Variety (April 1924)

18 VARIETY PICTURES Wednesday, April 23, 192s B'WAY'S HIGH, $39,225; LOW, $1,950 IN CAPiTOL AND CAMEO HOLY WEEK Largest and Smallest Theatres Had Biggest and Lowest Grosses—Strand Gets Record-Breaking Anniversary—Two Low Grosses of Runs Last $10,000 Sunday, Start This Week on lU 10th Week Bioart'way picture hoiifes and the legitimate thca'res housing film at- tractions all received the hardest bump of the year last week when ihe receipts ■were "shot to pieces" by the Holy Week slump. The first two days of the current week gave every Indication tliat husiness had come back with a rush, and standing room was again the rule at the majority of houtes. The high and low on Broadway last week were "Nellie, the Beauti- ful Cloak Model," at the Capitol, $39,225 (below the weekly average), una "Not One to Spare," second week at the little Cameo, |1,950. This Is the largest theatre on the street as against the smallest, with the latter having a holdover at- traction. At the Strand "The Enchanted Cottage" did what was considered exceedingly fair Holy Week busi- ricss, getting 129,22C. while the next best figure went to Thomas Meighan Jn "The Confidence Man" at the Klvoll, 123.222. One of the sui-prlses of the week was the extremely bad business of Jackie Coogan in "A Boy of Flan- ders" at the Rlalto, that feature only getting $12,123, taken as an indication by the booking powers •"he juvenile star seems ebout through for pre-release dates. The attractions in the legitimate theatres all suffered. A falling off all along the line, even "The Thief of Bagdad" suffering to a certain extent, althoug'.i at the house it was claimed that while there was one light matinee during the week the receipts at one of the performances brought Bufflcient above capacity to make up for the one drop, and so the iJicture reached, "capacity" on the week, $21,985. * "The Ten Comm.andments'" at the Cohan got $13,602 on the week, the leader of the other film attractions in for a run, and "America" at the 44th Street was next In line with $11,150, while the Criterion had a drop to $e.93." with "The Covered Wagon." The latter has but ihe cur- rent week and next week to run and It may he expected that the business iir: the final fortnight will reach c.Tp.ncjty. Along the street the comeback Sunday was terrific. The Strand, 'clebrating its lOth anniversary this week with Harold IJoyd in "Oiii Shy." brolte every one of the pre- vious Harold I.,loyd records for the Theatre and there is a belief that the Charlie Ch.'ipiin "Kid" record also went by the boards for the day. The StrarMl Is certain that it •will do mciic tnan $r)O,O0(i on the current w«ek with Its $10,000 start Sunday. The new ff-rV, B. DeMil'.c pictn-e. "Triumiih." opening at the Klvoli Sunday, did $C 370 on ihe day. while at the Rialto "The Confidence Man" In Its second week on the street. moving down from the Rivoli, got $6,669 on the day. At the Cohan "The Ten Com- mandments" came back stronp Sun- d.iy and Monday, getting $2,485 on Sunday and playing to more than <apacity. with sl.andees, Monday. while "The Covered Wagon" at the Criterion got $1,532 Sunday and topped cap.'K ity Monday. "Amiric.T" at the 44tli .'^street sold o.it .ompleuly Sunday and hid two 'upacjty performances Monday. Yesterday nil of the houses did well because of the threatming weather. This week the Cameo is runninc A double feature bill with "The World's Struggle for Oil" and "Sec- ond Youth' getting a great break. The Capitol did not hit as heavily Sund.ay as was believed that it would. It btine,- figured that iheie had been too much time allowed to elapse between the ending of the Broadway run of the picture at advanced prices and the playing at popular prices "Secrets" at the As^or registe-ed $8,800 last week, considerable of a drop from the previous weeks, but seemed to come back Monday with a show of real strength. Kstimates for last week: Asfor—"Secrets" (First National) (1,131; $1.65). Fifth week. I«Tst ^week, $8,800. "The Sea Hawk." First National, to come In for run follow- ing. Cameo—"Kot One to .=!pare" (Hnd- kinson) (549; 55-85). Orjplnallv called "Which Shall It Be?" with title changed second week. Did fairly well first week, b\if second ,^ppgc<^ t^Jqrw at .stfMt. |.i.or,(| Caprtol—'Neilie. ftie ncautiful Cloak Model" (Goidwyii) <5 300; S.l- 11.66). This "mcller" failed to hit New York between tlie eyes, as ex- pected It would. Not there with wallop, and some of real thrill scenes only got laugh from Broadway crowd. Week showed $39,222. Cohan—"The Ten Commandments" (Paramount) (900; $l-$2). Lowest week of run on Broadway because of Holy Week, although considered to have shade best of it through biblical nature of picture. Got $13,- 602 last week, but came back cur- rent week with four capacity per- formances first two days. Criterion—"The Covered Wagon" (Paramount) (608; $1.50). Started on Its final two weeks on Broadway. Will close end of next week. Last week lowest in receipts on run of over a year.' Receipts, $6,935. This week looks like sell out. .44th St.