Variety (Mar 1937)

■^tine»ia.y, Mairth JO, 1937 PIC V II R E G S S E S VARIETY II G-ping Places Cecelia Ager Stonipin'iif the Paramount Xast .Wednesday itvorning,.after {he managers qf thie Parsimount theatre, on Broadway^ h,ad:'fbt)ght their wa^r to the mezzanine and, battered and. breathles^ had found sanctuary in the reserved press section there, safe iii their seats at last, fhey let go a long sigh—rbut it was a sigh of joy. For theatre managers, are said to rack their brains in the very hope thiat they'll havfe a - hard: timie finding a seat in their theatres^^vistfuUy they cohsidi^r such .8'state of affairs a pleasure. Besides, at '10 d^clock that iriorning they'd been told that 4;400 customers had already marched ■ort-thevl»QXtpffieer*-«^ttinK'ap^ Vheh thciy; had set'6^^^ the show,-they were in a measure pre- pared- Biut nothing could have prepared them fully "for the. scene that was to meet their eyes when, panting; they peered over the rail at the audi- torium below—rfo,r ther.e had never been. precedent for if and there is a limit to even a; the^t.re mLanager's imagina^^ TheyCmight have guess?^ at what .was to come from the teirific blasts oit .singing accoinpanying theVstiaiid' organ slides, from the mighty response to the pretty Mttle cplbr cartoon^ and yet it was plain f irom the amazed, incredulous, aiid - air the ^me time acutely happy expressions on their ■faces .when at last the reason for this epic audiience good-will—Benny Goodman and His Swing Band—rose up on the. orchestra elevator to a roar of hand-claipping, whistling, stamping and ardent hiallobing, that it W9S beautiful, just too, .too beautiful to be true. They looked down, and then they looked at each ptheri *Yeah-man,' they said, politely echoing the shouts around, them, 'yeah-man.' They cpngratuliated ;one another,' there werci' ^iongratulations enough ; lovely, ntorning for , for even the humblest ..assistant's assistant. Now Ipving eiacK other like brothers,, they loved the audience, they loved the ushers, they loved everything. But their love was yet to know a fuller flower,.for soon they saw enacted in their theatre, as Mr.^ Good- .man's-program progressed, j demonstration of approval of; their taient- booking, .tradition<shattering in its 's^pntaineity,. its unanimity, ; its sin-* eerity, its volume, in the. childlike violence of its manifestations. Pubj licity Manager Mpliierney,)siting.ilt. ,v:as He siaw a theatre aliye with ads writing themselves. .'I'hey are dancing in the aisles,' he: saV* ThPy are leaping from their seats, they are waving: their arms, they are . shouting theniselves hoarse, they are hugging their neighbors,- they ar0 throwing away their hats, they are hurling themselves into the orchestra pit; it's, a riot.' Mr. Mclnerney saw all thisr-^for once he didn't have .to make it upr. Papa Itenny. Gives Out Mr. Goodman saw-, it too, though he , Was somewhat nonplussed, it made h>iA ..still more benign.: 'Ladies and gentlemieri,' he called to -them once'^ seeking to: make is. announcement of the next number heard throu^ the pandemonium, but right away he saw that, was wrong, and he. didn!t call them l;aldies and gentlemen . again." He coiildn't. call them children,, so thereafter he. stood t>y: the mike and- held lip his finger, like teacher. 