Variety (Aug 1936)

VARIEty PICT E CROSSES Wednesday, August 26^ 1936 B/0.sCdIdin , and Holds '., ' Philadelphia, Aug. 25. < I>hilly itiUr^y/eltering from one oi! -Its worst cOihbiiiiktions of heat and humidity in yej^nrand pig biz is at low ebb, with .^e.public"iii^ferring' . the garden ho^ or cool; _dr.inks ip^ ^reen and stagfsi 'coitertafiimi^t. ' ' No ^ubt but what cbnditfon^'^tic jgoing lo. afl^i ^ttie highly-UeraVlkd- *Anthony Adverse' bul^ on the other >hand, this one will lead the down-^ town procession without any trou- .ble, with biz outstanding. Length of .flim Cuttin;g dOwn ntuhber of show- ings daily has .beeh partially offset. Iby opening theatre doors early <8?45 au m>), but jnorning biz hasn't been inyiUne to' rave about Aided by its' ''iidvance tampaign and rep of book 'ani pames'. of leads^ 'Adverse' ought .to get |i3O,O06, with • second week .mire and a third possible. Sunday <30) ^Adverse' gets ^me l^atvy competition .in another 'lengttiy pic—*Romeo / «nd • Juliet,'' which-relights the Chestnut Street .Opera Itouse on a roadshow basis.' •Advance .ad ' campaign, has beeii- lieavy and this one will undoubtedly cCttt into Ihe rest of-tht downtOwii; -bifc-i "1^ ■•• . Fox has a pic that received good notices, but won't get cotrespopd- in^ Sood biz because of the weath- er. Fihn is 'Smg, Baby, Sing* with the stage show:'being topped by Har- riet Hocton Combo -wWt get oMxre than average $14,000 uiUe^ tluer- .mometer suddenly drops. Eorle's .eitkt! show is topped by Herb Wil- .lianns, with 'I'd Give My Life' on Ihe «cr«en. So-so $12,000 is indicated. Estimates jTor This Week ' AreadU (600; 25-40-50)—'Spend- ttrift' (Par) (2d run). ■ Fahr $2,000 seen. Last week .'San .Frahcisco' 'CMG), third x\» and also cohcur- lent with, showing at' Palace on ■lower Market street, got.poor $1,300 lA'sjx days, Boyd (2,400; 40-S5)—'Anthony Ad- **erse'. (WB). Opened Friday and heading-for big $30,000 and holds «ver. I^ength of film and weather i - hurting. Bouse dark for four days; "prioif to, 'Adverse' premiere. . , ' Esrle (?.000; 25-40-55)—'I'd. Give. Whr Lite* <Par) and taude. Herb Vmliams headliher.-, So^so ' $}2,000 :seen for six-day week. Last wfeek' ■lay American Wife* (Par) and 'vaude' (Duncan Sisters)'got fair $12,- 500, with 'heat knocking a coupla '£rand off here. Fox (3,000; 40-55-65)—"Sing, Baby, Sing* (20th) and stage show. Har- : riet Hoctor headlinipg. Good no- tices, but show won't beat weak $14,000 unless heat Wave passes. Last week 'Rhythm on the Range' - (Par), second week, got surprising- ly good $17,000. Karlton (1,000; 25-35-40)—:'Rhythm on' the Range' (Par> .(2d run). Should get sound $3,000. Last week . "Suzy' (MG) (2d run),,got good $4,- 000 in nine days. •Keith's (2,000; 30-40-50)—'To Mary >-With Love' (20th). (2d run). A lit- tle better than house average, mebbe .13,600. Holding for at least part of second week. Stanley (3,700; 40-55) — 'GUIs' Dormitory* (20th). Opening, tomor- row (Wedhesd^y); 'His Brother's ^Oe' (MG) getting okay $16,000 in secoild week. . Stantao (1,700; 30-40-50)r--'CWna >Clipper' (WB). Bucking tough con- ditions, will be lucky to get $5,200. Last week '36 Hours' (20th), got only $5^000, under average. # "Brother's Wife' Steals M of (hnalia at $12,000 Omaha, Aug. ..25. (Best Exploitation:. Omaha) . Omaha theatre jumped the gun by bringing in its new pirogram on Tuesday, two days in advance of regular, opening .day.; 'Brother's