Variety (Aug 1936)

10 VARIETY PICT E GROSSES Wednesday, Aii^uQt 5, 1936 Hollywood More Musical-Minded; Orchestrations' Aid to Pix Values . Hollywoo(J, Aug. 4. Importance of musical accompanl- nients in pictures, for sometime-con^ sidered only as. a, pleasant musical backiground;' now' has Hollywood after names who will add entertdin- iaent value to pictures through com- posing or arranging scores that yrill projperly reflect the'mood of the'pic- -ture's theme. In the past six months incidental.music has improved con- Biderably. Undoubtedly, thdiigh most' audi- ences- were" not aware of the faict, the musical .sco;res for .films ac- coiuited for a great deal- of the pic- tures'dramatic value. Suchniudcal embellishment for pictures is not new. D. W. Griffith first featured picture scoring in "The "Birth of a. Nation.' Howetver, studios were so busy 'with -the screen's talking-voice duriqg the last six years that the musical, edu- cation of films was neglected. Now, it's different. Hollywood is lining iip : a'number of class musicians to add their'touch to pictures., - Stpkowski Sidelines Leopold Stokowski hias arrived here to. -do his stiiit with .his orches- tra in Paramount's 'Big Broadcast of 1937.' Stbkowski will not stop at that. He'll , sit on the sidelines, ab sorb pictures and probably in a yeiar or, so. will be groomed as a musical conaultaiifc. jor.- maj.or- pictures. His value Is to lie in hUi knowledge of. mass appreciation. Werner Jansisen has just completed Bcbring Par's TUfe General. Died at Dawn' and Will, in all probability, return, here^ in November to do a similar job on CecU B. De Mille's ■ -The Plaingman.' Score of the 'Gen- efal,' is.wholly original. 5ric WolfgangKomgold ■ was brought here by Warners froin Ger- many to orchestrate 'Midsummer Night's Dream* and 'Captain Blood.' In both cases, Korngold's score, though not'brigihal, was interest- ingly handled; , Sill Heine Watched , Interesting to, observers, will be the work of William Grant Sill, young Negro who's 'Africa', suite and 'Afro- American ■ Symphony' have already etamiped him as a come'r in Ameri- can music. He's at .Columbia, and wUl handle the score on tiost Horizon.'. ' ' Most progressive of the Hollywood regulars has been Max Steiner, whose work in addition to The In- fornlet,' has been noticeable in The Lost Patrol,"* 'Little Lord Fauntleroy' and 'She;' Franz Waxman, who scored Ufa's 'Congres^^ Dances,' was brought here by Metro to handle Tury,' a,commendable chore. An old liner in Hollywood, who has contributed topnotch musical scoring, is Herbert Stothart, whose "Mutiny On the Bounty' and 'Rpmeo and . Juliet' scores have created favorable comment. Alfred Newman, United Artists' musical director, reached his top in 'Barbary Coast' and previously clicked with 'Street Scene.' Leo F. Forbstein, Maurice Packh,. Dr. William ,Axt and Nat Fenston are other Hollywood vets V with' billhlight productions to their credit - receive pleasant $12,000, fine for b.o. considering long stay of pic. Last week 'San Francisco' (MG), splendid $r4,000. Strand (2,000; 25-35-50) — 'Fatal Lady* (Par) and 'Hot Money* (WB). Two pedestrian flickers will get $4,000, unexciting. Last week 'Sud- den Death' (Par) and "Mine With Iron Door' (Col), $4,000, quiet. 10 MARY-WHH LOVE' NICE $12,000 in K. C. Kansas. Gity,_ Aug. 4, .With • advent of cooler" weather, August and its dbg days yap onto the scene 'amid ai aura'of box office tinkling.' Most'of the music, how- ever, continues to come at tke mats with evenings generally on the pian- issimo side. . Friday,' regular opening day, found only-the Tower'and Midland tacking up new banner;;: and they pulled nicely as a resiilC Midland with the revived 'Dancing Lady' will be well up in the' running with, a swell $14,- 500 in sight Revivalism exponents liere have as a rule been greeted with nice openings, chilly midweeks and