—"America" (D. W. Grif- fith) (1,323; $1.50). This historical romance also dropped oft last week, going to $11,150, but came back with rush Sunday and Monday. Liberty—"The Thief of Bagdad" (Fairbanks) (1,234; $1.50-$2). Dropped very slightly on standing room and one performance off dur- ing week, with figures claimed at house at $21,985. Rialto—"A Boy of Flanders" (Metro) (1,960; 60-85-99). Jackie Coogan considered to have lost box- ofllce draft in big pre-release houses on weak showing this picture made at Rialto last week, where It got only $12,123. Rivoli—"The Confidence Man" (Paramount) (2.200; 60-80-99). This new Thomas Meighan. In spite of Holy Week, got $23,222 Into house. This week moved to Rialto, and for second Sunday on Broadway drew $5,569. Strand—"The Ench.-inted Cottage" (First National) (2.900; 35-55-85). Richard Barthelmess gave extraor- dinary show of strength at Strand last week, when In this fantastical production he drew $29,226. Showing remarkable, as picture cannot be raid to be extraordinary, and. In face of Holy Week, business simply speaks for strength of star. This week house celebrating 10th anniversary with "Girl Shy," the opening Sunday touching $10,000 on day, which smashes all Lloyd picture receipts at house, and is believed check-up will show it also beats first Sunday of "The Kid." "AMERICA" IN BALTO. DID $16,000 LAST WEEK Enthusiastic Reception for Griffith Film—Otherwise Town Slowed Up BUFFALO STRIKES BOTTOM Hip Vulls Only Reasonable Gross With $12,000—Loew's, »7,500 Buffalo, April 22. Holy Week saw business at the lowest ebb, although some fluctua- tions were noticeable between the houses playing straight picture and mixed vaudeville. Loew's went on the rocks, despite a well-proportioned program, with the public practically shunning the box office the entire week. Lafa- yette Square got some business by dint of heavy advertising with the new organist played up hh the fea- ture. The Hip proved a surprise run- ning along to fair business In view of the circumstances with Fr:day the only day really off. AH houses remained closed on Friday at the request of the city authorities until after 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Last week's estimates Hip— (2,400; 40-55). "Shadows of Paris." The Negri feature held up remarkably well considering. Friday was practically a total loss, which brought the week's takings to about $12,000, reported the best Holy Week tlio house has had In a number of years. Loew's— (3,400, 35-55). "The Ren- dezvous' and vaudeville. Business very l.Td all week with nothing dur- ing the period which seemed to give the box office any strength. About $7,500. Lafayette Square— (3,400; 35-60). "Let Man Not Put Asunder" and vaudeville. The house turned In a fairly respectable gross by dint of heavy plugging. The program fea- tured Henry Murtagh, who opened this week as organist, coming here from I^os Angeles. Estimated abcut $ 11,000 Baltimore, April 22. The picture houses encountered the usual Holy Week slump, while the races and the opening of the spring and summer season at Car- lin's Park helped to hammer down the box ofl!lce grosses. The Academy of Music was an outstanding exception. Griflflth's "America" opened there for an in- definite run last Monday night, got enthusiastic notices from the local press and grossed about $16,000 on the week. The Howard, formerly the New Pickwick, joined the ranks o£ first run houses this week. Estimates for Last Week Academy — "America" (opening week). Without a Monday matinee this attraction grossed $16,000. Should build nicely. Lyceum — "Hunchback," second and final week at this theatre. Sec- ond run for this feature In Balti- more. Business light. Century—3.300, 25-75; "Dawn of a Tomorrow." Picture fans appar- ently not familiar with this former stage success. Business oft. About $10,000. Rivoli—2,250, 25-75; "When a Man's a Man," Harold Bell Wright and the great open spaces the at- traction. Business off but satis- factory, considering the season. New—1,800, 25-50; "The Eternal Three." This picture not a draw. Business way off on account of Holy Week. About $5,000. Garden—3,100; "The. Steadfast Heart," and vaudeville. Business steady. Around $11,000. Hippodrome—"Let No Man Pull Asunder." Film weak, but business at this house held up remarkably well. About $11,000. Metropolitan—1,200, 65; "The White 'Tiger." Business fair. Parkway—1,200, 25-44; "The Day of Faith." Business light. Around $3,000. This Week—Academy, "America" (2nd week); Century, "The Con- fidence Man"; Rivoli, "A Son of the Sahara"; New, "The Shepherd King"; Garden, "Ladies to Board"; Hippodrome, "The Barefoot Boy"; Metropolitan, "The White Sister"; Parkway, "A Lady of Quality." CAPITAL SATISFACTORY NO RUSSIAN FILM English 8ov!