Variety (March 1925)

90 VARIETY PICTURES Wednesday, March 25,1925 L A. BIZ SPOTTY; 'IRON HORSE" STUl BIG; REST OF TOWN OFF ''Last Laugh" and 'isn't Life Wonderful," Both Made in Germany, Great Disappointments— ''Herd" in for Month and StarU Well Lrf>8 Angelea, March 24. (Drawing Population, 1,300,000) The only house which seemed to show a real spurt in business last week was Grauman'a Egyptian, where "The Iron Horse" completed Its fourth week and ran neck and neck with the Metropolitan (or top money honor. Though the Metro- politan showed a bit of an Increase over the previous week, the Robert Kane product, ''Sack(;lotb and Scarlet," did not seem to cause any excitement. As far as the box ofRce waa concerned the title of the pic- ture meant nothing. The result was that Sol Lesser'a "The Re- creation ot Brian Kent," at Loew'fl State, got the benefit o( the situation. Though business was not over brisk there, the Harold Bell Wright product garnered a great deal more coin than it would have ordinarily. At the Million Dollar "The Thun- dering Herd" started off on a four weeks' Journey. Though the open- ing day business waa Just a bit better than fair, it began to build on the second, apd toward the end of the weeK conditions at the bouse were healthy and itrarranted the showing of this picture for a run period. Around at the Criterion they waited for the "flrst laugh" from "The Last liaagh," ^hich had a lingering death in its second week. Folks in this territory seek enter- tainment and not a study in pho- tography with the result that trade t came here in Jerks only. ' D. W. Griffith's "Isn't Life Won- ;' derfuir' had a hard road to travel ■' at the California. Seemed as though the nEime of Grifntb meant little at this house so far as bringing in the cash customers. The picture got off to « light Saturday and Sunday •tart and showed little drawing power on the week days that fol- lowed. As a matter of fact, from the exploitation an;^ advertising , angle, folks Just did not know that '^ It wfis in town. The Charles Ray picture, "Percy," moved from the Califcrnia to Mil- . ler's^ did fairly well, with the -week »A.4d&y« -toeing a bit brisker ° than the opening Saturday and Sunday. O'Brien's Local Draw , Out at the Forum the name of George O'Brien meant a great deal. Havbig hit in "The Iron Horse," O'Brien is established here, with the result that his picture, "The Rough- neck," played to better business than any picture shown at this house within the past three weeks. ' Over at the Rialto, "New Lives for . Old," stxuring Betty Compson, ran pace with its first week's business, which Is exceptional here. Though the Cameo is a grind house, the management has lodi cognizance of the fact that flrst- run plctdres do a bit better than second or 'third mn. For sonie rea- son they booked in Reginald Denny In "Oh, Doctor," which had a four weeks' run at the Rialto some time ago and played other houses as well. The result was obvious, as the regular drop-ins stayed out and trade Instead of hitting around the 12,100 mark |»lt quite a bit below, which is costiy lor this house. » Estimates for Last Week , California — "Isn't Life Wonder- . ful?" (D. W. Griffith) (2,000; 27-85). Appeared as if no one in particular was interested for trade was very light throughout the week and the final count-up only showed $5,200. Million Dollar—"The Thundering Herd" (Paramount) (2.200; 26-86). Got off to fairly good start and picked up momentum as it went along, with the flrst week showing total of 116,600. Metropolitan — "Sackcloth and Scarlet" (Paramount) (8,700; 25- •6). Hardly to be classed among the walloping "40," as it entered the brodie class at the start and finished the same way in this mamnioth house with an Intake at $22,500. Grauman's Egyptian — "The D-on Horse" (Wm. Fox) (1,800; 50-$1.65). StIU running ahead of "The Covered Wagon" with its best weeks yet to coma House working heavy ex- plottatlon and advertising cam- paign with result that fourth week total amounted to $24,200. Loew'i State — "Recreation of Brian Kent" (Principal) (2,400; 25- IS). Sol Lesser gets folks excited over his H. B. Wright pictures, as this product brought many who are not habitual fans, with the gross on the week hitting $19,000. Criterion — "The Last Laugh" (Universal) (1,«00; 40-65). Just a lingering death In the second week for this product Business tumbled to $5,700. Forum — "The Roughneck" (Wm. Fox) (1,800; 85-65). The name of Oeoiye O'Brien did wonders fur this, $8,000 FOR "SWAN" IN BOSTON'S DUU WEEK ■"lit: State's $15,000 for Griffith Picture—Income Tax Cost Business Boston, March 24. (Drawing population, MOfiOO) That many of the patrons had to come across with the flrst payment on their income tax kept busings at the picture houses down to