Variety (June 1924)

Wedneiday, Jum 2S, ISM PICTURES '■«j VARIETY CAPPL, $35,000; SIHAND, $30,000; TWO KS, $24,575; CAMEO, $5,961 Everything Against Big Business on Broadway— Specials Also OfiF—"Dorothy Vernon" Down to ^,850 — "ConunandmenU/' $19375 — 'Thief/' ' $15,750—No Better This Week Pre-conventlon w«ek. a warm fp«ll the first of th« year follow- ing a long cold and wet spring all had their effect on the business In the Time* square district last week, with the resuU box office figures went tumbling right and left. There wasn't a single film attractitsti that did not suffer, and the only house that held to any- thing like regular business was the Strand, which had Barbara !« Varr In an unusually sexy picture. It was a wholesale flop, however, with the houses uniformly off in receipts up to $2,000 and more on the week. This week with all the visitors here isn't any better, for those at- tending the convention are too busy for anything else. De^KStes' fam- iliea on the scene are doln^ win- dow shopping principally, with the result that the theatres are getting very little of the play. Sunday was a veritable slaughter along Broadway, with the matinee and night performances- all shot to plcCes as far as attendance went. "True As Steel," the Rupert Hughes piece at the Capitol, got top money of the street, but even top money was more than $6,600 under the average of what that house usually gets. This week with "Revelation" they will, to all appearances, drop below that figure. The Strand ran second, doing what might bo termed the only real business, a little under $30,000, ex- cee<:ingly good because of the gen- eral conditions. The attraction there was "The White Moth" and this week with "The Perfect Flap- per' it looks like a repeat. ^e Rlvoll and the Rialto got awful bumps last week. The latter house with "The Guilty One" did the best business of the two, get- ting $12,600. This picture was a little heavy in drama for summer, but In the regular season it should be a money getter. At the former house business with "Tiger Love" the business slid to under $12,000. The Cameo again surprised with the manner that it held up with "Girl Shy," getUng IS.961. Super Picture* The quartet of auper attractions in legitimate houses for a run all suffered. "Dorothy Vernon of Had- don Hall" dropped to $B,850 on the week, while the "Ten Command- ments" at the Cohan went oit about $2,000, getting $9,876. At the Liberty '"The Thief of Bagdad" also went to pieces and fell to $16,760, while at the Astor "The Sea Hawk" held the nearest to the pace showing a falling off of only a couple of hundred dollara. The receipts showed there is fairly strong interest still in the picttire. V Last Week's Estimataa Astor—"The Sea Hawk" (First National) (1,181; $1.65). Dropped oft few hundred dollars toward end of week, around $16,900. _ Csmeo—"Girl Shy" (Pathe) (649; BB-8B). Fifth week. Las* week was $6,961. Capitol—"True As Steel" (Metro- Goldwyn) (5,JO0; 66-$1.66). House was about $6,006 under the average business that It doea In the regular season. The picture shown under regular conditions would have un- doubtedly held to the average busi- ness and it was fairly sexy and car- ried a punch. Returns little under $36,000. Cohan — "The Ten Command- ments" (Paramount) (900; $1-2). Fell oft $2,000 last week but when taken into consideration that the picture has been on Broadway al- most 30 weeks and the business is wiat it is the pulling power still shows. The statement was around $9,875 last week. Criterion — "Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall" (Mary Plckford) (608: $1.65). This one has slipped steadily since the flrst week that It came to Broadway with the re- sult that after five weeks the re- ceipts are about 50 percent of wh.it they were for the opening week. Last week showed $5,850. Liberty—"The Thief of Bagdad" • Uougt.ns Fairbanks) (1,234; $1.65- ♦2). Foiling off- at week-end al- ttiough early part of week went little ahead of week previous. Finish Rhnwpd business dropped to about ♦ 15.7jO bcc'.Tuse matinees were pr.irt,r.Tlly nil and the night shows also off at week-end. Rialto— The Oulllv One" (Para- nin^int) (l.!)60: C.-)-S.