Variety (Dec 1936)

"Wednesday, December 30, 1936 Pi C ¥ E G R O S S E S YAKIETY icago, Deic,' 29.' 1^ like one of the biggest Christmas weeks^ and' New Year's eveis in the history of thfe X.q6p. Busi- ness started big at practically aill theatreJt Fridaiy (25) and continued the pace despite a discouragi. in on Saturday. Theatres are. looking forward to gome heavy turnover New Year's ^ve. with all box offices to be hiked to a flat $1.10, That goes for houses with iregular tops of 40c,. 65c and .75c.: Benny Fields and 'Rainbow oni the Eiver* are doing the , outstanding, job of the week by jamming 'em at the Palace. Show is in for only six and Jiall days, but will break into terrific figures even without the special New Year's sho^Vs, which at the Palace will, retail at $2.20 and $1;65 at'tbe only reserved-seat picture house. Esiimteii for This TFeek Apoiio (B&K) (li26d; 36-55t75)— ^tpwtiway' (20th). Started slowly, but with holiday backing is in. for ill,0O0. Last week 'B/oxn to Dance* (MC;) (2d nin) limpeijl out with $5,100. • Clitcago (BitK) (4,000; 35-55-75)— •College Holiday* (Par) and: stage show. V Big $49,000. liast week Theo- dora^ (Col), meagte, $22,m darrlck (B&K)-(900; 35-55-75)-^ ♦Theodora* (G61) (2d run). Profits at $13,000. Last week 'White Hunter' (20tb) sad at $4,100. brlentol <B&K) (3;200; 35^45-55)— •Man Who Lived Twice' (Col) and Iiiai Bay Hutton band. Biggest mark ih yeiars at $31,000. Iiast week 'Ac- cusing Finger' (Par), fair, $12,100. P«lai;e (RKO) (2,580j 35-56-75>—. Tlaftibow oh River' . (RKO) plus Benny Fields and 'Park Avenue Re- ^e' unit. Six and a half day bill; new j^ow coming tax the $2.20 top ri^erved seat New Year's eve. Fields keebuhtabre for the bulk of big $28,- 000 for short weiek without the New Year's eve money. Last week pitiful $10i200.. for 'About to Die' (RKO). RMsevelt (B&K) (1,500; 35-45-75) ^'Gold Diggers' (WB). With New .Year's eve impetus may manage $23,» 000:: pleasant. Last week 'Light Bri- gade^ (WB) (3d week); weak, $6,700. ^ State-take (Jones) 4:2,700; 25^35- 40)-^'Gitl oh Front Paige' (U) and vaude. Nearly $26^000, wow. Last week house' held up despite pre- Xroas for $14,300 with 'Man Who I4ved Again' (GB). , United Artists (B&K-MG) (1,700; 85-55-75)—'Love on Run' (MG> (3d week). Comes back for.fine $19,000, Touched $16,200, good, last week. lOfi, PLENTY OF BUCKS, FOR PENNIES,' SEATTLE Seattle, Dec. With Christmas week past, b,. 6. ,I« pretty peppy all around. 'Pen- nies from Heaven,' on a dual at the Liberty, is topping the town. Estiibaies for This Weisk _ Bliie M«use (Hamrick) (900; 27- 87-42)--'Love on Run' (MG) (2d run). Slow M $2,400. Last week, •Born to Dance' (MG), $1,900, poor. CollseiiiBi (Evergreen) (1,800; 21^ 82)—.^Ladies in Love' (20th), and •East Meets West' (GB), dual. Okay $3,400. Last week, 'Road to Glory' X20th). and 'Devil Is Sissy' (MG). dual, $3,900. big; Fifth Ave. (Evergreen) (2,400: i7- 37^42)---'College Holiday' (Par). Good but below expectations at $7,^ OQO. Last week, 'Love on Rim* (MGO, $4,300. badi .Liberty (J-vH) (1.900; 27-37^42)— Teiinies' (Col), and 'Nome' (Col), dual. Big $10,000. Last week. 'Theo- iAota^ (Col) (4th week), $4,000, good; ^^Muslo Box (Hamrick) (900: 27-37- -•^WBanio' (20th), . and 'Jeeves' (20th) (2d runs), dual. Good $3,O0O. Last week, 'Libeled LadyV (MG) (6th week), $1,700; slow. : _Maslc Han (Hamrick) (2,300; 27- S7)-.'Dixie' . (20th), and 'Career Wdrnan' (20th), with vaude and *?o^y? :*^°'^'**^s' stage >ahd. Fair oT;"?