Variety (Sep 1928)

10 VARIETY PICTURE GROSSES Wednesday, September 19, 1928 Han-a-Phone at $1,200 Cost Good for SmaD Houses; Not Interchangeable Buffalo, Sept. 18, The Century, (formerly Ixsew's Ctate) has Han-a-Phone (showings, beginning this week. The equip- ment was Installed several weeks ago and ran for a 10-day trial. The test subjects (talking shorts) shown dJjriher that period included Shelby and Walker, Less Stevens Recording Orchestra, and Madeline Whijte, with; all pronounced Satisr factory. Current is the Thompson Sisters (banjos and songs) record. Running time is about six minutes. The presentation sizes up as on^'a par with the early Vitaphone shorts. The booth equipment consists of a motor, generator, amplifier, panel and band filter boxes and a low table device attached to the pro- jector. The back stage equipment is similar to the other sound de- vices. In addition there is a double turntable cabinet In the orchestra pit which will play all standard records made for synchronization of non-synchronized pictures. . An operator Is enabled to cue the picture with standard records. This may transpirie to be a highly desir- able feature of thie Installation. It can Include overtures, stage orches- tras, pipe organs and soloists on records. . The price of the device installed is $1,200. The equipment seems suited for houses of 1,000 seats an'd under^ ijtit for. a theatre like the Century, of 3,400 seats, a special dynamo is re- quired to bring up the sound. The present Century contract covers B 2 units of stage jand screen stars. • Aside from the pit table for rec- ords, the device Is not fitted for re- producing ainy other subjects or presentations except those supplied by the Han-a-Phbne people. In its present stage the outfit ap- pears to be well suited to give the . small theatre owner a break on the advertising publicity of sound fea- tures without the outlay entailed In Installing some of the larger and better known sound devices. Peabody Back in Portland; House Record^ $18,500 Portland, Ore., Sept. 18. Delay in construction work caused postponement of opening of the new United Artists theatre, scheduled tor last Friday. The house will open September 20, states J. J. Parker, who will operate' the new theatre In association with. West Coast. This places the opehing within a day or so of the new Music liox premiere. John Hamrick is oper- ator of the Music Box, which will show Warner Bros, talkers, starting next week. Poor business may result in closing the Britz Opera Company at the Auditorium. Brltz did badly on his first. week but a little better last week. A four-week season was originally announced. Other houses continued to hold the big stride set since the opening of Greater Movie Season. The Port- land broke all records since open- ing last week at $18,500. Estimates for Last Week Portland (Publix-W. C.) <3,500; 35-60) "The Night Watch," good program picture. Eddie Peabody featured In F. M. stage show drew capacity houses, breaking all rec- ords. $18,500, Broadway (W, C ) (2,000; 35-60) FazH" (Fox) with Roxy score. Weak attempt to be big picture. Went fail". Georgie StoU and. or- chestra. $14,500, " Pantages. (Pan) (2,000; 36-50), 'Home JameSj" screen; five acts. Fair program. $16,000. Oriental (Tcbbetts) (2,700; 50) (3d week) "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Good for last wieek. $10,500. Columbia. (U) (1.200; 35-50) 'Goodbye Kiss," screen. Weak drama and. only fair comedy. Sam- pietro and orchestra. $5,000. Auditorium — John Britz Opera Company ($1 top). Business con- tinued bad for second week. Show- ing "Robin Hood." Picked up dup- ing week to $5iOOO. State Fair and Circus Didn't Hurt Topeka Films Topeka, Sept. 18. (Pravfing Population,. 