Variety (Aug 1936)

yifB^eBd^jf Afi^s^ 1936 PICT E CRasscs VARIETY ongChicago on Range' Plus Ams ;'Green Pastures Chicago, Aug. 4. - (Best Ejcploiiatlon: United Artists) Looks like this town is going to liavehest smbmer biz since the fair. ' When it's hot the^ flock downtown to ' tool off. Novr with the temperature • down they're filling the seats be- ' cause- o£ the?, piix -strengthr Loop ■ managers are clapping their hands in " glee and throwing their red ink bot- . ties out of the windows. Chicago Will lead the parade this week with big Major Bowes show ' (band and amateurs) on stage. The St^te-Lake is giving,-the Oriental a terrific : fight, with State leading. fi&K house has fur show on boards " in. addition to. regular vaude ■ hill, while first-run 'MTiss* and "TBreezjr Brevities' revue on stage at StAte*Lake is dragging them in at the Jottes theatre. Archie Herzofl took publicity hon- • ors this week getting big spreads in .all the dailies for opening of 'Green ■ Pastures.' ' : Estimates for Ibis Week '; ''Apollo (B&K) (1^00; 25-35-55)— ^San J'rancisco'. (MG). Shifted here .. pftet-ftVe-week run at United Artists and ou^ht to do strong $&,500. Ldst ■ 'week,- second, stanza: of 'DevU Doll' .(MG) finished to $3,800. , 'Chicago (B&K)-(4,000; 35-55-75)— -Rhythm on Range' (Par) and Bowes -band and amatetu: unit, Looks like smash $38,000 in offing. Last week little Rich Girl' (20th) big $32,000. Garriok (B&K) (900; 25-35-55)— Ulch Girl'(20th). Shifted here from Chicago for second loop week, should get terrific $8,500. Predecessor, ^Earthworm Tractor' (WB) did strong $6,400', second week. Oriental (B&K) (3,200; 25-35-40)— Talm Springs'. (Par) and vaude. JS'airish $12,000, despite help of fur . show on stage. Last week 'God- . .'tathprs' (MG) and 'Pousse Cafe' re- , ytie,, excellent $15,000. Palace (RKO) (2,500; 25-35-55-65) 'Special Agent' (GB) and stage show. , .BUI Robinson.on stage not helped by -.^^ify^^iy flicker and drawing $22,000, • itair* Last'week ''Let's Sing Again' < (RKO) and Marx Bros, on stage ac- counted for smash $30,000. Boosevelt (B&K) (1,5(|0: 35-55-65) k^'Suzy.'. (MG). Going over, getting oke $10,000 currently after fine $14,- 000 last week. State-Lake (Jones) (2,700; 25-35- 40)—'M'liss' (RKO) and vaude. Ex- ceUent at $13,500. 'Unguarded Hour* (MG) snared fine $13,000 la^ week, .United Artists (B&K) (1.700; 35- 45-65)^'Green Pastures' (WB). Start- ing, strong and with good exploita- tion should gross smash $18,000 first . week of lengthy run. Fifth week of 'San Francisco' (MG) ended with nice $8,500. Crosby^ $6,000, Two vs. World-Blackstone Strong $8,200, Indpls. Indianapolis, Aug. 4. (Best Exploitation: Lyrlo) •Rhythm on the Range' at the Cir- cle with a good $6,000 and Black- stone's magic revue on the stage at thfe Lyric with a nifty $8,2Q0 are the money-getters of the downtown sec- tor this week. Twa Against World' is the flicker on the latter bill with Blackstone, while "Bunker Bean' is the second film on a dual at the f dr- itter house. Neither one is given any credit for assistance, however. Shirley Temple's 'Poor Little' Rich Girl' is holdine over strongly at the Apollo and will take a good $3,800 in its second week, Tieu|>s with magicians' societies of entire state, stunts at Press club, in- terviews on radio and in newspaoers, etc., are among the features of the Lyric's good campaign on Blackstone to win exploitation honors for the week. Estimates for This-Week Apollo (Fourth Ave.) (1,100; 25- 40)—'Poo,r Little Rich Girl' (20th) (2d week). Better than usual hold- over pace with $3,800 in view. First week excellent $6,000. Circle (Monarch) (2,000; 25-40)— •Rhythm on Range' (Par) and 'Bunk- er Bean' (RKO), dual. Former pic given heavy ad campaign and re- sponding well at $6,000. Last week 'Spendthrift' (Par) and 'Sophie Lang' (Par) weak at $2,800. . Loew's (Loews') (2.800; 25-40)— 'Nero Wolfe' (Col) dualled with '3 Wise Guys' (MG). Former pic stressed in ads, take ll^ht at !63,500. Last week 'Suzy' (MG) and 