* Z**^ combo show. Last week. ^Jad Holidayr (MG), and 'Love in Exile' (GB), dual; with vaude, $3,* wo, slow. ii^v'^S*"™ (Hamrick) (2^700; 27-37- T W" Diggers' (WB >. and 'Man 1 ^Marry' (U), dual. Okay $6,500. i^ast week. 'Banjo' (20th), and Jeeves' (20th), $7,300, good. wi?'' ISterling), (1.450: 16-27- with 30-minute revue from "arclay^ School, talent including t5S Bassetti. U of Wash., drum *-*Vo^^ Jules Buffano band. iKuJ fP?3- ^ast -week, 'Final 275r4?.*"Pc*. (Evergreen)^ (3,106; • "-'*?-)~'Stowaway^ (20th), and 'Chan at Opera' (20th )^ dual. Good $7,700. Last week, 'In His Steps' (GN). and 'Smartest Girl' (RKO); $4,600, fair, Roosevelt (Steriihg) (800; 21-32)-^ ^Swing Time" (RKO K- Okay. $2,700. Last week, 'Stage Struck' (WB), and 'Your Heart' .(WB),-dual, four extra days, $1,10(),' slbw.^ Sah Frariciscd. Dec. !29. Theatre;men here had. their: stock-' ings' .lonly. about three-quarters filled this year, Yuletide biz . being, about 25% below this time last year. Per- fect weather on Christmas Day was responsible for niany taking to the gas- buggies, and this Was followed the next'day by the first real storm of the year.^ Dijck strike is still on, too, cutting' dee0ly into the paiyroUs of theatregoers. Estiinaites for This Week Embassy (RKOrCohen) (1.512: 30- 35-40)—'Down the Stretch'' (WB) fmd 'Isle of Furv' (WB). Loser at $2,500. Last week 'Munimy's Boys' (RKO) and 'Sea Spoilers'(U)* $2,000. light. Fox (F-WC) (5,000: 35-40)-^'Gold Diggers' (WB) and 'Fugitive in Sky' (WB). Doing $17,000. good. Last week "Chan at Opera' (20th). and 'Jungle Princess' (Par), fair. $12,000. Golden Gate (RKO) (2.850: 35-55) — Rainbow on River' (RKO). Swell $21,000. Last week 'Plot Thickens' (RKO) and vaude, weak, $13,500. Orphenm (F&M) (2.440: 30-35-40) ■r-'Pennies' (Col) and 'Can't Get Away With If (U). Opened Wed- nesday (23); day earlier than usual: pretty good $15,000.: Fourth and last week of'Theodora' (Col) and'Flying Hostess' (U), excellent at $5,000. Paramoum (F-WC) (2.740; 30-35- 40)—'College Holiday* (Pair) and 'Beware of Ladies' (Rep), AI War- shauer, house manager^. ptilied a sneaker oh the rest of the theatres by having a midnight show Christ- mas Day. with big results. Three midnight shows' this week sending gross to good $19,000. Last week 'One Way Passage' (WB) (reissue) and 'Captain Kid' (WB). very bad. $7,000. : St Francis <F-WC) (1.470; 30-35^ 40>—'Three Men on Horse': (WB) and 'Mad Holiday' (MGM) (3d week). Good $5,000. Last week fine $6,000. United Artists (UA-Cohen) (1.200; 25-40 )T-'Stowawai.V' (20th) Kid trade keeping takC; down to $7,000. Looks like booking boner, putting' Temple into this class. Last week 'Rem- brandt* (tJA) faded to $3,500 in sec- ond week^ Warfleld (FrWC) (2.680: 35-40-55) —'East Meets West' (GB) and 'Smart Blonde' (WB). Mild $11,000. Last week 'Love on Run' (MGM) and 'Black Cat' (WB) (3d week), slowed down to less than $7,000. SHIRLEY STOWS AWAY $9,000 IN DENVER Denver; Dec. 29. > ; .Mild weather is helping most first runs. ' •'iStowaway* at the Denver is cop- . ing top. money. ' atimates for This Week : Aladdin (Huffman) (1.500; 25-40- 5b)-^'As ypii Like ' (20th). Fair, $2,000. Last week 'Three Men on Horse; (FN) (2d run), nice, $3,000. -Broadway (Huffman) (I.560; 25^40) -r'Pennies' (Col) (2d run). Faiir $1.