Variety (Oct 1936)

VARIETY Pinked Heart' Gets Femmes and for Chi; libeled'Opens at Sock $29 000 RamonaV 13GStart Chicago, iOct. 13. (Best Exploitation: United Artists) Flock of new flickers in town, and a couple" are showing real strength. . One of the rare 'pink' pictures is on display for adults only at the Chicago. 'Give Me Your Heart' was originally rejected by the censors, but on a rescreening got through with a no-minors-allowed permit. It's u'pping the take at the big house to $33,000. After five weeks of 'Swing Time,' the Palace has a new entry, 'Two in a Crowd,'-and a stage unit, adding up to pretty good biz at $20,000. United Artists was forced to push out 'Hussy' despite good biz in order to make room for 'Libeled Lady' which opened on Saturday (10) and which is being rushed for 'Do.ds- worth,' next in line, 'Lady' is going to a smash $29,000. 'Ramona' opened • at the Roosevelt Saturday also, re- placing'Last of Mohicans.' Estimates for This Week. . Apollo (B&K) (1,200; 25-35-55)— 'Adverse' (WB) (2d week). Nearly $6,000 currently after nifty $8,300 last-week. Chicago (B&K) (4,000; 35-55-75)— •your Heart' (WB) and stage show. < 'Pinked' flicker corralling the femmes. Better than $33,000. Last week 'Piccadilly Jim' (MG), medio- cre at $27,100. Gar rick (B&K) (900; 35-55-65)— •Hussy' (MG) (2d run). Moved'here from.three weeks -at. United Artists. Continuing strong pace at $8,500, a pleasure. Last week 'Sing Baby' (20th) finished smashing fortnight at $8,500. hotcha. Oriental (B&K) (3,200; 25-40)— 'Jailbreak* (WB) and vaude. Fine profit at $20,000. Last week 'Yours for Asking* (Par), fair, $15,900.. Palace (RKO) (2,500; 35-55-65)— • «T#o in a Crowd' (U) -and 'Holly- wood Hotel Revue' unit. Hitting $20,000, neat. Last week 'Swing Time! (RKO) wound up five weeks' gallop to satisfactory $16,200* Roosevelt (B&K) (1.500; 35-45-65) —'Ramona' (20th). Opened Satur- day (10) and. okay, for starting week at: $13,000. La£t week. 'Mohicans' (UA). didn't even get started and wps sad at $9,200. State-Lake (Jones) (2.766: 20-25- 35-40)—'Second; Wife' (RKO) and vaude. At $14,000, fine. Last week 'Postal Inspector' (U) excellent .at $15,100. United Artists (B&K-UA) (1.700; 35-45-75) —'Libeled Ladv' (MG). Heading to nearly $29,000, honey of a mark, for initial ramble. May stick, but is under pressure from 'Dods- worth' (UA), which is seeking early opening Last week 'Hussy' (MG) finished third stanza to $13,200. pleasant. Church Film Brooklyn Opposish; 'Zieggy* 25G \ . ' ■'; Bfcbdklyn, Oct.. 13. (Best Exploitation: Met) Spectacular array of flickers this week In ddwhWwn" Sector with Met, ■Paramount, and Albee drawing ma- jority throngs. Met with 'Great Zieg- feid'ds getting $25,000 for first week. ^Paramount with 'General Died at pawn* is nabbing fine $19,000 and pay: hold over, several days. Albee has 'My „ Man '.Godfrey' for nice 4ia.fl00. - . . ■■• • Downtown Brooklyn is getting op- position, from, religious auarters by showing of .'Cloistered.' Picture, taiieh with the P6pe's permission, is ploying St. Teresa's auditoriur. .daily with top of $Sd., children two bits. Part of .receipts' for benefit of four Brooklyn charities. .Eddie D'owden's < exploitation on Great Ziegfeld* called for tieups with department stores plus 14 co- operative ads in the met dailies. - • ■ Estimates for This Week - Albee (3.400;, 25-35-50)—'My Man Godfrey' (U) and «15 Maiden Lane' wnth). Dualers bringing attractive W8-0.00. Last week'Sing Baby' (20th) I?-?*?? 