Variety (Nov 1935)

Wednesday* November 27, 1935 PICT E CROSSES VARIETY PhiOy Exploiting Its New Sunday Fix Sntardy; 'Splendor' 17G, 'Rose' liiG Phlladedphia, Nov. 26, (Best Exploitation: Aldine) Gurrent batch of pix In downtown houses doesn't hold out a ereat deal of encouragement for big b.o. activ- ity, but . Sunday's IJne weather and correspondingly fine trade should help hold trade up to or above aver- age. 'Mutiny'. is still the wonder of the lb\v')i: Goes *ut t&moi'row>-CWednG9-- day) with the- Manxes'• 'Xigbt at, Opera' bowing in with the flock of new ones Thanksgiving Day, but tliere Isn't the slightest question but that 'Bounty' could do another great week. It did a corking $27,000 In its second week at the Stanley and will beat ?20,000 this week with oiily six days, and that's great. 'Bounty' will move to another downtown house for an extended second-run. It's been the feature of. the fall sea- son without the slightest question. Aldine has 'Splendor' and while notices weren't exactly enthusiastic, firat week's gross should be very big as It will include the big Sunday plus Thanksgiving, Mighty hard to figure this one but with tlie break on days It should hit $17,000 or $18,000 and may beat those figures. Boyd is another house which doesn't change Thursday so. that its current pic, 'So Red the Rose' gets both Sunday and Thanksgiving in its figuring. Pic not strong b.o. but $16,000 looks assured. Fox pulled a novel stunt Sunday by taking out 'Old Kentucky' tenr- porarlly and putting in 'Thanks Million' for the day. Ads empha- sized that this was really a preview performance with the public.' ad- mitted and biz reacted to the Idea. In fact Fox did as big as if not bigger than any downtown house. It was evident management wanted to get a smash to rival 'Bounty' up the street but the move did not mean that 'Kentucky' hasn't been doing well. ' It has, although not quite up to the pace of 'Steamboat Round the Bend.' With Sunday out and 'Thanks Million' coming in Thursday, 'Kentucky" has only a five day second week with no more than $11,000 figured for that period. Earle, one of the houses which doesn't switch to a Thanksgiving Day change, has only a fair com- bination bill but should get $17,000 or so in the seven days. Benny Davis revue on stage and 'Remem- ber Last Kight' on screen is the combo. 'Mary Burns' which has been do- ing very well at the Stanton ought to get $3,000 in its final six days; It goes but tomorrow ("Wednesday) night. Second runs include 'Peter Ibbet- sbn' at the Keith's and 'Rendezvous' at the Arcadia. Both look only fair and "Three Kids and a Queen," a first-rim, at the Karlton, looks weak. Last Week's figures witli the first Sunday's trade Included, were, in general; not quite up to expecta- tions but the difference was slight. 'Bounty's $27,000 led with the Fox gettijig $22,500 Instead of the ex- pected $25,000 for 'In Old Ken- tucky. The Earle, which was a weak sister Sunday, got only $12,500 for 'Personal Maid's Sacret' plus Little' Jiick Little on the stage. Vaude show was, of course, not on Sunday. , 'Mary Burns' strong $8,000 at the Stanton, was on . the right side of the ledger but 'Red Salute,' panned all along the line, lasted just nine days In all at the Aldine and grossed o'My $8,500, poorest house has had In a long time. Estimates for This Week Aldine (1,200; 40-55-65)'—'Splen- dor' (UA) opened Saturday to mixed notices but will get advantage of both Sunday and