Variety (Mar 1936)

s VARIETY PICT E C SSES Wednesday, March 25, 19.16 Tine Sugars Trail to L. A. Par, $21,500; 'Three' Strong $20,000, H,0.; life-Sec Duals to $24,500 Los Angeles, March 24. (Best Exploitation: Pantages-RKO) Paramount is hitting over the $21,000 mark this week with Xone- some Pine' and varied stage show, including badminton contest, to lead the town in take. Picture got off to heavy start, getting consistent matinee play and geared to hover in the house for two week stretch. 'Wife vs. Secretary* not playing to smash business figured for what: was considered a 'Gable-Harlow- Loy*. natural. Trade at the Chi- nese and State pretty good and above average take, but short of what the management calculated it •would be. 'These Three,' with every con- ceivable type of exploitation back of It, is going/to very big returns at the Pantages in the Hollywood sector, while trade is very good at the downtown RKO house. Picture figures to hold for second stanza, in both. Though Warners went after the sensational type of display adver- tising for 'Road Gang* at the Down- town and. Hollywood, the ticket buyers are hot biting as calculated and the houses just hitting a so-so stride with the picture. 'Fang and Claw? in for. two -weeks at Filmarte just another pic and garnering very little- coin.. 'Country Doctor* in moveover from State to United Ar- tists bolstering up take .consider- ably above what: house has been getting previous weeks with double bill policy. With a United. Artists home office expjoiteer on hand and Sam Gold- wyn ; reported to have gfone for $3,000 on sales campaign, . 'These Three* at Pantages and RKO is out- standee on the exploitation phase current week.' Unusual stress was given, co- operative layout ads in local dailies with merchants helping In this di- rection. L. A. Times had three pages of this type in one edition Including extra editorial matter- on pic. Went for extra heavy display In Examiner using 70 inch ad and in other papers 60. inches.same day. Also used 24 sheet boards, window cards and tieups,- besides spending bunch of coin on radio announce- ments and plugs. Estimates for This Week Chinese (Grauman> (2,028; 30-40- 65)—.'Wife vs. Sec' (MG). Started and keeping going at fair pace and should hit around the $10,500 mark. Last week 'Country Doctor' (20th- Fox), second week. Just as cal- culated came couple dollars short of the $7,000 counted on for the six day holdover. Downtown (WB) (1,800; 30-35- 40)—'Road Gang* (WB). Strictly so-so attraction and will milk around $5,600. which is figured as fair but not exciting. Last week •Colleen* (WB). For the nine day run did plenty eke in hitting an even $9,200. Fifmarte (Fox) (900; 40-65)— •Fang and Claw* (RKO). Nothing to write home about. Started with plenty ballyhoo but it's going to be rugged climb to hit an even $2,200. Last week 'Third Floor Back* (G-B)..Set house plenty back and in 'red' by limping through to a $1,300' finale. Four Star (Fax) (900; 30-35)— 'Bugle Ann' (MG) (3d week). Rather too long a stretch' for this one but being held five days so sell* ing camp can be started on 'Rhodes' opening (25). For five days 'Bugle' will be lucky to hit an even but bad $11,000. Last week, second stanza for it was most disappointing with take short of $1,760. Hollywood (WB) (2,756; 30-35- 40-55)—'Road Gang' (WB). Pre- views helping to bolster this one. Start very mild and will come somewhere within the $6,000 range. Last week 'Colleen* (WB). For the nine dayB here did oke but little short expectations, getting a fairly good $8,600. Orpheum (Bdwy.) (2.270; 25-35- 40)—'Silly Billies' (RKO) and 'F Man* (Par) split and vaudeville. With stage show helping, current stanza will hit to a fair $4,300. Last week 'Yellow Dust' (RKO) and 'Wo- man Trap* (Par) and stage show. Management had plenty of nose bleeds with this duo which wound up bit short of $1,900. Pantages (Pan) (2.700; 25-35-40-. 