Variety (Mar 1936)

VARIETY 9 Comedy Tops in West End; Chaplin 2dWk, Marx Bros, $35,000, All Sock Takes .London, March 15. Seems like a sudden onrush of comedy films in the West-En , with laughter scoring 1 all along the line. Three smash .comedy films in a roW is something that has not. hap- pened, in a -lone time. Looks like everyone, is comedy, bound, -with; laughs 'always assured of good pa- tronage. Laughtermakers are Chaplin at the Tlvoli; the Three Marx Brothers at Metro's Empire, an rold Lloyd at the Carlton. And they are •selling in the order named, Of the weepies, those the money are the Korda-Wells* 'Things to Come/ at the"Leicester Squ re, and 'Captain Blood,' at the New Gallery. Estimates (At $5 to the £) Carlton—'Milky Way/ (Par) (2d wk.). Opened fairly,; with most papers favorable, and is picking up. First week's take topped $l2,50o, ■which is good .for this 1,100 seater, even at $2.50 top, Now . getting plenty df word of mouth, with some audiences acclaiming it. as best Lloyd picture ever. Seems: easy for . a fllx. week stay. Apademy^'Hohe Schule/ (Aus- trian), (4th wk.). Never really got going, despite considered worth- while. Probably title, which Is too .Teutonic. Has averaged around $3,000, and bowing put to less, Being replaced by 'Crime, et Chaitment,' a -.French 'version of" Dostoievsky's 'Crime and Punishment,' Curzon—'Bonne Chance/ (French) (3d wlc). This arty seems, to be more fortunate in picking 'cm. Sacha Guitry comedy still in • the money at around $7,000 and easily good for another, two weeks. Empire—'Night at . the Opera,' (MG) (1st wk.). Sock getaway at $33,000, which means a must hold- over despite Metro's heavy schedule necessitating weekly changes. 'Ah, Wilderness' (MG) replacing. Le.icester Square—'Things to Come/ (Korda) (3d wk.). Creating a lot ,of interest Obviously not everybody's meat, and not a. wo- man's" picture: But despite that is in the . money. Opened to $29,000 with second week, nearer $20,500. Present stanza should see around $18,000, and expected to stay an- other five; Replacer not yet de- cided iipon. but may be 'Love in .Exile,' starring dive- Brook and Helen Vinson, if ready. London Pavilion—'When knights Were Bold' (Wolfe) (4th wk.). Not Jack Buchanan's best effort, hut star's reputation brought plenty first week, grossing around. $15,000. •Has dropped considerably below that and will finish fourth and final week to around $8,000. 'Strike Mo Pink,' (UA). replacing. Marble Arch—'Jack of All Trades/ (GB) (3d wk.). holding up fairly. First week was $8,000; sec- ond nearer $6,500. This week will do about $5,500, with house revert- ing to second West-End runs, after -two more weeks of this Jack IIul- fcert pic. New Gallery — 'Captain Blood.' (WB) (4th wk.). Came In quietly. 'but soon made its presence folt, and is in the hit class. Topped $15,000 on first week, with second slightly lower. Third stanza chalked up $12,000, which is verv good going for this house. Current week likely to touch $9,000, and bowing out to make room for 'Rhodes,' (GB). House, which assumed an all-Brit- ish film policy 18 months ago. is now playing what ever comes along. Paramount —'Queen of Hearts,' (ATP). This is Paramount'?? latest doluxoiv on. the fringe of the West- TCnd, but specializing in prereleases, llctiire is one of the best Graoio Fields locals. In for one. week, oh a weekly change policy, and will not around $12,500, splendid. Plaza—'Rose of Rancho.' (Par), t.ood for one week and onened to lair money, considering the star. v\ ill do in the neighborhood of $15.- ono with. 'Crime and Punishment.', Hoi) scheduled to replace. ,>„ Re . (, ?'~' S1,e Shall Have Music.' .'Twickenham). Called about the «'«'«t . musical made locally and Mnmng Jack Hylton. -who is a def- l\- ll 1 ' 3 "' Should register around &i.r.ooo, and seems assured «>r n s'i'.nv" - r-^ 01 '' , '*aff.nincent Obsc's- V ' < ). replacintr. vi« \ , ? Tod M*n Times' (UA) (Uh Husinoss oxoeptional'v good 'ANNIE' $9,000, MONTREAL 'O'Shaughnessy' and 'Air' Dup Set for Same Figure Montreal, March 2i (Best Exploitati : Capitol) With mid-Lent passed, downtown theatres here are showing little damage, except the French houses, which have- been hit as have the napes in French sections.' Quints did well over weekend last week but faded later with good mat and only fair nite biz. 