Variety (Sep 1928)

VARIETY PICTURE GROSSES Wednesday, September 26, 1928 Home-Going Tourists and Schools' Start Costly for L A. Deluxes WAITRESSES' CONTEST BY TORONTO EATERIES Lixs AnRfles, Sopt. 25. (Drawing Pop., 1,500,000) Weather; Fair; warm ^[ Annual complaint of kiddies going back " to school and tourists d^Part- iTifj for home broadcast last wpclc by . lirst-run manuKors here. Artor doin;? fairly healthy business for about two months lire boys opcrut- Ihy: do. luxes startod, wailing- ha-. c.ause . trad(> skidded considerably , under the .preceding ■week; Sohie houses took .$5i000 to $7,000 drop. '•l<'azil" in livst downtown run with sound just could not {jet start- ed at Loew's State. Alibi offered that on first throe days of the run national air races as competition. No pick up jifterwards. Another Fox picture, "The River Pirate," at the Metropolitan, nosed but the picture at Loew's State by about $1,000 on the week'. Grauman*s Chinese, doing re- markably well With "White Shad- ows," went tough On the seventh stanza, with trade, dropping more than $5,000 below preceding week. • Blltjnore just skidded a little with "The Godless Girl" In fifth week, . while the Carthay Circle, with its 10th and final week of "Lilac Time, ' dropped more than $2,500 below the week before. "Mother Knows Best," ■ With, sound, opened that house Sept. 24 to capacity at $5 top. As a spe- . oial drawing feature it had the. Fox Bernard Shaw talking short. For third and final week "Two Lovers," at the United Artist.s, took a tumble of around $8,000. It seems as though this Samuel Goldwyn pro- duction, with' Colman and Banky could not register very strong with sound accompaniment added. Cur- rent is GrirtUh's "Battle of the , Sexes," opening fairly good. "The Terror," in fourth and'final week at' Warners, still jarnmed at .nights, while afternoons were off, with gross dropping around $5,000 below week. before,. Criterion with, "Wings" in second week off about $4,500 from first week, disappoint- ment to management, as they fig- ured this picture with, sound would . easily hit around $20,000 on that stanza. "Forgotten "Faces" on the, .screen and Benny Rubin and Joe Vei'di on the stage, Kgyptian Avent $100 ahead of week before. Boulevard picked up $1,000. over preceding week with "Heart Trouble," First National's feature,- and. Red Corcoran liea-ding a Fanchon and Marco unit with the "Boulevard Beauties." • Estimates for Last Week Biltmore . (Erlanger) — "Godless Girl" (Pathe) (1.550;. 50-$l.50) (5th week). Heavy exploitation and stunts. Afound $11,000. Boulevard (W. C.)—"Heart Trou- ble" (F. N.) (2,164; 25-50). Harry Langdon big help at b. o. Jumped to $6,500. Carthay Circle (Miller-W. C.)— "Lilac Time" and sound (F. N.) (1,- 600; 50-$1.50) (10th week).. For outward bound excursion without ballyhoo this Colleen Moore hit around $7,800. Criterion (W. C.)—"Wings" and sound (Par) (1,600; 25-75) (2d week). Very profitably to house but not as much as anticipated. $16,800. Egyptian (W. C.-U. A.)—"Forgot- ten Faces" (Par) (1,800; 25-75). Very good break here with F. and M. stage .show headed by Benny Rubin, -who seems house fixture. $8,800. Grauman's Chinese (IT, A.)— "White Shadows" and sound (M-G) (1,958;.50-$l.50); With stage .shows and some Fox sound stuff, slipped on 7th week to $18,500, • Loew's State (W. C.-LbeW)—"Fa- izll" and sound (Fox) (2,242; 25-$l). This \\Mred one inF.T.nt nothing here. 'Waq off and customers not so keen. Great F, and M. stage show. $22,500. Metropolitan (Pub-W. C.)—"River Pirate" (Fox) (3,595; 2?-75). With other sound stuff, shorts, and. Herb Rawlinson as m. c. okay, though not huge a:t $23,800, United Artists (U. A.) -r- VTwo tovers" and sound (U. A.) (2,100; 25^$1), Third and final week, out .to $10,000. Warner Bros. (W. B.)