Variety (Oct 1935)

^Tednesdajt October 2, 1935 PICT ES VARIETY II Sally Rand Fans Big $30,000 Into Boston; lelody 35G in 2 Houses Boston, dci, 1. (Beat Exploitation: Keith^ roadway Melody' at the Stale and Orptaeiim looks hot In the Aim lineup/-itnd the -two >fitaiHia It wlU snare about $36.Q0<), despite the holy days over the weekend, Keith Boston Is rushing 'em In, Ith Sally Rand on the stage and 'Mad Love' on the screen. First tlnie In several seasbrts that a Keith house has run a Metro pic, but the lioew houses had no yen fi>r the horror special, and let It go to the Opposition. ■ Shapes up like $3p,V0p for the Keith spot, due in no small $aXt to. a boom-boom advance cam- algn and rah-rah publicity" oh ot>ening days of the show,', stressing the city censor's no-like ior nudity. . • 'Top IjatV goes into. Its flfth and last week aifter sensational run at the Memorial.- ■ Majestic. blbssoirie(| out last week with.a Broadway flash front for'the opening of 'Crusades,' roadshow, 'Oct.. 4. . ..Jack Gajanara at Keith's crashed a Sianday paper with one of the out-- standing feature stories of the year. With Sally Rand!s fans .iand balloons fia & basis. ..Grabbed oflE nifty Page 1 Interview, with the fanner on open- ing day,, then nature took its course in the form of scare stories about scanty costuming and,the city cen- sor (Herbert McNary) on the quot- ing end. . By Saturday the whole town, from blueblodds to lowbrows, were well aware (regardless of what ^uh paper they read) that there was an attraction on the stage of the iCeith Bbston. Estimates for This Week Keith Boston (RKO) (2,300; 35- 50-65).—'Mad Love' (MG) and, Sally Rand on stage. Zooming, along to 930,000, very forte. Last week off, $11,300 for 'Farmer Takes Wife' (Fox) and vaude, topped by Art Jarrett and Eleanor Holm. Met (M&P) (4,200; 35-60-65)— ^gpectal Agent' (WB) a,nd JToan Klairsh in person attracting adequate biz, but that's all, $28,000. Last week ratlier, good, $30,300, for "Big Broad- ogt,sV (Par) and Morton Downey, Keadllned on stage. Draw credit about evenly split. State (Loew) (3,200; 25-36-40-60) ^'Broadway Melody' (MG)^ Heavily plugged in advance with national and local campaign, fllUng a pack of seats, around ?19,000. Possibility of holdover In both houses (State and Orph). Last week $14,000, fair, on •Dark Angel' (UA), also day-dating. Orpheum (Loew) (3,000; 26-36-40- 60)—'Broadway Melody' (MG). Tun- ing in about $16,000, hefty. Last week a not too good $12,000 for •Dark Angel' (UAh Keith Memorial (RKO) (2,900; 25- 36-50)—'Top Haf (Radio) (5th week). Final gate of about $10,000, very satisfactory. Fourth, week good $13,700. Paramount (M&P) (1,800; 25-35 50)—'I Live for Love' (FN) and 'Chan in Shanghai' (Fox), dual "Will touch about $6,800, fair. Last week better, $7,000, on 'Goose and Gander* (WB) and 'Welcome Home (Fox), dual. Fenway (M&P) (1,600; 25-30-40- 50)—'Live for Love' (FN) and 'Chan in Sljianghai' (Fox), double, at $3, 700; medium. Last week $4,000 for 'Goose and Gander' (WB) and 'Wel- come Home* (Fox) dual. Seollay (M&P) (2,700; 25-35-40- 60)—'Miss Glory' (WB) and 'Uttle Big Shot' (WB), dual. Aiming at $5,400, oke. Last week $6,000 for 'Annapolis Farewell' (Par) and 'Herie Comes Cookie' (Par), dual. TOP HAT' TOP MONEY IN OKLAHOMA, $8,800 ^Oklahoma City, Oct. 1. "Top Hat' Is top money here this Wek, heading for an $8,800 In seven days that will more than double the gross of any other flrst-run house. No holdover, though. Besides the nat. radio plug that buzzed everybody's ears, local citizenry looked at top hats on ushers. In news, ads and on .billboards two weeks in advance of showing; Slapped all around the ring last week by tei-rlflc competition from the Oklahoma State Fair (240,000 gate), automobile giveaways, amuse- ,m(nit park nickel daysi a walkathon m full swing (4.000 dally), and a Texas League pennant winning ball team In the heat of a Shaughnessy play-off (28,000 gate), flrst-ru nouses nevertheless managed pull. 'Three day.