Variety (Feb 1927)

Wtdnttdiy, Ptbniarj % 1M7 PICTURES VARIETY STRAND HITS $44,10IKPARAMOIM $73385, AND RIALTO GOT m Capitol to $59J60, Holds 'T. & D." for 4th Week— 'Irontid^t'' Did $20,422, Topping Sliows on Broadway Last Wcc|t ^ S6«miiiffly the run of "Flesh and the Devtr it to he one of those con- tlhuoiM eourcee of wonderment to the Aim induetry. When announced the picture was to remain over for a third week at the Capitol after it had played to $132,505 in its first two weeks all records for the seven years the house Is in existence were broken. To top that the picture went right along In Its third week and played to only $1,299 less than in its second and was held for a fourth week. lAst Sunday the business at the house was $100 bet- ter on the day than the Sunday be- fore. On the three weeks the pic- ture played to $192,265 and the ohances are that with the current week it will come close to getting ;'$250,000 on the four weeks. Business on the street was topped by the Paramount with "Paradise for Two," to $73,585, better than looked for in the face of the notices the picture received. The second best went to the Harold Lloyd pic- ture, "The Kid Brother," In for a run at the Rialto, where it is grind- ing nine shows a day, receipts he- in^ $48,684. The Strand with the Vilma Banky-Ronald Colman combination ia "The Night of Love" ran up 114,100, and the picture is held ov.er i6r a second week. At the little Cameo the combina- tion of "The Slums of Berlin" and the old Charles Chaplin release, "Easy Street," the remarkable total of $9,066 was rung up. Specials Holding Up ffi the class of the specials the lead was held by "Don Juan" with yitaphone at Warner's where $19,333 was tabbed while at the Colony *7he Better 'Ole," also with Vita- phone, showed $18,929. A third Yitaphone special is due at the Sel- W3m tomorrow (Thursday) night when a second Warner Bros, pro- duction with John Barrymore star- ring is to be brought to town. It Is entitled "When a Man Iioves/' baaed on "Manon Lescaut." **Mlchael Strogoft" departed from the Cohan Sunday leaving that house dark to await the coming of "The Rough Riders" due Feb. 21. ••Strogofl" filled in the extra Sunday at the Cohan, giving it 16 full per- formances for its closing week to $10,040. The pair that Metro-Goldwyn- ICayer have in town, "Fire Brigade" at the Central, and "Tell It to the M§.rines" at the Embassy, are run- .ning about neck and neck. Last week the former did $13,576 while .|h«. latter had $13,581.50 in the tUl. *• Four Road Shows The four road shows running were 'fopt>ed by "Old Ironsides" at the Rivoli. to $20,422, getting the big- geirt part of it over Saturday and Sunday, while "The Big Parade" at the Astor was next with $18,581. "What Price Glory" at the Harris seems to be about in Its stride and last week hit $17,713, while at the Criterion "Beau Qeste" played to 114,565. At the same time "Beau Geste" was showing at Werba's Brooklyn Where it got $13,066 in 11 perform- ances. The total last week on Broadway In the 14 houses devoted to picture entertainment was $881,887. Estimates fer Lmgk Weeic Astor—"Big Parade" (M-G-M) (1,120; |1.66-$2.20) (63d week). iMMi week added another $18,681 to amazing gross. Cameo—"Slums of Berlin" and •nSasy Street" (649; 60-76) (2d week). Chaplin picture given credit for draw here last week to $9.0G6. Capitol—"Flesh and the Devil" (M-G-M) (5,460; 50-$1.65) (4th week). Looks like Capitol is go- ing to go right into run class. House during the last three weeks with this picture has made remarkable showing. Business for first two weeks created record with $132,505. Last week's receipts dropped only $1,299 below what picture got second week; $59,760 third week. Gives production total of $192,265 for three weeks on Broadway. CsntrsI—"The Fire Brigade" (M- C-M) (922; $1.10-$2.20) (7th week). Drop of nU^ttt