Variety (Oct 1936)

V, 4 :'nc3d:j, October 28, 1936 F I C 1 VARIETY S^ge mows ceosnng vni Into the Mingy, Oriental 20G, Pal. $27,000 v/iih Units; 'Carrie' icago, ■-, Aft^a'couple of dull wasks the; Loop comes to life with lively grosses at - most of the downtown wickets. Stage shows are responsible for lipped take at .three spots. Oriental with the "Circus de Paree' unit, Palace with 'Folie Parisienne' unit and State-Lake with its usual house-built show are galloping into major money. ' r . . Disappointing, is 'Valiant is the Word for Carrie' at the Chicago. Estimates I«r This Week Apollo (B&K) (1,200; 35-45-65)— 'Stage Struck' (WB). Upping take to $10,000, fine. Last week *Craig's: Wit e' :' (CoD mediocre at $6,200. Chicago (B&K) (4,000:35-55-75)— •Word for Carrie' (Par) and Dave Apollon unit At $26,000 only fairish. Last week 'Ladies in -Love' (20th) snagged plentiful $35,500. Garrlck (B&K) (900; 35-45-55)— /Ladies in Love* (20th) (2d run). Moved here Irom Chicago; good *f7,000. Last week -Your Heart' (WB) okay at $6,800. Oriental (B& K) (3,200; 25-35-40) —'China Clipper' (WB) and ^Circus de Paree* unit Mostly-the unit curr feritly for one of'the^best marks in jttany weeks; nearly $20,000. Last week 'Holly wood Blvd.* (Par ) weak mt $12,800. Palace (RKO) (2,500; 35-55-75)— •Big Game' (RKO) and Tolie Parisi- enne' unit Big winner at $27,000, Last week sad at $16,000 for 'Mag- nificent Brute' (U). P.oosevelt (B & K) (1-500; 35-45-65) —'Cain and Mabel' (WB). Neatly at $16,000. Last week 'Ramona' (20th) {2d week), meagre $8,100. State-Lake (Jones) (2^700; 20-25- 30-35-40)—'Son Comes Home' (Par) and stage show. Better than $17,000. Terrific oh Fridays with all-day bank. Last week '36 Hours' (Col) : and yaude in the money at $16,600. :- United Artists (B&K-UA) (1,700; .35-55-75 ^'Libeled Lady' (MG) (3d ' week). . Pressure of other.v.picture forcing this, one out Metro' pictures have first call on the house, but 'Dodsworth* (UA) is waiting. Turn-? ing in a bang-up $13,000 at least for the final week. Walloping $19,800 last -week, . Local ToHes <T Amour' Sends Qrpb, Lincoln, To Big 4G with loose' .i ,. Lincoln, Oct. 27. Blast of business this week is head- ed toward Orpheum, inspired by the three-day girl extravaganza, 'Folies d'Amour.' Hinge of expioitational furor has been hanging on the en- gagement, with ;the newspapers tar- get for most of the stuff, co-op ads, art, etc., tied in with the fashion show, -House should come off with $4,000. Only a $3,300 promise lies in the straight , pic Stuart with Shirley's •pimples' on tap. Weather has taken a sharp turn to cold and has been 10 to 17 degrees below freezing several nights so far, forecasting another of those winters. Estimates for This Week Liberty (LTC) (1,200: 10-15)— •President , Vanishes' (Par) plus 'Treachery Bides the Range' (WB) split with 'All American Chump' (M&) plus 'Wings in the Dark' (Par). Probably only fair with a possible $900. Last week'Roamin' Wild' (Rel) plus 'Dragon Murder Case' (WB) split with 'Murder With Pictures* (Par) plus "White Zombies' (U) got away with $850, . about average; Lincoln (LTC) (1.600; 10-20-25)— 'Mohicans' (UA). Pic comes in on crest of national .ads and if pace holds, will Wind up with $2,800. good enough. Last week 'Old Hutch* (MG) skipped lightly over the past season's records and did the best for the house since its sister, 