Variety (Sep 1926)

% PICT U « €S VARIETY mTE" AT STRAND TO $50,6110; "BinUB" AT CAPWCL TO $57,629 Vast Difference in Cepecitiet; Streiid, 2,900; Capi- tol, 5,400—Last Week Brought Out Lively : BusinoM on firoediway > Th« Capitol and the Strand ran prmctteaUy a neck-and^neek raev last week. The former, with "Bat- tling Buttler," the Buater Keaton feature, flnlshed with |57.«2». while at the Strand the first showing'of "The Black Pirate" at popular prices on Broadway drew $50,600. That would aeem to give the Htrand very much the edKe when It is con« •Idered that that house seats 2.900 as against the Capitol's 5,400. When two picture houses on the main •troet can finish the week with basi> noes almost $110,000 it speaks mighty well for general conditions. Two others of the weekly change houece. Colony." with "The Flaming Frontier," back for a return, and the RIvoli with "The Show Off." did unusual business, the former getting $26,423 and the latter I38.906. Warner Br«>s, with "Don «Juan" and the Vitaphone at their theatre Again topped the 'special* la for a ruB And drew $29,610, with "The Big Parade" at the Astor the run- ner-up. getting $20,2fl. •'Variety," in for a run and In Its ninth week at the Rialto at regular picture prices, imlied tll.fM. The latter picture is not only surprising the "street" but even the Publix executivea, whose booking schedule' for the house has been knocked to pieces by the continuance of busi- Mag drawn by this production. "Beau Geete" a Smash At the Central •The Scarlet Let- ter," with women patronage princi- pally, pulled almost $15,500, while **Beau Geste." which opened at the Criterion last week Wednesday, seeme to have gotten over as a mnash. The following of the book readers may have something to do with this. The busineae has l>een Averaging almoef $2,000 a day. with standees at each performance. .Lt the Emtmssy "Ben-Hur" man- aged to get ft couple of hundred dol- lars better than it did the week be- forev the- final being $10,865.50. **Sio Thie Im Parte.** In its third week at the Cameo, is making the MSt box ofTlce showing for the home in some time. The first week was over $11,000, while last W<eek the business went to $9,244. • Because of the fact that there are future bookings at the Strand. "The Black Pirate" will not remain for a third week, although the business this week, the second for the pic ture. would have justified it holding Sftsr for another. Estinrates for Last Week Aster—"The Big Parade** (M-G- M) (1.120; $1.10—2.20) (41st week). Certain this picture will do over 1,000.000 in first year of run at the ikator. With 12 weeks lnoi% to go Including current week, to round . out the 52 weeks. lAst week gross again over $20,000 average. $20,291. Cameo—"So This Is Paris" (War ners) (54$; 50-75) (3rd ,week). Af tsr re«srd*breaklng flrsir «Mt. wlKn picture drew $11,023. secopd week . held up to 9.244; toUl of $20,267 for Capitol—"Battling Buttler" (M-G- M) (5,450; &0-$l.G6) (2nd week) Bu.ster Keaton comedy pulled $67,- first week. Held over. Central—"Scarlet Letter" (M-G- %l) (922; $1.10-$2.20) (4tll WSek). Getting terrific play from WOnsn. Last week. $15,479. Colony—"The Flaming Frontier" (U) (1,980; 50-75). Universal brought this one back for single Wef k and played to $26,24t4%JlfQrs ttiost unusual for picture. < Crtterien—"Beau Geste" (F. P.-L.) (608; $1.10-$2.20) (2nd week). New Herbert Brenon feature opened midweek and drew corking notices . Business for six performances went to $7,000. Omcial Invitation open- ing was Wednesday night. Standees at every performance so far. Embassy — "Ben-Uur" (M-G-M) (Sii; $1.10.$2.20) <S6th week). Cllmboil couple of hundred last Week, going to $10,365, cool weathe; helping. / Rialto—-Variety** (Ufa-F. P.