Variety (Apr 1929)

PICTURE GROSSES VARIETY H^ly Wd( and Hddovere Muffle JVay^-CaiM $58,100 on I WeeM New Kctiires Last Sat orgy of prenUeres slgnallea the Lent and the topeakjngr of S?Sadway'B dea<"oc'« holdgvers. SiieP Saturday ushered in B«vm ^^otures and the Immediate lu- tntlyrai witneBB numerous opentnga toSdS the re'feular weekly change JS^S; schedules for the next Sr6t^<^^ I'eUi "Coquette," SSlW." "Rainbow Man,V 'Show »fc,'/ "Ihnocentfi of; Paris" and Ijr doldwyii's ."Bulldog Prum- Jbiy W^lt'i^oO^'Brpsseffliwlow'avr iffie aithouirh. ln the three. Ws par- iSc Boxy, Caj)it6l tad,Paramount, Sm* were contributing factors- for mederatft grosa^s. ^ Ro^ vas, re- Slnlng Its feature for a third .week, Sraii5)unt haa;"Red8kln". fresh from SCrengagement. while the dapltoVs ittempt to get, by with 'J^ie Qreat Powen" Independent talker, resulted aaaatrously.-Buster Keaton's "Splte Marriage" <*a8 rushed in oa the .second ^performance •Sund.ay fire alter the ^show had taken a terrific laiolng frpmi'patrons, •,- ^ - . . •■Broadway Melody'/' serenely set ' it:5i« Astor," copped; $24,800;^ about " tiie only rittifagtlon to hoM that 'emUe through'ttbly Week. ''Heairt? inTDlxiS," wWch Mew Friday In '&Tor of "CHrtSOna;" wlll 'pop' Up at the Boxy this Saturday:' It's ' Stay at the Qalety wae^ not happy. . "Ii«ay of',tb^ Pavements" held ■^ng on its;.third and fln$il week, - teliying |ap.»00:^at the K(alt6:; Could hay^ Btaye^ ibnger biit booking lim- pt«a to..three.'.weeks. • Eitlmatea for l««t week f' Ailpr^"Brbatfway Melody," dialog V <isl-T3). (1.120; $fr»2) (8th' week). V Advance 'sale and demand Impetus V kept this onis rolling; 924.800. ' Cameo—"Godless Girl," dialog /<t)athe) <649;:,.: 50-76) (1st week). GbcU'B. DeMiUe's long delayed plc- Itnie I opened . Saturday under, new • l»llcy-hew .iof extended runs; no - change, in fscale; "Battle of Mons" :atky6d 4v»'days of second week for . M.60)>:. house 4ark.two. d^ya.. i'Cait)ltol<-^''Spiter Marriage,'* sound \ W-Q) (4,630; • 85.-6j[»-'76-.$1-|1.60). Sacrificed to-emergency; came in on the crest of ;anothe!r picture's-iflop; ; -started 90 aeoond' shbw. Sunday -without previous publicity; got good biit belated notlceti; house- lOcl^' to pull out vrlth 868,100,' poor fleure for this loc&tloh. : Centr«l-^'.*W64try River," dialog .< OfN) (922;. 11-82) (lOth Ani' anal week. Oood',ru^; jgucceed&ig ' atr frfhotlon ' "His' '.Captive '' Womih" (SUIs-Hack^U) oj^joed «Iast pight .(TiieS%y); final gros^ on ''Weary,'.' ,■ 810.800. ■ - ■ -, Xolony—"Steady • Lady,". V dialog <Pathe) (l,0.8Q.i. ,6J)-T6). Pre-Ea^tifir ' Mump lopped-11,600, or BO, oft housp average; around 811.300. .Criterion^'.'-The Letter" dialog . <Par> (88?; 81-82.) (4th week). ' AtKiut threemore' weeks; .'Innor cents of Parle". (Par.), with-Maurice -Chevalier, notr.Slated for .this house . Instead of Rlalto; "Letter" around 812.000, good. EmtiBsay—"Trial of Mary Dugan" dialog (M-G). (696; 81-82) '(Ist Wek). Pfeihlered Thursday night: drew, favorable-cDiAment ajricl started . on well over week'end. ' Gaiety—"Hearts In Dijtip" dialog (Fox) (808; 81-82) (6th ahd^final . week). Gross evaporated on final week;. "Christina" (Fox) Saturday hlghted and enjoyed good start, spilling ovej into Monday, t. Harris—"Singing - Fool" dialog CWB) (1,101;, 81-»2) (29th week). Can't last • much longer; vet of street now/ flirting with 88,000. Paranteunt —"Redskin" sound (Par). (3,666; 40-e6-76-86-tl)„Tech- nicolpr feature:!previously at Cri- terion; not hot a,t 868,000. .:.