while 'MIserables' at RItz Is depending on the name of the story to bring In the masses. Charles Laughton In the cast will do more than the story, though. Nothing out of the ordinary in exploitation. Rltz gets the cake. Estimates for This Week Alabama (Wllby) (2,800; 30-35- 40)—'Gold Diggers' (FN). Not big at $6,300. Last week 'G-Men' (FN) $7,500 good but not exciting. Ritz (Wllby) (1,600; 30-35-40)— 'MIserables' (UA). At $3,000, moderate. L,ast week 'Scandals' (Fox) $3,500. Empire (Acme) (1,100; 25)—'Girl from 10th Ave.' (FN). Just fair, $2,100. Last week 'Informer' (Ra- dio) $2,600, moderate. Strand (Wllby) (800; 25)—'Were- wolf (U). Just another week, $1,500. Last week 'Murder In Fleet' (MG) $1,700. 1st. Runs on Broadway (Subject to Change) Week of June 14 Capitol—'Public Hero' (MG) (2d wk). Music Hall—"Becky Sharp' (Radio) (13). Paramount — 'Glass Key' (Par). Rivoli—'L«t 'Em Have If (UA) (3d wk). Roxy — 'Vagabond Lady' (MG). Strand—'Oil for the Lamps of China' (WB) (2d wk). Week of June 21 Capitol—'No More Ladles' (MG). Music Hall—"Becky Sharp' (Radio) (2d wk). Paramoun t—'Accent On Youth' (Par). Rivoli—'Nell Gwynne' (UA) (19). Roxy — '(Jharlle Chan in Egypt' (Pox). Strand — 'St (WB) (19). Flesh and lamps; $18,000, Pgh.; %o' $8,500, Rest Just Ambling Tublic Hero^Thin Man' Revival, $15,000 Combo, Wows in Prov. Providence, June 11. (Best Exploitation: RKO-Victory) The only real doiiigs this week are at Loew's State where 'Public Hero' Is vieing with revival of 'Thin Man' for honors. Strand seems to be next In line, but things are not as peppy as they should be with such a bill as 'People Will Talk' and 'Headline Woman.' 'Frankenstein' moved over to Fay's from Majestic for second week, but holdover Is pretty tepid. This in spite of help from a fairly good stage show. Albee has switched to Thursday openings, but change has brought no particular effect' on the takings; biz continues to be as it has been since vaudG was dropped off. Top honors for exploitation were grabbed by RKO-Victory with Ijoew's missing out with a pepoy campaign by a nose. Victory's bally on 'Justice of the Range,' a west- erner, and 'Strictly Dynamite,' sec- ond run. Is significant for more rea- sons than one. Because of bad biz house has discontinued all advertis- ing in newsp.Trpers, and Is' concen- trating on: bringing them around to the box office with less expensive avenues of .publicity. Other stands have cut advertising costs consid- erably, but no one but the Victory has eliminated newspaper ads en- tirely. Estimates for This Week Loew's State (3,200; 15-25-40)— 'Public Hero' (MG) and 'Thin Man," Plenty of interest worked up by houso in both pictures through smart campaign, and the opening showed It. About the only stand that will make a go of it this week: looks like a wow $15,000 with not a little of it credited to 'Thin Man.' Last week 'Within the Flamfi' (MG) and 'Jim Burke' (Col) bad with the rest of thom at $C,G00. Strand (Indie) (2,200; 15-26-40)— 'People Will Tallc' (Par) and 'Head- line Woman' (.Masc). Nice critical comment, but pace not as forte as it should be; house looks for $0,500 at the most, so-so. Last wcel; 'Scoundrel' (Par) and 'Party Line' (Col) picked ui) a bit late In the weelc, but still not so good at $5,400. Majestic (Fav) (2,200; 15-25-<0)— 'Callentc' (FN) and 'While Patient Slept' (FN). Poor pace, best It can hope to do is around $0,000, so-so. Last week 'Friihlcenstein' (U) and 'Mary Dow' (U), wowed them for a nice SS.COO. RKO Albee (2,500; 15-25-40)— 'WercwolC (U) and 'Night Life of tlie Ciods' (U). Bad week In pros- pect; house will be fortunate if gross crosses S-I.OOO, plenty off. Last week 'Ilrcak of Hearts' (Radio) and 'People's Enemy' (Radio) off, too; at $-l,700. F.ay's (:-,000; 15-25--10)—'Frank- pn.stcin' aiul v;>udo. House pull- ing'.ari kinds of strings to Icocp .open i\ir .Sinrinicr';;s lo:;;v as jjossiljle; pix nmyhc-i'f' ni'.nv liv-^t v.'O'olc'.s hi^ ,at the -"M.njcstio; ?5,.'iiiO at the hiost .Tnlici- pafod; orr. List wook 'Our Litlln '.