Variety (Nov 1935)

Wednesday,' November 6, 1935 PICTURE CROSSES VARIETY tnisaib'On^ Fair $15,000 in Loop tAt $1 %'Sfaipates* (HC $3P0; Diamond' Ups State-Lake, $14,000 . . > Chicacro, Nov. 6. (Bast Exploitation: Oriontiii) WHat hajs been proved time and time again in the past again gets the test this week and. once hiore the fllm nien learn the sad story -aK oA'CF-agaJn- ..that the, t.Qwii..yf,on't go for picture prices which are boosted too far ovit of line. That^s what is happening to 'Crusades' wlUch came into the B. & K. Roose- velt at (1 top after the firm had al- most decided to try it at twp-a-day »t 92<20 top. Picture is doing well in the mati- nees when the price is more reason- able but the trade slumps ofC sharply when the buck tariff goes into eft^ect. Total on the week wlU tic somiewhat under fl5,000, only a fair gross. Picture, will lilcely go into the Garrlck or Apollo for hold- over at regular prices which should perk its business. Meanwhile War- ners will piit 'Midsummer Night's Dream' into the loop at two-a-day despite all the efforts to get the dis- tributor to change his mind. Will prObahly open on Nov. 21 at the Apollo. Palace brought the 'Folles Ber- geres' show back this week for its sixth week In the loop. . This time will do only average business. Was here two-weeks ago and slashed a mighty 130,000 but word-of-mouth was bad due to the many curtail- ments that h&d iDeen made in the unit; Other stage show house, Ori- entiil, is doing well with the Ada Leonard unit. Miss Leonard had a big build-up in this town when she was the premier stripper at the bur- leycue Star and Garter. She Is ex- ploitable in Chicago, however, and Jimmy Luntzel and Gardner WHsoii cracked some nifty stunts tor the show. Estimates for This We«k Apollo (B&K) (1,200; 25-35-56)— •Live My Life' (MG), In here after two weeks at the Chicago, Crawford flicker figuring for at least $4,000, fine for the loop stay; Last week, 'Special Agent* (WB), a natural in this hou^ie with its cops-and-rob- bers theme and took $2,700, okay on its fourth looper. Chicago (B&K) (4,000; 35-66-76) —'Shipmates Forever' (WB) and stage show. Keeler-Powell heading for $33,000 slightly better than aver- age. Has had some edge taken off of it by the previou* looping of-'An- napolis Farewell' (Par). Last week, 'Live My Life' (MG) suffered on its holdover fo $22,800, weakish. House has been in a bad spot recently du^ to scarcity of product which has necessitated unworthy holdovers. Garrick (B&K) (900; 25-35-55)— •Way Down East' (Fox). Thef».tre does, better on holdover product and on first run stulf. Good notices and exti'a ad spreads, however, may help this one to maybe $3,500, good. Last week 'Last Outpost' (Par) didn't get anywhere at $2,000. Oriental (B&K (3,200; 26-35-40) •Little Big Shot' (WB) and 'Cock- tails of 1936' unit on stage. Local fame of Ada Leonard as premier burleycue stripper helping this house to fine $19,000 . for the week. Last week 'Woman Wanted' (MG) and Bowes' No. 4 unit smashed through' to mighty $24,400. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 35-66-65)— 'Beat the Bi^nd' (Radio) and 'Folies Bergeres' unit on stage. Adverse comment on reshaped unit on its appearance two weeks ago is hurt- ing this return date. Around $19,- 000, fair gi*oss. Last week 'Pom- peii' (Radio) kept them out of the theatre and sank the gross to $14,- 700, worst ih many months. