Variety (Jun 1936)

8 VARIETY PI C T « B E C R O S S E S Wednesday, June 3, 1936 Hdiliy Ihde 14 Out tr'BiiIIefs'Hinns2i(iTi ^afiiyoo,3(rwk-i)^ e: Los Angeles, June 2. (Best Exploitation: Downtown- Hollywood) Memorial Day festivities saved the local houses from a torturous week. - With the outdoor fever on and the general run of l)remlere offerings none to forte-In drawing calibre, It's Just one of those drawn- ' out situations a.s to just how much : .will be done,- with little optimism shown on the part of most of the local operators. . ; - Biggest bang in biz direction oil the week is at Warners' Downtown and Hollywood with 'Bullets or Bal^. lots.' Tied'in with Hearst papers - and going after tra.de. with heavy . barrage of .'get them in' ideas, these two houses are set for a corking week with the Bddie Robinson opus. 'Ziegfeld' Is outstanding factor'as' . far as length of run attractions is concerned in'town and for seventh w.e^k will exceed the take of the previous one, ^Gives signs of going tilong another three stanzas,. a:t ^ least. 'Show Boat' in third and final I etaiiza at Pantages and RKO will ; also have sizable week for bow:^ OTit., , . 'Mpon's Our Home* at Paramount 'Jias. little' to lend t«xward substan< tlal. gross and with Margaret Siilla- van meaning little'in,draw ipower; ...it's just the holidays that will bring : bousb over' .the^'ved line for; th^ ;week, .■ ' ..... • •' .Chinese and State with the dual, combine of'Trouble for Two' arid ajittie Kflss Nobody' just Joggingf alonr at mild pace. 'Qne Bainy Afternoon' in second week .at Four Star doing unusually well after big initial week. 'Under Two Flags' moved over after two weeks, at State to United Artists and Will keep that house out of the *red' column with a pleasing take. •iDdwntown and Hollywood are top mounters on exploitation for the week. A four-page tab was spread all over town! with, streamer cap- tions from pic -.and Illustrations _which got big. circulation. Hearst papers played pic up In heavy newS' i.form arid local' peace officials did" •'.the usual, endorsements,' etc. Ad lineage in dailies was.Increased over , Tegular allotment besides heavy, ra- ..'dio plugs being'utilized, all of which helped plenty to sell, picture. Estimates for This Week , Cartfiay Circle (iFox) (1.518,; 55- •83-l.id-a.65) 'Ziegfeld' (MG) .(7th "week). • Still moving along at healthy " pace'and aided by holiday trade cur- tent stanza above plrevious -week in ■ getting $12,800. Last week, sixth, hit just arbutid $12,700; ,big. .. ' Qhineae (Grauman) (?.028^ 30-40- B5)—-'Trouble for Two' (MG). and' ' 'Little MIse • Nobody* " (20tH),. split. "With no .nainesvto^ ,dta.w: this x;'om=: bine just coaatlQg along/and will' get around-'$7,000-which is Just, sip- ■ BO for six daiyiSs-'Last • week*'Two . Flags' "(20th>', ' second; .a<ld .. final. ! came' throuc^jb blt beipw <xpectati6rfs: ■ biit plenty Oke fbr-holduver'M $7|300,;. Downtown. (WB) '(1,800; . 25,-45- .40)—'Bullets of BJillbts' (FN). Nat-; ural'for this house and dbiri^lex-: :cellently. . Is sure bf .$11,000 for, the stanza. Hold?' 'oven' .liast weeki- •Sons .0'. Guns.' .(WB),..did riot, stand: ~ '"up' to the guhs as well as expected, ■ .bud gota neat $fr,800. ' ' r Film^^'rto (Fox) .(90Q; •40-55)^'Lac ..;iux Dames'"■ .(Franco-^ American).' , With no new product available !this ■.'one brought b&6k, house flgurtng ; that holiday . trade will be helpful, ipnough to be',a Tal^ $i,600;. .f ast, week, 'Things'to-Come' (UA) !and> .'Speed'. ,(MG)i Though' falling short . of anticipatiohs the ;$1,800 draw was vety good. " ' Foul* Star (Fox) (900:. 