Variety (Nov 1927)

VAT^IETY PICTURES WediMday, November 2. 1927 LOS ANGEUS TAKES 1HE SLAP; mS'S27J)IIOTOP;'C&C'(ll(l(IO UpMto Tban in Football-^Met, $20,000 ''Blood Ship''—State, $17»800—"KnighU*' Holds Up at $lMOII>^''Df^ $7,900 4* LoH AngeleB. Nov. 1. (Drawing population 1^60,000) Total RrosK fnr the fli-Ht runs was ITie lowcHt of the year latit week. The bottom seemed to drop out of lf#u><in»'sH entirely and all downtown liouMfs were considerably below the pi>-vious week. The leader was iJrauuKin's Chinese where "Klngr of KinfiTH." in its final week with 16 performances, ran better than 127 000. Thd Metropolitan had one of the lowest wtpeks In a long time with •*Tho'Blood Bhlp," Which has been 4oinff business In other places. I»ew's Htate also had another bad •wt^k, this ilm* playing '"the Crys- tal cup."* The gross here ran about I2.2U0 less than at the Met. •IxivcH of carmen" in its third w*'»1t at the Ckrthay iilrcle, did not go along at any at^nsational stride. This,one will be, here probably for anotlicr foi)r or .five weeks before It makes room for "Sunrise." "Two Aiiihian Knights,'' second week at Vif- Million Dollar, did as much buHiness as the first woek, with in- dications K99^:'§9tK'.^<'ikM^^-mnA tiniil week. The Criterion se^^med to have a bet in "Cat and tlio. Canary." This faiil LenI production caught on and on the first week hit an even $12,090. Abo t^an is still help- ing the BouWvard, while the K^ryp- .tian had **The Drop Kick" for Its •econd run In town. I«ynn Cowan, m. of c, evidently is quite a figure ^ as regords the box office here, groMes hmftirtm Msislently Hro\md tlia MUM ngiM WMk after week. Broadway Pataee, piling up the red for Orphcum faster than the Ilillstreet can turn profits, had a lamentable week with "Othello,** re- leaned by a State Rights concern. Eatimatea for Last Week OrsMman't Chineae (U. A.) — ••King of Kings" (P. D. C.) (l.»B8; 60-11.50). For final week picture had the iMMi JtntH^ in several months: 16 parfonniMMMM |UI well over 133,000. ••Ivoves of Carmen" (Pox) (l.r>00; 60-I1.50). ^usi doing what is con- sidered f^ljr sood businesa; noth- ing to iirac at aeUlwa arMiad |12 000. Laavw'a •tale (W. C.-IiOew)—"The Crystal Cup" (F. N.) (2.200; 25-U). Seems as though title is not box •itee* Mplto atorr MrtalfBed in snagaiclne; stage show seemed to tnean more than picture; 117.800. Metrepalitaii (PubUx) — *"rhe Blood Ship'* (Col.) (8,595; 25-65). Way oft from regular gross, even tlMttgH MUli Mtoe clicked as Htage entertaiiMrt » ttttlt WUar than $20,000. Million Dollar (Pubtlx) — TPwo Arabian Knights** (U. A.) (2.200; ' 26-I6)/ AmoBT beat comedies town haa had A timt; hit prac- ticaiir Ik* MM «• la jnH vmH.' $16.$0«i Boulevard (W. C.)—"The Desired 1\%>man" (W. B.) (2.164: 25-75). Al>6 Lryman again the draw; pic- ture juat « negiitlya with attdlenca; $9,000. Egyptian <U. A.)—"The Drop Kick*' <F. N.