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VARIETY PICTURES Wednesday, November 2, 1927 CHICAGO REMAINS IN DOLDRUMS; QREim mm mm. um Chicago'* New Policy Still Slow, $46,000—*Wings' Opmt WoU-^OrplMiiBH $8^400—Titto at house Cham 'Em Away \;. 4^ Ckipace* N«v. 1. lK>op'fl fllm b tt l Ul ( M » niitlier de- pressing last week. Once moi c thr cinemas fiiiled to gra«i> advantatre Of the greiii weather. Il can't hmt, thto «UBthia«; luii tliNi tb« winter grind, wtach, la dlMie^1^'^^^^ certain as that M the hot Niimmer. The Chicago further Indlcat<^d Itu newly adopted stage band policy U doing the houee little good. Dropped maeOMr 1X000, in eooord- ence with the averaKe fall since advent of a band upon its stage. K*l since opening week has the pulley shown sufficient value to rate It wit|i the Chi's former amusement pUut BVidently the band and pat- ronage do not mix. "Hard Boiled Hacgerty" {b\ H.y on the Chicago's •ereea. might hate, accomplished more had the aviation angle been accentuated. The standing of the flylaa faeket la publlo esteem was clearar demonstrated by the open- ing oC "kings ' as a 12 spec at the Vrtaager a«mday. This Paramouat super has an envious chance to do something that two-a-day films rarely laiweia in this city—get away /With money to show for the run. The "Wings" premiera gives the town a pair of spsrlahi nm'^tmk, the first such situation th!s season. *'l>atent Leather Kid" winds up at the end of the current spelU though, so "Wings" troups by its lonesome The State-L«.ke, which apparently capnot emerge from its rut with any kind of an attraction, flopped with Harold "Red" Grange on the fcreen and Henry Santrey on the tage. The Orpheum house derived littls more than its usual under- nourishment amount. Across the street at the Chicago or around the corner at the Oriental. Bantrey no doubt would have murdered 'em. Bui here he was buried under the „ ray reputaticn built up solely -iae known frallty of State-Lake Grange's "Racing RoaMa" was equally haadicapped. The Oriental seemed dragged down with the rest of the street, besides havtay aii HBasualiy had stage show. The bMtrbiH was badly in need pt remedy III mid-week, so Joe Lewis, laeal ^iiafa aaaia with a largie following, was ushered in. Business picked up from this point OB, bat aot sufficient to give the house a good week. "Life of Riley," Oriental's tilm, had as much mean- ing as the VoUtaaA law la a tin mil. "What Price Glory'' :ind Movie tonOk at the small Monroe, rose to over $11,000 in its eighth week, beating the previous week consider - ably. Quite a feat. General release dates, already contracted for, will pull "Olory" out somewhnt prema turely next week. "Seventh ll*»aven," counted as another sure thing for the Inspired Monroe, follows, idso la company with 'Tone. "The Magic Flame,' McVickers. grabbed $19,000 to prove the third and last \^cek was wohVdy going. While the jEioosevelt, McVickers' partner in losi. eotUd p>r«yeiilw aa better than $13,000 with the second and nnal lap of "The Rough Rid- era" Both are oairriatiT aut, *H3at and Canary" replacing "Flame" and "Gai^den of Allah" the "Riders." The pair <>f new onett show aaouffh strength to hold for two weeks. Mindlin's art project at the Play- houKe kept them away Instead of bringing tliem In with the title, "The Living Dead Man." Tliis one went well under the bright figure of the previous week. Orpheum saw enough with '^'he College Widow" in the initial wisK ta hold oa for another. Neighborhood trade equally off all week. Estimates for Lest Week Chicago iPublix)—"Hard Boiled Baggerty" (F. N.) (4,100; 60-75)« Non-clh'king stage policy standing in way of all Alms here; steady « weekly decUao hit bottom; $40,000 this time. Erlanger (J. L. S.)