—"The Ter- ror," sound and dialog (W. R.) (2,- 752; 25-75). Fourth and final week great at $20,000. KEITH'S, WASH., 2-A-DAY $7,000, 1ST WK, IIGHT Washington. Sept. 25. . Drawing Pop., 450,000) WeatherV Right Air films, had a fine time of it liere last week. "Wings" roadflunvod into the National at $1.50. for two showings daily, and. jv big week. "Lilac Time" at the Earle, regulai' 50c., did likewise, to the extent of busting the record again for tilt house established the week preced- ing with the all-talker "Lights of New York." "Four Walls" didn't reach the high iigures of the past few weeks at the Palace. Mis.sed by about $4,- 000, Barryrhore's second week in "Tempest" at the Columbia did fairly well. Victor McLaglen's "River Pirate" and a stage show headed by Harry Rose for an anniver.sary week, the first, got by fairly well considering. Current week with "Four Sons" held a Saturday opening practically on a par with "Street Angel," the season opener. Met with Eartholmoss in "Out of the Ruins" slightly, under this star's u.sual figure, but found nobody com- plaining with the house not getting much with most of the silent ones. Keith's first wet'k of two-a-day with "The Perfect Crime" (film), billed above the six acts, did a con- sistently good night business, but not .so forte on the matinees. Estirnate for Last Week Columbia (Loew)—"Tempest" (U. A.) (1,232;, 35-50). Second week $8,000. Earle (Stanley-Cmndall) — "Lilac Time" (F. N.) and sound. Broke record established week before. In- cluding midnight show, $24,000. Fox (Fox)—"River Pirate" (FOx) and Movietone (3,433; 35-50-75). After enormous business of "Street Angel" could be considered off, but McLaglen's name plus Harry Rose on stage brought it $21,500. Keith's (K-A)—"Perfect Crime" (FBO) K-A yavdc. (1,938; 25-$l) Light matinee attendance but fair night gathernigs. $7,000. Not good. . Met (Stanley-Crandall)—"Out of Ruins" (F. N.) and Vitaphone shorts. (1,518; 35-50). Barthelmess alway.s good here. $10,000 speaks exceed- ingly well with house present ups and downs. National (Jirlanger - Rupley> "Wings" (Par). (1,745; 50-$1.50). Followed in stock to open new sea- son and did almost $18,000 first week of an extended stay. Palace (Loew) r— "Four Wall.s" (M-G) and Wesley Eddy, with.pre- .sentation. (2,372; 35-50).. Gilbert at- tracted over .$1!),000. . At 50c top that's a good wei-k in any thcatrf'. Boston's Good Fall Start; Metropolitan, $48,900 Boston, Sept. 25. Pictured had a good week and fans found a high-elass uniformity in the bills of the silent and talk- ing houses. "The Patriot" brought out the Jannlngs fans to the Metro- politan for $48,900, and there seemed to be no hesitancy in coughing up the new high rate of 75 cents. "Two Lovers," with a gross of $19,000 at tjrte State, quite satisfactory. "The Cop," at the New Boston (Keith), together with Walter Kelly, "The AMrginla Judge," head- lining the vaude, played to large houses. "Lilac Time" for the .sound pic- ture fans at the Olympia ajid Fen- way," "Uncle Tom'.s Cabin" at the Modei'h ■ aT^d " BeacTJh^'-^^^^^^^ "Four Sons" at the ScoUay Square Olym-r pia all scored well. ".The Cardboard lover played' to over $17,000 at the Orpheum. Estimates for Last Week State (3,500; 50-65) "Two Lovers (TJ. A,). With a. stage .'show brought l)usiness to high peak for early fall; $18,100. Metropolitan C4,000; 50-75) "The Patriot" (Par). ".Oh, Teacher" unit. Good week; $48,5)00. Orpheum (3,500; 50-65) "Card- board Lover" (M-G-M) .and vaudo; $17,000. CIAaA BOW'S "KID" Lo!3 Angeles, Sept. 25.. When Clara Bow completes "Three Weekends" for Paramount they are going to make her "The Saturday Night Kid." The story Is being written by F. Hugh Herbert, Just placed under contract by Para- ^?DM?lti,=.^SJfLE.^2S'^ — based oii ac- tivities In an a^dv^Ttlslng K^eWoyT"'^ Toronto. Sept. 26. (Drawino Pop., 700,000) Weather* fair ."viiyllis of the Follio.s" hot such .'i much picture, but with a smavi ."tuge show good enough to put Shoti'.s Hip out In fr9nt for'the sec- ond suocosslvo week at $13,500 Tuynaway biz four evenings out of- six^ Top position usually goes to the Loew house here, but Gody-Pringle in "Boau Broadway" no draw and sent Bernstoin'.