> (l,80«Mi.M)* Sec- ond run policy does not seem to pret over for ICgyptlan; Hollywood too close to downtown: did $7,900. Criterion (W. O—"Cat and the Canary " (U) (1,600; 26-75). Good here and house maa> aeHhy pcttftt at around $12,000. araadway Palace (Orpheum)— •■Othello" (All Star Features) (1.600; 15-40). Shakespeare meant little on populated Broadway and M fhlv hMt-aWhyr aMMit tt^Ma CO-ED'S' 124,000 LEADS ftALTO; STAN'Y mOOO Valencia $11,000 with 'Geste' —New S8,500 and $10,000 for'Nevada' ROOOB DENVER'S fOh nuiusT jusr IAS "Fair Co-Ed," $6,300—Stock Coo. Do $11,400—America $6,200 wttte "Parrot" Buaineas aroiuitf average last week. No big pictures In sight and the houses just eased along. Per- fect weather AM more harm than Baltimore, Nov. 1. (Drawing Population, 850,000) Huinor that I'ox is planning a house for thia eity la up once more. This would mean about 4,000 more rst-run seats alld, with the-K-A- ^hUnb et g er thvaat W build * large combination house, aB 8.000 increase in flrst-ruu accommodations is a possibility. Meanwhile 200 seats are definitely scheduled to be added be- fore the nr«t of the year. They will be in tha little Film theatre, now nearing completion, across from the new Stanley. Millican and the Mo- tion Pi< ture <Juild of Washington are* responsible for first .attempt to establish highbrow movies here. BusifK KJs last week was up gener- ally, toew's Century leading the proceesion with "Fair Co-ed/* and the Valencia got a nooA i»econd week With "Beau Ceste," Tbinga were okay at the New «n<| *^The Thir- teenth Juror" on the aci-e^sn, al- though it was the BtAI^ 'wit iRoscoe Alia) tliat got tho drtM^ Mi Gar- den was HiitLsfactory hut aiot out- standing with "Nevada.** The week's disappointment was •Xlfe of Kil»*y. " at the big Stanley. It failed tu Hhow anything at the matineejs and, consequentlyf this crippled the week's gross. Estimates for Last Week fttanley (Stanley-Crandall)—"The Life 0$ Riley" (F. N.) (3.500; 25-65). Vllixi all right for i^bt trade, hut title and subject lacked feminine appe.nl; little to draw fair sex off the ahoppins center; hoiiae must get pictttrei With exceptional wonmn appeal to offset strategic aifternoon location of Century and Valeiicia; not likely haltered $20,/000, Century (Loew)—"The Fair Co- ed" (M-Q) (3,100; ^-60). Hooked hF with Heanet preee, the DaTlaa film drew heavily; best gVOpa 9t month; close to $24,000. Rivoli (Wilson Amus(>m€nt Co.)— "Madame I^ompndour" (Par) (2.200; 26-60). Mo.vt critics liked this one, but titl« ;\nd Hubject held limited audienof appeal; matifieea ]ow» not outstanding. New tWhitehursts) —"The Thir- teenth Juror" (U) U*800; 2«-60). Fw Ireportcd aatiafhetory but hard to gauge audience appeal, as over- shadowed by Roscoe Alia act on stage; groaiad ahont $8,509. Parkway (Loew-U. A.)—"Way of All Flesh" < 1,400; 16-36). IMd well at thia vptown alMid hflir a ffott-ir niKiit at the V a|e i|alh ; hotter than $4,000. Garden (Whitehurata)—*n^eTada" and v.'uide (2,r.00; 25-50). N<^ out- Btandiiig names in picture, but Vaude ple.'isf d and house regulars turned out; about $1,000 ahead of theatre's average; $10,000. Valencia (Loew-U, A.) — "Beau Gesie" iPar) <1,300; 25-60). Had run With high top at FonTe last seafon. btit In apparently still good b. o- materijil here; around $11,000. "HUR," $27,000, BOSTON Jumps State f3,000—Met Slips to ♦38,000 Orpheum $20,000 liocal ahr ina »«Bad a lot of money with amateur production Wednesday and Thtursday nighta. With prices from 25 cents to $1, total intaJia was tielween $5,000 and $«,M0. Dance halls and Mlcht elttha eon- tinue to have that proeperone afr. Eatimatea Far Last Week Aladdin ilnd.) 0.500; 35-50-15) *Trhe Joy airl" (Fbx). Kept caahier about as active as usual with nice night play; Vita prolog no curiosity now but still lielps; about $7,0U0. AnMlried (U.) (1.500; »»-30-40) Chineeo Parrot" (U.). Maybe $5.