'Coun- terfeit' (Col) good at $7,100. ^Lytlo (Olson) (2.000; 25-.?0-40>— ^o Against World' (WB) and Blackstone on sta(»e. Latter drawing edod $8,200. Last week 'Earthworm Ti ■ • . . n I Praetors'- iWB) and vaude $9,200,1 Oandy. I *Deva Doll' buo $7j300, OK N.H/S Got *Rhythm' $6,200 New Haven, Aug. 4. (Best Exploitation: Poll) Film ^ots have had best summer in several years, with four- nearby straw hats apparently making little dent on picture grosses. Poli'S'Campaign on 'Devil Doll' fol- lowed usual line of air plugs, fan mag giveaways, news space, includ- mg national ads. heralds. Also lobby display of small dolls, bakery tiein for curcular distribution and a, fuU window in five^and-dime with/dolls and stills. Estimates for This Week Paramount (M&P) (2,348; 35-50)— 'Rhythm on Range' (Par) and 'Girl of Ozarks' (Par). Good $6,200 in view» Last week 'Three Cheers' (Par) ^and 'Ci'ash Donovan' (U): light $3,800. «u. vu^ PoU (Loew) (3,040: 35-50)—'Devil Doll' (MG), arid 'So They Married' (Col);: Shoidflj^isatiafy around $7,300. Last week ^Su^' (MG) and 'Went to College' (MG) started big, faded, closed with good $9,500. Rofet Shtrman (WB) (230; 35- 50)—Always Tomorrow' (MG) and "Taxi' (WB); Revival bill in for five days headed for okay $3,500. Last week 'M'Liss' (RKO) and 'Easy Money' (Inv), yanked after six days days of tepid biz, poor $2,500. College (Loew) (1.565; 25-35)^ 'Trouble for Two' (MG) and 'White Fang* (20th). Probably light around $3,200. Last week 'Rich Girl' (20th) and 'Educating Father' (20th). hold- over on 35-50 .seated drew fair enough $3,700 on second week. PROV. COASTING, 'PASTURES'8G, WW Providence, Aug. 4. (Best Exploitation: Loew's) Town seems due for another siege 6f hot weather. Heat waves gripped Providence over the weekend at a time when most of the coin slips through the turnstiles at the down- town theatres. Consequently there is every indication that the pickings will be rather Iban for most stands. Entertainment fare fairly good con- sidering everything. Loew's staff did a neat job of plug- ging 'Nero Wolfe.' getting some op- position from Majestic, where Bernie Fay ballyed 'Green Pastures' along lines not usually associated with this theatre. Howard Brukhardt how- ever, made the most of several op- portunities which afforded them- selves on tricky theme of his main picture. Estimates for This Week Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 15-25-40)— 'Green Pastures' CWB). Perhaps lui- der different circumstances this house could cut a wide swath, but because of limited appeal of produc- tion coupled with the weather noth- ing more than $8,000 is looked for, but okay at that Last week 'Little Rich Girl' (WB) copped holdover honors when $11,500 rung up. ' Loew's (3,200; 15-25-40)—'Nero Wolfe' (Col) and 'Three Godfathers' (MG). Reviews kind but the tem- peratures expected to keep activity down to $8,500 or so. Last week 'Suzy' (MG) and 'Final Hour' (Col) grabbed off real midwinter business by grossing $16,500, great Fay's (2,000; 15-25-40)—'Little Rich Girl' (20th) and vaude. Brought over from sister house, Majestic, the Tem- ple pic is going along at a smooth pace; sure of $6,000 at least real nice for a holdover in these parts and these days. Last week'Easy Money' (Invinc) and vaude. off at $4,100. Strand (Indie) (2,200; 15-25-40)— 'Sophie Lang' (Par) and 'F-Man' (Par). Just coasting, and this stanza is no different; no chance of grabbing more than $4,500. Last week 'Border Flight' (Par) and 'Spendthrift' (Par) also poor at same figure. 