Variety (Oct 1928)

Wednesday, October 3, 1928 PICTURE GROSSES VARIETY 9 Jolson $3 Film, $42,900, 1st Wk; Roxy Off to "Beggars'' Puts Par Over Willi practically a throe-day week end as a start, due to the Jewish holiday Sept. 24, Broadway picture houises held steadily, showing no decided dips or scaling of the Jieightig. . , emphasized Its presence by contiilued cool weather and interest seemed to revolve around three points. Those spots included the Winter Garden where Al Jolsua's latest went to $42,900. on its initial full week plus its first Monday's extra show and at a $1, $2 and .$3 scale. Paramount twinkled in staying above JoO.OOO two weeks running, "Begh'ara of Life" this'time; "Phis- tered in Paris" chO])ped the Koxy to five fi^iiiros, ?04,500, for the first time- In 11 woi'ks. • ''OtlicM"vviKe thoi street was normal despite that there is another abun- dance of holdover pictures tliis week. . The Capitol's $69,050 for "Excess Bagsasfc" is somewhat short of a cordial invitation for a second week, yet JVl-G-RI -has started booking features into this house foj- fort- night runs. "Our Dancing Duujfh- ters," due Saturday, Is ahOtlior of this group. "Liion and tho Mciuso" Is retained by the Strand alter a satisfactory but not particularly heavy $38,400. That figure takes on some Imr)ortance in lieu of the pic- ture having played up the Street at Warner.s for $L'. "Two Lovers" didn't stort out any too smartly at the Rivo.ll but wound up with $32,500, which \s good. Jannlnga' "Patriot" took Its first real slide on Its sixth week to S25,- 400, descent of $6,200. Both tho.si' pictures will depart Oct. 11 t-) make room for "The BattLi of the Sexe.s" at the HInlto, and "Wedding March"' at the RIvolI for Columbu^s Day opening.*? Oct. 12.. .Colony on Grind Unlvf-rsal's Colony is back in the erind running and pushed off Sun- day with the sounded "Lonesome" and Ren Bernle's band on the stage. Picture is penciled in for four weeks and enjojed a strong take off. The Cameo Is holding "Q Shipa" a third week and possibly a fourth, al- though a drop of $1,300 was marked here at just short of $6,^00. "Siilimarine" Is going along smoothly but thinned at $7,900. This one is supposed to stick until the end of. the month at which time "The Bellamy Trial" w.ljl probably arrive. Pox is in its last week of the Globe tenancy and "Mother Knows Best" terminates this week after $9,600 in Its second week. "Air Circus" is also due to blow the Gaiety with "Four Devils" arriving Wednesday. "Wings" stays up there at $12,100 but will likely be yanked when "In- terference" is ready. It should give the air spectacle about 65 week.s at the Criterion. . "Lilac Time" is running .along easily clicking off $14,500, "White Shadows" doe.sn't have to worry at $18,550 and Warr riera I.s still giving $20,000 a lot of time with "The Terror" and will have "Noah's Ark" there Oct. 29 Estimates for Last Week Astor—"White Shadows" and sound (M-G-Cosmo) (1,129; $l-$2) (10th week). Approachingk third month and still showing substantial figures; $18,550. Cameo—"Q Ships" (New Era) (549;_ 50-75) (3d week)_._ Good.-sllce. mdbr previous week, but holding over again and hou.se may hold It fourth week; $6,200'. Capitol—"Excess Baggage" (M-G) (4,620; 35-50-75-$l-$1.50) (2d week). Booked in ,for two weeks; $69,650 neat total, but not overly heavy; "Our Daneing Daughter.s," (M-G). next; also for two Weeks, to ihaugu •• Tate sound program. ^.„9?"*''^'~"I^^Jac Time" and sound (PN) (922; $1.$2) (9th week). Set- tled into smooth gate; $14,500. Colony-"Lonesome" and sound (U) (1,980; 35-50-60-75-99) (1st Week). Universal, house reopened Sunday on grind With Ben Bernle's band as stage attraction; picture supposedly here for four weeks. Criterion—"Wings" (Par) (836; $l-$,2) ((ioih week). Ilolding up, but will, go when "Interference" ready; $12,100 last week; will prob- ably lotiil C,') weeks on windup. /r.,^*^ ^ ^ y—"Submarine",.. (Col) (5!)r.; $t-jo) week). Down again, thLs lime by $400, but $7,900 LelTamyT^rlal" (M-O) being ex- ported hoie at that time. Gaiety—"Air Circus': and Movie- tonf- (Fox) rSOS: $l-$2). Quittiiur early Ums week to let "I'Vjur J)evll.s" (I'ox) come in; has had four weeks JtrTo'^ trade; final full week. Globe—"Mother Know.s Best" and Movietone (Pox) (1,416; $l-$2) (3d week). Fox tenancy of house ends "•M. 8, theatre reverting to mu.