- 200; flashy marquees and "mystery" plugging helped; trying to get by without an orchestra isn't doing thi^ otherwise classy house any good. Colorado tlhd.) (MSO; 30-40-50) "Breakfast at ' Sunrise" (F. N.). Connie Talmadge- has her friends In this town; was the only feni picture on atreet; possibly $0,800. Denham (Ind. atock) (1,732; Sfr- $1) "Treat *Bm Rough.** Best pro- duced play of year for this house and they're putting out good run TACOMA QUgT VMOO Beet—Riatta Off With fUlOO— CaloiilriL fVMS lOrawing Population, I8S1OOO) Past week waa ««iet, althoosh of All Fleah*' gadiiiad the EakiNRatee for Last Week Broadway (Weat Coaat) il.MO; 26-50)—"Way af AB yt$iB* CNr). Big at $7,500. PanUges (1,600; M-60)—"The Marriage Ckiuse" <F. K.). Tftle meant little, but average hix. $5,000. Blue Meuae (Hamrick) (•M-25- 50)—"The Black Diamond Bxpreas'* (W. B.). Vita music helped aa mu- sicians still out; $3,000. Rialto (West Coaat) (l^SO; »5- M>—"Oianghal BomkT* iPar). Weak fahtmra and weak hnsinaas; $s.ito. Colonial (West Coaat) (360; 35)— "Red RaidMni'* (F. N.>, init Iwlf, and "Masked Woman" (F, K.), aoc- ond hair. ISiow at $1^00. 'SPUNG FEVER', $14^, JUSrFAIR;U.A.,mOOO i II Columbia Welt Up at $9,500- Vita Okay at Blue Moum, Beatlla. Ifo^. t. (Drawing PofKilatieny 47S»(X)0) Herschel Stuart is now district manager of all West Coast houses in Oregon. Washington and Mon- °5 •!?*^'*7^'*51l'^*\ir«JL."*5iiI?^'' the number totaling 41. wUli of word-of-movth; .. ll^fiMv nhove usual figure. Emprees (Ind. musical stock) (1,- tM; 15-30-50) "Honeymoon Home" (on stage) and "Somewhere in Bo- nora" (P. N.) picture^ Matinee tradt poor; standouts at night not un- usual for all week end ahows; big- gest advertiser in town Wlt|l"PMf'Ol>- age growing; $(,$00. Orpheum (vaiide) <1,«M: $1). Business fair, around $&,0<K1. Riatta (Pnhlia) (1,050; 35-44»-iO) rrhe Fhir Co-ed** <M-0). Held np aa well as anything of recent months; Chamo'a atage hand: $6,300. Vietery (Poblix), <1,140 : 25-40-50) "Shanghai Bonnd" (Par.). First pragtam ptetwa thia house haa had for a month and a half: b. o. showed it; weekly groas eased down to artrand |f ,<HKI. No fight pictures In town yet. Prints brooght in last week for showing were aeiaed and p oaaBaeo r grabbed by Federals. Second-runs seem to have mo inter eat in matter Swiiito of Daughter'B Win Brings Amrt Loa Angeles, Nov. 1. ChMcad with planning to defraud the parents of Helen St. Clair Kvans. 22, fllm extra who committed suickle last July, Marguerite Powell Stagy, 2t, was arreated hy federal authorities at the request of postal Inspectors. Ball was set at $1,000. According to the inspectors Mrs. Stact Is alleged to have posed as an intimate friend of the Evans girl and wrote to the Intter's parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Daniels, New York, that She had received a deathbed verbal will from the de- ceased, htit oouTd not deliver It un- less the Daniels forwarded money for her transportation to New York. 0aAtaia. hMoty ahop ownar, ht- cAme suspicious and Wired local po- lk?e to Investigate. The filing of (|.