Variety (Jan 1936)

28 VARIETY PICT E CROSSES Wednesday, January 1, 1936 Boston V Bullish Biz; 'Collegiate/ With Apolion, $35,0i, 'Blood' ton, Doc. 29, ParFenway) (Bes^ Exploitati Hefty grosser. looKs like, 'ColleglAtr at the Met, with Dave Apolion drawlpg from the stage,, al Ing for $35,000, including Idnight holidaiy «ll.c>.w> . way ahead^of Affures^ for past several weeks, •Ah, ■Wilderness' on dual bill with •Could Only Cook' at the Orph and State, win hit around $32,000 for total. 'Wilderness a bit disappointing in view of fact that stage play had successful run here last season; and that ma.iy scenes were shot in Grafton, Mass., not far from Boston. Audience reaction to these aemi-local scenes iiidic^^tes that tremendous newspaper buildup here when scenes were shot had. a telling effect. 'Captain Blood,' on a day-anddater at the Paramount and Fenway is Bocko, indicating $17,000 or better at these twin stands. Keith Memorial opens New Tear s Eve with 'Dream Too Much' and ad department hais started double truckln' as a feature of a $26,000 newspaper campaign subsidized by RKO national office. Biggest newspaper flash seen here since way back. 'Sylvia Scarlet' current at the Memorial is n.s.h.^ KeithBoston doing okay with •DeVil's Island' on the screen and •Interriational Scandals,' with Ever ett Marshall and Mary Small on stage, around $21,000, without midnight show. Par and Fenway exploiteers (Harry Brown, Jr.. and Paul Levi) had a natural thrown Into their laps on short notice, but they didn't nap when Errol Flynn, star of 'Captain Blood' landed in town. Towed Flynn all over the Hub, with police •escort, posed him in Post Santa Glaus and Boston American Basket Fund offices* interviewed him over; WEBI, And planted him in the audience of the Par. Wound up at a home office Xmas party at M&P, wrapped him all up in a swell packr age of publicity that was unfolded for the balance ol the week. EstimatoB for This Wee|<) Met (M&P) (4,200; 35-50-65)— •Collegiate' (Par) and Dave ■ Apollon's 'Inter-natibnal Varieties' on stage. Looks hot, at $35,000, In 'eluding midnght show,. Charging $1.10 all over the house, carrying over some of Apollbn's unit, plus added acts and 'Pacific Fleet'. (WB) on the screen, for the one qhow. Last week, $23,500 for 'Littlest Rebel' (Fox) and stage show, Temple pic not quite up to expecta tions> allowing leeway for Xmas Blump. KeitK Memorial (RKO) (2,900; 25-86-50)-:'Sylvia Scarlet' (RKO) Would be heading fdr something considerably lower than the Indicated $14,000, but for a smart Incidental booking of Edward MacHugh (gospel singer from' radio) along with it. Matinee biz on this freak booking has been outstanding, sur passing easily . 'Alice Adams' trade, Afternoon customers are mostly femme radio listeners who come to ogle the psalm singer. ' Lily Pons pic opens 8:30 -New Tear's^ Eve. at 65c. Last week. 'Crime and Punishment' (Col) let down sadly to tune of $6,000 on six days. ' ' ' Keith-Boston (RKO) (2,300; 36 BO-66)— 'Devil's Island' (Col) and stage show. Going to, $21,000, oke Holiday eve sho^v will feature Jane Froman in a new stage show, and Everett Marshall and Mary Small held oVer from this week's, at $1.65 biggest ducat tap in town. 'East of Java' (U) and 'Freckles' (RKO) dual, last week, soft at $4,700. N. T Eve pic will be 'Another Face' (RKO)j and this will carry through With new stage show for rest of week. Orpheum (Loew) (3.000; 25-35 40-50)— 'Ah, Wilderness'. (MG) and 'Could Only . Cook' (MG), double Good at $16,000. N. Y. Eve will bring in 'Two Cities' (MG) at 55c all over, house. . Last week 'Whipsaw' (MG) and 'Perfect Gentleman' (MG), dual, off at $9,000. State. (Loew) (3,200; 25-35-40-50) — 'Wildernoss' (MG) and 'Only Cook' (MG), dual. Okc at $16,000 Midnight show, 'Two Cities' at 55c Last week 'Whlpsaw' (Md) and 'Perfect Gent' (MG), dual, disappointed at $8,500. Paramount (M&P) (1,800; .25-3560>— 'Capt. Blood' (WB). Very rugged and best fllni bet on the street, $10,000 at least. Par and Fenway will play 'Dangerous' (WB) and 'Broadway Hostess* (WB), dual, midnight show, at 75c, Last week 'Millions in Air' (Par) and 'Scrooge' (Par), dual, sagged to $3,600, six dayia. Fenw/ay (M&P) (1,600; 26-30-4050)— 'Capt, Blood' (WB). Sailing pretty at $7,000 pace. Opening day house opened two hours early "to care for initial throng. Last week. $2,200, off, for 'Scrooge' (Pav) and i. 