Variety (Sep 1935)

10 VARIETY PICT E CROSSES WedneBdaf, September 18« 1935 DETROIT DIPS, DAM ANGEL, Detroit, iSept.. . 'dbekt xpToTtatibnj" XTiiTtiedi ftrtlsfs)' After a month of steady climbing, grosses dipped sharply this week tlnfUffhout the downtown (fst<'lct. to be going for this with Indications pointing to $12,000, Last week, 'Miss oHory* (\\B) $10,800, Hipp (Shea) (2,400; 25-40)— •Goose and Galnder' (WB). Looks like flll-ln for this one with signs pointing to maybe ?6.0fl0. Last week 'Bonnie Scotland' (MG) and 'With- out Regret' (Par) did well conslder- much to the localsTlT.OOO, Groat Lakes (Shea) (3,400; 25-40) 'Accent on Youth' (Par). Polite fodder for" the fans and' things look quiet around $7,500. Last week 'Two for Tonight" (Par), about as eJt- pcf.ted a-t-•?T,«00. Century (Shea) (3.400; 25)—'Thin Man' (MG) and 'Westward Ho' (Re- public). Bringing back of Powell- Loy fll looks to be good inove with V"" in?.^ f tl Jnlbe !.ow*^ Last week 'Thunder in Nlght'_ (Fo_k wrong booking. In th e nabe s. bow ever, the b. o. maintiilrt6d~.1. rtslne pnce. ■ . '■' United Artists has 'Dark Angel.^ ■which should bring in a nice $8,000; mav hold over. Because Detroit is not epburii- minded. the Fox is doing a very bad $15,500 this week on 'Alice Adarns* after several weeks In the high tipper class. The same situation is true at the Michigan,, whei-e wrong booking on 'Bright Lights' Is nulling the b. o. down to a bad $18,000. Brown does draw\here, but not on a single bUHne In a big house. Both the Michigan and Fox have good stPTC shows but to no avail. Surprise of th^ first run theatres Is the Adams. whlc»i for the second Btralght week is clanging around the wow $7,000 mirk, despite the fact it is onlv a 1,700-seater. 'She.' plus ••Old Man Rhythm,' Is whirling the wickets for $7,000. following a $6,900 ■ gro.«3 on 'Stfeamboaf (2d week) last wepk. .., , 'Top Hat' continues for a third session at the Downtown, with $5,- 600 due after weeks of $7,600 ahd $15,000. Estimates for This Week United Artists (United Detroit) (2,000; 25-35-55)—'Dark Angel' (UA). Gaining daily and should igross $8,000, nice. Hit an o. k. $C,- 600 last week on 'Here Comes the Band' (MG). , ichigan (United Detroit) (4,000; .25-35-65)^'Bright Lights' (WB) ■plus stage show. Wrong booking will cause house to sink, not more ■than $18,000 this week, 'Anna Ka renlna? (MG) plUs Apollon's Inter national Revue clanged a big $28,-/ 000 last week. Fox (Fox) (6,000; 25-35-65)— •Alice Adams' (Radio) with vaude- ville, centering aroun-J Jimmy Save Swmps tiadly to $15,500, Hepburn ■•jlx never clicking in Detroit. Lasl "R-eek took in a fine $23,000 on 'Dla mond Jim' (U), which had to carry the load because 'D?era Under the Stars' oh the stagei didn't gp over, 4 Dovvntpwn (RKO) (2,eot); 25-35- B5)—'Top Hat' (Radio) (3d week) Figures for a nice 55.500 after a first ' week of $15,000 and a second of $7, 600. Adams (Balaban) (1,700;_ 25-40)- 'She' (Radio), and 'Old Man Rhythm vRadlo^. Dragging In an excellent $7,000, chiefly because of 'She,' Makes second week house has been above the high water level, 'Steam- boat' (Fox) drawing a swell $6,900 la^t week. State (United Artists) (3,000; 25- 40)—'Little Big Shot' (WB) and •Don't' Bet oh Blondes' (WB). Gross rises slightly to $4,600, good. B. o. hit $4,000, o. k., last week on 'Here Comes Cookie' (Par), and 'Ladies Crave Excitement*—(Mas), princi- pally due to the- Burns-Allen pic. Lafayette (Maxniar) (1,500; 20- 25-:40)-^'Loves of Dictator' (GB). Another fair $2,000. 'Man Who knew Too Much' ( ) did $2,500 last week. W Hat' BoUoTer, Omaha's Sole New Pic, Dark Ai«ey bright 9G Lincoln, Sept. 17. (Beat ExplaH»tioiii V«r»ity) ^ 'Diamond Jim' Is asking and ■getting the best money on the drag Omaha, Sept. 17. this week, but the real battle Is be- 'CBtf«l"E8;prdttltl5H?