Variety (Oct 1936)

Wednesday, October 7, 1936 PICT E C SSES VARIETY Dick Merrill, Sarah Churchill No Draws in Boston; 'Godfrey' $25,000 Boston, Oct. 6. (Best Exploitation: jrlet) Twa freak fltage attractions, me- dium film fare generally, a* 1 * a.hoJLd- Xyer sum up . the background of knotty biz here this week* T)ick Merrill Oh. the Met stage, do- ing a talking bnV with toe Al Dona- hue band ahow, and 4 Wives Never Know' on the- screen, are taking a nose dive at the b.o. Sarah Church- 11L linked by the press in an alleged romance- with Vic Oliver, is appear- ing briefly in. a stage show with Oliver at the Keith Boston, with ^Star for a Night' pn screen, ijfiss Churchill apparently means nothing on the draw endY ^ Met had one. of the worst week- ends in history and will do well to hit $12,000, contrasting with a smash lake last week of $37,700, Biz at the Boston will also suffer contrast from last week at IMdQO. . ■ Town's leader is "My Man Godfrey' at the Memorial where a good $25,- 000 intake for eight days guarantees a holdover for at least one more stanza. 'Zieggy* at the Orph and State easily won a h.o. and second week will attract a total of about $30,000, excellent. Scollay* in proportion, is one of the healthiest stands; with two sec- tod runs,.'Stage Struck* and 'China Clipper,' dual, pointing to $8,500. ' Gene Fox and the exploit staff of the Met chose Dick, Merrill as the logical object of most of their extra- splurge work this week. Tossing 1,000 ping peng^ balls, promoted from a game manufacturer, out a Tre- jnont Street window, each pellet tarrying plug for the Merrill p..a. was perhaps the most spectacular gag pulled here in many weeks. A local air circus flying over the city, a press party aborad a transport plane,- tie-up with a department store's junior aviation league, a testimonial dinner by the National Aviators' Association, and a good batch of interviews and spacial 'newspaper stuff ■ were other high Spots of the campaign. Al Donahue, band leader, also playing the Met. was showered with local boy' stuff In the press, • . Estimates This Week Boston (RKO) (3.000; 35-50-65)— 'Star lor Tonight' (Fox) and stage Show with Joan Marsh, Sarah Churchill and Vic Oliver. Just medium $20,000. Last -week 'Don't Turn 'Em Loose' (RKO) and 'Glori- fied Follies' unit, very pleasing, $27,100. Colonial (Loew) (1,600; 55-83- |1.10-$1.65 — 'Borneo' (MG) (5th week) finished up roadshow here •with pale $3,000. ■, Fenway (M&P) (1,600; 25-35-40 B0>—r'Midsiunmer Dream' (WB) (2d run), and 'Son Comes Back' (Par) . (1st run), dual. Aro und $5,000, fair. -'China Clipper' (WB) and "Love Be- gins' (WB), double, oke $6,500 last week ' Keith Memorial (RKO) (2,000: 25- |5.50)—'Godfrey' (U). Drawing iocko night trade with matinees relatively light Good $25,000 for eight days and certain of one more .week. 'Swing Tlnie* (RKO) (4th Seek) had satisfactory , finale at i.QOjP, „.. «,i M ?^ oJ ^ ^&P) (4,200; 35-50^ 65)—'Wives^m Know' (Par) and ?e show topjied by Dick Merrill , I Al' Donahue band. Below sum- aer .level kt $l&fi00 or worse. Last jreek big $37,700 for *Your Heart' (WB) with John Boles and Fred Al- len ams on stage. ■ Orpheum (Loew) (3,000: 35-40-55 ^5)—*G«af Ziegfeld* (MG) (2d ealthyi .with tilted prices, jS.and late breaks; $17, _ ^ feek very good, $21.0QO. *ar»m6» nf (M&P) (1,800; 25-35- fl)—'Dream* (WB) (2d run) and yon Comes,Home* (Par) (1st run), dual. Shakespeare's first pop price . run, in ttas'.