Variety (March 1923)

Thursday, March 29, 1923 .■;c^.r::f,-:.u^--"'.'^ '" .-T.': ,v>' '.■'^xv*!ir^^V PICTURES tOVERED WAGOr sensahon OF BROADWAY FILMS NOW * r Last Week Off, but Ticket Agencies Charge Pre- miums for Famous Players' Special—Capitol Did $42,500 r n^ ^ HOLY WEEK NOT FEARED BY BOSTON FILM MEN Last ^vccl; was off aloiiR liroad- way at i»raitically i»very one of the Jioiisfs. ThiH week isn't much bet- ter, altfiniigh one or two of the theatres will pull grosses lifting them sliRlitly above what ^ht^.v ditl last weol;. Tlie slump was not ex- pected to arrive until with the ad- vent of Holy Week, and in airivinK A ui-ek previous it hit all of the manawemj-nts as a surprise. ^ The programs offered did not hjld any particular strength as far as tiie reguhsr fans were concerned. At the CafMti>I, where the high receipt mark of the street was registered, was "Lost and Found." It Wasn't strongly touted in advance, al- though those seeing tlie picture spoke highly of its entertainment qualities.' At the Strand, where •■Might.\ Lak' a Rose" was shown, the verdict was likewise. Both good pictures, but not pulling at the box ollice. At the two Famous Players houses, Hialto and Hivoli. were 'Trail of the Lonesome I'ine"' and "Tlie Tiger's Claw," and in both theatres business was away below tlie normal gross. The advent of "The Covered AN'agon" at the Criterion has proven to he the picture event of a decade. Not since the "Birth of a Nation" has there been a screen offering so universalJ.v heralded by press and public. The business for the first nine days showed $14,410. The pic- ture opened on Friday night with the regular press complimentary sets out. The scale is $1.50, and the t^aturday and Sunday business of the house broke the record at that scale. The first seven days, start- ing with Monday of last week, showed a gross of $10,1)00. One of tl»e biggest indications of the draught the picture has is shown in the fact that the theatre ticket speculating agencies are selling be- tween oOO and 350 seats a night for the picture at an advance of 50 cents t«vi>r the box-office price. CIcnorally figured along the strecf that Famous Players will withhold the release of this special from the regular houses for six months at least, meantime starting to play it over the country in all the key cen- i ters in the legitimate houses, start- ' ing possil)ly in Chicago late in April. The final decision in the matter of road showing the produc- tion will be made by Adolph Zukor when he returns from Europe about April 15. "The Queen of Sin," a much-her- alded production made in Austria and presented in this country by Ben Blumenthal, opened at the Lyric Monday night, replacing the "Hunt- ing Big CJame In Africa" picture there after 11 weeks, during which time the wild animal drama did an average business of a little more than $10,000 a week. "The Queen" was pretty universally panned as far as the daily papers were con- cerned, but it looks to be a picture that should bo an attraction In the regular picture theatres. At the Cameo "Down to the Sea In Ships" is on view and now in its sixth week, getting $7,900 last week, and indicating that It will top that figure for the current week. Kstimates for last week: Cameo—"Down to the Sea In Ships'* (liodkinson; seats, 539; scale. 55-75; r>th week). Last week its fifth at Cameo, this production drew $7,000 at the box ofllce. Engagc- raent most profitable Cameo has had since opened and picture certain lo remain at house as long as prro.«s continues to top $5,000 a week. That looks a.s tlunigh it Was going to con- tinue into the warm weather. Tliis wt»«k even though it is Holy Week finds the day to day business better than last week. Capitol— "Lost and Found" (U. A. Wal.-^, .st-als. 5.300; t^Cale. 55-85- $1.10). Capitol did its usual last ^\eek by topping l)u.siness of all other htni.^e.s along street. Trem< n- dous cai)acity of house plays lar>;e part in tremendous grosses pulled. Last wt-.