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 40-55- 60-75-$l)—'Crusades' (Par). Uppied tariff on this picture is hurting the possible gross. Will do somewhat tinder $16,000 on the Initial session. Town won't go for these outrof- llne admission prices. Last week 'Broadway Melody' (MG) finished three good stanzas to pleasant $9,- 900. . State-Lake (Jones) (2,700: 20-25- 35)—'Diamond Jim' (U) and vaude. Picture in here after only big loop week, which gives this house gi-eat break oh possible gross currently. Lifting nlftlly to $14,000, highly profitable. Last week 'Sanders' (UA) fair at $11,200. United Artists (B&K) (1.700; 35- 66-65)-^'Barbary Coast' (UA) (2d week). Took a .smashing $1?,800 on its first session in the loop; carry- ing through on additional advertis- ing splurge to $14,000, fine for the second gallop. Par Legalite at Studio Hollywood, Nov. 5. Sidney Justin arrived from the east and a.^jsumes po.st of assistant to Jacob Karp, resident attorney at Paramount stiidlo.s. Justin w,'^.^ transferred from com- pany legal start in New York. TACOMA FAIR 'Soc'-'Leiis' Du6.'$3;OC0ii 'Gay' and •Thunder/ ^00 Tacoina, Nov. 6. Music JB'ox' has "dtf^ Is playing up Major alma- teurs short, with local angle that Bowes once lived here. Duals -with spilt week prevail! at Rbxy. Cold weather came early with Jolt that also frosted boxoffice some- what. imates for This Week dslc Box (Hamrick) (1,400;* 1«- 27-37)—'Socrates' (WB) aiid 'Lucky Legs' (WB) plUvS Bowes short. Ads playing up amateuis; fair for $3,000. Last, week, 'Batbary Coast' (CJ.A) and 'Storm Over Andes' (U), dual, $5,100, big. Boxy (J-v ) (1,300; 16-27-37)^ 'Gay Deception' (Fox) and 'Thun- der in Night' (Fox), dual, split with 'After Dance' (Col) and 'Super Speed' (Col) dual. Moderate pace, $3,300. Last week, 'Farmer . Takes Wife' (Fox) and 'Welcome Home' (Fox), dual split ivith 'Bedhead' (Fox) and 'Inferno' (Fox) diial, $3,200, fair. 'Rendezvous'$15,000, Apollon-TlightOur Combo OK 14&, Cincy Cincinnati, Nov. 5.. •Rendezvoiis' Is the b. o. romper currently, clicking $16,000 for the Albee. Combo Shubert Is right be- hind with $14,000 on 'His Night Out' and Dave ApoUon's troupe. .Far back in line is 'Metropolitan,' echoing a discordant $8,000 for the Palace. Lyric has 'Way Down East' for an oke $4,500. ^ Capitol Is below the cloth with 'Transatlantic Tunnel' at $4,000 and 'Three Kids and Queen' n.s.h. for Keith's at $3,50(f. Series of trade offsetters over weekend and last week, including balmy weather, windup of hot cam- paigns on city election, the Notre Dame-Ohlo game, which pulled lotsa natives to Columbus and had most oC the stay-at-homes.hugging i-eceiving sets; and a community Hallowe'en parade and open aii- show and fireworks display at Cros- ley Field. Muny celebration was a first-timer and its success de- veloped In plans for annual repeti- tion. While sad for exhibs, the Hallowe'en .affair was a blessing for lay-off circus acts, affording about 20 of 'em a one-nlghter. Estimates for This Week —Aibee- (RKO) (3,300; 35-42)— 'Rendezvous' (MG). Powell the bringer-inner for a sweet $16,000. Last week 'Barbary Coast' (UA), $12,000. Shubert (RKO) (2,150; 35-55)— 'His Night Out' (U) and Dave Apollon unit. Flesh the heavy end. Heaving $14,000, okeh. Ditto last week on 'In the Air" (MG) and Ted Weems' ork. Palace (RKO) (2,CO0;- 36-42)— 'Metropolitan' (Fox). Heavy at- vance ads and rave reviews, yet light trade for a blah $8,000. Last