'Theii they. were good kids, and calmed down. But what can you do with youngsters who are swinjg-mad. face to face, at. last, with their god. The finish Pf . each number posed the same problem of quieting a frenzy, which, since he himself was responsible for it. Maestro Benny bandied with his characteristic patience and kindness. Maestro Benny has had a great deal of experience dealing with young thinigs at the Pennsylvania hotel. Young thi \yhether with a quarter for the Parampuht bejEpre 1 P'clock, or the price of. ai cover charge and a fruit lemonade at the Pehnsyivanja grillroom, are the same things wider their ski They faiow what they li And they doh|t I'ike it .with ,reserve. ^, So good old Benny. Goodman and, his cohorts gave it to them,, each in his own particular way. Maestro Benny's face got ..very red with grati- vtude and beatific iniiodiesty,: letting hisjrUrinet have. .it,. . Teddy. Wilson dia"'hot yield one.'thread of hi^ austerity as he: clipped ;the keys pure and clean. Lionel Hampton' pullied them to. the edge of their, seats hammering at his vibraphone amidst eddies of acute rhythmic sus- pense. Gene Krupa, .in clear-cut, consistent tempo, went nuts. They swung. (Swang?) "They were madmen making sense...: Npc was there missing, on this illustrious and ecstatic occasion of Benny GPoidman's opening at the Paramount, that most persistent compahiPn of .^Bwing—;the note of controversy^ Though the theatre's executiveis were' enchanted with what they saw, heard, and were told were even , now Waiting 'way around the corner four abreast,, though the audience inside were responding with a/fervor and a generosity arid a gratefulness that showied they were .:touch.ed from head through heart 'to toe', there were spuls present who fpiind the goings-on deplorable. The intellectuals. It was the very abandon of the 'responsii that hurt them so. For swing, . as The: Master dishes it, is to be listened to gravely, quietly, WorshipfuU.y. - It is to be enjoytd with the .mind, not the emoti "There, must be silence to hear it; the contemplative niood to appreciate it. . It deserves ascetics, . riot pagans; scholars. nPt shallow neophytes who go wild at the first primitive roll of the drums. It requires the precipita- tion Of musical knowledge, ory from the untutored, instincts so sensitive they have the taste to remain mute, recognizing in all its significance a new and gloriouis spiritual experience. And so the, theatre managers, that morning, hoard box office,. and the audience heard sorriethihg tha,t made them bounce in their seats, while the intellectuals heard sacrilege, for it is sacrilege riot to be able to hear Benny Goodman because of inters rupting squeals of ignorant delight. Not So 'Lost' The cosiest thing about Shangri-la^ the Utopia Of 'Lost Horizon,!, is its folksy way of recalling the old neighborhood. A picture fan, loosed within its cPnfines, will recognize the old familiar landmarks, the blpssom- bediecked woods, where boy chases girl; the death , room with the fluttering window curtains past which: the soul soars on its way to heaven, the old swimming hole Where the whiter iId jungle prince, or princess, brought up by lipnsi leopards Pr elephants, used to .splash, the torchlight pirocession fr.V pe Mille, the elegant padded-doors from Metrp's grade A interiors, .the white doves Pf inriocencei the. ladiesV costymes fitted close across the bosom and waist with deterrnined a their binding, of leopard skin for passion, ;the cpmedy relief of the prissy fellow iand the muggi the'funny man who gets scared at his reflection in a riiirror, the shy, shy lovers, the clean, clean love. These' are, horiie Vto a picture fan. He's been there before.. A hit -Cabiri ,' va dose of be i^iille, a lot of he knows where he's at. It's nice to come upon it all together it so high- toned. Durbin Short in Port, tips ^:SpimaseLtAJs[iceJ5^ Portland, Ore., March 9. . Parker's UA. plugging Deanna Dur- bin's short, 'Every . Sunday,' along with 'Espionage' arid - they're : click- ing. 