Variety (Mar 1936)

Wednesday, TWarch IX, 1936 PICT E CROSSES VARIETY 11 The Kiddies Lead'Em Into I'vJle B.0.'s; Taunderoy $6,000, Quins 6V 2 G Louisville, March 10. (Beit Exploitation: LoeW's Stat*) Two leaders this week'can credit juvenile appeal .for their, .draw, lioew's State with 'Fauntleroy* get ting plenty of play on the strength pf a tremendous build up on Fred- die Bartholomew, while the wicket in plenty hot at the Strand where the Dlonne babies are the attrac- tion In 'Country Doctor.' Warmer temperatures and the Lenten season are denting grosses to some extent, but 'Fauntleroy' should reap a good 16,000, with 'Country Doctor' ex- pected to top that figure by $500. Dual features- are being shown at the Bialto, Brown and Alamo, and grosses are not likely to; be startling. •Pasteur* is being kept for a second ■week, and if grosses hold up rea- sonably, well the holdover stanza should have no trouble getting. $3,- 000. National still getting its share of the biz, currently displaying: a fair stage attraction 'Gertrude Avery's Diamond Revue' plus a local radio act and the winner of an amateur contest named George, Pugh f .Gross should be around $4,000.:. Flesh tai ent is in for four days, with, bal ance of week filled out with 'Passlrtg of the. Third Floor Back' and ♦Racing Luck.' Takings will be very light during those three -days. . Potent opposish Will be furnished by the Memorial Auditorium which plays "Walter Huston in 'Dods- worth' (12th). Advance Sale indi- cates a. $5,000 gross for matinee and night performance'. Exploitation f oi' 'Fauritleroy' made .town sit up and take notice. Mark Silver for United Artists and George. N. Hunt, Jr., manager of Loew's, went to. 'toWh on>bne of the. biggest campaigns ever pulled here. A stunt item was the telephone conversa- tion carried on by Silver with Fred- die Bartholomew which was piped into the Kosair Free Children's hos- pital here, with the interview being sent through amplifiers to all parts of the building. Newspaper pub- licity lineage totaled 4,600 lines, 23 24-sheets posted, W©ups With ice cream -concern on air publicity, lobby display featuring life size cutout of Bartholomew on bicycle in motion, 6,000 window cards, 11- bray book marks, tieups With chain groceries distributing 20,000 circu- lars in packages. Co-op ads In local dallies opening day also helped to make the campaign one to draw special notice. Estimates for This Week Loew'e State (3,000; 15-26-40)— Tauntleroy' (UA). Juves and matrons will, be attracted to this one, and a well-planned and exe- cuted exploitation campaign should have no trouble in getting the money. No smash but should take $6,000. Last week 'Wife vs. Sec' <MG) did well at $6,000, Gable-Har low-Loy combo surefire. Rialto (Fourth Ave.) (3,000; 15 26-40)—'Give Us This Night' (Par) and 'If I Had Million* (Par) dual Hardly any b. o. strength in evi- dence here, pics minus names which draw. 'Million' is revival of three years ago'. Combo will probably see $4,300 in offing for current stanza. Last week 'Desire' (Par) touched $6,200, good. Brown (Ind) (1,500; 15-25-40)— •Remember Last Night' (U) and •Chatterbox* (RKO) dual. Will come through for fair gross, but no eyebrow lifting, $2,600 is indicated, but may take more if weather con 4rui. A « ninnonnf T.nct -ivAPk 'Fleet Claw* (RKO) and 'Leathernecks' (Rep), dual. Looks headed for $1,- 600, good. Last week'Java' (U) and 'Another Face' (RKO) splitting with 'Front Page* (UA) and 'Dancing Feet' (Rep) dual, garnered an average $1,300. I, Give Lent Trimmin in Qeve. tiriues pleasant. Last week 'Fleet (RKO) took $3,600, a good deal be low expectations, particularly after a tremendous first week. Strand (Fourth Ave.) (1,600; 16- 26-40)—'Country Doctor' (20th). Big opening with line forming long be- fore wicket was opened presaged a socko week for the multiple tots. Femme patrons In majority, and pic looks en route to dandy $6j500. Rea- sonably sure to be held over for sec- ond, stanza. Last week 'Annie' (Par) cashed in on public's waking up to fact that some folks consider the West flicker just a little naughty. It took $3,600. Mary Anderson (Llbson) (1,000 