Variety (Mar 1929)

Wednesday, March 6, 19589 PICTURE GROSSES VARIETY Iron Ma^" Busts Rivofi's High Re(ionl With $56300; Lent FvnyV Afihi Last Week "^Ijeut led with lU left last week, grossed Its rUrbt uid with no holt- 4la^ to break tbe fall most of the picture houses were bitting plenty of canvas. Only" two houses weathering the acourge were the Astor and JUvoli. '<%r6adway Melody" rolled with the Bunches and eked out a decision on the strength of $21,200, $1,700^ less fttbh the previous week but tTnappy aolng. House starts four perform- amce Saturdays this week.,. . "The Iran Mask" practically walked out i>n the battle altogether^ almost ^Ing In'anothier world In gathering 166,300 for its flrat full week. This is a new record for thd upper Pub- Uz twin by about 17,000. It doesn't Include the. .(2.60 ' premiere or the •xtta getaway performances.- It geems certain that Fairbanks can 'stay until April .13 or longer when .•Coauett^** (UA) will follow. - - Both the Paramount, and - Roxy ' ^pped away from the excessive epeed they have t>een maintaining. 'Recent flrewoiks liave been- from the paramount beacon but ."Cama- Uon Kid" couldn't stand off the ' siidden slump for better than $64,t 200, while "The Spieler" was amass- ing a Weak $88,000 at the Rosy. fLucky Boy^ failed to get a solid Mlbugh grip' on the Capitol to stick two w^eks, doing, in fact^ but |62,- tOOi . ' decidedly indifferent ^ here. Strand had "The Barker" on a hold- «ver and under conditions )32,400 Isn't at all bad. ? ■^''Wolf • of Wan Street" will con- iUnde'a very profitable stay at the Blalto this week^ having done $26,- eod for its semi-final, with "JUady of the Pavements" (UA) dropping In .Saturday. "Girl On the Barge" did about as well as could be ezi>ected ' In the face of the general adversity «y stepping off $10,400 at the Col- ibiiy. "Behind''the German Lines," l«^t from the Blalto, meant noth- tiig to the Cameo at $4,800^ V $2 Pleturea ^^.pf the newcomers > "WoIC- Bong" cat -a heavy publicity pliig and started fairly with $0,800 at the Em- bassy. Picture is set to withdraw ' March 2$ wheit' Paramount wlU re- linquish Its lease on this;' Iioew bouse. It given'the feature-it'Broad yray $2 visit of five weeks.. "Hearts in Dixie" got a strong %eek edd at the Gaiety and had $6,- 600 after starting Wednesday night. Slcture has already shown itself to ick $2 power with femihe lobby Comment predicting a tough pull Imd short stay. "Fox Movietone follies" la due in April but may ar- rive in advance x>t the showery Inonth. "Redskin" and "Redeeming Bin' jSepart this week, nelthy figuring Importantly on the street Dlx pic- ture quiV the Criterion last night (Tuesday) with "The Ijetter" (Par) (tushlng '.bff tomorrow (Thursday). ■^"Sonny Boy" becomes the. new wanner tenant Friday. "Redeeming .61n" has rolled up the lowest gross of any picture to reach this screen feince the sound mania hit. Film Retires after three weeks and $13,- 000 next to closing. ~ No mora drastic drop was marked than at the.Winter Garden where .Jolson suddei^ went into a tail bpln to near $20,000, straight descent of over $10,000. - Regard- less if no one entered the house, Uus picture has made a great run bf it (26th week), but $20,000 is well nigh treason for this vet "Weary .River" held up well taough at the Central for $16,000. 'At the South Pole" isn't doing anything for tbe Lyric. EzploraUon .picture caught good but ineffective notices Inasmuch as the house was around $3,000 last week, its sec bnd with this film. Eatinxates for Last Week Astor—'•Broadway Melody," dla- (M-oy (1,120; $l-$2) (4th week). iB-elt slump which blanketed town, ana down $1,700, to $23,000; strong Jffure, as anything above $20,000 is soud here; starts four performance Saturdays this week (3, 6, 0 and 12) and, plus the Sunday trtOT will be doing 17 shows weekly; first $2 pic- ture on street to do four a day. Cameo —"Behind the German L nea" (Par) (B49; 60-76). Played nialto some weeks ago; weak here • en repeat at $4,800. .6) (4.620; 36-60-76-$l-$1.60). Start ed ol\ right, but got Monday slap, irom whlich It never recovered; Jes- eei appeared on stage for Sunday -,-2^^8filay:,^62,300.anemlCr-wlth-!.'JlmT »y Valentine" (M-G), up from the Afltor, current ,^«n*'"«l — "Weary River," dialog (PN) (922; $1.