^v house to third po- sition at $10,500 for one of Its poorest weeks in a month. ilack Arthur staged a fashion, show for the Simp.son, local de- partment store, and pushed his gross up to $12,500, to nab second place with "The Water Hole." Picture felt to be a. poor choice for a fashion show, but it dragged the men in and the femnies were flocking along to see the mannequins anyway. Members of the Toronto Junior Leagiie, dobutantes and. that, sort of thing, wore . the toggery. Arthur has .hooked up his house now with the Ontario Restaurant Owners' Association for a beauty contest to decide the most ^beautiful waitress in Ontario. The grub stakers kick in with advertising, arrange the entry list, give the. prizes and do the worying. Uptown supplies the hbu.se only. The band of the 48th (Gordon) Highlanders,, crack Canadian regi- ment, did not boost Pantages above $10,60(1, although it Was the first lime this home town outfit liad ever given a theatrical concert and it was well handled. The. picture was "Heai't of a Nation," with plenty of walk outs. Tom Daley had an average weeU at $5,000 in the TivoU with "The Whip." He w|na the race to see which of the Toronto houses is first to spot sound pictures. Opens Oct. 5 with "Street Angel" and talking I shorts. Present 60c top likely to be rai.sed to 75c, highest here, but may be followed by other houses. Daley's "Tivoli Topics" has long been considered smartest short stuff, in town. Finding lmpracti<;al to limit these to sound pictures, it has been decided to keep this part of the program silent, running the regu- lar Movietone news separately. The band contract with Luigi Rbmanelli is renewed. Uptown will be next with the talkers, probably with a raised price also. Last week's announcement by Loew that It too will go sound left it up to the other main stem houses to dive in or get left. They de- cided to. dive, so that work is being rushed on both Pantages and Shea's Ilippodi'ome to meet the Loew open- ing, probably No-v. 5. This will be five wirisd houses here. All will change programs Weekly except Tivoli. .• Estimates for Last Week Shea's Hip (FP) "Phyllis of the Follies" (2,600; 30-60). Lead town, u $13,500 fox- excellent week. Ken Murray on stage. Broadcasting of feature acts did not harm h. o. Sec- ond week this house has;been out in front with picture not counting so nnich as stage show; Uptown (FP) "The Water Hole" (Par) (3,000; 30-60), Fashion show staged by Jack Arthur dragged in the femme biz and built up mati- nees. Almost $13,000. Excellent. Loew's "Beau Broadway" (2,300; 30-60). Not so good at $10,500, plac- ing house In third position for first lime since reopening after fire. Cody and Pringle, like other co-.starring teams, get the icy mitt here. Pantages (FP) "Heart of a Na- tion" (3,300; 30-60). Expected to see war picture and laid off even though crack regimental band of the 48th Highlandiers on stage. Not good at $10,600. Tivoli (FP) "The Whip" (1.400; 30-60). " MiPller -gatisflpd regulars, but held house to recent average of $5,000. Massey Hall (rented) "King of Kings" (50-$1.50). Usually hou.ses concerts orvevangelists. No spo,t for pictures. Looked bad. t Neighborhoods fain BOWIING m WASHINGTON A New Meaning was given to Bowling when Meyer Davis opened his KING PIN ALLEYSr-^tremen- dously successful-^playihg capacity nightly. And how—Meyer Davis' LUCKY STRIKE BOWLING ALLEYS-rlast word in equipment, luxury, comfott, courtesy—setting a .standard: diffi- cult even to api)roach. There arc 116 MEYER DAVIS ALLEYS In Washington. "Big" liberally Written On Seattle Grosses Eve Southern in Lead Los Angelef5, Sept. 25. Tiffany-Stahl Is preparing "Helen of Troy," toy Sidney Gowing and adapted ^by France.