-fown benefited by no school on opening day (1) and from Overflow of' Memorial, next door, Over weekend, getting $9,000, over average. Last week «Clipper* (WB) tad 'Love Begins* (WB), dual, very good, $10,000. Scpllay (M&P) (2,700; 25-35-40-50) £-*China Clipper' (WB) and 'Stage Struck' (WB), both 2d run. Ringing the bell for very good $8,500. Last *eek gobd $7,500 on "'General Died' (Par) (3d run) and 'Three Married Men' (Par) (2d run), dual. ^State (Loew) (3^00; 35-40-55-65)— •ZieRfeld' (MG) (2d week), okay |13,000. First week very good, $J7,- Acad Tech Execs Hollywood, Oct. 6. New executive committee which Will govern Technicians' branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences this year includes John Arnold, Farciot Edouart, Fred Gage, Nathan Levinson, Wesley G. Miller, Van Nest Polglase and Ray Wilkin- son. Arnold, Levinson and Polglase'will represent the branch on the new Acad board of governors. ,• LINCOLN'S EDDIE ALPERSON Home Town Boy's In His Steps' Gets $1,30« in 'World Premiere' Lincoln, Oct. 6, (Best Exploitation: Varsity) Money is again turning out for the Stuart in favor of 'My Man Godfrey.' There's a lot of flutter money around, too, on this weekend which is the opening football game of the season with Nebraska scrapping with Iowa State. Crowd of 27,000 came to town H SZS l4, 'Godfrey* will get close to $4,000. Most of the bally is -with 'In His Steps, sold as a 'world premiere' and tied up with the early Nebraska career of Ed Alperson in the show biz. It s playing the Varsity and not going bad at $1,300. Estimates for This Week ^Liberty (LTC) (1,200; 10-15)— Three Mesquiteers' (Rep) plus 'Love, Honor' (U), split, with dual 'King of the Royal Mounted' (20th) plus 'Spirit of Notre Dame' (U). Four- some collecting $950, not bad. Last week Trailin' West' (WB) plus 'Miss- ing Persons' (WB), split with 'Down the Stretch' (WB) and 'Kennel Mur- der Case* (WB), $900, oke. Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-20-25)— 'Girls' Dorm.' (20th), also holding over Jay Clarke for second week. Femmes have been going for mental- ist. Fine week at $2,900. Last week 'Ramona' (20th) and Clarke carved out. $2,800, very nice. Orpbenm (LTC) (1,350; 10-20-25- 40)—'Girl on Front Page' (U) and Tarisian Follies' unit, split with dual 'Pepper* (20th) plus 'Sitting on the Moon F (Rep). Football weekend helping- this house to $2,700, nice. Last week 'Back to Nature' (20th) plus 'Shuffle Along' unit 'Iron Man' (U) and 'Doughnuts and Society' (Mas) with Bowes ams. (one day), went fine at $3,300. Stuart (LTC) (1,900; 10-25-40)— 'Godfrey' (U). Pic is in front of the field at $4,000. Last week. 'Gorgeous Hussy' (MG) got out .on eight days with $4,000, very good take. Varsity (Westland) (1,100; 10-20- 25)—'In His Steps' (GN). Picture is first from the GN and being given its world premiere in this town, cele- brating the Nebraska origination of Eddie Alperson, head of the com- pany. Going very well at $1,300. Last week 'Craig's Wife' (Col) very potent at $1,700. zieggy; $7,oci 2D DENVER WK. Denver, Oct. 9. (Best Exploitation! Denbam) "Stage Struck' is going strong at the Denver and goes to the Aladdin for second week. 'Great Ziegfeld' is sailing along nicely in second week at the Orpheum and doing about 50% of opening week's gross. 'Ramona,' at the Aladdin for a second week, is doing nicely. Rain last night (Monday) dented takes slightly. Best exploitation goes to the Den- ham, with its $3,000 offered in two drawings, while the Huffman the- atres have a mere $900. a Ford and an all-expense round trip to Chicago to offer. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Huffman) (1,500; 25-40- 50)—'Ramona' (20th). Following a week at the Denver, doing okay $4,- 000 here. Last week 'Nine Days a Queen' (GB) had a nice week, $3,500. Broadway (Huffman) (1,500; 25-40) — Star for a Night' (20th). Poor at $1,500. Last week 'Girls' Dormitory' (20th), following a week at the Den- ver, played to nice $3,000. Center (Allan) (1,500; 20-25)— 'Secret Agent' (GB) and 'Sitting on the Moon' (Rep), and stage show. U. S. G. at $2,000. Last week 'Final Hour' (Col) and 'Go Get 'Em, Haines' (Col) r and stage show» fairish at $2,250. Denham (Cockrill) (1,500; 25-35- 50)—'Wives Never Know' (Par) and stage show. Smacker at $8,500. Last week 'General Died at Dawn' (Par), on a two-day holdover, and 'Murder With Pictures' (Par), tossed in for five days to finish the week, $4,000, poor. Denver (Huffman) (2,500; 25-35-50) —'Stage Struck' (FN) and stage band. Just nice at $8,000. Last week 'Ramona,' big $11,000 and earned a second week at the Aladdin. Orpheum 1RKO) (2,600: 30-40-55) —'Great Ziegfeld' (MG) (2d week). About half last week's figure at $7,- 000. Last week, same pic got ter- rific $14,000. breaking house record. Paramount (Huffman) (2,000: 25- 40)—'Public Enemy's Wife' (WB) and 'Love Begins at 20' (FN).. Good $3,- 500. Last week 'Two in a Crowd' (U) and 'Postal Inspector' (U), neat $3,250. 