15-25-40)^-*Pasteur* (WB). Hold over brought gross down and wind up should be around $3,000, fair. Pic getting fair, play from intelligentsia Who have termed it an epic produc tioh on the life of the great sclen tlst. Same pic grossed $3,700 last National (Ind) (2,350) (15-25-40) —'Freshman Love' (WB) and Cer trude Avery's Diamond Revue, split ting with 'Passing of Third Floor Back' (GB) and 'Racing Luck (Rep), dual. Stage shows. Still drawing well, and Friday, openings doing, capacity biz. Current stanza should hit $4,000,. good. Last week •Widow Monte Carlo' (WB) and vaude, splitting with 'False Pre tenses' (Ches) and 'Suicide Squad (Pur), dual, grossed $4,800. Alamo (Ind) (900; 15-25)—'Strike Me Pink' (UA) and 'Too Tough to Kill' (Col), splitting with 'Fan g and Cleveland,' March 10. (Best Exploitati : State) Old Lent complex which used to slump. all business. is evaporating this year. Not a . sign, of a drop anywhere. A couple pf pictures are. turning out to be Lenten record- breakers, and even Mae West, de- spite attacks by. critics, gets her man. Top held by 'Wife vs. Secretary,' which cracked .State's opening day records held by 'Mutiny,' speeding up to a $25,0.00 week. Follow-upper, is 'Country Doctor,' a pippin for the Hipp, heading 'for $20,000 or better. 'Love Before . Breakfast' plus Coogan-Grabla unit, may go higher, but no..kicks about $18,000. Charlie Deardorff's best ballyhoo fprv Statels. 'Wife vs. Sec* was a 112,000 prize contest in 48 drug stores for naming of Myrria Loy's gown. Campaign aided by Milt Harris, also covered tie-up with Gable story in current Liberty, give-away letters allegedly signed by three stars and essay contest among town's stenogs. Estimates for This Week Palace (RKO) (3,200; 30-40-60)— Before Breakfast' (U) and Jackie. Cobgan, Betty Grable unit. Holly- wood names not much of a help- Lots of advance publicity, but they don't live up to it. In ordinary week it might go to town, but plenty of strong competition will keep it to $18,000, satisfactory; > Last, week 'Love on Bet' (Radio) and 'Swing If unit skidded to $16,800. Hipp (WB) (3,000; 26-40)—'Coun- try Doctor' (20th). Advance screen- ing for cricks started avalanche of whoopee. On strength of quins and natural. publicity, $20,000 is an as- sured, conservative .figure.. House, has it tentatively lined up for three weeks, Last week 'Fleet' (Radio) on second stanza steamed In with a corking $14,500. State (Loew's) (3.750; 30-36-40)— •Wife vs. Sec' (MG). Combo of three topnotchers Is enough to. bring out lines. Opening day set a new attendance high for year, and smart exploitation may cause it to break week's record held by 'Mutiny.' if It goes past $25,000. Last week ' mle' (Par), in spite of protest yips ..Tom women's clubs, which didn't kick Mae West so hard, got $16,700.. Allen (RKO) (3,000; 25-40)— Fleet' (Radio) (3d week). House handicapped lately by policy of sloughing 'em off in split weeks be- tween holdovers. Astaire-Rogers pic shifted from Hipp with suffi- cient ballyhoo, however, to catch good $4,500. Four days of 'Dr. Har- rigan' (WB) made only $2,100. 'Muss Em Up* (Radio) was another four- day dud at $1,900. Stillman (Loew's) (1,872; 25-35)— 'Times' (UA). Chaplin still knock- ing 'em over, after transfer from State, where it made sweet $19,000, Second week here rang the bell for $8,500, which is top stuff for this theatre under a low scale, and third holdover to the strain , of $6,500 is keeping Jack Lykes happy. right up to the minute. Midland management sold 'Wife vs, Secre- tary' from a number of different angles.. Played it up with much extra newspaper space; used radio plugs over two stations; distributed thousands of trick heralds to the stenographers; secured two proml-' nent show windows; and several sweet cooperative display advertise- ments with prominent stores. Estimates for This Week Mainstreet (RKO) (3,200; 25-40)— 'Follow the Fleet' (RKO) (2d week). Going strong, looks to be headed for $9,000, fine after a big $18,000, first week; Midland (LbeW) (4,000; 25-40)— 'Wife vs. Secretary' (MG). Another natural and lines formed early, headed-towards $22,000, big. Last -week 'Modern Times' (UA) opened fair and then suffered from adverse reviews in the Sunday papers and finished with a scant $10,000, n.s.g. Newman (Par) (1,900; 25-40)— 'Desire' (Par) (2d, week).' Doing nicely, good for close to $10,000 on 16 days. 