Variety (Sep 1926)

VARIETY PICTURES Wednesday, Septembar 1, SWANSON SENDS MET OVER mOOO; PREDICIS6M0NTUSF0RWa Heat Kept Most Everything Down in L. A.—'Siberia' $3^ at CritMrioii, Okay-^tote Off at |29i60Q MForum |8,200 With "^IMt* I^r««n'^^^ ? 5^^ •I. (Ofl««rtiii NiitoiMiM VMJBim Los Angeles littd Its attack of heat last week. Hftttoeee were off and been. One exceptipn was Grauman'a Bgjyptlan with Don Juiui.** This Wiurner Brothers picture clicked fjrom the start with all perform- aness Mllovts and the advance sale the biggest and steadiest in the his- tory of the house. Indications are that this ona can IfcMlUliWlrtH the balance of this year. . The Metropolitan got a very good %raft]i through its oeoUng ssrstem. In fact, trade with Gloria Swanson's "Fine Manners" was much better than the before, <me of those "hurrah" farewell weeks for Eddie Peabody with lots of exploitation snd estm advertlslBg. Loew's State, with Corlnne Grif- flfth's "Into Her Kingdom." did SMkiM the regular bsstness of the house, and that possibly through the excellent bill which Rube Wolf and Bm lis Mitfrs lilia Ssrr o M idii i g it. A third week was a little too long for aiMa Gray at the MiUion Dollar. Business slowed up at the beginning of the week and remained feeble until the end. The Biltmore, with •^Ben-Hur*.* In Its fourth week, kept at a high pitch. Trade only dropped |1»100 beloi^ the third week, consid- ered remarkablei Carthay Circle subsided a bit with *'The Volga Boatman" in ito 15th filik iiuii ^#mpd was passed that the TWL will end Sept 12. when "Bard- hrik the Magnificent," is cigrded. Forum got a slow start %lth *^e Waltz Dream but trade from the start built %IM to $200 a day. The rSi^ lb this UFA has been held over for a second week. **8lberia" oooled things off at the Criterion and this Fox epic clicked over tlje |3,500 n^ark, very good for this concern's products here. First Nattoaal took MUton MBs' "Puppets" to the Flgueroa, but the picture was no "Men of Steel" and same out at the end off the first week after clicking around $7,000. This Is 'way off for any of Sills' pic imm BIG IN OIL: m Barthelmess' $41|| Estimatee for Last Week Biltmore — "Ben-Hur" (M-O-M). (1,600; fi0c-|1.50.) Fourth week was a whale, despite heat; intake touched 121.300; when folks get back from yacationlng It looks as If this one will exceed HMM a week for a long time. Qrauman's Eoyptian—'"Don Juan" (Warner's). (1.800; 60c-|l.M.) An- other "natural" for Sid Qrauman; looks as thoxAgh it cannot nm leas than six MrthSl littlS Mtit tkMl ISO.OOO. Carthaf Circle—*^o1ga Boatman (P. D. C). (1.660; 50C-I1.50.) Heat hurt and moves In thres wesKk: a bit over 112.009. Loew's State—"Into Her King- dom" (F. N.). (2,800; 25o-|l.) Cor InnS Grifnth none too strong here house shflfw k i ii s d g f tgi »s n is m d m&oo. ^ ' Metro polilsn^Tine Manners" (F P.-L.). (3,596; 25-65.) Gloria Swan- son and cooling plant responsible for better than |29,000. Million Dollar—"Aloma of South Seas" (F.-P.-L.). (2,200; 25-85.) Ollda Gray did not click wl^ the heat watt; Una! It dSf» drwuif I1M90. rerttm->*'Walts (1,800) (M-G-M.) (1.800; sl^tl.) Started sl«w, but excellent^W^itatlon and ~buflt|^ Chicago, Aug. 31. *The Amateur €kntlemen,** Rich- ard Barthlemess' latest, took a rela- tive flop at the Chicago. Despite excellent press notices and Barthe- mess* heavy following around town, the picture did ^ust $41,000, a drop of $9,000 from the previous wsm with Swanson's "Fine Manners." That $41,000 isn't bad money, but it's below the IMMitre*s siretage. Barthlemess* late pictures have failed to olick as expected in this town. "Mare Nostrum," at the Roose- velt, got away to a fine start with $24,000 for iu first week. Very nesr capacity for the house, and Lubllner and Trins realised a nice profit in their '*OM Time M^vle Week," at Orchestra Hall, with a collection of pictures showing present stars in their earlier days. The program pulled in $10,000 on its first week, was held over and drew $5,000 for the added l^e^k. **The Sheik," Val- entino* Is' svw in, FTPbablir for a run. McVicker's went even fartlker Into the "red" with $14,000. The only time the house showed a profit since Paul Ash left was with 'ITkulele Ike" as an added attraction a few weeks ago. The Oriental continued its capacity intake of $49,000 with Paul Ash. It is evident now that this house is In reality king of the Loop. Estimates for Last Week Chkago — "Amateur Gentleman" (1st N.) (4.100; 50-75). Barthlemess didn't go so well here; $41,000—be- low average; "Seashor* Frolics," presentation. McVicker's—"Diplomacy" (Ist N.) (3,400 ; 60). Even lower than usual at $14,000; picture not much as Oriental~"RolUng Home" (U) 2,900; U-«<^7S). Denny tot plenty of glad hands tttotk the papers on this one; oombtaied with Ash, kept up capacity tradition of |4f.06«. Orchestra Hsfl — "Old Time Movies.** Assortment of shorts from the oM days; held ever - tsr' iis sai week and drew $5,000. OrpKeum—"Broken Hearts of Hol> lywood** iWamer) (776; M>; ▲ slight drop in second week's gross for this one; $8,150; good for house. Randolph--"The Penalty" (U) (650; 25-35). Lon Chaney rsvtvid did $5,200 on holdover; okay. Roosevelt ~ "Mare Nostrum" (M- G-M). First week excellent and $24,060; should hold for four weeks. ''JUAII'' AT ST. FRANCIS CONTRAa EVASION VU BANKRUPTCY Los Angeles, Aug. 31. A Los Angeles attorney has found a new way* of breaking contracts for pleture directors. Lewis Milestone, employed by Warner Brothers, recently de- cided the coneem had broken their eontract In falling to send him a check for his salary while he was farmed out to Harold Lloyd. He walked out , on the Lloyd ptetnrs. Warner Brothers sued hl» isv $200,000 damaWes. Milestone had an attorney who told the director t» con- fess Judgment. This was done. A few days later a voluntary petition in bankruptcy was filed bif Ike direstsr. His aisets were an automobile and a small amount of cash, it is said. This property was scheduled to meet the dtreetor's obllgatlc» kb tar as the Judgment was concerned. That left him free and clear, H was figured so far ah obligation " on the contract was coni^Bmed. Now It Is stated that Mile- stone has returned to the Har- old Lloyd fold,, getting his own salary dtreet firem tkeni Instead through another film com- pany. Also $1,500 a week in- stead of the $400 a week, and co-directing Har<>ld Lloyd again with Tbd Wilde. Warner Brothers are ready to aiH>eal to the Hays organiza- tion on the contention thtft miestene Is still under coatvaet to them and LIoy#lMM|^ |||ght to pMd^.|4iii,^...' LAST HAlf WEATHER HUE! BALT4 $7,000 LOW Corinne QrHRth't $15,500 High—Hipp and Garden, $10,000-New, $9J ttjii Warner-Publix Deal in Frisco for 26 Warner Films at Granada — •*PuRpets" (P. N.) (1,«00: 9S-7I.) Milton Sills did not get his following put here; had to be satisfied with an even JI7.000 and moved out* Criterion—"Siberia" (Fox). (1.600; S5-S6.) Exceptionally good week at this tow scale: house got profit with . better than $3,500. (Copyrig ht, 1020> by Varie ty, Inc.) flMOO SUIT; TBJUL CLOSED Clinton. 