1st Runs on Broadway (Subject to Change) Week •( Oct 9 „ Astor—'Romeo and Juliet* (MG) (8th wk). Capitol—'Great Ziegfeld' (MG) (4th wk). Criterion — 'Ramona' (20th) (6). Music Hall—'Gay Desperado' (UA) (8). Paramount—*Valiant Word for Carrie' (Par) (7). Bialto—'Lady Be Careful' (Par). Btvoll—*Dodsworth' (UA) (3d wk). Boxy—'Dimples' (20th). Strand—'Midsummer Night's Dream' (WB) (2d wk). Week of Oet 16 Astor—'Romeo and Juliet' (MG) (9th wk), Capitol—'Devil Is a Sissy' (MG). Criterion—"Ramona' (20th) (2d wk). Paramount—'Valiant Word for Carrie' (Par) (2d wk). Bialto—"Longest Night* (MG). Bivoll — 'Dodsworth' (UA) (4th wk). Boxy—'Dimples' (20th) (2d wk). Strand—'Cain and Mabel' (17). 'DREAMS' $6,000 ONLY OKE IN FRISCO San Francisco, Oct. 6. (Best Exploitation: Fox) "Midsummer Night's Dream' at pop prices (40c top) at the St. Francis, after three weeks at $1.50 at' the Geary almost a year ago, is only oke at $6,000. Very little was done in the way of ballyhoo, although some trade was drummed up during the previous week by a trailer. St. Francis, which usually goes in for long runs, will keep 'Dream' only one week if trade continues as is. Paramount and Fox are seeing bigger crowds this week with 'Gor- geous Hussy* at the former and 'Dimples' at the Fox. Shirley Temple is pulling them in at the Fox which should do its best biz since F-WC took over operation of the Fox sev- eral weeks ago. Chain went to town in exploiting Temple picture. Tie- up included window displays in de- partment, radio and shoe stores; dis- tribution of 50,000 pieces of Black Jack gum at schools and play- grounds, card attached to which said that Shirley and Black Jack gum are too good to miss,' and several radio broadcasts. Estimates for This Week Embassy (RKO-Cohen) (1,512; 30- 35-40)—'Swing Time' (RKO) (2d run). Moved here after three weeks at Gate. . Fair. $3,800. Last week 'Cavalcade' (Fox) and 'Renegades' (Fox), fair, $3,000. Fax (F-WC) (5,000;. 30-35-40)— 'Dimples' (20th) and 'Velvet Claws' (WB). Strong at $21,000. Last-week 'Ramona' (20th) and 'Hollywood Blvd.* (Par), $16,500, n.s.g. Geary (Lurie-Pincus) (1,200; 50-75- $1-$1.50)—'Romeo' (MGM) (5th wk.).. Shakespeare crowd getting wind of closing date and upping. take to $7,000. Last week (4th) slipped badly to below $6,000, Golden Gate (RKO) (2,850; 30-35- 40)—'Don't Turn *Em Loose' (RKO) and stage show. Back to normal prices. Average $16,000.' Last week (3d) 'Swing Time* (RKO), good $11,500. Orpheam (F-M) (2,440; 30-35-40) - •Godfrey* (U) and 'Yellowstone' (4th week). Big $7,600. Last week swell $10,000. Paramount (F-WC) (2,740; 30-35- 40)—'Gorgeous Hussy' (MGM) and 'Three Married Men' (Par). Big $22,- 000. Last week (2d) 'Piccadilly Jim' (MGM) and 'Pepper' (20th) n.s.g. at $9 000 St. Francis (F-WC) (1,470; 30-35- 40)—'Midsummer Night's Dream' (WB). Okay at $6,000, Last week (2d) 'Your Heart' and 'Wives Never Know' (Par) very good $6,500. United Artists (UA-Cohen) (1,200; 25-40)—'Mohicans' (UA) (2d week). Out of place in this house. Being yanked after bad second week at $4,000. First v/eek $7,000, n.s.g. Warfield (F-WC) (2,680; 35-40)— 'Old Hutch' (MGM) and 'Nine Days' (G-B) (2d week). Fair $9,000. Last week 'Old Hutch' (MGM) and 'Nine Days' (G-B), okay at $14,500. Mary Astor Helping 'Dodsy' to Top L A. Trade; 'Romeo' Slew at $13,500, Swing' Holdover $21,500; Par Anemic More Grosses Additional box-office gross stories will be found on page Z5 of this iBsar. Los Angeles, Oct. 6. (Best Exploitation: Cartkay Circle) Currently the b.o. lament is be- tween tourists seasons and beginning