Thanksgiving In first week and ought to hit $17,000 or $18,000. Last week, 'Red Salute' (UA) only $8,500 for total nine days. Arcadia (600: 25-40-50)—Ren- dezvous' (MG), Second run, average trade, $2,f)00. Little house sets 'Crusades' Thursday. Last week, 'Hands Acro.ss Table' (Par) $2,300. n.s.g. for second run. . Boyd (2,400; 40-55)—'Red the Rose' (Par). Nothing sen.sational but with break on days, $16,000 seen. Last week, 'Ibbetsoh' (Par) disap- pointed with only $12,000, two grand under-hopes.' Earle (2.000; 25-40-50)—'Remem-. ber Last Night?' (U) and Benny Davis unit. Nice $10,000 or $17,000 with Thanksgiving in. La.st week. 'Personal Maid' (WB) and vaude, onlv $12,500, disappointing. Fox (3.000; 40-5u-CC)—'Old Ken- tucky' (Fo.\-) (2d week) and stage show. Rogers' film only gets a five- day second week. 'TlianUs a Mil- :lion,' next ijlc, was substituted Sun- day and goes in -.Thanksgiving. 'Kentuck' will pet $11,000 and ho more. Last week it got a.strou.i,', but somewhat di.«appolnl;ing $22,500 i Karlton (1,000; 25-35-40)—'Kids j and Queen' (U). First run, sn-sc ! S3.500. Last .week, 'I-'f^athOr in Gap" ' (Col),.also first run. Just $2,800, wa.\ off for i-ipw peven-dav a!voragc. Keith's (2,fl00; 30-40-50)—'Ibbet- son' (I'nr). ,S.econd run; $4,000 ex- pected with holiday in. Last week. 'Stella Parrlsh" (FN) $3,500 for sec- ond run,' Stanley (3,700; 40r55)—'Mutiny' (MG) (2d week). Could go on In- definitely. Instead oft tomorrow (Wed. nite). In final six days, will get over.$20,000... La.at week, $27,0.00,. real wallop of fall season, Stanton (1,700; 30-40-50)—'Mary Burns' (Par). Second pic In a row tp jget hold-over, should get $5,000 in six-day second week. Robust $8,000 Iri first week. Auto Town Coin Plenty Streamline; 'Kentucky'$29,000 Detroit, Nov. 26. (Best Exploitation: Fox) Three downtown houses, two with vaude, are grabbing for top money honors this week, as turn- stiles continue to click merrily throughout the town. Fox Is again leading the pack, behind' good ex- ploitation, and figures for a bang-up $29,000 on 'In Old Kentucky' plus stage show. Big coin-maker. Is 'Mutiny* at United Artists, where all ^modern day' price records ai-e being broken. A terrific $20,000, with holdover certain and a third session likely. Opening day crowd Thursday (21) was the largest In five years at house, with Saturday (23). dragging in the greatest total of customers in history of house. Gross at UA hit $28,000 years ago at top price of 75c, but top is only 55 cents now. House gave pic onlj' fair exploita- tion. B.o. continues fine at RKO Down- to^yn, which went Into a vaudfilm policy a week ago with Rudy Vallee. This week house Is playing 'To Beat the Band,' plus 'Folles Bergere* on stage, and revue figures to draw In a nifty $20,000, Michigan not In the high levels. only $16,000 due on; 'So Red the Rose' and Chic Sale topping vaude. House and Par gave pic a lot - of paid- advertising, but not enough build-up apparently. Fox earned exploitation honors this week, despite a lot of paid ad- vertisine: by Mich and Par for 'Red Rose,' by Inducing the local Will Rogers Memorial Fund drive com- mittee to bi'eak Its publicity several days ahead of schedule. Press and radio stations gave the stuff plenty of free copy, with good .tie-in for 'Kentucky.' House also spent a good amount of coin for daily print ads, 24- sheets and the' like. Estimates for This Week Fox (Fox)" (5,000; 25-35-65)— 'Kentucky' (Fox) plus Brittons' band and 'Crazy Rhythm' on stage. Figured for another nifty gross, $29,000, this week after a bang-up, session last week on 'Thanks a Mil- lion' (20th-Fox) and 'Water Ballet heading vaude, $30,000.. United Artists (United Detroit) (2,000; 25-35-55)—'Mutiny' (MG), Big $20,000 due. 