Variety (Feb 1936)

Wednesday, Febtnary 5,1936 PICTmiE CROSSES VABJETY B.O. [ Chicago* 'Obsession Sets Record (or SmaT Garrick; Palace OS at . Chicago; (Best Exploitatibhi Chicago) Continued cold weather serves as an alibi for those houses with: frail attractions, but the theatres with sock strength on the marciuees don't have to worry about the thermonn- eter. And among attractions which can buck, the elements currently are 'King of Suriesque' with the Fred Waring band, 'Strike Me Pink,' *Nite at the. Opera/ 'Magnificent Pbsessipn,', and. .the Mit2i Green unit at the State-liake, Chicago, Balaban & Kat? pet house, Is in for another, roustnig: ses- sion in. its latest parade of topiiotch grosses. 'Burlesque''plus the War-r liig aggregation as a box office com- bination are kiting the take approx- imately $15,000 over last Week for a mammoth $49,000. Hitting high on long-run gallops are 'Pink' and, 'Obsession.' Cantor picture came through strongly last, week on its: opening despite the worst sub-^ero.flurry of the past 10- years, -and on present pace will istreak through three highly profit- able sessions, 'Obsession' Is the wonder feiinme picture of the new year. Established a new high gross record for the Garrick on its third week Iri the loop at $9^100, tremen- dous. Will go another week and then be -yanked t prder to make way for runig In the nabes. Palace is off into the low figures again with a mixed set of femme and male attractions on picture and stage; .Arch Herzoff ran off with iJub- Ilcl'ty honors currently on Warine and 'Burlesctue' spreads in the dailies and other exploitation. Estimates for this Week Apollo (B&K) (1,200; 25-35-5B-65) —'Riff Raff! (MG) (Sd, final week), Harlow flicker turned in fine $7.to6 last week, weekend trade being strong enough to encourage the hike of Saturday-Sunday night prices to 6oc. Will touch $5,000 currently, fine. .'Prof. Soldier' (20th) neitt. ehicago (B&K) (4,000;- 3B-55-7B) —'Burlesque' (20th), and Waring orchestra. Double strength means a zoom of cash customers to total of $49,000, mighty set of numerals. Will make Jt two weeks at that pace. Last week 'Dangerouis' (WB) turned in sucressful $34,000, '■ Garrick (B&K) (900; 25-35-55-65) —'Obsession' (U) (4th week). Re- markable from every angle; draw- ing the femmes In droves. Repeat business and all-day trade keeping picture in the high money mark throughout stdy. Broke house rec- ord last week at $9,100 and will touch close, to $9,000 this week. Could stay longer, but Is being yanked to avoid day-and-dating with the neighborhoods. Oriental (B&K) (3,200; 25-35-40) —'Perfect Gentleman* (MG) and •Spices of 1936' unit on stage. Just another week in tli^e offing with lit- tle power on picture, while unit is a repeater here: Maybe $15,000, un- der,, recent average, Last week •Stars Over B'way' (WB), okay, $17,700. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 35-55-65)— •Next Time We Love* (U) and Vaude, Clyde Beatty animal act headlining. JPieture a femme nat- ural,- gettlhg great notices and word- of-mouth. but combination with Beatty circus act reacting at the box office.. Register stays in slump and win hit around $14,000 currently. Last week brutal at a $16,700 for 'Two in the Dark' (RKO) and Wayne King orchestra. Roosevelt (B&K) (1.500: 35-45-65) —'Nite at Opera' (MG) (3d and final week). Had a powerful gallop, get- tin.e: heavy profits throughout stay. .Finishes today (Tuesday) for $9,- . OOO; fine. Last week a nifty at $12.- 300. 