-<)»nirttH) ^ TnTee-ii ^he two BtasB sh o w hou oear <md- R e <lhcadc on Parad ^i-r^^ Fox) gnt . nice takings an*- up to the mark at §6,800. House showing decidedly Improved business for past m9nth, Lafayette (Ind) (3,400; 25)—'Dia- mond Jim' (U). Neat takings with plenty of talk in the air over this; Plugged- for fine results; Looks to get up to $12,000. Last week 'Love Me Forever' (Col) took quite a drop at slightly over $6,000 for second week. 'Special Agent' with Vaude, $7,500; Indpls. Fair, taboat' $3,750 indlana:polls, Sept. 17. (Best Exploitation: Lyric) 'Call of the Wild' Is the, big noise of tl 2 w^eek downtown here with a strong $9,000 in prospect at Loew's. Most of the newspaper reviews and comments favor Buck, the dog, more than Gable ct al. The Lyric is keeping comfortable at $7,6()0 with, 'Special Agent' and vaude, while the Circle hits a slump' for the first time with a Bing Crdsby, opus on a mild $4,260 ta,ke for 'Two for Tonight.' 'Steamboat' Is taper- ing steadily in its third, week wlndr lip a^ the Apollo and will finish satisfactorily with $3,750. Best exploitation of the week was done by the Lyric with its three- page classified ad spreaid on a Fri- day the 13th tleup in the Star on opening day; Estimates for This Week Apollo (Fourth Ave) (1,100; 25- 40)—'Steamboat* (Fox). Rogers holding its own with his earlier vehicles by heading for an adequate $3,750 in its third week.. Same plo did okay $5,'700 in Its second stanza liast week Circle (Katz-Feld) (2,600; 25-40) —'Two for Tonight* (Par). Off a lot from other Crosby films with a meagre $4,250. Last week,.' iamond Jini' (U) $6,000, good. 1 Loew's (L6ew*s) (2,800; 25-40)— •Call of Wild' (MG). Gable's pvll with the femmes Und the help of the Jack London nanie Is meaning a very good $9,000. Last week, a dual of 'Bonnie Scotland* (MG) and 'Black Room' (Col) $3,500, poor. Lyric (Olson) (2.000; 25-30-40)— ■Special Agent' (WB) and vaude. Oka:y at $7,600 with help of strong vaude bill.. Last week, 'Redheads On Parade' (t'ox) and vaude in the clear also at $7.000; Omaha and Brandela retain their programs Intact for the second week doing right by the plcturcM which did more than right by them the first spell. At the OiAaha the $11,000 •totat- f«}ta- 'China- Saajs'- liuJt weJi beats anything the house ever took In a week under A. H. Blank con- trol in the past two years, and goes oh the books as the house record .^topping by $l,0(jK», Jhe,,previous rec- ord made several months ago. A -4opnotcb- 'JIM,' $3,700, LINCOLN Battle of Stage Shows, Orpheum Vertua Varaity Orpheum ahd Varsity. Orph will put on one of the season's heaviest dmw^ this threo days with the Bin Hogan unit, although there's not much profit in it, at two bits top. „ X^rge.st single item Is the fact that college regfstratfdh's'tarrt 'lt>-' day and forecasters believe this -svll) be the heaviest enrollment year In the last five since butstate conflU, tlons so much, better. Anyhow, the campJB^alhg Trheans ' about 7,000 'Hat'Takes Balto For$13,0iin Final * > fl fiiTg ruial 0 IMjo product with room to hold them ac counts for this number as the rec- ord Ws made on four shows dally Brandels with Top .Haf In. the sensational class shattering the Little WoBden' record that has fitood over a year. .New record of $9,600 tojps the old number by $1,300 a.hd represents practical capacity In this small house. Sum likely to stand for time to come as a model of gross prosperity. Here It Is . the picture plus the billing that makes the answer, and. house reaped vir- tually Ave capacities dally from the six full programs offered; Holdovers will both corne in at least average with 'China Seas* due for around $6,600 making a total of $16,600 on the picture, okay from any angle. Top Hat' second week llkewiise over normal and will reach just under .