«? beginning Wednesday Will have Indl.ins in town for three days of Dixie Scries with Atlanta Cracker.s, taking at least 35,000.fans to th© park. Estimatet for This Week •Midwest (Standard) (1.450; 26-3u- ^5)—'Top Haf (Radio). Excellent ?'i,S00 with pepped exploitatioh. to Last week 'Dla:ihond Jim* (U) got ah averajge $4,000. Criterion (Standard) (1,450; 26- 3Si56)_'Allce Adams' (Radio). At $4,000, somewhat below average; Last wfeek 'Twb for Tonight' (Par), fair "at $4','60o." ' ' Capitol (Standard) (962; 20-25- 40)—'Gay Deception' (Fox). Failed to driw but $2,200 In four days; was pulled Monday. 'Bonnie Scotland' (MG): gbliig in. with Baer-Loiiis pic- tures Jooks like no more than $2,700 In flv© days. Last week 'Special Agent' (WB). $3,200. Liberty (Standard) (1,270; 20-26- 35)—'Black Sheep' (Fox) and .'Red- heads' (F^x). Expect good $2,200 on week. Last week 'Storm Over Andes' (U) and 'Hot Tip' (Radio) just fair at $1,900. Empress' (Standard) (900; 16-20- 25)—'Wanderer of Wasteland' (Par) and 'Peter Grimm* (Radio). Fa.lr at $1,400. Last week 'Eight Bella' (Col), four days, and 'Diressfed to Thrill' (Fox), three days, With ho-hum $650 and $500,.respectively. lelodyllim 'Gander-ApoHon $12,000. Last week 'Married .Her Boss* (Gel) and 'Atlantic Adventure' (Col) reached a satisfactory J8,000. Rojger Sherman (WB) (2,200; 35- 50)—'Diamond Jim* (U) and 'I Live for Love' (WB). Around $5,500, so- so. Last week 'Goose and Gander' (WB) and Sally Rand unit on stage, below expectations at $9,800, red. College (Loew) (1,565; 35-50)— 'Maffi¥a'TTer"Bbl33'"\Wl~and" ■'At- lantic Adventure' (Col). Holdover will probably reach a moderate $3,r 700. Last week 'Steamboat' (Fox) and 'Superspieed' (Col) on. second week, fell off to light $3,300. in Indpls. Indianapolis^ Oct, 1. (Best Exploitation; Loew's) 'Broadway Melody' setting the pace downtown with a sockb $11,- 500 in view for'the week at Loew's, only big money-maker of the week. 'Goose and Gander' supported by Dave Apbllon unit on stage at Cir- cle only so-so at $8,600, which will not mean any profit with the in- creased- overhead of the spot-week stagd show booking! 'Top Hat' Is doing nicely in its -second week at the Indiana with probable take of $6,000, and. 'Miss Glory' is fair at the Apollo with $6,700 for 10 days. Lyric lags with a below average $6,250 on 'Gay Deception^ and Its customary vaude bill. Exploitation honors are earned by Loew's this week with a myriad of window displays on 'Broadway Melody.' AH music stores and the sheet music counters in the five and tens were tied up, iand a tieup with Jell-O distributors here obtained inserts in packages at leading grocery chains of city. ^ Estimates for This Week Apollo (Fourth Ave) (1,100; 25- 40)—'Miss Glory' (WB), Opened three days ahead of regular Friday opening to avoid battling with "Top Hat* opening at Indiana the week ahead. Take for 10 days will be fair at $6,700. Last week in four days' holdover session of its fourth week 'Steamboat' (Fox) did $1,200 before being jerked. Circle (Katz-Feld) (2,60(5; 25-40) —'Goose and Gander' (WB) arid Dave Apollon stage unit. Latter is well liked; gross at $8,500. Last week dual of 'Comes Cookie* (Par) and 'Annapolis Farewell' (Par) very bad at $3,000. . Indiana (Katz-Feld) (3,100; 25- 40)—'Top Hat' (Radio) (2d week) Doing okay at $6,000, same big last week at $13,000; , Loew's (Loew's) (2,800; 25-40) 'Broadway Melody' (MG).- Dolhg swell business at $11,500. Last week 'Dark Angel' (UA) fair at $5,000. Lyric (Olson) (2,000; 25-30-40)— 'Gay Deception' (Fox) iand vaude Slow compared to this house's usual pace with only $0,250 Indicated Last week 'Little Big Shot' (WB) and Frank and Milt BrItton band unit mild at $7,000; Ifa. Judge' with Ina Ray Hutton Ore, $7,600 in N.H. New Haven, Oct. 1. (Best Exploitation: Poll) Poll's 'Broadway Melody' topping everything In sight. Paramount using .a nowrand-thener with Ina Ray Hiitton on stage and exped- iniiuinpr with scale upped a nickel Gampaigr plugged the live talent uppermost. Poll put on one of its heaviest campaigns,f01* 'Melody.' Highlight ed a 35-item