'No Mercy' (20th) tomorrow (Wednesday). State-Lake (Jbnies) (2.700; 25-35- 40)—'Spven Key.s' (RKO) and 'One Hour with YpU' unit with Mitzl Green. Uppine Into the big money this week for $13,000. Last week good enoucrh at $10,100 for 'In Per- son* CRKO). United Artists (B&K-UA) (1.700; 35-45-65)—'Pink' (TIA) (2d week). Cantor picture will hit above $12,000 currently. Last week high at $18.- 000. Will make it three week.s ea.sily at prcacnt pace. BLUE MOUSE CHEESY $1,000 for-Pons in Tacdma—'Pink' Big at $4,500 Tacoma, Feb. 4. (Best Exploitfltioni: Roxy). Two spots revert to slngletops this week, figuring length of shows within limits to not tire customers. Music Box has 'Strike Me Pink' and Hoxy 'Two Cities.' Roxy . rates top campaign, getting lieavy publicity breaks in local Times, including full page of art. . Estimates for This Wdek iiiiB Mouse (HamrlCk) (750; 16- 27--'Dream Too Much' (RKO) and 'Hold *em Tale* (Par) dual. Slow at $1,000, Last week 'Scarlett' (RKO) and 'Missing Man' (Col), dual, $1,250, mild. Music Box (Hamrick) (1,400; 16- 27-37)—'Pink* (UA). Hitting alone for big' $4*500. Last week 'Whip- saw' (MG) and' 'It's in Air' (MG), dual, $3,400. okay. Roxy (Hamrick) (1,300; 16-27-37) —'Two,Cities' ,(MG). Singleton with wow newspaper campaign good at $4,000. Last week 'Wilderness' <MG) and 'Navy Wife' (Fox), duah $3,- 800, good. lys • 9 'Em in Wash.;B.O.'s Big; 'Zero' Washington, Feb. 4. (Best Exptoitatloh: Fox, Earle) Exploitation has been running wild this week. Boys got tired of waiting for cold snap to let up and began trying to pull 'em in anyway. Unquestionably helped, but couldn't bring thts shows that were headed for light grosses above average. Disappointment Of week is 'Strike Me Pink,' which was tossed into Palace, town's ace straight pie spot, with wealth of baliy and will be lucky to get house avei'age. Sur- prise Is 'Exclusive Story,' which without names and with hackneyed ganc -ter angle, will get oke gross. Keith's made most of two-day p. a. by Fi-ank Buck to launch 'Fang and Claw.' .Best bally honors, how- ever, are split between Earle, which socked every aviation enthusiast in town on 'Ceiling Zero,' and Palace, which turned.-town Inside out on 'Strike Me Pinlt' via tie-ups and co- op ads. Estimates for This Week Earle (WB) <2,424; 25-35-4ar60- 70)—'Ceiling Zero' (WB) and vaude. No-name vaude leaves all credit to pic which can thank smart bally for big $20,000. Last week 'Only Cook' (Col) and Bowes' Amateui's on stage, nice $18,000. Keith's (RKO) (1.830; 25t35-60)— 'i^ang and Claw' (RKO). Two-day personal by Frank Buck gave pic nice send-o.ff both, in publicity and grosses. Slipped when went on Its own,. but . should get oke $8,000. Jjmt week, third for 'biisession' (U) held up to beautiful $8,000. Fox (Loew). (3,434; 25-35-60)— 'Exclusive Story* (MG) and vaude. Broadway's 'H o 11 y w o o d Revue* makes satisfying stage bill and pic bally pulling *em In to tune of prob- able oke $23,000. Last week 'Rose of Rancho' (Par) and Toby Wing personal got by with satisfactory $20,000. Palace (Loew) (2,363;■ 25-35-60)— 'Strike Me Pink' (UA). >>Opeilec] on wave' of Cantor bally but won't bet- ter fair $14,000. La.'it week 'Bride Comes Home' (Par) took .same fig- ure. Met (WB) (1,8.'). : 25-40)—'Hard gan' (FN). Headed for usual my.s- tery biz with probably good $4,000. Last week 'Lone Wolf (Co') sanie figure. Columbia (Loew) (1,203; 25-40)— 'Two Cities' (iVI(i). Third week on mainstem lookinf? at .sock $7,000. Last week '(?reat Life' (Par) died '.viUi weak $2,000. Major Circuits' Blame Indies and Vicie V e r s.a •r^ Both Blame D ualsMeantime Overheads Increased for Both Tsrpes of Exhibs NO CO-OPERATION? Efforts of major theatre, circuits in eastern