'Melody Lingers On' (UA), o.k. $7,000 last week. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 25- 35-55)—'Rose', (Par) plus Chic Sale topping vaUde. Likely $16,000. under hopes. Neat $24,000 last week on 'Night at' Opera' (MG) with Honeyboy and Sassafras In stage show. Downtown (RKO) (2,600; 25-33- 55)^'To Beat Band' (Radio) plus 'Folieo Bergere' on stage. Gross sticks in the high levels with a nice $20,000 due, revue doing the attract- ing., Rudy "V'allee and 'Transatlan- tic Tunnel' (GB) combination, which opened vaudfilm policy, whirled in nifty $22,000 last week. Could have done more, but Vallee stayed only six days. Adams (Balaban) (1.700; 25-40)—- •Thanks Million' (Fox) (2d week). Moved here after powerful session at Fox, pic looks good for a swell $0,500. this week. Around $5,300, fine, iaist week on 'King Solorhon' (U) and 'Navy Wif-' (Fox). State (United Detroit) (3,000.; 25- ■10)—'Ship Cafe" and.'Maid's Secret' (\VB). Hou.^e maintains good p.ice with a nice $5,000 due this week; Did r.J.RO'O, neat, lapt week on 'Bishop' (MG) and 'Eagle's Brood' (Par). ■Lafayette (1.500- 20-25-40)—'Be .\iine Tonight'- fOB) and 'Borri for fllory' (OB). Starting duals, house .should take in about $1,200 thi.« week. o.k. O.k. $1,200 last week on T^aughters. of. y' (Kent) (2cl woek). Eur'opa (475: 25-40)—'Zlugounor- 'ilut' ('Gyp.<<y .lood'). German iKnise doing O.k.. prol)ably $900 thi.s week. Had a like gross last week on •Gescivichten aus. dem Wipuerwald' ('Tales oC Vienna "U'nods'). Street Parades Give Han' And IHinstrds' $2,600 Lincoln, Nov. 26, (Best Exploitatloni Varsity) Two stages pokingr at each other, the "Varsity and Orpheum, Is the highlight this week. The "Varsity, with, the,.'Georgia ,Mln3trel3,' "who parade dally at. noon and bally with a band in front of the theatre each night, stole the exploitation march and have kept their offering in front of the public every day. 'Night at Opera' and 'Three Musketeers' at the Stuart and Lin-, coin are the pull and interest In the straight ' picture. classification, 'Night' eipeeted to do 4 iioat biz by. present pacing. 'Musketeers' was helped In by sti-ong national ada ahd opened with a wallop. Biz has maintained a . good aver- age at all houses over the past month. Estimates for This Week Colonial (LTC) (750; 10-15)— 'Eagles Brood! (Par) and.'Last Out- post* (Par), split. Good $1,100 in sight. Last week 'Desert Trail' (Mono), and 'Stormy' (U). Spilt. Fair $9.50, Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-20-25)— 'Musketeers' (Radio), Doing okay so far and looks like excellent $2,800; Last week .'Special Agent' (WB), Up to expected pace and finished with $2,700, Orpheum (LTC) (1,200; 10-15-20- 25)—'Remember Last Night' (U) and the stage show headlining Bar- ry Breen and Wyler and Danny Murphy's band (foiir days). Three days following have dual 'To Beat the Band' (WB) and 'Personal Maid's secret' (WB), Total on seven days should near $3,000, very nice. Last week 'Virginia Judge' (Par). and Henry Santrey's .unit first half, and 'Bishop Misbehaves' (MG) and 'Live for Love' (WB), dual. Garnered $2,3()0 on slowed, down pace, Stuart (LTC) (1,900; 10-25-40)— 'Night at