11 '* Turn 'Em Loose' (RKO), $1-7.000, satisfactory. ^ Fox (4,000; 25-35-50)—'Texas Ran- ?n rs A (Par) and ' AliDl * or Murder* iio°iL (2d week). Snaring nice £13,000. Last 'week fine $20,000. House offered Italian amateur night snindig Columbus Day which drew good attendance. iJZPJ?- 400 ' 25-35-50)—'Great Zieg- feld' (MGM). Fine $25,000 and hold- W?h Last "week 'Last of Mohicans' *YAL ai l d ' K e"y Second' (MG), ?I7.000, okay. y**f ' (4,000; 25-35-iiO) — General Died' (P« r y and 'Hollywood Blvd.' ■r - f'* T wins receiving nice $19,000. i?. 8 * week 'Adverse' (WB) (3d week), «£P°°. good. li/r^"*!. (2 - 000 i 25-35-50)—'King of F°"hted' (20th) and 'Bulldog Edi- J^n (Rep). Good $8,000. Last week t f^° in Crowd* (U) and 'Fugitive w>m Chain Gang' (WB), okay, $7,000.' FOR FEMMES ONLY Only One Show for Male Appeal In Lincoln—'Mary of Scot,' $3,000 Lincoln, Oct. 13. (Best Exploitation: Lincoln) This is women's week in this town, and the only fare for the gents its the girl show on the Orpheum stage. Tops in money popularity in the early running is 'Mary of Scotland,' which was ushered into the Lincoln with national ads and. costume dis- plays in downtown windows. Football team went out of town on the weekend to Minneapolis and took most of the amusement money with it, a delegation of 4,000 making the trip by train alone. Estimates for This Week Liberty (LTC) (1,200; 10-15)— 'Aces and Eights' (Par) plus 'Hi Nel- lie' (WB), split, with 'College Coach' (WB) plus 'Sea Spoilers' (Rep). Combos getting $1,000, oke. Last week Three Mesquiteers' (Rep) plus 'Love, Honor' (U), split, with dual 'King of Mounted' (20th) plus 'Spirit of Notre Dame' (U), good at $950. Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-20-25)— 'Mary of Scotland' (RKO). Big ad bally, $3,000, good enough. Last week 'Girls Dorm' (20th) built up in sec- ond week with Jay Clarke, mentalist, on stage; $2,700, okay. Orpheum . (LTC) (1,350; 10-15-20- 25)—'Women Are Trouble* (MG) with all-girl stage show featuring Hollywood Debs band. 'Amhassador Bill' (20th) then stands alone after four days. Slim pickings at $2,100. Last week 'Girl on Front Page' (U) and 'Parisian Follies' on stage, split with dual 'Pepper* (20th) and 'Sittin* on Moon' (Rep), $2,800, very good. Stuart (LTC) (1,900; 10-25-40)— 'Your Heart' (WB). Slow going at $3,000. Last week 'Godfrey' (U) went to town for $4,300, hefty here. Varsity (Westland) (1,100; 10-20 25)—'Everything Thunder* (GB). Nothing forte here at $1,000. Last week 'In His Steps' iGN), pretty fair $1,300. 'Midsummer Dream' Oke At $4,500, ladies' 7G, Devil' $6,000, Denver Denver, Oct. 13. (Best Exploitation: Denham) 'Ladies in Love' and 'Midsummer Night's Dream' are doing good busi- ness at the Denver and Aladdin, re- spectively, at $7,000 and $4,500. With the changing of the football games at the University of Denver from Friday night to. Saturday, Harry Huffman is switching the open- ing days of the Denver. Aladdin and Broadway from Saturday to Thurs- day, D. U. runs, three or four open- ing games at night, but with the coming of cooler weather switches to afternoons. Exploitation tops goes again to the Denham. with its $3,000 cash of- fering, in two installments. Huff- man happens to be in the rear with $900,- a Ford, and an all-expense round trip to Chicago aboard the streamliner. Huffman gave away $1,400 last week—winners being present for all three cash prizes. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Huffman) (1,500; 25-40- 50) —'Midsummer Dream* (WB). Good $4,500. Will be moved to the Broadway for second week. Last week 'Ramona' (20th), neat $3,000 in five days, cut short to give house a Thursday opening. Broadway (Huffman) (1.500; 25- 40)—'Stage Struck' (FN) (2d run). Good. $2,000. Last week 'Star for Night' (20th) only fair at $1,000 in five days. Pulled to give house a Thursday opening to coincide with Aladdin'and Denver. Center (Allan) (1.500; 20-25)—'Sea Spoilers' (U) and 'Always Tomor- row' (U) and stage show. Fair. $2,500. Last week 'Secret Aeent' (GB) and 'Sitting on Moon' (Rep) and staee show, fair, $2,000. Denham (Cockrill) (1.500;. 25-35- 40)—'Wedding Present' (Par). Fair. $4,000. • Last week 'Wives Never Know' ;(Par) and stage show, $8,500. big. Denver (Huffman) (2.500; 25-40- 50)—"Ladies in Love* (20th). Good $7,000 and moves to Aladdin for second week. Last Wek 'Stage Struck* (FN) okay at $7,000 in five davs. Orpheitm .(RKO) (2.600- 25-35-40) —'Devil Is-Sissy' (MG) and 'WalMnf on Air* (RKO >. Good, $6,000. Tast weak 'Z'esfcld' (MG), good $7,000 for second week. • Par!>m«Mint (Huffman ^ (2.000: 95- 40)—'End of Trail' (Col> and 'Met in Taxi*" (Cnl). Fair at *1.500. T-^st week 'Public Enemv's Wife' fWm and *Love Begins' (FN).good, $3,500. 'Rangers' Takes Lead At $7,300 in B'ham Birmingham, Oct. 13.— (Best Exploitation: Alabama) 'Texas Rangers,' thanks to a good campaign, look's good at $7,300 this week. For exploitation there were' streamers on taxicabs, increased newspaper ads, and- a few other stunts. Best campaign of any house in several weeks. Estimates for This Week Alabama (Wilby-Kincey) ($2,800; 30-35-40)—'Texas Rangers' ' (Par). Good for $7,300. Last week 'Hussy' (MG), $6,900, okay. Empire (Acme) (1,100; 25)—'Give My Life' (Par). Nothing out of or- dinary at $2,500. Last week 'Went to College' (MG), $2,700, moderate. Ritz (Wilby-Kincey) (1,600; 25-30) —'Mary of Scotland' (RKO). At $2,- 500, just fair. Last week 'Walking on Air' (RKO) not so good at $2,200. , Strand (Wilby-Kincey) (800; 25)— 'Chan at Track' (20th). A little bet- ter than last week but still far from good at $1,800. Last week 'King of Mounted' (20th), $1,400, so-so. Dimples-Heidt \ Detroit; 'B'dcast' Detroit, Oct. 13. (Best Exploitation: Fox) Auto plants picking up again, and outlook's bright once more. 'Romeo and Juliet' closed five weeks' run at the legit Cass Saturday (10), on two^a-day at $1.65 top, after rather a lean session. Did oke first sev m days, but has just been getting by last four weeks. Final week didn't hit $4,000, pretty brutal. After -nosedive by 'Gay Desperado' and Casa Loma orchestra last week Michigan perks up currently and for nice $27,000 on 'Big Broadcast of 1937,' plus an NBC unit on stage. Fox also doing better current stanza, with good $24,000 on 'Dimples' and Horace Heidt. Two vaudfllmers get a third rival this Friday (16) with opening of the former RKO Downtown by house receiver. Fox pulled a good ballyhoo on Horace Heidt currently, including Alemite and G. M. tieups, appear ances of members at cooking schools, etc., ad tieups and wad of daily press a 1 rt and stories. Estimates for This Week Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 25-40)— 'Seven Sinners' (GB) and '36 Hours' (20th), dual. • Good $5,200. Fine $5,- 000 last stanza on 'Two in Crowd' (U) and 'Shakedown' (Col). Cass (Indie) (1,400; $1.65 top).