- 500. Last week 'Theodora' (Col) (3d run), ' , $2~500. (Allah)' (1,500; 15-2()-25 )— 'Cjbuntry Gent' (Rep), 'Glory Trail' (Crescent), staige show. .Good: $2,060. Last week* 'Parole' (U), and 'Love Letters' (U), faiir, $1,800. Denham (Cockrill) (1,500; 25-35- 40>—'College Holiday' (Par). Good $6,000. Last week, "Make Million' (Par ), good, $5,000. Denver (Huffman) (2,500; 25-35- 50>—'Stowaway' (20th) and stage band. Town^ leader at $9,000. Last week, 'Pennies' (Col), $12,500, fine, on nine days. ' '. Orphenm (RKO) (2,600;' 25-35-40) —'Rainbow' (RKO), and 'Plot Thick- ens' (RKO). Fine $8,500. Last week 'Robetta' (RKO), and 'Mutiny' (MG) (reissue), $4,000, fair. . .Paramonat (Huffman) (2.000; 25- 40)—'Polo Joe' (WB), and 'King of Hockey' (WB). Good $4,000. Last Week, 'One-Way Passage* (WB) (re- issue), and 'Captain's Kid' (FN), nice^ $4,000. 11 on B way Gross 'AOah'-'Sinner' Duo 7G, L'Tine; 'Diggers' Fair 3iG Louisville, Dec. Town -' is. pretty well' recovered from pre-Chrlstmas slump, and cus- tomers are finding their way back to the picture hbiises. Rialto with 'Stowaway' is set to lead, followed closely by 'Garden of Allah' and 'Sinner Take All' at Loew's State: 'Three Smart Girls' at the Strand, iled to come up to expectations. JEStimatcis for "irhis week Brown (4th Ave.-Loew.'s) (1.500; 15-25-40)—'Born to Dance' (MG) (2d run). Still going strong at $3,000. Last week plenty ;all right at $3,500. Kentucky (Switow) (900; 15r25)— 'Big Broadcast' (Par) and'15 Maiden Lane' (20th). dual. Big $2,40d. Last week 'Your Heiart' (WB) and 'Am- bassador Bill' (20th), dual, splitting with 'Back to Nature* (20th) and 'Walking on ' (RKO). dual, caught, a nice share of the shoppers' trade for $2,100. Loew's State (3.000; 15-25-40)— 'Garden of Allah' (UA). and 'Sinner Take All' (MG), dual. Fine $7(000. Last Week 'Rembrandt- (UA) ahd 'Adventure in Manhattan' (Col), dual, $5,000, weak. Mary Anderson (Libsbn) (1,000;. 15-25-40)—'Gold Diggers' (FN). , No particular exploitation; $3,500, not so MCDICY Cincinnati, Dec. 29. Uttering array of product is mak ing a rrierry. b.o. jingle' for ace stands. Keith's , is scoring its sea son's topper with 'Banjo on My Knee.' / Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,300; 35-42)—'Gold Diggers' (WB). Six and one-half days for $13,500, good. 'After Thin Man' (MG) in Thursday (31), Last week 'Bom to Dance' (MG) (2d week). $7,500, fair. Capitol (RKO) (2,000; 35-42)^ 'Born to Dance' (MG) (2d run); All right at $5,590. Last week 'Pennieis' (Col) (2d run). $4,500, good. Family (RKO) (1,000; 15-25)— 'Boss Rider' (U ) and 'North of Nome' (Col), split. High at $3,000. Last week 'Man Who Lived Twice' (G-B) and 'Killer at Large,' separate, good, %2,m. Grand (RKO) (1,200; 25-40)—'Pen^ nies' (Col) (3d run); Nice $3,000. Last week 'Three Men on Horse' (WB) (3d run), $2,500, okay. Keith's (Libson) (1,500: 30-40)— 'Banjo' (20th). Season's top figure here ait. $9,500. and will hold. Last week 'One Way Passage' (WB) (r - vival). $5,000. excellent. Lyric (RKO) (1.400; 35-42)—'Rain- bow' (RKO). AH right at $5,500. Last week 'White Hunter' (20th) and 'Can't Get Away With It' (U), $4,500, oke. Palace (RKO) (2.600: 35-42)— 'Dimples' (20th). Six and one-half days and disappointing at $9,500. 