district in recent weeks to bolster up the admission, price iatructure have' in'et witti defeat. Low admission scale prevalent in neighborhood liouses and- secondary, circuit theatres has become a source' of constant annoyance. -Customary sIuiAp following year-end holiday ;splurge, made worse this year by severe weather, has accentuated this Irritation over low .admissions. That some recognition of the wobbly price striicture has been made by major operatives is seen In attempts of both Loew and RKO theatre circuits to lift admissions recently in speciflc spots. Though consideration has been given, to possibility of lipping fees,, particu- larly in. spots where ducats drop to 10 and 16c for majority of perform- ances, any eifort to make them ef- fective has wound up at a dead end. Absence of any cooperation from Indle circuits and . independent ex- hibitors is largely Ijlamed by these two circuits'. On the other hand, indie leaders charge that they were not .properly approached. Major circuit spokesmen and .some, trade association officials claim that independent exhibitors are responsible for present situa- tion. Charge that they were first to slash admish fee "when d^presislon began to be felt, and that the large, circuits and major houses wSre forced to trim their admissions .later. Latter action removed this competitive advantage at first held by the indies and left the independ- ent exhib moi'e or less high and dry, with an admittance charge that had been trimmed, to the bone, and cur- rently possessing- few if any advan- tages. While undoubtedly the indie ex- hibitor feels the pressure of this low scale, especially In neighborhood spots, it is no laughing -matter with major cii-cuit operatives. Influx of double bills, into .these cheap admish houses has added to operating over- head In most instances. While this was at first not a large increase, it is presently being felt severely be- cause of dip in receipts. Propititious Time Major circuit executives with their ears to the ground see signs that the public at present time may not be adver.<5e to an admish tilt. One example Is way recent cutting of price scale in indie circuit houses on Sunday was received. Numerous Instances .I'eported where patron.s paid usual fee and forgot to wait fbr change so .accustonied had they become to paying lilked tariff on the Sabbath. Ihdu-stry • observers believe that Iridivldual- asreements between ma- jor exhibitors and independent ex- hibs will have to be effected in separate districts or neighborhoods to solve pre.S6nt low admls.«(lon scale. But major exhibs contend that even hei-e there is a problem that always must bo considered. Fact that indies jump in and out of busi- ness tends to unsettle any agree- ment that may be drawn up. Accord on a specific scale obtained from partners in" opposition indie house may be Ignored next day if new management comes In. New indie boss feel.s that it is his privilege to disclaim any agreement to specified admission price. Result is that whole price situation i-cmalns in doubt. No (luesllon but that the .sPifcad of dualing in the east has brought down tb" h^t rpfurhs from numer- ous featui-e productions. Here the situation revoi'ta back to the pro- STYMIED 'Rose-Harie Very Lovely $60,000 On Snowed-h B'way; luss 'Em Up' ?ro Soldier 20G (Best itol) A long cold weather: spell is hold- ing down the maximum grossing chances of ..pictures in New Tork,' but in spite pf icy streets and Alas- kan temperatures produet.. on re- lease at this time is str9fag enoiugh to withstand these onslaughts. Spriie cbnsplatioii in signs of a letup