$6,000, even, normally very good money In thlA house. Orpheum with "Dark Angel' open- ing on Thursday Instead of the usual Friday presents the only new bill to the town and will benefit on this point, but picture plenty strong and standing, on Its own. This bill should total around $8,800, sweet. Exploitation credit to the Omaha and Ted Emerson on the 'China Seas' campaign, especially dally ads, which made a holdover possible In this house which can ordinarily play no more than a week. Estimates for This Week Omaha ( lank-Trl-States) (2,100; 26-40)—'China Seaa' (M-6) (2nd week). After bursting the books with a new bouse record of $11,000 the first week, second stanza headed to do normal or above, and the $5,500 from the second seven days makes a grand total for the picture. 'Silk Hat Kid' (Fox) which went in as a ddal partner stays on through the second week. Brandeis (Slnger-RKO) (1,250; 25-36-40)—Top. Haf (Radio) (2nd week). After shooting the gross to a new high, here apd a figure that ex- ceeds, the old record by more than a grand, to the record $9,600 of the first week will be added somewhere around $6,000 for the second week and this heavily over normal. Pic ture stays oin as a single feature and admits six complete shows dally. Orpheum ( lank-'Trl-States) (2,- 976; 25-40) — "Dark Angel' (UA) hioved In "Thursday a 'day early with "Woman Wanted' (M-G) as dual. Only new bill In town adds to the picture's own strength and will be bright at $9,000. Last week smalli&h with 'Bonnie Scotland' (M-G) and 'College Scandal' (Par), $5,200 In six days barely average, but competition far stronger than iisual. hPhlnH n ualltv P°*!r"\^5"!^J? Ini^^ ■ n^uxrmni •-, ttt tho v p.VtI"' "' TTtp pndrome. This. "dt5r~Mn.iTffpEr" gag for '39 Steps' at the Varsity caused ia lot of talk when he h^d a man stepping off' 39 paces arid marking it ■vvltli a block labelleX *39 Steps' all up and jdown the main drag. Stunt went oh for three days and woke up the curious. ' Estimates for This Week Colonial (LTC) (750; 10-15)— 'Saddle Aces' (Res), 'Kentucky Blue Streak* (Rep) and 'Streamline Ex- press* (Mas), three changes. Just fair with $850. La^t week 'Laramie Kid* (Steiner)- and ' Thunder In Night* (Fox), split, a low mark of $750. Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-20-25)— Every Night at Eight* (Par). Catching on sufficiently to get : 12,200; good enojugh. Last week 'Ac- cent, on Youth' (Pair) socked • by heavier draws around the .marquees and suffered at $1,900 figure, down over tb - recent average by some margin. Orpheum (LTC) (1,200; 10-15-20- 26)—'Smart^ Girl' (Par) with Bill Hogan and his Hollywood Call- fornians un.'- on the stage for three days, followed by dual 'Calhi Tour- self (MOV and 'Thunder In East' (UA). By virtue of the first half strength a cinch for $2,700. How- ever, that figure which ^yould once have meant a fair profit, ■won't mean so much now. A stage show nut which was formerly around $500 for the three days in talent Is this week about $1,350 and.tha attendant costs running the figure still higher. Last week 'Little Big Shot' (WB) and Esther Ralston topping Jack Randall's unit, with following double bill, 'Dealers in Death' (Top) and 'When Strangers Meet' (Lib) good for .$2,600, oke. ' , Stuart (LTC) (1.900; 10-25-40)— Diamond Jim' (U). Heading for hapny $3,700, good enough. Last ..eek 'Top Hat* (Rad'o) smacked *em over with a $4,800 take. Varsity (Westland) (l,lO0; 10-15- 25)—'39 Steps* (GB) and stage show. Aiming at $2,300 for the week, all right. Last week the first seven days of staere show and 'Girl Friend' (Col) got $2,000, a bit low but ex- pected so since' poMiy hot estab- lished. Baltimore, Sept. 17. .,(B.«si,Exji!o.itatio.n: .Centu^Yi Business continues at a merry gait. The sudden upswing has lost soine--of-Its- momentum, but ;the pesas are still pouring, in. . , Top Hat' continues cori?Ing pacia. FAMOUS FIRST NIGHTS CAMPAIGN GETS W NEAT $12,a00, BUFFALO Buffalo, Sept. 17. (Best Exploitation: Lafayette) Business is up nicely here this week, the Buffalo and Lafayette running neck and heck for what looks to be about even grosses. Takings elsewhere are steady and Indications are for' satisfactory grosses, all. round. For the preceding stanza 'Love Me Forever' Slipped on its se~ond week and 'Glory' ot up to only $10,800. Century Is- »"■> and coming strong with establlf5hed