« y , ^ud vntide. the complaint and arrest followed, usual awrage. Boston. Nov. 1. (Drawing Population 860^000) IMcture houses are working out their own salvation after some )olts and jars last week. Fans Mtlll do- ing their own picking and choosing over here. A strenuous week-end of football rot heevlly Into the movir Imsiness; Imt a few well filled houses compensated for the lean dayH late In the week. Metrt)|H>litan ft'Vl off from a bum- per anniversury week (cross, but the State went up prettily with "Ben- ITiir." The Orpheum se^-ms im- P'M-vlous to any outside influence and remained at the usual average. Katlmatea for Last Week Metropolitan — "(;*»ntleman /tt Paris' <Pjir> U'tiJ)lix) (4,000 : 50- $ 6). Kvt n Meni tiU H latent failed to prevent fnlllng olT^d AJOOBd |3tp' 000. Loew*t State-"Ben-Hur" (M-G) (4.0M(t; r»(t.:<5-r.O). Up a handy $3,- 000 to $..'7,000. LaeWa Orpheam—"Annie Laurie" (M-(7> and vaiKJe (3.r)00: -'r.-.?5-50). Getting along ni< ely at $2O,U00. Oljrmpia —* "American Beauty" Maintained K. LINEUP SHIFTS; NEWlAirS OFF f " ' Micfiand OfMning and Roya^ Hbwrmii to LoBw Maittoo- ment—Makiitreet, $13^000 Kansas City. Nov. 1. iOrmdtm Piapaiatian, tOOgOOO) Opeateg at Umt» Midhuid, with Kb 4.f00 aeatg VrtMmf evening was the big event of the week. Transfer of the two Publix houses—Newman and Royal—^to the I«o«w manage- ■M&t waa alao at mneh importnaee aa It ^aawa » radleal ehaaca to policy. The Newman will now get the de hixe pictures for runs and the Royal will play to the pop priced crowd. Newman's prices he- ooma ii-f 0 and M, whoa the Hoyai will charge 20 and S5 cents. The week from a financial stand- point was not so good. The hMt alibi la that it was charity drive w<eek for the Community Chest. It has been the rule here that ainrh a week is always ft ViMr one for local amusements. Estimates for Last Week Nawman <Piihttx> **The Fair Co- ed" (M-C) (1.890; 25-35-60). R. - viewers tore this one to pieces, ciill- ing attention to the collegiate im- possibilities. In spite of the rrftl- ciam the picture entertained; last of Pnhliz fltagie han^ paBey; house starts under I»ew banner with straight picture policy, with fea- tures in for nma vhen they stand up; "My Best Girl' (V. A.) the opener; Marion Davics's name not gpttfng reaolta expected; business six days at $8!aOO. Royal (Publix) "Now We*re In the Air" (Par.) (920: 2l»-4<i-6o>. Serond week of tiie Beery-iLsuton ronii«': papers ganeroiia hut house siippt «i below prei^eding week: only $;i,iy0. Mainstreet (Orpheum) "Hreiik- faat at Sunrise" (F. N.) (3.20^; 2.'')- 50). Standing all over the street Sunday and k*pi loiuin^ Uiirinift tbraa reeant aagalaltldtta te The company has eight hottaes in Montana, 1$ ja WMhlW(gtiW|l ipd 14 in Oregon. Stronger attractions at most of the houaea tha paat WNit *9 ^ WM€ patronage, which harfl iaia^ fttWdng a little slow fur some unknown reason. Fift^ Avenue, however, failed to hit its stride with "Spring Fever." A genuine magnet at the Colmnbia was "Way of All Flesh." T-his bouse has been getting excel- lent attractiona the past few montha Franceaoo Longo la alao aa attrac- tion herob hataf ^ artlat tha ivorieaL Pantagea netted * tlttl* with "Cameo KIrby," after having been slightly off for a few weeiui, and OrpheiMi BM'HN^ «iig| '4lMi# dt tta season. Blue Mouse moved ddbUg nicely with "Old San Francisco." and United Artiata had a gxx>d one in "The Magic B^ame." Title and story cauKht on. I..iberty had its har- monica contest. "The Red Raiders" and a alight IncrefMe ta receipta. Estimates for Last Week Fifth Avanua (West Coaat) (2,70$; M-4«-««-C0)^Spring F^vmT ( M-O). Nothing to go wild over; Fanchon- Marco below par; Hermie King reg- istered favorably; did $14,600. United Artists (W. C.-U.A.) (2,- 100; 26-50-60)—"The Magfc Flame" (U. A ). World loves a lover atiU true; Hanky-Col man combination had hearta beating faster; Mme. Helen Scholder-Perutx, wife of Manager Peruta» added musical featnr«>f entire show liked; $13,000. Columbra (IJ) (1,000; 25-50)— "Way of All Flesh" (Par). Wow; praiaed and got money; * $9,600. Liberty (West Coast) (1,600; 25- 40)^'The Red Raiders" (F. N.). Western had lota of action on screen and some around box ofBce; $3,800. Blue Mouse (Hiimrick) (950; 25- 60-76)—"Old San Francis w»" and Vita <W. B.). Dolores CNjstello charmed a«ain; went well above average of paat weainr TMft holding up: $$,000. Pantagaa (1.500; 26-60-60) — •'f';imeo KIrby" (Fox). Business holding well; ballyhooing for com- ing features; $9,000. Orpheum (2.700: 25-50-75) — The Wise Wife" (P. D. C). She was. and ao was the picture, cleverly pre- Fonte«l; \init .sli()\\, Weybum, best Orpheum attraction to date; $14,000. PPMident (Duffy) (1,400; 25-$l)— •*ls Zat So?" (stock). Norman Field and Rddfe Waller divide honors in lau^h hit; l.usfness Strong at Duffy theatre, grossing $6,000. BDOL SKHS ITS REIi STATE UP TO 113,000 Strike Off, Weather and Foot- ball All HeliH-'Metropoiis' IMiBniiBintB tlflon ' III III > I Minneapolis. Nov. l. fOrawintf Popitlatien, 470,000) Transients here for the big foot* ball gankea, aettlement ot the theati« atrlka Oct. U aad Bwrfeoi Indian avmmar weather war* hll ■mktog for brisk theatrical last week. Strong attractiona helped to stimulate. The State, as usual, led the field. Corkins atage show along Funl Aah w*^k: Louisville Ty<x>ns, headed hy Walter Donaldson, in l$th week; Constance Talmadge in fllm pop- ular here; $13,000. Pantagea "Publicity -Madness" (Fox) (2.600: 25-30-50). Edmund I»we played up In publicity on strength of "Glory." Picture full of artion and hoktmfi; $8,200. Liberty (Ind.) "Back to God's Country" (U.) (1,000 ; 26-50). In addition to Renee Adoreo feature lilni bill cont.nined IT.Trry Lrfinprdon In "There He c;oes" and one oi "CoIleKians" series: $3,000. Orpheum ' Th*' Crystal Cup" ^F. X.) ^25-$!). Second week of pic- ture policy in addition to the two- a-day vnude bill; change .seems to i>f ^\urking nicely; those who like th^'lr seats reserved catch part of bill they want gad are satisfied. ffughcs. to Rotyiance" was not overly the populace flocked inside. "Metropolis'* created the moat atlr aasong the new photoplays^ of tha fhhr sex, howavar, did find It to thalkf likteff, avd tha failed to hit the expected level. Aa a raault Ita two. weeksT run did not materfallBe at the Strand. In ita second and flhal woek at the Oarrick "The Way of All