>!v, $4L'.500. Criterion—"The Covered Wagon" M'aranK.unt; seat.s. 60S; s-rale, mats., $1.10 top; eves.. $1.65). fJreat- est motion picture in decade is man- j tier in wiiirh tliis pr«Mlurlion ha>< been liaikd by press aii<1 |»ut»Uc. ' Some .xay it ia even greater than "The Birth of a Nation" and in these driys ^ of ])rices at the box ollice greater than those of the "Birtii ' j days it js certain to top la Iter in | i,'io.s8 eventually. I'or lirst nine \ days pietiu-.- did $14,410. last seven da>R tiguring at $10.00(1. j Lyric "Hunting I'l', f.amo m Africa" t.l. .). M. Carili, -lOugene | floth; ,"r>:it!», 1.400; Hcale. mat.-i.. I $l.lt>: cv.-M., $1.65; llth we<-k). <'losetl Sunday after II wei-ks on Ih'oadway pl.iying to ;i liusiness tluit averrigvd sightly over $10.<m>0 a v\eeU. Filial wcrk l>roMght $6.700. "The Qii« f'lj i.f Sin" oi>erifd at l.\rii^ SMALLEST HOUSE GETS BIGGEST GROSS IN L. A. i» Bella Donna" Center of At- traction-—.Advertising • > Helps Lo.s Angeles, March 2S. In spite of only fair notices, I'ola Negri's "Bella Donna' (Bialto) was the center of patronage and the box olHce of (Jrauman's smallest house ran up the »)iggest gross in town, comparatively speaking, I.otw'- State, with 'The World's a Stage," by Elinor Glyn, and Adolphus. Im- ported from the east, was \v.;l| up in the big draw class, «vhile the Meito- polltan, featurin.g the return W.il^er Hiers, finished strong after a rather week start. There is a tendency towards bigger space in th.^ new.s- paper.s and tliis may account f(.r the increased receipts. The newspaper ad solicitors will say so at any late. The week's takin.gs: California—"Driven" (T'niversal). Seats, 2.000; 25-75c. A Hooait Henley production. Wink eonlest (photographs of citl^sons taken at random showing them doin-.? Anna Held's stuff with their eyes shown on screen) helped box materially. Took, $11,165. Grauman's—"The (Jhost Patrol" (Independent). Seats. 2.200; 25-.^.5«-. Xo star Chri'*iie comedy. "ll;i».'l from Hollywood," and Sid Hra :ia in Bower.N' prologue added attraction.';. Ai>i)roximatel>'. $12,500. Metropolitan — "Mr. Billings Spends His Dime" (I'aramountJ. Seats. 3.700; 35-65e. Walter Hien? starred l''ashion Ueview tilled, "Trip Through Basky Studio," and mus- ical features on sui)plemontaiy pro- gram. Took, $24,750. Grauman's Rialto—"Bella DiMvi.i" (Paramount). Seats, 800; 35-85c. Pola Negri's first American-made film. Cleorge Fitzmaurice directe<l. Opened like million dollars and'n'i let-up save in early day shows. Grossed, $10,000. Grauman's Hollywood — "Robin Hood" (Fairbanks). Seats,. 1,800; 50c.-$1.50. No S. R. O. sign but film drawing fair with no Indication of withdrawal. Receipts near $8,000. Mission—"The Girl in Love" (-\. F. N.) Seats, 900; 85c.-1.10. (Stai^t- ing Wednesday) Charles R^^ fea- tured. Box office returns tor four days, $7,000. Loew's State—"The "World's A Stage." Seats, 2,400; 25-55c. Elinor Glynn story usually attracts women and this was no exception. Added features—Adolphus, dancer, who re- ceived favoi-able reviews in daily papers, and Max Fisher's orchestra. The latter is through this week. Estimated at $15,000. LYRIC AT CINCINNATI SOLD Cincinnati. March 28. Following the personal rumor Marcus Loew Is trying to do a come-back In Cincinnati, at the Lyric. Ike Libson leased that house for pictures. The Mabley and Ca- rew department store at Fifth and Vine streets, seeking room for en- largement so it can match the new building of its rival. RoUman'a, at the opposite corner, has taken an option on the Lyric ofiloe building, with the right to purcha.^e. which expires Ai>ril 15. All preventing the department store from buying the piece, it is .«<aid, is the question whether it can put through an ordi- nance closing an alley dividing the two buildings. • Monday and althou^'h panned by <1ally papers will get money when it oi>m<H to rcKular i»i<tiire houses. Rialto-"Trail of the Loiiesonif Pint""' < Paramount: seats. l.'.tOO; m;.1.-, 55 -85 -'.Iff». Final M;j!-y Mib« Minter starriir.: production that I'anioiis riayets is to release lail<>(l to <lraw juiytlui:::: like the regular busiMe.