—'Wing«" ' (Par) (1.345; S0-$2.20) (1st woek). Opened Sunday; has ed>?o over other specials on aviation angle. MeVickers (Publix) — "Magic Flame" iV. A.) (2.400; 60-75). Third and last week got $19,000; money run all the way; "Cat and Canary" (U) now trying. — Monroe (Fox)—"Glory" and Mov- ietone (Fox) (8th week) (075; 7S77 Went $800 above seventh week for 111,200; $10,400, week before, is low- est mark of entire engagement; house flffured itself lucky if getting |4»000 last seaaon. OrienUl (Publlx)—"Life of Riley" (F. N.) (2,900; »6-M-76). Got no- where with weak eoreen and stage; Paul Ash nway next week for slx- \weeka vacation; houee will demon- FIGHT FILMS AND VITA MARK PROV. REEL BIZ Ffy's $8,000 and Victory $8,700 — Barrymore RlmtTW D ProTideBceb IIot. 1. (Piawiaf ^opulatioa IQOyOOO) With but a fair layout of screen features, buslnesi was generally good last week, deeplte competition from the radio exposition and dance hall attractions. Dempoey-Tunney tight flhm took the towa hf storm. Fays and the Carlton opened the week with the hght films and with no advance publlolty played to ca- pacity from the start. The Uptown (re-run) exhibited the bout pictures Friday to open a four-day nta aad did great biz with "Cat and Can- ary" and "Barbed Wlre'^ as push- ers. Tuesday night hit many of the picture houses, with Mai Hallet at Rhodes dance hall, U. 8. Marine Band at Arcadia dance hall, and the Boston Symphony at the Albce. Last week and again this week the picture houses had the benefit of a darkened Opera House and no legit showing to offer aompatitioa. Estimates <or Last Week Uptown (Ind) (l.SOO; 10-2G)— •The Fighting Eagle" (P. D. C.) and Frisco Sally Levy" (M-G) on K.S.M.: "Cat and Canary" (U) aad "Barbed Wire" (Par) on T.W.T.P. Fight fihns boosted on four-day run; house steadily oowrihg alPllg: good at $2,160. Fay's (Fay) (2.000; 16-50)- "Shangh^^led" (F.B.O.) meant lltUe; Dempsey-Tunney gave house big week; good at $8,000. Carlton (Fay) (1,448; 16-60}— Fight pictures did tha hhi; Deviri Saddle" (PJM vaude good; $6,600. tirand (Ind) (2.S0O: "Drop Kick" (P. N.) and "Break- fast at Sunrise" (F. N.) about $8,200; not sensational but okay. Victory (K-A) (1,950; l«-50)-- "Clancy's Kosher Wedding" (F. B O.) Just like the title, but they liked It; "Great Mall Robbery' (P. B. O.) helped greatly; good week, $8,700. Rialto (»^y) (1.474; 10-2b) M.T.W.—"Barbed Wire" (Par) and "Black Diamond Express" (W. B.); TJF^ "The Golden Snare" (Art Brandt) and **Palntlng the Town" (U); S.S., "Prftlrie King" and "Way of All Flesh" (Par). ClOMd Woek with a rush: $1,500. Majestic (Fay) (2.500; 15-50)— "When a M^^n Loves'l (W. B.) and Yita a fiFa#: $7.soo. TRIA JUNCTA IN UNO "Three Thinfls Joined in One." Musle —'Vleasura Racfoation. Convposite of Meyer Davis* activities. 110 Orchestraa—Cafe IJe ParadJa, Club Chaataelor, Swaaoa Ballroom De Luxe, Willow Grove and Cbevy Chase Laka Parks, King Pin Bowl- ing Alle y a d l alleys. Increasing to 1^2. Meyer Davis' Interests Involve capital outlay ot more than $6,000,- 000. LowIm Astoria as Key House for British Co. LoadOB, Mar. 1. The Astoria theatre is to be the key house for British Instructional Films, having taken the next four prodoctloBS *%llBd.'' ProTinelal Cinematograph thea- tre has been trying for control of thp house, havinir made an offer of $1,180,000 for tha^property. Owners of the house, however, are hoMiag off, hoping for a better price. In this connection, it is under- stood that Baady, of British Instrue- tlonal, is the real interest behind the Acton studio project J. D. Wil- liams has no part in this operation. WUUamif suit acalast First Na- tional does not come up hi the courts until December. In the