of. the football sessions. Both points are quite important as coin is miss- ing from theatres when these two enemies turn up annually. Best showing of current week for trade are the two Warner houses, Downtown and Hollywood, having 'Dodsworth' heading double bill. Biz started off exceedingly well with houses doing best they have in long time. Cast names and the Goldwyn extra coin on plugs helped this at- traction to great extent. Disappointing was the start of 'Romeo and Juliet' at Carthay Circle. Pic was given smash prelim cam- paign for $5.50 top opening. Crowds were big, so were raves, in dailies but biz foE initial week is lowest house has done since starting its two-a-day policy. Paramount, with one^of those so-so screen bills, is de- pending more on Jimmy Starr and his guest artists on stage for its trade than the two pics, 'Adventure in Manhattan' and 'Wives Never Know.' Chinese and State, with 'Piccadilly Jim' and 'Star for a Night' dual com- bine, are doing fair while the Pan- tages and RKO-are more than hold- ing their own with second week of 'Swing Time' and 'Second Wife.' Latter pic really hurting trade as it is conceded weakest pic houses have had this season. 'East Meets West,' a George Arliss importation, is none too strong at the Four Star. Metro put everything it had in ex- ploiting the week's highlight, 'Romeo and Juliet.' Made tieuos with class stores for show of R&J costumes besides having store mention at bot- tom of monthly statements fact pic was opening and where. Had ten radio stations spread ether routine on pic which covered entire south- ern California. Framed, telephone chain with omen clubs doing stunt asking ten to phone to ten who would keep up chain which helped everywhere but at b.o. for initial week. Tied in with junior colleges and schools, used heavy billboard and daily newspaper ad space. Out- lay for initial week on exploiting, including that for premiere, Was around $15,000, with work on it cov- ering around six weeks. Estimates for This Week Carthay Circle (Fox) (1,518; 55' 83-$1.10-$1.65) — 'Romeo* (MG). Drew in bit shy of $5,000 for open- ing nite with $5.50 top. Second day trade rather lame and initial week though good not considered terrific in hitting around $13,500. Chinese (Grauman) (2,028; 30-40- 55)—'Piccadilly Jim' (MG) and 'Star for Night' (20th), dual. Top bracket pic is one drawing trade which will be oke though not big at around $9,000. Last week 'Ramona' (20th) and 'Longest Night' (MG) dual. Little better than figured but not up to advance expectations with a fair $8 700 Downtown (WB) (1,800; 25-35-40) —'Dodsworth' (UA) and 'Velvet Claws* (FN), dual. With the Astor- Chatterton-Huston names topping and plenty plug coin spent, this top bracket pic will hit a swell $10,500. Holds over. Last week "Your Heart' (WB) and 'Bulldog Edition* (Rep) dual. Went kind of blooey over week end and wound up nine-day jaunt with around $10,500, rather tepid. Four Star (Fox) (900; 30-40-55)— 'East Meefs West' (G-B). This British-made Arliss attracting little if any attention and will be lucky for first stanza to hit $3,000. Last week, second and final, Thunder* (GB). • For five-day holdover, was very sad at less than $1,000. Hollywood (WB) (2,756; 25-35-40- 55)—Dodsworth' (UA) and »Velvet Claws' (FN) dual. Off to very good start and looks as though $11,500 is a cinch for the stanza. Holding second week. Last week, 'Your Heart' (WB) and 'Bulldog Edition' (Rep), Not a howling hit by any' means for nine-day sojourn which totalled $9,300. Orpbenm (Bdwy.) (2,280; 25-30-35- 40)—'Racing Blood' (Coiin) " and 'Walking on Air' (RKO), dual, and vaude. On stage Stepin Fetchit is doing the trick in draw and though just so-so is helping house plenty to hit the $9,000 mark. Last week 'Straight From Shoulder' (Par) and 'Murder With Pictures' (Par) dual and vaude, profit at $8,200. Pantates (Pan) (2.700; 30-40-55)— 'Swing Time* (RKO)- and 'Second Wife' (RKO), dual (2d week). The holdover stanza still attracting