'Lonesome Pine' (Par) opens today (10). Tower (2,200; 25-35)—'Lady of Secrets' (Col) and 'West. Point Days' stage revue. No sensation but doing fairly, with prospects of $6,600, fair. Last week 'You May Be Next' (Col) and stage revue $5,500 a little off. Uptown (Fox) (2,040; 26)—'Love Before Breakfast' (U). Held over for the second week and; showing some, strength, likely around $3,000, very—good.-— u Lastr - week - 'Invisible Ray' (U) four days and "Breakfast' (U), three days $2-900, nothing ex-? tra. 'Doctor $14000, Ted Lewis $19,000, Sew Up Mpls.; Obsesh' $2,000, Ninth Week with Lilian Harvey, Is also playing its third week, at the Asta here. Previous to this year, the best that a feature could do was two weeks in The Hague. Most films ran. only a week. Contributing to this extended run trend have been the Shirley Temple features by 20th Century-Fox, Which may be described as setting the pacu at The Hague, since all of them clicked big and had runs of two and three weeks. PROCTOR'S 18G, LEADS NEWARK WITH 'SHARK' WE VS. SEC THE BIG WOW IN K. C, $22,000 Kansas City. March 10. (Best Exploitation: idland) Looks like the Midland is set for a clean-up this week, with Wife vs. Secretary,' after a- vei- y,Ap- pointing seven days of 'Modern Times.' 'Lady of Secrets,' at the Tower, is the only other new picture in the first run houses; 'Follow the Fleet.' at the Mainstreet, 'Desire at the Newman, and 'Lqve Before Breakfast' at the Uptown, all being holdovers. The latter two will likely be replaced before the second full week, as changes in opening dates have been frequent in the last few months.' Last week was spotty. The fast going 'Follow the Fleet' proved hard opposition and easily topped the town. „,, Poor showing of 'Modern Times after rave reviews seems to prove that the fans want their pictures T¥ife vs. Sec 26JiG Desire,' Quins, (G Each, Balto Newark, March 10, (Best Exploitation! Proctor's) For two successive weeks Proa tor's promises to lead, the procession and won't be far behind the next With 'Follow the Fleet' coming; This week it's $18,000 for 'Shark Island' and. 'My Marriage.' Aside from the Par-Newark which is dy ing, the'others are not bad. 'Whip saw' and 'Three Live Ghosts' taking $12,000 at Loew's and 'Road Gang' and' 'Music Goes Round' getting $11,600 at the Branford. Newsreel is doing nothing sensa- tional. Some, are anticipating a change of policy, . Proctor's tried a caption contest in the. Star-Eagle which brought 22,000 lines of free publicity for Shark Island.' Placed 1,000 window cards and sent the sound truck around. Estimates for This Week Branford (WB) (2,966; 25-76)— Road Gang' (FN) and 'Round' (Col). A queer bill, but those who like it raw and those Who like it light should be pleased. The rest will stay away. Probably enough for $11,500, okay. Last week, second of 'Pasteur' (FN) and 'Perr sonal' (U), very nice at $9,800. Capitol (WB) (1,200; 15-30-40)— 'Exclusive' (MG) and 'Goes' (Par). Again ought to scale the $3,600. handicap. Last week house beat it by only $100 for 'Pagan- (MG) and 'Riff Raft" (MG). Little (Franklin) (299; 35-50)— Maternelle' (Metropolis). French film pulling them, tn here, and If it stands up should come near $1,500/ If so, it holds over. Higher scale helps If they come. Danger always is the small French population. Last week on five days (2d week) Corka Generale* (Leo), sad at .