-.09). No sum- "T.w ,'>''''^«Te, but corklnff drama w4ui> Jouiof punch for'KCKi>lar sea- (Continued on pa^Bll $8,000 HIGH IN WASH. LAST WEEK; HEAT DH) TT TWO CLOSED IN DENVER "America" Opens in Legit Houss to ^^M Top "THIEF" IN BOSTON HELD TO $13,S00 BUFFALO 'WAY OFF $11,000 High with Nothing Pleasing Lasr Week Buffalo, June 24. Takings dropped oft another notch at the picture, box offices last week. Local exhibitors are adopting the policy of stringing along under light saiL Last week's estimates: Hip (2,400; 40-55). "Cytherea." Although well heralded failed to ex- cite much attention. Most of play came ft-om the women. $11,000. Loew'a 8Ute (3,400; 36-55). "Miami" and vaudeville. Business continues way off. with last week's card bringing no change. Feature scarcely held up either to its own advertising or to the general run of film attractions at the house. $9,500. Lafayette Square (3,400; 85-60). "Marriage Market" and vaudeville. As usual vaudeville chief attraction. Feature somewhat under usual run for house. Estimated between $10,- 000 and $11,000. "Montmartre" Got Top Figure at Palace—Glyn Picture Got $5,500 PITTSBURGH 0. K. Doing Business in Heat — Leew's Aldina Got $16,600 at 5Cc Top Last Week Pittsburgh, June 24. Local fllm houses are suffering but little from the heat. The Grand last week grossed over $9,000, with the State a close second with $7,800. The blg> surprise was Loew's Aldine, with $16,600 at a 60c top. Most of this business Is due to the "Golf Revue" with a cast of 16, as a presentation. Reminding one of the flrst act of "Kid Boots" as to scenery, yet there is originality in every bit $40,722 JUDGMENT Power Co. Recovers Against United Theatre Equipment Corp. The Nicholas Power Co., Inc., has been awarded a verdict for $40,- 722.66 against the United Theatre Equipment ■ Corp. for goods sold and delivered in 1921. The trial consumed eight days before Justice Peter A. Hatting in the New Tm-Ic Supreme Court. Washington, June 24. Hot weather was a long time com- ing, but when it did. it did. The last three days of the past week found the local managers, ticket sellers and dodrmen with nothing mu:h to do other than to tweedle their tbiunba When Washington gets hot! Interest to no small degree cen- tered on Ninth street at the Rialto, Where another of Washington's own director's pictures were tiolding forth. The interest, however, was not of the brand that registers at the box office, and the picture did but mildly, mostly due, however, to the weather. As for "Peter the Great" much the same condition as at the Rialto existed. It didn't mean a thing as far as the title was concerned, those seeing it, though, liked It, but the house reglstftred an extremely low Src'S. Currently much speculation Is rife as to what the radio fans will do during the convention in New York. All the local managers are wonder- ing will the regulars remain at home and listen to politics or will they brave the heat and come around as usual. Estimates for last week: ■ Palace (2,432). "Montmartr^" Started off big, but could not with- stand heat, ending to but $8,000. Metropolitan (1,542). "The Wom- an on the Jury." Second place. Dunch of names helped consider- ably. Rialto (1,856). "How to Educate a Wife." Neither the name of BUnor Glyn nor that of Monta BeU. who directed the film, could stem tide. About $5,5000. Columbia (1,233). "Peter the Great" Title did not mean any- thing. All who saw It liked it—but not enough of them saw It. $6,300. Tivoli (1,952). Much embellished program surrounding "Girl of the Limberlost" could not overcome heat Under $5,000. This Week Rialto, "Recoil"; Palace, "The Heart Bandit"; Metropolitan, "Cy- therea"; Columbia, "Miami"; Tivoli, "Hold Tour Breath." The revised schedule of the seat- ing capacities of the theatres was secured through the office of the Building Inspector of the District government Denver, June 24. "America" went over big here last week at the Broadway (legit), with $1.60 top nights and $1 top matinees. Jackie Coogan in "A Boy of Flan- ders" piled them in at the Victory (Paramount), with Betty Compson running a good third in "Miami" at the Rialto (Paramount). The America' (Universal) and Strand (Fox) are both closed; the latest report is that the America will remain closed about four weeks instead of two, while a stage is be- ing built and other changes made. Last week's estimates: Broadway (legit) (1,600; SO, 76, $1). Griflith's "America." RiaHo (Paramount) (1,060; 35-40). Betty Compson in "MUml." ttfiK. Victory (Paramount) (1,260; 36- 40). Jackie Coogan in "A Boy of Flanders." $9,260. Colorado (Blshop-Cass). (2,760; 40-60). "Those Who Dance." Did good Saturday «nd Sunday business. Around $6,200. Only Dropped $1,500 in Face of Heat—Summer Business Around Town LLOYD'S UOnOfS TO DISMISS The motion by Harold Uoyd. the Pathe Exchange, Inc., et a]., to dis- miss the $100,000 damage suit brought by Owen Davis comes up for argument this (Wedneaday) morning. Davis, the author of "The Ner- vous Wredi," alleges that Lloyd's comedy, "Why Worry 7" Is a pla- giarism of his play. Boston, June 24. Business at the piciure houses in town was off last week, with the summer weather blamed. Most of the houses .are on the summer pol- icy, which allows for a decrease In business, and the decline was not unexpected. The losses were gen- eral along the line, with practically all the pictura house* affected. At the ColonUl "The Thief," run- ning for several weeks, showed « drop, going off |l,t0O last week to • toUI of $13,(00. This Is the sharp- est drop the picture has taken sinea It opened bera. The tendency la away from the city with tha weather as It is. With tlM summer iralicy In vogue, Tremont Temple baa "Hold Your Breath" this week, with the top SB cents evenings. It Is an AI Christla feature. The Park Is using "Tha Back Trail" and "Dark Stairways" tbia week and "Daring Love" and "In Fast Company" la baing shown at the Modern and Qaaoon. All three houses are on the aummer policy. The Fenway did about $6,000 last treek and this week is using "Tha Sheik," which is figured as ■.good aummer repeat ^Scaramoocbe" la being shown at tha State for tha first time In this section at popular prices. . TWO COURT ACTIONS OUTCOME OF CADLE TABERNACLE POUCY Former Owner Suing Present Management and, in Turn, Is Sued by Film Co.—^Auditorium Dedi- '^cated to Religious Entertainment Indianapolis, June 24. Epic Film Attractions, Inc., has ipendlng in the Superior Court a suit for $100,000 damages against E. Howard Cadle, former owner of the Cadle Tabernacle. Several weeks ago the fllm "After Six Days," the picture version of the Old Testament, presented by Weiss Brothers, New York, under business management of H. A. Kyler, was shown for a week In that Tabernacle. Cadle, It was charged by Kyler's representative, practically ruined business and lost money for the company exhibiting the fllm by cre- ating the public impression the film was improper. Cadle, it is said, objected to one of the posters advertising the show depicting a scene of rintous living. A few days prior to the opening of the fllm Cadle had an, argument with Daniel Spelcher and Walter HaxisiDK of the Tabernacle marage- i I iibiteiat about ji^rop»MiI'6MH# SahBM Grotto to give a beneflt vaudeville performance In the auditorium. Cadle stated that his contract of sale of the Tabernacle stipulated that because the building was dedicated to his mother it should never be used for any entertainment except that of a religious nature. • Cadle also was quoted in the newspapers about this time as ob- jecting to the "After Six Days" pub- licity as "Lewd and Immoral." The effect of this, according to the Epic complaint, was to turn the minds of church people against the fllm. In an effort to count :'!ct this im- pression the backers had the In- diana Indorsers of Photoplays view the fllm. They pronounced It to con- tain nothing offensive or lewd. This, however, did little good it is said. ' Cadle's attorneys said he would light the suit, stating he had not mentioned,the fllm company nor the picture In his suit against the, Tabernacle management. •'" : i •■ - STANLEY, PHDIY. HELD TO $22,000 DESPm SIZZLING WEA1EER Philadelphia Film Houses Made Good Showing Last Week, Considering—Fox's Low, However, With $10,000 for ParamountTs "Code of Sea*' v*^ Needed Over 8 Months To Teach Young MUdred San Francisco, June 24. Suit filed by Mra Ella E. Bow- ers against the Belasco Studios, a picture training school here eon- ducted by Frank and Kenneth Mac- Quarrle, to recover $372 alleged to have been paid as tuition for her little daughtei' Mildred, came up in the Superior court. The action was filed by Mrs. Bowers upon the atlegation the school guaranteed to have the child ready for studio work within eight months, but that at the end of 13 months Mildred still mm a pupil. The MacQuarries made a general denial of the chargea Judge "tr*.