Variety (Nov 1926)

Wednesday, November 3, 1926 * PICTURES VARIETY INGRAM'S FUHL UM CAPITOL; ENiaJSiyiADL m RIVOU Nearly Everything Fell Off in Dull Last Wedc at Kmw York's Big HouMt^fModa Madk Bart Showinga—Tarade* CerUin of $1,000,000 !•! Yr. ytcturji liouMs was off all along tho lino Umt wook. Only house that approached any- thing like normal was the Capitol, where Rex Ingram's "The Magician" drew $54.344—not what it should have been, in view of tho name of the director and tho author and their boz-ofSoo drawing pooaiblU- tloi. Tho Strand, with •'Tho Prince of Tempters," held over, failed to get above $30,000. Both the Kivoli. with T«ndon/' British National picture starring Dorothy Qish. and the Klalto. with "Kid Boots" and with- out Eddie Cantor In person, felt a slump. The former got $23,400, While the latter played to $17,500. At tho Aotor business went up last week, and "The Big Parade" is l^ow certain of passing $1,000,000 torn Ha flmt year on Broadway. Last week showed $19,871. The little Cameo with repertoire got $5,140, while at the Central "The Scarlet Letter- played to $11,632, showing It continued slipping at the box office. Griffith's "Sorrows of Satan" iki having a strong advertising cam- paign placed behind it, but last week failed to show real returns from it at the box office. Gross was $10,118, while at the Criterion "Beau Geste" experienced tho first drop of its run on Broadway when the business went off about |tOO, with receipts $14,852. The two Warner Bros, attractions, •^tter 'Ole" at the Colony and "I^on Juan" at Warner's, bot;^h hav- ing Vitaphono bills In conjunction with the Alms, drew big money. The former climbed a few dollars, setting $88,286, while tho latter dropped off somewhat, to $24,230. "Ben-Hur," at the Embassy, also •uttorod a dropb totting |T,717. Last Wook'a Botimaioa Aster—"Big Parade" (MG) (1.120; |1.10-$2.20) (50th week). Last week business went up again here. Now certain million-dollar mark will be passed for tho flcat year of run. Lant week $19,871. Cameo — Repertoire (549; 50-75). $6,140.75, with daily change of old pictures. Capitol —"Tho Magician" (MO) (6.450; 50-$1.65). Rex Ingram's lajt- •st lasted but single week, getting $54,344—couple of thousand better than "The Temptress" did on its •ecibnd week here. Central — "Scarlet Letter" *(MG) (922; $1.10-$?.20) (13th week). Took another drop last week, going to $11,632.75, about $400 under wook before. Cohan—"Sorrows of Satan" (PP- !») (1,111; $1.10-$2.20) (3d week). Reflected general slump along street, getting $10,118. with some fairly good newspaper advertising •a it. Looks to pick up some this ^Oek, and with campaign behind it nay. build into fairly strong box- ofltco attraction. Colony—"The Better 'Ole" and Vitaphone (WB) (1.980; $1.65-$2.20) <4th week). Business went up few dollars. Matinees are only weak roint. night sell out $33,285, lift of 10 over first full week. Criterion — "Beau Geste" (FP-L) <812: $1.10-$2.20) (11th week) Lit- tle diop last week, business off about $300, but Still surprising gross of $14,852. Emba»«y—"Ben-Hur" (MG) (596; $1.10-$2.20) (44th week). About $800 drop, but business sufficient to keep picture in hou.se to profit Will be continued Indeflnltely, and prob- ably run well Into second year be- fore withdrawn. Got $7,717. Rislto—"Kid Boots" (PP-L) (1,- §60: 85-50-75-99) (4th week). Final week. Run ends Friday night, when first performance of "We're in the Navy Now" at midnight benefit per- fenhance for American Christmas fu'hd. Cantor's leaving after two weeks felt at box offleo, and gross dropped to $17,500. Rivoli — "London" (BNP-FP-L) (2,300; ff-BO-TS-OO). This British National production starriner Doro- thy