ft OS t%m tnmt Jffff]^] to $13,576. Cohan—"Michael Strogoff (U.) <1.111; $1.10-$2.20). Finished Sun- day after eight weeks. In 16 per- formances, having taken advantage of putting in tlio extra Sunday, drew $10,400 final eight days. House dark until advent of "The Rough Riders" Feb. 21. Colony—•iJottor "Ole" and Yita- phone (W. B.) (1,980; $1.65-$2.20) CHANEY-LLOYD Te UP BUFF; DUO GOT mOOO 'Marims' $25,000 at Loew's —'Brother' $33,000 for Buf- falo—Ufayette $18iip Buffalo. Feb. 1. (Drawing Population, 590,000) Business continued in high at the picture houses last week. Lloyd and Chaney occupied the center of attention, both playint !(» gtear H- turns. The length of the ChaniV feature, however, made only thrtbe showings a day possible. Neverthe- less, the gross represents at least three absolute capacity shows and is one of the best figures Loew's has obtained in many months. Estimates for Last Week BufFalo—(8.6M: 8#^4e-«») "Kid Brother" (F. P.). "Pompadour*a Fan" and Egbert Van Alstyne. Fea- ture did five daily «nd wka ffoed for excellent business; while the gross is about $4,009 under Ederle's record takings last Week, the 1^s^r^ t^- resents high water bis foir the house; over $33,000. Loew's>-(S.400: SB-60) *'TMI It to the Marines" (M. G.) and vaude. Chaney feature had them talking and necessitated stopping tlie tieMt sale at least half a dozen shows; three film runs dailymarked by ab- solute overflow; .aiuuley plitiitM have meant uniform big business at house and this one no exception; $25,000. Hipp—(2.400; 50) "Silent Lover" and vaude. Played to better than normal business and probably got overflow from Buffalo and Xxmiw's; $16,000. Lafayette—(3,400; U} •Trivate Izzy Murphy" (Warners) and vaude. Film generally pronounced a corker and especially built for the patronage here; business good practically all week but enough room for improvement to cause comment; nothing derogatory can be said of film or show; answer probably lies in fact that with ca- pacity business elsewhere, someone is bound to feel the drain; around $18,000. (Copyright, 1927, by Varietyt ino.) (17th week). About $1,800 drop last week, going to $18,929.26. Criterion—"Beau Geste" (F. P.- L.) (812; $1.10-$2.20) (23d week). About $200 less here last week than week before; $14,566, but not con- sidered off when known picture in 11 performances in Brooklyn last week played ta $13,064. Usually New York run hurt by playing at same time either Brooklyn or New- ark Embassy—'Tell It to the Marines" (M-G-M) (696; $L10-$2.20) (7th week). Climbed Uttla laat wetii. to $13,581. • Harris—"What Price Glory" (Fox) (1.024; $1.10-$2.20) (11th week). Seemingly hitting along at pace it will maintain for some time. Last week. $17,713.50. Paramount—"Paradise for Two" (F. P.-L.) (4,000; 40-66-99-$1.65). Business expected to drop last week, as notices for pictures off, but in- stead climbed $2,000 over Week be- fore; $73,585. Rialto—"The Kid Brother" (F. P.- L.) (1,960; S6-50-75-M) (Sd week). Had Harold Lloyd gotten little bet- ter break in weather would have turned record for hoiiae. l*lii3Fed to $48,634 first week. Rivoli—"Old Ironsides" (F. P.- L.) (2,200; $1.10.$2.20) (8th week). Buslne.S8 particularly big on week ends when house rolls up tremen- dous amount Saturday and Sunday. Last week, $20,422. Selwyn—"When a Man Loves" and Yitaphone (W. B.) (1.067; $1.66- $2.20) (1st week). Picture arrives tomorrow night. Will be two War- ner Bros, productions on Broadway with John Barrymore as star and both with Yitaphone embellish- ments. Strand—"The Night of Love" (Goldwyn-U. A.) (2.900; 35-50-75) (2d wee k). Last wee k Yilma Banky- Ronald CoTmalTTOmbtnatlon doing battle to that of Oreto Garbo-Jack Gilbert, ran up a nice total of $44.