Variety (Jun 1928)

Wednesday, June 6, 1928 PICTURE GROSSES VARIETY 9 Foreign Films Occupying B'ways "Special" Attention-Last Week Fair Paramount Up to $76,100 and Ash Now Conceded Draw-—"Tempest" Street's Best Demand Street had' a couple of forolgn pictures to look over, last wo"k hi legit houses and gave them moi b than passing attention. Counting "Youth Astray," at the C'ameoy. the film houses had an International as- pect, with British, Russian and Gov-. man features bidding for patronaige. Regular houses were good hire and, off there,. mainly due, to jponeraily nice weather, with a real siimmi^i- week-end. Hammer.^tein's got most beards in town for "The End of St. Pdters- hurg." Froni Weflnesday until Sat- urday night probably bettered $5,000 and had standees, AVohion appeared more interested In "Dawn" at the Times Square' than the men and were mainly responsi- ble for its $8,550, a figure whlch isn't great, but all right. Cahveo's Ger-^ man-made mhowcd. nothing at a, lit- tle over $1,000. ^ Wednesday's holiday was spotty at the matinee, although the Street was jammed at night. It helped the Paramount get $76,100 for Men- jou's "His Tiger Liady," with Paul Ash on the stage, and the Capitol to hold over "Laugh, Clown; Laugh," pn $73,700. .Sta:ge show iaided the Roxy In attaining around $90,000. for "The News Parade," 'unsatisfac- tory total. "Street of Sin's" first week at the Rialto caught $45,900. for Jannings, and "Ramona's" thii'd week slipped only $3,700 to $35,100, at the Riyoli. It departs June 15, the sarne night "Lion and the Mouse" (talker) will open at Warners'. ."Lady, iBc jSood" did little at the Stratid, a house, which has since gone talkor with "Tenderloin." "Lady's'* $21,300 plu,<3 the finale Stanley unit on this site was hot impressive. . "Trail ot 'OS'' went under $11,000 In Its 11th week, and the Central claimed 'around $12,000 again for "Man Who Laughs." Globe was just, shy Of $12,000 for "Street Angel,'" and .."Four Sons" departed to .$5,800 to permit "Fazil's": entrance Moii- day.- "Tempest'' continues its fast p/xce at the Embassy, where the holiday was a factor in the. $13,500 gross, and "Wings" was near the- .same, figure. "Abie" leaves, thev 44th Street in two weeks: (June 16), with no^ suc- cessor named; Colony (U!) has re- opened just for week-ends with triple bills. Reported a couple of. legit maniigers ftre. after the house, with nothing settled to date.. • Estimates for Last Week Astop—"Trail of '98" M-G) (1,129 ; '$l-$2) (12th week). Took deeided drop to $10,900. Question as to hoiV much longer it will go. MrG-M has named "Cossa.ck3!', to follow. Cameo — "Youth Astray" (Artlee) (549; 50-75). Gernian picture didn't do as much as French release pre- ceding it; neither .film showed any- thing, this one being, right behind Its predecessors at just oyer $4,000; low. Capitol—^ "Laugh, Clown, Laugh" (M-G) (4.620; 35-50-75-$1.65) (2d week). Good . word-of^mouth on Chancy film and, with holiday in middle of week, $73,700;- sufUcient to hold over. Central—"Man Who Laughs" (U) (922; $l-$2) '(61^ week). Doing pretty well; fifth..week between $10,-. OOO and $11,000. Criterion— "Wings" (Par) (836; :$l-$3=)-043d'-week). Here: lbn& time and, sticking into August, will have achieved a year's run; about $11,- 000 or $12,000. . : . Embassy—"Tempest" (UA) (696; $1-$1,65) (3d week). Hasn't loft off for minute; vl3,500; big in this house despite holiday; still getting best play on street. .