Variety (Sep 1935)

10 VARiETY PICT E G SSE§ Wednesday, September 11, 1935 UTOD PARADE' TAB UPS ITE AT8;20G,PITT Ittsburgh, Sept. 10, Town falling ofC a bit after tsen- Bational holiday week, best here in years, with grosses' approachlriff normal level aealh. Stanley, how- ever, continues to pace the burg With another sizzling taU with t)rt»spectB ot ,?20,000 for 'Every Night at Eight' arid stage show. Including fl'ock of film names. This, too, de- spite rain and cold that hit town yesterday (9) on heels of two swell •week-end days. I Elsewhere biz Just sp-so. 'Steam- boat' taking a dip at Alviri In sec- ond week following great opening session, and unlikely to better $4,800 for final four days, -while 'Call of the Wild' isn't causlrig any excitement at Penh, .s Outdoor mdo has been ■ clIckiTig off nice grosses all over sur- rounding territory, but first-run en- gagement locally doesn't look like anything? better than mediocre • $9,000, if thati Wirner got away to its usual brisk start with 'Paris in Spring' and 'Murder Man,' but fol- lowed others in drooping, and pres- ent outlook is for $5,000, just fair. Still "no announcement on Fulton's reopening, house having usually swung into action long before this, although a certain starter is 290- seat Art Cinema, which opens Mon- day (16) with 'Constant Nymph.' Arty flicker site will show foreign films only. Town gets Its first road- show picture in some time Sept. 23, when 'The Crusades' openis a single week's engagement at legit Nixon. Estimated for This Week .Alvin (Harris (2,000; 26-30-40)— !Steamboat' (Fox). Second week for'Rogers flicker hot so forte, .open- ing session apparehtly draining everything on this one. Take for first six days around $13,600, great, but unlikely to get more than $4,800 ' in final four days and midnight show. 'Dante's Inferno' (Fox) opens Friday (13) with house holding off on resumption of stage shows until a couple of more big flickers are played off. Pehn (l-oew's-UA) (3,300; 25-35^ 4d)-r-'Call of Wild' (UA). Not get- ting much of first-run play despite excellent grosses throughout. terri- tory since -general release.^ Maybe $9,000, maybe not, which Ish't so hot. liast week 'Anna Karenina' (MG) better than $18,000, fine, and • only a last-minute decision kept it from moving to Warner for an ex-, lieinded. run. 3est Garbo take h^re In some time. '. Stanley (WB) (3,600; 25-40-B5)— ^very . Night at Eight' (Par) and "Hollywood on Parade,' with Joan lilarsh, Rpscoe Ates and Sammy Cohen on stage. WB deluxer has had 'iem coming week after wieek for sbme time and continues to show the way to profit with current liay- out. Should be good for $20,OOU at Iea:st, sweet music these days. Last weelc a wow at $24,000 with 'Bright Lights' and Ted Weems band. Labor Day alone seeing more than $6,000 come Into till. ■ Warner (WB) (2,000; 26-30-40)— •Paris In Spring' (Par) and 'Murder Man' (MG). Dual doing all right at $4,600, gettlrig most of it in first three days, and falling away final half. Couple of marquee, names of help, although take is slightly below house's usual average. Last week 'China Seas' (MG) brought here after serisatlohal week at Penn and In five days clocked oft a great $7,609, best here in a blue moon. —.'Little Big Shot* (WB) and per- sonal appearance of Esther Ralston, pic star, with the Jack Randall unit on stage starting for three days, fol- lowed by 'Dealers in Death' (Indie) and 'When Strangers Meet' (Rep) for four. Looks like an easy $2,800 or better. , Last week 'Welcome Home' (Fox), with the first yaude bill and 'Redheads on Parade' (Fox) on a split, got $2,7()0, okay. Stuart (LTC) (1,900; 10-26-40)— 'Top Hal' (Radio). Another of the $4,000 pacers. Astaire-Rogers comljo hot in this house" and may get over 4Gs Last v/eek 'Steamboat Round Bend' (Fox) a distinct hit and chalked up $6,600, swell Vars!'