Just below normal last week. Every- thing taken into consideration, local picture showmen considered it was a good break, as none of the houses reported any decided slump. With the Griffith picture, 'Isn't Life Wonderful" and the Metro- GokJwyn release, "Daddy's-Qone-a- Hunting," the State (Loew's uptown house) did about $15,000. That is about right for this house at this seaeon of the year. At the Fenway "The Swan" did over $8,000, with the patrons seemingly more Inter- ested in Adolphe MenJou than In the picture itself. With "The Monster" Loew's Or- pheum, the downtown house, did not approach the business which char- acterized it the week before when coming close to the record with the big midget vaudeville act. The gross last week is reported around $20,000. Last Week's Estimates Fenway (1,500; 60-75)-^$8.000 with "The Swan." 8taU (4,000; 60-76)—$16,000 with "Isn't Life Wonderful" and "Dad- dy's-Gone-a-Hunting." Modern (760; 26-35-40). With "The Swan" slightly better than $6,000. Beacon—Capacity, scale,, attrac- tion and gro^s same as Modem. Tremopt Temple — "The Lost World," 8th week in Boston to good business. This week Fen^^y has "Charlev'e Aunt," with Modem and Beacon using same picture. Gordon's Scol- lay Square is using the Betty Cdmp- son picture, "New Lives for Old," with the Washington Street hoiolng "Her Husband's Secret." The Or- pheum is using "Cheaper to Marry' and the Boston (Keith house) has for the flrst time here the only local showing, "The Roughneck." "Sackcloth and Scarlet" (Para- mount) and the Ben Turpln picture, "A Raspberry Romance" at Loew's uptown house. State, with the Bow- doin, pop vaudeville, using an Es- telle Taylor picture, "Playthings of Desire." SABBATH BENEFITS QUESTION Rumford, Me., March i4. Church officials here have pro- tested against the Sunday motion picture benefit shows which have been conducted at the Opera House, by various local organizations, vir- tually every Sunday during the winter. It is alleged that the use of the expressions "for charity" and "for the benefit of" have been rather loosely construed. FLTEB IN PEBSON Lieut. Leigh Wade, who was one of the "Around the World" flyers, has assembled some 4,000 feet of film, depicting scenes of the famous historical flight, and is making ex- hibitions of the pictures in the east. Lieut. Wade, by permission of the United States Air Service, is mak- ing "por.qonal appearances" with the film at present. . ii picture. It got off to a great start and showed a bigger total than any product during the month of March by taking in $5,300. Miller's —"Percy" (Pathe) (»00; 25-75). In its second week on Main street this ftay picture did far bet- ter than had been expected by gar- nering a total of $1,200. Cameo—"Oh, Doctor" (Universal) (800; 25-35). House made big mis- take in playing this picture after it had been only few blocks away for Extended run. Consequence was that the count-up disclosed only $1,800. Rialto — "New Lives for Old" (Paramount) (900; 36-65). For a second week did remarkably well by running along at same pace it did In initial week and grabbing off a total of $4,100u im" DROPS AT STATE TO $17,000 "Thundering Herd** Only Got ' $9,500 at StiHman— "I Want IMy Man" Needed Help at Alien Cleveland, March 20. .(Drawing population 1,60(M)00) The first effects of Lent were felt by the theatres last week. There wasn't an exciting moment In any one of the houses, but the lead was naturally taken by the bargain houses as usual. Estimates for Last Week Stillman—(1,600; 40-76). "Thunder- ing Herd" at 76a: flash and about $9,600. •take—'(S.tOO; 26-60). "The Lady of the Night" with Loew. vaudeville dropped to about $17,000, This is about $S,000 off average. Siamese Twins week before did $84,260 ($S2,- (00 reported). AHwi—(8.800; tO-60). "I Want My Man," and she needed the help of some good provider. About $9,000. Hipp—(4.000; 26-50). Splitting with vaudeville and photos, around $12,- 000. , Park—(2,900; 26-40). "The Denial" and Classical Jazx Revue, staged by Angelo Vitale, got a fair break, but not what it would be after Easter Sunday. $6,600. Cirqle—(1,400; 20-80). Second run ' America" with the patriotic *tunes by Emerson Qlll's Boy flag-waved' them out of $2,760. O. K. Mr. Houdinl, the evangelist and erstwhile Jail bird's delight, came to this town a fortniglit ago, and with the assistance of Harland Fend, the new publicity man of Keith's Palace, started to set the spirits In this town on their ears. First he crashed into a seance and showed up the medium, theq broke the front pages of the papers for eight straight days. Got himself into court and got boxed up so he could not make an escape and had to miss the Wednesday matinee, nearly causing a riot In the lobby among the cash customers who came to see the spirits