Variety (July 1923)

Thursday. July 26, 1928 PICTURES (%IIIIOAT LASTWEEI^ .-.'ii. TOP MONEY FOR BROADWAY t.,A< .^ ,\i ■•;«* > i'il- ■,»••' f- ^M^'' |x>^, $2,600 for *Tnemies" at Cameo—Flood of Supers Due in Legit Houses—^At Least 12 Are ■t'>'^.'" in Sight for Fall Showings .11. ■ Hot ft slngl« Broadway picture ♦!i*fttre box office * escaped the iiauKhter last week. Every house •uffered and the receipts went tttmbUng down all along the line. This week, however, there seems to have been a decided reaction, and un to Wednesday the indIcatIon« that the houses generally were TWONEWFIIMS SCORE IN'FRISCO I voirid register a good week's busl nes«« Once again the only picture on'the street that held its own was ^he Covered Wagon." which cUcfed with its regular $10,300 in gross receipts. Staxlng at the uppei* end of the ■tre«t the Capitol was the first to Bhok a falling off In receipts, with the gross therd being under $30,000. At the Rlvoll less than $13,500 was registered with "A Gentleman of Lelsuj^e," while the Rialto with the **Merry-Go-Round" In it« third week on the street got around $14,750. Th^ ^QW on the street was $2,600. drawn by the "Enemies of women" In Its seventh week at the little Cameo. This Is the final week of the Cosmopolitan-Gold wyn produc- tton there, and next week "Broad- way Qold'^ is to be the attraction. At the. Strand the Selznlck produc- tion, "Rupert of Hentzau," (ailed to repeat on its second Week, although the ^cppping off, when considered la relation to. the other bojc office totaje,' wa;s not so terribly oft for the second week of the run. •• -' Oh* of the freaks was the leasing of the Central for six weeks by A. J. Cobe, who placed the "Merry- Go-Round" Into the house last Sun- flay, doing $1,239 on the day at a 60-76 scale. This business looke decidedly strong In view of the fact that the picture had already played three weeks on the street in the Iregular picture theatres. Within the next few weeks Broad- way Is to have a flood of super- ftpeclale showing at the legitimate theatres, there being about 12 lined tip at present. This, seemingly. Is peu't of a plan that may make pos- sible the discovering of the strength of the pictures with an Idea of de- veloping some of them as poesibill- ties for road showing purposes. Two pictures " that are. showing bnusual strength during the current Week are "Three Wise Fools," at the Capitol, and "Lawful Larceny," at the Rivoli. The latter house ehould Iro to about $20,000 this week. The gross, including Tuesday night's re- ceipts, was almost $9,600. At the Lyric, where "Human (wreckage," the Reid drug picture. Is still holding forth, there Is litUe tr no business. Broadway Is grolng to ••« a strong Campaign in behalf of "Hollywood." which Paramount is going to put Into the Rlvoll next week, with the tapectatlons that this production will absoHutely break all summer records for the house. Estimates for last week: Cameo — "Enemies of Women" iCosmopolItan - Gold wyn). Seats, B49; scale, 60-86. Eighth week. Final week. Last week gross down to $2,600. Followed by "Broadway tJold." , Capitol~"The Tx)ve Piker** (Cos- mopolitan-Goldwyn). Seats, 6.300; scale, 55-85-$1.10. Gross last week ■within few dollars of reaching |SO,00, jumping about $1,200 over What grosp was previous week. These figures considered off for thl.s house, even though Capitol playeif to top money for the street. . Central—"Merry-Ge-Round" (Uni- versal). Seats. 960; scale, 50-75. Picture moved In after having played two weeks at Rlvoll and one at Uialto. Criterion—"The Covered Wagon" (Paramount). Seats, 608. Scale: **'»t»?. $1 top; eves., $1.50. 19th week. Only picture that heild Its own on Broadway last week. Cri- terion statements showed that little better than $10,300 played to. Lyric—"Human Wreckage' (Ince- f. B. O.). Seats, 1..400. Scale: Mats., $1 top; eves., $1.50. Fourth Week. Does not seem to have hit at all at $1.50 top. Business at Lyric almost nil last week, with little un- der $4,000. Rialto—"Merry-r.o-Round" (Uni- versal). Scats. 1,960; scale. 