$2) (7th week) Plug- g'ng along nicely; felt depression, out not seriously; around $16,000. Colony—"Girt on the Baw," dia- log (TJ) (1.980; 60-76-$l). Seldom an exception when everything Is •Ming off; down to $10,400. fair ireary River/ $30,000, Lafayette, Bflo; Very Big Buffalo, March 6- (Orawlng Population, 600,000) Weathert Fair Picture business downtown con- tinued last week along same high levels characterizing takings for past month. Buffalo and Lafayette were up, with the Century close be- hind. Business follows the features here. Century seems to have hit Its stride under the Shea banner. Fol- lowing two weeks of Par's "WoU" for almost $40,000 oomes the "Ca nary Murder," held over and looking to beat its predecessor. Estimates for Last Week Buffalo (Pub) (3,600; 30-40-76)— "Carnation tCld" (Far); Tom Mix, "Cheerio." Mix and .Tony panicked kids with opening turnaway; $28,200. Century (Pub) (3,400; 65)—"Ca- nary Murder" (Par), all sound show. Splendid all week and held over; $22,400. Hipp (Pub) (2,400; 60)—"Wild Orchids" (M-G) and vaude. Down slightly, but good average; $16,600 Qreat Lakes (Fox) (3,400; 30-40- 76)—"Romance of ■ Underworld' (Fox). Sound program. Nothing ex- citing and about as usuaL New house manager, Laurence Stuart Estimated $14,000. Lafayette (Ind.) (8,400; 40-60)— "Weary River" (F. N.) and vaude. Picture Just about burned up tbe turnstiles. Gross approaches house record. Picture booked back for an- other week later this month. Nearly $30,000. considering $12,000 is deemed okay on this stand. Criterion—"Redskin," sound (Par) (861; $l-$2). Departed last night (Tuesday) after just over five weeks: ordinary, flnlshing'to $8,100; •The Letter" (Par), all-talker, here Thursday night Embassy — "Wolf Song," sound (Par) (696; $l-$2) (2d week). Away fairly well, reporting first week of $9,300; will only stay until March 22 or 29, at which time Paramount turns house back to I<oew's for either "Mary Dugan" or "City Gone Wild," both M-O. GUiaty—"HearU in Dixie," dialog (Fox) (2d .week). Good press com- ment, but will not have successful $2 career: opened Wednesday for $6,800 on strength of strong Sun- day; few femme patrons voting for it; "Fox Follies" due in April. Lyric—"At the South Pole" (Polar Pets. Corp.) (1,806; $l-$2) (3d week). ^Audience of ushers; in sec- ond week maybe $3,000, but nothing said about leaving. Paramount—"Carnation Kid," dia- log (Par) (3,666; 40-66-76-86-$l) Dropped house, which has bad bone Ih teeth In coming upstream for past month; Lenten slump In full force blamed; $64,200; indifferent; "Canary. Murder Case" (Par) here Saturday; expected to stay two Rial'to—"Wolf of Wall Street,' dialog (Par) (1,904;' 35-60-86-$l) (6th week). Heavy right along; $26,000 last week slip of $8,700, but oke for fifth week; "Ijady of Pave- ments" (UA) arrives Saturdya. Rivell—"Iron Mask," sound (UA) (2,200; 86-60-86-$l) (2d week) Street's newest smash; set new rec- ord by about $7,000 In doing $66,300, "Speedy" former standard bearer; figure is for first regular week; had Thursday reserved seat start with midnight single price show inunedl ately following; seems sure to stay until "Coquette" (UA) arrives In April,' big week, with everything 61se at least down a bit. Roxy — "The Spieler," dialoc; (Pathe) (6.206; 60-76-$l-$1.60) House hopped on everybody's to- boggan for $22,000 slide; $88,000 not satisfactory at any time here. Strand—"The Barker," dialog (PN) (2,900; 36-60-65-76). For holdover $32,400 neat, especially In view of bad slump; claims $66,300 for first week and not $61,300 as quoted. Warners—"Redeeming Sin," dia- log (WB) (1,360; $l-$2) (3d week) Only three weeks and all bad; out to let "Sonny Boy" in this Friday; probably. lowest gross picture to TJltcy~lrouae-sinco-sound~craze-came- In; about $13,000. Winter Garden —"Singing