111.. Aug. SI. Action for $25,000 damages has been instituted by Joaquin C. Wil- M aCAhist the Mid-States Thea- tree. Inc., E. B. Ramsey and 9b JC Alger for alleged violation of a con- tract. Wilson claimed the Mld- fltates Theatres leased the building Her $100 monthly, half the net profits and agreed to complete pnymenbt on a $8,00<V^ pipe organ. He Claimed that ths thsntre Is now Blond ind t hg company reported no profits, while thf eisan Is stIU un- paid for. Lou J. Harrington Is lo^y 0fw fbr tbt thAttv f^mXtL^i Los Angeles, Aug. II. W a rner Brothte have signed a contract with Publlx for the show- ing of "I>on Juan" and the Vita- phonS at the St. Francis, San Fran- cisco. This is due the end of Ms* vcmber at a $2.20 top With two per- formances a day. The house has been a grind theatre for long run films at M ssnts. At the same time Warners signed another contract with Publiz to show M of their films at the Qran- la thdt sMy. Wail Year for Lvbitocfa Los Angeles, Aug. Si. Ernst Lubltsch will start work about Oct. 1 on his first picture for Famous * I layers-Lasky. His con- tract, taken over Jointly by F. K*L. and M-G-M from Warner Brotherp will be worked out so that M-G-M gets Lu'.itsch for one picture. This picture will be Bsade at a time that F. P. figures it can con venlcntly spare him. According to present plans of that organization this convenience will not be for at least a year. Baltimore, Aug. 81. (Drawing Population* tfiOiOfX)) The reopening date for the Em- bassy theatre Is set for Labor day. It will be operated by the newly formed American Theatres Corp., a Maryland company organised 1^ Philadelphia Interests, presumably the Berman-Independent people who operated the house last season. This win be the flmrTall addition to the present first run picture seat- age, as the remodeled Century will not be ready before Sept. SO. The redecorated Parkway isn't sched- uled to reopen until late that month and the new Stanley-CrandiUl house will not hst fgady vMtll sonsthM In im. The week started off with another great weather break, Monday open- ings generally being bigger than for the prevlotM week. There was a de- cided slowing up the final two days, and the Monday'.Tnaid ay jyo spects for another .iSMird ' - tMek ''were datfied. Estimstee for Last Week New^*«The Clinging Vine.** Hmise opened doors for week Monday with a crowd waiting .hsfor<^ the box: favofmbis vrsathsr"Stad momentum of "Pig Leaves." previous week, re- sponsible; bttslnt^ continued good until retum sf 4mtdoor weather last half; okay under circumstances at about Sf.OOO. Riveli—«*Into Her Klngdbm" (F, N.). Corinne Griffith's draw enabled house to equal fine showing of pre- vious week; about $11,(00. Warner • Metropolitan — "Broken Hearts of Hollywood." Weather blamed for itowlng up of Mdb; around $7,000. Hippodrome—''The Last FronUer" and. vaudevlile. One' of ^e new "western" type now finding favor at this family U^de house; excep- tional bttstnegft'^wor this sesson in spite St iti*«# lA^^r abom^t^^^ 000. ■ ■ — Qsrden—**The T#«KOun Man** and vaudeville. Fire-arms stuff popular fare at this house; takings at abotft $10,000. This Week Rivoli, "The Duchess of Buffalo"; New, 'naer Man o* War**; Oarden. "Flame of tho Yukon"; Hippodrome. "Where Was I?" Metropolitan. "A Hero of the Big Snows/' (Copyright, IM, by Vsriety, Ine.) 'SON OF SHM' %nm IN2DWfEK;mD0VER Star's Death Jumps Receipts —"Nostrum" $14,700— MaiiiitrMt $16,000 Kansas City, Aug. SO. (Drawing Populatien» fOO^OOO) The remarkable audience reaction to the "Son of the Sheik" at the Royal, following the announoemdttt of Rudolph Valentino's death, was the one big item of interest on the street. Held over after a $14,000 week, the picture was slipping. But the minute the newsboys heralded the death of the star business com- menced to build, and it was capacity for practically all performances. The picture has been held for the third week. "Mare Nostrum" was at the New- man, which also