55)—'These Three* (UA). They are going for this one like hot cnke.s at both mat and nite shows. In line for a very good $11,500 and set for holdover. Last week 'Fleet' (RKO">. Third and final week, cam? through on final stanza to n more than sat- isfactory $5,500. Paramount (Partmar) (3 595: 30- 40-65)—'Pine* (Par) and stair* show. Women folks troihc: for it strong with the badminton feature getting younger element, too. That means house is a cinch for a hit $21,500 on first week. Last week 'Desire' (Par) and stage show. Was just a good but not overhealthy week for Dietrich at $16,700. RKO (2,950; 30-40-55) — 'These Three' (UA), Though riot getting that night play which Pan house is getting in Holly wood should hit a very good $8,500. on first stanza. Last week, 'Fleet' (RKO). For third and final week came through, in ship shape to the anticipated $6,000 for the bow out stanza. State (Loew-Fox) (2,024; 30-40- 55)—'Wife vs. Sec' (MG). 'Off at much faster clip than it's doing at the Chinese, and though short of anticipations is set to do a good $14,000, Last week 'Doctor' (20th- Fox). Second and final week of six days ran beyond expectations closing 'the abbreviated week with little short of $10,000. United Artists (Fox.UA) (2,100; 30-40-55)—'Doctor' (20th Century- Fox). This one stimulated: trade plenty here and will be considered money maker for house.with around $4,500. Last week '.Godfathers' (MG) and 'Song and Dance' (20th-Fox).. In the weakling class,' getting just bit over $2,100 which Is plenty red for the house. Nat'l First Runs PARAMOUNT 'F Man/ RKO Downtown, Del., March 27; Orph, St. L., Apr. 24. '13 Hours by Air,' Newman, K. C;, Apr. 3; Orph, St. L., 3; Denham, Denv., 11. 'Florida Special,' Rlalto, L., Apr. 24. ' ive Us This Night/ State, Mpis., Apr. 3; Denham, Denv., 4; NA.Det, 16, 'Till We eet Agai St. L., Apr, 17., COLUMBIA 'Yog May Be Next/ Orph, Bost., March 27; Loew, Syr - cuse, 27. 'Don't Gamble With Love/ Loew, Roch, March 27, ' 'Hell Ship Moraah/ io, Al- bany, March 27; Mayfair, Ptld, Ore., 28; Tower, K. C„ April. 3. Eastern Time Means Later B O. in Loop; 'Annie-Garber $30,000, Chi 'Three $20* Pasteur/ H.O., 'Brides in Wash. asm Cobb i9G Washington, March 24. (Best Exploitation: Earle) Flood didn't do any physical dam- age to theatres, but it proved a stiff slap,at the b. o. Waterfront bridges and shores were lined with gaping thousands and traffic jams kept'them froih dropping into the- atres . afterwards. By time waters lost their interest, balmy weather set in and weekend had 'em scur- rying out into country. Result is that mats are way off ail over tpwn, but nights are. pick- ing up. Proportionate top this week is Earle with 'Brides Are Like That,* which had its world premiere here, with a Major Bowes unit on stage. 'Modern Times,' which bowed in at the Palace Saturday (21) drew mixed reviews and is headed for above house average, though noth- ing sensational. Earle rates exploitation honors for campaign gags on BOwes ama- teurs, including posing various simon pures with senators from home states and annuoncements in schools that kids could go to thea- tre and see result of 'self-confidence and hard work.' Estimates for This Week Fox (Loew) (25-35-60)—'Old Man' (Fox) • and vaude. Pic nicely re- ceived, but Irvln -S. Cobb not yet a pic draw and suggestions that he is attempting to follow in Will Rog-. ers footsteps seem to be hurting. Buddy Rogers heads nice stage bill, but won't pull week, above fair 000, Last week 'Bugle Ann' (MG) and Jack Benny unit hit above good $23,000. Earle . (WB) (2,424: 25-35-40-60- 70)—'Brides' (FN) and vaude. Word of mouth on pic and bally on Bowes amateurs' on stage sending house toward good $18,000. Last week 'De- sire' (Par) and June Knight personal took good $18,000. Palace (LoOw) 2,363; 25-35-60)— 'Times' (UA). Critics pro and con but Chaplin still draw. Looks like big but riot sensational $22,000. Last week 'Wife. vs. Sec* (MG) (2d week), oke $11,000. Keith's (RKO) (1,830; 25-35-60) — 