Variety (Dec 1935)

-s VARIETV PI C Y E CROSSES Wednesdfi7t December 11, 1935 L A. Crosses Dip in Post-Holiday Slump; Benny lifts Wons' to Top Take; 'Bounty' W/A W Weak Los Angeles, Deq. 10.. (Best Exploitation: Paramount) .iCpjxsldfirabls^. lull.ftttct .thg jipUdaV week, with two of the" day-and- daters^ having holiday ^ pics. ^JTpp "■fiike tor ' we^ goes .to tfiie' Para-' mdurit ' wliere Jack -Benny, making personal with Mary Livingston, is reason for 'Millions In The Air' tak- ing ace money. Very unusual is the trade.at the Chinese and State on holdover of 'Mutiny,' headed for combined $26,- 500. 'Frisco Kid,' holdover at War- ners' Downtown and Hollywood, will fall short of a combined WO.BOO oh the weelt. 'Monte Carlo* • in for around three weeks at Pour Star got off to excellent start Satur- day (7). 'Splendor' at Puntageis and RKO hot the box office cyclone antici pated, but profitable. Paramount oh its exploitation concentrated on Benny;, tieups with Jeilo, 600 window tieups, radio plugs on- both-networks (NBC-CBS), 80 inches of free space from the Ex- aminer un a Benny tieup, etc. Estimates for This Week Chinese (Grauman) (2,028; 30-40- 55)—'Mutiny' (MG) (2nd week). NHolddvor stanza best In history of house under current policy, will hit •sure $11,500. Last week this pic got house record for day and date policy In Urs^ stanza, doing a treme-ndous 118.600. Criterion (RKO-Tally) (1,600; 25- .35-40-55)—'Annie Oakley' (Radio) and *King Solomon' (U) split. Prac- tically a dirge, here this week, cus- tomers scarce, as $900 signifies. Last week 'In Person' (Radio) and 'Night Out' (U) had a hard time getting $2,000. n. g. Downtown (WB) (1,800; 30-35-40) ^'Frisco Kid' (WB) (2nd week). Pinal tally around $5,700; last week slowed up after holiday and week- end to |10,800^flnish( plenty good. Four Star (Fox) (900; 30-35)—: •Monte Carlo' (20-Fox)—Initial week cinch to get close to $5,500; Last week 'Peter Grimm' (Radio) one of those red Ink attractions. $2,800 In nine days, bad. Hollywood (WB) (.",756; 30-35-40-; B5)—'Frisco ICld' (WB) (2hd week). Doing around 50% df initial week .trade which wiU bring in around $4,500. First stanza it hit close to $8,800, a grand or so shy of expecta- tions. Orpheum (Bdvry) (2,27.0; 25-30- 35-40)—'Susan* (U) and 'Ship Cafe' (Par) split and stage show. With no heavy stage ballast, house will have hard time hitting $14,200, Last week 'Navy. Wife' (20^Pox) with Ted Lewis on stage bouse had. big- gest week under present policy to hit over $17,000, Lewis getting a $7,600 slice, out of take for his end. PantaigeB (Pan) (2,700; 26-35-40) —'Splendof (UA). Will be lucky to hit $6,600. Last week, 'Annie Oak- ley' (Radio) and 'King Solomon' (U) sloughed off bit . coming grand 'below expectations to a $7,000 finale which is profit. Paramount (Partmar) (3,596; 30^ 40-55) ^'.Millions in the Air' (Par) and stage show. Jack Benny on Stage this week and after good start bringing house to very satisfactory take of around $19,500. Last week •Strange Case of Love' (Col) and Cab Calloway on stage not so forte $11,700. RKO (2,950; 25-36-40-55)—'Splen- dor' (UA). Just so-so for this Hop- kins pic which will be lucky to hit a $6,800. Last week 'In Person' (Radio) and 'King Solomon' (U) nothing to complain about, even though below anticipation with a $7,300 finale. State (Loew-Fox) (2,024; 30-40- 55)—'Mutiny' (MG) (2nd week). Holdover for this one most healthy house has had, as it will hit $15^000, better, than average first week busi- ness house does with a pic. Last week, tops for day and date policy at a great bier $24,500. United Artists (Pox-UA) (2,100; 80 - 40 65) — 'Perfect Gentleman' (MG) knd 'Chan's Secret' (Fox) split. They're not bo crazy about this combo as $2,900 will show. Last week 'Old Kentucky' (20-Pox) good week tir mpveover from State with a big $6,200; 'BODNH' $7M 'HOBO' $3,200, OK IN B'HAM Birmingham, Dec, 10. 