Fool," dialog (WB) (1,493; $l-$2-$3) (26th week). Surprised by losing control to extent of over $10,000 dive; $20,- 000 for first time, and moves to Harris next Monday; "Noah's Ark" (WB) here March 12, for which.no advance campaign started as yet "REDSKIN" AND VAUDE Orpheum' Did $11,000 In Des Moines Last Week Des Moines, March 6. (Draw. Pop; 176.000) Weather: Snow'; Warmer With 12 inches snow In two days and resulting thaw and. freeze, show business not yet back to normal, al- though warmer weather helps. (3ood programs all around last week, with "The Canary Murder Case" sub- stantiating library records of town's Interest In murder mysteries. Estimates for Last Week Des Moines (Blank-Publlx) (1,- 700; 26-60)—"Canary Murder." Well liked. One of best for dialog yet here. Good at $8,300. Orpheum (RKO)—"Anybody Here Seen Kelly," first half; "The Office Scandal," last half. Capitol (BP) (1,700; 36-60)— 'Redskin," sound (Par), and stage unit Substantial bill with custom- or^ delighted over color effects in picture. Dix, one time resident here, always good. $11,000, Strand (BP) (1,066; 20-30)— Scarlet Seas," first half, and "Night Club," last half. Both good for split week at $3,000. TAPER'HOLDS DOWN AT $27,000, PflT Won't Believe Stanley's Stage Show, $27,000; Penn "High At $37,000, 'Orchids' Pittsburgh. March 6. (Drawing Population, 74(^000) Grand is now the town's sensa- tion. House opened a new run pol- icy with "Weary River" and smashed all its b.o. records with close to $27,000 tor the first full week. Some, of the moert extensive ballyhoo ever seen around here preceded opening, house claiming $14,000 for two days. Critics pulled raves and Barthelmess looks set for three weeks at least.'Every Stanley -WB billboard in town car rled Grand 24 sheets exclusively for two weeks prior to premier, and tie-ups were effected with every music dealer In town. In addition house offered cash prizes for best amateur reviews on picture through Press, afternoon dally, and ties up with another local sheet' this week on parody contest for song. Figure would have been much more, bnt gobs of paper out for opening. Doing seven shows dally, Stanley was disappointment be- ing, unable to better Its usual $27,- 000 with one of the l>est stage bills here In months. Feature, "Fancy Baggage" (WB), didn't mean a thing, but stage show a tcnockout. It was theatre's first anniversary, but mob has been used toi getting such 'inferior stuff on stage here they just wouldn't believe it Penn continued big with 'Wild Orchids" for around $87,000. Garbo a favorite here and lobby Jammed for opening show Monday morning. "Ghost Talks" was liked at the Aldine. and did above average at $16,260. "Across the Sea in Zeppe- lin" also on bill and lot of extra space in Hearst dally may have had something to do with it Estimate* for Last Week Grand (Stonley-WB) (2,100; 60- 76) "Weary River," dialog (PN). New record at fz7,000 for first full week under neW'run policy; biggest exploitatlcn splurge in history of town preceded opening; lot of paper first few days or gross would have been higher. Stanley (Stanley-WB) (3,200; 26- 35-60-60) "Fancy Baggage," dialog (WB). Part talker and great stage bin didn't pull house out of rut; usual $27,000 resulted; dailies de- voted most of space to stage; house must build all over again with presentations. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,600; 26-36- SO-60) 'Wild Orchlds7' sound (M-G). Greta Garbo panicked 'em; with pleasant enough Publlx unU, did $37,000. Aldine (Loew's) (2,000;26-36-60) "Ghost Talks." dialog (Fox). With "Across Sea in Zeppelin" and extra space in Hearst daily may have bad something to do with $16,260, whioh is considered good here. iriid Orchids,'mOOO,Lii;M With'Bway Melody; $2, Next, $34,5i HOOVER HOB NO HELP; WASH. OFF; FOX 119,000 Washington, March 6. (Estimated White PoPt 460,000) Weather: Unsettled Plenty of potential customers ar- riving for the big show of yesterday (Monday) during the past week, but they were evidently spending their time trying to find a place to