$400. . Loew's State (2,780; 25-30-55-66- 76)_'Whipsaw' (MG) and 'Ghosts' (MG). Not kayo, but okay at. $12,- 000. Last week (2d) for 'Marie' (MG) took almost $12,000 big. Proctor's (RKO) (2,300; 20-66) and Lyceum (Roof) (770, same scale)—'Shark Island' (20th) and 'My Marriage' (20th). Gra^nd at $18,000. House now using another amateur night and last week, had to repeat the show on the roof. Last week so good held to nine days for $21,000 for 'Mr. Hobo' (GB) and 'Prof. Soldier' (20th), Paramount-Newark (Adams-Par) (2,240; 25-75)—'This Night' (Par) and 'Preview Mystery' (Par). No- where except out after five days. Trying to beat the bell by bringing lh 'Annie' (Par) Wednesday. If five days, $4,500. Last week, second of •Pine' (Par), nice at $9,500. Terminal (Skouras) (1,600; 15-20- 25-30-35-40)—'Yellow Dust (RKO) and 'Another Face' (RKO). Will be good at $6,000. Last week $6,200 for 'Spy 77' (FD) and 'Bridge of Sighs' (FD). ^ 'Dream' Sets Hot Pace V In Hague, Amsterdam The Hague. March 1. With 'Midsummer Night's Dream,' (WB), now in its fifth week at the Studio Cinema here and In its fourth week at the Rialto, Amster- dam, an era of long-run films seems to have 1 arrived in The Hague. 'Ma- zurka,* (UFA) starring Pola Negrt, Is in its third week at the local Hague while another UFA pic, 'Schwarze Rosen,' ('Black Roses'), Baltimore, March 10, (Best Exploitation: Stanley) Warm enough to .discard the ; ear- muffs and long woolens this week, and the town has taken on a chir-. rupy aspect and experiences no, ter* ror.s in traipsing downtown to the loop - spots, Biz. brightened .'.all- around,' and. with a host of strong pix on flow, exhibs are beaming at the turnouts. The VaudfHm Century is away up there with '.Wife vs. Sec' Gable- Harlaw-Loy draw is. immense, and the prospects point toward a. socko $26,500. 'Pasteur' is doing fine, at the Stanley. Crix rolled in clover over it; likewise class customers. But the fans are coming, too,, and that's what boosts i,t up to swell $8,600 and makes house consider holdover. Trade today will determine the stickover decision. Keith's stout with •Desire,'. re- deeming Miss Dietrich. Notices helped plenty and building right through week. First seven days cinch for very good $6,000, and house plans to keep it chugging on day-to-day basis as far as it will roll to rewarding returns. Trumpeteer Tobias Joyce of the Stanley took up the ballyhoo ecalr pel, and, using 'Pasteur' as his sub-' ject, carved out a crashing cam- paign. Made cunning use of the many medics with which this town abounds, plus the famed hosps which dot the terrain hereabouts. Hearst press threw open its pages because of affinity of publisher with Cosmop releases, and a mpnth-long buildup in the rag aided with usual Estimates for This Week Century (Loew-UA) (3,000; 15- 25-30-36-4O-55-66)—'Wife. vs. Sec' (MG) and vaude headed by George Givot. Pic pulling 'em all alike, sookerlno $26,500. Last week 'Gar- den Murder' (MG) and Wayne King orch on stage shlnnied up over $19,- 000, but' heavy stage hut by band getting $8 500 net. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,300; 15-25-36-40-65-66) .— 'Follow Fleet' (RKO) and stage show (2d week)* Ebbing to Just good $12,000 this week; final one, with competition cutting much ground from under it. Last week, new high gross, $26,80,0, just $100 better than old mark pegged by 'Top Hat' (RKO). Keith's (Schanberger) (2,600; 15- 25-30-35-40)—'Desire' (Par). Diet- rich rehabilitating rep, and-gross goes to very good $6,000 for week, With few h.o. days likely. Last week in 11 days 'Klondike' (Par) wangled sock $12,200, with Miss West doing the wrestling. New (Mechanic) (1,800; 15-25-30- 35-40-55) — 'Country Dr.' (20th). Getting a grand $6,800 and will h.o. What is stunting it Is that eves are rather light in comparison with the pack-press of patrons in afternoons. Men are shunning it, and that leaves only the sentimental mamas and kids as customers; hence spotty night biz. Last week, second of 'Shark' (UOth) $3,000. Fortnight total, $8,200. slick. Stanley (WB) (3,200; 15-2(J-36-40- 55)—'Pasteur' (FN). Crix crowed, and town has taken up the cry and now crowds in; all of which sur- prised the mgt., which didn't look for masses; Excellent $8,500 and may hold another week. Last week, second of 'Forest' (WB), quiet $4,000. Fortnight total a very good ?13,G0O. Minneapolis, March 10. (Best Exploitation: Minnesota) Pair Of high-powered attractions are getting a sweet play and milk- ing the loop dry currently. The go- getters are. 'The Country Doctor,' Minnesota offering, and Ted Lewis and his band on the Orpheum atage. They seem to have the stuff that it takes to fill theatres. 