-' (LXG) (IjlOO; 10-25)— 'Girl . end' (Col) arid the first stage show in many a moon for the house Paul Spor, personality kid, and four acts on This house Is full week, and pace, though slow on opening, indicates ari easy $2,600 by the end, which, is satisfactory, con- sidering heat by opposition Last week attempt to hold 'Love Me For- ever' (Col), second week, ended in three days, and 'Black Room''(Col) replaced. Stretch got but $900, nsg. GARBO-APOLLON Lincoln's 2 Stage Shows But W Tops, Over 4G Lincoln, Sept. 10. (Best Exploitation; Orpheum) Two stage shows are In town now, and, with tHe seven downtown straight pic ho\lses also vyin.s: for trade, th^ J. H. Cooper and L. L. Dent coriipetitive battle is jjeally on. Varsity and Orpheum are the bat- tling fl<^Sh houses awd their grosses are looked to eat. into the plain eel . luloldprs. Top money this week, however, wjllpo. to 'Top Hat.' Best exnlolta tion noise was stirred nn at the Or •pheu.m,..thoui=;h, when Esther Rals- ton, p.a.'ing pic Btar, was Introed to the jammed State Fair grandstanfl Just aheid of opening day, and rated plugs In all the papers. Estimates for This Week , Colonial (LTC) (750; 10-16)— " 'Laramie Kid' (Stelner) and 'Thuri der in the Nl<rht'. (U), split. Average fare here, .$8?0. Lr.st week 'Outlaw Deputy' (Pur) and 'Westward Ho ■ (Rep,) BDllt, better on account of State Fair trade, St.OOO. Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-20-251— 'Ac(isnt on Youth' (Piiir). Running Just over average at $2,300 pace. Last week 'Curly Top' (Fox) , was a n'shli'.g grosser, .and finished With .JJ.1.0O, away up over anything so far thlq year. ■ Orpheum .(LTC) (1,200; 10-15-25) ' ■$3,06o. Detroit, Sept. 10. (Best Exploitati : Fox) Business continues definitely on the upgrade throughout the town this week', the Michigan leading with a big $28,000 on 'Anna Ka- renina' plus a sparkling stage show, Apollon's international revue. Fox received the benefit ot reams of publicity on 'Opera - Under the Stars,' which juist closed a 12-n:eek season outdoors here, but the vaudeville isn't clicking with the crowds and 'Diamond Jim' is forced to carry the load. Majority of fans have «lther seen the opera during the past summer or take no fancy to such attractions.. Nevertheless, house will turn in a nifty $23,000 for the week. 'Top'Hat,' which pulled 'em in by .the carloads last we,ek,'is. having another powerful b. o. at the Down- town, around $7,500. Astaire flifker opened this house last week after 17 months of darkness and grossed a very big $15,000. ' After doing an excellent $28,000 at the Fox In its first .sesision, 'Steamboat Bound the Bend' has been moved Into the Adams and should bring in a swell $5,200 this week at the smaller theatr'^. Detroit's first run houses were Increased to eight this week, with the opening of the Europa, exclu- sively German language pix. The total Is the highest town has known for several years. Only one major theatre In the downtown district remains shut, and there is a posslb llity that the Broadway-Capitol, looked upon as a, jinx house, may be opened before the fall season is un der way. Estimates for This Week Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 25-35-56)—'Anna Karenina' (MG) plus Apollon's International Revue on stage. Looks like another big $28,000. Openin.cT tremendous, with Garbo and Apollon d''awing equally well. B. o. last week on 'Annapolis Farewell' (Par) and Major Bowes' amateurs, $26,000, chiefly because of the vaude. Fox. (Fox) (5.000; 25-36-55)— 'Diamond Jini' (U) and vaude, 'Opera tJnder th'e Stars' revue.. Pic Is the thing even though the stage show Is something different. How ever, the grross will stick high at a fine $23,000, a fall-off from last, week's $28,000 on 'Steamboat Round Bend' (Fox) plus Benny Meroff ork Downtown (RKO) (2,600; 25-36 55)—'Top Hat' (Radio). (2d week) Had a powerful opening last week and is still whirling the wickets v/lth a good $7,500 this session Gross was $15,000 last week. United Artists (United. Detroit) (2,000; 26-35-55)^'Here Comes the Band' (MG). Will slump slightly this week to $5,500, o.k. 'Accent on Touth' (Par) did $6,000 business last .week, also o.k. Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 25-'0)— 'Steamboat Round the Bend' (Fox) Rogers'opus should dra.cf in an. ex "Client .?5.200 at this house, after big first run at the Fox. A. nice $3,600 resulted \a.nt week,on 'Man- hattan Moon' (U) and 'Welcome Home' (Fox). State (.United Detroit) (5.000; 25 '0)—.'Here Coracw Cookie' (Par).and 'Ladle.s Crave Excitement' (Mas cot).- Another above averasre $4,000 b.; o, due for this house, principally becauKe of • the "Burns and Allen flicker. -Grof"? also Mt $4,000 lest week on I 'Women Wanted' (MG) ■»nrt 'B6<i"it> Scotland' (MG). Lafayette OTaxmar) (1,500: 20 25-40).—'Man. Wbo Krew Too Much (GB). British films not clicking a-? they should.' and new house will prob-Tbly tJ'kp In only a fair $2,500 Onon'nrr flJ"Vr" last week. 