Wife,* coupled with 'Sky Parade,' Opened to iminediate capacity mati- nee biz and following through the rest of the week. It's in the very topmost money class ^nd certa:n for at least-nine days' rim, maybe more. Opening day as well as week-end nudging 'Francisco' records, and the - eiEtra^ey run -will see . this one top 12 grand, scrumptuous. ' Weather, which has brought new heat records as well as a heart- breaking dry spell, has . at last cracked and brought rain, not only - to the ci^,' but to the surrounding area, ^ where it is really needed. While it's too , late to do any . .good for' the crops! will help with fall pasture and conditioiting the ground for winter wheat. Still a little chance for some sal-vage. There is a brightening of attitude, if nothing elto. " *" ' Best i^jiploitation. accredited fo' Cihaha for 'Brother's - Wife' cam- paign, only a day in advantee plug- ging, biit good enough to get a full hou^e by 2 p. m. openuag day, , Esttm^A^ for This Week <>mah»;. (Biahk) (2,100; 25-40)- •Brother's Wife' (MG) and 'Sky Pa- rade* (Par)4 . Grood combo. - Jimmic Alien angle will get the kids-and maybe some'.lfnales who aren't too inter^ited in Tt^lor in comt>arison with the iem surge. Opened ca- pacity bi? and holding ^^trong. Will stay^ for niiie days to run over $12,- 000, the tops. Last week only five days of holdover on 'Rhythm on Range' (Par) and 'Educating Father' (20th), good enough at $3,S00..a total of over $13,0()0 for the 12 days. Arpbeam (Blank) (%fl7e: 25-40)— •Yours for Asking* (Par) and 'Sud- den Sieatb* (Par). Bit above aver- age and satisfactojty at .tiiat pace,- $.7,000 not bad. Last.week To Mary, With Love' (20tb> «id 'Preview Murder* (Par) xave'the house a bit of a spurt to $8,000, nice. . Bnuidei* . (Singer«RKO) (1,250; 26<S5.40)—'Second Wifft!: 4BKO) sod- *Coiinterfeif.' (Cbi). ' Cbuple , of weakies plained.with, the hope the Loids-aiarkey fight . fflioas would prove a draw. Slow fpi' this house, $3,200 barely average,.. Last week^ 'Mb^ Scotland' (B160> held out eight days for satisfactory' business., and' made,., the. trip, single-featured; Tfo. all $5,700 very good. : Tastnres'Sob at 5^ Portland, Ore., Aug. 25. (Best ExpIsUatten: Bdway—Par) 'Piccadilly Jim! at Broadway an- swering to exploitation in spite of strong competish at other spots, Dualed with 'Valentine,' makes a strong program. Another big play goes to 'Green Pastures* at the Orph which broke its' dual featxite policy to show it as a single, and from results the house isnt sorry. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (2,000; 30-40) —'Piccadilly Jim' (MG) and 'Jimmy Valentine' (Rep). Nice bet and win- ning biR $8,000; Holds over. Last week.'Henry VHl' (UA) and 'So- ciety Doctor' (MG), revival of two former b.o. hits that rated a nice pace at $5,000. United Artists (Parker) (1.000; 30 40)—'Brother's Wife' (MG) (2d week). (3oing ' great stuff, around $4,000; first week nut house well over the top for strong $6,600. Paramount (Evergreen) (3.000; 30 40)—'Mary Scotland* (RKO) and •Hollywood BlVd' (Par). (Setting good play entirely on the first named pic; eased off second half but $6,000 is o.k. Last week To Mary— With Love' (20th) and 'Educating Father' (20th) second week nicely for $5,100; first big at $7,900. Orpheam (Hamrick - Evergreen) (2,000; 30-40) — 'Green Pastures' (WB). Answering exploitation for great play for this house at $5,500 ?jid may hold. Last week 'Satan Met Ladv' (WB) and 'In Love Again' (GB) nice pickings on the Jessie Mathe-ws' piS for okay $5,200 , Maylair (Parker-Evergreen) (1,- 400.