'Bounty' Is tops this yveek but 'Mister Hobo' Is running a nice race, considering the size of tho Empire and the two-bit scale. Pictures are drawing oh t: tir. own merit this week, at! exploitation has been used Very sparingly. . Pantages closed Friday CS) until Chrlslihas, Houflei opens for one Vre^k' at .leaat with a special stage show booked. It some agi'eenicnt can be reacbeiV between censor and management house may reopen per- manently.. Censor says no rough Mtuff and management says there hasn't ..been any more, irpugh. jatuf? than in other towns. Estimates for This Week ■. vAiabama CWiiby--X-5-nce>-;)- •-(iJ,-80e-!- 30-36^40)^'Bounty' (MG). A neat $7,200. Last week 'Bed Rose' (Par) greiat at $8,000. Ritz (Wilby-Klncey) (1,600; -35- 40)—'Crusades* (Par). opeful of getting $3,600, good. Last week 'Bar- bary Coast' (UA) o.k. at »3,400. Empire (Acme) (1,100; 25)—'Mis- ter Hobo' (GB). Small house and small scale will hold .down the gross but will get around $3,200. Last week 'Socrates' (WB) $3,000, Strand (Wilby-Klncey) (800; 25) —'Smilin' Through' (MG) for four days and 'Escape Mo Never" (UA), three at $1,700, just fair. Last weeK •Pompeii' (Radio) $2,400, moderately good. Pantages (Wilby-Klncey) (2,000; 30-35-40)—'Storni Over Andes' (U) and vaude, last week got around $2,400. House closed Friday. 'AH WILDERNESS' $14,500, PIH'S DOLDRUMS Pittsburgh, Dec. 10 (Best Exploitation; Penn) Pre-Christmas depression has al- ready set in and only crowds around the theatres these days are those that pass by outside on their way to the shopping centers. What's more, open Sundays aren't .proving the expected lift, leaving grosses little better than they were with six days. Showmert are attributing it to bad Sunday weather of late, also claiming public hasn't been properly educated to novelty as yet. They feel it'll come in another couple of months.. Kot a lot exciting this week, with 'Wilderness' taking the lead at Penn, but even $14^600 isn't a figure to write home about Otherwise, however, it's distinctly a case of the jitters. 'Old Kentucky' holding up fairly well in Its second week at Al- yin, probably in line for respectable $5,250, which isn't so bad on the heels of film's opening $10,000 ses- sion. At Stanley, combination of 'Mtinte Carlo' and Weaver Bros, and Elviry on stage will be lucky to wind up with $16,000, if that. Better results obtain at Warner, where 'Three Musketeers' corraled a flock of nice notices and stands a chance of get-' ting $3,000. Almost exclusively a male draw. Penn had some special exploita- tion all through on 'Wilderness,' in addition to big institutional splash In newspapers, hitting bookstores for tieups. contacting little theatre groups on play's reputation and selling into drama leagues and the like. Charlie Deardorff came on from MGM office In Cleveland to handle.additiojial stuff. Estimates for This Week Alvin (Harris) (2,000; 25-40)— 'Old Kentucky' (Pox) (2d week). Rogers holdover fair enough, al- though not extraordinary; maybe $5,250, better than recent average at this site. Last week 'Kentucky' had great first half, slipped some in latr ter section but still managed to come through with commanding $10,000. Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1.700; 25-40)—'Thunder in Night' (Fox) and 'This Is Life' (Fox). Slipping under $3,000 for another splash of red. House still having its product troubles and with nothing important available and corapetish plenty tough, management is,, shuttering again, second time within month, for fortnight. Goes down tomorrow (11) and gets under way again with 'Littlest Rebel' (20) Xmas day for what, boys hope will be a run. Last iveek 'Remember Last Nl.ciht' (U) •ind 'Kids and Queen' (U) a;bout 53.100; n.s.h. Davis (WB) (1,760; 25-40)— 'Bishop Mi.<?behaves' (MG) and 'Broadway Hostess' (WB). Ndt much action here either, although Warners seem to be satisfied since house is getting lot of product off shelf and at same time is managing to break Just about even. Looks slightly better than $3,100 this week, about a hundred bucks better than last with 'Payoff' (WB) and 'Beat :he Band' (RKO), Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-40) -'Wlldernes.s' (MG). Tough one to i^ll but boys hit every jwssible an> gle, which should help but not engagh to carry it much beyond $14,500, which Isn't bad hut Isn't good either. Play trade can't make It profitable and doubtful whether Beery-Barrymore combo is strong enough to carry it through in other strata.