«?ical Wm. Fox's Own Office Williain Fox's personal Of- flC(8 is now permanently es- tablished In the Roxy theatre ibuilding, '•■ .• The. quarters in the home ofnce buildlhg are still main-, talned for occasional visits by the chief executive. Fox picked 7th avenue for its convenience and because he at last is beginning to ad- mit that his river site is too far in . thri ''sticks," with all of the merger talk breaking on Broadway. "Daughters" Not Strong At $20,000 in K.C. Kansas City, Oct. .2. (Drawing Pop., 700,000) In spite of extra publicity, per- fect newspaper reviews and every- thing that seemingly would bring business "Dancing Daughters" at Lbew's Midland last week failed to stir up undue entiiuslasm, in fact business was di.sappointing.. "Wings," second wieek at the newly opened Newman, also took a no.se dive and stayed down all week, ^ Looks like thi.<5 house is not meant^for longer than single week. Starting Sunday t'le Mainstreet goes into sound pictures but will retain its stage band and acts. With the change Is a scale week days of 25-35-50 with 25c for bal- cony nights aboli.sbed, all seats be- ing 50c, with 10c tilt to, 60c for Sundays. ' , The coming month will see two openIng.s—Royal (Puhlix) closed for a year, and the big new Plaza, miles south of the Main Alley. Estimates for Last Week .. L o e w's Midland — "Dancing Daughters" (4,000; 25-35-50). Lengthy, complimentary raves from press and 100 per cent, satisfied customers.for this-one but business failed to come up to expectations. No alibi for poor opening and w^k business. Overture, three talking shorts and M-G-M news; $20,000. Mainstreet — "Waterfront (2,200; 25-50). As usual this house unable to accommodate all Sunday, but re- mainder of week not so good. Vaudfllm bill nothing to rave about —just good entertainment at 50c; $17,000; "Lilac Time" broke house day record at $6,000 this week. Pantages—"River Woman" (2,^ 200; 25-50). Regulars had much rather see Tom Mix than Lionel Barrymore, but this story of South "meller" enough for most. Vaud good; $9,000. . Newman—"Wings" (1,980; 35-50- 75.) Second, week. After Satur- day matinee business let up most noticeably; $15,000. . Globe held "Pour Sons" second week and Uptown featured Bebe Daniels in "Take Me Home." comedy: picture $9,600 In second week, pretty fair. Paramount — "Beggars of Life" and sound (Par) (3,666; 40-65-75-85- $1). -Held Publix ace above $80,000 for second successive week; excel- lent figure for Berry picture, w:.ith Paul Ash in Chicago. Rialto—"The Patriot" and sound (Par) (1,960; •35-50-75-85-$l> (7th week). Took first big dip; down to $25,400; out Oct. 11 for "Battle of the. Sexes" (UA). Rivoli—"Two Lovers" and sound (UA) (2,200; 35-50-75-85-$!) (2d week). Not too strong on opening weekend, but strengthened to get $32,500; also out Oct. 11 for "Wed- ding Marches." Oct. 12. Roxy — "Pla.stered in Parl.<5" and Movietone (Fox) (6,205; 50-75-$l- $1.50). Slapstick comedy with Sammy Cohen not deemed strong enough for this house, especially fol- lowing post 10 weeks of name films; $94,200 wouldn't have been bad in .June.- Strand — "Lion and Mou.><e" and Vita (WB) (2,900; 35-50-0n-7.'5) (2d week). K,m for ?2 at Warnf^r.'!, ro $1^8,400 okay; house, thought cnou.s^h of it to hold ovt'r and claims. Im- ,lina,vad.^seuaad^jK£CktmL Warners—"The Terror" and '\''ita (\\H) (1,300; $l-$2) (8th week). Hasn't v.iried much since opening; .