week 'Couldn't Take It' (Col), $10,- 000. Lyric (RKO) (1.400; 30-40)— 'Way Down East' (X'ox). Old standby fetching $1,500, good. Last week 'Virginia Judge' (Par) and 'Eethiopla* (Par), $3,500. Capitol (RKO) (2,000; 35-42)— 'Transatlantic Tunnel' (GB). Un- der par at $4,000. Same figure last week on niove-over of 'Big Broad- cast' (Par) from Palace, where it got $13,600 for first seven days. Keith's (Llbson) (1,500; 30-40)— 'Three Kids and Queen* (U). One of those rare breaks in theatre's run of Warner Bros and First Na- tional product. Maybe $3,600, smelling salts. Last week 'Soc- rates' (WB), $4,200. Grand (RKO) (1.200: 26-40)— 'Shipmates Forever' (WB). Third downtown week, $2,800, all right. pIc pulled $12,000 in first two weeks at Keith's, Last week 'Live My Life' (MG), third downtown week. S2;800. Pix ■ registered $18,000 on first two weeks, divided between Palace and Capitol. Farnily (UKO) (1.000; 15-25) — •Powdei-smokc Ranwo' (Radio) and 'I^ubllc Menace' (Col). Separate. 52.500, good. La.st week 'l-iad l?oy" (Fo::) and 'F'ow(lp;-.smolie RanKo' (Radio), divided, $2,200. Strand find) (1,300; 15-25)- 'Waterfront Lady* (Rep) and 'Dealers In Death' (Top), latter recelvinc lobliy smear to jfrk tran- .slfnts. Tame at $J,GOO. La.st week ■Clairvoyant' (CH), $1,800. 1st .Runs, on Broadway (Subject to. Change) Week of Nov. 8 Capitol—'Mutiny on Bounty' (MG). Music Hall—'Peter Ibbetsen' (Par) (7>. ,. ,^ Center-'Sfie Couldn't Take If (Col) (6). Paramount — 'Hands Across Table' (Par) (2d wk). RivoIi-^'Melody Lingers on' (UA) (6). Roxy^'three Kids and a QueW (U). Strand—'I Found Stella Par- ish' (WB) (2d Wk)v Week of Nov. 15 tapito'l-^'MuUny" orf'^oun^ty' (MG) (24 wk>, . ' ^ •Music Ha|l—'Man Broke Bank at Monte Carlo' (26th- Fox) (13) Center—'Thanks a Million' (20th-Fpx) (13). Paramount — .'Mary Bur n s. Fugitive' (Par). Rivoli—'Melody Lingers On' (UA) (2d wk). Strand—'Stars Over way' (WB) (13). Morton Downey Ups music Is Magic' to $6,500 in Uville Louisville, Nov. 6. Rather light trade Indicated on the main stem this week, but the Rlalto looks the winner, with $6,500 on a combination of 'Melody Lane Revue' (Morton Downey featured) and 'Music Is Magic,' pic. 'Barbiry Coast' and 'Girl Friend,' dual, will' probably put Loew's State in the- place position,- with other first run houses lumped as the field, and all somewhat below average. Rlalto has been handicapped in presenting stage shows by the house ork which has received severe raps from all the cricks. Inability of local musicians to properly play the shows has left a bad taste in the mouths of units playing this town, and it's a real problem to get the local musicians' union to man. the orchestra pit with muslkers who are up .to snuff. National is like- wise prevented from giving the acts proper musical support, and Is hop- ing that the situation will Improve very soon. Exploitation about evenly divided between Rlalto, State, Brown and National, all going In heavily for newspaper space, window cards, etc. Rlalto had swell tie-in with radio station, Morton Downey singing hour and a half program of re- quests. In Interest of local Fresh Hope fund to aid paralysis sufferers. Over $800 was pledged. Estimates for This Week Loew's State (3,000; 15-25-40)-^ 'Barbary Coast' (UA) and 'GlrF Friend' (Col), dual. Steadily Im- proving and current stanza should gross $5,300, okay. Last week 'Live My Life' (MG) and 'Public Menace' (Col), dual, hit