'Fleet' (RKO) (3d week). Sailing toward $12,000. Met (WB) (25-40)—'Forest* (WB) (2d run)* After big week at Earle. headed for nice $7,600 here FAUNTIE FAIR $11,000 IN K. C. Kansas City, March 24. (Best Exploitation; Uptown) Loew's Midland's 'Little Lord Fauntleroy' grabbed reviews that gave it a swell sendoff, but business is just fair. At the Mainstreet 'Pas- teur' is drawing the medical- and 'high brow' trade, while the New- man, after two profitable weeks with 'Lonesome Pine' starts the. 26th with 'Colleen.' Tower, In connection with Its stage show, has 'Bugle Ann.' The. hounds featured in this pioture are from the kennels of Sheriff Torn Bash of this county.. On account Of this the picture has been given col- umns of advance publicity in spe- cial storiesr and the local angle will bring cash into the coffers. For 'County . Doctor* Manager Stanley Chambers of the Uptown opened up his bag of tricks and gave it the works. Started itwo. weeks.ago with 24-sheet stands, se- cured a lot of advance stories In the papers with art; used special heralds; number/ of n ice window displays from stores handling baby supplies; broke a policy of long standing by going into the Journal- Post with a half-page display arid a quarter page co-operative ad fur- nished by a local merchant. This attracted a lot of attention as the house has been an exclusive Star, advertiser. Estimates for This Week Mainstreet (RKO) (3,200; 25-40) —'Pasteur' (WB), Special invita- tions to the dental fraternity and cards on irillk bottles gave the pic- ture extra notice. Opening fair with prospects of around $7,000, light. Last week 'Bet' (RKO) and Carroll's 'Vanities,' $16,000, big. Midland (Loew) (4,000; 25-40)— 'Fauntleroy'. (UA). Opening fair, and picture looks close to $11,000. Last week 'Shark Island' (20th) $9,- 000. not so good. Newman' (Par) (1,900; 25-40)— 'Pine' (Par) (2d week). Held up nicely for $12,000 on nine days, 'Colleen' (WB) opens the 26th. Tower (Rewot) (2,200; 25-36)— "Bugle Ami' (MG).. Got away to swell start and likely to hit around $8,500, good. Last week 'Monte Carlo' (WB) sagged toward the last and finished with $6,000, fair. Uptown' (Fox) (2,040; 25-40)— 'Doctor' (20th), with the 40c price for the downstairs seats at. night, it looks like the picture Was set for several weeks. Saturday opening all the house could hold and a rec- ord for the prices' may be hung up. 1 Looks like close to $7,000, great. Last week 'Mercy' (20th) $3,700 ort nine days. 'Rose Marie' $4,000, Has Stuart, Lincoln, in Black Lincoln .March 24. (Best Exploitation: Stuart) 'Rose Marie' is being honored with milling patrons about the b. o. this week, with prospects of bettering $4,000 by quite a margin. This is the third straight week of in-the money operation for the house and ....... --i^s-™ jj 5as& !s»S»2 recent zero weather. Orpheum is getting a fine run with two stage, shows,-'Rainbow Revue' week'Walking Dead'.(WB) took^g i u^fo^wf 9 iKft? o^eftne $4,000 mark, too. Other than that $6,500 Columbia (Loew) (1.853 25-40)— 'Goes' (Par) (2d run). After big week at Fox looking at good $5,500. Last wef>k repeat of 'Shark Island' (Fox), oke $4,500. Belascp (Radin) (1,100; 25-35-50- 60)—'Dancing Feet* (Rep.). Yanked yesterday (23) after three days with floppo $800. Last week revival of 'Arrow-smith* (MG) took good $5,000- for 10 days. things are pretty quiet Biggest news this week is the an- nouncement that Joe Cooper will drop the Colonial, action house, from his LTC and cut down to five houses. The Colonial will probably go to the Westland Theatres Corp. Music tieups on 'Rose Marie' were about the Only exploiting of note. Estimates for This Week Colonial (LTC) (550; 10-15)—'Ne- vada' (Par), with 'Red Wagon' (Al- liance) and 'Leavenworth Case' (In- die), dual. Good for whole stretch at $950. Last week 'Oregon Trail' (Rep) and 'Conquer the Sea' (FDr, split, very nice at $960. Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-20-25)— 'Forest' (WB). Will likely gather about $2,600, not so bad. Last week 'Lady Consents' (RKO) got around $2 200 Orpheum (LTC) (1,360; 10^15-20- 25-36-40)—'Monte Carlo" (WB), with three days of 'Rainbow Revue' on stage; replaced afterward with two days of 'Preview Murder' (Par) and Benny : Meroff, then three" days of 'So Red the Rose* (Par)., which Is heading the week for $4 r 100, nice. Last week 'Marriage' (20th) with vaude bill headlining Jack- Pepper for three days, followed by dual '.Melody Lingers' (Rel) and 'Church- mouse* (FN). Whole stretch cor- nered $2,700, not bad at all. . Stuart (LTC) (1,900; 10-25-40)— 'Marie' (MG). Third straight win- ner in a row for the house and the b. o. will bulge with a $4,300, at least. Last week 'Doctor' (20th) stepped out early and on the mats all week for a good $3,900. Last three nights were slim, which dug into what otherwise had earmarks of strong run. Varsity (Westland) (1,100; 10-20- 25)—'Society Fever* (Invinc) and 'My Song' (Col), dual. Fair at $900, Last week 'Morgan' (Col) down In the general hades direction at a sad $700. Fauntleroy' 5G, Topping Denver Denver, March 24. (Best Exploitation; Aladdin) 'Fauntleroy Is doubling the aver- age at Aladdin and being held for second week 'Colleen' is good enough at Denver to be moved to Broadway for second week, while 'Wife vs. Secretary' is being held second, week, at Orpheum. Major Bowes' ama- teurs helping 'Preview Murder Mys- tery' to big gross at Denham. All these houses enjoyed repeated and sometimes continuous stand- outs, but worst snowstorm of win- ter hit Sunday night .and hurt grosses; 'Hitchhike Lady,' backed by stage show, doing good business at"Center, and 'Country Doctor' de- livering fine gross at Broadway. National basketball tournament drew thousands every night, but did not seem to. hurt picture grosses. Huffman broadcast an interview with- Dolores Costello Barrymore over phone hookup to eight theatres at once, and surprise interview was well received. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Huffman) (1,500; 25-40- 50)—'Little Lord Fauntleroy' (UA). Heading for big $5,000. Will hold for second, week. Last week 'It Had to Happen' (20th-Fox) got above average $3,000. Broadway (Huffman) (1,500; 25- 40)—'Country Doctor' (20th-Fox). Following a week at the Denver and four days at the Paramount, quints are drawing nice $2,500. Last week 'Music Goes Round* (Col), following four days , at the Denver where it was pulled, and 'Man Hunt' (WB) and 'Man of Iron* (FN), double bill, split, .finished with below average $1,200. Center (Allan) (1.500; 20-25-35)— Hitch-Hike Lady' (Rep) arid stage show, So-so at $3,000. L&st week 'Laughing Irish Eyes' (Rep) ditto. Denham (Cooper) (1,500; 26-35- 50)—'Preview Murder Mystery' (Par) and Major Bowes Amateurs on stage. Heading for strong $9,000. Last week 'Trail. of the Lonesome Pine' (Par), on its second week, did $7,600, Very good. Denver (Huffman) (2,500; 25-35- 50)—'Colleen' (WB) and stage band. Combo_ show drawing $9,500.' good. Last week .'Prisoner of Shark Island' <20th-Fox) finished with $7,000, fair. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 26-35-40) —'Wife vs. Secretary* (MG). Gross- ing neat $9,000. Holding over. Last week 'Follow the Fleet' (RKO), in second week, got $5,500. about half the initial stanza figure, but still good. Paramount (Huffman) (2,000; 25- 40)—'Next Time We Love' (U) and 'Dangerous Waters* (U). Combo is heading for fair $3,600. Last week 'Bohemian Girl* (MG), following a week at the Aladdin, and 'Country Doctor' (20th-Fox), following a week- at the Denver, split, grabbed okay $4,000. , - " * Chicago, March 24. (Best Exploitation: State-Lake.UA) After three weeks of a new East- ern Standard time system, Chicago has noticed a tendency toward a later box pffiQe play throughout the day. Business starts later, but lasts longer. The early morning u ne8 have become thin and the matinees have fallen off about 20%, especial- ly on feriime trade* but