Variety (Jul 1935)

Wedaesda^, Julf 24, 193S PICTURE €ROS§CS VARIETY 9 Temp Burns Hole in Qii Box Office; Torever' 2d Week Sock at Palace O.K. 20G, Times Sq.' 16G Chicago, July 23. (Best Exploitation: 'Palace) Loop is on the broiler currently, an the thermometer shinnies up the red pole to tropical beat marUs. Clanklne: down on the' city late last week the sizzler burned a hole, through most ot the box offices of town and only the most magnetic pictures were able to corral better than a quorum. Pictures coming through now are On the tail end. of this yeeur's re- leases.and ^e generally pretty flab- by stuff. No question that, the prod- uct Is .basically double-feature ma- terial, running both short and skim- py. At the Oriental management Is running four, short subjects with 'Times Square Lady,' despite the presence of a full-length vaude unit on the stage. Are running two Terry-toon cartoons, an Ernest Tru- ex two-reeler and a Paramount pic- torial spool. Biz picked up here on weekend and looks good, $16,000. Of all the entries In town the best business Is being contributed by hdld-over 'Love Me Forever." Tills ' Columbia picture turned In a smash- ing $47,000 last week for the big- gest gross in months and months. Holds over at the ac.e Chicago and then will go into the Roosevelt for further loop campaigning. Picture has built consistently, following a walloping opening. Standout from every angle. Runner-up for Interest is the Pal- ace, with 'Old Man Rhythm' on the screen and a vaude bill headed by Columnist Ed, Sullivan. And also fijfrurlng well la 'Flome Within,' which Is getting excellent femme drop-lh trade on the shopping stem. Exploitation on news-breaks and guest appearances of nltery names is the best of pubJiclty tie-ins for the Palace this week. Estimates for This Week Apollo (B&K) (1,200; 25-35-56)— 'Age of Indiscretion' (MG). Weakle from all standpoints here. Essen- tially a femme flicker, getting little of the afternoon-matron trade which counts. Hardly better than $2,500 In the offing. l,ast week, 'Keeper of Bees' (Rep) about the same slight take at $2,200. Chicago (B&K) (4,000; 35-55-75) —'Love Me Forever' (Col) and stage sliow. Holds over for second big session, also Plill Spltalny fenvhe musical group and Leo (^arrlllo on stage at big $34,000 pace. Smashed through last week for $47,300, build- ing constantly throughout week- days, despite heat. Goes into the Roosevelt Friday (26) for additional downtown satisfaction. Garrick (B&K) (900; 25-35-50)—. 'No More Ladles' (MG). Back to the loop after having had a fine stay seyernl weeks ago at United Artists. Good reputation helps at this house with the gross, rising to okay $3,500. Last week 'Virginian' (Par) re-re- lease fell oft somewhat, after good start, to fairish $2,800. Oriental (B&K) (3,200; 25-35-40) —'Times Square Lady' (MG) and 'Band Box Revue' unit on. stage. Opened mildly, but snapped up over weelcend and should hit good $16,- 000. House is believed getting regu- lar Chicago patronage with 'Forever' held over there. Last week. 'Girl From Tenth Ave' ((WB), good $12,- 600 on second loop session. Palace (RKO) (2,500; 25-35-55-65) —'Old Man Rhythm" (Radio) and vaude. Ed Sullivan headlining re- vue, which is helping the take cur- rently to melodious $20,000. Last week 'Arlzonlan" (Radio) held to $17,300, not bad. Roosevelt (B&K) (1.500; 25-45-65) —"Flame Within' (MG). Getting good matron patronage currently, which is boosting the general flavor to $8,000, easy to take. Last week, 'Men Without Names' (Par) man- aged $6,800, an average take for a programmer. State-Lake (Jones) (2,700; 20-25- 35)—"Awakening ' of Jim Burke' (Col) and vaude, Billy House top- ping. House settling to its xteady profit-making pace. Around the $11,000 mark, okay. Last week 'Alias Mary Dow" (U) and Benny Fields on stage, $11,800, fine. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 35- 55-65)—"Escape Me Never' (UA) .