'Ah, Wilder- ness.' Tally heared $3,600. very . fine, ••■v rpheum (LTC) (1,350; 10-15-20- 25-40)—'Don't Turn 'Em Loose' (RKO) with: the season's largest stage show, 'Folies d'Amour.' It's the Nick Boila production, not the French Casino show. After the 3- oay vaude stretch, a dual bill 'Jeeves' (RKO) plus 'Wives Never Know' (Par) completes the Week. Price jack on the vaude show practically assures $4,000 on the week, three- quarters of the dough going to the flesh section. Last week "Kelly* (MG) Plus the stage unit 'Comedy Stars of Hollywood,' split with the dope pic, Marihuana' (Esper) got out With a substantial profit at $3,300. -Stuart (LTC) (1,900: 10-25-40)— . pjiUDijes' (20th), Temole flick will fate no more than $3,300. disappoint- ing. Last week'Swing Time' (RKO) took it on the chin mi ay with a sudden drop in temperature; clipped the expectancy ■pretty badly, but still showing - a good margin With $3,900. Varsity (Westland) (1,100; 10^20- 25)—'Adventure in Manhattan' (Col) (2d week). After having caught $1,400 in the first stretch $1,000 will make 'em happy for the . second try. UPS ST.LOUiS IK W St. Louis,, . ' The big noise in town Ms personal appearance of Buddy Rogers at Am- bassador and Popeye , at St. : . Louis and increase of prices sit first named house. Upping of price scale in first^ run house (with exception of Loew's three-week .up for 'Ziegfeld') is first in more than three years. • House announced that extra cost of present shows (which now includes pit -band show* with Paul Ash and personalities and choice of product from six. major producers) necessi- tates step up. Matinee; weekdays, tilted a jitney and matinee bargain hours moved down from 2 to 1- p.m. Also general tilt on Sat., Sun. and holidays should mean two to three- grand extra .revenue per week based on recent figures. Estimates for This Week Ambassador (F&M) (3,018; 25-35- 55)—'Wedding Present' (Par) and Buddy Rogers making p.a. Rogers is big help in aiding house to $19,500 to lead town, big. Last week: 'General Died' (Par) and Paul Ash directing stage show, fine biz with $17,200 at close of week. Fox (F & M) (5.038; 25-35-55)— 'Pigskin Parade' (20th) and Td Give My Life' (Par); Easy $15,000; first football pic here of season! Last week "Dimples' (20th) and 'Star for a Night* (20th), closed with $15,000, satisfactory. Loew's (3.162; 25-35-55)—'Devil Is Sissy' (MG) arid 'All-American Chump' (MG). Opened nice and $14,800 in sight for above average biz. Last week 'Dodsworth*. (MG) arid 'Kelly Second' (MG), finished With $17,000. good. Missouri (F&M) (3,514; 25-35-55) —'15 Maiden Lane' (20th) and 'Don't Turn 'Em Loose' (RKO). Will do $10,600, better than average; Last week 'Lady* Be Careful' (Par) arid Three Married Men' (Par),\no com- plaint on $9,700 collected for ; this dualer. Orpheum (F&M) (1,950: 25-35- 55)—'Dimoles* (20th) arid 'Star for a Night' (20th). Shifted from Fox for 7 days more, this, one will collect $8,400. good. Last week 'Ambassador Bill* (20th) revival and 'Private Sec- retary' (Jud) limped in with $4,800, bad. St. Louis (F&M) (4,000; 25-40)— 'Mummy's Boy* (RKO) arid stage show; Pooeye will get enough kid- dies .and their folks to run gross to $8,500, good. Last week 'Ramona' (20th) (2d run) and Charles (Slim) Timblin & Co. headlining stage show, average biz with $7,200. president's My Looks Too To Buffal SCH00LMARMS' CLEVE. CONV. HYPOES ALL PIX Cleveland, Oct. 27. N;E.O.T.A. convention hauled in largest- number of teachers iri last live years and stimulated; trade way . over figures .of other conventions. Coniorence arranged so school- ma'arms, who seem to have more money to spend, have plenty of time to catch late afternoon mats or final •hows, which they're taking advan- tage of. '' State again taking week's first prize with 'Devil Is a Sissy,' getting greatest play from femme educators,. indicating a top gross. 