frigid closings. i • , Mainstreet with To Mary—With Love' vill c6n%e to the front for the first time in weeks and shoifid gather in a nice $12,000. The Uptown hold- ing 'Poor Little Rich Girl' after a fine $11,200 for first 11 days and looking for $4,500 on the current week. - Publicity staffs have - apparently faded with. the hot weather. The boys are writing newspaper ads and little else. Estimates for This Week Blainstreet (RKO) (3,200; 25-40)— To Mary —With Love' (20th-Fox). Nice press and good word of mouth, should biiild to -good $12,000. Last week 'Grand Jury' (RKO) did fair $7,000. Newman (Par) (1.900; 25-40)—'Dr. Forbes' (20th-Fox) and - "Three Cheers* (Par). Dual bill looks to be a problem child with mild $7,500 in sight if midweek doesn't wash it up. Last week 'Spendtiiriff (Par) short with $6,000. Midland (Loew) (4,000: 25-40)— 'Dancing Lady' (MG). This three- year-old looks healthy. Teaser used was all Astaire. Customers seem to like it, results should be merry with nice $14,500. Last week *SUzy' (MG) got neat $15,800. Tower (Rewot) (2,200; 25)—'Nero Wolfe' (Col) aiid vaude. House be- finning to show more strength, okay 7,500 on the line. Last week ^3 Wise Guys' (MG) aided by above av- erage stage revue boosted to a sweet $8,100. Uptown (Fox) (2,040: 25-40)— •Little Rich Girl' (20th). Customary good Temple biz here, pulled $11,000 first 11 days and should get okay $4,500 for current stanza. FAIR AND COOLER, SO LINCOLN'S BIZ UPS BROOKLYN FAIR Despite Beai^'Spendtbrirt' Dual at Par, $13,000 . ' Brooklyn,'Aug; 4. Glorious weekend weather with the downtown picture houses injured a bit but no kicks while ail outdoor attractions appeared to be mopping up. Coney reported another hangup session of biz with beaches cluttered from Norton's Point to Oriental. Talk of .town continues to be 'San Francisco' which is in its fifth weelt, something of ^ record, at Loew's Met. 'Suzy' comes in on Friday. ParombUnt and Fox, with dual biUs. both good. Albee, with 'Dr. Forbes' and 'While Fang,' weak,' Estimates for This Week Paramonnt (4,000; 25-35-50)— - 'Spendthrift' (Par) and 'Satan Met Lady' (WB), will bring in good $13,000, Last week 'Public Enemy's Wife' (WB) and 'Early to Bed' (Par), $13,000. Fox (4,000; 25-35-50)—'Counter- feit,' (Col) and 'Dark Hour* (Ches>. Dualers will produce $12,000, fairish. Last *reek 'Nero Wolfe' (Col) and 'Stand Condemned' (UA), got $13,- 500, good. • Albee (3,400; 25-35-50) — 'Dr Fbrbes'. (20th) and 'White Fang,' dualers, figured for $8,000, poor. Last week 'Bride Walks Out' (RKO) and 'Blackmailer' (Col) $6,000, dull. Loew'a Met (3,400; 25-35-50)—'San Francisco' (MG) (5th week). Wai Lincoln, Aug. 4. With a decided break in the heat wave all houses here have picked up considerably. The Western League baseball threat didn't last They were in here for foiur nights straight but couldn't see enough to crack the nut and pulled out leavin* the town with-, out any, organized baseball, which won't hurt the business,, at the b.o. any. Estimates for This Week Liberty (LTC) (1,200; 10-15)— 'Arizona. Raiders' (Par). Fair with cooler weather at $850. Last week 'Navy Born' (Rep) and 'Sudden Death' (Par) came through with a neat $950. Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-20-25)— 'Early to Bed' (Par) plus 'Law in Her Hands' (FN). Full week, fair at $2,600. Last week 'Harvester' (Rep) plus 'Big Noise' (WB) jerked after two days and replaced with 'Little M'ss Nobody* (20th) plus 'High Tension' (20th) which helped to raise the take to $3,000. Orpheum (LTC) (1,350; 10-15-20- 25)—'Bride Walks Out' (RKO) plus 'Till We Meet Again' (Par). Back to duals, should also be helped by cooler weather and will probably gross $1.8001 Last week 'Sutter's Gold' (U) by itself all week, only fair at $1,500. Stuart (LTC) (1,900; 10-25-40)— 'Rhythm on Range' (Par), Probably only fair at $2,500. Last week'Suzy' (MG), alon^^ with beauty pageant tiame through with a very nice $4,500, Varsity (Westland) (1,100; 10-15- 25)—'Final Hour' (Col). Can't be counted on for much and will do good at anything over <;i,onO, Last week 'Panic on Air' (Col). $1,100. l«t Rimft on Broadwaji^ (Subject to Change) Week of Ang; 7 Aiier^'Great Zlegfeld' (MG) (18th wk.). Capitol—'DevU DoU' (MG). Itosle Hail—'Mary of Scot- land' (BKO> (2d wk.); . n^mmoat—'Rhythm on the . Rangei' (Far) (2d wk.). BUM*—liown Under the Sea' (Rep). BlTOll—Hoad to Glory' (20th) (5). B«xy-T'Mlls^ (RKO). Sir»nd-'Jailbreak' (WB) (15). ■ Week •! Anp. 14 As(«r-^'Gfieat Zlegfeld* (MG) (i9thwk.). C^Itoi^'His Brother^s Wife' (MG). Mole Hall-^'Mary of Scotland' (RKO) (3d wk.). - Panim4aii(---'^ours for the. the Asking' (Par) (12). " Elvoll—Head to (ilory* (20th) (2d wk.). lt<ucy—'Charlie Chan at the Race Track' (20tb). ^ - Stnuidr-'(3iina Clipper' (WB) (12). * TOURISTS, TUP HYPOCLEVE. Ro;s James C^ey Generall^s on tots o' Things, bill Cets Hot on Film Acting ■ Cleveland^ Aug, 4. (Beat Exploitation: State) Early August influx of vacationeers to .see Cleveland's., centennial expo, plus the Yankee-Indians game which drew 65.000 into town over weekend, is turning' tide for tiieatres. -' Tem- perature has gone dowii' aiid grosses jumped up encouragingly. Despite carpers,'eXpo hasn't hurt houses as much as heat July was a bad inonth for both. This month's boost in fair's attendance figure is helping everybody's biz except Loew's State. Marx Bros, blew into State bally- hooed like a circtiSi but couldn't sell themselves to localites as big as ex- pected. For a show with a $13,000 nut it should go way over $27,000, but probably won*t Milt Harn^ of State did the three Marxs up brown as far as publicity tricks go. Had tiiem clown between innings of Yankee^Indians game, burle^tdng the players; arranged spe- cial exapsam. rates on trains, plugged them in cards of traffic rules and handed out Marx tips in sealed envelopes at racetracks. Estimates for This Week . Palace (RKO) (3.200; 30-35-40)— 'Public Enemy's Wife' (WB) and Duke Ellingtbn's orchestra in vaude unit Five shows a day over week- end booming gross to great $24,500. Last week Lum and Abner on stage and MTLis^ (RKO) came through with $18,000, good. State (Loew's) ' (3,450; 30-42-60)— 'Devil Doll' (MG) aiid Marx Bros, on stage. , First flesh at' this house in a couple of weeks, but boys ooened poorly, though building un. House will be happy if it collects $26,500 or better. Last week. 'Suzy' (MG). in spite of critical slams, got $19,500, okay.. mppodrome (WB) (3,700:24-40)— To Mary With Love' (20th-Fox). Satisfying at $19,000, being rated as one of tfie year's better domestic dram as. .Last Week, 'Green Pastures' CWB), suffered to. extent Of $16,500, despite raves it got Stillmsn (Loew's) (1,872; 25-35)— 'Suzy' (MG) (2d wk.). A real hot- cake, after transfer from State, zoom- ing up to exceptional $12,000. Last week, 'Sah Francisco' (MG), made history on fourth holdover week by yanking in $10,500, great Allen (RKO) (3.000; 24-40)—'Green Pastures' (WB). Moved in following fairish week at HioD and is doing much better here, $10,000, relatively. Last week, "Poor ) kittle Rich Girl' (20th-Fox), got $7,500, good. 'Time's British Subsid 'March of Time' has formed a sep- arate operating company for the British Isles, to be known as March of Time, Ltd., with offices in Lbndon and directly responsible for produc- tion and' promotion of British edi- tions. In future. Time* reel will be released every, month for England. Ralph. Rolan, v.p,. of March of Time, now id London, will organize advertising-pubUcity staff of new firm. Officers of new English-com- pany, in addition to Larsen, who will serve as-president are Richard de Rochembnt general manager and vice-president and John R, Wood, secretary-treasurer. Other directors PORTLAND PERKY , ♦Sn«y' Strong at $7,«0(>—'Bhyihm' Duo NUty—$7,500 Portland, Ore„ Aug. 4._ (Beat Exploitation: Broadway) Two weeks of advance, bally fbr •Suzy* is building the b.'o. at Parker's Broadway into top spot 'Suzy* got a break .on the exploitash when the Broadway held 'Earthworm Tractors' for an unexpected second spasni, meianwhile carrying on the 'Suzy splurge. • Everjrgreen's Pairamount also beating the big drum over 'Bride Walks Out^ to fair results. 