Meah** hold «P nicely. • The Hennepin-Orpheum was handicapped by a mediocre vauda bill, hnt *'A Mutton BM" Wai noma- what above tha average for tha house. Slow eariy in the week, but. trade hoomed the last half. "Tha Gay Retreat" proved a good bet for Pantages and drew some business. No vaudo namea to lure the pahUa» but the show as a whole proved pleasing. The Seventh Street also had a good show, considering pricea. "Breed of Cotirage" vvavad to tha patrons' liking. Zane Grey's "Nevutla" helped the lorric to the extent of aevwal hun- dred dollars, whUe "Reaumetlon** In its second loop engagemettt gwa the Grand a profitable week. Estimates for Last Week •tala (F. A R.) (2,600; 60)—"Road to Romance" (M-G), "A Syncopated Fiesta" on stage and Vitaphonck Ramon Novarro good card here hnt picture only so-so; stage show nn- doubtedly responsible for draw; heat week in aome tima aad aaarly $13,000. Garrick (F. A R.) (2.000; $0)—« "Way of All Flesh" (Par). Second and last week. Voted one of heat pictures ever seen hei^e; built durtmr run and second week about on pag With first; around $6,000. •Irand <F. Jb R) a.lOO; iO>--i "Metropolis" (Par). Caxised com- ment, but proved too gruesome for fair sex; takings dlfloppphltad and withdrawn after irat watk; ahoat $4,000. _ Lyric (F. A R.) (1,350 ; 35)—'"Na- vada" (Far). Good attraction for this theatre; week showed improve- ment over recent grosses; $1,800. Grand (F. A R) (1,100; S6>-« 'Hesurrectton" (U. A.>. Second loop showing after fortnight at Sti satisfactory at doae to $1,000. Henn ep in - Orphanm . (2.860; 50-75)—"A Million Bid" <W. B.) and vaude. Picture and Slla flbialda good, hut rent of lAiDW oovld have stood strengthening; |10,00# okay under circumstances^ PanUgea (Pan) (1.660 ; 60)—'"Tha Gay Retreat" (FOx) and vaude. PI** ture .somewhat of a draw; $5,000. Sevsnth Street (Orpheum) (1,480: 40)—"Breed of Courage" and vauda. Show and business all that could ha expected; about $4,600. Icenm Tsiwlca'b Only Hz Getter; Cozy Does $1,100 Topeka, Kan.. Nov. 1. (^wwing Population^ 88|000) WiMBIiiMr weathar akada hval* neaa for no one here ttaiipt tha iceman. Then, too. it was declared the public is holding onto its coins expecting a hard winter. Only the places«where there was a low ad- mission charge collected much eoin. At the Grand, legit, the most miserable road show season opening in yeara was placed on record. Richard Bennetts "The Barker" played three perfornutnces, taking leea than $3.00O for the two days. Souj^.a'.^ band, here for one conceit, didn't raise the total to much over $4.0M. About the only re.al profit for thO week was at tlie <'oxy. Estinftatcs For Last Week Jayhawk (1.600 ; 40) (Jayhawk) "G*>ntleman From Paris" (Par.). Menjou H mune brought fair atten- dance; last half *'Alia8 tha Xiona Wolf" failed to get aoar aormalt total about $2,600. OMioam <l,200: 40) (National) "Loves of r.irmen" (Fox). Got good play first few days but as weatber grew hotter, Dolores Del Rio failed to draw; just over $2,000. Cosy (400; 25) (L#a\vrence) "Ankles Preferred" (Fox). First three days oka;-, not because of picture bnt because cheap; same can be aaid for "The CMintry Beyond' the last half, although Curwood's name al- ' Wii>s K« l^ some liaUe; beloW $1,100.