had the Publix "Spanish NighU" as the stage show. Both presentation and pic- ture dis9.ppointed r^any^fans. For the current week the house Is splurging with "The Show-OIT* and the Publix Circus Week. Rather a coincidence, but the Barnum-Ring- ling show Is here Thursday, and the Newman publicity department has taken advantage of the event and gone the '^Ig show" dne better In the way of billing. Saturday they pulled a real circus parade through the main drag for a big flash. The Pantages Is also celebrating this week, it being its anniversary date, and \m mmimii ^^nSim U Paris." Estimates for Last week Newman—"Mare Nostrum" (M-G) (1,980; 2S-40-60-60). Drew good notices from critics, but after Sun- day business dragged. Did $14,700. Royal—"The Son of the Sheik" (U. A^ (920; 35-50). Held over for second week, business rushed upon Valentino's deathr hSM for third week; $12,200. Liberty —"Laddie- (1.000; 85-BO). Good entertainment, but failed to create any unusual satbuslasm; just around $5,700. Mainstreet—"The Savage" (P. N.) (3,200; 25-60-60). Announced as novelty picture of the year, but* did not mean a thing to regulars; failed to please many; vaude part headed by Harry Keesler revue, and satis- fied; $15,000. Pantages—vThe Honeymoon Bx- pr^ess** on the screen and *7he Love Bungalow" featured aet. Both proved acceptable; builniss here steadily clfcnbing; M.«0#. ' At the Globe the Lole Bridge Players offered the farce, "Light Fingered Ladles,** while the Screen held "Silence," credited the best picture in the first run houses last NEW BROADWAY P0R11AND.0PEN 100,000 at Block Party^. $7tS00 ToiM Town i It)X WRITINO FOR ROACfH Los Angeles. Aug. 31. Finis Fox has been placed under eotttrnet to write **orlglnalsf for Hal Roac h ' s wssle i' ii UMlt dUflBg next five years. This unit is the one which Is releasing through Metro-QoMNryn- Ifaysr. (Copyrig ht, ItMl by VarM yr. iRd^) SL J9hn So-So ^Wi $4,000 Best on Week lit. John, N. B., Aug. 81. Business at the local picture houses has been fairly good. The advent of chilly weather, plus the slUMrtening of the daylight, have been factora in a slight increase over prevtsiis suihmsr weeks. Estimates for Last Week Imperial (1.600; 15-35)—23-24, "The New Klondike- (P. P.), star- ring Tom Meighan; 25-26. "Soul Mates'* (M. Q.); 27-28. "The Blind Qe d d isg r cy.y.). Tln^ughout week house eniphasizcd orchestra and sr» gan as draw; $4,000. Unique (850; 26)—22-28, **Ml8s Nobody" (P. N.); 26-28, *^he Mine with the Open Door" (Principal- Lesser). A deviation from policy of westerns for closing half; $1,200. Queen Square (900- 25)—23-24. "The Road to Glory"; 25-26. "The Silver Treasure (Fox); 27-28. "Hard Boiled'* (Fox). House using mcnre Fox productions thSB flhy othsr in town; $1,100. Patsce (650; 20)--23-24. "Why Girls Go Back Home" (Warners); Using as many as tWS. linlH't .jlp- tures a week; $400. Gaiety (600: 20)—22-24^ Clash of the Wolves" (Warners); 25-26. "Why Qlrls Go Back Home" (Warners); 27-22. **The lOdalght Express"; $300. (Copyrig ht, 1926, by Varie ty, Inc) Projection Feed Wire in Hoine Causes Explosion Washington, Aug. 31. A feed wire to a projection ma- chine In a private home, wlllch ex- ploded a can of gasoline carried by Mrs. A. J. Morris, la the basis of a $50,(f00 damage suit for personal injuries. The Wire was uninsulated. J. E. Wildman of this city, whole sale representative of the Westing house Company, from . wh<mk the equipment was' scoured through a thS i s ub -deater in Maryttwdr |g agpw d as the defendant. It is alleged the exploeion. has caused Mrs. Motrls S2l|dys^ and permanent Injury. Fortland. Ore., Aug. IL ; (Drawing Population, 21<MNI0) North American Theatres' new