them to.A & R and week will be good but hot outstanding at around $10,500. Holds. Last week, first, which included special premiere was bit shy of figures but plenty torrid at bit short of $19,000. Paramount (Partmar) (3,595; 30- 40-55)—'Adventure in Manhattan' (Col) and 'Wives Never 1 Know' (Par) dual and stage - show. It's Jimmy Starr, local columnist, who is help- ing this duo of weak sisters cop some coin for the house. Take will hit around $14,500 which is weak. Last week 'Craig's Wife' (Col) and 'Lady Be Careful' (Par), dual, and stage show. With upper bracket pic minus names, house was minus profit at $11,400. BKO (2,950; 30-40-55) —'Swing Time* (RKO) and 'Second Wife* (RKO) dual (2d week). Astaire- Rogers pic seems bigger here than out Hollywood, way. Keeping at smart pace and will hit the $11,000 mark for holdover week. Still an- other stanza to go. Last week,' first, was greatest $18,300. . State (Loew-Fox) (2,024; 30-40-55) —'Piccadilly Jim' (MG) and 'Star for Night' (20th), dual. Just fair and nothing to brag about is the $11,500 being corralled this week. Last week, 'Ramona' (20th) and 'Longest Night' (MG) dual. Came through better than figured and hit a profitable $13,200. ' United Artists (Fox-UA) (2,100; 30-40-55)—'Ramona' (20th) and The Longest Night' (MGJ, dual. Doing oke and will- wind up week with around $5,000. Last week, 'Dormi- tory'- -(20th) and 'Sworn Enemy* (MG), dual. Sort of skidded here and necessitated use of red for house in just edging over the $2,300 mark. DREAM'$12,700, NICE, INST. L St. Louis, Oct. 6. (Best Exploitation: Missouri) Two Shakespearean films, two. stage shows and wealth of good screen fare at big berthas give Mound City rialto a big league at- mosphere. Everybody's, enthusiastic, over biz and with annual Veiled. Prophet parade and ball thrown in for good measure, town has takeil on a carnival atmosphere. Missouri, with a standout cam* paign on 'Midsummer Night's Dream'; at pop prices, got off to a nice opening and house is in for $12,700. Pix was really sold to nabes and schools. Exploitation was a standout at three houses; top honors to Missouri for its school campaign. Second a tie for Ambassador for its stage show, drive and Fox f6r k.o. fashion hook- up with large department store that brought plenty Of free space through co-op ads. ■ (Estimates for This Week)' Ambassador (F&M) (3,018; 25-35- 55)—'Your Heart' (WB) and Paul Ash directing stage show. Big, $17,-* 000. Last week 'Stage Struck 7 (FN) and Thank You, Jeeves' (20th), $12,- 800, below expectation, Fox (F&M) (5,038; 25-35*55)— 'Magnificent Brute' (U) and 'Girl on Front Page' (U). Good, $14,000. Last week 'Craig's Wife* (Col) and 'Adventure in Manhattan' (Col)* $12,400, satisfactory, Loew's (Loew) (3,162; 25-35-55)— 'Gorgeous Hussy' (MG) (2d week). Profitable at $9,200, Last week $18,- 000, good but not what was expected. Missouri (F&M) (3.514; 25-35-55)— 'Dream' (WB) and 'Back to Nature' (20th). Doing .$12,700, nice. Last week 'Walking on Air* (RKO) and 'Velvet Claws 7 (FN), $10,300, aver- age. Orpbenm (F&M) (1,950; 25-35-50) —'Mliss' (RKO) and 'Grand Jury' (RKO), dual. Ordinary at $6,000. Last week 'Anthony Adverse' .(WB). $6,800, fair. St. Louis (F&M) (4,000; 25-40)— Sing, Baby' (2d run) (20th) and Armida heading stage show. More' than $7,600 needed to break house nut. Last week 'Girls' Dormitory' (20th) (2d run) and Louis-Ettore fight pics, with stage show. Below average at $7,400. Burr Setts His Dozen; Now Prepares to Prod. Hollywood, Oct. 6. '.' C. C. Burr is back on the Coast' 1 - after having closed 85% of the terri- tory for his two series of pictures. He spent two months on the road and now is ready to produce. ' Product will comprise six outdoor features starring George Eldredge and six detective yarns. First of the Eldredge stories will be 'Saddle Your Blues,' but it is not yet decided whether this or a detective yarn will be the first to go -before the lenses. Pictures will be filmed at Interna- tional Studios.