'Doctor' started at an even faster clip than 'Mutiny' and looks like a natural. Matinee patronage has been, particularly heavy, with the women and kiddles turning out in droves, and evening trade so far. also has been far above par. 'Magnificent Obsession* goes into Its ninth week at the World where it continues to maintain a profit- able pace. And while on the subject of pulling there's 'Follow the Fleet,' chalking: up a healthy $10,000 for its second Orpheum week after garner- ing the magnificent sum of $16,500 its initial seven days. Incidentally .it out-grossed the second Week of 'Top Hat.' . , , The Minnesota copped exploitation honors with a bang-up . 'Country Doctor' campaign, including, a ser- ialization spread- over a week and pictures galore in the Star. Estimates for This Week Minnesota (Pubiix) (4,200; 25-35- 56)— 'Doctor" (20th). Putting this house back on the bo* office map. Holdout business over the weekend. Women and kiddies turning out en masse for matinees, but night biz not as good. Customer reaction highly favorable and trade for rest- of week should be helped by word- of-mouth boosting. May touch good $14,000. Last week 'Desire' (Par), $6,000, bad. Orpheum (Singer) (2,890; 35-40- 66)—'Love on Bet* (RKO) and Ted Lewis on stage. Dandy all-around show and public responding nobly. Lewis the magnet. Effectively ex- ploited, too. About *1MOO, great. Last week, second for 'Fleet' (RKO), $10,000, good after big $18,500 first State (Pubiix) (2,300; 25-35-40)— 'Happen' (Par). Opposition too tough.. Will be lucky to hit mild. * J AAA T malAr 'TJllO-lo Ann (Mill. $4,000. Last week 'Bugle Ann' (MG), $5,000, pretty fair for eight days. World (Steffes) (360; 26-35-40 ; 65> —'Obsession' £U) (9th; week). Re- markable run continues. Picture still keeping house on right side of ledger. Fine $2,000. LttBt week, * 2 T?mV* Berger) (290; 15-26)—'Dev- il's Island' (RKO). Best here In some time. Attractive front helps. Headed for good $1,200. Last week 'Hitch Hike Lady' (Rep), $700* dis- ^KriHpublix) (1,300; 2.0-25)- 'Bohemian Girl' (MG). Laurel and Hardy magnets and Picture well liked. En route to good. $2,000. Last week 'Woman Trap' (Par), $1,500, fair Uptown (Pubiix) (1,200; 25-35)^- 'Zero' (FN) and 'Goes' (Par), split. Fair $1*600. Last week 'Collegiate' (Par) and 'Zero' (FN), split, $1,500, fair ■ Century (Pubiix) (1,600* 16-25)— 'Two Cities' (MG). 'Second loop run. May top fine T3.000. Last week •Rebel' (Fox) and'Dangerous* (WB), second loop runs, split, $2,000, fair. Aster (Pubiix) (900; lf;25)— Wilderness' (MG) . and 'Melody Lingers' (UA), second loop runs, and 'Master's Voice' (Par), first run, split. Mild $600 in prospect. Last week 'Whipsaw' (MG) and 'Millions in Air' (Par), second loop runs, and •Whispering Smith' (Fox), first run, split, $800, pkeh. CHAPLIN $4,800 Opens Bier Tacoma-r-'Mari $3,500, Strong, on Holdover Gov, Eitchie Short Baltimore, March 10. Ernest Wood, Balto freelance cameraman, has exhumed from his files shots of the late Albert C. Ritchie, former governor of Mary land, to make a two-reel subject. Ritchie, who died two weeks ago, Tacoma, March 10. , (Best Exploitation: Roxy) Tacoma looks better. 'Rose Marie" had more on the ball than was ex- pected and management didn't have to take pic out after nine days, but held over for second week. Rox y gets spotlight again this week with 'Modern Times/ ^ . Best exploitation at Roxy for 'Times' with elaborate built-in front tops for this burg, animation show- ing Chaplin hopping about. Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrlck) (750; 16- 27)_'Harrigan* (WB) and 'FiT.xb- man LoVe' (WB), dual. At $1,300, good. Last week, 'Smith' (Fox) and 'Fang and Claw' (RKO), dual, $l,2u0, * 0 Mutic Box (Hamrlck) (1,400;; 27- 37—'Lady Consents' (RKO) and 'Ex- clusive' (MGM), dual. Okay $3,500. Last week, 'Prof Soldier (20th) and 'Pagans' (WB), dual, with personal by Lieut. Bert Hall, held five , days to get house back to reg change date; $3,300. good. Roxy (Hamrlck) (1,30*; 16-27-37) —'Times' (UA). Singleton opened was unquestionably the most popu- blff t0 $4,800, Last week 'Marie' lar and be9t known Marylandcr of (^0) (2d week), six days, $3,5C0, recent times. big.