- 'Romeo and Juliet' (MG) (5th week). Less than $4,000, bad, on final seven days, ending Saturday (10). Fox' (Indie) (5,000; 30-50-65)— 'Dimples' (20th) and Horace Heidt on stage. Behind fine ballyhoo, com- bo doing nicely at . $24,000. Last stanza .Ramona' (20th) plus Mary Small and Al. Trahan on stage, nabbed $18,000, oke. Madison (United Detroit) (2,000: 30-40-65)—'Swing Time' (RKO) (2d week). Holding UP well for nice h.o. $9,000. Fine $13,000 last stanza, mark- ing opening of Madison as first run. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000: 30-40-65)—'Big Broadcast' (Par) and NBC unit. Nice biz at $27,000. 'Gay Desperado' (UA) and Casa Loma band last week, slim $17,000. ' State (United Detroit) (3.Q00; 25- 40)—'San Francisco' (MG) (revival) and 'Straight from Shoulder' (Par), dual. Above average at $5.500.. Big $7,000 last stanza on 'second week of 'General Died' (Par) plus 'Let's Sing .Aeain' (Princ). United Artists (United Detroit) (2.- 000; 40-50-75 )--'Zieg'f eld* (MG) (2d week). Under expectations, despite tipped prices. Not over $7,000 cur- rently after so-so $11,000. first week. FOX-W.C. BANKRUPTCY APPEAL; MANY CHARGES Los Angeles, Oct. 13. Criminal conspiracy, fraud and gross, errors by court are charged by Attorney William Neblett against Fox-West Coast, referees in bank- ruptcy, and members of the circuit's legal department, according to a brief filed today (Tuesday) with U. S. District Court in an appeal to set aside the F-WC bankruptcy adjudi- cation. Appearing on behalf of T. L. Tally and Cobar Corn., creditors of the defunct circuit, the brief holds Judge James Pee erred in dismissing the petition for lack of jurisdiction, and that the court allegedly committed abuse of its discretion by refusing to allow the petitioners to file a pro- posed amended petition.. It further claimed the court or- dered stricken out certain allegations of participation in fraud, charged by judicial officers. B'way Discovers Columbus Day's A Big Help; 'Desperado' Gay 95G; Dimples - Carrie' 55-40G, All Hold (Best Exploitation: Boxy) ' Cool fall weather and, the Colum- bus Day holiday Monday (12) put extra pep into Broadway box offices this week, counteracting the deficits normal business suffers from foot- ball, racing, and strong public inter- est in the political campaigns., The latter is unquestionably , keeping some people out of theatres, but ac- tivity at the leading ticket windows is brisk just the same. A more no- ticeable loss may occur a.week or two before election day, Nov. 3. The leaders along gross row this week are 'Gay Desperado' and 'Dimples,' quartered at the Music Hall and Roxy, respectively. A sturdy third in the fast going is 'Valiant is the Word for Carrie,' while two other new. pictures, 'Ra- mona/ and 'Lady Be Careful' are getting their share of the town's fans. All theatres played to a lot of chil- dren over the weekend, schools .be- ing closed all day Monday (12). 'Dimples,' the Shirley.Temple exhibit, was particularly favored- by. the schoolroom recess for ■ three days. 'Dimp' played to-113,262 people .the first four days, a new attendance rec- ord for that period, the picture has a good chance of strik ing $55,000- and stays a second, prob- ably a third week. At the Music Hall 'Desperado' may see $95,000 and also holds. Two other holdovers for a total of four out of the six new pictures which teed- off .this week are 'Valiant' and 'Ramona.' Supported by a pit show including the Enric Madrlguera orchestra, Jonn Steel and Maxine Gray, the Para- mount and 'Carrie* holes out the first week ending last night at a sub- stantially profitable $40,000. Also ending its first week last night, 'Ra- mona' is pretty good with a poke of $20,000. The little Rialto is pitching its way to a good $8,000. .with 'Lady Be Careful,' nee 'Sailor Beware.' 