- 100. Held over. Warner's-"Don Juan" and Vita- phone (W. B.) (1,380; $1.65-$2.20) (26th week). Last week. $19,333.25. Closely tabbed to see efi'ect of new Barrymore film attraction coming in as opposition. (Copyright, 1927, by Variety. Inc.) i BALTO. IN GOOD SHAPE; CENTURY UP TO ^,000 'Nostrum' and Bayes Drew— Uoyd $12,500 in 2d W'k— $9,000 for 'Bwilia' B^imore, Feb. 1. The event of the week III the local picture field was the retimnent of Herschel Stuart from the mana- gerial head of Loew's Baltimore enterprises. The move did not come a« a sreat surprise to those in the know, Inaamueh aa a pay- roll entrenchment poUcy has been under way at 'tiie IjMm hmm for several months. A week ago all house managers were given notice. This comprised Larry Shead. at the Century; (leorge French, at tlia tideneiar and Thomaa X MMrnkTr M ihtt Parkway. This Mwiit ekalMil out the orpanizatlon built up by Stuart, who came here from St. Louis when Loew took over the Century and Mrkwar trooi tha VhttHiitrai la- iifwrta ^laat'•iMiiiC'. >' Stuart built up a big personal foUowillg during his 10 months here and was highly regarded by the press. He left for New York Sat- urday night in response to offers from other amusement enterprises. The new personnel of the Balti- more Loew houses comprises Charles Winston, publicity; H. H. Maloney. Century; A, J. Biiehrig, Yalencla (both from State. St. Louis); J. H. McCarthy (of New England), Paricway. *0tiiart Is inc- ceeded as general manager by W. A. Finney, late manager of the Loew State. Ifemphia* The Warner-Met turned on the Yitaphone Monday with "Don Joan.** The hO«»e scale was ad- vanced to a 75c top, and House lifon^er Cassldy gave the new en- tefptlie a send-off with a private press showing Sunday night. Business was generally good last week. The Century, with a com- bination of "Mare Nostrum" on the screen and Nora Bayes on the stage, was outstanding. Both the com- bination Hippodrome and the com- bination Garden turned in good weeks, and the Emb asfy. a recent convert to tho t9m»mSmh poliOy. reported business stQl'on the up- grade. The New feams to be emeiviiiv ftfom tha K doldrums. The house Is going ill for bigger stage acts and business is up. The Valeneia had a satisfactory second week with "The Kid Brother." but it . wa s not outstanding and was overihadowed by the downstairs Century. Estimates for Last Week Valencia — "The Kid Brother" (F. P.) (1.475; 25-66). Lloyd film had to face stiff oppoaitlon for its second week and came off fairly well; business. with adverse weather, off around mid*waek, but flni8he4 aatiafactorily; abom $12.- 600. Rivoli—"The Perfeet Bap" <F.K.) (2.000; 35-65). Business not up to previous week's high figures; Ben Lyon, a naUva^ gooa 4f»w hare, howevfr. Mid hvaisaaa oonaiatMitiy good. ^Oantury—^'Mara Nostrum" (M.- G.) (3,000; 25-65). Nora Bayes played up nicely in local publicity and accounted for big draw; nim also created unusual interest and combination worked weU at ' the b. o.; around $20,000. Warner - Metropolitan — "Don't Tell the Wife" (1.500; 15-35). House picked up nicely with Irene Rich lifting figures fraai the depths; Miss Rich long a favorite here; house went over to Yitaphone policy Monday. Last week good. Embassy—"Forlorn River" (P.P.) and vaude (1,300; 25-60). Jack Holt, plus satlafaotory vaude. kept figures ahead of those for corre- sponding days of previous week, with exception of Friday, when heavy rain interfered with night draw; reported satisfactory. New —"Bertha, the Sewing Ma- chine Girl" (Fox) (1,800; 25-60). House building nicely again; extra publicity plus bigger stage acts are apparently factors in upward climb; "Bertha" demonstrated that there's life in the old girl yet by boosting b. o. to over $t.O00. Hippodrome—"When the Wife's Away" and vaude (2,200; 25-50). Comb, house turned in outstanding week; vaude Rood and result big- gest of recent weeks. Gsrden—"Whisperi ng Wires* and vaude (2.300; 25^WT7 Screen thriller plus vaude accounted