- 30-40)—'San PranciscO' (MG) (9th week). Still doing great biz around $3,500; 8th week $3,300. First seven mopped up in excess of $38,000. ^Baby* Sings Tuneful Nice $3,800 in Lincoln . Lincoln. Aujg. 25. (Best Exploitation: Stnart) Money plaudits . this • week are likeLv to concentrate on 'Sing, Baby. Sing' ■ which comes into the Stuart on the tail end of a big talk cam- paign started by a recent midnight looksee for the neighbors. Good crowd turned out on the ramble be-^ cause it was too hot to sleep and those who came seemed pretty well bopoed up about it. Take will near |4.000. To-wn marking time until next weekend when the races start and a week later the State Fair, then col- lege and the spree is on. Showmen; intrigued by good football team pos- sibilities at the U.. of Neb., see ih this at least five tremendous week- ends, during the fall season -with plenty of aniusement money. Estintaits^ for This Week Liberty (LTC) (1,200; 10-15)— 'Cowboy and Kid* (U) split with dual 'Confidential' (U) plus 'Prison Shadows'- (Pur). House has stopped the twice weekly auction nights,, but the weather has turned oS a bit cooler and the money is about eveii; average $80a in sight. Last week 'Last of the Warrens' (Sup) plus Trouble* (20th) split with 'Velvet Claws' (WB) also got out with about the same money, $850.. Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-20-25)— "Spendthrift* (Par) plus 'Sophie Lang' <Par) split with - 'CHieers for Love* (Par) dualled with 'Girl of ist Runs on Broadway ^Sobjeot to Change) Week of Ang'-sls . ■ Astor — 'Romeo ;ahd Juliet-'. (MG) '(2d wk). ; ' Capltoi — 'Piccadilly Jlmi'"^ (MG); Music Ifall -+. -'iJwing Time' (RKO) (27). ■.. • Parainoant—To Mary—With Love* (tar) (26);* BlaltOr-'Case of the Velvet - Claws* .(WB). RlvoIl-»'Road to Glory' (UA). (4th wk). Edxy —' 'Girls* Dotrfiitolgr* (20th). ^ - I-: Strand 'Anthony Adverse* (WB) (26). Week of Sept. 4 Astor — 'Romeo and Juliet' , (MG) (3d wk). Capitol — 'Gorgeous Husby' may, . . " Mssic Wtail — 'Swing Time' (RKO) (2d wk), Paramonni — 'General . Died at Dawrf" (Par) (2)w UvoU—'Last of the Mohi- cans' (UA) (2). Boxy — 'Sing, Baby, Sing* <20th>.:, Strand—'Anthony-A^V^Vse*. i(WBy X!2d wk); ' • • .... ;„.jt>?.,. TaylorJEMO; Ains,$24m Taking Mo^ of the Biz in Pitt. BROOKLYli ROSY Ozark$* ',(Par).. Dutis hitting . good here lately and the final 'ttQce'here should be arotihd $2,600. n0t at Vall. bad. .Last -vtreek 'Public Enemy's Wife* (WB) duaUed withi^-^Ticket' (Rep). split with 'Rainy Aft&ldOon' (UA) phis 'Half Anger (20th); got .away with $2,550, .pretty gotH^-' .;prplie«m (LTC) <1,350; ia.lth-20)^ ■'Stand; CSondenined' (UA) with 'the Louis-Sharkey fight, split 'wittlVfI>anc- ing Lady* (MG) plus iBhLuBouse' (MG).' Combo bil^ is tigilg good play an4 $1,700 in sight; best^ for the, house since the last fight pictures. Last week 'Gentle Julia^ (20thy plus 'First Baby* (Par) spUt with 'Yellow Dust* (RKO) plus 'Dancing Feet' (Rep), pulled out with-$1>500, good. Stnart (LTC) (1,900; 10-25-40)— 'Sing, • Baby, Sing* (20th). Good chance to go places on this one. Comes into town heralded by an ad- vance preview, diuring the hot spell which was. heavily attended because no one could sleep in the heat. Likely to tally $3,800 or better, ell things considered. Last' week To