-L.) (1,980; 25-50-75-99) (10th week). Up again last week, final showing $32,G50. No tolling when run will end. Publix going to keep picture In ss long as the business continues , at present clip. Rivoli—"The Show OfT* (F. P.- L.) (2,200; S5-80-7i-99)i lifted considerably over week before. Jump in neigblx>rhood of $11,000; $32,900. Strand—"The Black Pirate" (U. A.) (2.900; 35-50-75) (2nd week). •First showing In New York of latest Fairhanks picture at pop prices. First week pulled so heavily pic- ti're heM over; $50,600. Warrfers—"Don Juan" (Warner Bros.) (1.300; 75 to $3.30) ( 1th Week). Anothf^r complete sellout for ^i-^* - ..-1 . ^oor^A (Copyright, 1926, by Variety, Inc.) aU'SAROUHD^^ WARFIEU) mSb|2ilM)0 Film Title Cost St. Francis $8,000 — 'Black Pirate' Omm to.$17,l000 San Francisco. Aug. tl. (Drawino Population, flMOO) Universal had three "Jewels" on view lasl week^ The comblneo grosses of the three Universals was uetween $St,OO0-$40,000 foe the week, with the only one to flop. **Tks Mar- riage Clause." This contlnnued in its second and final week the dismal howlAg made on the opener. The Aault is entirely in the title, the pic- ture being generally considered above average, and the St. Francis .ook about $8,000 "red" on tbS two weeks because of the labeL The Warfleld enjoyed a bonanza week with Nornui Shearer, popslar locally, in "The Waning Sex.** Despite Famous Players owning four ef the fWe big houses there ,vaa not an P. P. picture on view last week. Estimstes for Last Week California—"The Whole Town's Talking" (U) (2.400; 26-50-75). Per- sonal appearance sf VMUm 0sn Fran(Mse6'* may hftVe «ll^)tsd» Itout general verdict was picture ifUN ' ap very well; almost $1$,000. . v Qransds—•^sr Btjr Nlgbtf^ <tJ) (2,800; 35-50-75). Neither a losing nor a strong week; star (Laura La Plants) not Met hers as yet; may have reached up side of $19,000. Imperial—>"Ths Black Pirate" (U A.) (1,460; M-lt*$i^t»). Fairbanks relca.se no whiz when at Wilkes, but okay at popular prices; estimated xround $17,000. 8t. Francis — "The Marriaffc Clause" (U. 2d and final we^k) (1.400 ; 35-50-75-90). AbOVfl SaflM Tross as first week: $7,000. Warfield—"The Waning Sex" (M- G) (2,630; S5-50-75). West Caast '^ouse 'way out in front on week; strong matinees, normal nights and ' 't we^V-end r>l>d up f"4.000. (Copyrifbt, 1921, l"^> ^^^^^^ Los Angeles. Aug. SI. Fidelity Pictures, a new Arm pro- ,ducing independent pictures. Is oc- cupying the Fine Arts Studios and making "Ashes of Glory," the first of a series of stg fiatures ubdar di- rection of John. 9. McCarlhir* The latter is one of the produc- ing concerns in association with Henry Hslfoiid, It Rdhnei FattT ttiid J. E. Kelly. Those in the cast 6f "Ashes of Glory" include Wallace McDonald, Gladys Hulstts, Oiite Van Roa. Carroll Nye, Lee Shumway, Charles Clary, Margaret Fielding, Alice Hollister, Helen Dunhar, qrommy IVIiiM Mil OOtiMi Staading. 2 WASHINGTON HOUSES ONLY $200 APART Warings Playing City for 20th Week In 2 Yrt. Help Hit to $14,200-Palace, $14,000 Washington, Auv. SL (WKfIa P ap u l aH an, About MMW) Playing their 20th week In Wash- ington in less than two years, War- ings Psttnayhrantani again forced the gross of the Metropolitan a goin\ three to four thoueand. The house is making every affart to overcome its limited capacity (1.500) by build- ing the morning and supper shows. Onlsr tha lack of room oa the regu- lar hours that kept tha w«ali*a Hgure from going higher. Baater Kaatan in *«attllng But- ler" at the Palace came so close to meeting the Met's figures as to make the contraat In shows almost startling. However, this must be discounted considarably. due to the Mt mora seats which gives tha 9M- ace the break whan needed. The Columbia, with Zane Grey's Forlorn mTer,** bald to a little above the summer average, while "Poker Faces." though getting more