Variety (Aug 1935)

Wednesday* August 28, 1935 PICTURE G SSES VARIETY 'St(;ainboat' Racing for $1M as Chi Gallops; Bowes' Amateurs and 'Eight' $36,000; 'Seas' Wow 24G Chicago, Aug. 27. , With little warning, registers ot all the loop houses have started running a high fever. Oeheral up- turn has zoomed the little as well as the large houses. Total take In thQ loop has shown almost a 50%* hop over the past couple of years' aver- ago In the last fout- weeks, Product, of course, has been rhuch. better. Sock pictures In almost every spot. At least they all look like sock pictures when the public starts flocking in like sardines. B. & K. Is having a mighty run of it at the Chicago at last after a BOggy, unhappy June and July, Take Is hitting $36,000 or there- abouts week after week lately, at which figure the profits are neat House currently stays up there with 'Every Night at Eight' .and the Maj. Bowes amateur unit. This Is the first of the air, amateur shows to hit the loop and la scoring. Will Rogers had to die to become the sock of the loop. During his life- time his pictures were heavy money-makers in the nabes and the smaller spots, but never anything exciting In .the loop. On Saturday his 'Steamboat Around the Bend' opened to the biggest business f. Rogers picture ever got In the loop. And it appears to be heading the Koosevelt to it's biggeat session since 'Devil Dogs.' 'Curly Top' is getting a loop hold- 'over at the Garrick; 'Accent On Touth' is shoved into the Apollo for further looping , after a pretty fair session at the Roosevelt. Estimates for Thi» Week Apollo (B&K) (1,200; 25-36-55)— •Accent On Youth' (Par). Comes In h6re after a neat Roosevelt session and will stick to maybe $3,000, fair enough. Last week, 'Broadway Gondolier' (WB) managed pleasant 14,300. House likely to go two-a-day shortly for at least two roadshow pictures. Chicago (B&K) (4.000; 35-65-7B) —'Every Night at Eight' (Par) and Bowes amateur unit on the stage and aiding. House perking, excel- lently during the last lew. weeks, currently remains In the high ground at $36,000, powerful. Iiast •week, 'Curly Top' (Fox) turned In mighty matinees and somewhat flabby evenings but added together ■ lor highly socking $38,000. . Qarriek (B&K) (900; 25-35-65)— •Curly Top' (Fox). Second session downtown and will have to count ■primarily on afternoon trade for Its .good $5,500. Last week, 'Man On ' Flying Trapeze' (Par) and Louls- Levinsky fight picture excellent $6,300 on second week. Oriental (B&K) (3.200; 25-35-40) —'Smart Girl' (Par) and vaude. Off somewhat currently, but stiU whirling on the right side of the books at $16,000, nothing to com- plain about. Last week 'Chan in Egypt' (Fox) snatched fine $17,300. Palace (RKO) (2.500; 25-35-55)— •Alice Adams' (Radio) and Hal Kemp band on stage. Holdover for .the picture. Kemp comes in for one week and a local fav must mean something at the front wicket. .Holding to whanging $22,000. Last week was far above average at powerful $24,600. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 25-35- 55)—'Steamboat Round the Bend' (Fox). Biggest Will Rogers ever to see the loop. Started at strong clip on Saturday (24). Looking up to $16,000, extremely strong pace. Last week, 'Accent On Youth* (Par) turned In falrl.sh $6,100. . State-Lake (Jones) (2.700; 20- 25-36)—'Manhattan Moon' (U) and vaude. House playing up Dorothy Page, former Chifiago radio war- bler, featured In the flicker. Gross here has steadied nicely and is rid- ing neatly at $11,000 currently. Last week, 'Nit Wits' (Radio) turned Jn mlejhty fine $12,.100. United Artists (B&K-UA) (1.700; 55-55-65)—'C h 1 n a Seas' (MG). Opened Wed. (21) to walloping bual- ness; Shoving the gross up Into the Sitles at mighty $24,000, one of the biggest takes registered here in months. Last week 'Farmer Takes a Wife' (Fox) had to be satisfied with $12,900 as fair total for a 10- day ride. TRAPEZE' FUES FOR BIG $8,000 IN COL. Columbus. O., Aug. 27. (Best Exploitation: Broad) The Ohio went completely acrewy with load of business that dizzied .ill local boys. 