Variety (April 1926)

m litm' JUMP CHICAGO $20,000; RANDOLPH'S $^800 BIG B. ft K/s Big House, $51,000—'Three Faces East* Held Over at Randolph—McVicker's, $32,000— Lloyd Film Improves, $25,000 145,000 in Hollsrwood Loa Angeles. April IS. According to a survey made by the Los Angeles Gas and Electric Corporation, there are now 145.000 humans in Hollywood. This shows a gain of 90.000 In the past foui years. Figures are based on the com- pany's gas meter service. Chicago, April IS. gajter week was pretty sweet In th« Loop- The Chicago tabbed $51.- 00«, lU best figure for 1926. The |loofl«veIt enjoyed a brisk seven 4ays with "For Heaven's Sake," which Jumped approximately $9,000 abov* lt» opening week when It luffered from the blizzards then raffing The Influx of students on Easter vacation swelled Paul Ash's tally to $32,000, another high water fOBik, Ash's following la largely from the youngsters and any In- eraase in the Juvenile population mtans more change in McVIcker's boz-ofllce. Another surprise was the $8,800 at the Randolph. **Three y^tces East" was the attraction, but the new policy of the house, which Includes Increase^ space in the dallies and a Jazz orchestra in the pit i» probably helping the house •hake off its lethargy. Around $3.- eof to $4,000 has been an average week at the Randolph for the past teyeral years. "The Big Parade" la beating *'Ben-Hur" right along. Both pictures, however, have upset the dope that there was no market tm Chicago for cinema entertain- meat at $2 per head.. Ettimatee For Last Week Chieago—"Just Suppose" (F. N.) (4,100; 50-75). Big stage show with inch names as Edna Leedom, Dave Stamper and Ida May Chadwick •B the roster sent gross akyrocket- Ing to $51,000; nearly $20,000 better than previous weok. Qarrick—"Big Parade" <M-Q-M) (Uth week). Remarkable vitality to this special at $14,300. MeViekeKe—"Crown of Lies" (F. t,} (MOO; 50-76).\Pola Negri opus hot UBcied; schoolboya on holiday patrtalasd house heavily because ^'Pam Ash for $32,000. Mfiiliee->" Siberia" (Fox) (973; 19). Title of melodrama seemed to Appeal; $S,200 quoted. • Orpheum—"Sea Beast" (Warners, Itta and final week). Made excel- lent nm and showing impressive het on engagement. Syd Chaplin following. Randolph ^"Three Facea East" (P. D. C). JJnexpected box-olflce xoroe behind this one; $8,800 and aeld over. Roosevelt—"For Heaven's Sake ff*. P., 2d week) (1,400; BO-76). Barold LJoyd came back after bad Mart to prove he la still "acea" at box-oflSce; grinding from nine a. Ih.; $25,000. Wooda—"Ben-Hur" (M-Q-M, 9th weak) (50-$2). Satisfactory but not Mff aa antfclpated. $12,000. LOEWS STATE {23,000 1ST WEEK SOOm'S RECORD $15,000 FOR LLOYD AT ROYAL; 10 SHOWS DAILY Beats 1st Week of 'Freshman' —Newman $14,100—Liberty $7,500 Kew Orleans, April 13. . new State played to over ♦23,000 in its first week. It Is the J<« office record of/ Lhe South for a wlety house. town received a thrill with the electrical premiere of tho State It probably has done more to •waken this town to the show busi- Jjeae than anything previously ever 'happening here. A collection of stars from tho ^st and East, together with a of notables headed by Marcus J-oew, kept the town ablaze while tney were hero for three days. ' ♦ii their departure for Dallas jne local police expressed thoir re- "of. Kvory policeman In the city Who could bo spared had been called A resui ve to the Loew theatre to regulate the crowds. The box of- nc« had to frequently suspend the •*i« to relieve th^ con?restlon. Poh'ee Request One afternoon the police made a ^■Pnucat tli.1t tho box omco be closed and no more tickets sold for the rpmalndcr of tho day. nclicvinp tne cliif.f nitans tho nftrrrToon. the "J'^n moment con«^ontod. About 7 0 clock in the evening. aft*»r thf^, <^owd