'Man God- frey' a surprise at Hipp, while Pair ace is tagging along in third place with 'Adventure in Manhattan! plus 'Cuban .Follies'on stage; • No legit : competish frpm 'Lady Precious Stream, which got only a handful at Harina. Estimates far This Week Alhambra (Martin Printz) (1,200; 20-30)—'Everything Is Thunder' (U) arid 'Hearts in Bondage' (Rep), dual. Sticking with first-runners, boosting housa to likely $2,500, satisfactory. Last week 'Nine Days a Queen* (GB) doubled with. Two in Crowd* (U) reached mere $2,000: f- Allen (RKO) (3,000; 2S-40)—'Killer at Large' (U). Riding up to nice $5,000 through ballyhoo. 'Bengal Tiger' (WB) sloughed Off after just three days for $2,100. Hiop (Warners) (3,700: 30-40)— 'Godfrey' (U); Lombard-Powell di- vorce angle caught local fancy! re- sulting iri probable $20,500, tres sweet. Last week.'Dimples' (20th) slumped unexpectedly, $15,500. . . Palace (RKO) (3,200; 30-60)—'Ad- venture in Manhattan' (Col) with 'Cuban Follies' unit on stage.. Not going so hot lacking marquee names, fairish $15,500; 'Big Game' (RKO) with Bowes ams last week clicked, trifle better, $19,500, but below last, unit's figure. .. Penn Square (Shulman) (600;, 35) —'New. Gulliver' (Amkino) (2d week). Holding up for. $1,200. Last week a good $1,500. State (Loew's) (3.450; 35-40-55)— 'Devil a Sissy' (MG). Excellent femme trade, $22,000: Last week 'Libeled Lady' (Metro) came close to record, $24,500. Stillman (Loew's) (1.872: 25-35)— •Libeled Lady' (MG) (2d run). Moved from. State and continuing. <is a smashing $11,500. Last week 'Big Broadcast' (Par) (2d Week) landed $9,500, fine. r 68G; No Pre-Election Slump, But- Election is so near at hand that it days to a staggering $58,000. This is Buffalo, Oct 27. . Lafayette- is running into a bad freak' week with 'President Mystery/ Public appears to think, the picture political and is laying off. Business elsewhere is top flight. Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Shea) (3,600; .30-40^55 V- 'Big Broadcast' (Par). Well Over $20,000. Last week 'Libeled Lady* (MG),' top layer at $21,500. Century (Shea) (3,400; 25-35)-^ 'Old Hutch' (MG) arid 'Don't Turn 'Em Loose' (RKO). -Nice reception at $7,500; Last week 'Bengal Tiger* (RKO) arid 'Border Flight' (Par), fair, $6,000: Great Lakes (Shea) (3,400; 30-50) —'Libeled Lady' (MG) (2d run). Still drawing well at $9,000. Last week 'Ramona' (20th), good. $8,300. Hipp (Shea) (2,400: 25-40)—'Road to Glory' (20th) and . 