Variety (Sep 1935)

8 VARIETY PICTURE G S » E S Wedneeday. September 4« 193S L A. Hot Top Hat' 2 Houses, Vyfi, May Stay 5 Weeks; 'China Seas,' 42G, Ulliss Glory,' 22G, in 2 Theatres ollywood, Sept. 3. (Best Exploit: Chinese, State) Town did the biggest L.abor Day •weekend business in five years, with 167,000 garnered from Saturday to Monday inclusive in the first-run houses, with the State and Pantages going after new records under straight picture policies. "Top Hat' indications at the Pantages and KKO arc for a five-week .stay, with •Page Miss Glory' set for a hold- over at the Hollywood and Down- town. It s one of those holiday in Dixie occasions this week for the flist run houses. They all celebrated heavily with advance advertising and exploitation which has resulted In trade aplenty for the current crop of pictures they are showing this holiday week. State is running away from every- body, with its take on 'China Seas' around six grand ahead of its day and date companion, Chinese In Hollywood. Pantages and KKO, the new day and date alliance, also got oft to flying start with 'Top Hat.' Pantages opened with it Saturday (31) at $1.65 top and sold clean, get- ting around $2,500 fol" the perform- ance. Went into its regular run Sunday (1) with RKO also start- ing picturp. that day to big business.. Warner houses; again playing day and date, had an avalanche of news epiace in Hears', papers for two weeks ahead of opening of 'Page Miss Glory,' the Marion DaVles starrer, and did almost record gross- es the Initial day. Second pic slid a bit In comparison to opening but will get through to week of healthy Incomes for the Hollywood and. Downtown. Paramount, finding plenty of op- position around, is doing mildly with 'Annapolis, Farewell' and stage -show is no material help in pulling them in. .'Sanders of the River' in second ■week at Fouf' Star holding up in good style while United Artists with move over of 'Steamboat 'Round the Bend' Is headed for neat profit on week. Though all houses stretched on exploitation and advertising. State ;,an(J Chinese were in the van in accomplishments which grosses demonstrated. With Warner houses h&vlng the Hearst tleup it was cinch to promote a 12-page tabloid with the Lios Angeles "Times, and co-op a section half that size in the Hearst Los Angeles Examiner. They had besides 10 day advance campaign on •China Seas' In dallies doubling usual space and also used a tour w«ek advance 24-sheet billboard clarion.' Tied up to with department stores and Dollar Steamship line on 'Lure ot China Seas.' giving away two round-the-world and two China seas cruises to the winners. In addi- tion had 15-mm. transcription over KFI and smaller, stations with dia- log from picture, besides sound trucks parading streets for almost week. Warner Hollywood and Downtown campaign on "Miss Glory was concentrated mostly In the dallies and billboards, and in nor- mal week.^ would have been con Bidered the topper. Esti ates for This Weak Chinese (Grauman) (2,028; 30-40- 65) —'China Seas' (MG). Beating previous, week by far, going at top speed. Preview of 'Dark Angel' (3) was not essential for trade with house set for a cinch $17,800. Last week 'Steamboat' (IJ'ox). One ot healthiest stanzas house has had I long time at $12,800. Downtown (WB) (1,800; 25-30-40) —'MiSK Glory' (WB). With heav campaign got off to around $2,000 opening and swimming along at swell pace. Looks like a cinch $11,500. Last week 'Irish In Us' (WB). For the eight-day continued run came right up to snuff with big $6,000. Filmarte (Reisenfeld) (000; 40-50) —'La M.' terner .' (Metropolis) (2J week). Unusual interest manifested after first few days with result pi looks to have them cominc; from all around. An easy $2,000. Last week first stanza encouraging at $2,400 and far better than figured. Four Star (Fox) (900; 30-35) 'Sanders' (UA) (2d week). Interest the trade but no sen.satlon. With holiday trade helolng should reach around $3,000. Last week firKt stanza okay but not outstanding nt $3,800. Grand International (Rosener) (785; 35)—'Love of Norah O'Neale (GuarantPfd). House using lot of mailing matter and finding it ok &a take will be around $1,400, big, Last week 'Constant Nymph' (Fox GrB) (four days) and 'Romance 1 Budapest' (Du World) (three days) little over $1,100. •Hollywood (WB) (2.760; 26-35-40 66) —'Miss Glory' (WB). Doing far better than previous Davles pics ha"e done In Hollywood sector an looks to be a cinch for $10,000. iJist week 'Front Page Woman' (WB) In for eight days and did not cause any surprises, bowing out with the estimated $6,000. Pantages (Pan) (2,700; 25-35-40) —'Top Hat' (RKO). In for one of best week.s house has had. Started off with $1.05 top premiere to ca- pacity and kept going at fast clip Heading for a Juicy $20,000 for premiere and first seven days, which win cause Alex Pantages to smile once again. Paramount (Partmar) (3,595; 30- 40-55)—'Annapolis' (Par) and stage show. Opened up fairly good but when stiff opposition was encoun- tered later from other houses set- tled down to turgid jDace and will wind up with around $13,000. Last week 'Flying Trapeze' (Par) kept house over the red mark, getting the anticipated $14,000. RKO (2,9:0; 25-35-40-55)—'Top Hat' (RKO). With smart campaign on this Astaire - Rogers natural, house going to town in great fash- ion and headed for $17,600. Last week 'Front Page Woman' (WB) for 10-day jaunt meant very little is final count was $5,800. State (Loew-Fox) (2,024; 30-40- 65)—'China Seas' (MG). Beating all take records since house went straight pics and holding them out from morn to night. May hit $24,000. Last week 'Steamboat' (Fox). One of biggest weeks (house had in couple of years with a $17,600 final count. United Artists (Fox-UA) (2,100; 30-40-55)—'Steamboat' (Fox). Moved over from State and finding it most profitable as the Rogers followers are keen for this one which should do a profit week wHh $7,500. Last week 'Cujly Top' (Pox). It took Little Shirley Temple to show them tho way down to the forsaken end- of Broadway as $5,000 indicates.. Top Hat; $12,000, 'Accent; $8,000, Moore lOG, Mont'l Ist Runs on Broadway TOP HAT NEW HI IN BALTO, Montreal, Sept, 3. Best -Exploitation: Princess A big prograni marks commence- ment of first post-summer week covering the Labor Day holiday and should, see handsome Increases in grosses over averages of past three months. Within 10 days two niore first-runs, Loew's and Imperial, will be added to list ot playing houses. Palace shows 'Top Hat' and the Astaire-Rogers fans should fill the house with a consequent expected gross of $12,000, best for many weeks. Capitol has 'Accent on Youth' and 'Smart Girl' which will hold to average $8,000 gross. Prln cess with 'Love Me Forever' a.ni\ '8 Bells' will run Palace close for first place at $10,000. Cinema de Paris repeats 'Angele' to turn-away biz at $3,000 and the St.. Denis with Le Baron Tzigane' and 'La Sonnette d'Alarme' looks like a $4,000 gross. Nabes have been doing a lot bet ter. Estimates for This Week Palace (FP) (2,700; 50)—'Top Hat' (Radio). Going to Jam them in over the holiday and during the week for a likely $12,000, very good Last week 'Sanders' (Regal) a nice $10,000. Capitol (FP) (2,700; 50)—'Accent on youth' (Par) and 'Smart Girl' (Par). Good average bill which should get $8,000. Last week 'Farmer Takes Wife' (Fox) and 'Lady Tubbs' (Fox) grossed $7,000 Princess (CT) (2,300; 60)— 'TLovv Me Forever' (Col) and 'Eight Bells (Col). Will jam the house and lowest guess is $10,000, UUely a good deal over that figure. Last week 'Black Room' (Col) and 'Flying Trapeze' (Par) average at $6,000, Cinema de Paris (France-Film) (600;, 50)—'Angele (2d wk.). Turned away fans for $3,000 last week and should dp $2,600 currently. St, Denis (France-Fll ) (2,300 36)—'Le Baron Tzigane' and 'La Sonnette d'Alarme' estimated to gross $4,000, much above average Last week 'Knock' and 'Son Ex cellence Antonln' good at $3,200. Lockhart Into 'Mystery' Hollywood, Sept. 3. Having discharged his picture commitments here. Gene Lockhart left for .N'ew ITork last