'Millions lu Air' (Par). — Scollay (M&P) (2,700; 26-35-40BO)— 'Splendor' (UA) and 'Chan's Secret' (20th). dual; both 2nd run. Around $5,200, fafrr^' Midnlte tllm.s, •Littlest Rebel" (20th) and 'Stars Over Broadway' (WB), dual, at 50c. and 75c. First time in some 23 years that' tills Tiouse fiasTiot played' vaufle for New Year's Eve. Last >v.eek 'Frl-sco Kid' (WB) arid. 'Coronado' (Par), double, swerved to ,$3,900. STAGE SHOWS BOOM ST. L, ALLO.K. St. Louis, Dec. 29. (Best Exploitati ; Loew's) With FoJc showifTg 'Littlest Rebel* for second week and . Arhbassador putting on 'Dan Matthews,' with Olsen and Johnson stage unit running another week from Saturday (30), rest of first runners, here reverted to single celluloid features Xmas day. Loew's, indulging in fast stepping exploitation campaign, put 'Wilderness' oh. screen; ShubertRlalto is offering 'Captain Blood' and Orpheum Is screening 'Collegiate' on same day, Near zero, weather which started early Christ, mas Day put a crimp In b. o. grosS' es arid until -natives become accus tomed to frigidity to atmosphere aill houses will suffer lack of patron age. All houses here will haVe shows New Year's Eve. Loew's is putting a new policy into effect. After last regular show is ended house will be cleared and tlcketia sold .for new show, 'Tale of Two Cities,' that will carry on until almost 2 bells. War ner houses, Shubert-Rlajtb and Orpheum will show preview of new feature at end of last show at no added cost to patrons. Fanchpn & Marco's v Fox will break straight sound policy existing over a year by putting oh 10 acts of vaudeville and two new feature pictures at 90c plus tax, an advance of . 40 after .6 p. m. Ambassador, will have usual night price midnight show with 01 sen and Johnson. Missouri starts permanent vaudeville with six acts, J5rplece orchestra and feature New Year's Day picture. Estimates for This Week Fox. (F. & M,) (5,038; 25-35-66) —'Littlest Rebel* (20th) (2d wk) Big New Year's Evo e-.how at 90c plus tax will enahle house to enjoy a very good $10,500 week. Last week, coldness held take to $8,200. Ambassador (F. & M.) (3,018; 2540-55)— 'Galling of Dan Mathews' (Col) and Olsen and Johnson on stage (2d wk). Midnight stage show and new picture points to $18,000. Last week,' 'One Way Ticket' (Col) and Olsen and John son finished with good $12,400. Shubert-Rialto (WB) (1,726; 26 35-55)— 'Captain Blood' (WB). Set for a good $8,700. Last week, 'Man of Iron' (WB) and 'Powdersmoke Range* . (Par), ragged to a sad $4,500 end. Orpheum (WB), (1,950; 25-35-55) —'Collegiate* (Par). All indications; to a swell $11,500 week. Last week, 'Scrooge* (Par) arid . 'Hi . Gaucho' (RKO), dldn'f click, flnishisd $5,100 Loew (Loew's) (3;i62; 25-35-56) —'Ah Wilderness' (MG). With new show foi" New Year's Eve should finish week with $12,500, okay. Last week. 'In the Air' (MG) and 'Kind Lady' (MG), $6,100. one of worst weeks In months but expected It and isn't complaining. — Missouri (F. & M.) (3,514; 25-40) -'Metropolitan' (20) and 'Navy Wife' (20th). With vaudeville mov-r ing in Jan. 1 and New Year's Eve preview theatre will, close with ?7,300 for best in moons. Last week 'Old Kentucky' (Fox) and 'His Nisht Out' (U). could only count $5,400 at end of week, fair. H-McA's 2d Starts Jan. 14 1st Runs on Broadway Ben ITocht. and Charles MacAr thur, now at Nyack, N. Y„.-are at work on their second production for Par this fiieason, 'Murder at 21.