'China Seas' pulled in record crowd for flr.st three clays, cracking 'Tugboat Annie' mark and ended .up with near record for week. N. Y. said holdover, so holdover she was. 'Scoundrel* was building when It was Jerked, a surprise, and 'Atter the Dance* didn't help Majestic gi'osses much. Broad worked hard on "Bonnie Scotland,' with best, gag a bagpiper parading main drag, followed by kilties with big Laurel and Hardy moulded masks. Attracted plenty attenti6ri. Estimates for This Week Palace (RKO) (3,075; 30-42)— 'Man on Flying Trapeze' (Par). Should kick out swell $8,000. Last week, 'Farmer Takes a Wife* (Fox) built lip to $6,500, good. Ohio (Loew-UA) C5,006; 30-42)— 'China Seas' (MG) (2d wk). Hold- over running okay $7,000. Last week take near record at $13,000. Broad (Loew-UA) (2,500; 30-42)— 'Bonnie Scotland' (MG). This Lau- rel-Hardy drawing big crowds, but mostly juvenile. Worth about $5,- 000. 'Smart Girl* (Par) weak with $3,000. Majestic (RKO) (1,100; 25-35)— 'Black Room' (Col) and 'Orchids to You' (Fox). Fair at $3,700. 'Scoun- drel' (Par) and 'After the Dance' (Col) indifferent at $3,600; 'GLORY' m $10,000, S.F.OK San Francisco, Aiig. 27. With the new fall product making its entry, business is good in these here parts. Most houses are mak- ing their normal take at the b. o. and some a little over, Warfleld looks for good gross with first Davles pic made by Warner, and Orpheum hopes for plenty with 'Diamond Jim.' Paramount up In the running with its double bill. Fox has Duncan Sisters on stage, and returns on this may decide pol- .Icy for future, with house now In doubt about pulling quality of stage shows. May close due to lack of pictures. United Artists unshutters after summer gloom with 'Call of the Wild' for opener, and enough prod- uct assured for continuance. St. Francis, which has been doing a land ofllce business with 'Irish,' closed while doing still well to casK In on 'Curly Top' from across the street at Warfleld. Move over has to be made without a tk-eak, else local zoning rules makes It a second run. No house lays claim to any par- tlculad exploitation, this town being not given to stunts of any kind. Hearst papers naturally gave boom ads to La Davles, which Is all right except that It sours the other two papers with close to 200,000 circu- lation between them. Orpheum extra spaced 'Diamond Jim' and Paramount went in for more lineage on Its dual. Estimates for This Week Clay (Roesner) (400; 25-35)—"La Dame aux CamllUas' (French). Will do about $1,000; good reviews help this house, which has class trade. Last week (2d) 'Nell Gwyn' (UA) all right at better than $800. Fox (Leo) (5,000; 25-40)—'Pur- suit' (MG) and Duncan Sisters on stage. Ought to be more than $8,500, n.s.h. House may fold end of this engagement duie to lack of product. Last week about $8,700 for 'Manhat- tan Moon' (Mas) and stage. Golden Gate (RKO) (2,850; 30-36- 40)—'Jalna' (Radio). Will be all right with $14,000. Last week (2d) 'Alice Adams' (Radio) profltable at $11,500. Stage show always at this house. Orpheum (F&M) (2,440; 30-35- 40)—'Diamond Jim' (U). Going above the $10,000 mark, good. Last week. 'Black Boom' (Col) and 'She Got Her Man' (U), so-so $6,000. Paramount (FWC) (2,740; 30-35- 40)—'Bonnie Scotland' (MG) and '39 Steps' (GB). Will clock well at $13,500. Last week, almost ditto for 'Inferno' (Fox) and 'Smart Girl' (Par). St. Francis (FWC) (1,470; 30-35- 40)—'Curly Top' (Fox). On Move- over from Warfleld not so good, $7,500. Warfleld still had holdouts on last day. Last week (4th) 'Irish' (WB). Cllcklhg at profitable $5,500. Warfleld (PWC) (2,080; 35-40-55). —'Page Miss Glory' (WB). Figures for $23,500 okay. Stage show and girl line alw.ays help!'