(2nd week). Will make it two weeks and more than satisfying, sticking above $7,500, fine for hold-over .srs- .sion. La-st week, lasty enough at $14,500 for initial stanza. "Call of the Wild' (UA) in tnmorrow ,(Wednesday). SAVO-PAR TALK DEAL Hollywood. July 23. Paramount Ih expected to close a contract soon with Jimmy Savo a.s a featured player. C'omic made one Hecht-McArtliur pic for P.ar whirli wa.M not givnn much publicity .Tftor com|)Ietl()n. BROOKLYN BECALMED No Beach Trade, but also No B.C.— Met, $12,030 Brooklyn, July 23. Beaches were socked rather hard over weekend. Terrific thunder storms on Saturday with several struck by lightning at Brighton Beach, four fatalities and a num- ber injured. Sunday brought milder temperatures. Picture houses In downtown area got a spurt at the b.o.'s but nothing to write Congress about. Best biz at Par where 'Front Page Woman' is on display and at Met where 'Escapade' is feature atti-ac- tion. Estimates for This Week Paramount (4,000; 25-35-50)— 'Front Page Woman' (WB). About $10,000 looked for, fair. Last week, 'Men Without Names' (Par), $9,700. Fox (4,000; 25-35-50)—The Clair- voyant' (GB) and stage show. Maybe $10,500, mild. lAat week, "Back Street' (U), $11,000, fair. Albee (3,500; 25-35-50) — 'The Raven' (U). After four days this picture .was supplanted' on a pre- view last night (Mon.) by 'Doubting Thomas' (Fox). Duo looks under $5,000, bad. Last week, 'Becky Sharp* (Radio) (2nd week). $5,000. Loew's Metropolitan (2,400; 2S-35- 50)—'Escapade' (M(S)_ and vaude featuring Joan Marsh," who copped some news space in local dailies here upon her arrival. About $12,000, oke. LJist week, 'Lei 'Em Have If (UA) okay. $13,000. Strand (2.000; 25-35-50)—'Mary Dow" (U) and 'Daring Young Man' (Fox), .-Doing pretty wel.. maybe $6,000. Last week. 'My Song for You' (GB) and 'College Scandal' (WB), $2,500, bad. love,' 27(1, Tops Detroit; 14G For 'Shanghai' Detroit, July 2S. (Best Exploitation: Fox) Hot weather Is hurting general business throughout the downtown section, but particularly hurting the majority of the spots is consistently weak product this week. Pictures without box office people are strug- gling desperately, but getting hard- ly anywhere. This refers especially to such pictures as 'Shanghai' at the Michigan and "Sanders of the River' at the United Artists. Double features continue to creep into the major spots, and the situa- tion Is becoming tight for the few houses which are remaining single bill. Both the Adams and the State are eating Into the big single feature houses. Adams, the Harry Balaban house, will likely lose Radio prod- uct now that RKO is going to open the Downtown as its own showcase. Arrival of the Downtown on Sept. 1 is figured to complicate the entire downtown section and the other houses are already lining up for a general battle roya). Fox leading the entire town with 'Love Me Forever.' Exploitation was a cinch, but it covered the field like a blanket. Estimates for This Week Fox (Indie) (5,000; 25-35-55) — 'Love Me Forever' (Col) «.nd vaude. Texas Mustangs orchestra on stage. Picture will go two weeks. Repeat- ing the story of zooming grosses for this picture throughout the tuTrl- tory. Picks up this register -like dynamite to mammoth $27,000 in this arena. Last week 'Cinger' (Fox) snagged fairish $16,400. Michioan (United Detroit) (4,000; 25-35-65)—'Sban.ffhRl' (Pari and stage show. California CoUegi.ans on stage. But nothing likely to help this week. Will drift off to $li,O0O, not good. Last week just a littlo belter at $15,800 for '.VIrn Without Xome.s' (Par). United Artists (tT»itoi1 DctroIM (2,000; 25-35-55) —'SandGi'.s' (UA). Thi.s will do wrieCul husine.ss from all indications. .Mayhe not more than $4,500 on the full sovcn (i:iy», it It sticks that long, ft may even l)fi yanked a.s w;i.<i l.ist weok's pic- ture, "Htranded" (W)'.). which whk rtulled iiflpr nvp brutal rt.'tys -it $4,900. 