30-55)-r' ■Rainy Aftetnoon', (UA). (2d week). ; Still holding intei-est which will bring a very, good $4,500 for the . week. Last -vVeek, first. Started off "at very fast pace "but slowed to- wiard end, still getting a very big $5,400 which is bit. belQw estimate. Hollywood (WB) 12.756; 25r35- 40-55)—'Bullets or Ballots' (FN). Advance selling had its effects so that start Wa.^i very good and. pic in for big $10,000 on week and holds. Last week, 'Sons o' Guns'.(WB), Joe .B. Brown,. proved that Hollywood doesn't forget him with good $6,100 take. Pantages (Pan) (2,700; 25-35-40- 55)—'Show Boat' (U) (3d week). .Current, which is final stanza, hav- \ns hoMday help and proving vf>ry profitable as take is 'a cinch $5^500. Last week, second, came tlirou.<rh as - expected - with a healthy J7,.<100. Paramount (Partmar) (3.595; 30- 40-65)—'Moon's Home' (Par) and stage show. Hard sledding to .'hit a poor $H,5D0. Last week. 'Thev ■Were Marbled'. (Col) and 'Devil's Squadron' (Col). A six-day com- bine-which did very poorly In draw- ■ing. an .$11,600 which was couple G'n, loss-for house. • • ^IKO '/2vS6a; 2B-flS-40-CS5i-/filV<>w. JBioat' . (U.) . (5d week).' Blawoff litanza/very:'. good Apd: will touch *Catch the Skunk' Rochester, N. T„ June 2. Tossing of stench bomb in Lyric theatre led H. "William Thompson, operator, to bally incident as start of new money game 'Catch the Skunk.' Neigh- borhood plastered with large yellow heralds offering $100 re- ward for information leading to arrest and conviction of cul- prits. Paper says '1,000 detectives wanted. Join the hunt. $100 re- ward; A . harmless liquid giv- ing an unplea^lant odor has been "spilled, .in the Lyric thea- tre. Catch the Skunk. Report to an usher any .suspicious ac- tions. Watch especially' for a .bottle ,that, might be kicked oyer or for anyone making a thrqwirig motion. Get in the race. Anyone eligible,. from 6 t6-60, Thompson runs his,own pro- jection machine following saU fery clash with the Operator's .Union : in mid-January. He recently obtained an injunction limiting unldii to. one picket. Stench bomb-was-thrown In an'open side door of the thea- tre &nd some of the liquid is . said to have spilled on specta- tors. . Hiese Three' With Ams $13,000, Omaha; Race Track Coinpedsh Omaha, June 2. ([Best Exploitation: Orpheunn) Attention considerably. diverted from theatres by the Ak-Sar-Ben 33-day, racing, season which broke in on opening, day of the picture week (Thursday). Flgur'ed to cut in strongly on the matinee trade, but theatres may get' a little back in the eve from out-of-townere. What attention is left Is centered on the • Orphcum- with a Bowes unit .and 'These Three.' Bxploltatioii award credit .to .ad department, which turned' but' some iiriuBukLeyeJciitchers for" thia": st^ge- sc^een '-offering: - at the , Orpheum, Plenty of stunts were staged In suptJorf/' ■ • • . • • .; Estimat'es for'ThU WeeK - Qrpfieuiii:. (BlahK-Tri-States). i (2,- v97«;. 36-65>T-''?hese Three*;.(UAXand BiJwfes .unit- Upping -bf .prices and quality should help to an licoeptable flifu're,'- thpujgrh nothing exceptional :al -113;000... ^st week- 'Unguarded Houi>' (MG) and 'Bugle Ann' <MG) faijr $6,800;. ■; - bm'isiha-(6lank-Trir^tatea) (2,100; ?5>40)-^'.Soris: b' ' Guns' (WB), aria iPlorida Speciar (Par)i Holiday opening' helped soriie, biit needs more. .tbait.'