Thursda (C9) to go into Herman Shumlin" 'Sweet .Mystery of Life.' In addition to his film work nl Universal and Columbia, he direct od 'Sumurun' In the Hollywood ' Bowl. (Subject to Change) Week of Sept. 6 Capitol — 'Anna Karenlna'. (MG) (2d Wk.). Music Hall—'Top Haf (Ra- dio) (2d wk.). Paramount—'Two for To- night' (Par) (2d wk.). Rivoli—'Dark Angel' (UA) (5). Roxy—'Diamond Jim' (U) (3d wk.). Strand—'Page Miss Glory' (WB) (2d wk.). Week of Sept. 13 Capitol — 'Anna Karenlna' (MG) (3d wk.). Music Hall—'Top Hot' (Ra- dio) (3d wk.). Paramount—'Big Broadcast' (Par). Rivoli—'Dark Angel' (2d wk.). Roxy—'39 Steps' (GB), Strand—'Goose and the Gan- der' (WB) (11). Philly 'Wakes from Summer Sleep, 'Steamboat,' $23,000, 'Glory,' $12,500 Baltimore, Sept. 3. ( est Exploitation: Hipp) Burg is ablaze with bang-up biz this week. With sole exception ail houses are having hurrahs loud and long. Choice chunks of celluloid at almost every stand seem to be bringing the populace downtown like they haven't in months. Chill rain over weekend kept plenty of locals around the city, a big boon to the b.o.'s. The vaudfilm Hipp will establish a new high gross with 'Top Hat.' To get turnovers, newsreels and trailers have been stripped off, and the vaude show pared down to 35 mihs. Also house opens at 9:45 a.m. daily and final break isn't until long after midnlte. Sirice Sunday open- ing every show has played. to jam- packed standees, with hundreds oped up outside on sidewalk. First full week looks a lock for terrific $28,000, and appears pic will go for weeks and 5 days. Stanley is having best session in nearly a year with 'Annapolis Fare- well.' Fact pic was shot in An- napolis has town turning out in drives to see the familiar back- rounds, and then, also, when film was made here in June it got plenty press play-up, which is asserting itself now. $13,000 a cinch. Steamboat Round the Bend' at the New will stick for what looks like upwards of fortnite. Public flocking in for the late star. Will top recent Rogers' pix for certainty, with initial session set for grand $7,500. Ted Routson of the Hipp had fine campaign for 'Top Hat,' with stunts chiefly leaning to tle-iips, with firms and newspaper. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew UA) (3,000; 15-25- 35- 40-56-66)—'Anna Karenlna' (MG) and vaude. Garbo lure still potent, pic praised by press, and femmes, skipping to fine $20,000. Last week China Seas' (MG) and vaude headed by Don Bestor's ork established new gross record, stu- pendous $29,900. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,300; 15-25-35-10-55-66)—'Top Hat' (Ra- dio) and vaude. Soaring to new gross record, $28,000. Last week, in 9 days, 'Alice Adams' (Radio) and vaude and 'March of Time,' - very good $16,t»00. Keith's (Schanberger) (2,500; 15- 25-30-35-40) — 'Here Comes Cookie (Par). Weak $3,200. Last week 'Every NMght at Eight' (Par), o.k. $4,300. New Mechanic) (1,800; 15-25-30- 36- 40-50)—'Steamboat Round Bend' Fox).. Snagging socko $7,500; will linger a while. Last week 'Inferno' (Fox) Jerked in six days, mild $3,000. Stanley (WB) (3,450; 15-25-35-40 55)—'Annapolis Farewell' (Par). Off to the races for swell $13,000. House ha3?«Ken opened its'"shelf, the criterion when something is really roaring around here. Best biz in nearly- a year. Last week 'Miss Glory' (WB), excellent $11,000. Ing her stock In a town that isn't 30 hot for her, and may hit $18,500. •Page Miss Glo;t?y' got oft to a. fast start at the Hipp, where it should click around $10,000. Combination of Ben Bernie and 'Bright Lights' at Palace giving others some oppo- sition, sharking In about $17,000. Most consistent grosser stlU is 'China Seas,' which may reach $8,- 600 in third week at Loew's Still- man after cracking State's house records to the turie of $26,000. Estimates for This- Week' Palace (RKO) (3,200; 30-40-60)— 'Bright Lights' (WB) plus Ben Bernie on stage. Both Joe E. Brown and Bernie big faves In these pas- tures. Will climb up to a smart $17,500. Last week 'We're in Money' (WB) and Vincent Lopez brought in .