30-55-S5. Moved in from two weeks at the Rivoli, and last week's gross went to $14,750. considerably over what Rivoli Kot with new production Rivoli—"A Gentleman of Leisuro" (Paramount). .Scats. 2,200; scale. $0-55-85. Starring" Jack Holt. Al- though Rood summer entortainmont of IlRhtor sort. failoTI to attract any- thing like hi>; hu.«»ine8S. Gross on Week wont to $!.'{.300. Strand — "Hnport of Hentzau ' (Sol/.nick). Seats, 2.900; h«m1o. 35-r.0-8r». Second weok. Iloldins ovor at Strand after d.-inf: $31,000 we^k meant Honcind weok's luisliiess Would naturally be below that. A* Keaton's First Five-Reeler and Merry Go Round" Both Draw . i «i L A. mOE BEFTER DESPITE HOT SPEIi T^-^VAr. < San Francisco, July 26. Two Important screen presenta- tions were among the offerings of the downtown houses last week, the first being th%, wdrld premiere of Buster Keaton's "Three Ages" in the Warfleld and the second Universal's "Merry-Go-Round.**;*./ r '■:' y"^ > Keaton scored the bigger business with thii, his first, full-length com- edy. Attendance opened unusually big and was maintained through the week. At the Imperial elaborate prepa- rations wer^made for "Merry-Go- Round," and the start seems to In- dicate that It will remain for a run. A heavy advertising campaign was launched, and the approval of both press and public seems to stamp the film as a success. Capital was made of the fact that Von Stroheim is now In San Francisco making "Greed" for Goldwyn. From a box-ofl[lce standpoint the Granada held third place with its Jazz Week and "Children of Jazz," in conjunction with a big musical revue, including the Boris Petroff Dancers and Patt^l Ash and his musicians. California—"Temporary Marriage." Seats, 2,700; scale, 55-90. Fairly entertaining feature and opened to average business. Got $10,500. Granada—"Children of Jazz," fea- turing Theodore Kosloff. Seats, 2,840; scale, 55-90. Picture used as excuse to stage big "Jazz Week," a revue with 30 people and the Boris Petroflf Dancers. Paul Ash and his muslciajis arranged musical pro- gram to confrm. The week started better than average and grossed $16,000. Imperial. — "Merry - Go - Round" (Universal). Seats, 1,400; scale, 55-75, Was laiunched with a big publicity splash and attendance large at opening. W^^^ ^® ^*^^<1 '^^ a run, as comment from press and public very favorable. Drew $10,000. Warfield—"Three Ages," starring Buster Keaton. This was announced as world premiere of .first Keaton full-length comedy. Business is easily topping other houses, and probably will score a record week. Gross, $17,600. Tivoli—"Slippy McGee" and "The Streets of New York." Seats, 1,800; scale, 40-76. Double bill failed to draw any unusual attendance. Bus- iness below average, with $6,600. Portola—"Back Home and Broke,** starring Thomas Meighan. Seats, 1.100;- scale. 60-76. This Is second run and not very encouraging. Pol- Icy of giving second-run pictures at first-run prices not popular. $2,900. Strand—"The Tents of Allah," featuring Monte Blue. Seats. 1,700; scale, 60-75. Picture really second- ary to musical revue being staged weekly In this house by Fanchon and Marco. The girl show is prov- ing a draw and business been very good. Scored $17,750. "Robin Hood"" Run at Mission Disappoints—Houses Adver- tising Heavily Los Angeles, July 25. With the continued heat npell the most conspicuous type In the movie ads has been references to Alaska and the north pole. In spite of the Warm weather and of the come-on signs the film houses have done bet- ter than average, holding their own against the motfon picture expo and the beach resorts. The downtown run of "Robin Hood" probably was the biggest disappointment of the week. Following are the estimates on the box office: California — "The Woman of Bronze" (Metro). (Seats 2,000; 25- 75.) John-Bowers and Kathryn Mc- Guire featured; Clara Kimball Young starred. Martin Johnson's new South Sea Island pictures and Elinor's orchestra heavily played up. Took $9,150. Kinema—"Your Friend and Mine" (Metro). (Seats 1.800; 25-75.) Wil- lard Mack in type