the night-: parade of customers lasts until 10:30 and 11 p.'in. instead .of stop- ping cold at 9:45 or 10 p. m. as be. fore. Night play is noticeable currently for such . pictures as- 'Klondike. Annie,' 'These Three,' 'Louis Pas- teur' and even 'Follow the Fleet* 'Annie' started weakly on Friday matinee at the Chicago, but canw back sharply .that night; Picture picked up stearin right through the week-end and will easily lead the pack on gross by the close of . the session. .Despite and perhaps be- cause of the Hearst ban the picture is building on talk and comment. Presence of Jan Garbor. orchestra also counts. Garber has long been a. band name in this town through his Work at the southslde Trianon and his WGN broadcasts. 'Pasteur' has come through a.real winner.. Clicked a mighty gross last week for the tiny Apollo and Is continuing at the same pace for an- other session, which will, make it the first picture to go on an honest fortnight in this house in quite some. time. . Balaban & Katz sent 'Modem Times' into the Garrick for another two weeks after four weekg at the. United Artists to fulfill its agree- ment on the flicker. Goes into the. Garrick considerably in the red as far as the B. & K, rental guaran- tee is concerned, but B. & K, is figuring on the low nut Garrick to pull the chestnuts out of the fire. Replacing 'Times' at the United Artists is 'These Three,' which showed building .strength on rave reports' and-strong Avord-of-mouth. 'Children's Hour* angle powerful locally, due to legit jam of drama with City Hall. Fritz Block", is pounding out a smart round of publicity stunts for the State-Lake on the Brltton com- edy band, while Ed Levin used the key club and newspaper tie-ups on 'These Three.' Estimates for This Week Apollo (B&K) (1.200; 35-45-55- 75)—'Pasteur* (WB) (2d week). Will make it a: smashing .fortnight on current $6,500. Touched off. bang-up $10,800 last week. 'This Night* (Par) to replace Saturday (28). Chicago (B&K) (4,000; 35-65-75) —'Annie' (Par), and Jan Garber or- chestra. Got away meekly Friday matinee, but perked immediately at night and week-end -with gross run- ning better than $30,000, good. Last' week 'Forest' (WB) managed neat $36,000. Garrick (B&K) (900; 36-55-75)— •'Times* (UA) (2d run). Fifth week in Loop for Chaplin flicker. Heading for $7,000 easily current session. Will stick ,tWo weeks here to round out rental contract. B. & K. ex- pects to recoup most of its United Artists run losses at this house. Last week 'Milky Way* (Par) came through to good $6,400. Oriental (B&K) (3,200; 25-35-40) —'Woman Trap' (Par) and 'Going Hollywood* unit. About the only attraction in entire line-up is Benny Rubin on the stage. Getting $13,000, fair. Last week $14,200 for 'Ghosts' (MG). Palace (RKO) (2,500; 35-55-65)— 'Fleet* (RKO) (3d week). Will stay a fourth. While grpss is under ex- pectations, house is on profit side due to lessened nut without vaude. Touched good $18,800 last week, and will stick to $14,000 currently. Either ' 'Sutter's Gold' (U) or 'Breakfast' (U) will follow incum- bent picture. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 25-36- 65)—'Pine* (Par) (3d and final week). Color, film has held up strong in three powerful sessions. Goes out tomorrow (Wednesday) ' n favor of 'ROse-Marie' (MG), which, has been howling for a release for the past four weeks. Around $7>- 000 for final seven days after splen- did $11,700 last week. . State-Lake (Jones) (2,700; 25-3o- 40)—'Cook* (Col) and vaude. Frank and Milt Brltton band headlining- House has boosted steady patron- age and is now running around the $13,000 mark weekly .without any difficulty. Maybe do close to $14,000 currently, big. Last rveek "Lone .Wolf* (Col) melodious at $12,800. United Artists (B&K-UA) (1.700.- 35-45-65)—'These Three' <t TA) ; Opened Saturday (21) with (he best of reviews and word-of-mouth. Close to $20,000 for initial stanza. La^ week 'Times' (UA) finished fourto round to good $9,100.