Opera' (MG). Off good ahd should see $3,500, good. Last week 'Crusades' (Par). Ran Into opposition. Finish very luke- warm for $2,800, sad. Varsity (Westland) (1,100; 10-15- 20-25)—'Missing Man' (Col) with 'Georgia Minstrels' on stage (four days) followed by 'Alias Bulldog Drummond' (GB). Minstrels paced this offering and $2,600 in sight, oke. Last week 'Transatlantic' (GB) best of the British pics so far and took $2,100. KANSAS C11Y IS SINGLE MINDED Kansas City, Nov. 26. (Best Exploitation: Midland) Certainly looks like this Is a one theatre town. "When one house is doing big business, the others all suffer. This week It is the Midland with 'Thanks a Million,' while last week the large inajorlty of the customers were at the Mainstreet tff-sge 'Folles Bergere' and 'Lucky Legs.' This weeii Mainstreet has 'I Found Stella Parrlsh' and the help is getting a rest. 'So Red the Rose,' at the New- man, got away to a fair start but Is crippled by the Dick Powell opposi- tion. Tower Is holding Gene Dennis for a second week as feature of the stage show and she is clicking nicely. Fox Uptown has 'In Old Kentucky' with 'Cartoon Land Revue.' Maln- .street and Midland are set .for new opening Thanksgiving day but other first . runs will stick to regular schedule. Manager McManus of the Idland started two weeks In advance to ex- ploit Thanks a Million.' Used 1,000 line ads In the paners; had radio announcements and music of the picture on six radio stations; tied up .with ah 81-store chain for pub- licity r bugh Powell's and White- man's radio sponsors. Estimates for This VVeek Mainstreet (RKO) (3,200; 25-40) —'Stella Parrlsh' (WB) and 'March of Time,' Kay Francis has never been hot at the box office here. Around $6,000, six days. fair. Last week 'Lucky Leg-s' (WB) and 'Folles Bergere' unit; with prices raised igot $25,500. great. Midland (Loew) (4,000; 25-40)— •Thanks a Million' (20th-Fox). They've been waiting for Dick Powell here and are pivln.? him a swell rush. Looks good for oMsc to SIS.500. Last .six days Of 'Mutiny,' hold over, held up nicely for $8,600, juicy. Newman (Par) (1,900; 25-40)—. 'Red the Rose' (Par). Manag<^r Lawler. splurged with ads. Started f.')lr hut expected to build and "vi'Ill lilcHy finish nicely "Thanksgiving dav. Exnectfed to click clo.ie to SV.nnn. nice. Last week 'Ibbetson' (Par). Drew the book readeri?, but There's a Lull on Broadway; 'Fnsco Kid's' $42,(H)0 Is Best With 'Mutiny's 3d Wk. $40,000 not the youniger set. Managed $7,- 806, pretty good. . TovvJir (Rew.Qt).. (2,200; 25-35)— 'Public Menace' (Col) and Gene Dennis on stage. 'Psychic Girl' is proving a money getter. Looks like $7,500, good. Last week .'Little Big Shot' (UA> and stasc-show,, got $9,000, fine. Uptown (Fox) (2,040; 25-40)—'In Old Kentucky' (Fox), Will Rogers picture Is sure fire and will hit around $9,000, big. Last week 'Live for Love' (AVB) and 'Rainmakers' (Radio), double, $2,600, poor. 'Ky.' Smash 'Rendezvous' 6G, DA2dWk.8G,Port. Portland, Ore., Nov. 26, (Best Exploitation: Broadway) Another smashing campaign by Parker's Broadway put over 'Ren- dezvous' In great style. Pic has plenty of exploitation possibilities and house splurged considerably to put them over. Result Is another winning week. Its $6,000 dandy pace necessitates a holdover. Plenty of cohipetlsh all round this week with the Par getting great re- sults with 'In Old Kentucky,' also set to hold over. Second week of 'Mutiny' (UA) at a corking $8,000. B.o. hold-up at the UA, with loss of $l,0pO In cash, was cleverly turned into a plug for the pic by Ted Gamble (see Explol- tlon). . Add surprises and disappoint-;, ments: 'Peter Grimm' clicked better than expected at the Mayfalr, boost- ing the b.o. about 40%. 