sleep. Anyway, they didn't go to the picture emporiums. Business brodled anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000. At the Palace It was an $8,000 drop from the new high set the preceding week, the Fox was off $7,000 and the Metro- politan $6,000, but here it was a second week of Fanny Brlce. Co- lumbia dropped around $4,000. Only house not taking it was the Earle. Figures there, however, were not satisfactory either. Estimates for Last Week Celumhia (tK>ew) "Trail of '98,' sound (M-G) (1,232; 86-60). On second week maybe $6,800, total of about $16,000 In two weeks; low for this house. Earle (Stanley Co.) "Strange Cargo." dialog (Pathe) (2,244; 36- 60)). Held to figure of previous week a^d only house to do it; busi- ness not right at $14,800. Fox (Fox) '31lndfo1d," sound (Fox) and stage show (3,434; 36- 60-^6). Dropped but stlU getting top business of town by a decided margin: $19,000. Mat (Stanley) "My Man," dlalgg (WB) (1,686; 36-60). Second week descent to somewhere near $12,000; $30,000 on two weeks reported. Palace (Loew) "Case of I^ena Smith," sound (Par) and stage show (3,868; 86-60). Worst tap on the chin house has had in weeks; good stage show could not bolster; down to $16,600. ''Canary'' Again, $5,900 Tacoma, March 6. (Draw Pop, 126,000) Weather! Warmer, clear Rialto had the wow in town last week, "Canary Murder Case." This name somehow has a real pull, and the novel plot makes 'em talk about it Estimates for Last Week . -Pantages—(1,600; 25^.<HjTr^B9^ vengo" (UA)-vaud. Good at $6,100. Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (650; 60- 76)—"Stark Mad" (MB). Did $5,- 600. Rialto (WC) (1,250; 26-50)—"Ca- nary Mdrder" (Par). Dialog. Okay with $6,900. Colonial (WC) (860; 25-35-50)— "Synthetic Sin" (FN). Good for $8,200. $13,000 at Hip, Toronto; $14,500 for TiMOrcldds' Toronto, March B. (Draw. Pop., 7(X>,000) Weatheri Cloudy, Mild ' Combination of Lent and good outdoor weather tossed overboard as of no Consequence by 'flicker fans, who rolled up one of the best weekly totals of the season,'"with "Jimmy Valentine" in the lead. "Wild Orchids,'*. Greta Garbo orl ental picture, boosted Loew's to .$t4,600i excellent in non-sound house. Stage show okay, but not up to week before. liOew's, with-but two more weeks for silent pictures, will make 'them all step after March 28. when It will be flrat vaud-plcture house. In all Canada t^ be wired. Prices will also be lowest tor sound .pictures la Toronto, and new organ. Organ has recently been drawing good publicity for house through radio broadcasts by Kathleen Stokes. Vincent Lopez and his band stopped the show, but failed to Jam the box office at Pantages, and with the "Midnight Taxi" this 3,600- seater drew only a nominal $11,600, Shea's Hippodrome, with "Some- one to Love" and- strong vaud, played to good biz at $13,000. The critics looked on the plottire as a simple little effort of no conse quence. Good pictures are not needed by this bouse, which plugs along to the best average but least sensational business In town. Neighborhoods slightly oft. Estimates for Last Week Uptown . (FP) "Jimmy ValenUne" (M-O) (3,000; 86-66). Opened to lineup, with biz holding tliroughout week. Stage show reduced to two acts. Good at $17,000. LewM's, 'Wild Orchids" (MO) (2,300; 30-60). Silent Lot about this 'jungle picture the hoi poUoi didn't understand, so they sent their best friends back to see all about it Result was $14,600 for Jules Bernstein house and raves for Garbo and l/owla Stone. Excellent Shea's Hip (FP) ("Someone to Love" (Par). Looked on as sort of Pollyanna picture good for kids. One of few slugged "U" by Ontario censors, which means for universal showing as against a marking of "A," meaning for adults only. Held well up to house average at $13,000, with stage show getting most of credit. Pantages (FP) "Midnight Taxi' (3,460; 80-60). Picture resembled clippings from some of the now forgotten serials. With Vincent Lo pez and'his band oh the stage, the house, expected to do big, but .