'San Francisco,' in its sixth week at Parker's UA, isn't down to the bone yet and slated to go a seventh. Therell still be enufl left for sand- wiches in the grinds. fSan Ttaxi- cisco* wUl clean up better than $35,« 000 at the UA altogether, terrific in this burg, especially in the summer season. The o^er perennial is Htc. Deeds,' liist closing a good 12th week at the Blue Mouse;,- Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (2,000; ^0-40) —'Suzy* (MG). Answering to long explbitatibn campaign and strong $7,000. Last week 'Earthwonrt Trac- torjs' (FN) and 'jaurder by Aristo- crat' (FN) closed a fair second week at $3,300, with first getting good $5,300. . . United Artists (Parker) (1.000; 30- 40) —'San Francisco* (MG) (6th week). Still hitting a nice pace around $3,500. Fifth week did $4,200. First.four great pickings for a total of $26,500. . • • Paramount (Evergreen) (3.000; 30- 40)—'Bride Walks Out' (RKO) and 'Dr. Forbes* (20th). Responding to bally for corking $5,700. Last week Tattle Rich GitT (20th) and 'Sophie Lang' (Par), nlce^ results in second week for okay $5,000. First week big $7,600. Orphenm (Hamrick - Evergreen) 2.000; 30-40)—'Rhythm on Range' .(Par) and 'Public Enemy's Wife' (WB);' Hitting the pay dirt nicely for $7,500. big. Last week "White Fang* (20th) and . "Let's Sing. Again' (RKO) made a dual that registered nicely and held nine days for good enough $4,500., , " Wfoyfalr (Parker-Evergreen) (1.400; 30^40)-'Soendthriff (Par) and 'Ari- zona Raiders' (Par). Average dual clicking for fair $2,000. Last week 'Big Noise' (FN) and 'Melody Lingers On' (UA ), $1,700. . . TASTURES/ $11,500, DENVER'S TOP DRAW Denver, Aug. 4. (Best Exploitation: Denver) 'Green Pastures' started to good bu.siness, with lines at b.O. all day yesterday (Monday). Goes next ta the Aladdin for a-week. 'Rhythih on Range' and 'Dancing Lady' alsO delivering, excellent biz, with 'Rhy- thm' probably holding over. Denver gets top exploitation with its 119th weekly Ford giveaway. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Huffman) (1,500; 25-40- 50)—'White Fang* (20th-Fox). De- BT CECELIA AOEB Jaines Cagney sat back .quietly in his chair, his voice was low and mild. He tqlked of this and that, of the Warner Bros, and hbw^ .be .came to Grand National; of Hollywood and bicarbonate of .soda, and his com- ments were tempered, with toler- ance, with an appreciation of the other fellow's side. ■ Clearly Mr. Cagney looked on from ■. the long view; he reflected philosophic calm, he. wasn't sore about a thing, he im- derstood, ' (Admirable, 'one thought; admirable—4>ut is it C^agney?) The talk turned to ^.scripts. Sud- 'denly his'fingers fluttered' over his heart soared. A flicker; of a smile slowly widened with realiiation;- he held'^the pause a moment longer— then he said, "very "softly-^'a good script' Now his strong, hands locked writhing over his stomach, he shud- dered slightly, and physical pain set (Continued on page; 46) 'PASTURES'BIG Baltimore, Aug. 4. (Best Exploitation: Stanley) 'Green Pastiures' are proving pre- cisely that to the Stanley this week. Started in a sprint and jumped again when rave reviews camie out Week will be the biggest here' in more than six months, with chances excellent for better than $12,500; h.o,. of course. . New is sitting. pretty with 'To Mary—With Love,* drawing heavy matinee trade, and consistent even- ning biz. There'll be a h.o. here,^ too. Stanley 'stood *em off on the:ex? ploitation tussle this week, giving 'Pastures' plenty of paper, nbt only in Balto, but within a radius of 15 miles around the town. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew-UA) (3,000; 15-26- 35-40-55-66)—'Weiit to College' (MG) and .'Spring is Here' tab on stage. Weak $8>500. List week 'Suzy* (MG) and vaude, $20,000, cheers. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,300: 15-25-35-40-55-66) — 'Grand Jury' (RKO) and Three Stooges heading vaude. Bill set for six-and-half days only. Stanza will come out o.k. with $11,000. Last week 'Half Angel* (20th) and Will Osborne orch on stage, a bit under fair $10,000. • Keith's (Schanberger) (2,500; 15- 25-30-35-40-55)—'Earthworm Tractor' (WB). Disappointing, especially in view of the fact that Joe Brown al- ways did well at this stand. No more than $3,000. Same last week for 'Spendthrift' (Par). New (Mechanic) (1,500: 15-25-30- 35-40-55)—'To Mary—With Love' (20th). ExceUent $5,200 and will stick another week. Last stanza was of five days' duration for revival of 'State Fair' (20th); less than a wan $2,(i00. Stanley (WB) (3,200: 15-25-35-40- livering only fair $3,000. Last week, v.,^, v««uv, -~ 'Poor Little Rich Girl' (20th-Fbx),..55)_<Pastures' (WbJ. Bubbling over got good $4,000. Film had already been at the Denver a week, where it turned in $12,000. Broadway (Huffman) (1,500; 25- 40)—'Suzy' (MG).' Following a week at the Denver, pic is turning in nice $3,000. Last week the Broadway re- vived three films, 'Count of Monte Cristo' (UA), 3 days, 'House of Roth- schild' (UA), 2 days, and 'Les Mis- erables' (UA), .2 days, and did over $2,500 with them. Center (Allan) (1,500; 20-25)— 'Jack Ahoy' (GB) and stage show. Neat $2,500 in sight for combo. Last week, 'Murder by Television' (Imp) and vaude, got $2,500, nice. Denham (Cockrill) (1,500; 25-35- .40)—'Rhythm on the Range' (Par). Bing Crosby drawing 'em in here, with $6,500 indicated. Last week, 'There's Always Tomorrow' (U), got $5,000, very nice summer biz.' Denver (Huffman) (2,500; 25-35- 50)—'Green Pastures' (WB) and stage band. Drawing good biz; $11,- 500 in sight. Last week, 'Suzy' (MG), tipped big $13,000. Orpbonm (RKO) (2,600; 25-35-40) —'Dancing Lady' (MG) and 'Big House'- (MG), dual. Pair of pix de- livering ' good biz ' at $8,000 pace. Last week, 'The Bride Walks Out' (RKO) and 'M'Lijis' <RKO), dual, d:d nice $6,000. Paramonnt (Huffman) (2,000: 25- 40)—'Border Patrolman' (20th-Fox) and 'I Stand Condemned' (UA), Biz n. s. g, at $2,500, Last week, 'Pride of the Marines' (Col) and 'One-Way Ticket' (Col), did $3,000, average. include Ralph Hanbury, chairman and managing director of Radio Pic- tures, Ltd,; George Dawson, secretary of same company; Charles Stillman and D. W. Brumbaugh. with gold, Socko $12,500 and will h,o. Take this week is biggest in six months. Last week, second of 'White Angel' (WB), $4,000. n.g. METRO GETS JUMP ON NEW SEASON'S SHORTS Hollywood, Aug. 4. Announcement that 25% of Metro's shorts for the 1936-37 season have been completed was made by Fred C. Quimby, general manager for the department, before returning to New York. Dozen pictures have been com- pleted, six in production, nine in the cutting room and 10 others ready to shoot PEGS' BALLYHOO FEATTJEE Detroit Aug. 4. After 10 years with one-reel flick- ers, Detroit Community Fund is go- ing in for feature-length pic this year, with a scenario, modern sound equipment and professional per- formers and director. • One pic, to show work of Com- munity Fund among town's poor, is already in production at Metropoli- tan studio here. Story is by Arnold Daly, director of the Artisan Guild Players here. Mrs. Golda Mayer, of the Community Fund, is technical advisor. Cast in- cludes Bill Morrison, Beatrice Lei-_ blee, John Desmond, James Erwin, Klock Ryder, Gwen DeLany, Helen Ulmer, Al Rigali and Bobbie Brown, all local pros.