'College Holiday' (Par) starts Thurs- day (31). Last week 'Rembrandt' (UA). $6,000. awful. Shubert (RKO) (2,200; 40-60)— 'Plot Thickens' (RKO) and OLsen and Johnson unit. Six days for $14,000, great. . Marcus show", and 'Jane Turner' TRKO) in Thursday (31). Last week 'Lady Frorn Nowhere' /Col) and 'Folies D'Amour' unit. $9,000. fair. Strand (Ind) (L300; 15-25)-=:'Ri- mona' (20th) and 'Dodsworth' (UA). subsies.' solit. Good .$2,000. Last week 'Old Hutch' (MG). 'Night at Opera' (MG) and 'Escapade' (MG), returners, divided, $1,800; above par. bad. Last week 'One Way Pas- sage' (WB) (reissiie). $2,500. doleful. Ohio (Settos) (900; 15)—'Devil Dops' (WB) and 'Romance in Man- hattan' (RKO), dual, splitting with .'Two for Tonight' (Par) and 'Miss Glory' (WB). dual. Good $1,100 La.<?t week '20.000,000 Sweethearts' (FN) :and. 'Freckles' (RKO). ^^'wi. splitting with 'Little Big Shot* (WB) and 'Navy Wife' (20th), dual, $900. OKAV^ ■ '- Rialto (Fourth Ave.) (3.000: 15-25- 40)—'Stowaway* (20th). Bi" jiSiOOO. T.ast we*^k 'In His Steos* (GN) and 'Chpn at Opera' (20th), dual, n.s.h., $4..'i()0. Stranil (Fourth Ave.) (1.500; 15- ?,5-40)—'Three Smart Girls,' (U). Plenty of exploitation but no soap: $3,700. pretty good, but below exiiec- tatibns. Last week 'Make a -MiUion* (Par) and 'Career Woman' (20th. >. dual, not so good at $3,000. KKI;MWk. e Santa; came to town'heiivily laden with good thi all of Broadway, his sleigh carrying more for the stockings of the street than it has since 1929, when feed for not only Santa but his reindeer became scarce. The old gent, .completely re- coirered from anemia, ran Christmas spirit into high fever, for all. but the police reserves- who have to be on the job handling the tremendous crowds' patronizing not only picture houses but' other places. For the 11 reading downtown film emporiums, this Christmas will mean a. total gross of around $455,Q00, group Including nine first runs, one second, run-vaude house (State), and the double biller Palace. This com- pares with a total of $421,800 for Christmas Week last year, only dif- ference being that among. 11. houses also in operation then was the Cen- ter, while since then the total has becoine the same With the fall open- ing of the Criterion. . ' V Not only is nearly half a million in gross something tO; thank Santa for, but this Christriias.week includes two-, holdovers, while during the same week.a 'year -back there; were no holdovers at all. The increased attendance is. the more impressive for that-reason. Two .new highs for the year are being established. They are 'After the Thin Man,' a: the Capitol, $78,- 000 ahd 'College Holiday,' with Glen Gray Gasa Loma orchestra, the Par- aihount ..show, $61,000. 'Love on the Run,' plus the N.T.G. Revue at the State isn't far behind the high at that house at around $42,000. Rec- ord is $44,500. : / For a few of the theatres New Year's, eve at advanced admissions wiU complete the Xmas week, this applying to 'Thin Man.' the State, 'Gold Diggers of 1937,' 'Beloved Enemy,' and 'Sing Me a Love Song' The. others end their weeks before then which makes additionally sig- nificant, the terrific $61^000 for the Par and the $110,000 which 'Rain- bow on the River* will get on the second week of the picture. Bbtii the Hall and the Par played to greatest , attendance .