drive. Estimates for This Week Paramount (M&P) (2,348; 40-55) —'Virginia Judge' (Par) and IniEi Ray Hutton on stage. Indicates good $7,600, with stage show cred itcd. Last week 'Bl.c; Broadcast' (Par) and 'Dressed to Thrill' (Fox) topnolch $7,400. Poll (Loew) (3,040; ■35-50) — 'Broadway Melody' (MG) and Baer- Loult light plx. Helping to a sweet $18,SD0,' Olsen-Johnsott Send 'Deception Up To 24G; Benny Davis-Boy 206, Detroit Kansas City, (Best Exploitatio i Uptown) , The ticket machines at the Mid- land are keeping time with Eleanor Powell's tapping feet in 'Broadway Melody' and the going is great; Most important,' especially to the oppo- sition, is the discarding of the .l5c balcony price,, which has been a burn-up^ to the oi)posltion for over a year. House is back to .the 25,c and 40c scale. At the Mainstreet, after 20 days of 'Top Hat,' 'Peter Orlmm' is the film, with the Baer^-^LouIs fight plcturea added.' ■ "' ' ''" " ' After a swell advertising' cam- paign for 'Diamond Jim,' dated to open the 28th, the picture was slii)ped in two days " In advance, which took the edge off the heavy opening anticipated, but It is now g;aining and going strong. Univer- sal sent a special publicity man in for the occasion, and he got. results. Midland started its Iritensiye cam- palgn for 'Broadway Melody' four w;eek3 In advance. Estimates for This Week Mainstreet (RKO) (3,20b; 25-40) —■Peter Grimm* (Radio) and fight pictures. ■ After 20 "days' of 'Top Hat,' fight pictures helped some and th& -going is fain Looks like, close to $7,000,. fair. Last week 'Top Hat* (Radio), six daiys after'a two-week run $8,000, pretty good. Midland (Loew) (4.000; 26-40)— 'Broadway Melody' (MG). Steady play and capacity at times Indicate great week for this musical and probability of holdover: expected to return close to $18,500, big. Last week 'Dark Angel' (UA), skidded tho last few days to $9,600, fair. Newman (Par) (1,800; 25-40)— 'Two for Tonight' (Par). Opened'.on short notice with but. scant public- ity, doing just fair, Crosby expect- ed to help some, will probably turn In around $7,000, nice. Last week 'Big Broadcast' (Par) helped by 'Bank Night' reported $9,500, good. Tower (Bewot) (2,200; 25-35) — 'Front Pag© Woman* (WB), and stage show. Away to a nice start and indications are for near $7,000, good. Last week 'Married Her Boss' (Col) clicked strongly for $11,200. Uptown (Fox) (2,040; 25-40)— 'Diamond Jim' (U). Opened Thurs- day, nearly cold, as all announce- ments gave the opening for Satur- day. Started slow, but is getting Into Its stride, and Is expected' to show around $6,000 for the Mat week, and is practically sure to re- main second week. Last week 'Red- heads' (Fox), five days, $2,400, not so hot. Scandal' (Par), dual, 4 days. Good, especially last half,, $4,000. Last week, 'Escapade' (MG) and ,'Men Without Nalmes' (Par), dual, $2,100. Fifth Ave. (Evergreen) (2;400; ,27-37-42)—'.B'way ,Melody'.., ,(MG). Going terrific pace; good"" '$l4,0"i)O'." Last week, 'Karenina* (MG), $9,100. Liberty (J-vH) (1.900; 16-27-37) -'Married Her Boais* (Col) (2nd week).-Holding nice pace at $8,000. in tpphole. -Last week,'•'$12,1/00, Im- mense. Music Box (Hamrlck) <90e---27- 37t42)— 'Karenina' (MG). Hot re- lease from 6th, making second week for indicated '$3,500. Last week, 'Gay Deception' (Fox), $2,900, good. Orpheum (Hamrlck) (2,700; 27- 37-42)—'Two for Tonight' (Par). Crosby good for $6,300. Last week, 'Top Hat* (Radio) (2nd week), $7,- 300, good. Paramount (Evergreen) (3,106; 27-37-42)—'Goose and Gander ,(WB) and ;39 Steps' (GB) .dual." LoQklng for a big $5,500. Last; week, 'Cookie' (Par) and 'Jalna' (WB) dual, ..