-that. .New cooling sys . tern-. Goiripleted' and, Iri operation, ari^ settles a^problem here. Se'gurd- "less; the' two .pictures .will..at4.y ,bnly five days at around $4,700;" Last week'.'Sh6>v. poat' ('0),play'ed solo and was. gopd-. enough .;to , stay' for nlbe.days.. At any rate $8,900 a fine flgijre. . ,., • Bra'ndeis (Singer-'RKO) (l.JJSO; 25-35-40)—'D&nclng Pirates' (RKO) and 'Bridle Path' (RKO), dual. At $3,900, slow. Last week 'Goldeot Arrow' <FN), and 'Roaming Lady' (Col) only a little better. Car give-^ away one .night made a difference here as well as at other bouses; $4,- 300, fah\ the $5,600 mark. Last \veek, Just^ what was predicted for a big .second week, $7;600, . • State (Loew.-Fox)' (2,024; .30-40- 55)-;-'Trouble 'for Two' (MG) and 'Little Miss Nobody' (20th), split. Combine meant little at all In draw- ing them here. It was Just the-, holiday amusement shoppers who helped ti-ade on six days toward a mild $8,600, Last week, 'Two Flags' (20th) second and final, though,lit- tle below expectations for the blow- off week, good at $7,600. United Artists (Pox^UA) (2,100; 30-40-:56) — 'Two Plajrs' ..(20th). Movi^d over from State, this qne do- Jng okay and \ylM hit around $4,500. which is. neat' take. Last week,' I'Thihgs to Cpme' >(lJA).^nd 'Speed' NQ CAKE Mostly Hardtack in B'ham—'Bradv ford' $6,200 BlrmInghanau_June 2. Nothing exciting, this. week. Houses have done nothng {>ut of the ordinary to attract customers. 'Ex- Mrs. Bradford' and 'Unguarded Hour* will take the xiake, which will be mostly hardtack.. . Estimates-^6r This Week Alabama (Wilby-Klncey) (2,800; 30-35-40)—'Mrs. Bradford' (RKO). Lucky to get $6,200. light. Last week 'Show Boat' (U) $7,600, okay. Ritz (Wilby-Kincey) (1,600} 26- 30)—'Unguarded Hour* (MG). At $2,200, light. Last week '13 Hours' (Par) $2,800, fair: Empire (Acme) (1,100; 25)—'Mar- ried a Doc' (MG). About $2,000. fair. Last week 'Law In Hands' (FN), $1,900, light. Strand (Wilby-Klncey) (800; 26) —'Three on. Trail' (Par) and. 'Sat- urday Night' (20th), split. Only $1,500, light Last week 'Silly Bil- lies' (RKO) and 'NaVy Wife' (20th), split, $1,800, fairly good. mBALTO Baltimore, June 2. : (Best Exploftation; Century) Most notable of this week'^. new arrivals Is 'Private Number,' which opened yesterday (Monday) at the New to instant attention. 'Show Boat' stilt skimming along at smart knottage, with current and third week getting better than $6,000. Yesterday (Monday). Larry Schanberger decided to hold it for a fourth week; first pic to stick that length of time since 'Rio Rita' spanned a.month at Keith's six years ago. Century, after succession of un- precedented poor weeks. Is getting back Into normal stride with John Boles on stage doing a good Job of luring *em in with 'Trouble for Two.' Women are being drawn chiefly. Gross looks like $18,000, large, but actually won't mean, much to Cen- tury since Boles Is taking $6,000 net and there's a show bUilt around him that lit pretty costly. JLqu ^own topped the cymbal- claiigCrs thi^ week by' getting Boles plenty of.'attentiori in all news- papers. . Estimates for This Week Century (Loew-UA) (3,000; 15-25- 36-40-56-66)V-'Trouble for Two' (:MG) and .John Boles, p.a. Boles Is the work In kiting gross to $18,- 000, goo^, but no more than even break. Last week 'Wise Guys' (MG) and vaude, poor, $8,500. Hippodrome. (Rappaporfk (2,300 16-26-36-40-55-66)^'Kln*f Steps Out' (Col)'and vaude. (3d week). After dandy $16,600 on first lap 'Kine' isn't .itenplng. so briskly currently at $8..';on. '. Keith's (jSchariberger) (2.500; 15- 26-30-36-40-66)—'Show Boat^ (U) (3d week), . Steaming steadiiy on with $6,000 curt-entiy after better Ing. $6,000 last session, and will cdn- tinne for fourth. .New fMechanic) (1.600; 15-25-30- 35-40-5S>—'Wivate Number' (20th>. Fine- $5,600. Last Week 'Conn Yankee*. (Pox^ $3,000, o.k. for old W'li Rogers ptarrer. Stanley <WB) .