<RialtQ—''lAdy. ot the -Pavements" «o,und (UA) (1,904; 86-60-36-81) (3d w»d'final week).. Final, grpss of -1:10,800^ punchy .enough to have war- ranted waek or two more; gathered |110,400 on three week stay; "The .wlia Party" (Par) opened Sat, In lor three weeks, then "Close Har- mony" (Par) due., .-^'voli—"Iron Mask" sound (UA) (2,200; 35-^0-86-81) (6th week). On the. sag after swanky run; 'way ahead of "Gaucho" on general form; x'^..^®'*' »28,600, and "Coquette" log * Friday night at $3. open- ';ft???^T."^P®**^^^y" dialog (Fox) 60-76-8i-$l,B0) (3d and final- ^e«k). Ttlke 896,600 makes total on, this double holdover 8340,- .f„i Hearts of Dixie" and big stage show will stab for two weeks. " "7^f ~"" So«nyrBoy"~diaidg- (WB) (2,900; 36-60.66r76). Holy til "eured here aa) elsew'here; Ifni ^ pretty good under circum- stances; had brief stay at Warners. rt,\;?'""«';8—"Divine Lady" sound WM?, ^,Vi'**" »l-»2) (2d week), fl'"'Jjf* "Ited but no sock at prices; first fun week $20,600. Winter Garden—"Noah"* Ark" MIX HOPS PTFT. STANLEY TO$33,650-TOWN0KAY Penn's $35,500 Neat—"Son- ny Boy" Out to $15,000— "Strong Boy" $12,000 Pittsburgh, Aprir2. (Drawing Population, IWflOO) Expected dent from Holy Week didn^t materialize. Biz wa^ excep- tionally. good, considering every- thing and nobody registered kicks. Tom Mix, at the Stanley, gave the' House one of Its best grosses in moiiths, screen cowboy alone being credited with 833,860. Flret show. Good. Friday, houe^ was a sellout,- rare occurrence in this city. 'Vaca- tion in schools^ started Thursday, and kids were out In droves. So that house put on %n extra show Saturday morning for theni': House got quick turnover for they left after seehig' Mix. Milt Douglass, as m. b.; was to have opened house's stage band policy next week, but was yanked and what house-intends to do next Is being closely veiled. "Desert Nights" waia one of weak- est pictures-Penn haJb had in long time, but regular moo enabled gross to approximfite'836,600. Publij: units so well liked here' they come re- gardless of film. Picture came In at last, minute to keey 'Xady of Pave- ments" for.this week in connection with personal appearance of Lupe Velez. Mexican girl in on wave of exploitation seldom seen around here. Grand, with second and last week of "Sonny Boy-," fell oS only a cou- ple of grand to about 815,0.00,..xlue to the influx of .-k|ds when vaca- tion startedj Picture didn't do what was expected. "Divine Lady" (FN> opened fair Saturday. Aldlne picked up a little over the poor grosses of preceding two weeks,' claiirtln^ around 812,000 for "Strong Boy." ' Estimates for Last Week . Stanley (Stanley-WB) (3,800; 86- 60-60)—"Lone Wolf's ■ Daughter,',' dialog. (Col.) and Tom Mix on stage. Gave house best In a long :tlme: 833,660 credited to MU; kids flocked after . Vacation . started, with > .hun- dreds lining up at stage entrance aftisr each show. Penn (Loew's-CA) (8,600 ; 26-36-^ 60-76)-^"Desert Nights," sound (M-G) and Publix unit Fell off about. flve * grand . from previous week, still, takings around 836,800; good enough, , .Qriind (Stanley-WB) (2,000{ 60- 75)—'«onny. Boy,", dialogCVVB). In Second and final week managed to get aroun^ 816,000, dUe to children;? trade; special two-bit tickets for kids had 'em coming after schools 'closed for Easter. Aldine (Loew'^) (2,000; 26-36-50) —"Strong -Boy," sound (Fox). Picked gross.up a bit with, around 812,000 claimed, due mostly to 'Vic McLOglen's local draw; "Broadway Melody" (M-G) in now for run. Si Lonis Eases Down; Ambassador $27,000 St. Louis.