$3,- 800, fair. Pitt's Doldrums, Fight Pic Hops 'Ml SEATTLE NICE •Melody' Terrific $14,000—'Two for Tonight,' ^,300 Seattle, Oct. 1. (Best Exploitation: Fifth Ave.) For thii-d week in town, 'Top Hat' moves to Blue Mouse, while 'Kare- nina' makes' bow for second week, moving to Music Box. At Fifth there is plenty of promise In 'Broadway Melody,' with strong opening and indications to build. Another hold- over is the Colbert opus, 'Boss.' at Liberty. Paramount has strong dual offering in 'Goose and Gander' plus '39 Steps,' while 'Orpheum looks okay -with 'Two for Tonight.' Best exploitation for 'Melody' at 5th Ave., with two stunts novel; radio news plugs regarding Eleanor Powell worked iiito reg ne-vy.s broad- cast by ICJR week in advance of opening date, First few days liews did not mention pic Coming to 5th Ave., then tied In with local show- ing. Secondly, personal contact made with. 21 local private dance .s'tudioH getting 'em to advi.se pupils to 'must see,' account dance plx. Street car, street and newspaper ads upped, too. Estimates for is Week Blue Mouse (Hamrlck) (950; 27- 37-42)—'Top Hat' (Radio). Moved from Orpheum, making thl:i tliird week In town, still going strong, $5,000. Last week, 'Peter rimm' (Radio), $2,300, poor. Coliseum (Evergi-een) (1,800; 21- .12)—'Chan in Egypt' (Fox) and 'Harrington' (MG), 3 days, split with Curly Top' (Fox) and 'College Pittsburgh. Oct. 1. (Best Exploitation: Art Cinema) Not a lot of actl6n this week, with a, couple of the smaller spots showing-the "way to the deluxers. That's particularly true of the Ful- ton, Just reopened after three- month shutdown.. House got a break in lining uP Baer-Louis fight fli<}ker for ltd inaugural session iand dailies went to town on the picture, almost at expense of ^Welcome Homje.' Customers apparently feel same way about it, ^for Fulton cli cntele at moment Is almost strictly stag and present outlook is for a swell $6,600. Can't be. .any com- plaints, on that. At "Warner, revival of 'Smllln* Through' on dual with 'Here Comes Cookie' credited with the big pull and considerably better than aver- age trade'-is on tap. At the least $5,250, -which, is several hundred bucks more than house has been doing of late. Art cpinema should have smooth sailing and possible: h.o.. with 'Chapayev,* which got un- der way yesterday (30) following a highly unsatisfactory week with 'My Song for You* at $500, Elsewhere, however, it's the doldrums. 'Ginger,* despite excel- lent notices; comes out of Alvln Wednesday night (2) with scant $4,000; 'Diamond Jim*< opening Thursday, day ahead of schedule. While Stanley Is hitting skids for second successive week. Can't hope for more than mediocre $15,500 with 'Annapolis Farewell* and stage .show. After great opening session of $23,000, 'Top Hat* isn't quite making 'the grade on its second week in this apparently strictly six- day town and will be lucky to come out with $9,000. Not bad but not good either. Poorest showing for a roadshow picture here in some time made by 'Crusades* at Nixon last week, where DeMiller wound up under $5,000 on ,11 performances. Art Cinema hit on all eight in exiploitlng 'Chapayev,' going into the foreign papers, contacting the foreign societies and selling it l)andsomeIy to school and university cultural groups. Estimates for This Week Alvin (Harris) (2.000; 25-35-40)— 'Ginger' (Fox). Swell notices for this one and raves, for; Jane Withers, but apparently little gal isn't' strong enough yet at the b.b. to carry a picture on her own. Goes out Wednesday (2) after five days to around ?4,000 or less with 'Diamond Jim' (U) going in Thurs- day day ahead of schedule, Last week 'Farmer Takes Wife' (Fox) disappointment at $C,250. Art Cinema (Rubin) (250; 30-40) -r-'Chapayev' (Amkino). Opened yesterday (30) to excellent biz on heels of great cxploitatiph cam- paign and may come in for h.o. Last- week,, second since house re- opened, 'My Song for You; (GB) not so hot, even with ICIepiira for the marciuee, and finished in the dog house at $500. Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1.700; 15- 25^40)—'Welcome Home' (Fox) and Baer-Louis fight pictures. Brown Bomber's doing the business here this week, should bring in swell Detroit, Oct. 1, (Beat Explbitatton:. Fox) With Olsen and Johnson on tha stage, Fox is leading the town this wffik.. at . .thei „ wicketa. ..with A-Mc».. . $24,000 on 'Gay iDeception.' Vaud^ is doing the attracting but pic is gaining momentuni dallj'. Amateur .stunt, by. Olsen. and ...Tohbson, plus extra ad copy, covered the city Ilk© a-blanke-t- - After a couple of weeks in the doldrums, the Michigan steps up into the good-time class again with a, $20,000 on' 'O'Shaughnessy's Boy* and Benny DaVls Rievue on stage. United Artists is doing an o.k. $5,5«0 on roadway Melody' (second week). 