Mary' (20th) went sleepy from the begin- ning, final .count placed money at $3,400, pretty fair. Varsity (WesUand) (1,100; 10^5) 'Wildcat Trooper' (Amb). Split with 'Secret AgenV (GB). Considerable bally and ad money spent on latter pic and house -will be over $1,000 for the first time in a while, good. Last week 'Racing Blood' (Conn) split with 'Trapped by Television' (Col), dull $800 . KHnHM,' mOHICANS' EACH $10,000, PROV. Providence, Aug. 25. ■ (Best Exploitation: Loew's) Nice activity around these parts. Fairly comfortable weather coupled with smart biUs giving exiiibitors business usually seen around mid- winter. Biz is good all-aroimd -with perhaps one exception. -Leading the field is 'Rhythm on the Range* at Strand where house has every hope of bettering $10,000 .mark. Not far behind is 'Mohicans' at Loew's. • Loew's once again mopped up the town with bally campaign. While there was noihing.sensational about the exploitation the ^oroughness of the job launched by Howard Burk- hardt made it stand out. Eveiry pos- sible avenue was qtilizied to plug 'Last of Mohicans,' libraries, radio, as well, as co-op tie-ups- with depart- ment stores featuring, the campaign. House also used 3,200'-extra lines of advertising. Estimates for.i;h)s Week Strand (Indie) (2,200; 15-25-40)— 'Rhythm on Range' (Par) and 'Navy Born' (Rep).' Crosby always kind to this house and . his latest is no ex- ception. Opening, day earlier . 4han other houses, was iseosational. 'This start witli week-end biz gives house every chance of even bettering $10,' 000 mark. Last week 'Yours for Ask ing' (Par) and 'Fatal Lady' (Par) also oke at $6,500. Loew's State (3,200; 15-25-40)— 'Last of Mohicans'(UA) and 'Women Are Trouble' (MG). Smooth, sailing, likely to go $10,000, «ke. Last week. 'Piccadilly Jim* (MG) and Xegong fair at $8,000. Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 15-25-40)— 'China Clipper' (WB) and 'Chan at Races' (20th). Bill getting the com- ment, but opposish a bit too tough for. any real .Killing; sure of hitting $7,000, nice for these thnes. Last week 'Satan. Met Lady* (WB) and 'Educating Father' (WB^) mUd at $5,900. Fay (2,000; 15-25-40)—'Jailbreak' <WB) and vaudeville. Opposish tak- ing plenty away from this sppt, es- pecially this week; Not like]^ to go over $4,500 at the most. <Bange,>.'Scotland* Basis $2«.000 and $16,900, Bespeetlyeiy [ Brooklyn,. Aug. 25< j Best biz among downtown delux-; ers at Fabian*s Faramoxmt and RKO Albee, former oifering Crosby flicker 'Rhythm on Bange' and •Return Of Soi^ie Lang,'-While latter has-'Mary of Scotland' and 'Star for Night' Both houses expect to hold over. Par figured to do in region of $20,- 000, splendid, whjle Albee will re- ceive nice $16,500 ior :week. Estimates for This Week Paramount <4,000; 25-^-50)— 'Rhythm On the Range' (Par) and •Return of &)phle Lang'. (Par), dual. Surprising management by .getting nitty $20,000 and holding; over second week. Last week, 'Green Pastures* (WB) and "Earth- wonn Tractors' XWB) (2d wk), $10,- 000, fair. , Fox (4.000: 25-35-50) *Down Undet the Sea* (Rep) and JMTiiss' (RKO), duaL wm bring' in faii| $9.-000. •, Flickers ' caipe in- last Wednesday. Last week. . Three. Cheers'. (Par)'. 'imd *Br6adway' Bill' (MG). «oi$$,O00 for five days; poor. Albee (3,400: 25-35^50)—'Mary of Scotland'- (HKO) and 'Star for Nijiht'; (20th); dual. Doing nicely at $16.- 500 and will hold over. Last week. 