'Star for Night' (20th). Fine $10,000. Last week 'Devil Is Sissy' (MG), great $10,300. Lafayette. (3,400; 25-35)—'Presi- dent's Mystery' (Rep.) and 'Sitting on Moon' (Rep.). Rock bottom for this . bill, under $4,000. Last week 'Craig's Wife' (Col) and 'Shakedown' (Col), very fine, $10,000, Detroit, Oct 27. ]■■ Raft of weaker flickers currently and takes generally are pretty mild. Whac* bi there is : at : vaudfilmers centers around the stage show. Not much to choose between the Fox, playing 'Adventure in Manhat- tan' plus Ted Lewis ork, and the Michfe'anV y/ith 'Walking cn Ah"' and vaude;; but' former has district, edge. Newly reoponsd Downtown vaudfilmer hasn't picked much this stanza after a mild first s^ss'on, but figures to get by with no rent to pay and low nut Estimates for ThL: 17cek Adams (Balaban) (1.700; 25-40)— •End of Trail' (Col) and 'Siar for Night' (20th), dual. Good at $5,500. Last stanza lowest gross in months, at .13.500. on second wco": of 'Dim- ples' (20th), moved hare fvdiri Fox. . Dcwniowa (2,500; 'Follow Your 07rt* (Rep) and 'Killer at Large' (Col), plus stafje sliow. Not much of pickup Oyer ing week, but figures to stand uo with no rent and low nut About £4,000 currently, following a mild opening of $3,700 on 'President's Mystery' <Rcp) and 'Sit- ting on Moon' (Rep), plus five acts of vaude. Fox (Indie) (5.000: 30-40-65)—'Ad- venture in Manhattan' (Col), with Ted, Lewis ork on stage. Lewis forced to carry load; eke $24,000 due. Grabbed another oke $22,000 last week on 'Ladies in Love' (20th) arid 'Cuban Follies'Unit Madison (United Detroit) (2,000; 30-40-65 K-'Swing Time' (RKO) (4th week). Forced* h.o. currently, and will get about $6,000, oke. Third siessiori got oke $7,000. Exits Friday <30) fir 'Mary of Scotland' (RKO). Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 30-40-65)—'Walking -on Air' (RKO) plus .stage show. Gene Raymond flicker not drawing arid wHl gamer only $15,000, mild. Last stanza!'Cain and Mabel* (WB), plus Ted Weems or]:, snagged nice $28,000. ♦ '.<» (United Detroit) (3.000: 25- 40)—'Big Broadcast' (Par) (2d week) nnd 'Sworn Eneiriy' (MG), dual. Ether film brought back here , after bit session two Weeks ago at Michi- sari: and house looks, for fine $6,500. Last week nice $5,400 on 'Don't Turn 'Em Loose' (RKO) and 'M'Liss* (RKO). United Artists (United Detroit) (2.- 000; 30-40-65)—'Word for Carrie* (Par). Oke $9,000, desoite ci-ick pan- ning. Disappointing 57.600 last week on 'Devil Is Sissy' (MG)* may be only the stronger of attrac tions can entice 'em away from .poli- tics. . It would seem that this is the case, with some pictures doing un- usually well, while others are under normal expectations. A cool wave hit town Monday (26), which may keep a percentage of fans indoors until they get used to it, but man- agers are not looking, for much of a scar because of this. The greatest fear is that between now, and Elec- tion. Day (3) ~ campaign speeches may appreciably detract from results at box office windows. Far and away the leader this. week. in v spite of pre-election defections arid cold weather is 'Big Broadcast' It opened to capacity' last Wednes- day (21), played to nearly a $24,000 week end and went under the wire last night (Tues.) oh its first seven 6.0. CAIN IN HUB, $28,900 Boston, Oct 27. 'Cain and Mabel,' although not a smash, looks like this week's winner. •Devil Is a Sissy,' dualled withVMet in a Taxf,' easily earned a holdover at the Orph and State. 