(3.i*()0: l5-^'5r36-'fO- K."!)—'Fatal Lady* (P«r>. Off at $3.- 600. Last w(«ek 'Sons o' Guns' .<WB), $3,600. light. Total for 6 Mpk Houses oil Ist Runs on Brondway ' (Subject to Change) ' • Week of June 5 Astor—'Great Ziegfeld' (MG) (9th wk). Capi'tol-r'Fury' (MG). Music Hall — 'King Steps Out' (Col) (2d wk). Paramount—'Princess Comes Across' (Par) (3). Rialto—"Revolt of the Zom;: bles'. (Indie)'X4). Rivoli — 'Bk-Mrs. Bradford' (RKO) (2d wk). . Roxy — 'Little Miss Nobody' (20th). Strand—'Bullets or Ballots' (WB) (2d wk), Week of June 12 ' Astor—'Great Ziegfeld' (MG) (10th wk)^ Capitol—- 'San Francisco' (MG). Music Hall—'Private Num^ ber' (20th) (11). Paramount — 'Poppy'. (Par) ao). • ' Rialto—'Last Outlaw'(RKO). Rivoli—'Ex-Mrs. Bradford' (RKO) (3d wk). Strand—'Bullets or Ballots' (WB) (3d wk): LUMBER UMBERS UP But Tacoma's. Better Wood ..Biz Hasn't Helped Theatres Yet ". Tacoma, June 2, (Best Exploitationr ^oxy) , - Local pulp mill, closed three years, opens this week > to 300 employees, Which helps local piyroll. Lumber biz is In okay shape arid merchants gerierally ' report better ' take this year'than last. But theatres are riot sharing in this gain as yet. ■Best exploitation • at . Roxy for 'Frankie and Johnnie' .with piano player and- gal singer in lobby; .beer parlor tieups kill over county; bill- boards, 20,000 heralds thrown awny, and discs. Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (750; 16- 27)—'Lost City' (Ind) and 'My Mar- ■ e' (20th), dual. Good $1,700 for com"Bo>— -X^Bt week 'Two .Flags' (20th) (2d \freek); $1,600, okay; Music Box (Hamrick) (1,400; 16- 27-37)—'Show Boat-' (U). Ned Edris giving this one nice campaign, tripling. riews apace, double radio and 24.-sheeters, all contributing for great $4,900. lat.ai week 'Mrs. Bradr ford' (RKO). $3,300, big. Rialto (Moore) (1,350; 16-27-37)— 'Sky Parade'. (Par), and 'This Night' (Par), dual.. All right iat $2,800. Last week "Brown Eyes' (Par) bnd 'Ship Cafe'- (Par), dual,- $2,200. .frlr.' floxy (Hamrick)-(1,300; 16-27-37); —IFrankle and Johnnie' (Rep),'and 'Ghost Goes West' (UA), dual, .with' Jay Clark, -meritalist, 6n stage.. Big. ^3,300' for layout. liast -week ''Con-: (MG). -Plenty.^good :combo for .a real imifltable. week with ■ bit «v,er -j necacut / Taiikee^ <Fox) •. and'Muss ?4;000 -take. ''£m Up' (RKO), dual, $2,900, good. Grace Moore-'Speed^ Dual in Auto Racing Capital Good $6,500 Indianapolis, June 2. (Best Exploitation: Cjrcle) Thousands of 50Q-mile race fans crowded the town over the week- end and swelled attendance at the first<-run theatres to overcome the general slump of the " past few weeks. The Lyric leads with pros- jpects of a socko $10,000 gross on a combination of 'Sons o' Guns' and a crack stage show built around Barney Rapp's barid. A dual of •King Steps Out' and 'Speed* at Loew's-looks good, for an okay $6,- 600, while the Circle is a trifle above par at $4,600 •with a twin bill of 'Florida Special*, and 'Forgo'tten Faces.' The smaller Apollo is head- ing for a moderate figure of $4,000 on 'Bullets, or Ballots.