4TH ESTATE MUSICAL Hollywood. Aug. 4. Mark Kelly's 'Peach Edition,' as an initialler for Sonja Heinie at 20th-Fox, will be toned down and musical ized by Lew Pollock and Sid- ney Mitchell. Original newspaper yam was fig- ured too tough to debut the Ice skate queen. Omaha Not So Ha! Ha! „ ,. Omaha, Aug. 4. Mediocre programs, weather has become'>the main item of interest in show business as weU as elsewhere. Car giveaway Wednesday will bol- ster the end of the week and bring up figures that would otherwise be unusually low. Estimates for This Week' Omaha (Blank) (2,100; 25-40)— 'Rainy Afternoon' (UA) and "Things to Come (UA). Coasting lightly, may reach $6,000. Last week 'Suzy' (MG) and 'Absolute Quiet' (MG) were boisterous, especially with the top- heavy trade by. folks trying to es- cape the heat over the week (end; upwards of $9,000. Or.phenm (Blank) (2,976; 25-40)— 'Spendthrift' (Par) dualled with 'Till We Meet Again' (Par). Just a pro- gram except that Henrj- Fonda namQ may mean something here in his home town, $6,000 nothing of note here. Last week 'Little- Rich Girl' (20th) and 'Nobody's Fool' OJ), $11,000, great . Brandels (Singer-RKO) (1,250; 25- 35-40)—'Nero Wolfe' (Col) and 'M'liss'. (RKO). Not much to drag them in except the auto giveaway Wednesday niriht; $3,750 not so bad. Last, week ^larthworm Trajctors' (FN) and 'Murder by an Aristocrat^ (FN) over $5,000, best money Joe Brown film ever did here. RANGE-RIPLEY socKo mm DET. so-so Detroit Aug. 4. Town is growing listless again. Natives poked their heads into thea- tre doors for two or three weeks af- ter recent hot speU, but started trek- king to resorts, etc., against , last week, with resultant drop-off most everywhere. Current stanza finds conditions a lot worse, except at the Michigan, which continues to drag 'em in at terrific rate. 'Rhythm on the Range,' plus Bob Ripley's imit on stage, is heading for a walloping $30,000, flicker and vaude dividing honors. 'Green Pastures,' aided by good press notices - here and via wires, started off with a ban^ at the United Artists Thursday (30) but fell off suddenly and won't hit ixpected pro- portions, at $13,000, good, however. House getting seven shows a day, and film is due to h. o. week or two. Part of town's slump can be tied to managers' failure at exploitation stunts current stanza. Except for Michigan's tieup with Detroit Times, on amateur tryouts for Ripley unit, nothing of importance is noted. UA used more than usual paid news- paper advertising on 'Pastures.' iEsttmates for This Week Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 30-40-65)—'Rhythm on Range' (Par) with Bob Ripley's unit on stage. Combo good attraction here, and this week's hotcha $30,000 leads town by wide margin, giving house third ter- rific gross in a row. Tieup with local Hearst print, on amateur try- outs for Ripley unit didn't hurt biz. Take just topped $31,000 last stanza on 'Suzy' (MG) and Shep Fields' ork on stage, swell. Fox (India) (5,000; 30-40-65)—'So Were Married' (Col) and 'Follow the Stars' 6n stage. Biz stays dull here for second consecutive week, present combo due for not more than $15,000, pretty learl; Woodward avenue widening isn't helping, and neither is pic. Last week got a slim $16,500 on second week of 'Poor Little Rich Girl' (20th), and Sid Marion head- ing vaude. Temple film hit nice $23,000 first session, but slumped badly after that United Artists (United Detroit) (2,000; 25-35-55)—'Green Pastures' (WB). Aided by both national and local press notices, flicker opened with bang; $13,000, nice. Holds over. Fourth week of 'San Francisco (MG), good $8,000, set a modem-day mark for house, no other flicker on house's record having stuck that long. Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 25-40)— 'Little Rich Girl' (20th) (3d week) and 'Plow That Broke the Plains.' Temple flicker moved here for fur- ther- run after two oke sessions at Fox. and being helped by Federal government film to a normal $4,300 current stanza. 