£ailed.Jo,^getj lnto„ real money. At $11,600 l'obked"ilke"lad~w¥ek~'uiness Lopez was In at cut rate. Tivoll (PP) "Interferehco" (Par) (1,400 ; 86-66). This all dialog ef fort cleahup when shown by Jack Arthur at the Uptown six weeks ago; ' Since Uptown policy opposes holdovers, picture shifted to "small eat of FP'maln stem houses. Did well enough at $8,000. Los Angeles, March 6. (Drawing Population, 1,460,000) Weather: Good Lent's second stanza had suffi- cient tourists on hand to overcome the native absentees. Top honors for the week went to Loew's State with "Wild Orchids," starring Greta Garbo, close to a house record. Five de luxe shows had to be given dally. Another outstanding figure was Grauman's Chinese with "Broadway Melody" in fifth week, again to over capacity. Looks as though this one will be biggest gross getter and success that Chinese has had since opening. , _ "The Dummy" did not make a noise, though a talker, at the Para- mount. There was profit for house nevertheless, despite gross lowest since the Met passed out of exist- ence. "Conquest" in second and final week at Warner Bros., not a hot number either. Ninth week of "In Old Arizona" rather strong at Cri- terion. This one In for another week and then out with biggest profit to house la past five years on any single engagement For fifth week "The Divine Lady" hovered close to the bottom rung of the five figure mark. Has another week or so to go. ' Strange Cargo" on first week at U. A. fairly good, with talker com- ment on it splendid, locally. Egyptian had better than aver- age, break with "Alias Jimmy Val- entine" talke'r version and Frank Jenks on stage heading ■a.n F. ahd M. specialty unit Boulevard had a strenuous campaign for "Mother Knows Best" under Utle of "Sally of My Dreams." Trade- Jumped about $2,600 above weekly average with use of the non de plume selling title. Estimates for Last Week Boulevard (F. W. C.)—"Mother Knows Best" Movietone (Fox) (2,164; ^6-60). With "Sally of M^ Dreams" as new title, trade hopped up considerably, api^oaohlng $8,000. Carthay Circle (F. W. C,)—"Di- vine Laidy," Vitaphone CF. N.) (l,60O; 26-$1.60). Fifth week. Though no sensation, did nicely to over $10,000. Criterion (P. W. C.)—"In Old Arl- . zona," Movietone (Ey>x) (1.600;- 26'- 76). 9th week. Still humdinger.^Elx- , act, $14,674. Egyptian (U. A.-P. W. C.)—"Jim- . my Valentine," Ulker (M-G-M) (1,800; 26-76). Very good draw for ' this house on Haines popularity. $9,700. OraumsnV ChlnoM (U. A.)— "Broadway Melody," talker (M-G- M) '(2.028; 6e-$;l.50). FUth week. Over-capacity with midnight show Saturday. ^34,600. Loew's State (Loew-F. W. C.)— «WUd Orchids," sound (M-G-M) (2,248: 25-$t); This Garbo wltb Asther natural,' five de luxe stage shows headed by Rube Wolf. $38,000, Paramount (Pub)—^"The Dumr my." talker (Par) (8.696; 26-76).' Title Inffifecttve with, cash buyters, despite excellent selling campaign by Gus EyseU. 180,600, Profit,, however. . ''', United Artists (XT. A.)^Stran«e Cargo," talker. (Pathe) (2,100; 26-. $1). First week. Off to slow start, but picked up. Notices good. $12.- 600. Warner Bros. (W. B.)—"Con- quest" Vitaphone (W. B.) (2,766; 26-76). 2d week. First bust pic- ture house has had ,since oitenlng. Around $14,600, nothing to brag over at gait house bos been going. Net Tourney Slaps Atlanta; Georgia at Atlanta, March 6. (Orawlng Pop., 349,000) . Weatnei^Spotty Heavy rain the first part of week cut into grosses but ideal weather last half boosted somewhat i Georgia's vaude held up the house with "The Dummy" declared weak. Menu of fiUums last week has below average and Interest among cus- tomers remained indifferent Southern Conference basketball tournament beginning Thursday, also took a cut Into theatre money. Estimates for Last Week Howard (Pub) "Redskin," sound (Par). Didn't moan a thing down here; $8,200. Georgia (Pub) "The Dummy," dialog (Far). Below previous week; $10,600 not a smart figure, Rialto (Pub) "Night Club" (PartT Off with everything else; $2,900 means tears. FOR HIRJ IPRODUCTIONS BXPLOITATIONB PRBSBNTATIONB COSTIJA/VtSS . _