meantime^ be is buying back stock from frisnda who Invested because of lilt; a«BaeetloB pvavloasly. JOUON'S ''SMALL TIMER" An Oriainal By Jolsea—-^Paoliscci" M» J M w iha i* AW With vna Los Angeles, Nov. 1. Contrary to reports from New York, Al JolsoB will make three more pictures for W^arner Bfoat. aO" cording to Harry Warner. Jolson^s next Is "Paffliacci," to be made next May with Vltaphone at- tachment In September "The Small Timer," an original by J Ol- son, will go Into pi6d«Ml|il». The third has not been aaleelid. strate what it can do on itS/rcp or own worth; $41,000 faist week. Orpheum (Warner) — "College Widow" and Vita (W. B.) (776; 50). Fnough at $8,400 to h.o.; Dolores Costello has personal buy here; pic- ture may be good for a third week. Playhouse (Mindlln)--"L'Hervler" ("Living Dead Man") (kllmart Guild) (002; 60-$1.10). Hit the hum)>s with weird titl^-piecc and dropped $3,000 under previous high mark week; $$,600. Roosevelt (F^ubllx) — "Rough Riders" (Par.) (1.40<^; 60-60). Pat- riotic picture on grind after last reason speolnl run could not click; two weeks sulllcient on rebound; $1.1.noO; "Garden of Allah." current. State-Lake (Orpheum)—"liacing Rom eo" (F. H. O.) (2.800; 26-60-6.'^). NothTnu. ftrtinr on (Jrnnge or Sant- rey; rest of show bad; that Grange was in town' not generally known and "Roil" strong hero; Just $18,- COO on (Mmbo that should have been a prise. Woods (J. L. & S.)—"Patent Leather Kid" (F. N.) (6th we«'k) (l.07.t; 60-$1.65). This week is last lor "Kid. " housp returning to legit; $10,500, mueh pupcr not included. B. O. Girl Laughs at Gun; Thought It Was Gag Portland. Me., Nov. 1. Believlnff she was being kidded when aha saw a ffun thrust through the box office window, Kathleen Klliott 21. cashier at the Jc/Terson theatre, put the man to rout and saved $1,200. When the comm.nnl "Stick up your hands" was addressed to her she passed It off with a smile. "Nothhiff doteg. What are you tryinff to do. hld^mor* w«a her re- tort L. E. McKenney, treasurer, had his back to the pair. When the soeoad command came he swtmg around, jumped to his feet and ran to the window. The bandit fled. Mmghan LMidng P«r«7 It is reported Thomas Meighan will le&ve Paramount In June with the expiration of his present two- year ooaiiact. He has two aMra pictures to make. During the time of his contract Melchaa has made five pictures of tha itr en scheduled,||ip!t . HUltBEBCUTO A fire Otttly Monday n\omlhg gutted the apartment of Buirtl Smith, atage manager of the Roxy theatre, aad aent him to the X^saox Hills HOSpltik His burns are rot serious and he will be out at tuc end of the weelc- Sorfth waa burnt when returning to rescue his dog. The nre started from a cigarette which Ignited the bed clothes when Smith fell asleep. Tbt Btanl DMiiti Unt Toronto. Nov. 1. (Drawing Population, 7(X>,000) Those who have the Id^ Canada is a Held of tee oovered with Christ- mas trees and wolves any time after October should have hoard the squawkg from showmen h^it -week. It was warm enough to drive people to the bathing boacbes. At that, bis has bela up welL . Particularly is this true at the Uptown where "Beau Geste" wont to $l3.00t deoplta thia atetOM had already taken well over $75,000 dur- ing 10 w eeks stretclti at the Regent when first released. The stase show built with the picture and one or two radio plugs were partly respon- sible. Another Paramount feature, "Way of AU Flesh," surprised by pulling $6,000 on Its second week at the Tivoli. When a picture geta this much at this 1,400-seater at a half dollar top its an event. Here again the band played a big part. Luigl Romanelll has them tied up and Daley«, continues to shoot the best in shorts aad aawa ataff Mon