than usual at the Rialto. failed to hold up to tha previous waak's figure. Estimates for Last Week Columbia— Forlorn River" (F. P.) (1.232; 35-50). Zane Grey's name Is always worth money here; $9,000. Metropolitan — "Pals First** (1st N.) and Waring's Pennsylvanlans (1,518; S5-60). Lost 24 seats In re- modeling; excelltnl show, deserving its $14,200. ^ Pa ac- Bjittling BWdiT" (M-H M) (2,$90: $5-50). Hhte^llent ad- vance exploitation helped consider- ably; %i4,oov: Rialto —"Poker Faces" (U) and presentation (1.078; t9*60). Town liked picture fairly well, while pre- sentatioi) was pleasing; about $7,- 2$9» This Week Columbia, Gloria Swanson in "Fliia limners*; Metropolttan, Con- stance Talmadge ia "Duchess of Rpffalo"; Palace, "Mare Nostrum"; RlaMo, Hell Bent for Heaven.** (Copyright, 1928, by Variety, Imc.) COOL GETS PROVIDENCE EVEN; $6,5Qa HIGH The ^enace^ Los Angeles. Aui?. SI. rse of the word "villain" and "heavy." in tagging lllm roles, has glTsn way to a new and refined term. Just al a "p:ag" man has been raaamed "comedy constructor.* Tha guy that chasea the heroine has BOW becoma the "menace." Where a comedian ^ovldes *'comedy rellaf* lb a film, the "menace" gl^' l|. *^Apa|atic suspense." FOX PiliLLY, UP TO $20,000 'Sheik' Terrific in SmeU Houie—'DaUM' Holds New PtfionoiUit : Opens October 18 Tha otttetal opening date for the new Paramount theatre^ Naw Tork. is now set for Oct 18. Harold B. Franklin has. givan or- ders for a douMa time shift to start on the house next week and the night workers will begin on Tues- day following Lab6r Day. L. A. imOWN'S 1ST BUNS Los AnpTole.^, Aug. SI. West Coast Theatres will change the pdley of the Uptown'from sec- ond-run presentations to a first run and pressntatioa bouaa, beginning Sept. «. The house will play Warner Brothers and Universal first runs as well as Alms of other companies. Charles Melson will remain as mas- ter of ceremonies and 'band leader. AL EOOfiLLV BQIO Los Angeles, Aug. SI, Al Rogell. dlrectnr, viaitpd a Jew eller*s last weak, picked out a big stone and pot It an the nnger of Kdnn rjreprory, trnlvorsnl T^Hvrr. It i.s .said wedding bells will ring early In October. Providence. Aug. 31. (Drawing populatieiv MOi^DOO) Cold weather sent grosses up a bit last week. Only;eiia UMMs|jrt.laU be- low average. - s , Business Is receiving its annual fall rebirth bm» and the conclusion of Edward M. Fay's purchase of the Ave Alton C. Eknery theatree last week has helped revive interest. The fall openings of several theatres, among them the local Columbia burlesque house and a. winter stock company, dark fbr many months, has also helped. Rudolph's last. "The fton of the Sheik.** was atanding them in line on the Saturday night opening for the present week. The picture will show siasuItanaaiialF Ha two tbaatres. the Rialto and the Majestic, and it looks like a fat week for both. Sar e r a l new second-run film houses are building in the suburbs; two reopenlags for the fall will in- creaae the taial at da«r»ta«mi Ant- runs to six. • Estintates for Last Week Majestic (2.500; l0-40)-"you Never Know Women** (F. P.). and ' Flame of the Argentine" (F. B. O.); excellent for summer at $0,500, Rialto (1.448; 16-40)—"HoneymooA Express" (Warner). Applauded by audience; "Christine of the Big Top" (Gotham), pretty bad second fea- ture; $$.700. Strsnd (2.200; 15-40)—"IThe Wise Guy" (P. N.); "The BeUs" (Chad- wick); good at $f,oais— Victory (1,950; 15-40)—"Speeding Vcuius" (Producers') pleased; "Tony RwMi WUd" (Fox): Mix la' a good ana; .allMi9^. at $5,500. This Week MalaaHa Md Rlalta^ "Tha Bon of the Sheik" and "Sunny Side Up"; Victory, "Poker Faces. "The Old Soak"; Strand. "Mantrap,** "The Lone Wolf Koturna." (Copyright, 1926, by Variety, Inc.) WUEXZEL SUES SMALL Los Angeles. Aug. 31. Harry Wurtzcl has