Broadway opened here last Friday at $.30 p. m. to a crowd that con- sumed four blocks. It is estimated the street attendance was around 200,000. with the street roped off for dancing and studio Ughts playing over the mob. . ^ The Broadway is a $1,000,000 house seaUng 2.200 and is owned by North Ameriean on a 20-year lease. The opening campaign was super- vised by Hal Home aided by Floyd Ifaxwell and Eddie Hitchcock. Tha Initial show included "The Duchese of Buffalo" (U. A.), plus a Fanchon and Marco revue, fSaturlng Renin Riano and company, Qeorge Lip- schults, orchestra leader, and OUver Wallace, organist. James Clemmer Is house manager, with the price scale 80c. top at matinees and 80o. at night. Unfavorable weather hurt the other houses on the week. None of the local theatres, other than the new Broadway, boast of eooUns plahfs, an4 the heat hurt. istlmatss fdr Last Week ^ Rivoli (1,210; 35-50)—"The Neces- sary Evil" with vaude. Good aU- around bill big for opening tw« days, but balance of week only fair; house doing big bis since combina* Uon policy has been In effect; fT^KMl Liberty (2.000; 36-50)—"Into Her Kingdom" (P. N.). Corinne Grillitb pulled healthy gross; opsnllig oC new Broadway will, pf^li&y nffsd this house; $6,800. Majestic > (1,000; 85-80)—"Tha Flame of the Yukon" (P. D. C). Average week; admission prloea slightly raised and added a few ea« tra hundred to gate; $3,800. People's (936; 20-45)—"The Crack- er Jack ' (1st N ). Johnny Hines did not brin^ theni In as ezpeoted; stay cut short to make way fbr "Stella Dallas," In for a "rtan"; Chuck Whitehead's syncopators returned from vacation and the house ezpesl*^ ed to climb; $1.800e;^ 'f|]|||||aa^'* fhfsg days, over $8,000. ' ■ Columbia (882; 2i-f0)—^*The Bhlf^ (U. A.). Proved popular with cus- tomers; in second week came through with flying colors; $5,700. Blue Mouse (800; 25)—"The-Pas- sionate Quest" (Warners). Fair In- come, weather interfering at thigi small house; "So This Is Paris" be- ing plugged for early engagement: $2,800. • (Copyright, 1«M^ by Variety^ Im,> BANNERS,' $17,000 IN MIL; ALH'MBRA, ^14^ Town Had Good Week—ll«r> rHI Ovt «f ^ili4,' V $5,400 Milwaukee, Aug. 31, (Drawlni Population, 560,000) Fair show weather, with heat busting toi at the end of the we^ brought out the patrons. Gloria Swanson, at the Wisconsin, proved her usual draw and' did well, S4I| did the combination houses. Eetimatss for Last Week Wisconsin—"Fine Manners" (P.P.) (2,800; 80-80-80). OlorU alwavp draws local audiences; clicked about $17,300. Alhambra—"I^st at Sea" (2.000; 2^S»>. Took plenty of ad »e i Usi ng to Inform public this is not a sea picture. Bathing Beauty Revue helped turn In around 814,8H. Palace—"Footloose Widows" and vaude. (2,400; 26-50-75). Eighteenth anniversary week drew them; .hbusa topped town at close to $23,000. Majestic—"The Impostor" and vaude. (1,800; 28-40). B^reljm Brent and her society crook stuff made a great many friends; a little better than previous week; near $9,200. Miller—"Her Honor the Governor" (1,600; 25-40). AnTiTher combo house that doesn't need much to draw them in; near $8,100. Strand—"You Never Know Wom- en" (F. P.) (1.200; 26-60). They come back for more at this houss; around $8,750. • Merrill—"Her Second Choice" (P. N.) <1,200; 25-50). Anna Nilsson still a pull here and picture, after public learned It was of reformed convict type, drew well; pushed house out of the "red"; $5,400. Garden—"Prince of Pilsen" (1.000; J^S^&Oi. TCven finnrge Syrinpy's pop- i i ularlty can't take house out of mt: has now loct its 1\ D. C. bookings, which go to the Palace, and will wildcat, some more; not over f2,f9f. (Copyright, 1ttl» by VsHsty, ineO