off stage. This situation was only saved by lite masterful diplomacy of Assistant Man&ger Frankie Hines, in the absence of John Royal. "The house didn't have to refund a nickel and everyone left satisfied with a special pass to see the Houdifll act at any following performance. Houdinl had the fake medium, George Renner, arrested, charging him with obtaining money under false pretenses, and Renner was found guilty Saturday. He will be sentenced Wednesday. Houdinl, accompanied by Prose- cutors Ed Stanton and Jake Stacel, attended the seance Monday night, and when the megaphone was float- ing through the air, Houdinl placed some lampblack on it A few min- utes later he flashed a light and the medium's hands were smeared with the blackening. Renner was tried on a warrant sworn to by Houdinl and the trial started Wednesday. Houdinl was called and the trial was held up so ttiat he was not yet on the stand when It came time for him to leave and go on at the Palape. Houdinl would not leave the court room for fear that the defense attorneys might slip something over oh him and leave him open to a suit. Frankie Hines pleaded with Houdinl to go to the theatre, but to no avalL He waa persuaded to leave after he was assured by the prosecutors and Judge that there would be a recess called for fifteen minutes. At the theatre be made a three-minute talk ex- Elainlng the situation and rushed ack to court. The theatre was sold out for the matinee and hundreds demanded their money back, but they were calmed down and satis- fled by Hines, who didn't lose a friend for the big house. * After the trial Safety Director Ed- ward Barry gave orders that all fake mediums must cease business within 48 hours or he would have them arrested. Business waa cajMicity for the two we^s. 21 WEEKS' STBIKE SETTLED Roxbury, Mass., March 24. A 21^ weeks' strike of union mo- tion picture projectionists and mu- sicians at the Niagara theatre has been settled. The strike was caused by the alleged refusal of the the- atre management to pay the new wage scale, effective last October. This increased the projtectionlsts' weekly wages from $51 a week to $58.10 for a six and one-half-day week. Representatives of the Tnuslclans, stage hands and projectionists arm picketing the Chelsea theatre In Chelsea, Mass., where a strike has existed for many weeks, to enforce wages and other union requlte- mants. LOOP HLMS^AND SHOWS WEAK; CHICAGO $40,000. McVICKERS $23,000 Holdovers Felt Drop—Mix in 2cl Week at Monroe Fell $3,000 Below First Week—"Monster" Made Best Holdover Showing $1,000 SEPARATES MAJOR K. C HOUSES Mainstreet, $13,000; New- man, $12,000^Varied Pro- Orams Brougjit Fair Grosses Kansas City, March 22. (Drawing Population, 600,000) The managers gave the picture fans "all kinds of variety last week. The Liberty spread things with itti publicity for "Fifth Avenue Models" and grabbed off a lot of extra news- paper space iFor its efforts. Th6 flrst waa a "Journal-Post" tie-up, with a free coupon admitting a child to a special performance introduc- ing "Andy Qump." The kiddies flocked to the house to see the character, Joe Murphy, in person. Another stunF was a raidnicht showing of "The Last Laugh," a coming attraction. This was an In- vitation affair but got into the papers. In addition to these the house had a woman aviator drop envelopes containing cash prizes and free tickets from the air Sun- day Al^cnoon. It is also offering an auto for the solution of a mys- tery fllm it is showing. The free tea service at the mats Is continued, which has proved popular with the women. The Week's Estiniates Mainstreet—"The Ladfy" (First National) (3,200; 25-50). Regula- tion Ave acts. Norma Talmadge strongly featured. Business not exceptional. About $13,000. Newman—"The Great Divide" (M.-Q.) (1,890; 50). Fred Kaster and Ruth Hazleton, dancers; Sherry LoQise Marshall and LeRoy Mace, singers, on sta^ge. Mermaid comedy, news and views and a fashion reel completed program. Film not up to the stage version, opinion of those who had seen both, but good film story. Real meller. Clicked close to $12,000. Liberty—"Fifth Avenue Models" (Universal-Jewel) (1,000; 85-50). Critics gave picture nice notices, but not BO strong for Mary Phil- bin. Around $4,000. Royal—"Too Many Kisses" (Para- mount) (920; 60). Richaj>d Dlx has many admirers; good name to feature. Royal Syncopators fur- nished diversion from screen show- ing. Close to $7,000. First runs at other houses: "The Speed Spook," Pantages; "School for Wives," Globe; "The Only Woman'* and "North of 36" had call in the suburban houses this week, both films being shown in number of houses simultaneously. / KASE MOVUm TO p. D. c. Los Angeles, M^rch 24. Reports are current here that Robert Kane, who had Henry King make two pictures