filed suit in Superior Court against Edward Small and Co.. player's agents^ for $4,000. He claims this Is due in commission after he left Smalls agency. ^ Wurtzel claims that contracts he had obtaintd for players, and on which he was getting commiK.'iion, ran beyond the peribd of his em- ployment with Small and that tae la tt s i f ailed t o gi v e htm a a aaaa unt - ing. Small, on the other hand, is said to mnint.ilri that when Wurtsel left l is '^ipioy, the commission aecount i ceased. MINN. SMILES AT 90; mTBEL0VE'$14,$Q0 7th St., $7,000—Tom Moore Billed With Negri, $2,000 «r-'MidnigM Sun' $4^000 Mlnnaapolis. Aug. Si. (Drawing population 470,000) Even soaring temperatures seem unable to prevent local theatres from making respectable box olflce showings. With the thermometer around i$ grossaa attained ^roAt- nble proportions agit ga>>a>tr|-»aP- tinued to smile. The fans found **It Must Be X^ove** very much to their liking, but the Heanepin-Orpheum had a picture^ "The Broadway Boob,** that pos- sessed little or no box office value. Neither waa there a ainsle name on the vauda bin ta dratw« linraapactive of this, amttaamant aa|ikffi#aiNaa in droves. 'The Midnight Sun** attracted quite a bit of attention at the Strand, while Pola Negri's "Good and Naughty" also gave the Lyric a lit- tle bettor hualnaaa than it luualiy enjoys. . Estimates for Last Week 8tate (2.040; 60)—"it Must Be Love" (F. N.); Bernard Ferguson, baritone, and Joe Termini, celli.st. Picture voted one of Colleen Moore's best and would have done at least $2,000 more with weather break; star very j^pi^uliar ]^a,re; about $14,- Strand (1,177; 50)—"The Midnight Sun" (U.). Ar9und $4,000, and should have dona more; **8fKft of the Sheik" opened tWO hours earlier than usual on Satarday. and had tumawayi a.t noaii, daapita at tamp- orature. Lyric (1,200; 36)—"Good and Naughty" (F. P.). Liked IM^a^ and all things considered, did very well; Miss Negri's waning popularity here indicated by newspaper and other advertising playing up Tom Moore as co-Htar. aIthoiiK:h Miss Negri, in reality, is sole luminary; over $2,000. Aster (89$; 25)—"Honesty the Best Policy." Satisfactory picture and takings; nearly $1,000. Hsnnspin-Orphsum (2,825; 60-$$) —••Broftdway Boob" (A. K.). and vaudeville. Glenn Hunter picture no great pumpkins but satisfactory; vaudevilla okay; close to $17,$$$. Seventh Street (1,480; 50)—"Ladles of Leisure" and vaudeville. Show to clientele's liking and business, as usual, profitable; Around $6,000 (Copyright, 1926, by Variety, Inc.) Xaa Angeles, Aug. ft. George Waaka^ gaaaral salea man- ager for Famous Pin vers-Lasky, ar- rived here to confer with the Marold Ltoyd organinitloif ragard- Ing added production by that com- pany for F. P. release. In addition to the Lloyd pictures, the company will make six pictures a year with new comedians starred. John Raglund, New York repre- sentative for Lloyd, participated in the conference with Wllllitm Fraaer, the comedian's general manager. Weeks, while here, will al.so confer with Mack Sennett and his general nianagar, John "Vl^aidran, reifardteg release of Bennett features WMA short subjects tbrouph F. P. $900,000 tor "Wings" Los Angeles, Aug. 81. "Wings," Famous Players' forth- coming special. Is sehadaM t» oaat around $900,000. I'rincipal location will be at San Antonio. Tex., with 85 per cent of the picture to ba exterior shots. Prodnrtion begins around Septem- ber 7 with the company due on lo- cation for three months. SR. WABMSM' OOLDEH AKH. Los Angeles, Aug. 81. Jack Warner left for Youngstown, C this week to attend tha Golden Anniversarr. Sept. $. of his par- f'HtM, Mr. snd Mrs. I^enjumln Wsr- nor. The senior Warner \h also In the picture business. op<-ratIng his own house in Tauagatotrn. Th** four sons, with their families, will