in the frigid wave'yesterday (Tuesday) when thawing began/ On Monday night (3) with another tight show coming, business fell away oflC everywhere • after a igen^ craily good weeken Sloppy Btrieets yesterday |(TueB.) no help either, but t. .ffic should soon be normal again, along with theatres. Cold wave is apparently'broken* with it the managers sigh. •Rpse Marie' Is by lengths the leader this week at the Capitol. But for the bad setback. Monday (3) it virould be. a grosser of over $60,000. Its Qharices are fair to get up to this figure, now. Holds over. At the Music Hall, 'Next Time We Love* is a clbse second at $70^000. Others finishing in bang-Up mauner are 'MUSS 'Em- Up' at Rialto, -Profes- iSional Soldier,' Center incumbent, and three holdovers. 'Muss' is a capacity draw for the Rialto at 112,000 pace, an ideal type of picture for the Rialto patronage. Considerable draught also credited, to the Jack Dempsey short compila- tion, 'Idol of Millions.' Although 'Pro. Soldier' Is a $20,000 payoiff at the Center on its week ending last night (Tufes.), house Isn't holding it over.. 'Lady. Consents' 'opens to- day tWed.). 'Collegiate,' ^vlth the Hal Keipp orchestra for support, means around $27,000 on the second (final) week for the Par ending last night (Tues.). Other good'holdovers are 'Ceiling Zero' at the Strand, $22,000, and 'Ghost Goes West,' attheRlvoli, latter $18,000 oji five days of its fpiirth week. 'Zero' is In its third week and goes out Friday night (7). with 'Louis Pasteur' opening Sat. a. m'. (8). In view of the fine manner iri which 'Ghost' holds up at the Riv, house Is sorry It scheduled the ChapliniDlcturi, 'Modern Times,' for tomorrow (Thurs.). 'Ghost' might have gone another week. 'Times' gets a spetjial premiere ;tonIght (Wed.) at $5,50, but mostly invita- tions. Riv Is committed to play the Chaplin comedy for a minimum of 10 weeks. 'King of the Damned' not good at the Roxy, only $26,000 In face of in- creased nut, while 'Man Hunt' on week ending last night at Astor around $6,000. State slides back to around $24,000 this week with 'Mag- nificent Obsession,' and Louis Sobol on stage after hitting a new high of $42,900 last week with Burns and Allen unit on stage, 'Ah Wilderness,' on screen. Pi-evious high was $41,- 500, established New Year's week at $1.50 prices New Year's eve. Metro went to town in a bIg-way seillhg 'Rose Marie' on its current engagement. In addition to heavy publicity and exploitation pressure, the ad budget on the picture was substantially increased. Estimates for This Week Astop (1,012; 25-35-55) 'Man Hunt' (WB). Ended its week's en- gagement last night (Tues.) at mild $6,000. Previous InPurhbentj 'tVid'ow n-oni Monte Carlo' (WB) a bit bet- ter, $7,000. 'Soak the Rich' (Far) In on a preview last night (Tues.). Capitol (4,620: 25-36-55-85-$1.25) —'Ro.le Marie' (MG) (1st week,). Very, well sold up here and answer- ing in safefulls, maybe 460,000. big. Holds over. Last week 'Whipsaw' (MG) slid to under $18,000. poor. Center (3,525; 25-3y-55-85-$l,10)— ')?rofe3.sfOnal .Soldier' (20th), Mc- durier whp is anxiou.s to maintain a hiffh rental return on each picture; 'ihi.s may be the determining fac- tor on admissions. Pi^pducers with circuit outlets may bring the necfes- savy pressure to either raise the fjcalc or eliminate, double feature policy in many spotfi. They arr fully cognizant of present weakened prU'O Atructure fn important key cities and feel that something niu.st be done one way or the other. Laglen picture ainice bet, $20,000 on week ending last night (Tues.) biit no. holdover. , 'Lady Consents' (RKO) opens today. (Wed.). Second week of 'King Burlesque' (20th), in ahead, $15,000, okay. Palace (1,700; 25-35-55)—'Capt. Blood' (WB) (2nd week) and 'Two in Dark' (RKO), dual. Getting average business, and on six days $8,500. Last week's twin bill, 'Blood' (WB) (1st week) and Freshman Love' (WB), $9,000. New bill, 'King of. Burlesque' (20th) and 'Paddy O'Day* (2.0th) opens tomorrow niornlng (Thurs.). Paramount (3;664; 25-36-65-86)— 'Collegiate' (Far) and Hal Kehap orchestra .