«4S th.it this house gets with thf gross on tiie week going to $1i;.7.mJ. Rivoli- 'Thf Tig.r's Claw" M'aia mount; s'ats. 2.200; s ah'. r.5-S.'-;»'.t ) !:n.siness ;it Kivoli also beb»w reun- lar done, with ligtuts showing,$H».- Last Week's Grosses Encour- aging—Loew's Orpheum Prepared BABY PEGGY DISCOVERY CONTEST SWAMPS DENVER TOSTS" OFRCE 4l*S for wei'k Strand 'Mighty Lak* a llosr" ( I'irst .National; vtats, L'.ftOO; scale ;;0-."iO-S.'. I. i^daild also oiV last \v» el< even tlir)ugh this First National at- iniclioii \\as gfn<rall\' spi»l;»n of along stre«'t .is mi;;lily i;ood piettiri-. Cross was $.'1 7»>»1. Boston, March 28. While it was expected grosses ihroiijjfhniit the Vlty at the picture houses would touch low ebbs this week because of it being Holy Week, It was not thought there would be an.v sensational or alarm- ing losses noted. The hou.ses. with one or two exceptions, held up pretty well la«t week when tlve going was e.-<pecially" bad in the legitimate. lioews big downtown hou.se. the Orpheum, wa.s prepared to cope with the inoblem by featuring as a star vaudeville act Ro.se's Midgets, this act having obtained plenty of publicity and being giyen s»)lash advertising. The house la«t week traveled alon-? very nicely, grossing $18,000 for the week. Loew's uptown house. S!ate. did $14,000 last week with "Adam's Ribs.' and for the current week the house is using "Grumpy," with "Mr. P.illings Spendd His Dime" for an underline. "Rra-^s" cut its local run at the Park by one week because of the way things tended last week, and this week is using "Down to the Sea in Ship.s," which several weeks back played the Selwyn at high prices. For the week a: the Park the house m scaled at 40 cents top for the afternoon and 60 cents for the evening. In the final week "nrass"' gros.sed $6,000. Kstimates for last week: . Loew's State (Capacity, 2.400. Scale: 25-50.) Did $14,000 last week; "Crumpy" this week. Park (Capacity. 1.100. Scale: 40- 60). "Down to the Sea In Ships'" this week, after "Bra.s«"' in the final week h ul grossed $6,000. Modern (Capacity. 800. Scale: 28- 40.) Ising double feature this week. 'While Paris "Sleeps" and "The Ex-Kai.ser In E.xile." "Salome"' with X'azimova starred also on bill. Last we<k house with "The Chris- tian"' did $5,000. Beacon (.Capacity, scale and at- traction «ame as Modern.). Tieup With Picture—Not Enough Candy to Go Around—Saved Last Week at Princess—Other- wise Business Light - ~. HOLDOVER FILMS FLOP ^ FRISCO THEATRES Dorothy Jardon Proves Better Draw Than Film Feature •■•>■ BUFFALO'S NEW ONE Criterion Starts with 2d Runs— May Change Policy Buffalo. March 28. Local box oftices showed little variafion in levels of i>a8t fortnight during la.st week. Criterion opened Monday with second run and mus- ical tab policy, which failed to get much attention. The other down- town houses seemed to be only slightly affected by the new entrant into the field. I*ast week's estimates: Lafayette Square—"Fools First" and vaudevilje. (Capacity. 3.400; .seale, nights, 35-55.) Genuine thriller, good for some real busi- ness. Around $15,000. Loew's State—"Dark Secrets" and vaudeville. (Capacity, 3,400; scale, nights, 30-50.) Business took slight Jump with appearance of "Webb's Beaux, local orchestra, largely re- .sponsible. Picture liked but some- what overshadowed by vaudeville. Well over $14,500. Hippodrome—"Oliver Twist." (Ca- pacity, 2,400; nights, 35-50.) Showed to neat bu.siness for fortnight, al- though originally booked for first half of week only. Got $15,000. C r i t e r i 0 n—"Knighthood" and vaudeville. (Capacity, 900; nights, 20-40.) Opened Monday with busi- ness looking weak. Failed to show any material gains during stay, with rumors afloat policy would be con- tinued for few weeks only. Policy of high-class serond runs combined with mediocre tab Is questionable for public taste hero at this time and under present conditions. Or- ehestra .nized up last week as lea<l- ing asset of house under present policv. Fstlmated under $2,000. Olympic—"The Prisoner." (Ca- pacity. l.r.00: nights, 20-25.) Showed tf» (•f)nsistent business and appar«'nt- ly found favor with regular house lan^. I'rogram augmented by i l!aby Peggy comedy. Inder $3,00o. CLOSE-UP NEARLY FATAL Los Angeles, Maieh 2.S. All for the .sake of a "elos* iii»," before the camera, Xadeen Paul. "rxtiM girl," almo.'sf dove to her death, ^vliss I'anl was one (»f tlie <'\- tr.is engaged to play foclety parlv in (hr film "You ,Can't Fool Your- Wif.." The RMl w.iM railed to plung- ofr a shoot into twelve trrl of w.itr)-. X«»t knowing how to swim, hut f"f th«' sake c»f a "clo.