'Klondike Annie' followed, at Palace and $9,000 as. probable. Capitol may hit on high currently on 'O'Shaughnessy's Boy- and. 'In. the Air,' Which are getting some good exploitation. Loew's reverts to double billing with 'Next Time We Love'.arid. 'Dancing Fleet/ which with a specially good stage show, ought to gross $11,000. Harry ishpp, of the Capitol, tied up with streamers in 1,000 stores on the Jello program and Jack Benny, with a';plug in Sunday program lo r cally, extra space oh advertising and special ads on radio pages. Estimates for This Week , Palace. (FP) (2,700; 50)—'Annie' (Par). May get $9,000 with this one, or more; according to how the luck breaks. Last week 'Doctor' (20th) faded late in week to $8,000. Capitol (FP) (2,700;: 50) — 'OlShaughnessy' (MG) and 'In the Air' (MG). Hopes, to reach $9,000, Last week 'First a Girl' (Brit) and •Another Face' (RKO), $7,500. Loew's (M.. t. Cb.) (3,200; 50)— 'Next Time'" (U) and 'Dancing Meet' (Emp), . with good stage show. Okay, $11,000. Last week 'Irish Eyes' (Rep) andstage show, $10,000. Princess (CT) (2,300; 50)—'Round' (Col) and 'Wolf (Col). Taking $7,000. Last week 'Pasteur' (WB) and 'Valentine' (Rep), $6,000. Cinema de Paris (France-Film) (500; 60)—'Amants et Voleurs' and 'Le Cheri de sa Concierge.' May get $900. Last week 'Varietes' and 'Saer© Le'once.' $800.- . ■St. Denis (France-Film) (2,300; 34)—'Le Bebe de l'Escadron' and 'Touche a Tout'. Hitting $4,500. Last week 'Homme de Trop Abord' and 'Retour au Paradis,' $4,000. Tasteur-Bernie At $32,000 Have Detroit to 'Selves wk.>. till,ft... I - l-|M llM|,Ui V fillDLl. nough somewhat spasmodic. Tca- 1 ."n 8 °J ,0t - bl,t With Six ShOWS ■ P S-Ah? hllv ' a11 is sti11 doing o; o,i Jo,0 .m' Bi ^ov trade is ex-' S'^l P Vl h . t,ie >°mi.T* Easter. Huuli th!l[ Jt will last Ms Jl " u ^ span of 20 weeks. Detroit, March 24. (Best Exploitation: Fox) Biz. not so forte here current stanza, due chiefly to a couple of holdovers and some n.s.g. product. Nice weather, too. Only house doing nicely this week is the Fox, which continues its fast pace with a nifty $32,000 on 'Louis Pasteur' and Ben Bernie on stage. Combination re- ceived the best all-around exploi- tation in several months here, and is repaying at the wickets. 'Klondike Annie.' which started off with a bang with Hearst's 'aid,' has settled back to normal at RKO Downtown, where pic was shunted by United Detroit Theatres, Par subsid. First five days of opening week drew heavy dough, but b.o; dropped off when natives discovered film is not all it was panned up to be. Figures for only $6,000. fair, currently following big $12,000 opening session. Plagued again by rather weak flicker product. 'Petticoat. Fever,' the Michigan remains down in the dumps this week with $19,000 due. George Givot heads vaiule, and is doing his share. 'Country Doctor,' moved to Adams from th** Fox after two good sessions, still proving popular and should bring in around $4,500. nice, this Week. 'Rose' Marie' fairly strong at the United Artists for second week, makes room Thursday (26) for 'Lonesome Pine.' Aided by expensive Hearst and WB advertising on 'Pasteur.' lire ■Fox did a dandy job. on exploiting j both the pic and Ben Bernie. Held , a special preview of flicker for dov- i tors, and another one for about l.OtiO i nuns, quite <t f«.-at during Lent. Had dairy tieups on milk: ad tieups with clothing, department and jewelry stores on Bernie. as well as. hav- ing latter appear on special Tied Cross flood relief benefit show over local station. estimates for Thi9 Week Fox trndle) (5,000; 30-10-C',1 — ■Pasteur" (WP.) and Ben Bernie on stage. Dandy campaign gives house only big biz in town current week. Both drawing for a swell $32,000, best in two .years. Oke $16,000 last week on second, session of "Doctor" (20th)., rather disappointing, though, in view'of first session of '$33,000. Michigan (United Artists) (.4,000;. 