* • history " on Monday for any morning' up to 'l o'clock. .. 'Rainbow' played to a total of 10,000 people from-opening to 1 p^ m., while the Par jammed 9,050 through its doors before lunch. While Monday morning and the matinee was astounding; at. night, .however, business fell off. Christmas • eve business, when. a lull is ordinarily expected, was also a. startler, . the attendance running from 15 to as much as 40% greater than..for last. Xmas eve. Then the three-day weekend stampede set in and at most theatres the doors were thrown open earlier than usual, in order to accommodate the throngs. Among the .many new pictures. 'Gold Diggers' is the most disap- pointing. Brought in Friday (25), it will be fortunate to hop $30,000. While this is agreeably profitable, it is considerably under' expectations of everyone. 'Beloved Enemy' start- ed off much stronger and. after a heavy Xmas holiday play, with the aid of New Year's eve, should slide past $42,000. The same figure, $42,000. will be chalked up by 'StowaWay,' on its holdover of six days at the Roxy. This hoiise brings in a new show tomorrow (Thurs.) for New Year's Eve, 'Ohie in a Million,' and, on the boards, the Leon. Errol unit. , ' ing Me a Love Song' is putting new life, into the Criteri where expectations are . strong for $18,000 or better. This picture wilt not be held, however, management having had advance plans to bring in,,'Great Guy' 'Cagney ) lor. New .Year's week. .'Jungle Princess,' down at the well- fronted Rialto, is a winner at $9,000 on the week ending last night (Tues.), and may go through . New Year's, house being undecided late yesterday afternoon (Tues.). 'Lloyds of London.' which had' a harder fight than others through the Xmas shopping period due to the $2.20 lop, was not forgotten by Kris Kringle,. either; The fifth Week ehd-, ing last night (TUes.) gives it a shot in the arm at $12,000. and it runs into January. Negotiations are on tb- play the picture first iiruh at . the. Music Hall after,it conclud.es its ;two-ia-day engagement at the Astor.. Plans for New Year's eve arc for pi:jces. ranging from regular admis- sion scales at Hall and Cap; up to top of $1.50 .by some houses. Estimates; for This Week Astor (1.012; 55-$i.l0-$1.65-$2.20)— 'Lloyds' (20th) (5th week). Given spurt by Xmas holiday trade, jumped on fifth week ending last night (Tues.) $12,000. Fourth week, $9,500. Capitol (4.620; 25-35-55-85.$i.25)— 'After Thin,Man' (MG). A smash at $78,000 or bit over, new high for the year. Holds through New Year's and probably for third, week at this fast clip. Last week, third for 'Borrt to Dance' (MG). close to $15.O0O. Criterion (1.662: 25-40-55)—'Sing Me Love Song' (WB). Doing nicely, $18,000 or better, but won't hold. 'Great Guy' (GN) comes in for New Year's (1). Last week, 'Capt, Ca- lamity' (GN) and 'Accused' (UA), doubled, hot quite $9,000 on nine days, not so good. Palace (l,700r 25-35-55)—^'Banjo on: My Knee' (20th) (2d run), and ■ 'Case of Black Cat* (WB) (1st run), dualed. Aided by holiday spurt, may get up to $11,000, . be^t in long, lon£( time. Last week's twain. 