a very good $6,000. Riaito (4th Ave.) (3,000; 15-25-40) —'Music Is Magic' (Par) and stage show 'Melody Lane Revue,' with Morton Downey. Tenor the draw here, and plenty busy singing bene- fit performances at orphanages, on the air for Courier-Journal Fresh Hope Fund, etc, all helping to lift gross to $6,500, very good. Last week 'Cnjsades' (Par)_ finished week with nifty $6,500. Brown (Ind.) (1,500; 15-25-40)— 'Transatlantic Tunnel' (GB). Get- ting fair play, with locally made pic to bolster program, and should wind lip with around $2,200. Last week 'Pompeii' (Radio), a little better, $2,500 being returned on the week. Strand (4lh Ave.). (1,450; 15-25- 40)—'Hands Across Table' (Par) and 'Ethloplai' (Par), dual. With double lineup. . house still going none too strong; $2,400 Indicated. Last week 'Way Down East' (Fox) and "TwO-FIsted^ (Par), dual, about same as this week, $2,400. Mary Anderson (Llbson). (1,000; 25-40)—'Socrates' (WB), Not potent enough to stand alone, and gross dipping to about $2,000. Last week 'Shipmates Forever' (WB) (2nd wk) at $2,800 a little above normal. National (Ind.) (2,400; 15-25-40) —'Evensong' (GB), and stage .ihow ..'Biindbox Revue," Al Belasco, m.c, $-,400, .so-so, indicated on week. Plenty of ICc 'service charge' passes being circulated In busilness district, good for opening day (Friday). Last week 'Harmony Lane' (Mas), witlv Koscoe Ales heading . stage bill, meant one of best week.s since house opened. $3,400. Alamo (Ind.) (900; 15-25)—'Pow- der Smoke Uange' (Radio) and 'Super Speed' (Col), splllting with .'P2scai)e Mo Never' (ITA) and 'Col- U'ge Rhytlim' (Par), dual. Eolow average at $l,i:00. Last week 'Top liat' (ftadio) was good for. full \vp«'k'.s run. and turned in a nice $1,700; Holiday Ups B'way Be, Tarish' Nice $40,000, Insketeers $81 'Hands Table' 26G, Tunnel' 30G, 2d Wk. (Best Exploitation: State) Broadway picture palaces found y.e,5terday's. (7uesda;y), Election day, holiday a welcome sight. Getting .-'aturday and Sunday prices on . the day, figures go higher thin they otherwise would have. Monday nigh-t (-4); on eve-of-'elec.tlon huslnes.*, was above average, too. Weekend was normal, Nearest to an outstander at the box office is 'I Found Stella Parish.' Picked an unusual, day for an- open- ing at the Strand (Friday) but caught on quickly and with a .strong leap at the start may get up to $40,- 000, holding over. Two other new entries of the. week,. 'Three Muske- teers' at the Music Hall and 'Hands Across Table' at the Paramount, are laps behind 'Parish' but both will hole out with a fairly ^ood profit. 'Musketeers' Is fencing its way to a possible $80,000, 'Hands' is ex- pected to embrace $26,000 and re- ma,lns a second week. The Music Hall, stuck for a picture, for tomor- row (Thursday), boug:h£ 'Peter Ib- betson' from Paramount. Center goes straight pictures this week with 'She Couldn*t Say No,' opening today (Wednesday). Center maintains same price except for first mezzanine .which dropis from $1.25 to $1.10. 'Way Down East'^ a rather bitter pill, not igettlng up^ to a i)oor $10,000 on the week. All five weeks of operation sO far have shown red. Other new pictures of the week Ballyhoo Eruption On Tompeii' Sends It to $6,500, Seattle Seattle. Nov. 6. (Best Exploitation; 5th Av.) Great five week run of 'Broad- way Melody' ended, , setting recent record here and holding up to fin- ish. 