-■ •_ 44th St.—"Abie's Irish Rose" (Par) (1,490; $l-$2). (7th: week). Goes out June 16 to obtain. sound dialog In Long Island studio; brutal Btay continuously splashed by red:, will have had eight weeks of it and estimated to be in the box for $150,- 000 on $2 try. Last Week, airound $3,000. Gaiety — "Fazil" and Movietone (Fox) (808; $l-$2) (1st . week). Opened Monday. "Four Sons" left after 15th week to $5,800; moder- ately profitat>le stay. Globe—"Street Angel" and Movie- tone (Fox) (1,416; $l-.$2) (Sth week). Will go along until bottom drops put; "Red Dancer" (Fox) to follow.; no material decrease at Hammerstein—VEnd of St. Peters- burg" . (Zakora^ (1,265; $1-$1.50) (l.st wook). Daily reviewers became hysterical and It has been catching strong draw from Its natural ele- ment: opened Wednesday, doing conpistnntly welt, with some stand- ees; around $5,000 on half week. Hou.Sf^ top $1.50, house absorbing tax. That will give it an edge when i "RAMONA'S" $10 SEATS IN l,p SEAlB, MIt "Circus Rookies" Falls Down at Merrill—"Harold Teen" : Fair, $16,000 ' Milu'aukee; June, 5. (Drawing Population, '650,()Ci6) . Weather: Clear and Cool "Ramohq." came to town last week and mopped the boards clean. .Open- ing at the.Gar'den to .capacity, .pic- tiire broke all: .existing records at the house for .cash at the 6b-cent ■top.:; . ;• Riverside, combo house, gaVe most of its space to "Shepherd of Kingdom Coriie" and did plenty of- business.' . . < Estiniates for Last'Week Alhambra (U)—"Thanks for the Buggy Ride" (U) (1,800; 30^50), Laura LaPlante is Incrcaslni; in favor here; fair business; but not up to standard; not more than $8,100. (Sarden (Brin)—"Ramona" . (U. A.) (1,200; 25-50-75). Plus Vita- phone and Movietone hews house had cream of sti-eet; passed $12,000 riiark, plenty, for this 1,200 seater; picture held. oyer. - Merrill (Midwesco) ^ "Circus Rooldes" (M-G) (1.2.00; 25-50); Pic- ture, neither amusing or . pleasing if general comment means ahythlng;' business, off with a dribbling of the: overflow from the Garden; hot $4,500: Miller (Midwesco) —:"Buttons" (M-G) (1,600;. 2,v35-50); Seven acts of inde yaude in addition to pictures on grind policy;, doing if airly well/ and went over $7,200. Palace (Orph)"Skinner's Big Idea" (FBO) (2,400; 25-50-75). Orph Vaude on t\vo-a-day with picture rated as second; coasted in but of the red at $18,000. Riverside (Orph)—"Shepherd of Kingdom Come'' (F, N.) (3,000; 25- 40-50). Picture rated above actsp well over $10,000. Strand (Midwesco)—"Three Sin- ners" . (Par) (1,200; 20-50). ■ In . the. doldrums and can't snap out of it; not $4,000. • • Wisconsin (Midwesco)—"Harold Teen" (P. N.) (2,800; 55-35-50-60- 7.5). Cortnid strip not so well known here; ^tage show helped some; hardly hit $16;000. $3 top admission tax off starts July 1. Paramount —"His. Tiger Lady" (Par) (3,666;. 35-50-75-90). Holiday helped here .and Paul Ash credited with having established draw; no real squawks .against picture and. $76,100, total; "Drag Net"- (Par) current will be off Broadway next, week, but comes back to Rivoli on ■June 16. Rialto —"Street of Sin" (Par) (1,960; 35-50-75-99) .