Gish proved distinct disappoint- ment as to picture and at box office. Last week down to $28,400, $6,000 under previous week. Strand—"Prince of Tempters" (Kane-FN) (2,900; 35-50-75). Held over for second week without hav- ing done business enough first ^eek t o -w a j rant it being retained. I^st week $29,700, below average of house and $5,000 under Its first week. Warner's—"Don Juan" and Vita- phone (WB) (1.360; $1 65-$2.20) (13th week). About $500 drop here last week, but buBlaess still strong enough to keep picture In until hit- ting $10,000 under what it Is now doing. Last week. $24,230. (Copyright, 1926, by Variety, Inc.) EDERLE, AT $1S«000, mED' PROVIDENCE Weather Againtt Houset— Neither 'Sparrows' or 'But? falo' Stood Up Last Wk Providence, Nov. 2. (Drawing Population, 300,000) Gertrude Ederle pulled close to $15,000 at Fay's last week. That, in brief, was the leading reason why the first-run movie houses got only average business or worse. She queued the crowds for over half a block from the theatre at almost every performance. Poor weather for indoor business also helped to plunge tho grosses. It grew too warm here. Friday and Saturday nights were especially bad, with the last-of-tho-wook rush to see Ederle, a big prizefight on the first evening, and tho college popu- lation out of to#a for tho Dart- mouth football game. In addition, and for the first time this season, tho vProvidenco Opera house actually gave the rest of the show shops some real competition with Sam H. Harris' "Loose Ends." It opened at the Ritz In New York last night. Usually the opera house is barren. "Sparrows" did nothing unusual at the Majestic. The Mary Pickford picture was a disappointment Con- stance Talmadge was liked every- where but at the Strand box ofllco in "Tho Duchess of Bufiais^^ : Last Week's KiHmatss Majestic (2.500; 10-40) — "Spar- rows" (U. A.) greeted with inverted thumbs. Kids, howovor, llkod it Average at $6,500. Strand (2,200; 15-40) — "Duchess of Bufltalo" (1st N) widely admired and seemed to lack nothing for ap- peal. Competition probably held it down. "The Man In the Shadow" (Hartford) rather shoddy crusade story against circumstantial evi- dence. Ordinary at $6,500. Rialto (1,448; 15-40)—"Syncopat- ing Sue" (1st N), with Corinne Griffith, billed with short subjects, felt general onus of Bdorlo act. Off at $4,000. ^ Victory (1,950; 15-40)—"Gay De- ceiver" (M-G-M) average, possibly suffered mite firom "Don Juan's Three Nights" preceding week at another house, fairly similar in tone. Tsacas Streak^ (U.) good Hoot Gib- son stuff, liked by this house's au- dieaoea. Barely fair at $6,000* This Week Majestic. "Prinoo of Tempters"; Strand. "Ace of CadO"; "Winning WaUop": Rialto, "Baglo of the Sea." "Lion Tamer"; Victory, ''Midnight Sun." (Copyright, 1926, by Variety, ino.) TOPEKA OFF ^^NOSTRUM'^ Alsa Walked Out on 1^ "Paradtsa" (Drawing Populationb iiiOOO) Topeka, Kans., Nov. 2. Week of weak pictures and poor business. "Mare Nostrum" at the Orpheum was the biggest but Topeka never has liked tragedy. Despite heavy advertising campaign business only moderate. Bright spot was "Bo's Tour Old Man" at tho Jayhawk last three days. Some of the weakness Is ascribed to political activities, but a Kansas eleetkm Is really a milk and water affair. Estimate For Last Wesk Jsyhswk—(40; 1600); "You'd Be Surprised," with home talent pro- log, did not surprise. Business fell off; Last three days "So's Tour Old Man" pulled week's business to about $3,100. Orpheum—<40; 1200): **Mare Nos- trum," unpopular and went Into red despite big advertising. For week bare $1,200. Cozy—(25; 400); "Footloose Wid- ows" only mildly amused. Full week approximately $1,000. Isis—(25; 