30-4.0-65)—'Petticoat' (Metro) and', George Givot on stage. Not so forte, and b. o, stays 'down to $19,000. 'Bugle Anne' (MG). laid clown on Major Bowes amateurs last ^vcek, and gross hit $26,300. Downtown (RKO) (2,500; 25-40- 55)—'Annie' (Par) (2d Aveek). Biz dropped sharply here,. .About $6,000 this session, mild compared to open- ing week's $12,000, big. Probably, will be jerked this week, United Artists (United Detroit) (2.000; 25-30-55) 'Marie' (MG) (2d week). McDonald-Eddy film stick- ing in good money, with about $8,000 due this week, following a heat $11,500 first session. 'Pine' (Par) moves in tomorrow (26). Adams (Balabari) (1,700; 25-40)^ 'Doctor' (3d week). Dionne film moved in here after two -nice ses- sions at the Fox, figures to do an- other good week, about $4,500. 'In- visible Ray' (U) and 'Gamble' (Col), dual, got nice $5,0~00 last week on strength of Karloff pic. State (United Detroit) (3,000; 25- 40)—'Tough Guy'' (MG) and 'Bo- hemian' (MG)i diiai. House keeps up steady pace, with good $4,300 this week. 'Monte Carlo' (WB) pius 'Lady in Scarlet' (Chesterfield) snagged $4,100 last-stanza. 'COLLEEN* SETS PR0V. PACE WITHIOG Providence, March 24. Rather confusing situation in these parts. While floods confined to small sections, mostly in northern Rhode Island, Providence exhibitors place their troubles onto the raging waters. Plenty of bill-switching, but situation seemed to ease over the week-end. Just three days after Strand opened with new dual bill, 'Preview Murder Mystery.' and 'Laughing Irish Eyes,* program was yanked Sunday and 'Womantrap* and 'Bar 20' substituted in an effort to get new momentum. While Strand was having its troubles, Loew's and Majestic gath- ered speed with duals, auguring swell grosses. 'Shark Island' and 'Bugle Ann' giving Loew's much better results than expected, while crowds are flocking to see 'Colleen' and 'Boulder Dam' at Majestic. Latter house will pro.bably-lead the field with dandy $10,000. Loew's seems set to beat that figure, but comparatively the Majestic's pace is the best. Albee switched programs twice in as many days, opening last Tuesdav afternoon with 'Follies Comique' on stage and 'Leathernecks' on screen for two days, corraling an unpre- cedented $3,500 for the short run. Thursday house back again on all picture standard, supplementing stage attraction with 'Love Before Breakfast' and retaining 'Leather- necks.' Publicity staffs coasting this week. Routine stuff around on 'Shark Island* and 'Love Before Breakfast,' but nothing off the beaten track. Estimates for This Week Loew's State (3,200; 15-25-40)— 'Shark Island* (20th) and 'Buglo Ann* (MO). Natives .and cricks alike raving plenty; buildup will likely put this one in. $12,000 class; good. Last week 'Wife vs. Secre- tary' (MG) hurt by torrential rains and flood conditions;, but wonder- ful business over week-end kept things, up to $16,000. Majestic (Fay) (2.200; 15-25-40) — 'Colleen' (WB) and 'Boulder Dam' (WE). Musical Is the one that is bringing them in this week, and house should do $10,000. very good. Last week 'Charlie Chan at Circus' (20-th-Fox) and 'Song and Dance Man* (20th-Fox) did poorly at $',- 500. Strand (2.200; ] 5-25-40)— 'Wonianuap' (Par) and 'Bar 20' (Par). New bill had advantaged of Sunday start, but finish is specula- tive. On a three day run, "Preview Murder Mystery' (Par) and 'Irish Eyes' (Rep) barely garnered poor $2,000. Last week 'Civ'e l's This Night" (I'ar) and 'Gamble' (Col) slipped and. wound-up with 3,500, so-so. Fay's (2.0QO: 15-25-10) - 'Man Hunt' (WB) and vaudeville, Picture drew unfavorable notices and pace is just about average, $6,00.). week 'Don't Get Personal" (.U)■ drew $6,000. RKO Albee. (2.5(10; iri-25-40)— 'Breakfast' (I.') and 'Lealherncd;.-' (Rep). Likely to catch nice fi.OOn. Last week 'Follies Comuiuc' on stage was top attraction I'm- two days with 'Leathernecks' and gut $3,500 in two days. Stage show due back ag.'iin next month 'f'>r v\c"k\s run. These Three Standout 'gish Bway; Mae West's 2d Week 32£, Ireakfasf 8 (Best Exploitation; ivoli)| Five new pictures came in -with the official arrival of spring. With- only tw more weeks of Lent to go, warmer weather is more than wel- come. What the managers would prefer along with it, however, are better attractions. Taking everything into consider- ation, current conditions haven't reached the headache stage exactly. 