«t Expedition Idea Abandoned London, April II. The proposed Anglo-Soviet ex- pedition to film Russia, showing conditions over there, has been de- clared off. The expedition was tu have been away from three to six months. On its return the Intention was to screen the pictures, accompanied by a lecturer. The Soviet oflBclals here, at first were very keen on the Idea, then grew cool when discovering the details of the scheme were in the hands of certain advanced labor people who were talking of doing the same thing. This and the recognition of the Soviet by the present government explains the collapse. LENT'S BAD BUSINESS HED UP UNTIL LAST Holy Week Gave Light Busi- ness to Picture House Tivoli Tops With $10,000—Managers Pleased on Week Carlton to Produce Lloyd Carlton, independent di- rector, is to proeluce in New York. He has a tie-up with the Producers' Scqurity Corporation for distribu- uiti, 'and »iol miatiJing hat "been (lone by the New York Trust Co., the Jl.scal agent for the organization. Washington, April 22. "Not so bad for Holy Week," said the local managers when questioned as to business done. AH seemingly were conslderlncr themselves fortun- ate to run up the grosses they did. Crandall's new house, the Tivoli, where a show much along the lines of the Capitol in New York is given, again led for the week but with a gross that U played to every week wouldn't be so encouraging. The biggest bit of news In the local picture houses was the an- nouncement from Tom Moore'." Rialto that they had secured Harold Lloyd In "Girl Shy." Harry Cran- dall has played every Lloyd since "Hector Was a Pup" and the getting of the picture by Moore started the local managerial talks wagging. Crandall retaliated by bringing Waring's Pennsyivanlans downtown to the Metropolitan for the current week and booked In Douglas Mac- Lean, whose father was a minister here for a great many years. Estimates for Last Week Crandall's Tivoli—"Bryant W.(sh- burn In "Try and Get It." supported by a big show, got $10,000. Crandall's Metropolitan—"Flowing Gold," featuring Milton Sills ran next in order getting about $8,500. Moore's Rialto — "Excitement." Following on top of Hearst's 'The Great White Way" with much the same billing material hurt this at- traction which, coupled with Holy Week, brought just about an $8,000 gross. Loew's Columbia—"The Breaking Point." Gross off for the house al- though the author of the picture's story, Mrs. Rinehart, resides here. Got just about $7,850. Loew's Palace—"The Dawn of a Tomorrow." This is one sta^j suc- cess the name of whlc'.i should have attracted more hu.slness. • However, Lawrence BcUiirf WAS S.itlsfled in* view of everything breaking so against the house. Hit about $7,600. Boston, April 22. Changes were recorded at two of the local picture houses that go In for big showings this week. "After Six Days," which had been "running at the Tremont temple for several weeks, left last week, and the house Is now tenanted by a travel picture, "With Allenby In Palestine." The other change was at the Park, where "Under the Red Robe'' fin- ished last week after a short stay, and the house this week has "Doro- thy Vernon of Haddon Hall." With the finish of "Under the Red Robe" at the Park, this house, for the first time in several months, is without a Cosmopolitan picture. The Cosmopolitan people took the house over some time ago for the showing of "Little Old New York," and then followed with "The Great White Way" and "Under the Red Robe." The Cosmopolitan people had the house on a regulation rental basis. Business for the two big features runninp here, "The Ten Command- ments" and Griffith's "America^ felt the effect of the last week of Lent somewhat, but not to any startling extent. Business for both pictures dropped under $10,000, where it had been running along about $12,000. Last Week's Estimates "The Ten Commandments," Tre- mont theatre (7th week). About $10,000. "America," Majestic (8th week). Carrying line In ads stating is on last weeks. Big play last week and kept business close to $10,000 for very bad week. "Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall," Park (1st week). In final week, "Under the Red Robe" did $5,000. State—"The Hunchback of Notre Dame." Booked In for first time at popular prices. Ran for quite a while at Tremont temple earlier In sea.