(2d week). Has had lot of trouble doing tiusiness around country, biit first week at: $45,900 here very good; figures to go two more weeks, and then "Two Lovers" (UA), Rivoli —"Ramona" (UA) (2,200; 35-50-75-99) (4th week). Normal drop to $35,100 In third week; goes out t,o let "Drag Net" come In, June: 16; this picture 'now-. playirig Para- mount; same procedure as for "Un- derworld"; after "Drag Net," Sen- nett's "Good-bye Kiss" , due at this house. Roxy^"The News Parade" (Fox) (6,205; 50 - 75 - $1 ^ $1.65). Mediocre picture of good subject showed nbthtng; stage had' much to do with holding'house near $90,000; stai-ting second or third week in July, . will cut loose with Pox specials: "Sun- rise," "Four Sons," "Mother Ma- chree" and "River Pirates," now li.sted In. that order. Strand — "Lady. Be Gfood" (FN) (2.900; 3!)-50-615-75). Final;week of units, and Indiffor(F>nt picture kept totial doMvn to $21,300* house went talkor. Saturday with "Tenderloin" (Warnors-Vita) . to do a little over $16,000 on week-end; big, con.<ider- in.g hot Saturday and Sunday; will not play another Vita , full length feature until next rhonthi?, when "Glorious Bet.sy" (WB) arrive.'!. Times Square—"Dawn" fSolwyn) (1.080; $l-$2) (2d week). Seems to .haye._sp ecial._a ppe ;\L-to.Jw:om& ti-and- pptting dress clothes at night, not always good sign for future; man- asjement ivould i-ather have con- .siRtent flow of plain buslno.ss suits; $8,550 not excpp.slvp. but all right.; Warner's—"Olorions Botsv" and Vitnphone (WB) (1.3C0; $l-$"2) (6th week). Going out to let "Lion and the Mouse" oome in June 15; hap done pretty wel?, wifh another week to go; maybe $10,000, "YELLOW ULY" BAITO, Pauj Gas and loer'SiN" $25,400, MINN.; STANLEY GOT $18,500 ^ W T |TOWN STILL SQUAWte 0 $90,400 Between' Better All Around Last Week —"We Americans," $18,000, at Combo Garden Them in Deiroit . Baltimore, June :5. . (Drawing Pop., 750,000) Weather—Rain and fair It is now assured two of Balti- more's downtown first-runs will go talky.: Rivoli and the New will be wired this, summer. Laist week was -generaliy goodi Stfinley, with "The Yellow Lily" on the screen* up sev- .eral grand, while the Ceritury, with "The Drag Net," all but equalled the big. draw of "Singapore" the previ- ous week. "Legion of the Con- demned," holdover at the Valencia, did better than the a,verage recent second week In that house. . Both combination houses were up, the -Ne\y Garden gettlng^+lie best break in months with "We Ameri- cans," and "The Desert Bride" pleasing at the Hippodrome. "The. Pitsy," . at the Parkway, turned in a good second-run gross. . Estimates for Last Week Century (Loew), "The Drag Net"' (3,200; 25-00). Week big, as pre- ■dicted. by General Manager Kings- more;^ This makes three big weeks in succession at this house ("Patsy," "Singapore," "Drag Net"). Last week aided somewhat by Decoration Day holiday draw. "Bowery Frol- ics," stage unit, liked.. "^Drag Net" proved more of a night show: tha,n a, matinee magnet, this accounting for failure' to top "Singapore.^' Excel- lent, howeyer, at-$22,000. Stanley (Stanley^Crandall), '<The Yellow Lily" (3,400* 25-60). Busi- ness up from slump wlth"Gorilla." Draw consistent. "Venetian Nights," stage show, liked. Friday only off- night. Up two thousand; to $18,500. Valencia (Loew-U. A.), ."Legion of Condemned" (1,500; 25-60). Drew better than recent second weeks In this fortnight stand. , About $7,000.