'These Three/ at the Rivoli, is the best of the five new entries of the week. It will get $32,000 or there- abouts on its first week. The Cap- itol is running behind this ..house ■with 'Petticoat Fever' unable to lure more than about $28,000. Mont-' gomery-Loy names are inveigling most of this rather disappointing amount. Remaining three new pic- tures are in the doldrums but a couple holdover attractions and good business at the State (2d run) are offsetting that. 'Preview Murder Mystery' takes the Rialtc- to its lowest gross sihCe opening Christhias day at about $6,500. House just gets by at this rather dangerous figure. 'Brides Are Like That* opened very weakly at the Strand and : won't get $10,000 on. the week, bad, while at the Cen-r ter 'Charlie Chan at the Circus' isn't any better at $9,000 on the week, ending last night (Tues«). Center's new picture is 'Everybody's Old Man.' With this one the house, started Tuesday night previews last night. 'Klondike Annie' and 'Love Before Breakfast,' both in their' second (final) weeks, are strong holdovers. The -Mae West starrer, aided im- portantly by the Fred Waring or- chestra, is $32,000 on its second week ending last night (Tues.). New at- traction'in on a preview last' night is 'Milky Way/ which has been postponed twice. Dick Himber band in with the Lloyd comedy. At the .Roxy 'Breakfast' scored stoutly on its first week at $39,600, and will wind up the second with $30,000 to its credit. On the holdover (2d) week of 'Country Doctor' the Music Hall will be fortunate to get $55,000, with Dionne picture falling off consider- ably after its strong start and a first week of $80,000. Astor is on a second week of 'Rhodes' (2d run) at a $4,000 pace. House has been taken by Loew's for eight weeks and options for opening of .'Great Ziegfeld' on a two-a-day basis at a $2 top April 8* just ahead of Easter Sunday. With 'Lonesome Pine' on its screen this.week the State is hold- ing its own remarkably well con- sidering .that 'Pine' is here after there weeks at the Par. About $25,000 indicated. Palace is playing 'Follow the Fleet' singly this week, looking a pretty good $9,000. House has been in duals for a long time. Rivoli and United Artists heavily advertised and exploited 'These Three,' doing a bigger job than on any of the. other four new pictures brought to town. Estimates for This Week Astor (1,012; 25-35-55)—'Rhodes' (GB) (2d run) (2d week). About S4.000, mild,, indicated. First week $6,200, okay. House brings in 'Boulder Dam' (WB) Friday night (27) oh a first run showing. Mean- time, it is being prepared by Metro for opening April 8 of 'Great Zieg- feld' (MG) on a two-a-day $2 top policy, Metro having house for ei ht weeks and options. Capitol (4 ; 620; 25-.°,5-55-S5-$1.25) —'Petticoat Fever' (MG) (1st week). Montgomery-Loy names saving this ohe from dipping lower than $28,000, disappointing, but stays a second. Last week 'Robin Hood" (MG) only $115,000, poor. House has been "try- ing to get outside pictures. Center (3,525; 25>35-55-{:5-$1.10) — Than at Circus' (20th). Week's take of .?9,000 ending last night (Tue.\) makes this one another disappointer. 'Song and Dance Man' (20th) last week only around $7,000. Starting last night (Tues.) house with 'Ev-. orybody's Old Man' : (20th) begin; previewing its new attractions Palace (1,700: •^.