'One in a Million' in its fiifth week at the Mayfair. 'Lloyds, of Lon- don' big stuff, in its second week at the Hamrick-Evergreen Paramount. Estimates f or This WeeH Broadway (Pat-ker > (2,000; 30-40 )— 'Daniel Boone' (RKO) and 'She's DangerPus' (U), dual, bkay at $5,700; iiast—weelc .•(2d),--'Mrs. -Cheyitey' (MG),^got riice $4,600: Mayfair (Parker-Evej'green) (1,400; 30-40)—'One. in Million' (Fox) and 'Down to Sea' (Rep). Fifth week for •Milliori' and doing Average $2,700. Fourth week $2,900. First three Weeks of 'Million' at. Paramount iled up terrific $25,000. O r p h e.u ml <Hairnrick-Evergreeii) (2,000; 30-40)—'Avenue' (Fox) and 'Great O'Malley' (WB). Looks like good $"7,500. - Last week, 'Champagne Waltz' (Par) and *Woinan Wise' (Fox), collected nice,$6,700. Paramount (HamnckrEvergreen) (3,000; 30-40) 'Lloyds' (Fox) and 'We're bh the Jury' (RKO) (2d week). yei:y hot at $5,-000 pace, irst week ran this house into the big money, at $8,500.' United Artists (Parker) (1,000; - 40)—'Espionage' (MG). Deanna Dur- bin short, JEvery Sunday,' adding to buildup for nice $5,000. Last week, •Green Light' (FN), closed a fair second week at $4,000. First week okay $5,800, ^ jesseOwens, Hus 'Jury,'N.G. *SALEM' DROOPS MacMurray Pie N. Lincoln at .$M09 In March 9. 'Maid pf isalem' goes . out of' the Stuart after six dayis. Headed for only $2,800; Grace Moore hiangs on, going into the third ^week at the varsity., Estimates for This Week Liberty (LTC) (1,200; 10-15) '■ w- less -Nineties' (Rep) and 'Without: Orders' (RKO), split with .'Man on Elying -Trapeze' -(Par)-^^nd "flald- Caballerp' (Rep), Unlikely to better $8()0j n.s.g. ■ Last week ' ig Show' (P S) and 'Wild■Brian Kent',(20th): split with 'Wanted. . Jane "Tui-ner' (RKO) arid 'Join the Marines' (R6p), Qat out with $900, oke! ; Lincoln^ (LTC) (1.600; :i0-20-2.'5)-^ 'Great O'Malley' (WB). and 'Holy ^Terror' (2bth>. ivirig hoUse an- other try at dual!?. Two-fpr-ories.in this hou .J al\vays good for about $2,500, Last week 'Stolen Holiday' (WB) nice monev at $2,700. Drpheum (LTC) (1,350; .10-15-20- 25)—'Midnight Court' (WB) and Ed Gardiner's. 'Viennese Vanities' on staige. After, three days, a roadshow engagement of 'As You Like It' .(20th) for four days, with special rates to studes. "Week sh'ould total" about $2,600, fair. Last week 'Black Le- gion'. (WBV and 'Beware of Ladies' , March 9. 'On the. Avenue' is accounting for some brisk biz at the Rialtb; 'Orily Live. Once' is getting a fine play at' Loew's. State. rowh reopened, Fri ith 'One in Million;' which was in mar- quee lights when the Ohio River d .jide.d to .give this town a wetting; Aepaiirs are completed, from stage to front sidewalk, arid the hPuse is now back in the running. Estimates for This Week Brown (Fourth Ave.-Loew's) (1,500; 15-25-40)—'One in Million' (20th). Heading for $2,000, mild. 