for Paramount release, will make no further pic- tures for that organization, it Is said. Kane has signed a contract to make four pictures during the next year to be distributed by the Producers' and Distributors' Cor- poration. Kane is now in New Tork sign- ing final contracts. He has had his producing headquarters at the De Mille studio in Culver City, the main base here for P. D. C. FIBE BBEAKS UP SHOW Los Angeles, March 84. Six hundred patrons of Para- mount's Rialto here were forced to leave the theatre Saturday night when first was discovered on the roof. After an hour, however, the patrons returned and the show was resumed. * The blaze was caused by a clgaret which felf on tar paper and started a dense smoke. Pawtucket Advertises in Providence Providence, March 24. For the first time in local show business, the Leroy class picture house of Pawtucket, neighboring city, took advertising space in the Providence dallies last Sunday t > advertise "The Thief of Bagdad." The Pawtucket house received the same publicity break as the local theatres, getting a two-col- umn cut and a reading notice. Chicago, March 24. Four of the six loop theatres playing flrst run features offered the same programs last week. The different features were i^ot overly .strong, with the result but fair business, in some instances falling below normal. "Dick Turpln," second week at the Monroe, (nl off $3,000. The feature on its opening week grossed $C.90O. The Randolph, with "The Monster,*! also suffered on its second week, "Quo Vadia" at the Roosevelt con- cluded a profitable three weeks' en« gagement. Just long enough. Busi> ness fell off each succeeding week, with last week's around' $16,000. "Charley's Aunt," in Its sixth week at the Orpheum, slightly scaled the $6,000 mark, and will be taken off Friday. The three smaller houses start new programs Saturday with the three larger theatres opening their new shows Monday. The Chicago, with "If I Marry Again" and a minor presentation, scaled $40,000. The house has been going along at a steady gait for months. The Sunday morning con- cert featuring Cantor Rosenblatt helped materially in bringing up the receipts. The 'Cantor opened for a full week at McVlckers Monday. "Sackcloth and Scarlet" held its own for a straight picture attraction, reaching $23,000. f Estimates for Last Week Chicago—"If I Marry Again" (1st Nafl) (4,500; 50-75). Nothing sen- sational about business. No extra attraction and house ran along to ordinary week. $40,350. McVickers—"Sackcloth and Scar- let" (Paramount) (2,400; 50-75). Another house needing strong extra attraction when playing ordinary feature. Criticism fair with busi- ness about same, $22,800. ' Monroe—"Dick Turpin" (Fox, 2d weekj. (973; 60). Tom Mix, despite all publicity obtained on opening week, failed to hold up well eecon^ week. Trifle below average. $3,900. Orpheum—"Charley's Aunt" (P. D., 6th week) (776:50). Just hopped alKtve stop limit at this house, with a decrease expected this week, au< toraatlcally removing it. $6,300. Randolph—"The Monster" (M.-G., 2d week) (660; 46). Despite heavy decreases by other houses this fea- ture fell off but slightly In compari- son.' $4,100. Roosevelt—"Quo V^Ie" (let Natl, 3d-last week) (1,400; 50-60-76). To- tal for three weeks close to $60,000, good at this house. Last week fell below previous weeks. Gross $16,- 200. SECLABED SAKE AHD H£tD Los Angeles, March 24. Harry Thomas, arrested while at- tempting to wheedle money from one of the Warner Brothers, has been declared sane and remanded Into custody for trial on charges of begging and vagrancy. Thomas, the police say, made a comfortable living by preying upon the sympathies of fllm stars, direc- tors and producers. When he ws* taken Into custody it was believed that he was insane. The Lunacy Commission subjected bim to an ex- amination and declared there was nothing the matter with him men- tally. Thomas has demanded a Jnry trial. DIVOBCES TOM HOOBE Los Angeles, March 24. -' Charging desertion of her by Tom Moore, screen actor, Renee Adoree, picture actress, was granted a de- cree of divorce by Superior Court Judge Fleming. Miss Adoree testifled that Moore deserted her at a New York hotel January 15, 1923, and refused to return tQ her though she had re- quested him to do so on several oc- casions. This was three years after they were married. No alimony was asked. CBANDALL'S "SAT. IHGHTEBS" Washiiigton, March Zi, Harry Crandall, who runs a. largo chain of picture houses here, !s also operating, a "radio gang." Thte was reporter! la.-<t week in Variety. Now these broadcasters have been given an ofilcial name, 'CrandaU's Saturday Nighters." The bunch is to broadcast every Sattirday night from WRC here, with Nelson Bell, publicity m:ui, doing the annotincing.