=«*'-up." the one thing that all! "extra" giiln T7T7T!T—f o r . ." t' .p —made -t h e* lea p t in- San Francisco, Mflrch 2S. Douglas Fairbanks In "Robin Hood" came to the Curran last week and opened to packed busi- ness after a smashing -advertising and publicity campaign. The film Iras caught on Judging from the heavy advance sale, one of the largest ever recorded at the Cur- ran for a picture attraction. "Robin Hood" Is charging $1.50 top with all seats reserved. The picture drew $l.''i,500 on the week. The outstanding offering among the big first run houses Is "Where the Pavement Ends" at Loew's Warfield. It has not been the pic- ture so much as the presence of Dorothy Jardon, who has caused the Warfield to register capacity business. At the Tlvoll Charlie Chaplin In "The Pilgrim" was held over for a third week and business flopped to considerably below the seeowd week. The Portola held "Mad Love," over a second week and also went to pieces. The first week drew well chiefly because of curiosity on the part of theatregoers to get a Rlimp.'^e of the' much publlelzefl Pola. Negri. After that there was nothing left to draw them. Betty Compson in the *'Whlte Flower' at the California did but fair. The picture Is not regarded as a box office draw at this the- atre. "Adam and Eva" did not do as well as It deserved at the Gran- ada for the reason that Marlon Davies In ''The Young showed the previous week Imperial, which is now undergoing remodeling. EMtimates for last week are: California—"The White Flower" (Parambtmt). (Seats, 2,700; scale, 5.'-90.) Betty Compson. Dusinctts showed $11,000 on the week. Granada—"Adam and Eva" (Para- mount). (Seats 2.840; scale, 55-90.) Marion Davies. ILad a gross of $13,- 000. Portola—"Mad Love" (Ooldwyn). (Seats 1,100; scale. 50-75). Pola Negri. Second week did not draw. Fell off to $5,500. Loev/s Warfield — "Where the Pavement Ends" (Metro). (Seats 2.800; scale, 65-75.) Dorothy Jardon proved an excellent drawing attrac- tion and the big bu.slness attributed to her appearance in a fine program that was highly praL^ed by critles. Got $17,500. Tivoli—"The Pilgrim" (First Na- tional). (Seats 1.800; scale, 40-75.) The third week of this Chaplin film fell away off. Returns showed $6,- 500. Frolic—"Head Hunters of the South Seas" (Universal). (Seats 1,- 000; .scale. 10-30.) Got $3,600. Diana" at the closed, tlm< hingly. After a Tew second,-^ fl;t|>s«d and tiie girl (lid not (•oiiie up lo the siirf.iee, Leatiiee .Io\ , .•l(».'elv followed by two guards. ilo\<- into the pool and belwcri Ih-ni <f- fi'ftttl a te.-t iio. Denver, March 28. ilaby Pesgy in "The Kid Re- l»orier." playing the I'rincess last week, was aided materially in her local box ofilee activitle.v* by a con- test, put on In conjunction with the l)enver "Post," having for its osten- sible object the dl.Me«)very of the Denver four-year-old most closely resembling the original Peggy. The result was the appearance of not less than 3,000 youngstera In the editorial rooms of the "Post." The office was swamped, and the editors and reporters yelled for help. Eleven hundred boxes of candy were'given away, and then the promoters quit in despair. The kids were arriving ^faster than the candy could be deliv- ered from a local confectionery es- tablishment. But It put the picture over, with- out doubt. The Princess did capac- ity business all week. Presumably every mother In town wanted to see this Peggy and costume her own daughter accordingly for the contest. Pola >:egrl In "Mad Love* did a fairly good week's business at the America (Bishop.Cass). That the film was German-made with a for- eign cast reacted against it here. Publicity ancnt the Polish actress* engagement to Charlie Chaplin evl- dently*ad a lot to do with the pic- ture's success In Denver. . Business generally was not good last week. The first two days were bad from a weather standpoint. I^ist week's estimates; Rialto (Paramount). (Seats 1.050. Prices, nights, 40.) Marlon Davies In "Adam and Eva." Earl Hurd comedy and Pathe News. Around $.