had been fairly dispersed. I Co. of tliid city. Kansas City, April IS. (Drawing Population, 600,000) Harold Lloyd's "For Heaven's Sake," at the Royal, waa the big smash last week, and will continue to get the money for the next two weeks at least. Although the house seats but 920, 10 shows were given daily and the cashiers were work- ing in shifts. An extensive adver- tising campaign. Including several different tie-ups with chain stores, had been put on and the results were apparent Good business seemed general with all the downtown houses. The Liberty, closest to the Royal, of fered a Reginald Denny comedy, "Skinner'a Dress Suit." and had no kick at the returns. The house also featured the Paul Tremaine orches- tra, which registered ao strongly it is held over. Business at the New- man, with Marion Davles in "Bev erly of Graustark" and "Paradise Isle," featuring the Royal Samoans on the stage, waa also on the upgrade. The rush started with the opening, held up exceedingly strong on Sunday and repeated Monday, with the following days almost aa good. Down the street, the Orpheum's Malnstreet, with its 3.200 seats, was taxed at times to handle the crowds. Its picture. "The Reckless Lady," with an exceptional cast, was Just what the film customers wanted, and the well-balanced five act vaude bill proved good enter taltiment. The Gayety, Columbia burlesque house, starts today with a picture policy, with an added vaudeville bill on Sundays. Popular prices will prevail, and as the house is close to the amusement district, it will probably draw some business. Estimates for Last Week Newman—"Beverly of Graustark" (M.-G.) (1,980; 85-60). Revtewera split 60-50 on this entertainment, which includes picture and presen- tation. Cash customers, however, seemed to like it. and for the Sat- urday night opening the ticket of- fice was closed at 9 o'clock; busi- ness continued well through the week; result. $14,100. Royal—"For Heaven's Sake" (P.) (920; 26-50). Great publicity cam- paign for this Lloyd feature; 10 shows were given dally, starting at 9:15; Royal Syncopators in neat musical novelty and getting their share of applause; $15,200 for tho week, which tops first week of Lloyd's "Freshman" by a few dol- lars. Mainstreet—"The Reckless Laciy" (F. N.) C3,200; 25-50). Strong cast Insured entertaining qualities of picture and critics were together on this one: vauileville prirt standard; business steady and matinees strong: hit $13,000. Liberty — "Skinner's Dress Suit" (U.) (1.000; 35-50). Lots of laughs; stage feature Is Paul Tromalno or- chestra, new organir-ation, making its premiere profe.««slonal .nppear- ance; clicked at tlie opening per- formances; heavy opposition on both sides of this house bad its d- fect. but result satisfactory; did $7,500. "Three Faces Eu.^t" was on the niobe's screen, and the TantarrcH' picture feature was "Tlic Non-Stop Flight." For the current week I'an- tages is featuring "The Sea UoaHt." 8 BALTIMORE HOUSES GROSS $84J) Rivoli's $14,000 High Biz —Acts Boosting Business the theatre informed the chief It would again start selling. "Oh, ro," replied the chief, "you mustn't do tliat. In tliO lino this afternrton wero sorno of tl-.o best people In Uio city and I pl<dg'd them there wou'ni bo no tickei.s »'>\(i for the rost of the dny in onl. r to got tliem to l*'ivo. You niiisn't 11 again ti-day or they will ii(;vtr ho- llovo U3 au iln." Mr. liocw Old- r< (l the I-'T rttnce to rotnain cl<>.