* Highway crossing 'Stop-Look-: Listen' signs, were used by the Cir- cle to exploit 'S?lorid I Special,* and a gay front together with a. spe- cial throwaway and a mldhight show for race fans were "other high- lights of that house's campaigri." ' Estimates for This Week Apollo (Fourth Ave.) (1,100; 25- 40)—'Bullets " or Ballots' ' (WR). Robinson-BIondeil played up above picture's, title with stress." on ahgie that former was hot appearing In. gangster role. Take, is fair a.t $4,000.. Last-week, .third stanza .of holdover .pf' .'Urider Two Flags'•(20th) alow at $2,300. . . • . ■ ■ • .Circle (Monarch) (2,600; 23-40)— 'Florida. Special' (Par) "dualed with 'Forgotten Traces'. (Par). 'Forniier picture given bigger jplay than other one in all ads, etc. Gross not bad at. $4,600. Last week 'Princess Coriies Across' (P-ar), on dtial with 'Mrs, Ames' (Par) okay $6,000. '.Loew's-(Loew's) (2,800; j5-40)— •,'K.Ing^Steps Out' (Col) and.'Speed' :(Col).> Griice Moore^ifijm given big- ger pray, although latter pic "given extra space locally because of time- -ly speedway angle here. • Qro5S }s gdod for $G,5Q0. Last "week dual of 'Rainy Afternobrt'' (UA) and 'Panic in Air' (Col) weak $3,500. , Lyric (Olson) (2,000; 25-30-40)— 'Sons o'. Guns' (WB) and Barney Rapp. band with acts on stage. Joe E. Brown, is favorite in this house, and latter band is also popular here with results socko at $10,000. Last week 'Golden Arrow' (WB) and vaude was llght\yeight at $6,500. 'BULLETS' OKAY $11,000; PROV. AN EXCEPTION Providence, June 2. Paradoxical Providence—despite two-day holiday which precipitated one of the greatest travel move- ments out of Rhode Island on record, outdoor holiday attractions featured by rededication. of- State airport, free air carnival visited by 50,000 persons, apathy of exhibitors In advertising new progra'rhs, a let- down in bally and cguntlesg other ramlflcatioris-^gros.ses are better than-at any time since spring set In. Best bet-8eem.s to be 'BiJllets or Ballots'.at Majestic, this totvn being bugs on gatigfeter "films.., Although k bit slow in getting'started, the shoW, augmented by. 'Three of 41" Kind,' ^» having, HO trouble in holding the lead with a'Jdandytll.'OOO. ■ No particular feature In the ex- Minneapolis, June 2. (Best Exploitation: Orpheum) Showhouses here got a bed break with Moriioifial i)ay falling on Satuv- day and the weather Ideal for out- Ings. Exodus to the lake regions depopulated the. town and cut a heavy dent In boxofllce .takings. • Mlnneapolls-St Paul baseball games copped plenty of the stay-at-homes and made the going still tougher. Nothing especially outstanding in the amusement llne-up, but the ar- ray in toto deserves more than the " $22,000 aggregate' that- appears In' prospect, for the six first run .spots with their more than 11,000 seats. Biz is a oontinuatlon of the slump which started nearly a month ago. Orpheum has the only stage en- tertainment, Blackstone, the magU. clan, and his company, and with 'Dancing Pirates' on the screen, will lea^.the pack, but its gross will not provoke any shouts of Joy. 'Prin- cess Comes Acrose' and 'Things to Come,' at the Minnesota and 'World I'espectlvely, are the strongest of the straight .film exhibits, but neither is demonstrating apy note^vo^thy vital- ity. 