for ifood Week: receipts about a thou- sand over previous week, at $11,000. Parkway — "Tpatage" (M -G.) (1,400; 15-35). Business continued so-so; receipts eased off from the "Black Pirate," return being around $3,000. (Copyright, 1927, by Variety, Inc.) TOHERS," FIELDS AND ASH SEND ORIENTAL CHICAGO, TO mn plicago Dropped OfF Last Week to |38,000—Fox's 'Auctioneer* Simultaneously in 4 CUeago Tlio* atres—$26|000 Good for McVif^ers 'RACHELGfiS' UPLIFT IN MINN.'S'SPM Jumps Garrick $1,000—'Love 'Em' $2,500 at Lyric—^ady HI Erinifit'Fair, $11,000 Minneapolis, Feb. 1. (Drawing Population, 470,000) In the face of bad times, sub-iero weather and hot radio competition, business is keeping up remarkably wali lit tiM looal amuaeoMttl iNdaoes. No ■etiiittoiial trooaaa last week. but most of the houses maintained a respectable pace. The extreme cold spell has been t^o protracted that the public evidently la becom- ias Hied ta law t^9ltfttiiraa and 9¥m^ mi>>^tdmm'fimt^ alshtt *a leaser mean deserted theatres. The past seven days constituted what might have been called "spice week." Oilerings at all the regular movie houaea leaned heavily toward sexiness. One dramatic critic, in fact, commented that none was ex- actly suitable for children. The week's surprise was "Sum- mer Bachelors" (Fox), at the Gar- rick. It actually pulled them in so well to this white elephant, which has had few winning weeks, that F. & R. increased its newspaper ad- vertising copy durins the week, jumped theatre's receipts altout $1,000 over the. preceding week, when weather conditions were consider- ably more farbrabla. On the other hand, the new Co- rinne Griffith picture, "The L.ady in Ermine," fell down—eomparatlireiy— at the State. It was fairly well liked by critics apd public, Perhaps the abienea of aa alaborata atage act had something to do with it. The local public evidently is be- fflnnint ta axpeet that iiaw as well as a strong picture program. In its second week at the Strand "We'ra In tha Nairy Now" failed to keep going fit Its sensational clip. While business was profitable, plans to retain it for thraa Waeks were abandonod. and It gtkWwmf Satur- day to "Faust." Pantages played up its Tom Mix picture. "The Last Trail," above fts vaudeville, and takings were all that could be expected. Estimates for Last Week State (2,600; 60). "Lady in Er- mine" (F. N.). Moderately liked, but did not do as well as a Corlnne Griffith fllm is expected to do here; Ray and Elinore Ball, instrumental- ists, and Sonya Rozann, soprano, stage offerings; 111.000; good enough under circumstances. Strsnd (1,500; 50). "We're in the Navy Now" (F. p.). Finished a eortcing two weeks' run; about $5.4)0. profitable. Qarriek (2,000; 60). "Summer Bachelors" (F'ox). Picture liked and word-of-mouth boosting helped; around $5,000 and about $1,000 more than house has been doing lately. Lyric (1,350; 35). "Love 'Em and Leave /{;m" (F. P.). One of best piclur ee h b ua e has had In weeks; helped by recent pre.«»entatIon of stage play here; fine at $2,500. Orand (MOO; t8> *'8ln €argo." So-so, and around $1,400. Hennspin-Orpheum (2.890; 50-99) "Obey the I^aw" and vaudevlHe. Pic- ture mediooro. but vaudrville, with "Dr." Rockwell and the Weaver Bros, excellent; comedians pulled >m in; around fiSktot; al(ay, all things considered. Pantsfies (I.COO; M>. '*The Last Trail" (Fox) and vaudo. Tom Mix picture a draw; about $6,000. Seventh Street (1.480: 60). '*Jew- ol.^ of Desire" nnd vaude. Nothlnp in show or buninegn to get excited about; mirybe $6,000. (Copyri ght, ISgy, by Variet y, Ine.) $3,500 Bad at Palm Beach Palm Beach. Feb. 1. For the final week of the $2 pic- ture policy at tha Paramount, Lloyd's "Kid Brothac^ got |S,600 bad. . Thia week the house started on a split policy and pop prices (for this burg). It's under.stood that the Publlx people wanted the same adn>i.s«ion scale from tha ^otaet, but the local man Interested preferred being ritzy. (Copyright. 