ail author, with Enid Bennett aiid Mack featured as players. New round of Witwers Leather Pushers, featuring Reginald Denny, also on bill. Gro.srted $4,500. Grauman's—"The Man Next Door" (Vitagrapfc). (Seats 2,200; 25-56.) Director, Victor Schertzinger; au- thor, Emerson Hough- Grauman evi- dently booked picture figuring It would go big oh reputation of Hough's "Covered Wagon." Fans did not warm up to it. though. Alice Calhoun, David Torrence and James Morrison in cast. Christy comedy, "I'lumb Crazy," with Bobby Vernon, added. Otto Lederer, film actor, Ap- peared In person. Got $14,500. Metropolitan—"A Gentleman of Leisure" (Paramount). (Seats 3J0O; 35-65.) The star spot given to Jack Holt. Metropolitan Revue, Elsie and Paulsen, ice skaters; and HeWer's Crchestra featured. Played to $21,900. Grauman's Rialto — "Human Wreckage" (F. B. O.). (Seats 800; 35-85. Dope film, with Mrs. Wallace Reid. Narcotic Week celebration helped business. Sensational outdoor and newspaper advertising also acted as box ofllce stimulus. $9,770. Grauman's Hollywood—"The Cov- ered Wagon" (Paramount). (Seats 1,800; SO-1.50.) No let up in patron- age, hot weather seemingly doing no damage to receipts. Gross was $18,768. Mission—"Robin Hood" (Fair- banks). (Seats 900; 35-1.10.) Doug- las Fairbanks in title role. Down- town run not up to expectations. Musical features. Something like $10,500. Loew't State—"Modem Marriage" (Metro). (Seats 2,400; 35-65.) Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne starred In film feature and appeared on stage In a domestic sketch. Bushman and Bayne are not very big favorites here and the draw was nothing extraordinary. An- nounced for one week only. Jack White comedy, "Kick Out," well re- ceived. Clocked something ILke $16,160. BIG CHICAGO FILM MAMS v REPEAT m PRESENTATIONS Orpkeum Reopened Last Week in Loop—^Three Run Pictures Still Going Along—^Pictures in Outlying Theatres !'»« >■ ^' -. «?' i- VITA'S NEW RELEASE FORCED IN 2d RUN HOUSE Ogden, Denver, Does Well with "Man Next Door"—Heat Kept Trade Down i -^ Denver, July 25. Several days of hot weather last wook Interfered rather seriously with the picture business despite advertisements of "special cooling" systems. Probably the house that drew the biggest proportionate pat- ronage was a suburban, Ogden. "The Man Next Door" was run as a firet release. It held the screen for six days, with three matinees. The gross was held down only by the size of the admission, kept to 26 cents top. The S. R. O. sign was hung up several, times. "The Man Next Door," being «. Vitagraph pro- duction, was barred at downtown first rele^vse houses. It satisfied Og- den aualences. "Robin Hood" played a return at the America (Bishop^Cass) to fair business. The America has discon- tinued Its orchestra, formerly rated as one of the best In town, and sub- stituted a new concert organ. Ijast week's estimates: Rialto (Paramount). (Seats 1,050; 40.) Dorothy Dalton In "The Law of the Lawless," with cartoon com- edy and Pathe News. Grossed under $5,100; attendanc'e hold down by hot spoil. • Princess (Paramount). (Seats 1,290; 40.) Jack Holt In "A Gentle- man of Leisure," Christie comedy and Kinograms. Felt depression; about $4,350. Colorado (BIshop-Cass). (Seats 2,447; 50.) "Penrod and Sam." Ad- ditional program. Despite full bill and orchestra, gross $5,400. ...America (Blshop-Cass.) (Seats 1,530; 40.) Return of "Robin Hood." Around $4,750. Ogden (suburban; second runs). (Seats 1,200; 25.) Emerson Hough's "The Man Next Door." first run special; Vitagraph. Also Al St. John In "Thq Author." and quartet. GruH.sed in six days' run about $2,900. KANSAS CTTY WAS QUIET IN FUMDOM LAST WEEK Much Atte/ition Current Term to Reid Drug Picture—^Two First Nationals in Town L A. BOOMS In Picture Investments and Popu- lation A picture executive returned from the coast reports that there Is more money now involved in picture pro- ductions o.i the coast than the en- tire Industry took in last season. This statement is grcoted with varying opinions. The exhibitor faction resents