'Roriieo and JuUet,' for which seat jsale w_as under .way. when; the flood cariie,' has been cancelled arid win be shown later at regular prices. Kentucky (Switow) (900; 15-25)-— 'CPllege Holiday' (Piar) and 'Ad- venture in Manhattan' (Col), dual. (Setting nice play from downtown, shoppers fPr okay $1,800.- Last week 'Pennies from Heaven* (Col) arid •Polo Joe?. (WB). dual, split healthy $2,000 with vWinterset' (RKO) sind •In His Steps' (GN), dual. Loew's State (3.000; 15-25-40)— 'Orily Live Once' (UA) and 'Woman in Distress' (Col), duah Former pic stressed, and shoiildfoUll hice $6,300. Last week 'Mrs.-; rCheyri^y' ' (MG); sUghtly below, expeethtibnS at; $5,400. Mary Anderson "OLibson) 1(1,000; 15-25^40)—'Green Light' (WB) (2d Week). Looks to bring, in '!$2,()00. okay. Last week Jiot excitirtg,: but better than expected at $3,600.! Ohio (SettoS) (900; .15)-^'Top Hat' (RKO) and 'Don't Get Per.sonal' (U). dual, split with 'Aflair of Susan' (U) and 'King of Burlesque' (20th), dual. Deep cavities in. Fourth Street, left- overs from the flood, still butting a crimp in takings. May do. $900, lilht. liast week 'Private Numbei'' .(20th > and 'Maid;s, Secret' (WB), duaj. s^ilit with''King Solomon Broadway' (U) and 'Ginger' (20th), dual, av erage $900; Blalto (Fout-th Ave.) (3;000: 15-25- 40)—'On Avenue' (20th) and 'OfT to Races' (20th), dual. Former credited with socko 169,000, arid may hold, Last wok .'Lloyds' (20th) ed swpet $7;500. . Str.-vrd (Fourth Ave.) . (1.500; 15- 9,5-40)—^Maid of Salem' (Par) and 'Clarence' (Par), dual., harin'T in general satisfactory takin.gs. Expocr tptions are for- $4,000. , cobd'.: ', Lnst week 'Holv Terror' (20th) .and 'Tair Warning' (20i;h:). dual; hit nice,^S.'JOO. EXHIB VS. GOL. OVER 'THEOj New Oi-leans, March 9, United Theatres brought suit against^plumbi here claiming 'The- odora Goes Wild' to be part Of their contract for first subsequent run. CIrcuit clajms .that,Colu.itibia had no right to sell the fil. first to other. theatres. *Lioye! and ^Distress' Fine $9,000, Montreal Montreal,'March 9, Capitol ill top the towri currently -pH-istr i5riyith";l^i5''hisirses~'P5T pcatin the rest having 'nothing stand-out. Lerit .is largely the rear son for the hold-overS; Biz geneirally', however, is better than this, time last year. Estimates for This; Week Majesty's (CT)' (1,600; 50) —:Wings of Morning', (20th) (6th week); Biz mostly Pn Word-of-mouth buildup. ; LPoks like very good $5,000, after $6,000 last week. Palace (CT): (2,700; 50)—'Camille' (MG) '(3rd week). Crowds still pack- ing in, and $6,000 gross assured, after very good $7,500 last. week. Capitol (CT) (2,700; 50)---'When YPu're in Love'''(Cbl.) and 'Wbmian in Distress' ' (Col). Oke - over wcek- end^and Iboks like $9,000, very good. Last week 'Maid Pf Salem' (Par) and 'Clarence' (Par) $7,500, good. toew'S: (M. T. Co.) (3,200; 50)— 'Dangerous Number' (MG), 'Career Wornan' (WB) and unit. Fair houses point to gross-of $l0,0i00. . Last week; 'Breezing Home' (WB) and ,'Holy Tetror' (20th), with Fraricis Ledeirer in person, $14,000, very good.; Princess (CT) (2,300; 50)—*Meade's Wonian' (Par) arid 'Outcast' (Par); Probably around $6,500. Last week 'Women Of. Glamour' (Col) and 'Devirs Playground* (Col), good at $5,5Q0.'' . ^ Clneina de Paris (France-Filth) (600; 50)—'Helerie' (2rid week). Still doing well and should gross good $2,000 after $2,500 last week; St. .Denis (FranccrFilm) (2,300; 34)--^'ClUb de I*emmes' and 'Minuit Le, 7.' Holding up well-for Lent at $4,000. Last week '27 Rue de La Paix' arid 'Coeur de Pueux' $4,500, very good. IIGHT FAIR 13G IN (Rep), dual, got>.bke big St ,$1,900. . ' Sliiart (LTC) (1.900; 10-25-40)-i- 'Mai Of Salerii' (Par). .Not doing well and goes only :?ix days. $2,300. Last week 'God's Gouiitr ' (WB) was pretty nice at .