«"d f"r tfi''t d.iv. Loew'.s Im jMiiiily own. d hy I. "•w'f, Inc.. and tho Sa'-n;:Gr Annj-^' Mvnf Baltimore, April 13. (Drawing Population, 850,000) The trend of the big picture the- atres in this town toward a fixed policy of headline vauAvllle acts is gaining momentum. The entry of the Embassy In the first run field has speeded up the big act booking. The Century, Rivoli and Embassy are now committed to this policy, with the Embassy setting the pace. Two acts was the old limit, but the Embassy runs to three, with elab- orate stage presentations thrown in. Last week the Century booked the Cleveland Bronnera and their dancing troupe, one of the biggest acts ever staged in a picture house here. It looks like stage competi- tion between the picture houses, with the acts rivaling the pictures for a draw. The effect of this nr. vaude policy on the Maryland, the regulation Kelth>Albee house, will be worth watchlntr. Th" combina- tion houses have been offering the small time atuff for aome years, but this season marks the Initial entry of headline acts from big time In the first run picture houses. Easter week found all the first- run boxoflnces working overtime Business was good all around. All the downtown houses sported big names for the holiday bills. Col leen Moore in *'Irene" waa the usual b. o. booster at the Rivoli and Tom Mix corralled the usual crowd at the Garden. Elsewhere the pro- grams were complicated by big vaude acts and the draw of the scree stars harder to estimate. At the Century Mae Murray had to share honors with the Cleveland Bronners, while down at the Em- bassy there were two acts and a presentation to dispute prowess with Gloria Swanson. Estimates for Last Week Embassy—"The Untamed Lady" (1.500; 60-76). Reports excellent business for third week of La Rose managership; Swanson picture did not arouse any enthusiasm, but general excellence of surrounding bill and tone of house is drawing smart uptown clientele that theatre must get to make good; around $12,000. Rivoli —'Irene* (2,300; 25-«5) Colleen Moore safe b. o. bet here; house pulled out of slump with ex- cellent gross of around $14,000. Century — "The Masked Bride" (3,000; 30-65). Mae Murray rated f.-^r below "Merry Widow" grade in this one: appearance of Bushman In support of local interest because of home-town sentiment; Cleveland Kronncrs and their troupe declared by critics the best vaude turn ever .seen In a local picture house; h\i»\- ne.ss generally good, with a total over IIL'.OOO. Warner-Metropolitan (1.300; Rin-Tin-Tin and Lloyd in Tough Battle in Topeka Topeka, Kan., April 13. (Drawing Population, 180,000) Lloyd s "For Heaven's Sake" bent his "Freshman" by h few hundred dollars at the Orphei:in. lUit it look one of the nio.st cxpt n.sive ad- vtMtiying and publicity canlpaign^^ evt'r st.agcd ht*i«>, a.M >v»ll as two extra shows, to do if. however. Con- .'^equently, it is Ixdiev*^! that thr picture ioll short of "rh*' lYcsh- nian" as a mon«^y maker. The hoij.se price i;e)ietiule was hil e-l from 30 tents io 50 for the oetvi- sion. Playing opposite Lloyd, the Cozy .•showed liin-Tii.-Tiiis "i'iie Xighi rr\-," and bii.-iiiesa was almost as ■:o()d when one eonslders that the »'ozy is half as big as the Orphouni ■.nd that priees were not raised iium the 30-ceiit level. Crowds ..ere standing out on the sidewalk the l.iPt two day.^ of ih.e run. Marion Davies did not <lo so well with "Lights of Old I'.roadway.' 'I'opekans simply cannot l>e at- tiaeted to a l ictnro that iisoa New York or F.roadway in its title. The in<rture pleased those who saw it. hut there was too mueh sin»cness to Miss Davies' "Little Old New York." Estimates for Last Week Orpheum (900; 50). "For Heav- ens Sake." Almost did a record for a Lloyd picture, but fell shori by $1,000 of etjualing house record; patrons laughed, but went out say- ing: "Not so good"; many were against the religious theme com- bined with tlrunii sequence; man- ager says $4,000. Cozy (400; 30). "The Night Cry" (Warners). I'roved about best of Uin-Tin-TIn's pictures so far; al- most as big a draw