it on the theory they will have to pay In the end. Los Angeles. July 25. Lo.i Angeles is booming because of picture activities. Tlie Increase in population in the pa.st two and a li.ilf years alone exceeds the pf»pu- l.ntion of the city in IDOO. It is es- timated there .nre now over 900,000 people in the city, 4If..300 of whom, according to tlip Chamher of Com- merce, are cngage<l in llio film busi- nofls. • matter of fact, .c^im.lnv business hel.l up remfirkntdv well, htit fell (lUrinir week. Fiiiil retiiirn .showed .spmething around $22,000. ,. j- Kansas City, July tS. Things were most prosaic In pic- ture circles during the week Just ended. The Newmana splurged strongly with "Mainstreet," and many readers of the book responded out of curiosity, but the verdict was not fully satisfactory. For the current week the two leading opposition theatres, New- man and Liberty, almost eiJe by side, will fight It out with First Na- tionals. The former house has "Wandering Daughters," and the Newman "Children of Dust." Both give added vaudeville, and it looks like pay your money and take y6ur choice. The Royal has for this week Mrs. Wallace Reid's "Human Wreekage," strongly exploited here. Mrs. Held will be the guewt of the Woman's City Club while here. The surpri.ne in the residential district was the closing of the Isia, most prominent of the suburbans. Jack Roth. Its manager, has moved to the Apollo. I.,a«t week's estimates: Newman — "Mainstreet" (Seats 1,980; 50-75). Florence Vidor and Monte Rlue. Around $11,000. Liberty —"A Man of Action" (S'.'it.T 1,000; 2r>-:,()). Don>?la.-i M.ie- I.c;iri. T'lilei] t<) rreate unu.su il in- terest. Clo.se to $6,000. Royal—"A Gentleman of lieiHure" f.Seif.H 890: 35-50). Ja.;k Holt. Not .^o (?ood. About $6,250. Twelfth Street—"Divorce" (Seit.i 1,100; .30). .lane Novak. Around $1,S00. oppo.sition nr.>il run« at the v^udo- vill»» tiieafres: "Ar? Vou a Failure'" M;iin'<trect; "DoutjleJeahng." Globe. .. . BALTIMORE HOLDS UP Fair Business, With No Extraordi- nary Features Daltimore, July SS. Once again in the summer months in a city which has been struck es- pecially hard by the heat this year movie grosses heOd up fairly well In face of the fact that the exhibitors here are not feeding any very ex- traordinary fare to their patrons. Last week, too, the critics became as gentle as ewe lambs and played around with high-sounding adjec- tives on several of the films. Of them ani "The I^st Moment," In which Henry Hull, Doris Kenyon and Louis Wolheim were starred, got the bo«t notices, and "Success," playing the Century, also came In for slaps on the backs from the gentlemen who write pieces for the local papers. "Maritana," the light opera which was used at the Century last week as its regular tabloided presentation, also got nice notices and was billed in the front of the house in bigger type than the picture. This has OQly been done once before, then In the case of "The I.iast Waltr.," the final presentation of the splendid organi- zation which J, Humbird Duflfy and Alice Mackenzie headed here re- cently. Next week the Rlvoll, which ranks aloriRHide the Century as the premier house of the town, reopens, and from that time on business should Im- prove throughout the town. The Rivoli has a draw all its own of peo- ple who'll walk a mile to get a peek at what they have on the screen, and their closing this summer was as much to redecorate the house and clean up as anything else. The Vic- toria, run by the Stanley company, directly arross the street. Is still closed and will probably not open until 1««» in Atigust. Hhortly after it.i reo'.cn rifj by the .Stanley rom- l).any in .as.sociation with the Nixon- Njr(llinger Interests, it berime a rtr.st-run house, but as it has never maintained an orche.«tra it didn't (fr-t tnueh of a play from the night regular."* here. l<]sfim.'ites for last week: Century ("rapacity, 3.300; scale, 2^- r>0-7ri>. With "Success" and conden- Hition of the tuneful "Maritatia" Uiis house got about $13,000. whicl» hnes .!%*.