'Ginger,* $3,900, Best In Lincoln Group Lincoln, Neb., July 23. Uncooled houses are still finding heavy competition from the two with coolers, but the former notice some of their business returning as the mercury relents. Jane Withers in .'Ginger,' at the Stuart for a full week looks best. Lincoln newspapers. In co-operation with LTC. had a preview for patrons attending second evening show, and invited all couples married 60 years or more to attend first show Monday as guests. Opening of Nebraska's first semi- pro baseball tournament here this week is expected to take a part of the regular show money. Here two days, and George Sisler opening the games. Estimates for This Week Colonial (LTC) (750; 10-15)—Col- lege Murder Scandal' (Par). Week stander in a split house, with prob- able $860 and about up to par. Last week 'Code of Mounted' (Sec) and 'Hard Rock Harrlgan' (Pox) split, good at $950. Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-20-25)— "Front Page Woman' (WB). In for full week and easily get $2,200. T..ast week 'Keeper of the Bees' (Mono) very good at $2,100. Orpheum (LTC) (1,200; 10-15-25) —'Pampas Moon' (Fox) plus "Tran- sient Lady' (Univ). First half week will probably add up to not more than $1,500 unless last half excep- tionally good. Last week. 'Orchids to You' (Fox) and 'Black Sheep' (Fox), first half. 'Hurray for Love' (Radio), last, did $1,900. which was oke. Stuart (LTC) (1.900; 10-26-40)— 'Ginger' (Fox). With exploitation should do a nice $3,900. Last week, 'Doubting Thomas' (Fox) pulled through $3,500, just fair. Xnrly Top/ $4,800, Leads Balto; Moore, 2nd Week, Good 12G Baltimore, July 23. (Best Exploitation: Century) Town-topper this session Is the burg's smallest (with exception of the arty Little) first runner, 'Curly Top' having an early release at the New, and the Shirley Temple tag on the masthead making biz sprightly. House has been hurling plx in which the moppet is starred at public with such rapidity, how- ever, it looks as though the folks here are beginning to tire. Seems to be no doubt that her b.o.' magic is being resorted to over-zealously, and that she will suffer as a stellar luminary In short time if her flicks are thrown on screen with such reg- ularity. Instance, ■'Curly Top' is. the fourth Temple at the New since Xmas, and since each Is held and milked for tortnitc, public Is becoming sated. Can be seen from fact grosses dwin- dle on each succeeding release. Cur- rent one is doing best biz around town, very good $4,800, and will h.o. for surety, but pace is step behind her previous pix. Hipp is doing nicely with h.o. of 'Love Me Forever.' After bang-up initial stanza, second will wind up with good $12,000. Herb Morgan of the Century In- duced the hard-to-crack Evening Sun to send a man around to write up angles on the 'Small Time Caval- cade,' current on stage. Also, pre- vailed upon Sun - to send staff sketchcr around and do a drawing on one of troupers. First time sheet has done this for a vaudeville .show since two-a-day occupied the boards up at the now-lcgit Maryland. Estimates for Thie V/eek Century (Locw-UA) (3,000; 15- 25-35-40-55-65) — 'Murder Man' (MO) and vaude headed by Billy Rose's 'Small Time Cavalcade.' Pic and flesh 'Cavalcade' both got good press, but biz not so hot. Not more than mild $15,000. Last week 'Calm Yourself" (MG) and 5 acts, bare $14,000. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,300; 15-25-35-40-55-65)—"Love .Me For- ever' (Col) and vaude (2d week). Wind-up 7 day.s, current, good for easy $12,000, very good. La.st week, first elongated se.s.sion of 9% days knocks off sock $20,500. Keith's (Schanhergcr) (2,500; 15- 2.';-30-35-40)—"Alibi Ike' (WB) (8 days). Bettered predictions, coming In with good $4,500. Gives way to- night to 'Shanghai' (Par). ' New (Mcchanif) (1,800; 15-25-30- S5-40-50)—'Curly Top' (Fox), Draw- ing wcU. if under pace ot'pa.st Shlr- loy Temple Kt.arrers. Kld.s undci' the tent for J5c. all times, takes a host of such admlsbes to count up. CIncli foi- very good $4,900 and holdov»!r. r<ast week 'Don't Bet on Hlondcs' (WB) down in dumps at $2,'.'00. Stanley (Wit) (,'5,450: J.';-25-35-40) — 'Front Pagf Woman' (WB). I'rcss plauditcd, hut Inexplicable drop-off after fast start. Won't top off $4,200. Last week 'College Scaiidiil" (Pjir), evoTi worse than figured, getting hut i?,.rm. 