^..000. Princess (Paramount). (Seats 1.250. Prices, nights, 40.) "June Madness," with Viola Dana; liaby Peggy in "The Kid Reporter." With- out contest week would have been flivver, management acknowledged. CJross excjcoded $8,900. Colorado (Blshop-Cass). (Seats 2.447. Prices, nights. 40.) Lewis Stone, Cleo Madison and Ruth Clif- ford In "The Dangerous Age." Com- edy, "Dog Sense" and Wolcott Girls, pianists, from local school, rounded out good program. Bad week be- cause of weather. Gross about $4,- 800. America (Bishop •> Cass). Seats 1,530. Prices, nights, 40.) Pola Negri In "Mad Love." Also Stan Laurel In "The Handy Man." Fair drawing card, well press-agented. About $6,200. Itia (Fox). (Seats 1,77«. Prices, nights, 35.) Katberine McDomOd- In "The Infidel." Snub Pollard In "Hook, Line and Sinker." Starland Revue and P'ox News. Good pro- gram, which took well with audi- ences, only tne latter were slim, duo to bad weather. Crowded, $3,750 for week, grows. DETROIT HOLDS UP Despite Lent, Picture Kept Nominal Businet* Detroit. March 28. Despite this Is a strong Catholic city on account of its tremendous foreign population, the picture the- atres have not felt any depression (luring I..ent. P.u«ine^;.s has l)een Tiornial with the bigger pictures getting the preference. liast week w.is a profifubh" one ft)r all the fir.st run.«. Ksiimates for last week: Adams—'Mad Love." IMillcd so Ipjg iield for second week. "Safety Layl" opens April 1. Broadway-Strand—'The Chrls- lian," Very big second week and liclil for another. Capitol—".Night Life In Holiy- \vf»o(l" atul "Toll of the Se.i." Fox-Washington — ".Votoi iety"; $1,000 first two days and around $i;.."iOO on week. ,H*dieon—"What a Wife Liarued. ' TA»Uehed $10,000. DANIELS' DAUGHTER IN FILM Tj O s Ang r l r . '^ . Ma r ch 'J 8 . l!i Goldwyn'M 'Ited Li^Iit." unre- '.(■ is<d. Is H«'leM I.»anie;>«. daughter ( f the former secret. ir\' of the Na\>. MisM I>aniels look f»n screen act- ing as a lark ''oroD.ado. whi!(- wiiiteriiK? at MIDDLING WEEK Business Wabbled Up and Down in Waahihgton Washington, March 28. Tom ll^roore spent a lot for extr.i advertising and may have gotten the edge a little last week on the other three downtown houses with Pola Negri's last German-mad** pic- ture. "Mad Love." The week started off very well, took quite a slumi> and toward the end built up again. None of the houses did much, the other three running on about th«» same level, the C olumbia having held over "Adam's Rib" possiblv explaining why this house did not attract more business. When the sea.son Is considered, none had serious complaint. Fslimofe.M for the week: Moore's Rialto (capacity 1.900; scale. nOc. eveninge). Pola Negri in "Mad Love" (Goldwyn). Little b<t- ter than $11,000. Loew's Columbia (capacity 1.200; scale 33-50 evenings). 'Adim'^ Rib' (Paramount-De Miilt^, 2d week. Around $9,.'iOO. Loew's Palace (cipacity 2.'00; scale. .T.'i-."»o evening.^). "The World's Applause." Po.q.sibly $.*,o»j unib-r the Columbia; about $t>.Oui). Crandall't Metropolitan (capac- ity 1.7O0; scale. .'i:,-.''>0 evenings). DiHiglaf! .\racLean in "r^elU>oy i:;" (Thoni.iK H. Ince). A local boy. th.» son f.f a minister, this youthful star always gets hi.s share and. aUhoui;h running fourth, must have drawn $I>,0U0. Jas. O. Barrows, Film Actor Los Aiigelc.J. .M:ir» h 2'<. .T.ame.s .O. i:.irrows, in vaudeville for the iJast 17 year.s, is giving wp the sptaking stai;e. Ho i.o) r»r>vv ft < onfifinod lilm aitur. S •"9 i ■r 'iM