^ Hyland. (Jeorgo Archainbaud will direct. Eve Southern Blated for lead. Softening Vibration liOS Angeles, Scpl. 2.1. To .show the efforts that arc being made by producers to In.sure ab- sence of vil'ratinn in soimd stages, the materiril entoi-ing into the floor of'^hiT""""ar<'trn pali t!vn=s tage== i s-r-aiv example. Thei-c is little vari.aliqn on the different lots where structures are erected from the ground up. On a four-inch hod of asplialt there is sand to a depth of 1V6 inches, in wooden frames. Also a layer of sea- weed quilting. .Tmp'^sfd on that Is the first floor, then a heavy layer of felt, topped by the main floor. ■*AngeV* Beats Rochester $30,000 Record by $5,000 Rochester, Sept. 25. "Street Angel," first Movietone feature at the Roche.ster theatre. Is reported' to have gros.sed . $35,000, breaking the house record by $5,000 Manager Thomas 1). Sorlero was obliged to advertise widely request- ing all who could to .attend matinee perfoi'niiinces to relieve traffic con- gc.'aJon In the evening. Musicians Demaiid Man in Booth for Non-Sound Fdms Seattle; Sept. 25. . . (Drawing pop. 500,000) Weather: Warmer. Cool Nights . Good shows at practically nil the first run houses, with weather favor- able. Eddie Peabody and his "Ban- joySj" Fanchon & Atarco Idea, proved a real ifactor In the draw at the Seattle. Picture didn't mean so much there. Near record .'it $21,000. A factor greatly helping all the West Coast houses is the big star Identification contest, running two more weeks. Prizes are donated for the advertising obtained by donors. It's a- knockout of an idea. Fall business is getting under way, but this stimulus is a real worker for the gate receipts. Vaude and dramai shows seem to be g.iining a little, while sound plc- tiires al.so go at great clip. Hani- rick's two houses. Blue Mouse and Mu.sic Box, line 'em up nightly just across the street from each other. One lino advertises the other. May Robson in third week at President! Rogovoy's orchestra is feature at this house, novelty being Its playing before the .show, oh, bal- cony above foyer then moving down to the pit. Estimates for Last Week Seattle (WC-PubrL) (3,100; 25- 60) "River Pirate" (Fox). Strong picture, heaped with.action. So was tire stage show with- "Dynamite." Eddie Peabody and pals in "Banjoy" idea of Fanchon & Marco, Jimmic Maisscl and .Robert Ziegler, Holland piahist, and an artist, helped Eddie, while Gloria and W^alter, as well as gal choru.s, made hit with dandy all around show. Big gross of, $21,000. Fifth Ave. (WC) (2,700; 25-CO) "Fascil" (Fox). With sound. In- tensely intej-esting to romantically inclined, llermie King band in pit, with Oscar T.aylor in songs. $1,600. Big also. Coliseum (WC) (1,800; 25) "Rose Marie" (MOM). Big value for first run. $5,100. Very good here. Columbia (IJ) (1.000; 25-50) "Way of Strong" (Col). Bear act on stage. Not so hot. $4,200. Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (950; 50- 75) "Tempest." Wired. (WB). John Barrymore always big. Good biz. $11,300. a Music pox (Hanimick) (l,6o6; 50-7.")) "Terror." Wired. (WB). Third big week, frir this all-taker. Big at $10,000. Winter Garden (U Chain) (650; 25) "Forbidden Hours" (MGM). Bettor draw card. Clientele here like this type of wild westerns. Fair. $2,500. •= . Pantages (1,500; 25-60) . "Port of Missing Girls" (U). Eva Tanguay headed v.audek. Far. behind Mao Murray, week prior. $7,500. .Orpheum . (2,70o; 25-$l) ".Love Over Night" (Pathe). Extra good vaude bill, with William Desmond in peison and Dave Bernie's Roosevelt hotel band. $10,100. . President (Duffy) (1,800; 25- $1.25, "Rejuevnation of Aunt Mary" (Duffy I'loyers), May Itobson as .star, third week here. $3,800. RUPERT JUIIAN GOES METRO Los Angelas, Sept~25! Rupert Julian, who recently com- pleted a three-year contract with Pathe-De Mille, is now under con- tract to Metro. Ho will mako a my.stery story with sound and dialog. The job was procured through Young and Sclznlck. LaCava for "Children" Los Angele.