'Second Wife' and 'Crash Donovan', (U),'$8:O0O; mild. Loew's Met (3,400:. 25>.35-50)— •Suzv*' (MG) (2d Wk") and 'Devil DoU* <MG). dual, , Okay $12,000. Last week 'Suzy* anil 'We'.Went to- ColleRe*-(MG). $11,000. okay. • Strand . .(2,000:. 2.'5-35-.'50)—Tiger- Sharlc* (WB) (revival) and 'Death on' Setf. (Jnd.), dual. Will produce' onlv $4,000. Last week, 'J»ilbreak' (WB) and Three on Trail' (Par), $5,000, satisfactory, • . KC'ites Toasted to A Crisp By the Heat; ^Sing Baby' $13,000 Kansas . City, Aug, 25. The average KG native is ais well cooked as a-fiOck of barbecued ribs and jusit about as hard to get.:<along' with- Days of 100 degrees temp' how number 45 and the break yet im- predicted. Park band and ork blow- hards liiring .those who don't mind the chiggers, and night baseball packing in the addicts, thus farther cutting a wide swath in theatre night- takie's. Mats have been ^ong with plenty of mamas and' gals downtown for school shopping. 'Singy Baby, Sing* will yodel .'the Mainstreet into the lead the current week %ith nice $13,000. Marquee strength, is all.here this week.'(>ther tvmgsten clusters are unbaited :.and biz will _ get a spread. Est'inia'tes for This Week Uahistreet (RKO) (3,200; 25-40)— 'Sing, Baby, Sing' (20th). Lack of formidable competish will send this along to good $13,000. Last week 'Mary Scotland' (RKO) too heavy for summer fare and wilted all- the way, $8,500, modest ^Newman (Par) (1,900; 25-40)— XJhma Clipper' (WB) and 'Every Sat. Night*. (Fox). Strength of dual bill is all in 'Clipper' and heading for okay ^,000. Last week ?Rhythm on Range' (Par) (2nd run), nice enough with $8,200 for six dayS. .Midland (Loew); (4,000; 25-40) 'Kelly Second' (MG). Won't better weak $9,000. Last week 'Piccadilly Jim' (MG) ran ,wild and grabbed sweet $19,500- . ^ower (Rewot-Fox) <2.200; 25)— Chan at Race Track' .,(20th) and yaude. Looking for a pleasant .$7,500, Last week 'Parole' (U), nice. $7,100, Uptown (Fox) (2,030; 25-40)— 'Girls' Dorm' (20th), Simone Simon evidently on the KC 'discovery' list judging from the good $,8,000 in sight. Last week 'Your's fot Asking' (Par), a' dud, $3,200 for .six .days. Royal (Indie) (800; 25-40)—*Ec stasy,' Sensational bally has 'em talking and they, may do biz, 'Flags,"Slibwlioal."Deeds' Lead B.O.'s in Sydney Sidney, July 28. 'Under Two Flags" (Fox), 'Show Boat' (U) and 'Mr. Deeds' (Col) are the three winners at the b.o. here. 'Flags' goes into its third.week to a very high.gross, and 'Show Boat' sweeps into its sixth stanza at the small capacity Liberty. 'Deeds' came in during the past week and started out fine, , 'Things to Come* (UA) opened ■during the week and looks like getting something, mainly because Pittsburgh, Aug.. 25. (Best Exploitation: Stanley), .Looks like, there's jiist' so much summer business isoing aroui^d'each week, so lt*s either a pretty- even division or.' a lopsided take at one ' end. For the current :^tanai,- Penu and Stanley are milkiiig the. town, with the others watching the parade go by. '• Those, fiabbergasting Major Bowes amateurs, with "Yours for Asking' on screen^ giving .Stanley another hot -week, with ^^ess headed for an easy $24,000 and po^lbility of going even b^ond tlut. No. explaining the local lure of the radio tyros: this is the sixth time in a yeat they've turned the trick and the end's not yet in sight.'