* Ex pcct to go into work at Astoria, L, T., .Tan. 14. n. & M.'s first this year, •Soak the Rich,' is set for Par release .Tan. 17 Simon's 20th Starrer Hollywood, Dec. 29 Gene Markey Is scripting 'Com mehcement' as Simone Simon's first starrer nt 20th-Fox. Willhim K. Howard may direct before reporting. to Alexander Korda in Loudon in April. (Subject to Change) •Week of Jan. 3 Capitol— 'Tale of Two, Cities' (MG) (2d week). Center — 'Ah, Wilderness' <Mi(3) (2d wk). Music Hal I— 'Magnificent Obsession* (U) (30). Paramount — 'Bride Comes Home' (Par) (2d wk). Rialto^'Fafir "aflff (RKO) (2d wk). Rivol i — 'Dangeroiirf (WB) (2d wk). ■ Koxy — 'First A Q\tV (G-B) Strand— 'Captain Blood' (WB) (2d wk). Week of Jan. 10 , Capitol— 'Tale o£ Two Cities' (MG) (3d wk). . Center— 'Ah, W 1 1 d e r n e b s*. (MG) (3d wk). Music . Hall— 'Sylvia Scarlett' (RKO) (9). Paramount— 'Rose the RanchO' (Par) (8). Rialto — 'Crime of Dr. Crespl* (Rep). Ri vol i — 'Dangerous* (WB) (3dwk). Roxy— 'Invisible Ray* (U). Strand— 'C aptain Bio b d* (WB) (3d wk). $10,000 B.&A. Stage Show with 'Bride Pitt's Bliz Chills B.O. s; 'Cities 16G, Stanley's $30, Pittsburgh, Deo. 29. (Best Exploitation: Penn) ■ Wofst blizzard in years, hitting town oh Christmas, day and continuing for another 24 honrs, put terrific crimp In holiday trade and sent grosses cellarward all along line. Looks like the worst Yule session here in some time. Started to pick up everywhere by Friday-^ most of first-runners switched to Wednesday openings, also doing the same thing this week— but darii age apparently has. already been done. Sta»ljsy getting best bfeaik of all, holding -off Inaugural until regular day (Friday) and opened to biggest single day since Bowes troupe ran up a $30,000 gross. Bang-up combo with 'Whlpsaw' on screen and Ed Lowry, always a faVe here, on stage, plus Fifi Dorsay and Stepin Fetchlt. With special New Years Eve show, and holiday In addition It should sail into pretty close .to Bowes fig ure with any isort of break a,t all from weather. Otherwise, however, town easing off, bettering; of course, last ^ew weeks but still nothing terrific. Of remaining sites, Penn and Fulton getting best breaks, former -with ■ Tale of Two Cities' and latter with 'Littlest. Rebel.' Latter heading for around $6,500, all right, and ^111 hold over for second week while 'Cl'ties' should pick up around $16,000, comparatively all right but losing proposition In face of terrific newspaper campaign. Christmas and day following cooked goose of this one and even remarkable re-, cuperatlve, powers weren't enough to. recover from opening setbock. Davis still going practically no where, with maybe $3,200 for 'Pursuit' and 'Frisco Waterfront,' while Warner is heading for light $5,000 with 'Mary Burns' arid. 'Stars Over Broadway.' Alvln has 'Uncle Dud ley* and stage show, headed by Eddie Stanley and Ilomay Bailey and Lee Sims, but for four days only and may get around $6,000 'pn .brief session. Another new stage-screen bill opening Monday (30) also for four days, with house golrig back to regular Opening and straight pictures Friday (3) with 'King of Burlesque.* Exploitation for 'Two Cities* at Penn started breaking week ahead of opening, with biggest newspaper budget in years and tie-ins with department stores, special shots on transportation lines arid out-of town newspaper plugs for suburban holiday trade. Dickens societies also contacted as well as civic and literary clubs. -E^imatBB-for^TKiB'-Week — Alvin (Harris) (2,000; 25-40-55)— 'Uncle Diadley' (20th) and stage show with Eddie Stanley, Plms and Bailey, Joe and Jane McKenna. In for four days only. Opened Xmas, but got wo'rst weather bre&k pos slble first two days and eased off to practically nothing. Maybe $6,000 but doubtful. Bill closed Saturday night (28) with house previewing 'King of Burlesque' Sunday (29) before re'gular opening Friday (3) and shooting in 'Navy Wife' and -Ray t'erklns and his amateur winners Monday (30) .also for four days Last week, 'Feather in Her Hat (Col) and 'Sweet Surrender' (U) in five days under $2,300. Fulton (Shea -Hyde) (1.750: IB 25-40) — "Littlest Rebel* (2()th). Hitting Hefty House reopened Xmas day after shutdown of two weeks, and Temple flicker ' drew flock of kids despite stormy weather. Would halve been plenty better with any sort of break, t>ut looks to build Into aroimd $6;60Cand expected to hold up well enough to last through New Year's weeTc as well. 