hereabouts. Pantages came to life with "The Desired Woman." but the picture was almost universally panned. It didn't seem to nuike much differ- ence to the regulars although the $2-pieco Royal Highlanders Band is given the credit tor tha draw. The band Is not playiaf a rocular Cana- dian tour.' The Regent, always a iMoblem house, win reopen Nov. 6 with an Bnglish picture "Roses of Picardy." This lonff film will rua twieo dally with a brief stage show and a 20- plece orchestra under Lloyd Ck>lllns. Prices have been scaled at 60 to $1.60. A second English picture, 'Immortals of Bonnie Scotland." will follow "Picardy." This second one has been well ballyhooed through- out C^anada, a feminine press agent being ahead of the outfit She ad- dresses service clubs, urging mem- bers to demand British pictures and putting la u pUm for her awn bossea 8hea*8 Hippodrome again iJl but reached $10,000. This Is a conJIstent and steady Improvement fbr this latest F. P. addltloa since It foriook straight twa-a-dajr Taiida la the summer. "Gay Retreat** had them talking and something entirely new in ad vertising kept the coin clicking at the b. o. In fe rea a e d adTortlslas oost has been mors thaa ofliet by more patronage. NelgtvbcM^ood houseo were the real smaBh of the town, playing to almost capacity business all week, festimatee Last Week Uptown (F. P.-Canada) (2,965; 30-60) "Beau Geste" (Par.). Opened with a bang; short but pleasing stago show accompanied. With absolute neglect from dailies picture went to IIS.OOO; One of season^s best Loew's (2,800; 80-60) "Body and Soul" (F. N.). Although cut by censors, went to $18,600; excellent considering weather. Pantsoee (Bastern F. P.) )8,460; 30-60) '^Tho Desired Woman" <W. B.). Pletnre panned but held to $11,700; Irene Rich never carries much weight heire; Highlaadors band biggest b. o. draw. Hippodrome (Shea F. P.) (2,600; 80-00) rrhe Gay Retreat (Fox). Low comedy team a hit; went to al- mo.st $10,000; Sunday organ con- certs by radio helped. Tivoli (F. P.-'Canada (1,400; 25-«0) "Way of All Flesh" (P.ar). Jan- nings picture showed unoaoal strength with over $0,000. 99CMtT<wbLA.'s Higlaitj;Gnid" Scale Los Angelos, Nov. 1. The new 2.200 seat house- at Broadway -aad Tenth street, to be opened around Dec. 15, will be op- erated by West Coast Theatif>es. West Coast will install a long-rim grind policy, opening wkh "My Best Girl ' ((T. A ) at 99 cents top. This sets a new top for downtown grind houses. WISCONSIN AT 114,000; SMALL HOUSES POPULAR 'Flaim's' $12,800 Makes 2d Week—Alhambra $14,500— Fortnight of 'Fleth,' uifiOO Milwatikee, Nov. I, (Drawing Population, 560,000) While- Milwaukee's bigger down- town houses stood gaping with plenty of seats for those who want- ad them, the two smallest theatres on the pike stood them up. These two theatres, almost next door to each other, are the Garden and the Merrill. The Garden, with "The Ma«lc Flame." topped the Merrill a bit, but the ISaxe house did plenty with the first pop price showing of "The Big Parade." On at least three nlglite both housea held 'em out from sia to 10:30 p. m. The Wisconsin and Alhambra did fair enough, but there was alwaya room for more. Perhaps fed ap oa stage baada and such, the localites hit the line hard for the smaller houses to see the pictures. At the Merrill the Jam was too hig to handle and a stam- pede resulted. One woman in the lobby fainted, and before she could be rescued was almost undressed and badly trampled. Five persona in one night passed out 'in tha packed Garden lobby. The Davidson, legit house, did plenty of damage to the big hoaata with a reissue of "Passion." Estimates for Last Week Alhambra (U)—"Way of AU Flesh" (Par) (8,000; 26-50). Second week ran fair