'Case Against Mrs. Ames' at the State is being neglected by the fans. With a local magicians' party for Blackstone, Journal plugs arid tie- ups, other deals that netted free display newspaper advertising and heralds distributed through chain stores, the Orpheum receives tho palm for exploitation. Estimate's for This Week ' , Alvin (StefCes) (i,500; 66-83-$l,10 $1.60—'Ziegfeild' (MG). Got only $8,000 for two weeks; Demonstrat- ing again that this is no roadshow town. Minnesota (Publix) 4,200; 25-35- 55)—'Princess Comes Across' (Par). General conditions too much of a handicap for this one, which Is bad at $6,000. Last week 'Small T"own Girl' (MG), $8,000* good. . Orpheum (Singer) (2,890; 35-40- 65)—'Dancing Pirates' (RKO) and Blackstone. Poor at $8,000. Last week 'Bridle Path* (RKO) and 'Fblles Comiques' ynlt; $14,000, bad. State (Publix) 2,300; 25-35-40)— 'Mrs. Ames' (Par).. Light $3,500. Last week 'Unguarded Hour* (MG) $6,000, hest busltiess house has had in several we«ks and okay. "World (Stefifes) (360; 25-36-46-56) . —'Things to Come' (UA). Good-spot, for this one and raves will help It to. a run of two weeks or longer. Fair $1,500 iridicated. Last week 'Amateur Gentleman' (UA), $700, bad. Time (Berger) (290; 15-26)—'Lone Wolf Returns' (Col). Heading for fair $1,000. Last week 'Devil's Squadron' (Col), $900, fair. Lyric (Publix) (1,300; 20-25)—'Sky Parade' (Par): Catching some juv- enile trade. Fair .$1,600. Last week 'Moonlight Murder'. (MG), $1*600, • fair. . . Uptown • (t>ublix) (1,200; 25-:35)— 'Mr. Deeds' • (Col). . First neighbor- hood '.showing: • Big $3,000.'i Last week 'Wife vs. iSec* (MG), $2(700, - good. Century <Publbt) .(l.OOO; 16-25)— 'Fauntleroy' (MG) : (2d run). Efi route to big $2,800. Last wefek 'Pas- teur' (FN)-and 'Shark Island' (20th) (2d runs),-split, $2.^00, good,- Aster (Publix) '900; 15-25)—^Petri- fied Forest' (WB)' and 'Loriesome. Pine' (Par) (2d runs) and 'Call of Prairie (Par), first ruJi, .split,Pretty good $800. Last ■ week 'Song and Dance'. , (20th) . arid 'Genjtle, J.ulia' (20th)- (1st ruri3>, .split, |600,' badi : ploltatlon line here'which could be called 'best.'- Town was flooded-with routine, stuff from Albee and Loew's; arid; that*s" about a)l. . ' * Estimates for This Week Majestic (Fay-)f' (2,200; 15-25-40)— 'Bullets or l^allots' CWB) -and- 'Three of Kind' (Invincible). Well up around the $11,000 mark. Last week 'Sons' o' Guns*. (WB) and 'Law In Ha,i3ids' (WB), fiee-sa%v affair" wind- ing up with tepid $6,000. ■ Loew's (3,200; 15-25-40) — 'Trouble for Two' (MG) and 'rhey Wetie Married' (Col). Soared on un- lobked for holiday trade; $9,000, if breaks-hold out, but this stand can do plenty more. Last week 'Rainy Afternoon'' (UA) and 'Absolute Quiet'. (MG) off at $7,800. Albee (RKO) (2,500; 15-26-40)— 'Dancing Pirate' (Radio) and 'Roam- ing Lady' (Col). Headed for $7,500, plenty nice for this spot, usually the trailer. Last week, 'Witness Chair' (Radio) and 'Schoolhouse' • (Chest) pretty weak, at $4,700. Strand (Indie) (2,200; 15-25-40)— 'Too- Many Parents' (Par) and 'Florida Special' (Par). Enough In the till because of one-day stai't on the other stands to as.sure of $7,500, good. Last week 'Mrs. Antes (Par) and 'Sky Parade' (Par) came through with $6,400, oke. Pay's (2,000; 15-25-40)—'Dracula Daughter' (U) and vaude. Sure ol $6,000, oke for these times. Last we'e> 'Show^ Boat' (U) (2d week), '^I"o- ' ■. Vfctory-fRKO) (1.600: 15-25)-- 'Arson Racket' (Empire) and 'Secret Patrol' <eol)'. Around $1>!)00, so-so. Last week 'Reckless Roads' (bur- roughs) '*nd .'Dragnet* (JJaJestic;, same. ,