. Last week 'Curly Top' (Fox) a hummer at moro than $20,500. Could have held for run, but hou.se policy sends all good ones acro.ss the street to other FWC house for continuances. B'klym Met's 1st Str. Pix Wk., *Chma Seas* $16,000 Brooklyn, Aug. 27. Downtown sector of City of Churches underwent major opera- tion last week. Theatres In the area- watched with anxiety change of policy at Loew's Metropolitan, which decided to drop vaude, for the flrst time In many years, and substitute straight picture policy, opening with the Harlow-Gable- Beery flicker, 'China Seas.' Loew's Met used the dallies to good ad- vantage In this town advertising change of policy in large display copy ahd covering the billboards aplenty. Met's dropping of vaude leaves the Fabian's Fox sole deluxer downtown with stage shows. The Met will probably gross a good $16,000 with 'China Seas,' due, no doubt, to excellent reviews and snappy local exploitation on this one. Fox on way to $14,000 over average, others mild. The Pata- mount's 'Accent on Youth' will re- ceive $11,000, so-so biz. Weather hera chapged from hot to cold, with "beaches comparative- ly empty and little play at games on boardwalk and Siirf avenue In Coney Island. Estimates for This Week Paramount (4,000; 25-35-50)— 'Accent on Youth' (Par). No great shakes for this one, only $11,000. Last week 'Every Night at Eight' (Par). $11,500, mild. Fox (4,000; 26-36-50)—'Bonnie Scotland' (MG) and stage show. Only house in town now offering flesh. Larry Cowan, house p.a., en- gineered good tleup with the Ea.gle on feature pic. Dally limerick con- test. Biz In region of $14,000, good. Last week 'Black Room' (Col), $11,- 000. Albee (3,500; 26-35-60)—'Farmer Takes a Wife' (Fox), also 'March of Time' on screen. Mebbe $5,000, weak. Last week 'Curly Top' (Fox), $5,000. Loew's Met (2.400; 25-35-50)— 'China Seas' (MG). House has dropped vaude after many years. Change <i policy was widely her- alded In Brooklyn and adjacent areas, plenty space. In'.papers, bill- boards, etc. Should produce a good $16,000. Last week 'Flying Trapeze' (Par) and vaude got $12,- 000. fairish. Strawd (2,000; 25-36-60)—'Going Highbrow' and 'Hard Bock Harrl- gan' (Fox), Will get $4,500, quiet. Last week 'After the Dance* (Col) and 'Smart Girl' (Par), $5,000, oke. W $28,000, Tanner Nice Diamond Jim' a $45,000 Sparkle On R'way; State Leaps for $35,000; 'Crusades' Fair at $8,700, 5 Days (Best Exploitation: Astor) Almost like old times at the box- offlces this week on Broadway. The summer has been a good one for the Street, the best since '29 In the opinion of fllm men, and with good product anticipated the fall Is re- garded as highly favorable. Current week oilers a couple dls- appointers but It also offers out- standing offsets. The Roxy and State, latter second run on fllm and stage show, are on the way to ter- rlflc takes. State has Lou Holtz, Belle Baker and team of Block and S.ully, recently at the Capitol, on stage and a new attendaince record looks in the bag, beating the record held when Jack Dempsey played in Del Detroit, Aug. 27. (Best Exploitation: Michigan) Plugged heavily In advance, 'Page Miss Glory' Is sweeping the town this week and lifts the Michigan around the wow $28,000 mark, hlghr est in several moons. Stage show, average, also helping house, but the pic is the thing. Meanwhile, the Fox, with 'Farmer Takes a Wife' and vaude, keeps up steady pace with a b.o. of $20,000, as grosses continue to rise In both downtown and nabes. 'Curly 'rop,' which also played two weeks at the Fox, Is in Its second session at the Adams and still whirling the turn- stiles. " 'China Seas* continues to click at United Artists, folowlng a big $12,- 000 flrst run, and looks like a good $8,000 this week. Estimates for This Week Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 25-35-55)—'Page Miss Glory' (WB) plus stage show. Will wallop $28,- 000, biggest in months. Last week did a nifty $20,000 on 'Every Night at Eight' (Par) combined with vaude aid of Anna May Wong. Fox (Fox) (5,000; 25-35-55)— 'Farmer Takes Wife' (Fox) and Small Town Cavalcade on stage. Climbs again to $20,000 mark, fine. Gross off slightly last week to $18,- 000 on 'Dante's Inferno' (Fo.x), but might have been worse if Hal Kemp ork hadn't been on stage. United Artists (United Detroit) (2,000; 25-35-55) — 