'Profesialonal Soldier* (20th) sked'ded to get under way for run^ ■Jan. S, ■ ' . " ' " "" Davis (WB) (1.700; 26-40)'Pursuit' (MG) and 'Frisco Waterfront* (Rep). House getting nowhere fast with class B duals. Just a downtown filler and uriable to make a dent in stiff downtown coriipetlsh. Not more than $3,200 looked for this week. Just about the breaking-even point, and at a time when house; ought to be turning in a neat profit if it's ever going to show any. Last week 'Scrooge' (Par) and 'Hot Tip* (RKO) in the dumps at $1,700 for five dayis. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-3540)— 'Two Cities' (MG). Big flicker drew raves everywhere and would have been a pushover for terrific holiday trade but skidding mercury cut in plenty. As If was, 'Cities' got best Xmas biz' In town but at that :ust about two grand under last year's take at same -time, which Is something of an idea. Closing In high but $16,000 not enough to level enormous ^nut, chlefiy on advertising. Last week 'Crusades' (Par) In five days miserable at $4,000. Stanley (WB) . (3,600; 25-40-65)— 'Whipsaw' (MG) and Ed Lowry's stage show with Fifi Dorsay and Stepin Fetchlt. Had Ftiday (27) opening: all to itself and got off tO biggest start around here in years.: Topped even, terrific Bowes inaugural of Couple of months ago, and with New Year's eve special and the holiday still to come ishould clock oft pretty close to $30,000, great. Management giving plenty of credit to Lowry, m.c. for six months once at this site and great tav locally. Last week 'Red the Rose' (Par) and 'Hit Parade* unit never got started and when ^xpected Xmas trade failed to develop , eased off to blah $14,000. Warner (WB) (2,000; 25-40) — 'Mary Burns' (Par) and 'Stare Over Broadway' (WB). Good dual but* like the others, doing all of itff business closing few days and' not enough to overcoriie weak getaway. Maybe $5,000 or a trifie better but that's n.s.h. everything considered.. Last week 'Man of Iron' (WB) and 'Without Regret' (Par) In five days down under at $2,600. 'ciTinm 'DREAM,' 9G, K.C. NICE Kansas , City, Dee: 29. (Best Exploitation: Mainst.reet) Picture openings still pretty well mixed up as managers jockey for holiday pliay. Big Loiew's . Midland swung open Xmas day with 'Tale of Two Cities,' and is going strong. Mainstreet .also .Opened Christmas with 'Drearii Too Much'' and is go ing nicely. At the Newman, 'Bride Gomes Home,' held until New Year's Eve, is getting a nice play as is 'Littlest Rebel,' held over at the. Uptown; Mainstreet management shot both barrels for 'Dream,' using thousands of extra lines Iri the papers,-radio plugs, and other publicity. Estimates for This Week Mainstreet (RKO) (3,200; 25-40)-^ 'Dream Too Much' (RKO). Great ne\yspaper campaign given the Pons riiusical,. paced for a nice $9,000. Last week, 'Baldpate' (RKO), $4,500, blah.. Midland (Loew;) (4,000; 25-40) 'Two Cities' (MG). Picture given a lot of advance -newspaper pub.llcity; Jack Moffitt, pictui-e editor of the Star, now in Hollywood, took a three-day serial to tell of its merits and magnitude. A followup of dlsniflcd display ads seemed to hit the right class and picture will show a swell $9,500. Last week, ilin_lhe_.Aii:' . .(MG).,...slx .•day^,^6,500. Just fair. Newman (Par) (1,900; 25-35)— 'Bride Comes Home' (Par). Will be held until New Year's eve, when 'Rose of Raricho' (Par) opens. First seven days $10,000,. good; final four days corking $6,000. Tower (Rewot):. (2,200; 25-35)— 'Remember Last Night' (U) and stage show. Nice play , arid with New Year's business to help should show close to $9,000, okay. Last week, 'Dan Matthews' (Col) and stage show $6,300. Uptown (Fox) (2,040; 25-40)— 'Littlest Rebel' (20th) and 'Uncle Dudley' (20th), dual (2d week) Clicking riicely, probably $4,000 good after a nice $5,400 the first week. in Minneapolis Minneapolis, Dec. 29. (Best Exploitation: inn -Orph) Judging from current. appeariancea it would seem as though local entectalnmerit .emporiums hav» resolved to provide bigger and better shows for 1936.. Certainly, with Burns e;nd Alleh in person topping a stellar stage array at the Minnesotawhere •. 