'Gay Des- perado' is good, but not big at the Memorial. Boston is 1 sitting pretty with a good stage show and 'Back to Nature'on the screen: 'Adverse,' after two' Weeks at the Par. and Fen, carries on at the Mod- ern and Scollay, single.; Doing okay .biz. Estimates for This week Boston (RKO) (3,000; 35-50-65)— •Back to Nature' (20th) and stage show topped by Morton Downey. Will do all right, about $22,000. Last week, 'Big Game' (RKO) arid vaude not so bfg, $16,000. Fenway (M&P) (1,600; 25-35-40- 50)—'Hollywood Boulevard' (Par), 1st run, and 'Broadcast' (Par), 2nd run, dual. Okay $6;000. Last -week $5,5.00 for 'Adverse' < (WB), second week. Keith Memorial (RKO) (2.900; 25 35-50)—'Gay> Desperado' (UA). Not up to expectations; $16,000. Lost week 'Ramona' (20 th) fizzled to $14,000. Metronolitati (M&P) (4.200: 35-50- 65)-^'Cain and Mabel' (WB) and Harriet Hoctor starring sti% show. Good pace, indicntinl $28,000. . Last week 'Dimples' (20th) and Hal Kemo on stage, okay, biit riot smsational, $23,500. Orpheum (Loew) (3.000: 25-35-"0- 50V—'Devil a Sissy' (MG) and 'Met in Taxi' (Col), dual. H.o. loOTis like JTo->d i|3.000. Firrt. wee'r »>•« SM^W. * Paramount (M.^P) (1.80*: 2R-3r>- • r )0)—'HollywooH B^ule"3r'" <P~r \ 1st run, arid 'Broadcast' <P.".r). 2nd niri. double. Better t'wn avern^e $10,000. 'A^vers^' (W*M no second Week with n1»j»s i n , » ft^.40'i. Scollav -W'P-y (2.70*>« ?K-*,5,./"»-'-n —'Adverse* (WB). 2nd rnn, ^irrt the highest grossed by the Para- inourit. since it installed its present policy of pit band shows last Christ- mas. The figure is all the more ndtable because .no holiday, fell iri the first, week., . 'Broadcast,' with Clyde Lucas' orchestra in the trench,, is a cinch for. three weeks. A good but hot*.close second is. 'Magnificent Brute,' which has the Roxy on its toes cheering. Victor McLaglen draught is believed push- ing 'Brute' to a possible $43,000, but the Roxy can't holdover since it is comriiitted' right now' on five new pictures. ' 'Big Game' is doing the best busi- ness for the little' Rialto since the LoUis-Schmeling. fight pictures at % gait geared for $9,000. Two in th« also-ran class are'Adventure iri Man- hattan' and 'Follow Your Heart' The Music Hall riiay get up to $68,000 with 'Adventure,' just okay, but dis-. appointing. The Criterion called it a day, last night (Tues.) with 'Heart' at only: around $11,000 and today (Wed.) ,bririgs in the first picture to be released by Grand National, ,'Iri His Steps.' The holdovers spotty, best being 'Devil Is a Sissy' at a possible $22,000 on its second stanza at the Capitol. Second week for "Cain arid Mabel' looks only $15,000 for the Strand arid ./ill be replaced pn Sat- urday (31) after 14 days by 'Charge of the Light Brigade.* The Riv ended five good weeks with 'Dods- worth* last night (Tues.). getting $17,800 oh the final seven days. 'Ladies in Love' is the. hew one here today (Wed.), Estimates for This Week Astor <1,012; 55-$1.10-$l;65^$2^0)— , Romeo' (MG) (10th week). Lao week (9thJ, $11,900, okay. Previous week's (8th) take Wasn't much more, $12,200. Good tide of out-of-towners believed helping. Capitol (4,020; 25-35t55^85-$L23)— 'Devil Is Sissy' (MG) (2d week). Rolled to' good $30,000^ on the firrifc week arid will hold fairly well at $22,000 currently (2d>. 'Libeled Lacy* (MG) in Friday (30). Criterion (1;662: 25-55-75-85-$1.10« S1J25)—'Follow Your Heart* (Rep); No dice, only around $11,000 on week ended last night (Tues). 'Ramona' (20th), iri . ahead, -On its second weelc did close to $22,000, very strong by- ■comparison. ,'Iri His Steps'. (GN) de- buts today (V/ed). - ^Palace .