700); "ParadlRf;" de- clared Sills' worst picture and bu.sl- ncj?s about worst B ' liua thgatt^r changed back to feature per Week policy. $900. (Copyright, 1928, by Vsrltty, Inc.) FABNUM, ''WESTERN" STAE A new series of 12 two-reeled "westerns" Is being made with Franklyn Farnum as the star. Mdfs $46,000 Wilk '^VYovOUMao" Boston, Not. 2. Specials hare been booked into two of the legitimate houses. Vita- phono and "Don Juan" are at the Colonial, opening Fridajr, and last night the Tremont opened with "Beau Geste." Each scaled at $1.50 top for the night performances, with 11 top for mats aad iw« akows a VUO. $46,200. The Metropolitan and tho State, regular big picture houses, con- tinued last week to turn in excellent business, with waiting lines at each house during tho week. It is not believed that the arrival of tho two new feature pictures will eat into the business at these houses as they seem to hava a waU««otabUshod following. Last Week's Balimalsa Metropolitan (4.000; 25-50). W. C. Field's picture, "So's Tour Old Man." packed them in. Bouse also carried a Frank Cambria stage ro- Tue. State (4,000; 25-60).—With *Vlam- ing Frontier" and Al Herman's Minstrels on stage very fair week. (Copyri ght, 1920, by Variet y, Ino.) TEMPTERS'$7.01)0 OUTRIGHT FLOP IN FRISCO Whitenwn Sent Cidif., wMi $25,000, Into LmuI for 1st Tiine in Yewrt ■■ ■ ■ ' "' ■ '" I ■■ ■ ■' San Francisco, Nov. 2. Not a picture of any box office strength on the street last week with the exception of "Beau Geste." pMying to reserved seats at the St Francis. The California's big gross of around $25,000 was due to Paul Whiteman's preseneo. Its screen entertainment was "The Silver Treasure," a Fox release ^nearly six months old. The Warfleld had a "cheater" and suffered in proportion; down around $20,000. The Granada was also in the squawk division with "Eagle of the Sea" proving to be small excite- ment in this seaport The second and final week of "The Prince of Tempters^ was bru- taL It was a starvation week tcfr the Imperial, with all efforts to prove there was nothtog offensive to the picture futile to check a con- trary sentiment among Roman Catholics, who predonitnata loeally. Isltmataa fsr LmI Waak California — "Silver Treasure" (Fox) (2.200; 35-50-76). First Fox pieturo to play outside Pantages in months. Just incidental to Paul Whiteman'a second and fare- well week. Whitomaa practically equalled first weelc. with pace to- ward end indicating might beat first grosik Bettor than $50,000 on fort- night Over $25,000 second week. Tremendous every way figured and first timo this hooso has led strost in recent years. Granada—"Eagle of tho Sea" (F. P.) (2.785; 16-80-61.71). Unezoep- tional. Around $20,000. Imperial—"Prince of Tempters" (F. N.) (1.460; 26-66-66-fO). This one out-and-out flop hero. Religious angle dangerous and lovemaking funny so fSr as Saa nmndsco was concerned. Second WOOk; doubtfttl if $7,000 reached. 8t Frar*c?s—"Beau Oeste* (F. P.; 2nd week) (1.375; 50-$1.50). Pub- lix still hopeful of long run, but doubtful if pieturo can survive be- yond six-week average of town for road show l>ioture. No decision on Vitaphoiie. supposed to follow. "Beau" holding up nicely as third week entered. Second week esti- mated $15,000.. Matinees suffering, mostly women not fiocking to "brotherly" love story. Warfield — "Don Juan's Three Nlght.<' (F. N.) (2.630; 35-50-65- 76). Town likes Lewis Stone, but not like this. Estimated $20,000. (Copyright 1926, by Variety, Ino.) SAYINa ''STORM'' FOR BARRY Los Angeles, Nov. 2. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Is endeav- oring to buy the screen rights of the Langdon McCormlok play "Tho storm" from Joseph M. Schenck. Tho latter is reluctant to part with the story, as he is flguring on using it as a starring vehicle for John narr>more. With Barrymore having made two costume pictures for War- ners and now making one for United Artists, Schenck teoia a tab the type of "The Storm'' would be a good one for him* HPSTAGT AT CHICAGO. $m WITH FIUH BIZ OFF IN LOOP Even Paul Asli Slipped $2,000 at Oriental. Only Got $47,000—'HonwDMi' Arm*d Ut% 2d Final Week, $12,000—Yitaphone. Good at $28,000 STANLEY WITH $27,000 AND FOX DID $20,000 Grange Film in Small Karlton Mutt Have Cost Ptentyf Despite Record Philadelphia. Not. 8. BusinsoB uausiially good la the downtown houses last weak, but easily the feature was the recep- tion given to Red Grange's "One Minute to Play." Booked into the Karlton, small-oapacity, weekly- change house. Grange's picture went like wildfire. He played Saturday at the Sesqui stadium 4n a "pro" game. Result was gross of $6.000— double the house's normal business. The picture is being held over. The Karlton has a capacity of only about 1,000 seats. Colleen Moore in "It Must Be Love** waa the Stanley feature, but there Is no doubt that tho added attraction, the third "Stanley Frol- ic," had a lot to do with the excel- lent business. Oross not far undor $27,000. The Fox might have suffered on the heavy picture competition, but the rather weak feature. "The Blue Eagle," was offset by the big names on the surrounding bill. Leo Car- riilo won a lot of atts n t|oa, and there were others. Isllmatos for Last Wook Stanley" (4,000; 85-50-75)—•*It Must Be Love" (1st N). Colleen Moore has gained large following. "Frolic" also responsible for waolrs success. About $27,000. Stanton (1,700; $5-50-75)—"Bhick Pirate" (U. A.) (4th wook). flS,OM. "Sparrows" this week. Aroadia (800; 60)^"Doa Juan*s Three NlghtiT (1st N) (1st week). Business good, Darrymore's "Don Juan" not been shown hers yot $8,600. ■ Aldlne (1.600; $1.66) — *'Beau Geste" (F. P.) (8th week). Business steady at $10.26t. Claim of much more mada. May stay a«tv jlipil December. Fox (3.000; 99)—"Tho Blue BaglO" (Fox). Picture didn't mean much, but surrounding bill, with Leo Car- rillo topping, sent g^sa over $20,000. KaHton (1.110; 50)—"One Min- ute to Play" (F. B. O.) (1st week). Real sensation of week In small house, easily breaking house record. Over $6,000. more than twice usual week's average. In football season this feature might have stood up alono la big theatre. It was in this city last year that Grange clinched himself on his first eastern appear- aneo as tho star player the mid- west said he was. (CopyH flht, 1>26> by Varie d, It^ BUFFALO DISAPPOINTIIEIIT Hip Beet at »23,000-Bufyslo . Loow's and Lafayolto Off BnfEalo^ Not. t. • While short of anytht^ Mom* bling the unusual, takings at BufTalo box offices last week preserved high levoL B u s l p s as bottar tbam aver- age. The card at the Buffalo was gen- erally felt to be unsatisfactory with the picture, without definite fault, simply did not seem to catch the public. Contrary to expectations. "Stella Dallas" at the Lafayette failed to get much. Only fair business reg- istered. Last Week's Estlmatee Hip (2.400; 60). Slivertown Cord Orchestra and **]>oa Juan's Throe Nights" (1st N.). Or^ostra sent takings skyrocketing for best week house has had In month. |S8,000. Buffalo (3.600; 30-40-60). "Men of Steel (Ist N.). Welsh Choir and Mereor and James. Oood bill, but lacked In punch. Business Btsady, but short expected. $24,000. Lafayette (3,400; 85-50). **8te11a Dallas" (M. (I. M.) and vaudeville Pict ure o ccupif'd center with vaude out of advmistng an d r unni n g Itnc- up. GroHn for from satisfactory. Ks- timatcd $17,000. Loew'e (3,400; 35-50). "Flaming Frontier" (U.) and vaude. Dropped into also-ran class in.st w<'ek. De- spite much additional exploitation with several tie-ups, qnlot at $18.