'China Seas' (MG) (2d wk). Hitting at neat clip, $8,000, for second week. Clanged a big $12,OO0 last week. Downtown (RKO) (2,600; 2,')-40) —House reopening Sunday (1) after more than a year of darkness on first run picture policy for present. Vaudeville likely latter part of Sep- tember. Opening Is 'Top Hat' (Ra- dio). State (United Detroit) (3,000; 25- 40)—'Smart Girl' (Par) and 'Jekyll and Hyde' (Par), reissue. Off nicely, should bring In o.k. $5,500. La.st week, $0,000, good, on 'We're in the Money' (WB) and 'Circumstantial Evidence' (Indie). Adams (Ilalaban) (1,700; 25-40) — 'Curly-Top' (Fox) (2nd week). Can't miss for another excellent $4,500, First seKsIon same. 'SEAS'-BESTOR MAYBE BALTO RECORD, 29y2G Baltimore; Aug. 27. (Bast Exploitation: Century) Over general scene biz is bang-up in Balto this week. Exhlbs mostly have made this stanza opening one in fusillade of new season's product, and the public has hearkened splen dldly. (Century, Hipp and Stanley have raised admlshes on weekday nltes from 40c to 56c, tops, and at those houses grosses are getting that added dime impetus. Far and away biggest burst over the burg Is Century, with 'Chliia Seas' and Don Besto'Ks ork on stage. House. has had to run extra show dally, with doors opening at. 9:30 a. m. Standing all hours, and lobby lockouts more ot a rule than excep- tion. Stage show has been whittled to 45 mlns., ultra condensed for spot, Looks like a new gross, record will be establisbed, at stupendous $29,600. Old figure was $28,800, set by Wll Ham Haines In person and In fllm 'Jimmy .Valentine' (MG) three and a half years ago. At the Hipp Is 'Alice Adams* for nine-day ride. Got swell send-off from press, with Hepburn rehabili- tating self at b. o. after couple of recent stun>bllng vehicles, the elon- gated session should snag a very nice $15,000. The Stanley Ja having best week In months with -Miss Glory,' The local Hearst rag gave this one an epic advance bulld-up; started at least six months ago sowing Interest, and concluded this week by dally devoting reams of space. Aside from terrific campgaln waged by the single paper, film Is liked on own merits, and will soar to grand $11,000. • Publicist Herb Morgan of Century thumped the tub up dozen different alleys for 'China Seas' Estimates for This Week Century (Loew-UA) (3,000; 16-25- 35-40-55)—'China Seas' (MG) and vaude headed by Con Bestor's band. The tri-starred cast in pic primari- ly pulling 'cm so sensationally, but Bestor's rep Is big here, and he has oar of own in on the drive. Will set new gross high at $29,500, and may nudge niche higher. Last week 'Pursuit' (MG) and Bowes amateur unit No, 3 on stage, with the slmon- purcs indlsputedly the lure, bettered smash $25,000. , Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,300; 15 - 25 - 35-40-55) — 'Alice .Adams (Radio) and vaude.-In tor .nine days, will grab good $15,000. 'Top Hat' (Radio) and acts succeed next Sun. (1). Last week 'Jalna' (Radio) and vaude hearted by Leo Carrlllo got o.k. $11,000, slightly In excess of predic- tion. Keith's (Schanbcrger) (2,500; 15- 25-30-35-40)—'Every .Ni^rht at 8' (Par). Started smartly, then ci'iisli- Ing oppoHlsh got g >in.; and side- tracked this one. Will come out o. k. with $4,200. Last week 'Lady Tubbs' (U), $4,400. Now (Mechanic) (1,m)0; 15 25 30- 35-40-50)—'Inferno' ''Fox). Title in- triguing 'em slightly; Altli .ijonerul uplook round town, thl.'j spot is prof- iting, too. Like Keith's. Is eettlnR turnawaya from >ho overflowing Century near by; irood $3,300. Last woek in 11 days 'Parmer Ta;<ea Wife' (Fox), very good $7,100. Stanley (WB) (3,450; 1,>-15-3.1-lf- 55)—'Miss Glory' (V/S). Sprinting tow.ird oxcollcnt 111,000, hlgKcut in rather a while, I,a'Jt w!?elc 'in tho Money' (WB), $3,800, vcy dlstrc^s- ing. house on a Thanksgiving week, Dempsey did $41,000 at higher ad- mission scales, while gross this week may top $35,000, very big. State went to five shows Saturday (24) and five again Monday (26). Irish In Us' (WB) Is on the screen. Roxy may better - a tremendous $45,000 with 'Diamond Jim' (U) playing to biggest attendance In fiva years and to highest gross In nearly three years since Howard S. Cull- man, as receiver, has been operating the house. Management looks to three weeks for 'Jim.' 