$20,S(iO, c>n(Miu;)i to "inlet . all squfiwks: "Noah'.s Ark" (WB) listed jfor Oct. 29. Winter Garden — "Singing Fool" and Vita (WB) (1,493; $l-$2-$3) (3d week). High scale and extrti Rhow on Jewish holiday gave Jolson film $42,900 for first full week and 17 perfoi'mnnf'^p; .Mock. Hip, Vaodfihi, Leads Toronto for 3d Week Toronto, Oct. 1 (Drawing Pop., 790,000) Weatheri Rainy, Cool With counter attraction di'opplng away like snowballs in an oven, the return , to standard time and the close of the Canadian racing sea- son It was felt picture houses would comb to life,- but the only spot to do real business last week was Shea's- Hippodrome with "M;in Made Women." It wasn't such a picture nor did Harry Conley's . •'Slick aa : Ever" mean so much on stage, but the crowd has-the Hippodrome habit how. Third successive week of leadership for the Hip. Pantages climbed $400 to $11,000 for "The Night Bird" then opened strong With "Wild Geese" Saturday. The latter has been hanis:ing around the town for months. Tiffany pic- tures are seldom exhibited here. Regulars didn't think so much of "Night Bird." "Oh Kay" opened strong at the Uptown, then faded in the middle as most pictures do in this house. Result was about $10,600, better than average. It this hou^e could hold its opening pace the result would be nearer $30,000. Movietone will come here' about Nov. 1 with slight advance in price, but none of regular features cur- tailed. Jack Arthur's orchestra has always been considered, best pic- ture house band in town and syn- chronized pictures will not affect contracts of musicians. Estimates for Last We^k ' Hippodrome (FP) (2,600; 30-60) —'tMan Made Women" (Pathe). Vaude stage show that put this one in the lead at $12,500. . Decrease over last ^eek, ■ but still best in town. . Pantages (PP) (3,300; 30-60) — "The Night Bird" (U). Vaude. Denny never lets house down, and this one at $11,000 was $400 in- crease over last week. Only hpus» in Toronto to show Increase last week. Loew (2,300; 30-60)—"Loves of an Actress" (Par). Pola Negri com- plete flop here now. Her last three pictures knocked houses in . Which they were shown below average. This .one poor at $10,400. Uptown (PP) (3.000; 30-60)—"Oh Kay" (FN). About $10,600 after brilliant opening. Titles in this one came In for favorable comment In dailies and critics voted it a boost for Colleen Moore. Tivoli (PP) (1.400; 30-60) —-"Craig's Wife and "Grandma's Boy," reissue. About $4,600. Houso dai-k. Reopens Oct. 5 with sound. Tom Daley closed the Tivoli Sat- urday after a filler In week with "Craig's Wife" and the reissiie of Harold Lloyd's "Griindma's Boy" prior to the reopening with the house wired. Did about $4,600 on the week. . • Daley is avoiding the mistake made in respect to advertising sound pictures In other cities and is telling the public that "Street Angel" (Fox), his opening film, has no dialog, but only synchronized musical effects by Roxy orchestra. Short stuff In the opening program is straight dialog he points out. . Ho gets the bulge on the rest of the town by about three weeks. It is doubtful if Loew's Hippodrome and Pantages will have sound stuff before midwinter. Clara, $6,700, Tacoma Tacoma, Oct. 2. (Drawing Pop., 125,000) Weather: Cooler With the Broadwjty open looks iis though the town is topheayy with overhead. Going to be tough for any one to make money. Town llkies the stage shows and likes vaude, as witness the success of the local Pan. But two stage shows is rather strong. A1.SO Toby comedians are at the Heilig, doing fairly well. ' Estimates for Last Week Broadway (WC) (1.500; 25-60)— "Fleet's In" (Par). Clara Bow draw. Fanchon & Marco good stage show. Biz hetter; $6,700. Pantages (1,50U; 25-60)—"Port of Mi.ssing Girl.s" (U) vaude. Good week; $5,500. Blue Mouse (Hamriek) (650; 50- 75)—"Terror" (WB) virircd. Fir.st all-talker and .sensation. In for run. With Broadway opGn, two weeks figured Instead of four, record made hy two piotnro.q the past summer. Biz groat r~$n.l00. Rialto (VVC) (1,250; 25-50)—"Fa- zll" (Fox). Well liked but found going tough; $3,500. Colonial (WC) _(850; J.