- Last week 'Thanks MllUoh' (20th) around $15,000. Stanley (WB) (3,600;, 25-40-55)— 'Monte Carlo' (20th) and Weaver Bros, and Elviry. Not much action here either, with flicker getting only fa;r- «btic« end -flesh yretty ^ weak, too. Weaverg.ln s^ome epots can be considered names, but not here since they havh't been around in years; maybe 116,000, ihaybe not. Last week, eight days. 'Stella Parish' (WB) and Dave ApoUon^-revue pretty brisk at $21-,000. Warner (WB) (2,000! 25-40)— ■;'Mnskete(,'r:s' (ftKO); Aimostrstrlctly male draw,' chough to atcount for $5,000, first-rate here. Last week 'In Ah-' (MG) an In and outer, -barely $3,750. K.C. Aato Show Dents Pix Biz, % Person/ $7,0G0/SplendorM0G Kansas City, Dec 10. (Best Exploitation: Uptown) The auto show, with Its 40c gate, and capitalizing on the first showing of the town's new $6,000,000 Munici- pal Auditorium, broke all previous records with 120,000 .admissions, which cut deeply Into the grosses of the regular amusements. Mainstreet Is showing 'In Person' and reviewers commented on the. title as confusing many of the fans; who expected to see Gflnger Rogers In person, but the picture Is draw- ing nicely. Loew's Midland has.''Splendor,* which will not create aiiy sensation as Miriam Hopkins has not been box office in this town. House will, however, get a nice boost Thursday by perspnal appearances pf Jean Parker, here to assist In the Will Rogers Memorial benefit. Manager Ralph Lawler, of ,the Newman, played a teasing game with the showing of 'Mary Burns, Fugitive,' now current. He.has had it announced several times, but kept changing until now, .when it is clicking very nicely. 'Grand Exit' is oh . the Tower's screen and 'Cairo Capers' on the stage. .. Unit built around the house dancing chorus and handled by John Paul Jones, a new m.c. The Fox Uptown continues its dual policy and smashed the papers with greatly' increased space for "Man Who Broke the Bank' and 'Lit- tle. America.' Several thousand In-' vitatipna were sent to teachers for special showing of 'America,' and requests were made of, the teachers to recommend it to their friends; 10,000 heralds In tie-up with Liberty mag on the Byrd picture, with ban- ners on the news delivery trucks; sweet tie-up with chain grocery stores, and several other stunts. Estimates for This Week Mainstreet (RKO) (3,200; 25-40) —'In Person' • (Radio). Fairly steady, expects close to $7,000, not bad. Last week 'Annie. Oakley' (Radio) and Henry Armetta, $13,500 not as good as expected. Midland (Loew) (4,000; 25-40)— 'Splendor' (UA). In spite, of nice publicity public don't seem to care for it; looks like around $10,000, fair. Last wieek 'Night at .Opera' (MG) $17,400, good but also less than the advance estimate, caused by the heavy drag by the auto show. Newman (Par) (1,900; 25-40)-^ 'Mary Burns' (Par) Back to its regular Friday opening, close to $7,- 500, good. Last week 'Frisco: Kid' (WB), eight days, $10,000. fine. Tower (2,200; 25-35) — 'Grand Exit' (Col) and stage show. Strong indications of $7,000; good. Last week 'Red Salute' (UA) and stage showi eight days, $8,600, nice. Uptown (Fox) (2,040; 25-40)— 'Monte Carlo' (20-F6x) and 'Little America' (Par), dual. Long lines In front the opening Saturday and that means somethng, at this big .resl- dental. Will likely hit around $5,- 500, big. Last week 'Old Kentucky' (Fox), second week, .$5,000, great. ULUON' $8,750 IN SLUGGISH OMAHA Omaha, Dec, 10; (Best Exploitation: Orpheum) Film attractions for the week fol- lowing Thanksgiving will draw in little more than ruii of the mill busi- ness. Quality of films undisputed, but when it comes to box-ofllce draw, that's another ma-ttei". Pos- sible exception is the Orpheum with 'Thanks Millioh,' which should be the only ohe to. bulge over nor- mal. Brandeis and Omaha will b« content with average or even slight- ly under. First time in weeks fl^sh makes Its appearance in town. Though It's on the' stages «f the Town and Ave- nue theatres, (both operated by Ralph Goldberg), the one a second run downtown, the other a suburr ban, anything live la notevvovthy