$14,500. State (Loew's) (3,750; 30-35-40)— 'Anna Karenlna' (MG). Smashing campaign in daily ads, also pub- licity stunts and four-star reviews, ai'e setting this one for a fine $18,- 500. Last week's 'Every Night at Eight' (Par) turned in only $14,500. Hippodrome (WB) (3,629; 30-40) —'Page Miss Glory' (WB). Good, lively farce for air-race crowds and sold right. Slated for $16,000, good, and perhaps better. Last week 'Alice Adams' (Radio) got away with $14,600. Allen (RKO') (3,000; 26-40)—'At- lantic Adventure' (Col). Last-min- ute shifts In bookin" hutting house, with this one probably doing a fair $2,800 in four days. 'Parmer Takes Wife' (Fox) penciled in for next split-week. Last half, 'Lady Tubbs' came in with $2,500 for flv6 days. Stillman (Loew's) _(1,872; 25-35) China Seas' (MG). Season's sen- sation, even in second holdover week. Should shove the gross up to an extra good' $8,600, considering it made $10,500 on first holdover after cracking the State's records for $25,000 on opening stanza. GALS STRONG IN CLEVE. Garbo Big 518,500—Davies $16,000 Strong 'Anna'-'Girl Friend' Big $10,000 in N. H.; 'Glory vUttie SholVOG • New Haven, Sept. 3. (Best Exploitation: Poli) Holiday prices a boost this week. Things on the upgrade generally, with everybody plugging tho new season product. Poli topping bally list, splitting the splurge between 'Karenlna' and Girl Friend.' Campaign features were 'Girl Friend' sundaes! free or- chestrations to nlte club bands, and music counter and window displays. On 'Karenlna,' dairy tieup giving Garbo phuto^ for milk bottle oaps; milk inserts plugging Freddie Bar- tholomew; half-hour Russian broad- cast. Estimates for This Week Paramount (Par). (2,348; 35-50)— 'Here Comes Cookie' (Par) and 'Without Regret' (Par). Set for an indifferent. $4,800. Last week 'Ac- cent on Youth' (Par) and 'Hop- Along Cassidy' (Par) built to a sat- isfactory ; 6,600. Poli (Loew) (3,040; 35-50)—'Anna Karenlna' (MG) and "Girl Friend' (Col). Packing 'em in for town's topper at big $10,000. Last week 'Alice Adams' (Radio) and 'Wel- come Homo' (Fox) led the parade with a good $8,200. Roger Sherman (WB) (2,200; 35- 60)—'Miss Glory' (WB) and 'Little Big Shot' (WB). Going over well with some advance bally helping. Probably $6,000. Last week, 'Bright Lights' (WB), and 'Jalna' (Radio) started big, en^ed slow for fair, $5,600. College (Loew) (1,565; 25-35)— 'Dante's Inferno' (Fox) and 'Pur- suit' (MG). Capacity amateur night boosting to an oke $3,000. Last week 'China Seas' (MG) holdover grabbed a swell $4,000 on six days at 35-50 scale. Cl'Cveland. Sept. 3. (Best Exploitation: State) National air races plus cooler weather are boosting b.o. figures all over the local rialto. Most theatres -switched bookings at last minute to bring in best film product .for out- 1/f-towners and the result has been landslide crowds. Leading the race ig the State's heavily exploited 'Anna Karenlna." Drew rave notices from cricks who weren't Garbo fans, besides boost- 'AUCE'$7,(r00,'ANNA' $6,500, MILD IN COL. Columbus. Sept. 3. (Best Exploitation: Ohio) Whole town looking forward to big scrap next week, with 'Top Hat' and 'Steamboat' playing across street from each other. Ohio plan- ning big radio amateur hour in con- nection with coming 'Every Night at Eight.' 'Annapolis Farewell' tipped to open new Grand (RKO) if and when that hou.se swings open its doors. Present week may be hurt by weather and general let-down after state fair week. Ohio's big buildup for 'Karenlna' accounted for biggest opening for Garbo picture yet,-but it may* not hold. Ohio conducted newspaper Philadelphia, Sept. 3. Last week's biz in the downtown film sector upped considerably from Its previous summer average and this week promises to duplicate. Good. b.o. pix and fall-Uke weather will help turn the trick in the face of the trouble between managers and rnuslclans' union, which takes the stage shows away from the Fox and the Earle. Both of these houses, however, have a bood chance of beating av- erage biz. One, the Fox, will in fact have a rousing week with Will Rogers' 'Steamboat Round the Bend.' Start for this posthumous film indicated a very strong trad© for it. Fox hasn't been emphasiz- ing stage shows and absence won't be noticed a great deal. In fact, Fox orchestra is more popular with patrons than actual bill. 