-irl' (Fox), stoo.l ui) iccly on a hoMovn:- ;it .$'.!,'lUO. lcto;y (l.fiOO; 10-15-25) — 'Jiisti(;p of ilu> I'aii'^o' (('()!) and '.Mr. Oyii.'imilc' (T;. C.-ifn litlU; hotter; Ihlng.s lookliiir '.ii' Ihis weol: bec-;i.uso of bally. I,o'ii::i liJi^^ $1,050 on .split week. mo; $18,500, BETO BOSS Baltimore, June 11. ( est Exploitation: Stanley) Biz all over has snapped back this week to more normal plane, with Century the town-topper. 'Public Hero' on screen with strong stage-show headed by cinema- comic Henry Armetta. Mats are slightly off, due to fact women aren't being attracted by the melo- dramatic flicker. But nites bounce fine, catering to capacity crowds with exception of Saturday, when biz collapsed all over town due to terrific rainstorm. The New Is running 'Pampas Moon' on screen, a beaut contest on stage this week in tie-up with Hearst paper. Two gals are going to be sent to Hollywood for visit. Evenings, when contest Is rolling, are the saviors. Best bally achieved by Stanley for 'Lamps,, of China.' Since It Is a Cosmo production, local Hearst rag started six weeks ago building up advance on It, running story serial ly, and dishing out, stills and copy on almost every page. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew-UA) (3,000; 15-25- 35-40-55-65)—'Public Hero' (MG) and acts headed by Henry Armetta. Very good $18,600. Last week 'In- discretion' (MG), 'March of Time' and Myrt and Mia.rge heading stage- show. Didn't do much, just about getting even break at slightly uvi^er $17,000. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,300; ,15-25-35-40-55-65) — 'Hooray' (Ra- dio) and Britton band unit. Good $13,000. Last week 'Curious Bride' (WB) and acts. Okeh $10,500. Keith's (Schanberger) (2,500: 15- 25-30-35-40) — 'Glass Key' (Par) opens this evening' (Tuesday) at 6 n.m. Closing out five-day siege is 'Lost City' (Super Serials) which crlx cruelly rapped, but which nevertheless managed to snag o.k, $3,500. New (Mechanic) (1,800; 15-25-30- 35-40-50)—'Pampas' (Fox). With help of beaut contest rolling on rostrum nltely, will get fair $3,200. Last week (2d), 'Doubting' (Fox). S2,900. Fortnite total good, but not sensational $7,700. Stanley (WB) (3,450; 15-25-35- 40)-T'Lamps' (WB), Helped by hefty advance and current cam- naign and nods from critics, hlx building up Into what will be erood .^7,500. Last week 'Callente' (WB). Just fairish at $5,600. excitement which has prevailed ever since the flood started, More people are on the street and they're so busy talking ■ about other peo- ple's troubles they forget their own and have become temporarily loose on the pursestrings. Parks and outdoor dance "spots are the ones hurt. Estimates for This Week Colonial (LTG) (760; 10-15) — 'Red Blood' (Ind) and 'Four Hours* (Par), split. Take around $1,000, okay. Last weeic, three changes, 'Border Brigands' (U), 'Ticket to Crime' (Beacon) and 'Flirting with Danger' (Mono). House got a good $1,150. Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-20-25)— 'Glass Key' (Par). Hitting on all fours and a $2,700 for the week Is good biz. Last week 'Dance' (WB). Hung on like fly paper and got an unexpected $3,100, Orphoum (LTC) (1,200; 10-15-25) 'Schoolmaster' (Mono) and 'Head- line' (Mono), first half dual; 'Young Man' (Pox) and 'Strangers' (Radio) second canto. Will give the house's first straight pic week about $2,100, good enough. Last week 'Times Sq.' (MG) and Dixlana Revue, first; ■Village Tale' (Radio) and - 'New York Night' (MG) for second half dual. In the money with $3,300, very good. Stuart (LTC) (1,900; 10-25-40)— 'Richelieu' (UA). If cool weather holds $3,000 In sight, average. Last week 'G-Men' (WB). Knocked the b.o. for a loop and went heovy every day to a final tally of $4,C00, which is whoopee money. Flood Booms Biz In Lincoh; 'Key' in Front with $2,700 Lincoln, June 11. (Best Exploitation: Stuart) 'Glass Key' has caught the eye and money this week, but it was last week the boys will remember happily. Cool weather forced the usual seekers of outdoor' amuse- ment to stay inside and a .good lay- out of pics got most of tho money in town. However, 'Key' is .going to moke a good showing with a like- ly $2,700. 