In Hianks Million,' 2d Week; W lOOO, Tops Philly So^ 13G,'Stars 14G this town. This aet-up should boost the town out of Its ordinary Indlf-^ f^rerrte-and •boost'it" fa\4o- -tbe -c^b;-*- petition pictxire. Weather this week, unfavorable, with unseasonable rains. Outside competition .makea pnly pnie flare, katharlne "CoVneil road comipaby in •Romeo, and Juliet' at Tech High audltbrltirti: on a. midweek night; Only" other point of detraction ta how soon the Christmaia ahopplng splurge dents the b, o.'h. Orpheum this week cops exploita- tion stamp for getting behind 'Thanks Million,' high spot of bally- hoo on this one being a preview showing for the Bee News' free shoe fund; no coin for theatre, but plenty of -publicity. Estimates for Thia Week Orpheum (Blank-Tri-States) (2,- 976; 26-40)—'Thanks Million* (20th- Fox) and 'TwP Fisted* (Par), double. Should step it up into more than satisfactory class, $8,750 a good ac- counting. Last week 'Old Kentucky' (Fox) held the screen eight days, starting on the holiday, and was ex^ tremely gratifying with sohie of the best blz^ Rpgei'B ever did; nudged close to $12,000 with 'Little Big Shot' (Fox) as second half of bill: Brandeis (Singer-RKO) (1.250; 25-35-40)—'Crime and Punishment' (Col) and '$1,000 a Minute.' (Rep). Barely average week in sight, $4,(M)0. Lost week 'Annie Oakley' (Radio) got a bullish start on the holiday and crept to near top money at $5,- 800 with 'Payoff (FN) as dual part- ner. Omaha (BiankrTrl-States) (2,100;. 25-40)—'Ibbetson* (Par) and 'His Night Out' (U). Anaemic at $6,000. Last week 'Nighf at Opera' (MG) gave a smile to executives' faces by bulging considerably over $8,000. 'Personal Maid' (WB) made the show that much longer. 'CARLO' $12,000. 'CRUSADES' OK 8G,CINCY Cincinnati. Dec. 10. (Best Exploitation: Shubert) Only three new features this week at the main houses and biz is at the pre-Xmas slump stage. 'Monte Carlo' Is the pix topper, with $12,000 for the Palace. Albeo is getting $8,- 000 on 'Crusades,' and Lyric is run- hlng up' $5,000 on 'Three Musket- eers.' Bowes No. 2 unit is doing all right by the Shubertvat $14,000, the same being linked with 'Sweet Surrender.* Theatre received the extra torqe of RKO's publicity blast currently; extra ad space and first call on art. Also an effective amateur contest tie-up with WGPO. 'Voice of the Cincinnati Post.' Flock of Cincy hopefuls miked talent and biggest vote puller, a gal xylophonist, re- waidcd with liddltlon to Bowes line- up for Shubert engagement. Keith's is holding on 'Frisco Kid' for five days; 'Ah Wilderness' Has been moved into Capitol for second week, and 'Old Kentucky' is In fourth and final main line week at Grand. Estimates for This Week Shubert (RKO) (2,150; 35-56)— •Sweet Surrender? (U) and Bowes No; 2 unit pf ams. Sounding $14,000; plenty good, though a couple of (5s. under pull of the No. .1 troupe that was in during September and set season high for house. Last week 'This Is Life' (Fox) and Weaver Bros, and Elviry, $10,500. Palate (RKO) (2,600; 36-42)— 'Monte Carlo' (20-Fox). Colman the b. o. angle for $12,000, all right. Last week 'Ah Wilderness' (MG), $12,000. Albee (RKO) (3.300; 35-42)^'Cru- sadea' (Par), Looks like $8,000, light. Last week 'Ibbetson' (Par),, six days, $0,500. Lyric (RKO) (1,400; 35-42)—'Mus- keteers' (Radio). A nice $5,000. Last week 'Mary Burns' (Par), $6,560j best for some time. Capitol (RKO) (2,000; 35-42)— 'Wilderness' (MG). Transferred from Palace for second week; $4,500, okay. Last week 'Thanks Million' (20-Fox), also switched from Palace for second week, $6,000, heavy; pic got $16,000 in initial week. Keith's (Libson) (1,500; 30-40)— 'Frisco Kid' (WB), Holding.on for five days at $3,200, following $7,000 In first week. 'Miss Pacific Fleet' (WB) opens Wednesday (11). Grand (RKO) (1,300; 25-40)—'Old Kentucky' (Fox). Fourth downtown I week, and second week here, $2,800, Philadelphia, Dec. 10; (Best Exploitation: Stanley) ; :• ..No -Rreat Tihtoufft' pf tfTp.. 