^, Sept. 25. Gregory LaCava, who has just loft Parauiouni .ifter serving as a di roct>jr for fnur years, has been as jnlg-!! i0- JIlV.Pj't -Cgrlp7^P Grjfilth 1 n ".Saturday^ ~ <:hil(l'ren'^"""Tm^""^ National. LaCava will replace Alfred 10. Green who was to have directed this picture, but is at present working on "Five o'clock Girl" for M-G-M., James i'ord -will -play opposite Mis-s Grinith, Instead of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Baltimore, Sept. 25. (Drawing Pop., 750,000) Apparently the Musicians' Inter* national has selected this town to test but a plan to Install musicians in the operator's booth for non- synchrohized pictures. Their de« marid calls ;;for one musician in a. booth whore non-synchronized short subjects are being screened and for tvfo men where feature picture length non-synchronized films arei the bill. The Baltimore local has many men out of work due to the whole- sale wire Installations In hou.scs for- riierly leaning heavily on orchestra music. The musician in the booth scheme Is a handy out iciasmuch as, In the rush to catch the talker fans, houses are Improvising [ sounds through non-synchronized devices. The exhibitors, If they niust take the riiusicians into the booths, would no' doubt prefer organists, as they are used to scoring pictures, but the local will likely Insist oh jplac- ing available men regai-dlcss of their previous orchestral positions. The musicians' demand will ,af- fect in particular certain Loew houses and the Stanley, as these theatres are employing sound ef- fects on non-synchronized films, a marking time arrangement pending the arrival of synchronized product irom the studios for which they, hold the local first rlin franchises. The Rivoli and Metropolitan are .showing Vita and Fox synchronized product and escape the musicians' ruling. At the Rivoli; in case any non-synchronized footage la on the screen, a hoiisie organist is used for musical accompaniment, thus avoid* ing the niuslcian-in-the-booth situ- ation. Last Thursday night was largely a b. o. blank due to the heavy wind and rainstorm that was this town's share of the West Irididn hurricane. Outside of this the week was about average. Century led with "The Whip." not outstanding as a draw. The Stanley got "The Patriot," which drew fine notices and fair business. "Four Sons," -which slumped badly on its second week, came back pretty well for the third and final one. The Valencia took a spurt with "The Butter and Egg Man" and "The Terror" is apparently going well at the Met. The Rivoli got good night business with "River Pirate," although matinees were Way off last half. Business was up at the combo Garden with "Stocks and Bonds" on screen. UptoVvn Parkway was good with "Tempest." Estimates for Last Week Stanley (Loew, Stanley-Crandall) "The Patriot" (wired) (3,600; 25- 60). Latest Jannihg film drew criti- cal raves and got many repeaters from intelligentsia. Largely caviar to average film fan, and didn't get flapper trade. Decidedly class and adult appeal. Business, at that, big compared with old regime intake In this hou.se. Drop from previous good weeks, however, at about $17,500. Century (Loew) "The W h i p" (wired) (3,200; 25-60). Picture nicely received. Not a heavy film, but melodramatic thrills. "Parisian Nights" on stage, fair. Big storm hurt business Thursday, day's In- take being about $2,200, against an average of about $3,500. Week's gross, about $.21,000, good but not up to big stride this b. b. has^b^itm^ striking recently. : New (W^hitehursts) "Four Sons" (wired) (3rd week) (1,800; 25-50). After a big opening week, slipped badly for the second. Came ba'fck surprisingly well for the last one. Got about $10,000 for final week and claims about $35,000 on week rim. Valencia . (I,x)ew-U. A.) "The Butter and Egg Man" (wired) (1,500; . 25-50). Title appealed. Comedy element appealed. Result up-grade in business with gross better th.an previous weeks; $3,600. Rivoli (Wilson Amusement Com- pany) "River Pirate" (wired) (2,100; 25-60). Htartcid well, with excep- tional matinees fir.st half. Bijg gro.'w?. I'icture liked and music .s(!ore commended. In for two weeks. . New Garden (Schanbergcrs) "Stocks ;uid Bonds" and Keith \aude (3,21)0; 25-50). Good but not _r('markahle picture. Vaude out- 'i5ttiTi(llmr--and"-=b.u.siness^-up--=ln =spite- of storiii; $12,000. Parkway (I^ocw-U. A.) "The Tempest" (wired). (1,000; 15-35), House now showing Vita acts, sec- ond run, and audience responsive. Feature, "Tempest," surpris(>d by doing proportionally better here than when at downtown Stanley', $4,600.