-35-55)— 'Follow at -$80,000 but hardly merited hold- over at pace current '(2d) wc-k of $55,000 tops. Rialto (750: 25-40-65)—'Preview Mystery' (Par). Poorest here since house opened Xmas day, probably hot over $6,500, but at low nut here gets bj'. Last week's 'Tough Guv' (MG) did nicely,. $8,600. ' ill. Bil- lies' (RKO) opens Friday night (27). Rivoli (2,092; 40-75-99)—'These Three' (UA) (1st week). Best the street offers, about $32,000 first week and holds. Six days on final (6th) week of 'Modern Times' (UA) re- ported at $15,000.. Roxy (5.S36; 25-35-55)—'Love Be- fore Breakfast' (U) (2d week) and stage show. Mighty business-get- ter, $30,000, big, on its second week. First seven days rolled up smash total of $39,600.: Pinky Tomlin, stage feature, here four weeks, goes out Thursday, night (26) but may be brought back later. House would hold 'Breakfast' third week but for booking commitments, 'DahCing Fleet' (Rep) being next. . Strand (2,767; 35-55-6.5-85)— 'Brides Are Dike That' (WB). One of weakest draws the Strand ever had, under $10,000. Last week, sec-- ond for 'Colleen* (WB), $16,400. State (3,460; 35-56-75)—^'Pine* (Par) a.nd vaude. A steady gross- getter, this house again is going to do very well, around $25,000. -Ghost. Goes West* (UA) and, on stage, Ar- thur (Street Singer) Tracy and Herman Tlmberg, under $20,000. Fleet* (RKO), Singles with A.stai.'e- Kogcr.x picture at hand: coasting, toward about $9,0C0; pretty good. This has been above the average with duals. Last week 'PetrHied I Forest' (VVU) and 'JOvcry Su(unla> , Night" (20th), f.lualcd. under $t).0oi). I Paramount (3.6GI: 2.',-35-,-;5) — |-Klondike' (Par) (2d week) and J '•'red Wining orchestra in pit. On I ! ..-ocond lap of seven day* en.iitr; i jl.'Kt night (Tues.) 32.000. str ;';•.,: J I I.in in', held, a third v.c' 1 '. du.- to' j increas-ed nut. First week wes S4S,- : (inn. -Milky Way' ri'HV) and Hid'.-. ,-fd Ilimli'-r oivh'-slia in 1-ij-t iuyh; j iTue'v) on cu.Sioin'ii'y »irev i'-w. i Radio City Music Hall ,'",:iri: 40- ! I tin-*:, -!i:i-?,!,io-v.i.05) 'Goutiu-v lii.r- ; C'Olh) CM week) :iii.l .rui' ! ) ,-,:iow. IJnjojcd a. gond fn. l v, Cl-U 1 FRISCO GATE TO $22,000 San Francisco, March 24. (Best Exploitation: Iden Gate) Topping the town . by almost double the business of Its nearest competitor, the Golden Gate, with Burns and Allen and their stage unit and a third irate feat re, 'Leathernecks Havo Landed/ had things pretty much its own way from opening day. •Country Doctor* still holds town's attention in third week on the street, especially the feminine fans. Chaplin's 'Modern Times' still sat-.' isfying the management, in its third week, but rest of town in the dumps, with mediocre product. Estimates; for This Week Clay (Roesner) (400; 35)—'Petefs- son Sverlge' (Marmstedt). Slightly less than usual Eui'opeah product, $1,000. Last week 'Royal Waltz' (Vienna) $1,100. Embassy (Cohen) (1,512; 25-36)— 'Follow Fleet' (RKO). Moved in from its three-week stay at Gate and trade up to near double house average with nice gross cf $3,000. Last week 'Irish Eyes' (Rep) and 'Lawless 90's* (Rep), only $1,900. Fox (Golaenoerg) (5,000; 25-:0)— r 'Song and Dance Man' (20th) and 'Lady in Scarlet' (Chos). Weaker than general fare here and letdown to $5,800. Last week 'Three God- fathers' (MG) and "Man of Iron' (WE) little bettor at $0,200. Golden Gate (RKO) (2,fi50; 35-40- 55)—'Leathernecks' (Rep) and Burns and Allen p. a. with stage unit. Feature buried under heavy blast in ads for Burns and Allen; capacity almost all' week, socko $22,000. not a record but plenty good, the 10c. .price boost allowing- the house, heavy sugar. Very welcome after last week's 'Follow Fleet' (RKO) dropping buslno:'::-! to $10,800. Orpheum (F&M) (2/.40;- 30^35-40) 'Don't Gamble. Love' (Col) and 'O'Mallcy of Mounted' (20tlj). Lower than usual figure here, only $6,700, Last week 'Love Before Breakfast' (U) did better single with $7,000. •Paramount (KWC) (2.7:9; 30-35-- 40)—'Shark Island' (2Cth) and •Snowed Under* (VVB). Letdown at this house alitor several weeks of record business, but profit at $12,800. Last week wood for second week of 'Wife vs. Secretary' (MG) and 'Pre- view My.'-'a-ry' (Par;, $13,000, St. Francis (FWC) (1,470; 30-35- 40J - 'Country Doctor' (20tli) and 'Bugle Ann' (,M(ij (3d week). Still holding up. Sil.OOU, not far from last week's Jfi'j.tii'iu. United Artists (FA) (1.270; 25-35- 40-55')—-Modern Times' fl.'A) (3d week).. Sailing* along nicely, satis- iactory $7,500. Last week (2 ; g.ir- nered $S,Sd0. V/arfiol (FWC) (2,080: 35-40-55) --'(..'oilr-en' (U'B; ahd-'T.oo Many Parents' (Par). Not so hot at $13,- fi'Oo. Last week 'Lonesome, Pine' (Pai; and 'F-Mau' (I'iir), $17,400.