^;^;;. Chicago, July 25. Something In connection with the shows at the Chicago and McVIck- er's, accepted as opposition not for- gotten In the arrangement of the bills, was that the Chicago ofFered Organ Demonstration (Presenta- tions) after having used the same number last summer, an^ that Mc- Vlcker's had Lydia Van Qilder and Bessie Kaplan In "La Oloconda," a presentation previously at that house. The presentation program at the Chicago also Included Art Landry's "Call of the North" Or- chestra, a big feature, apd Platov and Natalie in RuHalan folk dancoa (Presentations), while McVlcker's was more modest, showing "La Olo- conda" and "The Serenade" (Pres- entations). Both theatres empha- sized the excellence of their orches- tras in last week's program. Last week was further Interesting through the Orpheum, a Jones. Liniek St Schaefer house, at State and Monroe (In the loop), reopen- ing Saturday with "Hollywood." de- clared in the advertising "shown for the first time anywhere.** The house runs continuous from 8:30 until after midnight.- The prices are 39 cents until 1 p. m. and BO after that; 6S Saturdays and Sun- days. « The three-run pictures — "The Spoilers," at Roosevelt; "Safety Last." at Orchestra Hall, and "The Covered Wagon," at the Woods— continued to do good business. The first Is In Its first month, the sec- ond in Its third month and the last named In its' fourth month. "I Am the Law" was at the Riviera and Tlvoli, "Slander the Woman*^ at the Pantheon and "Only 38" at tha Sen- ate. "Is Divorce a Failure T" at Commodore, on Irving Park Boule- vard. Estimates for last week: Chicago—Jackie Coogan In "Cir- cus Days" (Lesser). (Seats 4,200; 55.) Excess of $42,000. MeVicker's—Gloria Swanson in "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife" (Para- mount). (Seats 2,500; 65.) Little loss than $24,000. Roosevelt—"The Spoilers" (Gold- wyn). (Seats 1,276; 66.) Continues popular and In e-xcess of $20,000. Woods—'The Covered Wagon" (Paramount.) (Seats 1,150; $1.66.) Over $8,100. Orchestra Hall — "Safety Last" (Pathe). (Scats 1,500; 66.) Boost- ers responsible for continued pros-* perlty. with about $12,000. Randolph — "The Victor,** with Herbert Rawlinson (UnlverHal). (Seats 686; 60.) Got around $5,100. "Hollywood" is at the Orpheum for a run. "The Covered Wagon" continues at the Woods and will be followed by "Scaramouche," to be in Chicago before New York. "The Spoilers" is in its last week at the Roosevelt and will be.re- placed by "Down to the Sea In Ships." "Three Wise Fools" Is the current attraction at the Chicago, with Ivan Stechendo. Russian basso of the Chicago Civic Opera as a "guest artist." "Lawful Larceny", and Larry Semon in "The Midnight Cabaret" at McVlcker's. with Hans Ha/ike. who was seen last summer at the Chicago aa a presentation feature. "Out of Luck" and "With the Navy in the Orient" (two reels) maker up the Randolph program. "Brass" is i^ the Riviera and Tiv- oli. "The Law of the Lawless" is at the Pantheon, Woodlawn. Strat- ford and Senate. "The Nth Com- mandment" Is seen with vaudeville at the State-Lake. "An Old Sweet- heart of Mine," which was at the State-Lake last week. Is at the Tiffin. The Liberty, Covington's (Ky.) new film house, opened July 21. The theatre seat* 1.460. Prices, 22-33 cents, including war tax. up as fair week's business in the summertime. New (capacity, 1,800; scale, 25-50). With "The Exciters" New did good week, getting about $6,000. This pirture carries paper which 8how.'< Bebe Diinlels in a red one-piece bathinif suit, and, by roinridence. the last three pictures which the New ha.^ had, starring Agnes Ayrea, Mi«nl Palmerl ard thtsone. have all ctir-- rie<l paper whirh^T^nearly alike. Parl^way (eapaerty, 1,200; scale. 2r.-44). "The Man Next Door" held the Mcreen hero l.ist week, playing ihi.M liotjHe after its initial run at the N'"W th'otre two weeks ago. It drew fiirly. but the Parkway is a house which deijends .strongly on its regu- lars, being uptown, and many of them are otit of the city at prcseat. (;ro;«. about $2,500. . , „; , ■s»'. »■/. r c ■<v" »^