80,000) Weather: Fair and cool State fair didn't hurt Topeka the- atres, though the fair, with the Hagenheck-Wallace circus as the grandstand feature, drew 50 per cent better crowds than the previous fair, The best of the week was "Fleet's In'' for a pre-release showing. With out added attraction the picture ■went up to. mid-winter grosses. Next week the Grand opens as Topeka's first wired house, playing "The Jazz Singer." At the same time the policy at the Orpheiim drops prices to a quarter and starts a split-week bill. From now on the big features will be at the Jayhawk where a combination stage and pit band, under the direction of Al Mar ney, is making a decided hit. The only house in the city dark .now is the Isls. That is to be ready for a second-run policy and 15c Oct. 1. Estimates, for Jayhawk (1,500; 40) (Jayhawlt")— "The Actress," first half, got normal play. "Four Walls," last half, pulled Total, $3,300.. Qrpheum (1,200; 40) (National)— .Tleet's In," with Clara Bow pulled from all sections. Jump to $1,800. . Novelty (1,100; 40) (Crawford) •"The Head Man" scored well and didn't need three acts to help it "Golf Widows" last half. Century better than week previous, $2,500. Cozy (400; 25) (Lawrence)—"Good . Time . Charley" failed to hit, but desert stuff of "Fleetwing" brought iQgure to $800. Best (550; 20) (Lawrence)— "Jiggs" Dowriard and Maids began slipping' early in the "vveek. Gross down a few dollars from week be lore at under $800. Ruggles Sticks with U Universal has extended Wesley Ruggles, contract as a director for the next six nxonths. Fox, PhiUy, Without Stage Show, $27,000 Philadelphia, Sept. IS.' Weather: Favorable Business in the downtown picture houses was hardly more than so- so last week, although a couple of theatres managed to escape the blight. The Stanley had "State Street Sadie," talker picture, stage show, leading the town with about $32,000. Tlie best of the run houses was the Aldine, with "Lilac Time," to about $14,000. "Two Lovers" tapered down' to about $9,000 in second and final week at the Stanton, proving disap- pointment. "Tempest" got $8,000 at the considerably smaller Karlton, and held over for a third week. The Fox had "Four Sons," which had a run last spring at the Fox- Locust, and did about $27,000. Estimates for Last Week Stanley (4,000; 35-50-76)—"State Street Sadie" (WB). Picture fairly well liked, Aaronson's Conrtmanders big on stage; $32,000. Aldine (1,500; 60-75) — "Lilac Time" (FN) (1st week).. Started moderately well •with just linder $14,000. Best house has had in-some time, but not notable. Stanton ^(IJOO; 35::50-75)—"Two Lovers'- (U. A.i' (2a"^eek)". ~BaBky Colman picture, not as big as hoped here. Off Saturday. Under $9,000. Fox (3,000; 90)—"Four Sons" (Fox). Shown last spring at Fox- Locust. No stage show. $27,000. Karlton (1,100; 50-75)—"Tempest" (U. A.) (2,d week). Held up well enough to get third week, $8,000, good under circumstances. Arcadia (SOO; 50):—"Beau Broad way" (M-G-M). Not so hot at $2, 500 or less. ■ > Fox-Uocust (1,800; . $1)—"Fazll" (Fox) (Sd week). Fairly well, but no- smash. Nothing In sight to follow. $11,000. Toronto's Local ''Gang" Fihn Termed Terrible Toronto, Sept. 18. (Drawing Population, 700,000) Weather: Fair and warm With nothing outstanding but a sharp falling olf in. counter attrac- tions, film business opened up and held to almost the figures of Labor IDay week. Town leader.ship passed' from Loew's to Shea's Hippodrome. It drew better than $13,000 Avith "Sawdust Paradise," as compared t0 $12iG0O for "Her Cardboard Lover" at Loiew's. . Hippodrome under Clare Appel has been showing "a steixdy and con- sistent line of good biz, never right out In front but never far behind. Present is second time it has led the parade. Reason lies in stage show rather than pictures. . Loew's had the help of the locail "Our Gang" picture, but it was a terrible efflort. Similar to those made in other towns, but this one was shot in . the rain. However, it dragged In plenty of relatives and those folks who saw soriie of .the scenes