'Mv Hfiart Is Calling' (GE), gro.gsed Those 2 Kiddies*W And 'Anna^Tahe Ported For 8iG and 8G Respec. Portland, Ore., Sept. 10. (Best Exploitation: B'way-UA) Broadway and UA launched this week the biggest exploitation cam- paign in the history of the burg to Inaugurate Parker's private Greater Show Season. Other houses did not participate In the exploitation cam- paign. Plx to open the season were 'Anna Karenina' and 'Dlariiond Ji both doing strong. Paramount held 'Steamboat' for a second week, unuc^ual for Jhat big house. Rogers pic connected for huge biz on Its first week and con- tinued to add up great takings for the second stanza. 'Glory' fairish at the Orph. which was disappointed last week with •Alice Adams.' The Hepburn pic had an okay ilrst' week but failed to get going on the second ahd pulled after nine days. Hot weather, opposlsh Btlll hold- Inar. but heavier exploitation by all houses getting results. Parker houses- used two-color copy for plugging 'JIni and Anna;' Estimates for this Week Broadway (Parker) (2,000; 26-40) —•Diamond Jim' (U). Answering to the biggest exploitation campaign in history of the biirg and great $8,- 600. Last: week 'Bonnie Scotland' (MG) and 'Smllin' Thru' (MG), re- vival, did nicely, getting okay $6,200 United Artist* (Parker) (1.000; 26^40)—'Anna Karenina' (MG). Heavily exploited as opening Great- er Show Season and getting great $8,000; will .hold over. Last week 'Cminia Seas' (MG), third week, clicked and closed for fair $3,600. First two weeks totaled a great 1113.300. Paramount (Evergreen) (3,000; (26-40)—'Steamboat' (Fox) (2d week). ' Going, strong for good $4,- 50i». First week knocked 'eni for a big $8,300. Orpheum (Hamrlck-Ev.ergreen) (2,000; 25-40)—'Page Miss Glory' (WB). Getting a mild play only against strone opposlsh for disap- pointing $4,000. Last week 'Alice Adams' (Radio) held for nine days but not as strong as expected; a little off and disappointing at $6,800. Mayfair (Parker-Evergreen) (1,- 400; 25-40)—'Alice Adaims' (Radio). Moved over from the Orph, poor $2,000. Last- week, 'Smart Girl' (Par), and 'Raven' (U). Just a fair cOmbQ, getting fair results around $2,600. Comparative Grosses for August Total estimated grosses duri previously reported weekly, week. NEW YORK HARMONY LANE'OKAY $4,500 IN SEATTLE . Sea,ttle, Sept. 10. (Best Exploitation: Orpheum). Run for 'China Seas' going be- yond expectations to nice takings at Blue Mouse, while of the new crop, 'Diamond Jim' iat Orpheun looks town'lB top. Best exploitation a,t Orpheum with tieups with jewelry stores, rail roads, bringing out RR magnat< angle; best indlviduial gag. a scries of ads In classlfled dept. of news- papers, under female and mal< salesmen wanted, the lines runninj like this: 'Learn how the super- salesman ran $90 Into $12,000,000.' Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrlck) (950; 27 37-42)^'China Seas' (MG) (4th week). Still hotsy, expects $• on its eight-day windup, good. ] week, $5,300, corking, close to wk. Coliseum (Evergreen) (1,800; 21- 32)—'No ' More Ladies' (MG) and 'Black Sheep' (Fox) dual. At $3,00( pace, It's slow trade. Last week 'Our Little Girl' (Fox) arid 'New York Night' (MG) dual, good $3,800 Half week prior, 'Glass Key' (Par) and 'Ginger' (Fox) 4 days, $1,70C slow.. 5th Ave. (Evergreen) (2,400; 27 37-42)—'Alice Adams' (Radio). Hep bum heading for fair. $7,000. Las week, 'Steamboat' (Pox) $13,10C great. Moved to Music Box. Liberty (J-vH) (1,900; 11-16-27)- 'Harmony Lane' (Mas) and 'Supe Speed' (Col), Big ads for formei Poster's life story. G(.od for $4,500 ^anco'. (Masl (Rep) dual, (900; 27- Ho' and 'Westward $1,?00, good. Music Box (Hamrlck) 37,.42)—'Steamboat' (Fox) week, moving from 6th avenue, like ly for $4,600, gOod. Last week, 'Escape Me Never?. (UA), $8,900, fair. Orpheum (Hamrlck) (2.700; 27- 37-42)—'Diamond Jlttv' (U). Plenty advance ads, reacting to strong b. o. trade; $6,800, Last week, 'Bright Lights' (FN), 9 days, slow $5,000. Didn't get the reg 40 centers; Brown plxes heretofore dualcd here, so also chilled Brown fans -Nvho wanted quantity too* * Paramount (Evergreen) (3,106-27- 37-42)—'Here Comes Band' (MG) and 'Don't Bet on Blondes' (WB). Ted Lewis pic has top billing; good for $4,000. Last week, 'Bonnie Scot- land' (MG) and 'Smart Girl' (Par) no Jell, fllow at $3,200. MiNNEAPOLIS (Continued on page 20)