'Shipmates' and 'Barbary. Coast' both had enough on the ball to warrant moyeovers to Music Box and Blue Mouse respec. Liberty re- turns to reg dual policy with prices back, too. 'Pompeii' at 5th Av^ rates tops in exploitation, with special mat 9:30 a.m. Saturday prior to open- ing the highlight. This got record attendance ever at preview mati- nee, getting 2,500 or full caoaclty. with management figuring' for a time to- handle overflow at Music Box. Invitations Issued to ministers, teachers in. all schools'and colleges, ofBcers Of Better Films council, parent-teachers clubs, a total of 2,500, and also to 500 hotel clerks, manicurists and barbers,r who meet public and sometimes talk. Reac- tion tremendous. Special ads were placed In school and church papers. Religious, science, history and ro- mance angles utilized In prevtety Invites, while In the newspaper ads .super-spectacle was not played up, but the romance Interest, and opin- ions of critics on plx. Ad budget was upped 40%. Also 50 24-sheet6 were posted two weeks ahead. Estimates for This Week BluiB Mouse (Hamrick) (900; 27- 37-42)—'Barbary Coast' (UA) (2nd wk). After fir.st okay at Orpheum, looks to an equ.ally big $4,700. Last week, 'Broadcast' (Par) (2nd wk), $3,100. good. Coliseum (Evergreen) (1.800; 21- 32)—-'Steamboat' (Fox) and 'Comep Band' (MG). dual. Good for $4,000. Last week, 'Accent on Youth' (Par) and 'Bonnie Scotland' (MG). dual, $2,900, slow. 5th Ave. (Evergreen) (2*400; 27^ 37-42)—'Pompcir (Radio). Big cam- paign, press, air and billboard, with special plugger miatinee, and $6,500 is the result, moderate. Last weelt. 'Shipmates' (FN), $7,800, fair, cold days cut in. Liberty (J-vH) (1.900; 10-16-27) •^'Thunder Mountain' (Fox) and 'Public Menace' (Col), dual. Fair pace, $3,500. La.st weclt. prices IC- 27-37. 'Couldn't Take If (Col), ?4,200, moderate. Music Box (Hamrick) (900; 27- 37-42)—'Shipmates' (FN). Hot re- lease from 5th Ave. 2nd week, looks around $4,500, La.it week,,'Broad- way Melody' (MG), $2.€fl0. good. Orpheum (Hamrlok) (2.700; 27- 37-42)—'Rendezvou.s' (MG). Ex- pects an excellent $8,000. J>ast week, 'Barbary Coast' (T^A), $9,800. looktfl headed for a grand more but cold w<?ather ninped midweek Mv., Paramount (ICvergreen) (3.1 OG- ''7-,'?7-42) — 'Tran-^atlantio Tunnel' (OB) and 'Fl^htlnc: Youth' (U), dual. Fair trpd/> winds. $4,000. Last week, 'Chan Shanghai" (Fox) and 'R'shop Misbehaves' (MG), dual, $5,700, big. aire 'Case of the Lucky Legs,' fair $7,000 at the Astor;, and 'Rainmak- ers' (first run), coupled with 'Metr ropolitan' (2d run) at the Palace, hot more than medioere $3,000. 'Tunnel' Is enjoying a strong sec- ond week at the Boxy, $30,000, but doesn't stay a third week. House brings fh 'T.^lft-efe '^I'efe HiW 'Queen"' Friday (8). Roxy is one house .tha,t does not benera from holiday scales,- but, effective Thanksgivmg (28), It Is'making a time change In admis- sions. Instead of 25c to 2' p. m., as now. It will be two bits to 1, and the 35c price will obtaiin froni then until 6 insteid of to 7 p. m. On Satur- days, and Sundays house Will drop the 35c price which lias obtained on matinees, going to .55c at. 1 o'clock. 