^)-"Good T^fjFiiTngr'.Tii'dg^:." TiPSIr; Tf,W(r, ~" Col.-Dramaphone Film $4,900 Chicago, Oct. 2, First five days of "Scarlet Lady" (Col) at the (^a.stle, using cued dia- log and musical records on the Dra- maphone, gro.s.<"ed $4,900. Hou.se seats 300 and Is scaled at 35-50 eent.^, . . Loop Low in Good Weather with ; Oriental First Ribbon Sign • A runnlhg rlbhon (electric) , reading sign is over oitlier end . of the Winter ^ Cardon's marquee for Warners' "Sing- ing Fool.'' It attracts from pedestrians up or down on Broadwayi . Thousands pa.ss the house daily. It's the first band sign that has been, theatre-employed on the street level in New York. WarfieM,al $36,150, San Francisco Record Sail Francisco, Oct. 2. (Drawing Pop., 756,000) Weather: Unsettled A new high record for the town was set by the Warfield at $36,150 on the, week. "Dancing Daughters" and stage show responsible., California held remarkably strong on second week of "Wings" at pop prices and had no dilHculty In roll- ing up $22,000. . . Granada had "The Cameraman" at around $19,000 and satisfactory, but nowhere near house record. Estirnates for Last Week. Warfield (Loew-^W.C^.), "Dancihg Daughters" (M.-G.-M.) (2,672; 50- 65-90). One of best all-around shows ever offered. Rube Wolf, m, c; Bobby Agnew, Jan Rubinl and Hughes and iSmoot figured. Topped $36,150 for all-timo record, not only for nousc, uut for town. Manager Lou Golden, worked every possible angle. California (I'ublix-W. C), "Wings" (Par) (2,200; 65-90). Pop engagement of "Wings" surprise, Second week at around $22,000 ex- ceptionally good. One more week: Granada (Publlx-W. C), "The Cameraman" (M.-G.-M.) (2,785; 50-65-$l). Just ordinary business for this one; $19,000, Embassy (Wagnon), "The Ter- ror" (Warners) <1,367; 50-65-90). Final week of engagement, extend- ed two days, new feature Satur- day. Nine days at $17,250, excep- tional. . Columbia (Erlanger-Gottlob), "Simba" (Johnson; (1,700; 50- $1.50). Third and final week ol road fihoW picture held .strong to around $10,000. Going to road. St. Francis (W. C), "The Tem- pest" (U. A.) (1.375; 35-65-90). John Barrymore. fell down at box office. Second and final week at $10,000, disappointment. Perfect Weather, biit Topeka Falls Way Off Topeka, Oct. 2. (Drawing Pop. 80,000) Weather, Perfect Perfect theatre weather and yet one of the worst week's business with no explanation. Novelty Is having a hard time putting over its new policy of vaudfilm, though the Orpheum, Wichita, goes to the same policy next month. The Wichita theatre was the la.st strictly vaude- ville house In Kansas. . .„ Estimates for Last Week Grand (1,400; 50) (National). Splitting week with sound lilm didn't help much: Hou.se fell off $1,500 from previous week with "Jazz Singer." "Glorious Betsy" 1st, 3 days and "Lion and. Mouse" last half. Latter caused most of drop. $3,800.. .. Jayhawk (1,500; 40) (J^yhawk). "Garden of Kden," first half, showed beginning of good busines.s, but "Forgotten Faces" last half took edge completely, off.. Week ended with oniy $5:i,3o6, near worst week of house. Novelty (1,100; 40). (Crawford). Almost lowest gross since change from vaude to vaud lilm, I'.ctler than average bills on both halves. "Beware of Blondes," .first half, didn't draw, but "Matitiee Idol" last half pulled slightly, $1,800. Orpheum (1,200; 25) (National), Family policy, plus general slump, set new low record, "Little Snob," first lifilf, and "Son of (UMm ^W'<<.stTpixlast-=half)-d'rawing--only'-k-idM,= $0.-)0, Cosy (400; 25) (L.awrence). N'-w low record also set at C(;sv wiUi "The TiL^rcss," fir.st hfilf, an(l""Di»-^s Parade," last half, Lattf-r plckfd up a bit, but not oTioitp;}! to bring thf total above $750, $200 under wc<*k before. Best (550; 20) (Lawrence). Down- ard and Ko.solajid M,'iiiT.