sliot. Loew's announce this week It will spot talkers. as soon as house wir- ing can be com;pleted. This makes three houses swinging to talking equipment and practically forces Famous Players Canadian Corp. to also wire their . ma,in stem vaud houses. FR controls four of the five main stem flicker houses here. They are wiring two that have been playing straight pictures, intention being to leave the others silent for the pres- ent. Loew's had been expected to keep out of the talking field. Looks like a cinch-for Tom Daley's Tivoli to be the first wired. It has only 1,400 seats, and electricians have been busy two^ weeks nowi . Fred Schafer gets, credit for a shrewd booking deal by putting in the 48th (Gordon) Highliander's Band this-week at the Tivoli. This is cracic military musical outfit here, never on stage before, and they opened to packed houses for three Saturday shows. Takes something big to put over this house of. 3,400 seats. Schafer's assistant manager, Mor- ris Doyle, was married this week. "The First kiss" (Par) went $6.- 200 at the Tivoli. This is best in town on,a street seat for seat prop- osition. FP moguls will swing this one into a stra-Ight-run house when talkers are ready next month. "Telling the World" (MG) and "The Racket" (Par) are showing exceptional strength in the neigh- borhoods. Runnymede spotted these' two for thtee days each this week, and went better than $4',800, which is almost a record in times of day- light saving. Town reverts to stand ard time Sept. 23. "King of Kings'" as a road show got a fair opening at Massey Hall Saturday. . .■ • Estimates for L^st Week Shea's Hip (FP) (2,600; 30-60)— "Sawdust Paradise" (Par). Led town at $13,000, with stage show en tied to more credit, than picture. Loew's (2,300; 30-60)—"Her Card board Lover" (MG). Pretty broad for Marion Davles, but well liked and responsible for most of $12,700 Local "Our Gang" comedy, flop Talking pictures here Oct. 15. Pantages (FP) (3,400;, 30-60)— "N'lght Watch" (FN). Right now Billie Dove stuff here okay. This one goes for $11,700. Good on com- parative basis. . ... Uptown (FP) (3,000; 30-60)— "Four Walls" (MG). Good reviews across the border not duplicated here. Only $i0,700. Latter part of week saw falling off. Stage show good. Fashion show opened strong Saturday. Tivoli (FP) (1,400; 30-60)—"First Kiss" (Par). Wray-Cooper co- starring team drew $6,200 in small house, with help of first-class shorts Daley has built up such regutatioh on short-stuff some of regulars, come to look It over and walk out on feat- ure, regardless. Cut Overhead and Increased Gross Makes $10,000 WIdy. Gain in Seat^ Rapid Prdinotipn Washington, Sept. 18. Carol F. Winchester came out of the, Navy just about a year ago. He.landed a job at the Fox - (pet.g) as .doorman, altcrn.ating on the sidewalk. Now he is assi.stant inanager-. treasurer, of the house after a series of almost lightning- like promotions and dnawing down about 10 times sis much In the old pay envelope as he did this time last year. And he just reached the 24th birthday. KATZ TALKS TO PDBLIX HOUSE STAFF MEN A meeting of about 60 Publix Theatreis division .and district man- agers, and Pubilx bookers was held by call Monday in New York. ; Sani Katz addressed the assem- bly on tiie new season. He Is re- ported to have talked for about one and one-half hours, mentioning policies, the present talking pic- ture'condition aud the season's out- look as he gathered it from reports to his office from all over the coun- try,.' It was a closed meeting. EDUCATIONAL'S LAY OFF Los Angoles, Sept. 18. Educational Films closed its atucUo for two weeks, with the com plotion of the one picture It had under way Sept. 15. . The company will resume pro- duction about Oct. 1.' COSTUME S F aWt H I R B FBOiyDCTIONS aXPLOITATIONfl PRQSHINTATIONB COSTUAAES ^ BALPH BLOCK'S QUEST Los Angoles, Sept, 18. Ralph Block, associate producer for