-April 2. (Drawing' Population, 1,0&,000) Weather: Fair and Witirm Warm weather and Holy Week furnished a double blow last week. £:verythlng tumbled; - "Weary River," Grand ■ Central hold-over, pulled along in good shape. Other attractions all over town but average. / Estimates for Last Week Ambassador (3,000; 36^50-65-76) —"Kid Gloves," dialog (WB). Un-- derworld witticisms overshadow bloody battles of gangland; Nagel popular here; Ed Lowry'a stage shew; 827,000. Fox (6,000; 35-76)—"Air Ch:ou9," sound (Fox). Aviation thrills with- out the war element; stage show in- cluded "Rhapsody in Blue'! presen- tation and prolog to film; Loew's State (3,300; 25-36-65)— "Tide of Empire," sounji (M-G). Good gold rush spectacle with ac- tion and color; sound shorts; 810,- 800. Missouri (3;800; 36-50-65-76)— "The Dummy," dialog (P&r^). Stage show with-Milton Slosser, organist, pinch hltUng; 818,800. — Grand Central (1,700; 50-76)— "Weary River," dialog (FN), (2d ■week);--Stlll'drawlngr-sound-screen, shorts. dialog (WB) (l,494;^ 81-82-83) (4th week). Finding some favor but not outstanding; circusing In publicity has been Important factor; if it Urries until graduation days every- one will probably be satisfied; last week around 823,000. N. p. FEELS SOCK state $1,200 Behind Saenger's $14,- 200—Strand—Tudarr^OOO -New Orleans, April ?,- (Drawing Population, .600,000) Weather: Clear and Warm Holy Week made no corhitiroinlse. One and all sutTered alike, Saehger went along with"China- town Nights" for a mere 814,000. Loew's State had "The Dummy" and grabbed 813,000, luclQr. Orpheum slipped in 'projecting "Getaldlne" and the Strand worried along with "Love and the Devil." Cashiers had a seven day snooze. Another to just make an even two gees was 'TJry Martini" at the Tiidor. Estimates for Last Week Saenger (8,668; 66) "Chinatown Nights" dialog .(Par). Title prom- ised, but those who looked in pro- nounced opus slow paced; only 814,- 200. Loew's State (3,200; 60) "The Dummy" dialog (Par). Considered just another talker here but 813,000 not bad. . Orpheum (2,400; 60) "Geraldine." Very quiet at 88,100. Strand (2,200; 66) "Love and the Devil." Just passed 82,000. Tudor (800; 60) "Dry BlarUnl" (Fox). Also 82,000, bad. BALTO. EASES BY TOUfiH WK.-4»ARKWAY$5^ House's Best Figure of Winter Witli "Weary" — "Why" $18,500 at Century- Baltimore, April 2; (Drawing Population, DBOflOO) Weather 1 Fair Daylight savings proposal doesn't seem to have a chance with the state legislature, and as this is a biennial body the. idea- is 'out for the next two years, at any rate. Down- town'-exhibitors oppos^ it, fearing a cut in night trade, v . First-run houises weather Holy Week far better.thaJl exi>ected. One of the Loew-.^.-'lioUses—Parkway— actually got the best dra'w It has had air winter with "Weary River." Century only slipped 81,000 with "Why Be Good," but the Stanley eased off considerably with ."Tide ot Emplrp," . : • 'Valencia pame through nicely on VCanary .Murder. Cas^"; sent over from the Stanley .for a continued run. Combo 'tCelth's reported a good weeic, having "Shakedown" on. the screen. : Estimates for Last Week Century (Loew)—"Why Be (3ood," sound (FN) (3,200 ; 26-00). Excellent flap picture got that type of dra,w': "Bubblfis" excellent stage unit; weathered tradltldiially ' Off week very 'well at about .81.8;600.' Stanley CLoev-dtahley-'CrandaU) —"O^de of Empire," sound (M-O) (3,800; 26-60). ' Voted goojl for its type but had no flapper appeal; about 816,00« light. Rlvoii (WilBon : Amusement (So.) (2,100; 26-60)—"Oteyhound. Ltd.." dialog (WB). Monte Blue popular, here and picture dreV pretty well; not