- bucco has taken the case under ad- visement and will give a decision this week. TEAB OLD DTJUBIES FATAL Los Angeles, June 34, Algernon Stecker, thirty-two, an animal trainer at Universal City, died yesterday In tha Hollywood HospiUl, as a result of injuries sus- Ulned a year ago when attacked by big "Charlie," the elephant "Charlie" yttm destroyed after the atUck, but Stecker's injuries kept him in the hospital the greater part of the time since the accident. Stecker leaves a wife and three cBildren. CODT ILEHEWS Loa Angelea, June 24. Irving S. Thalberg. assistant to Louis B. Mayer, manager of produc- tions for Metro-Goldwyn Corp., an- nounces that Lew Cody, before leav- ing for New York en route to Europe, renewed his contract with M.-a. Stardom for Wanda Wiley Wanda Wiley, one of the Cen- tury Comedies' "Follies Girls," goes up to stardom In two-reel Century subjecta She Is an Eng- lish girl, a "find" of the Stern Brothera Completes First M.-G. Film Hobart Henley has completed "Free Love," the flrst picture to go through the new Metro-Qoldwyn studios since consolidation. The cast Includes Eleanor Board- man. Adolphe Menjou, Conrad Nagel, Hcdda Hopper, Jean Hersholt, Ed- ward Connelly, John Patrick, Mi.tB DviPont, Virginia Lee CorMn, Frank Elliott, Ann Luther, Dorothy Dwan Lwcek's t'SUre, but with the weathi and Bradley Lpe. »"<^a" »' J ► '■ H > > "(C^illWlWia'ofc i^rffe **J '^»~ Philadelphia. June 24. The flrst really ■Isillng weather knocked whatever prep* the fllm houaes bad from under tbam last week.. It so happened that there were no real box-offlce wallops among the new features In the weekly change houses, but It is hardly llkaly that even a "Girl Shy" wouM hava broken any records with the scorching after- noons and evenings Thursday, Fri- day and Saturday. Whatever buaineas was done worth talking about muat be accredited tha Stanley (at least $4,000 under nor- mal), and the Aldlne, where "Beau Brummel," in iU third week, feU off, but defied the hot weather enough to warrant the lengthening of Its stay from four to five weeks, with a sixth as a dim possibility. Although the amount of advertiaing has fallen off. "Brummel" Is stlU making a pUy In the papers, and Is a good example of a film that without being lavishiy road-showed was sensibly and clev- erly handled bera A. L. Einstein of the Stanley compmiy has been doing the work, and there can be no doubt but that the Barrymore picture, so far as Phllly is concerned, la in the solld-hit class, despite the gloomy prophesies that It was too artlsUo for box-oflSca succesa It daima to have toaehed $12,000 last week, a little over a 12,000 drop from the preceding week. If the hot weather sticks it is likely to crash down to the $10,000 mark this week because of the remote situation of the housa The SUnley had "Flowing Gold" last week-, end it was only moderate- ly well received by the critics, but proved to possess considerable popu- lar appeal by holding iU own all week against the increasingly hot weather, whl<>h was as good as a gain under normal temperature con- ditions. A woman's jazz band (Burt Rarle and his Banjo Girls) proved quite popular here, where the fans are eating up anything In the jaxs lina Arthur J. Martell, organist with his return of the old Illustrated song (in absolute seriousness, but as funny as John B. Haasard's skit in the "Greenwich Village Follies" a couple of seasons ago), may also ba credited with some of the pulling power. The Stanley did almost $22,- 000 on the week. Not good for the' house, but quite good considering all the circumstances. The Fox had IU troubles with "Code of the Sea." Its second Para- mount within a few weeks. There were no big names to draw, and the surrounding program, while varied and lengthy, had no particular kick In dragging them in. The whole re- sult was a $10,000 week, about the lowest this big new house has had yet. The end-of-the-week slump was directly responsible. The .Stanton, with the second week of "Three Weeks," started well, look- ln< as if it would beat its opening " i«r