'Gondolier,' $28,000, B way's Best As Trade Wihs Under Humidity; Tobbs $26,080, 'Shanghai' $23, NEW HAVEN QUIET No Outctandere — 'Trapexe'-* irl* Mild Topper*, $4,000 New Haven, July 23. (Beat Exploitation: Pol!) Nothing outstanding this week, either in bills" or business. A let- down for the town after the big Grace Moore trade^ of last week. "Forever' a holdover'and on second week will probably equal other houses' current first weeks. Last week Hagenbeck circus and a Rudy Vallee ballroom stand of- fered heavy opposish on top of brutal heat. The lone bally of the week came from Poll's on a tiein with a dairy- ice cream manufacturer. Gag w^s along the 'lucky number' &nglc and gave guest tickets to purchasers of firm's products when stubs matched numbers posted on giant ice cream cone cutout in lobby. Stunt rated displays on the dairy's trucVs, Estimate* for Thia Week Paramount (Publlz) (2,348; 35- 50)—'Flying Trapeze' (Par) and 'Girl Who Come Back' (Ches) Probably town's topper with a fair $4,000. Last week 'Thunder in EUist' (UA) and 'Headline Woman' (Mas), dropped to a sickly $2,800. Poli (Loew) (3.040; 35-50)—'She' (Radio) and 'Silk Hat Kid' (Fox). Wearing out adding machine zerod this week. Weak $3,800. Last week 'Love Me Forever' (Col) and 'Ladles Crave Excitement (Mas), landed a peach of a week at close to big $9,000. Roger Sherman (WB) (2,200: 36- 50)—'Front Page Woman' (WB) and 'My Song For You' (GB). Around average mid-summer gross at maybe $2,800. Last week 'San- ders' (UA) and 'Don't Bet on Blondes' (WB), couldn't catch on at all, red, $2,500. College (Loew) (1,566; 35-50)— 'Love Me Forever' (Col) and 'Ladies Crave Excitement' (Ma.s). Loew uses this house to carry hold- overs from Poll and ups scale from 26-35. Looks like excellent $3,700 on six days. Last week. 'Chan In Egypt' (Fox) and local talent re- vue, at old scale, drew big $4,400, with extra bally on revue-getting credit. 'Shanghai' Races Trapeze,' $9,500 Each in Cincy Cincinnati, July 23. (Best Exploitation: Palace) Cinema biz in central sector a few degrees above last week, with pro- longed heat spell an aid for chilled houses. Curretitly 'Shanghai' and 'Man on Flying Tranoze' are'deadr heating It for top dough at $9,500 for Albee and Palace. 'Tarzan' is fetching $4,000 for the Lyric and Keith's is ticketed for $3,800 on 'Don't Bet on Blondes,' 'Love Me Forever,' in second down- town week, is pulling $4,500 at the Capitol and 'Escupade,' in third downtown week. Is bringing $2,000 at the Grand. 'Man on Flying Trapeze' fared best In treatment by dallies. Eatimatee for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,300; 35-42)— 'Shanghal' (Par). Eoyer-Young combo luring romancers for $9,500, fair. Last week 'Love Me Forever' (Col), $14,500, big. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 36-42)— '.Van on Flying Trapeze' (Par). W. C. Fields the .swing with family fun fans for $9,500, good. Last week She' (Radio), $7,000. Capitol (RKO) (2,000; 35-42)— r^ove Me Forever' ((Jol). Second downtown week. $4,500, okay. Last week 'Escapade" (MG). .switched from Albee for second week. $3.S00. Keith's (Llb.'ion) (1,500; 30-42)- 'Don't Bet on Blondes' (WB). War- ion William and Claire Dodd the .s;iles angle. Comedy trade in line for 5S.S00, not bad. Last week 'Front I'Hge Woman' (WB), $3,500. Lyric (ItlCO) (1,500; 25-30-40) — 'Tar/an' (Ind). Heavy juve pull. Maybe $4,000, nice. Last week 'Thunder In East' (UA), $3,300. Grand (llKO) (1,200; 25-30-40) — •Kf-rapadf;' (Mfj) cm wk). All rljihi wllh $2.0f)0. Last week 'Slr.uuled' (WB) and 'Nitwits' (P.a io), .splii rcnefit.s. $1,900. Family (liK'O) (Beat Exploitation: Strand) But for Saturday's (20) rain, and showers on Monday, this week's grosses on Broadway would be low- er than they are. Only 'Broadway Gondolier,' at the Strand, stands out against the weather, which was hot again yesterday (Tuesday),- Film will get a possible $28,000, good, and holds. 