'Crash Donovan' (U) and 'High Tension' (20th) hit a nifty $5,400 last stanza. State (United Detroit) (3.000; 25- 40)—'Three Cheers for Love' (Par) and 'Spendthrift' (Par), duaL Biz at $6,000 pace this week, okay. Last week "Two Against World' (FN) and 'Hot Money' (WB) oke at $5,000. -WB Unhorses Foran Hollywood, Aug. 4. Dick Foran is being taken out ot westem£ fay Warners. He's slated for juve lead in The Black Legion/ which will be di rected by Archie'Mayo. W(w lOOG; Stated IR'^^ 36G; 'Rhythm'-Spitalny Sock 40G (Best Exploitation: Par) With the Equator seeming to move nearer Broadway on Monday (3), theatres began sweating, the man- agers peeled oO their coats and then started getting grouchy with secre- taries as orders 'went out to turn' those cooling systems on stronger; Dailies were hinting early yesterday (Tties.) that cooler ozone may be ex- pected and some rain did come but the managers up to late in the day figured the only thing they could be certain of are their icing plants. Those theatre refrigerators are the main, hope right now. Three theatres are not cussing the weather, and the draught of beaches, country and home fan equipment or the lure: of a long Tom CoUins. The others aren't talking, for fear of be- ing pinched—whatSthey'd say is im-' printable. ' Starting out 'like rSt. winter attrac- tion, 'Mw of Scotland* got in some fancy licks, prior to the hot breath that started' blowing on it Monday- (3). Picture'l ■ $14,500 opening day Thursday (30) and regardless of- a baking New York gives it a chance to hit $100,000. Stays second week. Two other theatres that aren't in'a inood to cut their screens to pieces are the Paramount,;anjd State. 'Rhythm on the Range;' aided by the Phil Spitalny band in person, closed out its first week at the Par last night at a bit over $40,000 and starts second today (Wed.). At the State, which .is jealous of the Par and vice versa, a tremendous week of $36,000 or better is assured by 'San Francisco' (2d run) and vaude head- ed by Louis Sobol, columnist. The State will hold its entire show over, first time pyer done, meantime thumbing its nose at the weather man and pitying theatres that don't have a 'Frisco' to keep people out of bathing suits. 'Three Chfeers for Love,' 'The iPinal Hour,' 'Grand Jury* and 'Bengal Tiger,' new pictures of the week, ^e being spoken of in ^whispers. 'Cheers' is getting the vnoiig. kind of cheer- ing at the Boxy, management of w*hich cut the nut to ribbons in hope of getting by, which it will at a chance to grab $24,000. 'Bengal Tiger' is an animal of some kind—^ popidarly known among exhibitors as a dog—for the recently .unlucky iStrand. Single -week ending last night (Tues ), 'Tiger' spells a mousey $C,000. At the bandbox Rialto 'Final Hour' doesn't want to go anywhere, $6,000 or over, while 'Grand Jury,'on a double bill at the Palace, will be lucky to get the house $7,500, red. There are two holdovers, in addi- tion to the two-a-day 'Ziegfeld.' Getting $30,000 the first week at the Capitol, an agreeable gross for. the summer, 'Suzy' is' weak6ning con- siderably on thelxoldover at a pace of $16,000/ The Rivoli isn't qtiite that lucky with 'Return of Sophie Laiig.' second week ending today (Wed.), under $7,000. 'Road to Glory' (20th- Fox) opens today. 'Ziegfeld' last week, its 16th, got $13,900, good. Picture goes out the middle of the month, probably Aug. 16, with 'Romeo and Juliet' to open at a $2 top Aug. 19. Paramount did a hangup job sell- ing 'Rhythm' and the Spitalny band. It nabbed more space on the jAl- femme band show than any played to date, in addition to publicity on the picture^ A larger front was built and more spent on advertising the show. Theatre opened doors earlier (9.30) for greater turnover, includ- ing five shows a day ever since opening. Among tieups was a con- test in the Mirror. Estimates for This. Week Astor (1,012; 55-$1.10-$1.65-$2) — 'Ziegfeld' (MG) (17th week). Slipped a bit last week (16th). $13,900; Prob- ably closes highly profitable run Aug. 16, with 'Romeo and Juliet' (MG), oh two-a-day at £2 top, to open Aug. 19. Capitol (4,620; 25-35-55-85-$1.25)— 'Suzy' (MG) (2d week). Held to good business first week, $29,800, but oh holdover getting short of breath. $16,000, still okay. 'DevU's DoU' (MG) in Friday (7). Palace (1,700: 25-35-55)— 'Bride Walks Out' (RKO) (2d run) and 'Grand Jury' (RKO) (1st run). duaL They can blame the distributor for this pair., only $7,500, red. Last week •White Angel' (WB) (2d run) and 'Hot Money'. (WB) (1st run), !