. Keeping stride with WB de- -luxer is the Penn, where fenunes are girowing more and more ga-ga about Robert'Taylor; .Plickef's 'His Broth- - er's W^e' and tremendotis mats shooting hotise for ilizzling'$19,000. STuIton got Oft to great sitavt with 'Sing, Baby^ Sing,^ v«nd Jutd> '>(wo whacking r de^ lintir stiff opposish cropped up'Ftidaly <21) and then slipi^ oilf. Getaway indicated - An easy h.b. .but it goes out tonight (25) to aroimd $6,000. Fulton, incident- ally, will stick to Wednesday as regular opening day. Alvln not do- ing so well with 'Meet Nero Wolfe' and. jreissue of 'State Fair-' and yanks dual tonight (25) after five days to less 'thah^$3,500, wbile Warner, too, is limping along with 'Return of So- phie Lang* and liOve Begins at 20.' May "cr(^ $4,000, but that's doiibtfuL Stanley concentrated exploitation again . on Ma}or Bowes amateurs, tying in with-program Sunday (23) on strictly local votet with winner on Pittsburgh phone ballots being flown in from.New York yesterday (24) to join unit here. Estimates for This Week Alvin (Harris) (2,000; 25-35-40)^ •Nero Wolfe' (Col) and 'State Fair* (Fox). Bit - too earty perhaps for another Will Rogers reissue since 'Connecticut Yankee' played here only few weeks a^o. N.s.h. generalty and present dual goes out tonight (25) after five days to $3,500, if that New -pair, 'Pepper' (20th-Fox) and 'Chan Race. Track* (2pth-Fox) opens tomorrow (26) two days ahead of schedule. Last week 'Girls' Dor-r mitory' -(20th-Fox), first rate at $7 250 Fnlton (Shea-Hyde) (1.750: 15-25- 40)—'Sing, Baby, Sing* (20th-Fox). Got away sensationally ane| for two days looked as big as opening of 'Poor Little Rich Girl.* ■ However, Fultoii opens two days ahead of other first-runs and when stiff competition developed from couple,of other sites, 'Sing' slipped way off and ruined chances .ox h. o.. Around $6.t)00. Last week '"White Fang' (20th-Fox>, 'and 'Educating . Father' (20th-Fox), six davs, pretty bad at $2,800. Penn (Penn-Federal) (3.300: 25- 35-40)—'His Brother's Wife' (MG). Femmes foaming at the mouth over. 1936 model "Valentino. Robert Taylor, which make."? any of his pictures a pushover. This one hitting even beyond Ta.ylor'.s others and should mop up at $19,000. maybe better. Last week 'Mary of Scotland' (RKO), \mder expectations at $10,750. Stanley (WB) (3.600; 25-40-55^-r 'Yours for Asking' (Par) and Maior Bowes amateurs. Should hit $24.00(^ ■with, a eood chance of more. Last week 'Piccadilly Jim* (MG) and George Olsen-Ethel Shutta, another sockb at $24..'500. Warner (WB) (2.000; 25-40>—'Live Begins at 20' (FN) and Heturn of Sophie Lang' (Par), dual. Brace «f weskies and will be luckv to cross $4,000. Last week 'Satan Met a Ladv' (WB) and 'Spendthrift' (Par) plenty okay at $5,150. of clever exploitation. .'Colleen (W) was another opener and should stay two weeks to fair biz, 'Labur- num Grove' (ATP) is building slowly and should stay to good biz. Till We Meet Again' (Par) and 'Florida Special' (Par) wiU cop a A average run—nothing sensational. Tetticoat Fever? (MG) and "Un- guarded Hour' (MG) should get at least three wcks' good trade. Weekly oh nng o biz is satisfactory with "Escape From Devils' Island: (Col), 'Special Investigator' (RKO), and 'Desire' (Par). Melbourne, July 28. 'Magnificent Obsession' (U) is still doing great trade here. 'Desire (Par) is also nice. , R^st includes, 'Small Town Girl (MG), 'Splendour' (UA), 'King of the Damned* (GB), 'Abdul the Damned' (BIP), 'It Had to Happen (Fox), and "The Bohemian Girl (MG).