straight dual fea- ture policy. Lafayette blanketed the town for 'Diamond Jim.' usihg posting, Utho- gi'aphs, cards and special display frames. Saturday morning (14) 600 Liberty magazine carriers who had distributed 30.000 heralds and who wore 'Diamond Jim' badges f>ir wcel? previous, had a' parade tln-o«gli thp business section with boys' biiivd, special banners and hala. House built up a spepJal front with hu.ge mirror dlan)6nd on figure of Brady. Magazine truck.s were pla.stercd witli banners, taxiciib,"? .carried snvernl hundred crystallized bumper cardti and newsp.ipersi Including com- munity and foreign, wore used ex- tensively. Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Shea) (3,600; 30-40-50)— /Call of Wild' (UA). Public secriis 'Bio Eita' (Ziegfeld, . Y., Feb, 2, 1927) Opening of the theatre built for and named after the late Flo Ziegfeld and marked the^ rehioval of that- showmtin from the' New Amsterdam theatre. The .Ziegfeld. spotted at 54th street and Sixth avenue, was somewhat apart from the-Broadway show zone but It commanded smart audiences for several years. House Is now being operated by Loew with straight pictures. Premlel-e of 'Rio Rita'.disclosed the show as ah immediate hit dnd a dead spot around the seventh row-of the house. Work on correcting amplification was started at once.. 'All Quiet on the Western Front' (Carthay Circle, Los Angeles, April 29, 1930) - Despite following many war pictures, this one sent all the boys, and many women. In search of a drink at' intermission due to Its'graphic trench stuff. Also the first war picture to simulate In sound the whine of approaching shells. 'Accent,' $7,000; HU; Big $8,500, Ci»himbus Columbus, Sept. 17, (Best Exploitation: Ohio) As expected, 'Tcp Hat' and 'Steamboat' cleaned up. PubUc flocked and both films held over for Another stanza, no surprise; Astalre film moved into Majestic, with more than one week seen in that house, Ohio worked hard on Gable, with "best bet in newspapers. Tie-up con tests, co-op ads and cartoon strip will bring in biz. Esiiimates for This Week Ohio (Loew-UA) (3,()00; 30-42)— 'Call of Wild' (UA). Looks like best thing in town, with sure $8,600. 'Every Night at Eight' (Par) sagged all week, only $6,000. Palace (RKO) (3,075; 30-42)— 'Accent On Youth' (Par). About even business, $7,000 in- sight. 'Top Hat' (Radio) wowed out a swell $14,000, Broaid (Loew-UA) (2,500; 30-42) —'Steamboat* (Fox) (2d wk). Ex- pects nice $5,500. First week b'uilt to swell $11,500. Majestic (RKO) (1,100; 25-35)— 'Top Hat' (Radio). "Moved here from Palace, looks like three week holdover. $4,000 easy money. 'Front r -e Woman' (WB) and 'Daring Young Man* (Fox) split week, and only $2,75.0 for a total. tho third week, will be shortened to five days to enable house to get back to Friday opening. Izzy Rappaport said yesterday that if Ted Weems band on stAge dnd 'Married Her Boss* had not been booked In to start this Friday (20), he would h.o. 'Top Hat' for another session. Last five days with 'Hat* should pick up a whizzing $13,000. Stanley is in. clover with 'Accent on Youth' sprinting to'ward $8,000. Publicist Herb Morgan of Century drew blood by tying In with News- Post for donation of loving cup. to best of seven military bands which were In; town last weekend for Iflfth Fiegt, Armory's re-dedication cele- bration. Glen (3ray, of Casa Loma band, current on Century stage, was drafted to hand over trophy to band he adjudged best after hearing the outfits vl» with each other In front of Armory during celebration which attracted thousands of onlookers, (iray intro'd over amplifiers, and story and cut apeared In News-Post to plug stunt. Estimates For This Week Century (Loew-UA) (3,000; 15-26- 35-40-55-65) 'Here Comes' Band' (MG) and" Glen Gray Casa Loma band heading vaude. Pic isn't pulling, which leaves whole burden up to ork. Started slo\vJy, but pace has quick- ened p,nd $21,000 looks likely, good firm figure even though band does get big; share of dough. Last