'Dream' is in its fifth $2 two-a- day week at the Hollywood and continuing stoutly. Did $17,000 on ltd fourth .week, $600 under Its third week. At the Cap, 'Rendezvous' is holding up okay on its second week, $24,000 or over. Another good weelc Is In store.for the State, on which an able exploit- ation campaign was: concentrated. House Is galloping for $25,000 or better with "Her Boss' and Vaude headed by York and King. Theatre engaged Ruth Marciis, winner of a local 'Should a Girl Marry Her Boss' ^contest, and spotted her In the lobby to takd dictation from all comers. Ads were promoted .with local stores, 20,000 autographed Colbert stills were distributed, sample chewing gum with a message to sees was handed out; there, were window displays and a cash and theatre ticket contest was put on over Station WHN. Honorable mention goes to the Par this week for the manner. In which 'Hands' was sold by Jack Mclnerney and his staff in the theatre. A very eltec-: tive series of ads was worked out, embodying a new idea in continuity advertising. Estimates For This Week Actor (1,012; 25-55-85)' 'Lucky Legs^ (WB). Doing better thart prior fli:st run releases since Joe Plunkett started operating house and looks-to $7,000 or over, okay< 'Harmony Lane' (Mas.) on eight days, $5,000. 'It's in the Air' (MG). Opens tonight (Wed). Capitol (4,6:6; 26-35-75-85-96- $1.26) 'Rendezvous' (MG) (2d week). Topped $35,000 on its first week, good, and will hold to $24,000 or better on second okay. 'Mutiny on Bounty' (MG) backed by a strong $25,000 campaign locally, opens Fri- day (8). Center (3,525; 36-55-7S-85-99r $1.10) 'Way Down East' (Fox) and B. A, Rolfe orchestra in . pit. Opened weaidy and never fecovered, under $10,000, with . Rolfe going out with, picture last night (Tues.). Last week, second for 'Pompeii' (Radio), $12,000. Starting today house goes straight film with 'She Couldn't Say No' (Col). Hollywood (1,553; 56-$1.10-$1.65- $2.20)—'Droam' (WB) (5th week). Maintaining smart gait, $17,000 on fourth week. Third. wa.s $17,500. Palace (1,700; 25-40-55)—'Rain- makers' (Radio) (1st run) and 'Metropolitan' (Fox) (."d run), dual. Probably not over $8,000, mild. Last week 'Socrates' (WB) and 'Here's to Romance' (Fox),' poorer still, $G.500. Paramount (3,C64; ;>6-35-56-75-85) —'Hands Across Table' (Par). Well sold here and will answer to mer- chandising at $:6,000 or over, pretty good. Stays over. Last week, sec- ond for 'Crusades' (Par), $16i000, some profit.: Radio City Music Hall (6,989; 40- 60-86-99-$l,10-$1.65)—'3 Musketeers' (Ra4io) and stage show. No world beater but will probably get up to $80,000, rather good. Last week, 'Feather In Her Hat' (Col), only $56,000, red. Rivoli (2,092; 40-C5-75-85-99)— 'Barbary Coast' (UA): (4th week). On final four days of fourth week maybGr $12,000, good. Picture might have remained longer but house is anxious to get 'Melody Lingers On' (UA) a-rolllng, Thl.<j one opens to- day (Wed.). Third week for 'Coast' was $ 3,100. Roxy (5,836; 25-35-55)—'Trans- atlantic Tunnel' (GB) (2d week). Proved strong draw nrai week, $41,700, and holding up stoutly on second. $30,000 or hotter. 'Three Kids and Queen' (U) opens Friday (8). - Strand fL',7C7; 35-55-65-85)— 'Stella Parish' (WB). Tear-Jerkcr starring Kay Franci.s getting, very fine play and maybe $40,000 first week, Btaylnj,' sc(!ond. Next picture, 'Star Over Broadway' (WH), open- ing date d<.-oendin£{ on 'Parish'. La.st. week on holdover of '.Shipmates' (WE).- $l.<<,7n0. State (;i,'riO; 35-55-75)—'Married Her Bo.ss' (Col) and vnude. Y'ork and Kin:? lieud vaude show and un- doubted Iv helping 'Boss' into big <Hnn at $ 5,000. perhaps a bit over. '(V,Sli;)U«hn<;sKy' (MC.) and Duko KlUn.^t'in last wfc-k, hurdled $24,000.