'Ziegfeld* is in its final, fourth, week at the Capitol, where it has attracted unusually good support.- The last week will be around $28,000, for a total on the four weeks' . r.un-at pop prices of around $150,090. , 'Devil Is a Sissy' arrives on the scene Friday (16) . The third week for 'Dods- worth,' ending last night iTues.) and amounting to $30,000 propels it into a fourth at the smaller Rivoli, which has bought 'Ladies in -Love' from Twentieth-Fox as its next. 'Ladies' set to make its bow Wednesday (21), may be set back, with 'Dodsy' going a fifth week. The picture is the best on a third week of any since Febru- ary. 1932, excepting pictures at higher admission scales like 'Modern Times' and 'Les Miserables.'. Getting $26,000 in its first, week. 'Midsummer Night's Dream' will be under $20,000 this week, its second, aided by the Columbus Day holiday and increased prices. ''Cain /and Mabel' is being groomed for opening at the Strand Saturday- morning (17) . Last week the $2 Astor grossed $12,500 with 'Romeo and Juliet,' a droo'over the prior (6th) week of $2,100. but as geared here showing enough prafft to go along ior a while, yet. The advance sale as "of yester- day (Tues.) stood at around $5,000. While both the Music . Hall and Paramount put on - good campaigns for their respective v programs, the most complete job was done by. 20th- Fox and the Roxy on 'Dimples.' Evi- dence of the value of. the advance work manifested itself in-the'way the house was crowded- opening day. 20th and the Roxy spent.much more than usual oh the ad campaign. An IR-day Shirley Temple contest in? th«» Mirror (tab), .winners getting. 15 dolls a day and 25 pairs of tickets to the Roxy. was one of the .stunts. Each person clipping , the contest coupon gets a Temple fan photo, on presentation at the Roxy. A good publicity spread jn the dailies and elsewhere also figured.. Estimates for This Week . Astor (1,012; 55-$1.10-$1.65-$2.20)— 'Romeo' (MG) (8th week). Last week (7th) take was $12,500. This is a dip of $2,100 under the prior week's $14,- 600, but still making good money and no closing notice as, yet scheduled. The advance sale now stands at around $5,000. Capitol (4.620; 25-35-55-85-$1.25)— 'Ziegfeld* (MG) (4th-flnal week) Will get around $28,000 on . its last week here, and at that figure could go a fifth, but 'Devil Is a Sissy' comes in Friday (16).,-The third week was very strong at $35,000. Total run of 28 days $150,000, swell profit. Criterion (1,662; *25-55-75-85-$L10- $1.25)—'Ramona' (20th) (1st wk). On its first week, ending last night (Tues.) around $20,000. pretty good. Goes a second. Third week for 'Give Me Your Heart' (WB) $15,000, okay Palace (1,700; 25-35-55)—'Adverse' (WB) (2d run). Here without the at $10,000. Last week 'Two in Crowd* visual companion feature and strong" (U) (1st run) and 'Thank You, Jeeves' (20th) (1st run), coupled, ditto. Paramount (3,664; 25-35-55-85)— 'Carrie' (Par) arid, in pit, Enric Ma- driguera orchestra, John Steel and Maxine Gray. • First seven days up last night (Tues.) a healthy $40,000, second week starting today (Wed.). Last week, second for 'Tex Rangers' . (Par) and the Will Osborne orches- tra, $28,000. /Big-Broadcast* (Par) and Clyde Lucas band comes in Wednesday (21)'. v Radio City Music Hall (5,989; 40- 60-85^99-$1.65)—'Gay Desperado' (UA) and stage show. Nino Martini musical wending its way speedily to a touchdown, $95,000 or close to it, and holds a second week. Picture, received a tremendous play over the weekend; Last week 'Craig's Wife* (Col) finished fairly well, .