<i New Garden (Schanbergers), "We Americans" and K-A vaude (3,200; 25t60); Best week in months here. George Sidney, on-stage and screen, magnet; $18,000. ' Hippodrome (Pearce & Scheck), "Desert Bride" and K-A vaude (3,200; 25-50). Better than previous' week. . Marty . Dupres Coihpany on stagei. Parkway. (Loew-U. A.)', "The ,Pa;tsy" (1,000; 15-35). Matinees not exceptional, but nights bigi Holiday good, but reaction Thursday. Rather good week at $4,000. BOSTON'S MET, $41,800 Big Gross Against Handicap's for "brag Net" Last Week BostPn, June 5. (Drawing Population .850,000) Biisiness last week exceptionally, good, donsldering weather and ob- stacles for indoor entertainment. . Met, after a series of conaedies which cut down bu.slness at this house, booked in a thriller to $41,- 800. : ■ Estimates for Last Week Metropolitan (Publix) (4,000; 50- 60). "The Drag Net" (Par) sent gross to $41,800, big. On stage, v.Sunny Skies" unit. State (3,500; . 35-60). Marion Davies in "The Patsy" (M-G-M) with Harry Fox on stage, $18,000, fair.. Orpheum (3,500; 35-50). Lillian Gish in "The Enemy" (M-G-M). About $20,000. , $14,000 for Talker's Hold Over Week in Buffalo Buffalo, June 5. (Drawing Population 590,000) Weather; Cool -Biisinesg- was a-verage and under that for the picture theatres last week..' Holiday,'which was cool and wet,}helped btislness. Estimates for Last Week Buffalo (Publix) (3,600; 30-40-65) "Partners in - Crime" (Par) and "Rah, Rah, Rah" (Publix unit). Failed to show anything exciting; $24,000, . Hipp (Publix) (2,400; 60) "Night of Mystery" ;(Par) and vaude. Uu.si- ness showed rising tendencies; about $13,000. Great Lakes (Fox) (3,400; 35-50) "We Americans" - (U) and vaude. House rapitalizcd its first anniver- sary with a heavy program of eight acts^but^^b.--o.^-Bhowed=only-^^^^a-sllght response;-ab'fjut $lQijOOO. Loew's fLoew) (3,400; 35-50) "Sklrt.s" (Roach) and vando. Final \yc('k of I.oew's tenure at thi.s house; .under $7,600. Lafayette (Ind) (8,400; 35-50) "I>Ion and the Mouse" and Vita fW. B.) and vaude. Buslneas held up-surprisingly well for the (second week of thLs feature; $14,000. Detroit, Juno 5. Piiul Whiteman grabbed iho in- torosL. last week aiul knocked, off a. gross of $40,400. . Van aiTd Sohonck wore at'the Michigan for $.70,000. It .so'(:>m.ed a case of ioft-handcd bopk- ihg, but the Capitol's sizo^. and the frail film and stage support may t>.\plain the need of-Whitomcin. • 'iiold '12m, Yale," at the Capitol, meant practically nothing, unless to the aluninl, while Viin and Schenck r(H'Cived top billing and plugjiing over the Michigan's "Lady De Good." '•Tenderlbin"-Vita maintiiiiied its excellent pace at tlie Madison; Sec-^ ond week, was, $18,000, wh.Ich is big,' though considerably uhdor the sen- sational opening sum. ; Talker is a cinch to ride on' velvet for four' weeks, after which the State be- come.s the. spot for the speaking screen. Latter house, in its semi- final week with stage- stuff,r did nothing to speak of with "Walking Bark."' ■ . ' ' "Ramona" fini.shed three weeks at the United Artists,- with a final groiss that Insists the lihn oould. have profitably been waived after a pair. "Drums of Lbve" opened Fri- day to a fairly good reception. The . Washington . didn't exert itself in Its final week its a picture bouse under Fox. operation with "Hangman's House." Oriental . slipped . thc' receivers .soriiethinp:. moi'e to worry about in its second gross. • Estimates, for Last Week .: Adams (Kunsky) — "We Ameri- cans" (U) (1.700; 50-65-75). Caused lilLle commotion and but after week to $9,000; coinpetltion too heavy. Capitol (Kunsky) — "Hold 'Em. Y'alc" (Pathe) (3;418; 50-75), Paul Whiteman excellent at $40,400; pic- vture without weight arid Whiteman accountable for practically entire gross Madison (Kunsky)^—'"fenderloin"- Vita fW..B.) (3d