^,500, weak. Paramount (3,664: 25-35-55-85)— 'Rhythm on Range' (Par) and, in pit, Phil Spitalny's femme band. First week ending last nigh; (Tues.) slightly over $40,000, excellent, and holds. Doing an extra show daily. Last week 'Spendthrift' (Par) and Red Nichols orchestra with Loretta Lee, $26,000, oke. Radio City Music Hall (5.989; 40- 60r85-99-$1.10-$1.6&)^'Maty of Scot land' (RKO) and stage show. Despite heat may bit perfumey $100,000, smash biz and holds. L ast weel^ second for 'Pastures' CWB), $78,000. Blalto (750; 25-40-65)—Tuial Hour* (Col). Not what the doctor ordered. $6,000 or over. Last week "We Weut to College' (MG), $6,400. BlvoU (2;092: 40-75-99)—'Sophia Lang* (Par) (2d week). - Ended sec- ond week, a forced one, last night at under $7,000, mean. First week was $12,000. 'Road to Glory' (20th) opens today (Wed,). Boxy . (5,836; 25-35-55)—Three Cheers for Love' (Par) and stage show.' Acre agEun it's ho fun look- ing at the figures but maybe $24,000, • pulling out nut being held down in all ways possible. Last week'Earth-' worm Tractors' (WB),' $26,000, enough black to pass out a few Strand (2;767r 35-55-6S.:85)—"Ben- gal Tiger' (WB)i On week 6nding last night (Tues.) only $6,000, Very poor; Last week 'Satan Met Lady' (WB), $13,000, mild. 'Jail Break' (WB) starts today (Wed).. State ' (3,450; 35-55-75)—'Frisco* (MG) iZd run) and Vaude headed by Louis SofaoL columnist. Only the' heat is holding this week's, business from being bigger; $36,000 or over, in view, a lot of work for the cashiers. A niew summer high. 'Whole show holds over. Last Week ?Nero Wolfe' (CpD . and Cab Calloway band, over $28,000, fine. 'Suzy' Fine $13, 'Pastures'Oke lOG Buffalo. Aug. 4. (Best Exploitation: Great Lakes) Another heat wave is leveling oft theatre grosses, although cooling sys- tems manage to keep figures from dropping too lo^. In ^dditioti, strong attractions at both the Buffalo and the Lakes are furnishing substantial aid io the box ofitices while the Lafayette contin,ues to hold' to its much, improved'takings. 'Green Pastures' rates the.exp1ol-> tation top wifii stroitig -newspaper coverage, both in art and-news copy* Private previews for the clergy, musicians and scientists brought good cpmment , Estimate* for This Week Bnffalo (Shea) (3.600; 30r40-5d)-^ •Suzy* (MG). Doing well, and looks to get lieyond $13,000. Last week 'Early to Bed' (Par) and a Bov:-a unit developed another sensational gross and mAy determine more Se- quent flesh appearances on the stage here;^^ superfine at $23,000., Hipp (Shea) (2,400; 25-46>—Devil DoU' (MG) and 'We Went to Col- lege'' (MG). Despite a nice adver- tising job, bill figures no .better than $5,000. Last week Two Against the V/orld' (WB) and 'Amateur Gentle- man' (UA). Routine dual for poor $4,500. Great Lakes (Shea) (.3,400; 25-40) ■'Green Pastures' (WB). Nice get- away and, although appeal seems to be to class groups, should go over ^0,000. . Last week 'Earthworm. Tractors' CWB), got up to estimates, but only fair at $7,000. Centnry (Shea) (3,400; 25)—'White Fang' (20th) and 'Human Cargo* (20th). Average $5,000. Last week 'Return of Sonhie Lang' (Par) and' 'Treachery Rides Range' (WB), About 2S expected; okay at $5,100. Lafayette (Ind.) (3.40D: 25)—'Se- cret Agent' (GB) and .'One Way Ticket' (Col). Continues to show neat grosses dnd notable, increase lit figures over same weeks last year points to new cooling system as ex- planation. May go to $7,000. Last week 'Hell-Ship Morgan' (Col)' and 'Mine with Iron Door' (Col), nice $0,500., Whale Heads Coastward Hollywood, Aug. 4. James Whale is en route here from London, to resume his directorial contract at Universal. First assignment on return will lje Time Out of Mind.' Jane Wyatt starrer. To Star DeHavUIand Hollywood, Aug. 4. Olivia DeHavilland is to get star- billing from Warner* .because of her W>ik in 'Anthony AdvwMr/. . Her first starrer ^rill be 'House of Coombe,' with Sybil Jason featured*