'Metropoli- tan' failed to get going at the Or- pheum, although that house plugged It hard. Public seems to think the 'Tibbett pix too arty. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (2,000; 25-40) —'Rendezvous' (MG). Winner for house and great $6,000 Insures hold- over. Last week 'Stella Parish" (FN) registered fair $4,300, United Artists (Parker) (1,000; 25-40)—'Mutiny' (MG) (2d week). Going great and 3>t this pace should hold for two or three more weeks, splendid $8,000, which breaks town's Jioldover record. First week broke all records, answering to ter- rific advance campaign and closed with great. $10,700. Paramount (Evergreen) (3,000; 25-40)—'Old Kentucky' (Fox), Put- ting this house back In pay dirt class; finie $9,000 and holds over. Last week 'Hands Across Table' (Par) second week clcsed with nice $4,200. First week regLstered well and connected for good $6,500. Orpheum (Hamrlck - Evergreen) (2,000; 25-40)—'Ibbetson' (Par). Disappointing at $4,300. Last week 'Metropoditan' (Fox) weak $4,000, Mayfair (Parker - Evergreen) (1,400; 25-40)—'Wanderer of Waste- land' (Par) and 'Two Fisted' (Par). Average combo for five days getting average play, around $1,500. Last week 'Peter Grhnni' (Radio) and 'King Solomon' (U) did surprisingly, well, chiefly, on the first named pic and closed for $3,300 considerably above average for this house. 'Salute'-'Sol' |4,000, 'Mutiny' 5iG, Tacoma Tacoma, Nov. 26. 'Mutiny' first half of last week, set. to go all of present week, click- ing big biz. Roxy's exploitation consisted of special front and Increased budget for papers, radio and billboards. Music Box looking for 'Red Sa- lute' to get returns, but using 'King Solomon' on its dual policy. Estimates for This Week Music ox (Hamrlck) (1,400; 10- 27-37) — 'Red Salute' (UA) and "King Solomon' (U) dual. Good pace, $4,000. LaKt v.'eek, 'Shipmates' (WB) and 'Porsonal Maid' (WB) surprised with great $4,800. Roxy (.T-vH) (1,300; lC-27-37)— 'iMutlny' (MG) (2d wk), after four immen.s'c day.s, expected a big $5,- 500 jUHt week, 'Chan In Shanghai' n-'ox; and 'Bl.sliop .Mi-sbehavcs" (Md) dual, three day.s, $1,000, good; 'Mutiny on Uouhty* (M(i). four day.s, $5,200, tremendous, . Llki>d In this seaport town, lln'>K right along. Week's total grand $fi.;;00. (Best Exploitation: Strand) Broadway won't have so much to be thankful for this. Thankselylng week. While 'Mutiny' continues okaiy at th« Capitol on Its third week, and 'Frisco Kid' Is fattening the Strandi tho tills aren't all full elsewhere. Anrong'~th& .second funs-the State, with 'Barbiry Coast,' l.s putting- it over most of the new pictures. Wil- lie and Eugene Howard, on stage, also undoubtedly helping. 'Frisco Kid' Is grinding away over a long stretch.from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m, daily. With the holiday tomorrow (Thursxiay) Cagney starrer may get $42,000. It sticks for a second week with this kind of turkey on the table. But for the holiday, one of the best in the year for picture ticket cages, the outlook for the current flrst-run -sector would be even less inviting, consldiering the se.tback. by week-end weather. 