$3,400. Varsity (Wcstland) (1.100;, 10-25- 35).—Third week for race Moore's 'When You're in Love' (Gol). Prob- able avevaire $1; tOO'-fcrr-stretch;- w 1 th $1,600 clocked on the week just passed. ' Cincinnati. March 9. Balmy weather , bver weekend di- verted traffic from cinema center^ causing a noticeable dent in receipts. 'Green Light' is the b. o. champ cur- rently, beckoning fair $13,000 for the Albee. Next best Die draw is 'Sea DevilSi' $10,500 at Palace. Vaudefilm Shubert, with •Wings of Morning' arid Gus Arnheirii band hestding stage line-up, is tugging a normal $12,500 following last week s .iani-up biz on Sally Rand's personal draw/ stimates-fbr This week Albce (RKO) (3,300; 35-42)—'Green Light' (WB). Fair $13,000. La.st week, •Mrs. Cheynev' (MG), big $17,000, Capitol (RKO) (2,000; 35-42)—'Mrs- Cheyney' (MG) (2d run). Good !t;5.500. L&st week. 'Avenue' (20th) (2d run), faii* $4,500. Family (RKO) (1,000; 15-25)—Ellis Island- .(Ind) and 'Man of People'. (MG). divided. Okay $2,300; Last week 'Join Marines' (Reo) arid 'Cohr flict' (U). sDllt big $2,600. Grana (RKO) (1,200; 25-40)—'Smart Girls' (U) (3d run). Nitty $3,600. Last weeic. 'Lloyds' (20th)' (3d run), 2Tiild S2.000. Keith's (Lib.son) (1,500;, .30-40 )— 'Only Live 0;lce' (UA). Goodms.ftOO, Ditto last week on 'Great O'Malley' (WB). Lyric (RKOV (1,400; .'5-42)-'Jurinlp Princess' (Par).. Fair $4,r)00. Last week. 'Smart Girls'' (U) ;(2d ruri), ei'Tht days. !<iG..'>00, swell. . Palace (RKO) (X.OOO; .35-42)-^'Sea Dcvii.s'. (RKO). vFair $10,500. La.sf; week; 'You're-' Love' (Col),- sd-sp .'^B.riOO. Sliu'oert (2.200; 40-60)— 'Wincjs of Morning' .(20th). . and Gu.s. Arnhcim barid. Okay $12.500.-,.Last week. 'Criminal Lawyer' (RKO) -anti Sally Rand revue; it -was Miss Rand's first Ciricy. date and ;she rompGd, to nc7r-rapncitv $lfl.'00O; Taft (Ind) f 2.500; 35-42 )r-'Clois^ tered". (Ind). Holding over, for five dayr, to Thur.<!day ; (11). Took a big drop .Sunday (7) on first day of extra rim. May get ,$3,000 on the five davs. disaonpintiiiig after whiz-bang $10,600 on n.rst fjevon day.< : Strand (Ind) (1..300; 15-25).T^'Can This be Dixie' (20th) and ,'Born to Dance' (MG). revivals, snlit. AH right !i;i.800. Lasl. week. 'Allah' (UA) and 'One-Wav. .Passage' (WB), split, av- erage $1,700; Mattoli in H'wood Hollywood, March 9. Mario Mattoli, Lxecutive with Cines. Films, Rome, pglirig the studios -oa_the_Co.aiit,,.... —^—- He plans to spend about 10 days here before returning to Italy. Philadelphia, Marcir 9. With two roadshow pix putting on splurge campaigris and gettirig plenty pf attentipri, it is. only natural tliat some Pf the other downtown hbuses: are going tp suffer-. A couple of light- 'we^rghrrfltThs Tn^eri't herpTng the^geit-" eral a\rerage of'biz any, although tiie two hPUses -with stage entei-tainmctvt got some, box-offibe activity Friday and. Saturday. Fact that, neither ha.s vaude pri Sunday cuts their chances Pf higher weekly figures. 'Good Earth' at Lpcust has been sUfferirig from matinee, trbiible, but its eyeriings have been blose to capai city. Location.of hbust prbbably af.-^ fects femme afternoon ■ trade. 