'Top Hat,', which started its fifth week at the Downtown Friday (27), was jerked Saturday for ' 'Peter Grimm.* No explanation given, but pic couldn't last forever. Baer- Louis fight pic and Major BbWeis* amateur.' flicker also booked. B.o. In the nabes sticking the high le-vel. 'Miss Glory,' which had' a wow week at the Michigan -re- cently, Is enjoying ■ five second-run seisslons this week, a hew high f or- many a moon. Estimates F€t* This Week : Fox (Fox) (5;000; 26-36-65)—'Gay Deception' (Fox) jplus Olsen and Johhsbn on stage. House Climbs higher with a nice $24,Q00; 'Married Her Bbss* (Col), brought In a fine $22,000 last week. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 26-35-55) 'O'Shaughnessy's Boy'. (MG) with Benn-y Davis Revue on stage. - Figures for a. neat $20,000 this week. Did a; very hot $24,100 last week on 'Big Broadcast' (Par), United Artists (2,0.00; 25-35-56)— 'Broadway Melody! (MG) (ind' wk). Will take in an 6n<. $6,600 this week. Flicker did a nifty $13,000 first ses- sion. Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 25-40)7-> 'Redheads' (Fox) and 'Silk Hat Kid' (Fox). Looks like another good $5,500 this week, follbwi;(ig a nice $5,500 last week on 'Diamond Jim' (U). State (United Detroit) (3,000; 25- 40)—'Pursuit' (MG) and 'Smllin' Thro,ugh' (MG). House maintains its steady pace with a $6,000,, nice, this week. Last week did a neat $4,500 on 'Without Regret' (Par) and 'Hopalmg Cassidy' (Par). Lafayette (Maxmar) (1,600 ; 20> 26-40)—'My Song for You' (GB). Should gi^oss another $1,500, fair. 'Clairvoyant' (GB) brought in $1,600 last week. Downtown (RKO) (2,600; 25-35- 56)—'Peter Grimm' (Radio). Pic should do an o.k. $4,500 fdr the six dayis. Was brought irt Saturday (28) atfter 'Top Hat* (Radio) was jerked after starting its flfth week Friday. Last week Astalre flicker turned in $4,000. o.k. after sessions of $15,000, $7,5Q0 and $6,600, $6,500 for housc*s reopening session after shutdown of three months. Almost strictly a stag audience, with mornings and mats big. and nights way off. Nixon (Erlanger) (1,700; 55-83- $1.10-$1.65) — 'Crusades(Par). Single week's roadshow engagement ot- DeMllIe spectacle wky behind, around $5,000 on 11 performances, barely chough to pay the advertis- ing bill. Poorest a two-a-day flicker has done around here In sonie years. Pitt (Flelsher) (1,600; 25-35)— 'Tomorrow's Children' (Indlc). This states-rlghter came In quietly last week with the usual sex ballyhoo and perhaps getting by although nothing out of ordinary. House using non-union help and being picketed. As soon aia this one winds up, site goes to Moe Goldman, who intends to operate with second-run duals oh grind, perhaps adding flesh later. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-36- 40)—'Top Hat' (Radio) (2d week). Will be less than half of opening session's $23,000. but even a $10,000 or so here isn't to be sniffed at, particularly on a holdover. That's as good as a flock of ftr.st-weeks,. Stanley (WB) (3.600; 25-40-55)— 'Annapolis Farewell' (Par) and El Brendel and Mal Hailett's band. Off weakly arid unlikely to survive^ the stretch, with $15..W0 all that can be hoped for, disappointing and not up to snuff here. Last week 'Spe- cial Agent* (WB) and s'tage show not much better at $16,000. Warner (WB) (2,000; 25-30-40)-^ 'Smilln' Througli' . MG) aird.'Comes Cookie' (Par). Burns and Allen atrocity'oftii be Ignored in final ac- counting here, for it's the revival of threc-ycar-old .Shearer hit that's giving thl.s site better than average trade. Should some under wire -vvith $5,250, fine. Last week 'Here Comf^.<? Band" (MG) and 'Jalna' (Radio), about a grand under that.