as Lloyd when it came to getting attention of children; $1,600. Isis (700; 40). "Lights of Old Broadway." Either had opposition or the Broadway title against it, and for tho week did only about normal business; $1,'J00. Gem (500; 15). IMaylng three pictures this week, house brought business up beyond normal; "Keep Smiling" proved draw for the first two days. "Old Home Week" did not do so well, being a repeat, but "Cold Nerve" boosted figures on weekend; slightly over $1,000. FORUM $21,008 WITH'STELLA DALLAS' State's $25,000 Led L. A, — Met in "Red," $23,000 25 50). I'opular uptown house turned in good week with Marie Prcvost in "Jazz Bride"; around $8,500. New—"The Torrent" (1.800; 25- 50). ih:\uoz and Monte Bell the !>lg attractions In this one; latter fa- vorite director with local review- ers, but work in this one voted Ix'low par; ('.r<'ta Carbo made gr)od init)resslon In feminine lead: Htory seri;ill/ed in \nr:i\ He.irst "News' and tie-np. including half-page .ads. fiided; big week, with .standees • veiy matinee; picture .should have been in lari,'er house; about $ll,00(i. Hippodrome — "Little Annie Ronney" and v.iudo (3,300; 2r.-r»'i) Fxc( Ilent second-run stand for I'nited Arti.sts features; ffdlows the Kivoll now on the.se films; larg*' enpaeity and moderate sciIh Im- I jxTt.mt facfrirs; pop vaude also as- '^ist-:: business good at about 111.000. P«rUway—"Stella Marl.s" (1.100: ''.'.-'••). Film and holiday wpel, '•..nihined to t)OOst; Mary ri.llh.r a fi . 'I'l^''t*-^ "f F irkway r.' re' r and a:.T)aren»!v ha.-^ followlrir; l.'ial ri< «H t:p, with re^turns b' twe- ' y>, 'lOO and $^.'.00. Gnrden -"^^v Own PaT a- v;,<:!,f.on; : '-r.O). Toin .^TIx ti : • .. s 1.. . » },r f ■ ,»rT, ..iilcd .-ilK' I' $1L',.V'0, wliieh isn't bad. mOOO NEW HIGH FOR WISCONSIN Ann. Week Cleans Up— Alhambra High at $12,000 Milwaukee, April It. (Drawing Population, 560,000) With flrst class theatre weather following the Lenten lull and the worst snowstorms In tho city's his- tory, motion picture houses reaped a harvest Bister week. The Saze Wisconsin led the town with a top of $28,000, the highest In the house's history. Estimates for Last Week Wisconsin—"Miss Brewster's MII> lions" (3,5C0; 50-60). Eddie Weis* ftldt put over biggest week house has known in its two years; with stage production of 41 entertainers and with a half dozen "names" in the cast. Weisfeldt cut a birthday cake for Saxe with his second anni- versary production to the tune of $28,000.; by raising the Saturday .and Sunday mat pries 10 cents and tho night prices to 60 cents, the gross swelled as the houso was a sell (»ut througho>it tho week. Alhambra—' Skinner s Dress Suit" ^(2,500; 60). Ilelnz Koemheld put '.aercss nifty flt.ago production with his "Variety Revue In Blue" and brought the LaeTnn.le house .around $12,000; Koernheld'H popularity as niusical condnctf)r. together with stage show and Het;inald Dermy fea- ture did it. Strand—"B.iinbow Blley" n.200; 2r,-rj0). Splitting the >itadllne iion- ors with .lohnny Hiiies lute.st wero Ji)»\q I^lcliter and hl.s b.and. a per- in.inent attraction here; tho two logethier rmlled about $H.?.00. Merrill —f:t0(»; 2r)-.'.0). "Illuebeard's Seven Wives." Alxoit $l.r>00 for this down-street bou.se, feature nirii l-eiiig the lone drawing point; bouse UnH Its own (li'le of fatJS, tboiigli. and (licks .about tho saiae week in .and w^ek out. Garden -"Ked Dice" (1.000; 2Z-rm. With Mod L.iliocfiue a g«>od "name" here, this ef-ntrally bje;it<>d. vt iso- lated, house r.an about 14,200. Los Angt les, April IS. (Drawing Population, 1.350,000) Four days of steady rain ruined tho downtown houses last week. The deluge started Sunday after- noon and continued until early Thursday morning. On the other land, tho Forum, in a neighborhood CDUimunlty. broke its record for alt time by doing around $21,000 on the Irst weok of "Stella Dallas." Al- though it rained Just .as hard around the Forum as downtown, the pic- ture-hungry stood for hours in the lownpour waiting their turn to get Into this 1.800-seat'.