'Richelieu,' at the Stuart, .got started off by being used on iv benefit performance for a fxmu to aid flood sufferers and reapfd .i chunk of advance publicity. Orpheimi, having dropped tlie va\ule halves of the week until ne.vt fnll. Is running dual feature split wftel-'s and pp.trons are not out of the li.ihit of spending one night ;i week in tho house. Take has been good so far. Condition Is laid largely to the Shriners a Problem, *Mo' at $20,000 In National Capital 'Washington, June 11. (Best Exploitation: Fox) Shrine descended upon town 125,- 000 strong over week-end and pre- sent biggest puzzle local pic men have faced Ip years. Boys are split wide open as to whether it will bring biz or knock it In the ash can. Keith's went out on limb In scheduling midnight shows every night during convention. It may work, but first try Sunday (9) was light, Loew's spots are all set to extend schedules If crowds on streets look alive. Two Warners spots aren't even Interested, Na- tional, town's only legit, folded its stock company witliout even at- tempting to buck parades. Fox pulled smartest stunt of week by offering $500 reward to first person turning in Weyerhaeus- er ransom bill. Numbers of bills were posted bv box office and gag tied In with 'Public Hero' and G- men. Hearst's Herald linked by offering $250 reward for same Idea. Estimates for This Week Fox (Loew) (4,434; 25-35-60)— 'Public Hero' (MG) and vaude. House going in heavy for Shrine bally with tezzes on usher.s, but not enough names to pull over oke $20,000. La.st week 'Flame' (MG). Took profitable $22,000, Earle (WB) (2,424; 25-35-60) — '10th Ave' (FN) and vaude. Bette Davis name, plus Eddie Duchin on stage, looking toward nice $18,000. Last week 'Caliente' .(WB). Took satisfactory $17,000. Keith's (RKO) (1,830; 25-35-60)— 'Escape Mc' (UA). Holding up oke and will run two extra days to put house back on Friday evenings. Nine days sliould pull good $10,000. Last week 'Hearts' (Radio). Weak as heavy grosser in good Hepburn spot, but $8,500 was profitable for seven days. Palace (Loew) (2,303; 25-35-60) — •Doubting' (Fox). Usual Will Rog- ers biz with good $17,000. Last week (2nd) 'Town' (Par). Took oke $11,000. Met (AVB) (1,853; 25-40)—'Dag- ger' (WB). Below average of spot that usually cleans up on whodunit. Maybe light $3,200. Last week (2nd) 'G-Mon' (WB). After big week at E.irle lasted 11 days to get passable $6,000. Columbia (Loew) (1,263; -25-35- CO)—'Small 'VVorUr (Fox). Light with $3,000. Last week 'Little Girl' (Fox), Took nice $5,000 for second st.iy on main stem, Belasco (Radin) (800; 25-35-50- GO)—'Sympliony' (GB). (3rd week). Milked for Sl.OOO. Last week, same pic. Took oke $1,.")00. Butterworth for *3 Men' Hollywocrd, June 11.^ Wai-ners bus ; dcU on willi .Metro for louiiout of Oi.'irles But- lerwiirth for tliu load in 'Three Men on .1 Horse' Rutterworih onneily on i-onti'.TPt at W'.arners. Pittsburgh, June 11. (Best Exploitation: Stanley) Slight Improvement hero this week and might have been even bbt- tei- had not open golf championship at nearby Oakmont absorbed week- end spotlight. In addition, bad weather break kept plenty away. Licading town by a wide margin Is Stanley, where 'Lamps of China' and Benny Davis' Star Dust Revue aro heading for house's best take In weeks. ■\Vhlle flicker is generally liked and