Pathe, Is in New York to look at plays and buy picture material This is Block's first visit to New Tork*'in two years since he left the Paramount Long Island studio for the Par lot in Hollywood. Buffalo!s High Grosses But Off H. O. Week Buffalo, Sept; 18. Buislness was tiprtop at Buffalo picture houses last week. Both Shea houses spurted ahead although the gross for the Jannings feature was somewhat under that of the preceding weeit. Hip was the outstanding liglit. Estimates for Last Week Buffalo (Publix) (3,B00; 30-40- 75)—"The Patriot" (Par), "Pow Wow." Opinion oh feature divided Off several thousands from week before, with $27,000. Hipp (Publix) (2,400; 60)—"Card board Lover" (M-G-M) and vaudft Credit for extraordinary week's business goes to vaude card, $20,000 ^_GF.eat.JLakes. (.Fo^c),(3;400; 30-40- 75)—"Four Sons" (Fox). AfthougH well touted, second week fell off Six shows each day. Great picture but not for two weeks here. House will probably stick to one-week runs from now on. $16,000. . Lafayette (Indep) (3,400; 35-BO)— "Yellow Lily" (P. N.) and vaude Good business. Hip and Lafayette only ones now" playing vaude. $14, 000 to $15,000. St L. Senses Prosperous Season for Film Houses ^ St. Louis, Sept. 18. With a big increase in attendance Saturday and Sunday evenings and each week's figures showing steady and at times greatly increased gains, it; looks like a prosperous fall and winter season is ahead. Sound pictures have taken a good hold and look like winners all tlie way down the stretch. With the new Fox theatre opening soon, further impetus will bo given to theatregoing. So far 1928 has been St, Louis' banner year. Estimaites for Last Week 'Loew's State (3,300; 25-35-65)— "Two Lovers" (U. A.). All-sound show Included Fox Movietone and two shorts; $18,9-00. Ambassiador (Skouras) (3,000; 35 65)—"The First Kiss," melodrama of brotherly love and loyalty. "Main Street to Broadway," stage sho.w, with Ed Lowry still ca,rrying on as m. c. $32,500. Grand Central (Skouras) (1,700; 50.-75)—''The Terror" (Vita). One of the craziest and still one of the best talkers of the season. Novelty of no subtitles amusing. Big open ing week; $26,100. Missouri (Skouras) (3,800; 35-65) —"The Whip," with cast including Dorothy Mackaill, Ralph Forbes, Anna Q. Nilsson and Lowell Sherr man, rather tiresome story of the "sport of kings;" On stage, Frank Fay, ably assisted by the singing cop, Arthur Nealy. ■ $22,000, - . - St. Louis (4,2S0; 35-65)—"Man Made Woman," starring H. B, War- ner and'Leatrice Joy. Bob Murphy seems to have become an: institu- tion .as m. c. in class with Lowry His. popularity increasing weekly^ Murphy's revue last week, "Night Club Revels," Fox, Detroit, Sept. 21 Detroit, Sept. 18, William Fox's new Fox theatre here, claimc(l to be the handsomest theatre anywhere, bar none. Is to open Friday, Sept. 21^ It will play pictures at 65c .top. Seattle, Sept. 18. (Drawing Population, 500,000) Weather: Cool, light rain Following record opening week, vi^hcn the gate clicked to $15,000, not bad for a r.OOO-seater at 50-75, 'The Terror" held over at the Ham- rick Music Box, nifty new local the- atre. Business softened ■ somewhat. The .same was true: of "King of Kings;" $13,000 the first week at the.. Columbia, then dropped to $8,500 and this wcelc completed its local pop run. . The star Identification contest at Seattle, Fifth and Coliseum, is prov- ing a draw. Nearly all patrons have pencil in hand when the reel shows. Th© first ten stars seemed rather easy,- but final week will probably . bo the. teaser. Prizes amount to $6-800, largely donated by local con- . cerns for advertising vai^lue, and ai'e ' worth trying for. . . Cool weather, with first rain of the season, cut Into motor trips, and the show shop profited. Biz seemed sound at all houses, with* no great rush anywhere. Leading houses running at lower , nut than before^ This is especially