«on. ' Fenway—"Girl Shy" this week, and house looks for big pick-up In business now that Lent is over. Modern and Beacon — "Be^u Brummel" this week. HOLY WEEK HITS FRISCO HOUSES HARD "Temporary Husband" Head- ed Town With $18,700— Two Above $16,000 San Francisco. April 22. Htly Week left its mark on ths box offices of most of the downtown picture houses last week, but one or two failed to feel the customary pinch. Notable among these was the Warfleld, which Is getting the name here of being a "three-ring circus." When one stops to consider the char- acter of this theatre's bill the title seems deserved. In addition to "Her Temporary Husband" the Warfleld, for Holy Week, Included Its regular mu.slcal concert by George LIpschults and his Music Masters, Art I.,andry'8 iiand and a big feature act staged by the Columbia Park Boys, an ag- gregation of ,70 clever youths who do acrobatics, vaudeville numbers and furni.sh their own band. Busi- ness started big and kept up an even stride. Credit was due to the pro- gram as a whole rather than to any individual part of It. The Granada, with Tom Mix In "Eyes of the Forest," put on an added feature In the shape of the "Deml-Tasse Follies," using 40 chil- dren, but its business failed to reach the expected pace. The California also was off with "Cameo Kirby." The Strand likewise felt the season bady. especially with a feature that was below par. At the Imperial the third week of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" was a distinct fiop. This film has a lim- ited appeal, if we may judge by its previous showing at $1.50 prices and the present popular price presenta- tion. The little Cameo picked a winner in "The Storm Daughter," and busi- ness was considerably above the average for this house. California—"Cameo Kirby," feat- uring John Gilbert (Fox). (2,400; 55-90.) Fairly good opening day, but balance of week light, finishing with $16,200. Granada—"Eyes of the Forest." starring Tom Mix (Fox). (2,840; 5S- 90.) First day satisfactory business, but rest of the week only average. Granada patrons seem to like Mix pictures, and this reported good one, but season of the year against the film. Week showed $16,100. Imperial—"The Hunchback of No- tre Dame." (1,400; 55-90.) Third week of this film a flop. Business way below first two. Picture has limited appeal, judging from pre- vious high-price runs and present popular-price showing. Gat $7,000 Warfield—"Her Temporary Hus- band," featuring Sydney Chaplin (First National). (2,800; 55-90.)[^Ua« house suffered little from Holy Week. Besides film program. Included Art Landry's Bond and Columbia Park Boys. Topped the town with $18,700. Strand—"Marriage Morals," feat- uring Tom Moore (Goldwyn). (1,700;' 30-65.) Attendance way off. due to both Holy Week and ordinary char- acter of fikn. Receipts, $5,000. Cameo — "The Storm Daughter,"^ starring Priscilla Dean (Univ.). (900; 35-50.) Week opened mucli bigger than usual, due to appeal oC feature. Hit much higher gross thaa ordinarily, getting $5,300. HOLY WEEK DIDNT PREVENT BIG BUSINESS IN DETROIT Capitol Got $22,000 With Extra Attractions-^ Mabel Normand and Film Did $17,000, at Ad- vance Scale of 75c Top DENVER MILD $8,250 Top Holy Week, with "En- chanted Cottage" Denver, April 22. "The Enchanted Cottage" at the Colorado (Bishop-Cass) did a fair week's business last week, de«plte it was Holy Week. It topped the town. Last week's estimates: Colorado—(Bishop-Cass). (2,470; 40-50.) "Enchanted Cottage," wltl'i Richard Barthelmess; entertainment units; around $8,250. America—(Bishop-Cass). (1,580; 20-30.) Colleen Moore in "The Hunt- ress." Around $3,800. Rialto—(Paramount). (1,050; 30- 40.) "The Dawn of a Tomorrow," Poodles Hanneford and Pathe News Grossed $5,400. Princess — (Paramount.) (1.250; 30-40). "The Shooting of Dan Mc- Grew." Leather I'usher comedy, and Kinograms. ls.iS-t-<Fo*Ot' .n,7f»i 25.) » yu-Rft ■fnur •(♦aw., -"A#t«.p.»)»».BaH>'.'.;iJi;t three, 'DefylnB Destiny." Near 9^11 oO* Detroit, April 22. The bugaboo about Holy Week was shot to pieces last week, so far as the first-run houses In Detroit were concerned, and particularly three houses that had big attrac- tions. One nearly broke Its box ottlcS record, while another had one of ths biggest weeks of the season. Estimates for last week: Broadway-Strand — "Extra Girl and Mabel Normand In person ap- peared three times dally and four times Saturdays and Sundays. Prices were advanced to 75 cents top. Clo.se to $17,000. During the week Ben Turpln and Raymond Hitch- cock made personal appearances with Mabel. Adams—"White Sister"; 4th week. Excellent business. Capitol—"Big Brother." Added attraction, Paul Wilson's College or- chestra and principal stars of "Cot- ton Stockings," a University or Michigan production previously seen here. Business tremendous entire week. Around $22,000. ,„ »|l|4<<ison-r-5W-.J*oji--<Tf Fl.in.lfr.«. •Anp«»i«<*-4«. iiktfn-««»>o--e*tw»' in bunches on account of Lentei v.-ca- 'Uon.