- 000. (Copyright, 1926, by Variety, Inc.) Chicago, Not. S.^ Traditional week-before-electloa was much In evidence at picture and legit theatres. Most of tiie film houses had not made any prepara- tiona to offaot tho customary dropb as an average quality of picturoa prevailed throughout the loop. With its fifth anniversary, tho Chicago bettered the previous week's gross by several thousands through sheer exploitation. The pro- gram offered little support for tho special occasion. Norma Shearer'a name la ''Upstage" being tho only come-on In the billing. One of the weakest stage shows in months didnt help any, M grosi |4i,M*. notwithstanding. "Kosher Kitty Kelly" at the SUta* Lake oouldn't wIthsUnd tho shnnp^ giving the houa an under-average gross of 119.000 with Orpheum vaudoTltla. AU of tho Orphovia circuit's houses now carry advertis- ing in tho ploturo pages of tho dallies, with tiM film foaturod* IMM without any real drawa aft State-Lake so far. ViUphono and "Dom Juan** at McVickers dropped a few thousand, but made a good showing when the general slum9 la consldofod. It is the opinion around town that tho releaao of "Tho Four HorosomoB** was sot for too lata a date to get the business expected. By tho timo this film got into tho Roosotelt praotieally every Valon* tlno picture had been played to a fraszle throughout tho city. In Ita second and last week at tho RooaO« velt, "Horsemen" took in $12,000. "The Black Phrato," now, preceded by heavy advance billing. "My Official Wife" got off to a good start at tho Orpheum. although the papers were unanimoua treating it lightly. Fourth and final week of "Men of Purpose," American Legion film, got $7,000. The opening week of this film, attended by heavy baUyhoolaf^ was a record of $12,000. Tho Oriental, Paul Ash's domain, donated $2,000 to tho slump, drop- ping to $47,000 with "Subway SadlaT* in support* Esllmatss for Last Week Chlcsoo — "Upstage" (M-G-M). (4,100; 60-76). Fifth anniversary show lined up as weak for special occasion; still better than average with $45,000. Norma Shearer credit- ed with draw. MoVIckero—ViUphono-''Don Juan" (Warner), (2,600; 60-$2). Barry* moro's biaa nocking for als faS weeks now; $28,000, good. Oriental—"Subway Sadie" (F. N.)« (86-€0-7f). FMI Ask dropped %U under capacity, ott WOik far gent; $47,000. Monroo—"Tlia Couiltrr BayaMy* (Fox). (978; 6d). LMIIa Wlir Mr- age with $4.10f. Orphoum ^ my Official VtUtr (Warner). (776; 60). Good stsH with $10,800; notices not so good. Ilandofpli — "Men of Purpose* (Veterane* Film Service). (650; 60 ) Fourth and closing week. StiU hold good with 17.000; Aaiorioaa Logics carried on own sales campaign, sell- ing tickets at bootha and through mall, besldaa at thoatrow State-Lake—"Kosher Kitty Kel- as oxpiMNk ^nOilsa ^wont ' uaiow average with $19,000. Poor loop business helped hold it down. State- Lake's trouble Seems to boltshylmi attitude; trying to pose as picture house after eatablishing itself as a pop vaudeville theatre. (Capyrigli^ liM^ by Varlaly, lno4 III Adi Insured for $750.1 % & & L MaiafeiBait Chicago. Not. !• In one of the largest life insur* ance deals In Chicago this year, Balaban A Katz have completed ar- rangements for a 1760,000 policy Ml the life of Paul Ash. The theatre men have a five- contract with their "ace." MAJaMONT, FB££ LANCE — L os Aagolos , N o y . > . Percy Marmont's contract wttk P. P.-L. entered into * year ag% hnfl expired. The actor has Joined the ranks oC free lancers. Mnrmont made five pictures un« (\or tho P. P. contract, the lattsi "Man Trap. sal