'Lady Tubbs' and 'Shanghai,'- other new temperature deflers, are running second but for their houses, Floxy and Par, respectively, will bring fair profit. 'Tubbs' will go over $26,000, while 'Shanghai* will climb to $13,000, for this time of year all right. Par planned holding 'Shanghai' a second week, selling the W. C. Fields' picture, 'Man on Flying Trapeze' to the Roxy, but decided against this and plays the Fields flick Friday (16). Roxy at- tributes Its figure to aid of radio plugs It has been getting from CBS on its current CBS stage revue. Music Hall and Capitol are both bad currently. Former with 'Ginger* looks but $62,000 In spite of good notices, while 'Don't Bet on Blondes,' at the Cap, will only be near $20,O0S. Fact that the Rlvoli is closed until July 31, when reopening with 'Dante's Inferno.' may be helping; both the Roxy . and Par. but ap- parently Isn't favoring the Cap. Latter's entry is a V.rarner booking, arranged for as a substitute for in- tended revival of 'Smllln' Thru.'- Good showing at the Strand la partly due to a comprehensive ad and exploitation campaign on 'Gon- dolier,' Warners started exploiting the picture four weeks in advance,. Including plastering of the Warner theatre up the street with big signs and banners. A special window display was built In the Southern Pacific railway window on Fifth avc, a week in advance; 10.000 Dick Powell autographed atJlla were, passed out at the Strand 10 days in advance, plus 10,000 distributed by shops In the midtown districts, and three days ahead of the opening a sound truck playing song records was driven through the streets. Songs were spotted on leading radio hours and a special' preview wan held for radio columnists and com- mentators resulting in publlcltir and reviews. WNEW plugged num- bers daily a week In advance and an audition was held In the lobby of the Strand opening nite in search of a voice resembllpg-Powell's which would get a sustaining spot-on this station. Special publicity, window tie-ups and delivery of 50,000 heralds, one with each telegram, by the Postal Telegraph three days ahead of-the opening, also figured in the .cam- paign. Estimate! for Thia Week Capitol (4,620; 35-76-85-$1.10J— 'Don't Bet on Blondes' (WB) and stage show. Going no place, around $20,000. Last week on holdover (2nd wk) 'Escapade' (MG) slumped to $18,000. Palace (1,700; 35-50-65)—'Men Without Names' (Par) and vaude. Although this one squeezed through two weeks at the Par, doing above expectations here, $11,000. good. Last week, 'Lamps of China' (WB) .staggered, $8,500.. Paramount (3,604; 35-55-75-85) —'.Shanghai' (Par). At Indicated $23,000, not bad in face of heat Last week 'Paris in Spring' (Par), $16,500. Radio City Music Hall (5,989; 40- 00-S5-99-$1.10)—'Ginger' (Fox) and stage show. Good reviews but not reflected in business, only $62,000 in view, poor. Last week, third for 'Love Mo Forever,' $67,000, Rivoll (2,092; 40-65-76-85-99)— Reopens Wednesday (31) with 'Dante's Inferno' (Fox) under same policy as before. 'Doubting Thorna^ (Fox), which darkened theatre last Tuesday night (16) was 114.009, disappointing. Roxy ( 5,886; 26-35-55)—'Lady Tubbs' (U) and CBS Radio Bevuo on stage. Radio personalities on rostrum and air plugs helpl-7g 1o over $20,000, okay. Last we'-;: 'Hooray for Love' (Radio) climbed to $27,200. Strand (3,450; 35-55-65-85)—'IJor,- dolier' (WB). Effectively sold :;nd resisting heal for fIrKt week of S-'8.- 000, good. Stays a Kccond. 'I-'ront Page Woman' (WB) la.st weeic couldn't take it, $JC.700. State f.l.'lSO: 35-55-75)— 'Kh- cuDade' (,M(;) aiid v.aude. oniug fairly gO(jrl i)lav ,'iii<l may top $17,- 000, okav. Last weel;. 'Let 'J':m Have If (CA), near $10,000. •,Ii;.«li(e (jf I'.aiiije' (Col) and "Perfect '•lue' HiKlj, .S|)lil, ¥1.700, fair. Last week '.Miii-dei' in Fleet' (IvI''!), $'^,200; ,','(p'if|. .•Jirand (fnd) d.L'OO; 13-25)—'VII- li(;e T.-ile' (U.-i'llo). Averaging at .^l.^on. J,;iMi week 'f-idie;: Crave r-iU'jin-uL' (Ahisrnt), rlillo, '^F