'The Brldtt Comes Home' holds forth on the scireen, and with Ada Leonard arid Hal Sherman and their 'Cocktails of 1936* supplementing 'Sylvia Scarlet,' the New Year Is off to a flying start here. It's the flrst time this season that there have, been tyro stage, shows opposing each other at local film houses and takings, helped by the Mh^nesota's bOQSt. from 560. to 60o. for Its top and special New Year's eve midnight showia all alrourid, promise to hit the biggest total so far this winter. With 'Tobacco Road' at the Metropolitan, and stock burlesque at the Gayety, and a record number of night clubs offering elaborate entertainment, a big dent will be put in the' public's purse. Most important development here is the reopening of the 1,600-rseat de. luxe Century, formerly the Publix circuit's ace No, 1 house, as a second run theatr*' at 26c. top. With Its reopening the 1,100-seat Grarid will close. Minnesota and Orpheum divided exploitation honors. The former promoted a full page display ad by a local radio distributor welcoming Burris and Allen to town, x*adl6 broadcasts arid chain store tie-ups. Orpheum put through Journal roto pictures arid ,a chain store tie-up, among other things, for 'Cocktails of 1936.* Estimates for This Week innesota' (Publlx) (4,200; 33-4060) — 'Bride Comes Home' (Par) and Burns and Allen, Stone "Vernon Foursome, Ben Blue, Gardlni, Jacques Renard and Gene Marvey> show costing $10,000, on stage. Allaround fine entertainment and good selling lob and New Year's eve midnight show, with all Seats reserved at 75c., sending gross to eriorriious $30,000. Last week, 'Thanks\a Million,* (iZOth), $7,000. Okeh; . Orpheum (Singer) (2,890; 25-356B)— 'Sylvia Scarlet* (RKO) . and Ada Leonard and Hal Sherman In 'Cocktails of i936' unit. Whale of a show and well exploited. Poluling in direction of fine $14,000. ^Last week, 'Could Only Cook' (Col), $5,200, good. State (Publlx) . (2,400; 25-33-40)— 'Ah Wilderness' (MG). Heavily advertised,, but opposition too poweriful. Even with midrilght show New Year's eve will do -well to hit 1$6,000, fair. Last -week 'Coronado' (Par), $2'500, bad. World (Steffes) (350; 23-33-40-65) — 'La Maternelle' (French). French dialogue a detriment. About $1,500, fair. Last week, 'Scrooge' (Par), $900, light. Time (Berger) (290; 15-25)— 'Gay Divoi'cee' (RKO), revival, and 'Reriiember Last Night' (U), flrst run, spilt. Good at $1,100. Last week 'High School Girls' (Foy), $1,000, okeh. Lyric (Publlx) (1,300; 20-25)— 'It's in Air' (MG). Absence of meaning names tl drawback. Maybe" $1,600. fair. Last week 'Music Is Magic* ■(20tth), $1,200, light. Uptown (Publlx) (1,200: 25-35)— 'Mutiny' (MG). Big $3,500. Last week 'Live My Life' (MG), $1,400, light. Century (Publlx). (1,600; 20-25)— 'Biroadway Melody' (MG). This beautiful house reopened as secondrun. About $2,600, good for second loop run. Aster (Publlx) (900; 15-25)— 'CCShaughnessy's Boy' (MG), second run, and 'Ship Cafe' (Par), flrst run, split. Around $1,000; okeh. Last week 'Gay Deception' (20th), and 'Dr. Socrates' (WB),second runs, and 'Eagles' Brood' (Par), first run, $900, Okeh. Grand (Publlx) (1,100; 15-25)— 'Crusades' (Par), second loop run. Light $1,000. Last week 'Shipmates' (FN). Second loop run, $1,200, fair. 'BUFF BILL' BENCHED Hollywood, Dec. 29.Paramount has shelved 'Buffalo Bill,' originally skeded for Cecil B. De Mine's production but taken off. his list some time ago. Studio figures edge is off the subject for time being. N. Y. to L. A. Patricia Wilder. Jack Oakie. Pat Casey. O. L. Promlnge, L. A. to N. Y. B. P. Schiilberg. Adrlenne Ames, Homer Curran. Lester Cowari.