has the advantage of the usual Hearst-Cosmopolitan splurge, maiir agement Is giving Davis equal credit. He's been a long-time fa-, vorlte locally and present unit is one of his bedt. Alvln, likewise, getting a new lease on life with Radio Revue, headed by Mary Small, Phil Cook and most widely-known of the net- work amateur winners, flesh rather than film, 'One Hour Late,' taking the bow. Of the straight picture sites, Penn doing tho best with 'Public Hero.' Fulton yanked ''Women Must Dress' after two days to the most brutal business of the season and hurried In 'Vagabond Lady' Saturday (8) at a moment's notice and doing a bit better. With Hearst sheet, Sun-Tele,' go- ing overboard on 'Lamps,' Stanley Itself concentrated more on sta;ge unit, Benny Davis' 'Star Dust Re- vue,' plastering the town with bill- boards giving him an eqUal break with picture, plugging via Forbes Field hawkers dui'lng Pirate-Cub and Pirate-Red baseball series and tying In with radio stations on Davis' latest hit tune, 'Chasing Shadows.' Estimates for This Week Alvin (Harris) (2,000; 25-40-55)— 'Hour Late' (Par) and Radio Revue with Mary Small, Phil Cook, Larry Taylor, Jack Rubin and Bowes- Allcn - Perkins - Edwards amateur winners. Flesh getting the nod for fairly brisk business. Around $11,000 In seven days, best here In some time, in prospect. Last week 'I'am- pas' (Fox) and Johnny Perkins presentation about $9,000. Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1,700; 25- 35-40)—'Vagabond' (MG). Brought in Saturday (8) on a minute's notice to succeed 'Must Dress' (Mono) after t\vo days. I/atter never got started, doing around $650 on the two days. 'Vagabond' just fair and may stay only four days. Last week 'Doubting' (Fox). Around $5,500, first Will Rogers picture in some time to get mere single week. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-35- 40)—'Public Hero' (MG). Maybe $8,500, not good and not bad. Last week 'Vampire' (MG). Pulled after five days to miserable $4,000, Stanley (WB) (3,600; 25-40-55) — 'Lamps' (WB) and Benny Davl3 unit. Brisk Improvement, some- where In neighborhood of $18,000. Davis, always popular here and with an excellent show, getting as much credit as picture. Last week 'lOtii Ave.' (WB) and Frank-Milt Britton unit, about $14,000. Warner (WB) (2,000; 25-35-40) — 'Harmony' (Par). Weak and not enough marquee strength. Looks like a drab, dull session, at $3,000. Last week 'Let 'Em Have It' (UA). Very good at better than $5,000. 'G' NICE $10,000 standout in Montreal, Rest Not So Hot Montreal, June 11. (Best Exploitation: Palace) Palace has the pick with 'G-Men' .and a very pleasant outlook, but the Capitol, running 'Glass Key' ;ind 'Scoundrel,' is not very likely to exceed the speed limit. Palace takes best exploitatio rating with its linking up of 'G- Mcn' to the Weyerhauesor kidnap- ing and some broadcasting. Estimates for This Week Palace (FP) (2,700; 50)—'G-Men' (WB). Looks like week's top- ■ notcher and on early biz may reach five figures with $10,000 gross, very nice. Last week 'Midnight' (Ra'dio). Faded with holiday and hot weather to $7,000. Capitol (FP) (2.700; 50)—'Glass Key' (Par) and 'Scoundrel' (Par). Not mucli above $7,500. fair. Last, week 'Velvet' (AVB) and 'Saleslady' (WB). Not so hot at $G,50il. Loew's (FP) (3,200; 50)--'\';im- pire' CMCr) and 'Havrin,mon' (.M(V). Last sliow this season ,at liouse, m;vy gross 000, poor. K-istweelc '.Mc- Faddeii' (I'lir) and 'Laddio' (nmlin). Fair at $G,U0O. Princess (OT) (2,200: 501—'My Song' (Urit) and 'Old ' Duu'h' (l-tril). Old C()Ui:try pix g" W'" hero, ni.iy ^'i-oss ?ii.5(i0. Secoiul wi-rk. J/ist weolv (2n(l1 '.M isorabli-. ' (tr.M. Grossed a lin'-' $7,i)(lO, Cinema de Paris (t''rapfe (GOO; 50)—'C2uel Drole do ^(.iai-.-.,' SIioiiM get good pl.TV hoi'o l'"'' .■?3,0(;0. L;ist week T.e JVi ni-: Xilllard;urc,' 2,r)00.