1927, by Variety. Inc.) Chicago, Feb. 1. Gross rises In some houses and declines in oth«>rs last week indi- cated that all pictures were pulling on their merit. Weather slightly unfavorable. The Oriental rated first, as usual, V ith "The Pottero." featuring W. C. Fields, exerting a draw additional to Paul Ash's tremendous number of regular customers. At the Chicago a drop was re* corded, with the house already run* nlng a few thousand below aTorage for the past few weeks. "The Silent Lover" was the picture. No draw in the stage entertainment. Harold Lloyd so far has failed to pull sensationally at McVickers, get* ting a good but not extraordinary start and dropping $4,000 in tha second week. Cause unknown. Pic* tttra getting line mouth-to-mouth advertising and has been treated exceptionally well by the local crit- ics. The Randolph went up In the clouds last week- playing UFA'S '*Faust** to 11,700. This la good enough to Indleata about three mora weeks. Fox Is getting a treat break Is this city, having flrst-run pictures Simultaneously in several parts of tha town. Laat week The Aae* tloneer" playing at the Monroe, in the Loop, and the Granada, North Center, and Stratford In tha nelgli^ borhoods. These three neighboir^ hood theatres are all de luxers. The war pictures In legit houses "Glory" and "Bettsr 'Ole," continue good, although "Glory" is advertis- ing last weeks through prerloua bookings. "Better 'Ole" goes out Feb. 18 to make room for the third Yitaphone show. "The General." Kekton comedy, closed its second week not so forte, with pop price Yitaphone prograasS now in. Estimstes for Last Week Chicsgo—"Silent Lover^ (F. N.) (4,100; 60-75). Milton Sills and good support did 0U,OO0, 14,000 ba* low average. Garrick—"What Price Glory* (Fox) (1,293; 60-12) (5th week). Advertising closing weeks through short lease; $15,800, Jump over paa* vious week and high for house. MoVlckers—"Kid Brother" (P. P.* L.) (2,400; 50-76). Dropped $4,000 second week to $26,000; plainly needs extra exploitation. Opinions of Aim all good. Grosses flna for this house but not for Lloyd. Monroe—"The Auctioneer^ (Fox) (07t; 10). Playing in several the- atres around town simultanaoualy; $4,000. Just about average. OrienUl—"The Potters" (F. L.) (2,900; 35-60-75). Combination of Paul Ash and W. C. Fields brought $46,600. Vllai glvan ▼ery favorable notices. Orpheum—"The General" (U. A.) (119) iO>. B«8ter Keaton out la second week with $6,100; opened to $0,000. Not so good. Pop Yitaphone ahowa In. Randolph—"Faust" (TTFA) (850; 50). German fllm with Emil Jan- nings got sensational start at thIa small theatre. $9,700. TiOoks like three more weeks. House avora^a is around $6,000. Roossvelt—First half, "The Can- adian" (F. P.-L.). 2d half, "Twinkle* toea*' (F. N.) (1.400; 60). Both films had recent premieres at the nearby Chicago, but brought theatre back up to normal with $11,000. Housa has been showing loss. Stste • Lsks — "Nobody's Widow" (P. D. C.) (2.800; 60-76). FaTorably received film with picture "namea" or Orpheum bill brought $21,000. Woeda—"Better 'Ole"-Yiuphona (Warner) (1,073; 50-$2) (8th week). Held to llgura maintained lately; $18,000. (Capyriflil, IftT, Ipy Varialy, liial —it— Poirs Going to SUKk Bridgeport, Conn.. Feb. 1. Mfa Bridgeport, pleture, la ta be turned over to stock Feb. 14. (irandon Rhodes haa been engaged to play leads. Usually the atoek aeason doea not pet underway in the Poll houses until about April, the earlier open- ing would Indicate that the picture policy has been flopping. MjC-M Sign* tild«n I»s Angeles. ¥eb. 1. William (' Illg Bill") Tllden. ten- nis champ, will pursue his cinema ambitions thrDiii^h M-(".-M. the latter orr;riniz:itioB placing him under conirucL ii ■ ■'Ilia fii n t r V-iriiriilMiyilsa<