>r. Because of the heavy box olTlce traffic It be- came necessary for the house to re- vise its running schedule for the second week of this picture from four to five shows a day. giving It a continuous policy instead* of a throe-a-day. Loew's State started off at a rec- ord-breaking pace with "Mike" until the storm broke, and then fell away. On Sunday It had the biggest mat- inee in Its history, registering around $3,500. Despite this the house beat the Metropolitan by sev- eral thousand. Harold Lloyd's "For Heaven'a Sako" kept along at a fairly good pace for Its second week. The storm no doubt hurt Its Intake by at leaat $8,000. Grauman's Egyptian felt*the storm more than any of the other houses around town. It easily hurt "The Big Parade" to the extent oC around $9,000 on the week. The Figueroa, with "The Sea Beast" in its seventh week, pulled through In great shape, getting more business than it had the week beforo by $1,600. This picture has still two weeks to go, after whlcli "The Sky Rocket" cornea In for an Indefinite run. The Criterion, with a William De Mille stage sketch poorly a'cted. fell back into its old groove with "Bluebeard's Seven Wives," the screen feature helping little to get them -in. It seems aa (hough only "names" in sketches will draw them here. Estimates for Last Week Metropolitan — "Skinner's Dress Suit" (U.). (8,700; 25-66.) With weather against it, after $2,900 I*Yi- day opening, this Denny picture did not approach figures his previous film got here; around $23,000. which puts house more than several thou- sand In red. Millien Dellar~"For Heaven's Sake" (P. P. U). (2,100; 26-85.) Stepped along nicely in second week, although weather hurt heav- ily; grossed around $21,000. Qrauman's Egyptian—"The Big Parade" (1.800; §0-$1.50). Had a fair week during storm at $16,000. Loew's 8Ute—"Mike" (M. Q. M.). (2.300; 25-8S.) Started tremendous- ly, slowed down, and finished around $25,000; led town at that Criterion — "Bluebeard's Seven Wives" (P. N.). (1,600; 26-86.) As stage sketch "names" last week meant nothing to cash buyers, pic- ture naturally suffered; gross onlj $2,900. Forum—"Stella Dallas" (U. A). (1.800; 25-76.) Biggest bet house has bad, breaking all records at continuous grind; looks good for at least 10 weeks; after turning plenty away on first week, $21,000. Fiuueroa—"The Sea Beast" (War- ne^r), (1,650; 25-$1^0.) In seventh week crept a bit ahead, with ap- proximately $8,500. Cincy Qivss 'Parade" $20,000 Cincinnati, April 13. Playing at a $1.60 top. "The Big Parade" at the Grand for throe weeks, has done over $20,000 In Its first two weeks. This is an ixeeptlonal gross for this town. Columbia's Nsw Stsge f'lika'ro, April 13. Colunibla Pictures will erect a :■:< . orul Ht.ago at th' Ir SLUdlo on j f; >wer street. T»« new improve- imtnt will mea.sur». ICO by 1.'70 feet and together with r ;il](^r•<^ r-<]<i\',<moi\t to be IriMlalled will cost $L':0.000. CONNIE TALMADGE'S "ANNE" lyos Ang< les, April 13. With two moro pictures to make under her First National contract, C?onstanee T.alrn.idge, as soon as she has finished "The Duchess of Buf- falo," will Immediately start work on ".*^ill<y Afirie.' Kol.irid We.'-t has been chosen to direct this picture. B. A K.'i Chief Projectionist Chicago, April 11. Joe Cfddborg, formerly chief pro- Jeclloni.st at tho Central Park, Is now eh'ef pi oJ» ctlonlst for the en- tire Bilaban '-nd Katz Clrctiit. f:..M' ' rir r- j.'.if.-M Ja( k (liifflth. ":'.d to ik slmll'ir post v.ith PubUx.