true of the hew Seattle, 3,100-seater facetiously re- ferred to as a "dandy suburban house," due to its off location. Wise ones figured the house would take it on the chin at a clip of from $2,000 to $5,000 weekly for a year or more. It took It plenty for six months, but now seems to be In the black. Really . an , achievement. Fanchon • & Marco lower priced, yet high grade, stage shows entitled to a lot of credit. The folks, here like 'em. Something more intimate about 'em. Considering both the Fifth Ave- nue and the Seattle, under the new policy the. nut was cut close to $6,- 000, while the gross has averaged around $4,000 per week .more. This is a phenomenal showing, and credit must be given to the impetus of the Greater Movie Season (West Coast),; actually bigger pictures, especially at the Fifth Avenue, popularity there of the Hermie King entertainment plan, and at the Seattle, to the pop- ularity of Fanchon & Marco. Northwest division managers of West Coast held annual convention at Olympic hotel last week, ad- dressed by Harold B. Franklin,^ Herschel Stuart and others. Frank- lin intimated all West Coast to go sound-taiker within six months. He also announced Construction hew theatre in Spokane to start in a month and a new house contem- plated at Billings, Mont., by West Coast. Others attending..ifrom Los Angeles and Portland were Jeff Lazarus, Jack Mansfield, R. E. Crabill, Bud Lolller, Richard Spear and J. J. Parker. Estimates for Last Week Seattle (WC-Pub-L) (3,100; 25- 60)—"Cardboard Lover" (MGM). "Hi Yellali" idea on stage, with Colored quartet. Some harmony and nifty hoofin'. Next week, Eddie Peabody in "Banjoys," now being plugged. $18,500. Fifth Ave. (WC) (2,700; 25-60)^ "Fleet's In" (Par.), Clara Bow as usual could be spelled "Clara Wow," Star attraction, not film., Hermie King and band in their be-st effort under new policy. . This new tyi»e specialty band numbers with some song and talk stuff seems to goal. Biz good, $17,300. Coliseum (WC) (1,800; 25)—"Night of Mystery" (Par), With eight- piece band and shorts, nice value that drew fair gate. $4,800. .Columbia (U) (1,000; 50-75)— "King of Kings" (Pathe). Third week weaker, so finish. $3.300; . Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (950; 50- 75)—"Women They Talk About" and Vita (WP). Steady biz. $5,800. . : Music Box (Hamrick) (1,000; 50- 75)—"The Terror" and Vita (WB). Se'.'oinl Aveek- with' bang; $12,000. Winter Garden (U Chain) (650; 25)—"Steamboat feill, Jr," (UA). Hit here. Okay gate. $2,900. Pantages (1,500; 25-60)—"Nigiit Bird" (U). First Denny picture here under new conti-act. Biz fair but far below Mae Murray's week before. $0,500. ' . Qrpheum (2.700; 25-$l)—"Mag- nificent Flirt" (Par). Florence Vidor liked. Picture'end strong at Or- pheum. . Biz fair. $10,100, President (Duffy) (1,800; 25-$1.25) —"Rejuvenation o' Aunt Mary" (Duffy Plfiycrs). .y Robson back for second week lUl biz fine. $4,000.- OTTEESON'S ADDBESS J. Otterson, head of the Western Electric . talking equipment depart- ment, win address members of. the Electrical League of New York at the Astor Hotel, Sept. 26, on talk- ing pictures. About-700 arcroxpectcd to attend. DeLimur in Ea'st Studio Los Angeles, Sept;. 17. Jean DeLimur,. Paramount scen- arist, is en route to New York, whore he will join the staff of Monta Bell as a writer and also to begin work with the megaphone, directing .sjiort .subjects. TUBNS TO WBITING Los Angeles, Sept. 17. Anthony Jowett, discovered by Jesse L. Lasky several years ago and given the lead opposite Gloria Swanson In "The Coast of Folly," has quit acting. He is on the Par- amount payroll, having been em- ployed^by Ijasky now as a scenario' writ^. '~ ^ ^:~-=^^-^^-=^,=..=,^=^ BEN GBIMM'S TYPHOID Ben Grimm's illness has de- veloped into a bad case of typhoid fever. .Editor of T'niversal's "Gold Nug- get," iir is not expected b.aok at his desk for another six weeks.