'acilvlty dbwntpwn this week. Another very rainy Sunday (aecpnd out of four since Sunday films came In) will also hold down week'a grosses which .will prp.bably .reatb. the low- est ebb'ibf the fall seasph what with pre-Chrlstmas shopping and a batch of npt-sp»forte holdoyers. ■ Aldlne Is making considerable ado over 'Crime and Punishment' with most of the crlx enthusing over It but chances for big biz not great. It should, however, get a fair ? 9,000 and maybe a trifle more. The latest Arliss. 'Mister Hobo.' won't get over $13,000 at the Boyd. 'Annie Oakley' figures for just a so- so $12,600 at the Stanley. As a matter of fact, 'Thanks Mil- lion.' holdover at the Fox. will prob- ably lead the town. It did a terrific $34,000 In its first week, not count- ing the $4,000 taken in when it was shown two Sundays ago on what the management called a 'preview' basis during the run of 'Old Ken- tucky.' Total figure included the big holiday biz and football crowds, but there sems to be every reason to think It will hit $20,000 on Its sec- ond week. That should mean an- other hpidover but pix are piling up at this house and 'Monte Carlo' defi- nitely skedded for this Friday. Earle, which surprised with a rousing $18,000 last week, won't get more than $14,000 this wieek. Uni- versity of Pennsylvania Band Is stage feature with 'Stars Over Broadway' on the screen. Stanton, which hadn't had a hold- over in a year or so, has now had three or four in a row, 'Frisco Kid' is the latest and It ought to get $7,600 on strength of last week's fine $10,000, Real disappplntment as . far as Philly is concerned was the Mai'x Bros.' 'Night at the Opera' at the Stanley. Highly heralded ccmedy wasn't able to get a second week and had to be satisfied with )16,500 In eight days.' Tough part was that It was shelved in while 'Mutiny' was still hitting the high spots. Latter could have done a fourth week at a higher gross than the Marxes got. 'Ah Wilderness,' with spme rave notices under its belt, got $16,000 in eight days at the Boyd, that, too, nothing to boast about. Estimates for This Week Aldina (1,200; 40-55-65)—'Crime and Punishment' (Col). jFIrst pon- UA pic in this house in a long time. Some raves from the crlx but no more than a fair $9,000 seen. Will hold in, however, in all probability. Last week'Splendor' (UA) $7,500 in second week. Slipped fast after fine start Arcadia (600; 25-40-50)—'Ibbet- son' (Par). Second run, fair $2,600 grossed. 'Mutiny' (MG) coming in Wednesday. Last week 'Cirusades' (Par), second run and didn't hold up as expected, however, a fair $3,- 000 in six days. Boyd (2.400; 40-55)—'Mister Hobo' (G-B). Won't do anything sensa- tional, maybe $iai,000. Last week 'Wilderness' (MG). rave notices but just $16,000 for eight days; fair. Earl (2,000; 25-40-50)—'Stars Over Broadway' (WB) and vaude. U of-P band headlining, so-so $14,- 000 seen. Last week, 'In Person' (Radio) and vaude, suprlslngly ro- bust $18,000. Fox (3,000; 40-55-65)—'Thanks Million' (Fox) and stage show (2nd week). Best thing in town and should get »20,000 in second week. Last week hit $35,000. plus $4,000 for Its preview showing previous Sunday, Karlton (1,000; 25-35-40)—'Splen- dor* (UA). second run. Fair $4,000 seen. Last week 'Mimi' (BIP) $4,- 200 in nine days, not so hot for this first run, which included Thanks- giving. Keith's (2,000; , 30-40-50)-^.'Xight at Opera' (Par). Second run, maybe $4,000. Last week, 'Red the Rose' (Par). Second run, $4,500, as ex- pected. Stanley (3,700; 40-55)—'Annlo Oakley' (Radio). Won't get more than $12,500. Last week 'Night at Opera' (MG) disappointing $16,500 In eight days and including Thank.s- givlng. Stanton (1,700; 30-40-50)—'PrLsco Kid' (WB) (2d week). Nice $7,500 figured. Last week a fine »10,000. dandy. Got $4,500 last week; $23,000 In first week at Albee and $7,500 In second week at Capitol. Family (RKO) (1,000; 15-25)— 'Ivory Handled Guns' (U) and 'Two Fisted* (Par). Split. Made-to- measure product. Lpbby flash Qf shpptin' irpns a trade aid for this horse opry stand; swell $2,300. Last week 'Eagle's Brood' (Par) and •Music Is Magic* Fox), divided, $i;800. Strand (Ind) (1,300; l'5-25)—'(3oin' to Town' (Par). Revived and de- toured after two days, with repeat of 'We're Not. Dressing' (Par) for Ave days; looks like $1,200 will cover, bare. Last week 'Dance Band' (PD), $1,900.