'Wirtr. terset' (RKO) (2d run), and 'Night Wiaitress' (RKO) (1st run), oyer $7,000. Paramount : (3;iB64: 25-35-55-85)^- 'CoUege Holiday' (Par) and. in pit. Glen Gray Casa Loma Orchestra. This show is outstanding busines^. getter. $61,000 on the first week end- ing last night (Tues.). which is jam- ming !em in like sardines at present prices. Goes' three weeks. Last wejek, second for' Pennies from - Heaven' (Col). $31,900. very good lor,. week bef ote Xmas. House - is open- ing at 8:30 a. m. and grinding as late as they come i . Radio City Manic Hall (5,969; 40- 60-85-99.$1.65)—'Rainbow on RlVer* (RKO)i and Bobby .Breen in person (2d week). Tremendously heavy Xmas trade will bring $110,000 on holdover week after- pre-Chiistmas week's take of $91,800. big for one of the worst weeks of the year. fGirl from Paris' (RKO) opens tomorrow (Thurs.). BUIto (750; . 25^40-55)—'Jungle Princess' (Par) (2d week). Sailed through Xm^s to first' week* of $9,000, ending last night (Tues.). and may remain through New Year's, man* agement late yesterday (Tues.) be- ing undecided. 'Man Who Lived Again' (GB), previously here, on nine days got $11,000, very ^ood. . Biybll (2,092; 25-53r75-8d-99)—'fie- loved Enemy' (UA). Off to pretty start and will gallop through stretch on its first week to big $42,000 or more.. Stays. Last week, third for-- Hembrandt' (UA), $18,000. okay. E«xy (5,836; 25-45-55-75)—'Stow-, away' (20th) and stage show (.2d week). Had much to compete with since Xmas brought in , lot of new pictures, but mi six days; at $42,000 -an agent's commission alone would- be something to feel fine about. First week for Temple picture, $34,- 800. Tomorrow (Thurs.) house opens 'One in Million' (20th) and the Leon Errol stage unit. Strand (2,767; 25-40-55-65-99)-^ 'Gold Diggers' (WB). Opened dis- appointingly ahd bias not picked 'up sufficient pace to go over $30,000, although this: is agreeable, profit. Last week, third for 'Three Men* iVrry\ $12,700. State (3.450; 35.55-75-85)—'Love on Run* (MG) (2d run), and N.T.G. Reviie. Combination of .Gable*Craw- ford-T6ne names' ori screen and N.T.G.'s stage show, plus Santa Claus time, proving big bait for the fans, and an indicated M2.000 is plenty socko. Last week, *Theodora Goes Wild' (Col) (2d run), and Buddy Rogers i person, near $25,- 000, good. 'STOWAWAY'-'GBB,' 7G. THIN' $12,000, PTl'D. Portland, Ore., Dec. 2i9.. . All girosses boosted with holi biz. \-After the Thin Man' is mopping un at the Broadway and will hold. 'Stowaway' is the Orpheum's. big biz getter. Estliiiuies for "riib Week Broadway (Parker) (2,000; 30-40) —'Thin Man' (MG). Answering to strong exploitation with big $12,000. Last week. 'Love on Run' (MG). and 'Two in Crowd' (U) (3d week)/fair, $3,800. Mayfalr (Parker-Evergreeh) (1.- 400; 30-40)^'End of Trail' (Col), and 'Man Who Lived Twice' (Cbl). Nice results at .W.OOO. Last week, 'Libeled Lady* (MG). and 'Girl on Front Page' (Fox) (8th week), fair. $1,800. Orpheum (Hamrick-Evergreen) (2,000: 30-40)—'Stowaway* (2nth). and 'Smartest. Girl' fRKO). Ovejr the top for swell $7,000 in nine davs. Last week 'White Hunter' (20th), and 'Under Your Spell' (20th). fair, $4,700. Paramount (Evergreen) (3.000; 30- 40)_'CollePe Holidav' (Par). ?nd 'Ch^n at Opera' (20th), (2d wepfc). Big holiday boost to $7,000. First week registered, mopt>ed up for $7,700. United Artists (Parker) (1.000: 30- 40)—'Gold Digger.^' (FN) (2d week). Still okay at $5,000. first week fine $6,000.