'Mutiny' should hit $40,000 on its , third week currently. It was the ' only picture which held up Saturday night against a snowstorm. Stays fourth week. 'Crime and Punishment,' at the Music Hall, is ordinary on business with $60,000 tops. 'Splendor' not too strong at the Rlvoll, either. Picture Avas heavily advertised, but will be lucky to hit $25,000. 'Show Them No Mercy' (Fox) , tentatively pen- ciled for Dec. 6. Brought in for eight days, 'Re- member Last Night' will Just about pay the bills at the Roxy, a little over $30,000. House opens 'In Old Kentucky' tomorrow morning. Par- amount also routes a hew one in for the holiday and higher admissions, 'So Red the. Rose.' Par's final six days on 'Mary Burns,' not much cranberry sauce', $14,000. The picture made in Palestine, 'Land of Promise,' is doing okay at the Astor. Initial seven days, end- ing tonight (Wed.), will be around $7,000. "The Keren Hayesod foun- dation group, which has house, is guaranteeing Joe Plunkett $3,000 for rental and house BtStt. Second week of 'Thanks a Million' okay at the Center, $18,000, and goes a third lap. Strand and Warners did nice Job exploiting 'Frisco Kid.' Ad cam- paign one of the best put out^on a Cagney production to date. Various tieups also flgured. Estimates for This Week' Astor (1,012; .25-56-83)—'Land of Promise' (Keren. Haye30d).On first week around $7,000, pretty good. Palestine foundation group has house and staff at guarantee of around $3,000 a Week. Capitol (4,620; 25-35-75-85-95- $1.25)—'Mutiny' (MG) (3d week). They're not squeezing all the Juice from this one, with likely late night buslnesis going to waste, but stout b.o. timber at • $40,000 currently (3d week). Last week $52,000. Stays- fourth, ':. Center (3,525; 26-35-55-76-86- $1.10)—'Thanks Million' (Fox) (2d week). Hit $30,000 flrst seven days and on second week $18,000. Does a third. Hollyv/ood (1,553; 55-$1.10-$l.C5- $2.20)—'Dream' (WB) (8th week). Seventh week's business $14,000, while sixth week was arojihd $15,- 000. Warners expecting run Until March 1 at least, with reservations being takert through February. Palace (1,700; 25-40-55)—'To Beat the Band' (Radio) (Ist run) and 'Stella Parish' (WB) (2d run), paired. Doing better than average, possibly $9,000. Last week 'Mus- keteers' (Radio) and 'Lucky Legs' (WB), $8,500. Paramount (3,664; 25-35-55-75- 85)—'Mai-y Burns' (Par) (2d week); On six days of holdpver not strong, $14,000. First w»ek Was $20,000, fair. 'So Bed the Rose' (Par), backed by big campaign, openi; tomorow a.m. (Thurs), Radio City Music Hall (6,989; 40- 60-85-99-$1.10-$L65) — 'Crime and Punishment' (Col) and stage show. Off weakly here and perhaps $60,- 000. LiOHt week 'Man Who Broke Bank' (Fox) $68,000, Rivoli (2,092; 40-65-75-85-99)— 'Splendor' (UA). Looks fair $25,- 000. Stays but another week or so, with 'Show Them No Mercy' (Fox) penciled for Dec. 6. Second week ahd additional two days on 'Melody Lingers On' (UA) $12,500, poor, Roxy (5,836; 25-35-50)—'Remem- ber Last Night' "W) and stage show. Run of eight days slightly over 830,000, close to tht-. edge. Last week finar five day}! of 'Kids and Queen' (tJ). $20,300, okay. Strand (2,767; 35-35-63-85)— 'Frisco Kid' (WIlK First week $42,- 000 or over, excellent. Holds. Five da.vH on holdover of 'Stars Over l-Jroadwny' (WB), 7,000. n.s.g. State (3,4.';n; 35-55-75)—'Barbnry Coast: ( f.'A) and vaude.; Willie and I'^uprchp Howard on the stage aiding U> i^H.CKKi or aljove. fine. Previous wfc.U 'HfnrloBvons' (MO) and Boh Bornle i\i»t under $2.S,000.