but picture had Its day; oloeed with around $34,000 oar two weeks; last week near $14,600. Davidson (Brown)—"Passion" (ra» Issue) <1.8aOt M), flhored in whoa no road shows could be found; had phenomenal run- considering abort Umafor pabliolty; aioae to |7.00t. Garden (Brln)—"Magic Flamed (U. A) (1,100; 26-60-76). Consider^ ing sixe of house topped anything oa street per cnplta; holding over after bettering $12,800. Majestic (Orph)—"Cancelled Debt* (Ster) (1,800; 10-26-40). With Ass'a vaude did fairly well, hut failed fea I»aes $7,000 mark. MarHII (flaxoV-^'^tg Parade** (lf» G) (1,200; 26-50). Shoved adult ad- missions to 60 cents ail day and packed theaa; holds over; close ta $12,000. Miller (fiaae)—liarriage" (Fox) (1,600; 26-40). First bad week sinoa stage band went In; Mildred Andre, m. c, dosed with bill; at>out $7,000. Psisoe (Orph)—"College Widow* (W. B.) (2,400; 26-60-76). Orph acta and bin supplemoatalj around $!••« 000. IBtrand fSaxe)—"One Woman to Another" (F. N.) (1.200; 25-50). Pio- ture did not draw; no names; prob- ably $7,600. Wieeonsin (8axe)—"Drop Kick* (F. K.) (8.600; fl-M-00). All busi* ness traced to stage band; picture failed to get much of a puff; his Qot up to standard; $14,000. GARDEN OF TRUTH 'SORBELL" AT BIYOU HOY. 16 Los Angeles, Nor. 1. "Sorren and Son" will have its New York premiere at the Rivoll Nov. 16. This Herbert Brenon pic- ture Win be In the houoo fo^ a minimum of four weeks. It is likely that Gllda Gray In the "Dovil Dancer." another United AillfcU l pleta rei W il l fellow , Pituaaartee-Kane Wedding Los Angeles, Nov. 1. George Fitsmaurice, director for First Katlaaal, akarrlod Diana Kane, actress, today (Tuesday) at the Hotel Vmlrasoi, dhMita Bar- bara. Ma« Donlia Woridng Los Angoles. Nor. 1. Mike Donlln. who returned re- cently ft*om tho Mayo Brothers sanitarium, after six months there, did his first scrsea work this week. Donlln ie in Barthelmessf **The Noose," beinff made at the Burbaak studios. YOVM LAKmfTJS II GKAiaS L6s Angeles, Nor. 1. Immediately upon his rettim from Ehurope, Carl Laemmie, Jr., took charge of a produotlon at Univer- sal. He will continue as a producing head at tha aUidia for aavoral months. Tounc Laemmie has signed Joan (Dimples) Lido, whom he discov- ered while abroad, to a loBf term Universal contraot. Winnie 8heehan*s Idea — ActOM Mustn't Fib to Interviewers W. R. Los Angeles. Nov. 1. Sheehan, vice-president and general manager of Fox, feels that actors should not fib whmi bo* ing Interviewed by newspai)er or fan magazine writers. Tie thinks the truth is the only thing they should telf and that th^ should aat create so-callod fklpo yama abflint themselves. To impress this fact on the actors and writers Sheehan has ereotetl a Garden of Truth ulong- side tile publicity offices here. The garden Is a natural' st>ot. at the back of which Is a shrine ele- vated above a small pool. If any of the actors or writers have any doubts as to whether or not they will tell the truth, Sheehan requires them to kneel at the shrine of truth and there gather their strength to be on up and up with what infor« matlon they have to Impart to la* terviewera The Garden of Truth has been in operation two months, and during that time Shee^ian* claims not untruthful etory has been told. C B.*s "GodlM* CM" Los Angeles, Nov. 1. "The Godless Girl" will be Uie Utle of Cecil B. DeMille's next per- sonally directed production. The American Assocliition for the Adva ncement of Atheism haj com* plained to DeMille following A ri> port that he was to make a pic* ture called "The Ath. 5sr • The story Is being written by Jeannie MaoPherson and Krnest Pascal, production to start Nov. 12. It concerns reform schools and the children in thetu.