'Alice Adams' on Its second week at the Music Hall is also represent- ed In the big money, business point- ing to $80,000 or over, while China Seas,' on Its third week at the Cap, should seen an easy $20,000. 'Call of Wild' in second week at Riv, is also holding up and looks for about $21,000, remaining a third week. The rest of the Broadway picture houses' aren't so good, but it's most- ly all right. 'Crusades,' at the Astor on a $2' twice dally try, got $8,700 on its first five days. That's fairly good and Is showing signs of a pickup. Campaign on' picture Is set up for an eight weeks' minimum'rtin. 'Annapolis Farewell,* which was given a special premiere Thursday night (22), Is a bit dlsappolntir.g, but It will get $24,000 and thus merit another Week. More waus exr pected, however. "We're In the Money' failed to flzz at the . Strand and goes out tonight (Wed.) at $14,000 or under, 'Page Miss Glory* taking over. Comprehensive exploitation c6m-' paign was l^ild out by' Paramount to cover the two-a-day New York engagement' of 'Crusades,' Par budgeting $80,000 on advance and eight weeks of the run. Exploita- tion and publicity was started far In advance. In addition to a heavy newspaper ad schedule,. Phil DeAn.^ gelus put on a blUpostlhg campaign which pehetrated Connecticut and Rhode Island, New york state as far north as Albany and west to Binghamton. Eastern Pennsylvania was also plastered with paper on the New York run. Premiere was broadcast in the Hollywood man- ner and every effort made' to maka it the mbst colorful In a long tlmei with Cecil D. DeMllle oh from the Coast to attend, ojid on the Rudy Vallee air hour. Commendable campaigns .were also put on for 'Annapolis Farewell' at the Par and for 'Diamond Jim' at the Roxy. Par went close to double Its average ad budget on 'Annapolis.' Estimates for This Week Astor (1,012; 65-83-$1.10-|1.65. $2.20)—'Crusades' (Par). Premiered before Invited audience Wednesday night (21). Not off to a strong start but showing signs of building. First five days, with weekend slow on sale of $2 tickets, $8,700, Okay though not big. Capitol ($4,620; 25-36-76-85)— 'China Seas' (MO) (3rd week). Two days ahead of ending fortnight':) run decided to hold this one a third week, takings Idoklng abovit $20,000. Second week fine for $33,000. Palace (1,700; 35-S0-66)—'Farmer Takes Wife' (Fox) and vaude. If over $7,000 lucky. Last week 'Curly Top' (Pox) rattled boxofflce to tune of $10,000, ..oke. Paramount (3,664; 26-35-55-75- ,85)—'Annapolis Farewell' (Par), Not quite answering to hopes but at $24,000 will stay second week. Last week, second for 'Accent on Youth' (Par), $10,000. Radio City MubTc Hall (5,989; 40- 60-86-99-$1.10-J1.65)—'XUce Adams' (Radio) 2nd week and stage show. Strong on Its holdover, -looking an easy $80,000. First week $91,600, excellent. 'Top Haf (Radio) Thurs- day (29), .Rivoli (2,092; . 40-66-75-85-99)— •Call of Wild' (UA) (2nd' week). Ends Its second week today (Wed.) at satisfying $21,000, and sticks a third. First week was $31,500. 'Dark Angel' (UA) opens Wednes- day (4), Roxy (5,83.6; 25-35-55)—'Diamond Jim' (U) and stage show. May hurdle a mighty $45,000. Expect three weeks from picture. Last week 'Keeper of Been' (Repub) buzzed Its ,way to $27,100, good. This was first Indlc picture Roxy has played in two years. Strand (2,707; 35-55-05-85) — 'We're In the Money' (WB). A slow goer, but may be $14,000. Out to- night (Wed.) when 'Page Miss Glory' (WB) opens. Last week 'Bright Lights' (WB) $12,400. State (3,450; 35-.';.')-75)—'IrLsh In Us' (WU) (2n(l run) and vaude. HtatjR combination ot Lou Holtz, Belle Baker and Block-Sully, which played tlie Cap, pulli'n=r 'em in here, ('hnnces arc good for $36,000 or over, a record at present prices. Last wpok .'Love Me Forever' (Col) topped- $23,000.