'Lost Horizon' ppened Sunday night (7)' lit Chestnut and got plenty of critical bouquets. House locatipn is. better. Estimates for This Week Aldlne (1,200; 40-55-65)—'Salern* (Par). Ending second -week, tonight (Tuesda;y ) and getting, at least part Pf third. Headed for $9,500 this week aftei* first week's nice $12,500. , Arcadia (600; - 25-40r50)-^'No Man Of Her Own' (Path Revival of old Gable film dbing riiild $2,300. Last week, 'Mind Your Own Bushiess' (Par) (2d run), mediocre^2,100. Boyd (2,400; 40-55)—'Ypu'ie : Love'.XCbl). Grace Moore pic ridi . to fair $12,000. Last week. 'Green Light^ (WB)i got so-sp $7,500 in live days Pf second week. Chestniit (1.500; 50-75-$ 1-$1.50)— *Logt Horizon' (Col), Opened road- show engagement Sundav night. Earle (2,000: 25^40^55)—'On the •Tury' (RKO) and JesSe Owenis head- lining vaude. Poor $12,000.indicated. Last veek, 'Pangerous N u rii b e r (MG) and vaude. Yacht Club Boys helped boost gross to nice $16,000. Fox (3,000; 40-55-75)^'Ready. Will- ing and Able' <W.B) and >;fage show. Everett Marshall. headlincr. Fair !^13,500 figured. Last weeki 'John Meade's Worirtan' (Par) and stage shew, Door $12,000. Karlton (1,000; 25^35-40)—'Mbade'.s Woman' (Par) (2d run). So-so $2,500. Last week, 'Lloyds' (20th) (2d week) (of 2d run); neat $2,900. Keith's (2,000; 30-40-50)— 'Green Light' (WB) .'.2d . run). Okay $3,000 expected. Last week, 'Only Live Once' (UA) (2d run),,$1,700, weak, in six days. Locust (1.3()0: .50-75-$l-Hl.50)--'Good Earth' (MG). Now in third week and doing very well evenings, but riiati- nees a little light. Siecorid week got $15,500.-^-- ' - Stanley (3,700: 40-55)-^'Love la News' (20th). Ends tonight (Tuesiday) with $14,000, good, indicated. Gets a few more da.vs; Last week. 'Mrs. Cheyney* (MO faif $8,000 in five day second week.- . Stanton (1,700; 30-40-50)—'EsDlon- age' (MG), Good notices and !!<6.500 figuired. Last week, 'Devil's Play- ground' (Col), better than expeete at $6,000. BUFF. BIZ GtOD; ught; IIW BufTalo, March 9." irtgs at the downtown, house are maintaining a good level, " v/ith . 'Green .Light' at the BuI?.nlo lead in Estimates for This Week Btiffaio (Shea) (3,600; 30-40-55)— 'Green Light' (WB). Good word-of- niouth helping this one to okay f!l6,- 000. Last week. 'Maid of Salem* (Par), good for $15,300. Century (Shea) (3,400; 25-35)-^ 'Bulldog Drummond Escapos- <Pc\r) and 'Fugitive in Sky' (WB). Avera^je $7;500. La.st weeic. 'About to. Die* (RKO) and 'Smart Blonde' (WB), nice $7,900. Great Lsikes. (Shea) (3.400; —'Only Live Once' (UA). db fiiir $8,000. Last week, (20th) (2nd week), better pected at $7,400. :. Hipp: (Shea) (2,400; 25-40)— 'Meade's Woman' (Par) and 'M.in WhP Could Worlc Miracles' (UA). Looks tb do fair $7,500, Last week, 'Sea Devils' (RKO) and 'Career Wo- man' (20th), fair $7,700. Lafayette (Ind.) (3,400; 25-5)— 'Head Over lieels in Love' (GB) ajid 'Conflict' (U). Headed for fair $»,- 000. Last week, 'When You're " Love' (Col), excellerit $11,000, Harry Shermait'k -March' , 'The Dead March,' si how compHa- tion of official war scene.s,, rights tP which are controlled by Harry Sher- manj.former union official, and Para- mount execiitlve, has been con- tracted for the entire Minnesota Amusement chain in the Northwosb by John Friedl and Ii. J. Ludwig. Boakc Garter did the harratibri and -Ernp_Jlapce_the..jritujLcaLjscore. The Northwcsterii dale's are. th ilrst for the pictUr