week) (1,076; 50- 05-75). Very big second week ,at $18,000 and continues a hit; looks capable of standing up profitably for this, and next week, Michigan (Kunsky) —."Lady Be Good"' (F. N.) (4,100'; 50-73). Much reliance on "Van and Schenck, and okay; $50,000, with big overhead. : Oriental — "Bachelor's Paradise" and vaude. (2.900; 25-75).. .Film, vaude and gross in same class; $6,- 500 for the receivers in their second week. . State (Kunsky)—"Walking Back" (Pathe) (3,000; 25-75). Lull here until change of policy to sound pic- tures; $9,000, fair. United Artists\u. A.)—"Ramona:" (U. A.) (2,000; 50-65). Third week holdover, had hou.se in losing col- umn.; two-excellent weeks for this picture, followed by $13,00.0 final; "Drums of Love" (U. a;) current. Washington (Fox)—"Hangman's Hou.se" (Fox) (1,778; 35-50-65). Bid adieu as local Fox. stand with $3,500; house will be closed until sub-lessee is found; Fox's 5,000-scatbr will re- place in September or October. "Street of Sin," $12,000, Is Below "Blondes" in P'tTd -Portland, Ore, June 6. (Dravying Population, 400,000) Switch of musical directors at the Portland failed to bring any outstanding change last week when. Phil Lampkin replaced Alex Hyde for the week. "Street of Sin" did Just fairly and was beaten In re- ceipta ,_by ,,_".G_e nAl e.m e-n^^ Blondes" at the Broadway. . Estimates for Last Week • Portland (Publix-W. C.) (3,500; 35-60) "Street of Sin" (Par). Failed to live up to expectations of Jan-, nlngs features; a gogd show, but not received too well; Publix stage unit, "Tick Took"; Phil Lampkin how w'llH stage' bind; ..$12,060". Broadway (W. C) . (2,000; 35-60) "Oentlomen Prefer ' Blondes" (Par), iHd well; good explpltatlon; F. & M.'s "Ingenues" idea on stage; $14,- 000. . . Pantages (Pan) (2,000; 35-60) "Hangman's House" (Fox). Film headlined above vaudeville; busi- ness remains fairly steadj' in .spite of .season; $12,000. Oriental (Tobbottai-(2,7.00; 25-35) "Skyscraper" (Patlie). . (iood com- edy held up well; $0,500. Columbia (U) (1,200; 35-50) "We Aiiiericah.s" (U). Kxcellcnt exDlolta-'. lion but picture only i)opular with f!(rrtain types; "Oauflio" hel(J^ over f oF= t w d duy.s "i nTb"^lTfc~ we cTc jr "toTST on split \Voek; $8,000. Rivoli (ParkerAV. C.) (1,300; 35- .^0) "Mad TTour" (FN), Poorly ex- ploited and not strong picture; %'>,- 500. . Heillg—Henry Duffy Playei.q C2; Ghaney Below $10,000, State —Even Big Furniture Store Quits in JVlinneapolis ■ '. AUnnCiV June 5V (Drawing Population, 45O,CO0) . Wfeathcr: Clear and MiicI : Fine we^tiher contihuod ' to ral.si'' : havoc.with theatrical trade. Normal business is bad chough here, so when it drops below that par it's pitiful, ' ' . . . ■ Manage^rs .of local- houses took sortie coni.ort fi uin ah advertisement. in aiV newspapers by a big retail furniture store, a member Of a 000,000 chain, announcing that it iS:- going out of busiiiess '.'in Mirthoapb- : lis;" Store took occasion to explain . in .the ads (which got. by uriceh- .sored in all the newspapers) that the local store is"the one and only oiie".' of the concern's 19 stores, that is hot paying. A. fine rap for the city. . Managers iio. doubt Clipped this and sent it to their home,offices. , . Kven Jannings and Chahey arc not box-ottlee caixis here; Only deriiand is for Cliara Bow and sex stuff, '^Street of Sin," praised by the crit-. ibs, failed to meet the public's ap- prov'al. Fcinme fans particularly disliked it; In the case of ehahey, "Laugh, . Clown, Laugh," seemed to please the rhajorlty of State paitrons, but tak- ings fell under $10,000. No Chiiney picture since ■ "Koad to Mandalay" ' has doiie worthwhile business in this city. ■ "Skinner's Big Ide.a" meant zero to the Hennepln-Orpheum.. Three of the '.'Our Gang" comedy kids; in person, brought some trade. Tom Mix's "Hello. Cheyerine," didn't da much for I'antages,,While "Diamoixd Handcuffs" fiived at the ^ Lyric. Seventh Street.