'Steam- boat! should gross around $23,000 and will get a holdover. Earle maiy suffer more without Its vaude, although pic, 'Bright Lights,' Is probably stronger in drawing power than run of theatre's film ofteringa. Pace Friday and Sat- urday was off, but not bad. Garbo's 'Anna Karenlna' started stronger at the Boyd than either 'David Copperfleld' or 'Roberta,' high grossers of the last, year at this deluxe'r. However, that's not saying tho Garbo vehicle will touch' the record, Looks like around $17,- 000 or $18,000 and a holdover, and that's fine for the summer. Aldine reopened Saturday (30), again being devoted to UA first runs. First was 'The Call of the Wild.' Because of Labor Day, week- end exodus to shore resorts. Philly was a deserted village Saturday and no real line can be gained from Aldlne's trade that day. Much the same goes for Labor Day. At any rate, 'Call' will be held in for a run. First week with good start figured will see probably $17,000, very good. Crlx were very hospitable to 'Pago Miss Glory,' which isn't likely to stay beyond the week as 'Top Haf Is announced to follow. 'Glory' ought to get a neat $12,600. 'Diamond Jim,' surprise hit of last week, will have heavy com- netish and flgure.s nround $4,500i ■Without Regret,' a first run, won't see over $2,200 at the Karlton. Estimates for This Week Aldine (1,500; 40-50)—'Call of Wild' (UA). Opened Saturday and hard to figure yet, but oft big and holdover certain. Ought to get big $17,000 or better. Arcadia (600; 25-40-50)—'Bar- retts of Wimpole St' (MG)—An- other oldie in house's summer pol- icy of returns. Figures for $1,800. Last week. 'Flying Trapeze* (Par) Just over $1,900, fairly good. Boyd (2,400; 40-55)—'Anna Ka- renlna' (MG). Started very big and something between $17,000 and $18,- 000 promised with holdover. Last week, 'Accent on Youth' (Par) dis- appointed with scant $10,000. Earle (2,000; 26-40-50)—'Bright Llght.s' (WB). Union trouble meana no vaude show. May hurt some here, but satisfactory $12,000 seen with good pic. Last week, 'Bonnie Scotland' (MG) and vaude. Nice $14,600—above average by good margin. Fox (3,000; 40-56-66)—'Steam- boat (Fox). Other houses affected by musician trouble. Film showed strength, however, and indicates a booming $23,000 week and holdover. Last week, 'Chan in Egypt' (Fox) and Howard Thurston pulled them in to tune of $13,600. Karlton (1,000; 25-35-40)—'With- out Regret' (Par). First run and looks weak. Not over $2,200. Last week, 'Alice Adams' (Radio). Sec- ond run. $2,900, fair. Keith's (2,000;• 30-40-50)—'Accent on Youth' (Par). Second run fi.g- ures for so-so $2,600. Last week, 'Smilln' Thru' (MG) brought In suddenly when 'Pursuit' (MG) fiopped badly with $150 in one day. 'Smilln'' got $2,000 in five days. Stanley (3.700; 40-55) — 'Page Miss Glory' (WB). Ought to hit nice $12,600. Last week, 'China Seas' (MG), second week, strong $13,000. Stanton (1,700; 30-40-60)—'Dia- mond Jim' (U). Second week will see falling off with opposition heavy; $4,500. Last week a Very robust $7,500. contest," put out throwaways, nap- kins, etc., for extra efforts. Estimates for This Week Palace (RKO) (3,076; 30-42)— 'Alice Adams' (Radio). Should build to $7,000, if lucky. 'Man on Flying Trapeze' (Par) started .slow, ended high, with good $8,000. Broad (Loew-UA) (2,500; 30-42)— 'Dante's Inferno' (Fox). Weak at $5,000. Last week, 'Bonnie Scot- land' (MG) steady at $6,500. Ohio (Loow-UA) (3,006; 30-42)'— 'Anna Karenlna' (MG). Slow run- ning, .with $6,500 only indifferent. 'China Seas' (MG) holdover, (lid ex- pected $6,000. about an even break. ' Majestic (RKO) (1.100: 25-35) — 'Smilln' Through' (MG). Fair enough, with $3,7.')0. 'Black Room' (Col) and 'Orchids to You' (Fox) not so good, with only $3,000 taken.