(2nd week). A strong box office program, $27,000 " on siscond week ending last night (Tiies.). New. show of 'Anything Goes' (Par) and Ishani Jbties orchestra in pit in.on preview also last night (Tues.). First week of 'Collegiate' With Kemp band and Yacht Club Boys, latter, falling out on holdover, $30,000. Radio City Music Hall (6,989; 40- 60-S5-99-$1.10;-|1.65) — 'Next Time W« Love' (U) and stage Show. But for bad b.o. weather, take would be larger than $70,000 but no kicks at all. Second week, of 'Strike Me Pink' (UA) met with weather draw-. backs," also* $58,000. 'Petrlflea Forest' (WB) ■ opens tomorrow (Thurs.) for two weelcs. Rialto (750; 25-40-66)—'Muss *Em Up' (RKO) and .'Idol of Millions,' Jack Dempsey short. Oombo draw- ing immensely, $12,000, and that's about capacity here; holds. Final four days on' secoiid week of 'Dan- gerous Waters' (WB), $3,700, oke. Ri\^oli (2,092; 35-55-T5-86-99)— 'Ghost Goes West' (UA) (4th-final week),. Out today (Wed.) after live days take of $18,000 on fourth week, of run and could have gone longer- Third week $22,000. 'Modern Times' (Chaplin UA) gets a $5 premiere tonight (Wed.), grind run there- after. Roxy (5,836;* 25-35-55)—'King of Damned' (GB) and Sta;ge show. Not much but getting by at mild $26,000. Last Week house dipped into the red with 'Dan Matthews' (Col.) and Ed Sullivan on the stage, $23,100; Stranil (2,767; 35-55-65-86) — 'Celling Zero' (WB). (3rd week). Go- ing full third week and paced on final seven-day lap at good $22,000; second week $30,700. 'Louis Pasteur' (WB) opens Saturday morning (8).; State (3.450; 35-55^75) 'Mag- nificent Obsession' (U) and vaude, Louis Sobol, columnist, on the stage bill this week and chances point to $24,000, good. Last week 'Ah, Wilderness!' (MG) and the Burns- Allen'unit galloped homo to set a new record of $42^,900. This business credited to Burns and Allen {Since 'Wilderness' had played four weeks at the Center before'arriving here. Prior high of $41,500 was reached New Year's week with 'Night at Opera' (MG) and Ed Sullivan, columner, on ,the boards. Snowbound B'ham Plenty Blue; *2 Cities' $6,000 Irmiiighisim, Feb.- 4. Tougfhest Aveathcr In nearly 60 years has paralyzed not only show business, but thp entire city. An 11-inch snowfall, breaking all rec- ords for the city, has kept the folks indoors- and gros.se8 last week tLtiH this are down to about 60% of nor-, mal. 'Two CItie«' had a terilbfe open- ing due to, weather. Estimates for This Week Alabama (WIlby-Klncey) (2,800; 30-35-40)—'Two Cities' (MO). Not, over $C,000. La.st week 'Goes' (I'ar) down to about $4,500, poor. Ritz (Wilby-KIncey (1.600: 2C- 30)—'Dream Too Much' (RKO) around $3,000, fair. Last week .'Wilderness' (MG) got a lot of talk and witii suitable weather would have copped more than $3,000. .Strand (Wilby-Klricey) (800; 25V —'Powder Smoke Range' (RKO) and 'She' (RKO). spilt, if the weath- er doesn't change, not over $1,000* Last week 'Chan's Secret' (20th)» $1,100. Empire (Acme) (MOO; 25)^ 'Dangerou.s' fVVB), Light at $1,700. r.aKt wrok ' ream" (WB) at SI top,, four days, around $3,500. 'Little Bi |.>^h(»t' (VVi;j three days $1,000.