be present |or the event. Philadelphia. Aug. 81. Continued cool weather prevailed again last week, with resultant good business, although there ^as no one big outstanding feature such as tha" gross turned in by "The SMI of tiM ^>heik" the previous week. The StaniMr had *Vantrap** and did better than average for this time of year. Notices were good, both on the flim and on the sur- rounding bill, which included an Al- bertlna Kasch l;;iUet. and Tudor Penros, vocalist. The weather break also played a large part In keeping "Stella Dallas" to turnaways at the Stanton. The picture ataya for a fourth week. The Fox was one house that jumped nicely, due to a nuich better bill than the house had offered for a month. TRe fifin was *Tha Cling* Ing Vine." but the surrounding pro- gram, announced aa Midsummer Syncopation Weak, waa tlia raai at* - traction The combination drew nearly $20,000. a great figure for August. Tha Arcadia did fairtir wall with the second week of "Mismates.** and the Carlton got about $8,000. good, with '*Tba Great Daaaptlon.'' The feature, of course, was the sensational attendance at the Pal- ace, where "The Son of the Sheik** was suddenly booked, right after its record week at the Stanley. In fact, so big was business that this Valen- tino picture was held over at this lower-priced house instead of being shown at the smaller Capitol, down the street It Is also booked this week at six or seven other Stanley houses. This week looks rather promising, with the AldlBa Joining the parade on Saturday with "Peau Geste." be- ing plugged for a run. The Satur* day opening Is Intended to get ahead of the Labor Day rush and perhaps get some of the drama men to cover mi lllm*s dabut. Estimatss far Last Week Stanley (4.000; $5-60-76)--"Man- trap" (F. P.). With great weather breaks and crowds htmgry for the- atres, business was better than ex- pected; $M,IOO claimed; above aum* mer average again. Stanton (1.700; $S-$0-7f)~"8taIU Dallas'* (F. N.). In third weak mother-love special went so big as to necessitats fourth week; second time Its run haa been laagt h aaa i ; got between $13,000 and $14,000. Fox (3.000; $»)-"Tha aiaging Vine" (P. D. C). Picture aSd bill popular; latter styled Midsummer Ssmcopation Carnival; went to $80,* 000. Arcadia (SOO; 60)—"Mlsmates,** Sd week). This one fair, with about $1,260 claimed: really not straag enough for more than week's stay. KsHton (1.100; 60)—'The Qrsat Deception'* (F. N.). Credited aa weak aister but helped by waaQMg; got $$.000. ^ (Otpyrig ht, inB, by Varie ty, lm,i HEARST IN SHORTS Leg Aage!es. Aug. $1. From tha plan af having'Marlon Davlee appear In a series of "Tlllle. the Toller" comic strips in film, it U said Wmiam R Hearat, through Cosmopolitan, wUl whalsaala lar pla* tures all of his mnny comic strips It's unknown if Hearst will go further into shorts, but it's possible that OoamoyalHan «Miy iiaka tha short reelers for Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer not filled in tar thai aarvica by Hal Roach. v- - Manning Leaves F. B. O. IjOs Angeles. Aug. 31. Roger Manning, general produc« tlon matiagar for ^ tha F. O. B. ata* dlos. resigned thia week to become production manager of the W. L. Wlllnkn unit for F. P-L. which will make ^Ings.** MamUag has been wHh F. B. O. for the past three years. Manning supervised "liarnum Was Hight*** "Har Honor tha Governor.** and "One Minute to Play.' the Granga picture. When Manning comp!etea his work on "Wings." he will be permanently assigned as produetioa manager for tha Jnmes Cruse unll» Aesumes Late Hutbsnd*s Duties Uomell, N. T., Aug. 81. Mrs. Lattfa BHAlth fa now a part* nfT In th^ f*rm whirh rune the .^hattuck theatre here and is alao its active manager. . •. Mra. Smith la filling tha past Ml vacant by tha recettt daatk of ImT husband.