(1.703; 25r35-55)—'Sta're Struck' (WB) (2d run) and rOaniel Boone' (RKO) (1st run), coupled. Doirig surprisingly well,; $11,000 or better. Last week's duet, 'Mari Goc!- frey' (U) (2d run) arid '15 Maiden Lane' (29th) (1st xun), $11,800. Very good. : Paramount (3,664; 25-35-55-85)— 'Big Broadcast' <Pa»'> and pit shew, Clyde Lucas orchestra. Strained the ropes and the house staff foi first week of $58,000,- new hich Uridexv nrcaent policy instituted Xmas day last Goes three weeks, maybe four. ■ Last week, second for 'Valiant' tP?r) r.nd Madriguera orcliestra^ 3t>hn Steel. Maxine Gray, ct al. $26,pQ0, ^ood. For .'Broadcast* h^ure is opef- Iri?; every morriur* at Cr33 sn-i grinc"- .ing' Until 330. Saturday ni^ht (24), house remained open until :5. ajn. E-iiJIp City. Music tL-rfl. (5.980: C0-35-99-$1.65)—'Advep'ture in Mcr^ !i-»tt?n* (Col) and sta*e show. A «16v>-goer. but okay at $68,000. L-r,t v/ce!:, second for 'Gay Desperado' (UA), $71,600 nfier a first wee.' ', week in ..-town, .very ^0? / "!.^01 H ?96.?00 for gratifying forthight'fs t^trl view. Iri for ei'ht davs.- .Lar* v'«ek of $167,800. 'Woman Rebels* (RKO) (6 days) 'sk'ttbh -SP.OOO f-> r ,<f, ^r comes in tomorrow (Thurs)- on:Moon' (Renli 1st ru»>. rid 'Your Heart' (WB). 2nd run. dml State (Loew) -Wi: ' —'Devil * Sissv' (t*r.y Taxi' <<2«l-\. -dMPfk—Wnr . heading for okav $l).n n/ ) frame. Opening week, $16,500. 'i*d~V> id B &K. General Offices Into State-Lake Bldg. Balaban & Katz en e^al offices will move out of" the Looo-End building next to the Chicago theatre on Jan. 1 and shift across the street to the State-Lake ' This will take in the advertising rnd pub- licity offices, the bookkeen ing arid gerieral routine departrnpnts. Same groups, now boused in the Chicago theatre offices Will also ma!: the move.' ■'■ v-.'' ■' Loop-end . ing will be entirely clear of B. & K. but the Chicago theatre- offices will still be retained for' the top exec! desks of John Balaban, J, J. Rubens, Walter Im- merman, Nate Piatt Lou Lipstone, A. J. Kaufman: mil Hollander; Dave Wallersiein, et al. . & K. takina a solid floor on the State-Lake building, for this switch. Rlalte (750: 25-40-65)—'Bi« Game* (RKO). A natural at football titre nd probably $9,000, bast in lojiij time * here, Last week 'Longest Night' ;(MG)„ ."8.200, over expectation.-.' Blvo'i (2,092: 25-55-75^85-99 'Dodsworth' (U'A) (5th-finsl week). Final seven days (5th week lsst ni«ht (Tues) $17,800 for como'e- tion of nice iriohey-makinr*. run* Fourth week, was $25^00. 'Lad^ n Love' (20th> comen in todaV (We^). Rnx" (5.836: ^5-45-55-75)—'Ma"nifi- cent rute- (U) and stage show. Drawing very welt intff cation-; fk»lnUn? to possible $43,000 but no h.o. due to product commitmehtr. Last week, second for 'Dimnles* (20th),. a rather sevem dron from first. Week's' business but okav .?t $31,000. v 'East Meats West' (GB) opens Friday (30). StranA (2.767: 40-44-65-99)—*C^ in and Mabel* (WB) (2d week). Un-b'e to compete Btron^lv with rest r>f Broadway . arid . probably not ihore than $15,00*1 on holdover aft fl**st week of $?8,100 but on two we^lcs pretty ^oid, 'Charge of Li<rhl Bri- gade' (WB) bows Saturday morriin (31). . State (3.450: 35-55-75 Vr-'Gener?! Died at Dawn' (Par) (2d fun) ?nd Vaude. headed by .Tommy Dorsev or-. chestra. It looks like another- $25,009 week for this most consistent of oo- efatiohs., Last week, the gross went into high'.;brackets at over ^.W© on 'Zi^tfc'd* (MG) and Lucky Mil- lindcr band.