$78,000. Rialto (750; . 25-40-65)—'Lady Be Careful' (Par). Costly transcription, of the zippy play hit, of a couple seasons back, 'Sailor Beware,' doing good here, maybe $8,000. Last week 'Kelly the. Second' (MG), $7,000. Rivoli' (2,092: -25-35-75-85-99)— •Dodsworth' (UA) (3d. week). Hold- VS^ u +tie t ^PpiL4'ing its own well against plenty of op- un ine weeiEn position, $30,000 trickling in on the . third week, ending last night (Tues.). Enters a fourth today, and may go a fifth, to be replaced next Wednesday (28) by 'Ladies in Love' (20th). Sec- ond week for 'Dodsy' was $35,500, Roxy (5,836;' 25-45-55-75)—'Dim- ' pies' (20th) and stage show. A natu- ral for the kids over the three-day school holiday, and may reach to $55,000, smashy. Goes a second and probably a third week. 'Nine Days a Queen' (GB) got $30,500, ok'ay ( . Strand . (2,767; 40-44-65-99)—'Mid-/ summer Nights' Dream* (WB) (2d- final week). - Looks this side of $20,- - 000 on its second-final week. First seven days .was $26,200. 'Cain and Mabel' (WB) comes in Saturday morning (17). ' State (3,450; 35-55-75)—'Rangers' (Paf) and vaude headed by Vic Oli- ver and Sarah Churchill. Business . good; around $25,000. Last week 'Last of Mohicans' (UA) and George Hall orchestra/$27,000. 'SHE SHALL- AND VAUDE GET |4,400 IN SEATTLE - Seattle, Oct. 13. (Best Exploitation: Falomar) Business generally strong this week. Best exploitation at Palomar, iot 'She Shall Have Music;' due to local mani Al Hoffman, writing the songs, making it a natural for special bally at the music stores; also story in Star with picture Of Hoffman's - ; sister, who lives here. ' Estimates for This Week' Blue Mouse (Hamrlck) (900; 27-37- • 42)—'General Died' (Par) and - 'Women Are Trouble' (MGM), -dual (2d run). Repeat-combo big: $3,800. ' Last week 'Dormitory' (20th) and 'American - Wife' (Par), dual, $3,600; good. Coliseum (Evergreen) (1.800: 21- 32)—'Poor Little Rich Girl' (20th) and 'High Tension' (20th), dual. Fine at $4,300.' Last week 'To Mary' (20th) and 'Miss Nobody' (20th>, dual, dandy, $3,800; Fifth Ave. (Evergreen) (2,400; 27- • 37-42)—'Swing Time' (RKO) (2d week). Holdovers unusual for this house, but this one rates it; good $6,300 for second. First week around $12,000. ' Liberty (J-vH) (1,900; 16-27-37)— Alibi for Murder' (Col) and 'Down Stretch' (FN), dual. 'Studio pre- view' to be added Thursday night, for 'Gay Desperado' (UA), coming next. Okay for $3,900. Last week End of Trail' (Col) and 'Who Lived Twice' (Col), $4,500. . . Music Box (Hamrick). (900; 27-37- 42)—'Gorgeous Hussy' (MGM) (2d run). Played two weeks at Para- mount, Okay at $3,209 here. Last week, 'Nice Days Queen' (GB), six days, floppo at $1,800. Orpheum (Hamrick (2,700; 27-37- 42)—'Stage Struck' (FN) -and 'Lady Be Careful'. (Par), dual. Good $7,000. Last week 'General Died' Died' (Par)- and 'Women are Trouble' (MGM). dual, $0,600, big. Palomar (Sterling) (1,450; 16-27- 37)—'She Shall Have Music 5 (Imp) and vaude. Good. $4,400. Last week, 'Two Against World' (FN) and vaude, $4,100, okay. Paramount (Evergreen) (3.106; 27- 37-42)_'Your Heart* (WB) and •Back to Nature' (20th), dual. Good $6,800. Last week 'Hussy' (MGM) and 'Star for Night' (20th) dual, six days, $5,000, good.