-- with >• "Tea for Three," showed nothing. • Estimates for Laist Week Minnesota (F. & R;-Publix) (4.- 100; 65)—"Street of Sin" (Par) and Publix unit, VStepis and Steppers.'^ .Tannings' name means little here, and patrons didn't like this picture; stiiffo show pleased exceptionally well;' $25,400.. : Stated''. & R.-Publix) (2.500; 60) —"Laugh, Clown, Laugh," (M-G.>, Vitaphone and stage show. Splendid program, but Chaney no draw; pic- ture seemed to satisfy, but failed, to pull 'em In; about $9,000, bad. Hennepin - Orpheum (Orpheum) (2,890; 50)—".Skinner's Big Idea" (FBO) arid vaude. Big buy for the money, but tough slodd 1 ng for every-< body here, even with so many houses "closed for the s.umhner"; around $8,000; little better, but. still bad- Pantages (pantages) (1,600;: 25-' 50)—"Hello, Cheyenne," (Fox) and vaiule... Tom Mix responsible foi- most, of draw; . far frohri. good at aVouhd- $4,100;: - - Lyric (F. & R.-Publlx) (1,350; 3.'.) —"Diamond Handcuffs" (M-G). IPublic ignored it almost entli'ely; less than $1,000; Seventh Street (Orpheum) "Vl.^OOr. 40)—"Tea. for Three" (M-G) and vaude. Bettef picture than house usually boasts and satisfactory vaude; they just wouldn't buy; about $3,200, very bad. .Grand (F. R.) (1.100; 25)—'IRa- mona" (U. A.). Second loop run .lifter big trade at the State; about $600, fair. "DRAG NET" N. ,0,'S WOW $15,800 at State—Unit Saves "Street of Sin" for Saenger, $14,700 New Orleans, June 5. (Drawing Population, 500,000) Weatherj Fair and Warm . . "The Dragnet" was a igehsation at LfOftw's State last week-,- sending the eross Up nearly'.$4,0.00, with the house close to $16,000. Biggest in months. . Not so forte for Janhings and his "Street of Sin" at the Saenger, the "Merry Widow" revue that supple- mented it furnLshing more entertalii- ment. than, the feature. Jannings' "bad boy" -dipped the house below $15,000. ''Escape" did not help the Orphotjni. either, theatre being $8,- 000 and In the "red." "Lady Rfiffies'" was utterly neg-^. lected 'at-the Liberty, which is ex- : perichclhg a sad turn In the matter of patronage. Strand had "Diamond Handcuffs" ; and just managing to pass $3,000. Estimates for Last Week Loew's State (3,218'; 50)—".Drag- net" (Par), flangland classic drew spleridldly at. this time of year, when businf^s.s is gencrally.'bad; $15,800. . Saenger (S.nos; fi.')—"Street of Sin" (Par). A flop for Janninus, hut "Merry Widow" revue' w.as. .something of a lij'osaver; $14,700. ..O rp he u m=-f=-:iv4fiO.;.=5 o^^—^mio^KH-^ c.'i-pf" . (l'"ox1. Old Paul Ann.sirong rncller di'd nut .'-■(;ind Ul); $7,000. Strand ■ (:J.:;i.'0; 50)—"Diniuorul Ilandcuff.s," K,'itlifr d quiet woek; "Liberty r.'.sOO; 35) — "Lady. Raf- fjo'.'.." S"Trt':'fhir.-rr v.'fll hnvo to bo 000; 25-$1.26). Burton (jhiii-"liiirs ' fioriA ht^vf Shcrtiv; lni.':i!i'-s}! has la.st week as gue.st .star in "A i-'rc ; .irDj^pfil jr.v.-iv jo .li'mi-if nothing; .Soul"; busine8,s not abov..- ni'di- j house a sU.-a'ly loaer for Weeks; iocrily; $5,000. , . U2,-'.i0.