< ;i>>out only show In town that held ui», Ju-^t under $900. .Chicago, Oct. 2. Weather: Fair and Cold After, .nuuntalning an exception- ally sU'ong .pace for some timev most Loop houses e.ased off last week. •. Nothing startling in the program spots and ouly one rua lilm opening. September, witnessed, tliree hew house rc'cord,s n,hd an at- tondance-per-diiy record set by "Our Dancing Daughters" on a six- day booking in the Oriental.- Good theatre weatlier last week, too. ''Two Lovers" at . United Artists looked most favorable among the new Loop, stuff at $2S,000, normally good starter for tins house. "Night Watch" at/the Chicago cailght in the slump, utider average at $42,- 000. Oriental hit the chute to $40,000 with "Win That <Virl." slid-- ing from the $51,000' taken by "Dancing Daughterjs" hi six day.<?.. Not a reliable estimate of "Oirl's" iiualitles, as film unforliinate In preceding the return of Paul ..sh and following a' sensational week. "Patriot" dropped $4,000 second Week at Roosevelt, after oiicning to a substantial $26,000. Fourth week of "Wfng.s" in McVicker's eased off- $6,000 to $34,000, .Opening was sen- sational at $46,000, and sticking power very strong.. . Return of "When a Man Loves" at Orpheum little . under normal with $7,300 and out, Monroo re- mained above the usual mark with second Week of "Street Anpel"af $5,40tK ■ - . Estimates for Last Week Chicago (Publix), "Night Watch" (F. N.), "Ocean Blues," Publix unit. Wired (4,400; 50-75), • Dropped $2,000 on. week to $42,000; little help from stage; McVicker's (Publix), "Wings" (Par) wired (2,200; 60-75); Fourth week still riding easy with $37,000; record start, $46;00(). Monroe (Pox), ."Street Angel* (Fox) wired. (975; 50-75^. Hold- over week worth it at $5,400; $7,SO0 first week; 2d Loop booking. Oriental (Publix), "Win 'ihat Girl" (Fox) Wired; . "Creations in Jazz," Publix unit (3,200; 50-75). Dropped from $51,000 to $40,000 in slack week, preceding return of Paul Ash as m. c. Orpheum (Warner), "When a Man Loves" (W. B.) wired (760; 50). Return booking for one week tnir at $7,300; previously In Loop.as special. Playhouse (MIndlln), "Knd of St. Petersburg" (Sovkiho) (600; 50-75). Second and last weelc above aver- age at $3,300. Roosevelt (Publix), "The Patriot" (Par) wired (1,700; 50-75). Second week showed drop of $4,00O to $22,000, State-Lake (Keith), "Craig'.H Wifo" (Pathe)-Vaude (2.200; . 50- 75). Film brought additional $500, giving $20,000. United Artists (U. A.), "Two Tx)vers" (U. -A.) (1,702; 35-75). Started normally good with $28,000; favorable reviews. Emil and Clara Do $64,100 in St Louis St. Louis, Oct. 2. (■Drawing Population, 935,000V "The Patriot" hailed by .some re- ' viewers here as "the greatest mo- tion picture even seen In St. IjOuIs." Other theatres held their own In fine shape last week, thanks to some really cOol Weather. Estimates for Last Week . Ambassador (Skouras downtown) (3,000; 35-50-05-75)--i"Fleet'.«; In" and Kd Lowry stage show. Lowry could pack 'em In here without a picture; $39,600. Loew's State (3,300; 25-35-65)-- "Cardbcard Trover," wired, "gbod light entertainment," as one re- viewer put. It, and talking shorts; $17,500. • Missouri (Skouras uptown) (3,- 800; 35-50-65-75)—"The Patriot." Real drawing card, splendid notices. Frank Fay, m, c, honeymoon-vaca- tion in Chicago; $24,500. St. Louis . (4.280; 3y-65)---Bob Murphy's .stage show eclipsed pic- ture. "U. S. Smith," called "ordi- nary comedy." Vaude.. Grand-Central (Skour.as) . (1.700; 50-75)—"The Terror," 3(1 week, tre- rnendou.sly poi>ul.ar. Will .staj wtiile longer; $16,000. . NEIGHBOEHOOD IQc CUT UMfM, N. y.. Oct. 2. T'ptfiwn, o^\nf•(^ by N.do U'lMiins ^ pri>:c^ fi-orn .''.'n: for .'i.iliil'..-; lo "»r I arid fr'im 2')c for f'lijidren to lO'c, in th<' iieigli)»f<)-lii>(id Ihmisi-, "Noah's Ark" at Warners Oct. 29 W'arni-r Brothers will i-i ;il..c<- tlio t.liking ''Terror" at Warner's on I Uroadwiiy. (K.-toher wilh th'-ii" newei tniker, "N'o'ili'^ Ark."