week 'Call of Wild* (UA) 'and vaOde bet- tered $20,000, nice Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,300; 15-25-35-40-55-65) 'Top Hat' (Radio) ahd vaude.. (3rd week). Final trot, shortened to five days, looks; lUk© grand $13,000. Last week (2d) topped wow $19,000. Keith's (Schanberger) (2,500; 15- 25-35-40) 'Diamond Jim' (U) (2d week). This h.o. session has been compressed to six days, because by concluding It tonite (Tuesday) witb fair $4,000 in till, house will be en- abled to open 'Harmony Lane' (U), and give it full-week run; Tuesday (24) 'Big Broadcast' (Par) is inked in. Last week, first of 'Ji ,' Swell $7,000. New (Mechanic) (1,800; 15-26-r35- 40-50) 'Redheads', (Fox). John Boles always beacon chough at this stand; opened yesterday (Monday) a bit stodgily, but should pick up and snag good $4,000. Last weelt, second of 'Steamboat' (Fox), went 11 days and plucked fine $5,800. Total for entire 18-day run, $13,200, splendid. Stanley (WB) (3,450; 15-25-35-40- 56) 'Accent on Youth? (Par). Accent is on the b.o. too, with fine $8,000 to be realized. Last week 'Bright Lights' (WB) could not accelerate tho» palsied pace at -which it started and was jerked after five days with no more than $2,800 grossed. First time a pic has been yanked at this sta'nd. 'The Capitol' (Standard, N. Sept. 9, 1895) James M. Jlill. better known through his connection with the Union Sq. and its productions, selected the Standard for the prenaiere of 'The .•Ca,pltor, a grim play in which the .Catholic hierarchy's attempt to control the national legislative action wa3 assailed. It'was a drab play, bitter propaganda, arriving nowhere In particular. An audience wl>ich patiently sweltered through' the perfoimance on an Intensely hot night voted thumbs dawn. Sp did the newspapers the following morning. But somehow Hill had an Idea It possessed value for the mad and he ran-it all season. It was the fir.st play in which the paid tickets were punched instead of the pas.s coupons as Involving less labor than the usual procedure, but Hill always greeted the newspaper men with 'It's the hit of the season. Audience under the stage twice last week. You can't use, a few passes for tonight can you?' It was the 19th century version of 'The Ladder' run. On the road it flopped. H—MacA Bid For Stander Hollywood, Sept. ll- Wanting him for a part ih 'Soak the Rich,* Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur ..have wired Lionel Stander to come east when he fln- ishes his picture work. Now In 'The .Milky Way,' Har- old Lloyd starrer at Pai*amount. 'Waterfront' for Lubin Hollywood, Sept, 17. Arthur Lubin has been assigned by Republic to" direct 'Frisco Watei>front,' slated to get under way the end of this week. Director recently .flnl-jhed 'Two Sinners' foi: that studio. Weather Cool, Folks Home, Tacoma B.O. Ups Tacoma, Sept. 17. (Best Exploitation: Roxy) Ideal weather for shows, cool with some rainy nights, is helping Intro- duce fall biz along \yith folks back In to>vn. after suriimer vacash and school bells- ringing, too. Music Box steps out with nice takings for ace dual again this week, after slumping last week, with 'Happy Go Lucky Hour,* radio act on stage, no particular draw.. Roxy has best exploitation for 'Keeper of Bees* with swarm In hive, safely enclosed in glass, in at- mospheric lobby display. Estimates for This Week usi Box (Hamrick) (1,400; 16- 27-37) 'Bright Lights' (WB) and 'Accent on Youth' (Par) dual. Run- ning full week, indications for good ?4,500, Last week, 'Break of Heax-ts' (Radio) and 'Stolen.Harmony'(Par) splif with 'Lady Tubbs' (U) and 'Lucky Hour' on stage, no riot, but $4,ipo,..oke. Roxy (J-vH)' (1,300; 16-27-37) 'Keeper of Bees' (Mono) and 'Silk Hat Kid' (Fox) dual, split with 'Pursuit' (MG) and 'One. New York Night' (UQi) dual. Good, $4,000. Last week, 'Here Comes Band' (MG) and 'Woman Wanted' (MG) dual. 4 days, $2,700, good, and 'Orcblds to You' (Fox) and 'Daring Young Man'(Fox) dual, $1,700, good, for okay $4,400 week.