outstanding, but satisfactory.' Valeneta (Loow - UA) — "Canary Mitrder Case," dialog (Par) (1,600; 26-60). Got a good week at the big Stanley and held up nicely Bere when transferred; 'way above avi- erage at thi^ low-top house; about 84,000. New-'tWhitehurSs)—"Jazz Mad" (1,800;-26-60). Just a fair-week de- spite flip's title; felt Holy Week opposition; not over 86,000. Parkway (Loew-UA) — "Weary River," dialog (FN) (1,000; 16-86). Gave this theatre biggest gross .of winter, and in Holy Week; clote td 85,000 a big surprise. Keith's (SCfaanberger's) — "The Shakedown" and vaude (3,200; 25- 60). -Van and Schenck on stage re- sponsible for outstanding Holy Week; business herd seems on-the upgrande; nicely above average at about 813,000. MET'S STYLE SHOW W3,000 Boxer Helps<MSmerial Get $24,000— ^ State Off With $17,300 Boston, April 2. (Drawing Population, 850,000) Weather: Fair and Rain Just Holy Week, with business generally off. One exception. Jack Sharkey, at the Memorial, held business up fairly well. At the Met the most surprising business that has been checked out there tor many weeks was turned over. . Estimates for Last Week Metropolitan (Pub) (4,000; 60-66- 76)—"Wolf Song," sound (Par). Style show credited with drawing power; 848,000. —-Keith-Memorial-—(3,000 ;--.41)--tt-. "Children of the Rltz," sound (FN). With Jack Sharkey heading v«ude; 824,000. Keith-Albee Cvaudflim) (8,000; 60-60)—"Carnation Kid," dialog (Par). Down at 819,000. Loew's State (vaudfllm)—"BelU- my Trial," dialog (M-Q). Mot eo good ^Ith 817.806. Just, Another Week in (%icago; "Wolf Song" Holds Chicdtro at $42,000—"Mask's" Good Second Week—"True Heaven" $5,300 FHAND $19,400 WITH HARMONY'-BmOFF Nlusic Box $8,000 and Pan $9,000—"Desert Song," Legit, $19,000 Portland, OTe., April 2. (Drawing Population, 310,000) A combination of the last week in L«nt and four-day stand ot the road show, "Desert Song," at the Auditorium, combined to force pic- ture grosses down all around last week. Rosa Ponselle, operatic so- prano, was also here in concert for one night Despite such circum-. stantlal opposition, the Portland held up well and the Dufwlh did big with world premiere of Tom Barry's new play, "Danger." ' Hippodrome ran its last week of W.'V.M.A. vaude and will go musi- cal comedy tab and pictures, next' week with Ted Howland as pror ducer. Estimates for Last WeSk Portland (Publix) (8,600 ; 86-60) 'Close Harmony," dialog (Par). Proved popular;. Henry Buese. as m. c. going over okay.; 810,400, Broadway (Fox) (2;000; 86-60) "Desert Nights," sound (H-O). Off at 812,600. United Artists (Parker-Fox) (1,200; 35-60) "The Iron Mask," sound (UA) (3d week). Off some due to opposition; 86,600. Music Bpiic (Hamr'ick) (2,000; 26- 60) "Kid dloves," dialog (WB). moving fllm ot underworld; Mack Sennett's' first talking comedy here lik«a{ 88,000. Blue MoiiBS (Hamrlck) (1,200; 26-60) "Redeeming Sin,." dialoff CWB). Not bkd tor 86,000. -Oriental (Tebbetts) (2.700; 26-36) "Haunted House,'? soimd (FN). EVazler Players In one-aot -stage play; good all -round program; 88,- ooo- ' .. , /' ' Pantages (Pan) (2,000; 36-60) "Cohens and Kellys in A. C.,". dia- log (V). Ooinff great as film'fea- ture; 88,000. Hippodrome (Heillg) (2,000; 10- 80) "Sally's Shoulders." House not wired; last weak ot W.V.MJL vsnd; rei^ced by musical tab; 84,000, : Qufwin (Henry Duffy. Players) (l,60d; .26-81.26). World premiere of Tom Barry's new play, '3>aqger*' with Duffy east; play Isi mjrBtery thriller; without a murder; did well for 86,600. ■ Auditorium (Civic) (4,000 ; 76-83^). Fow-day stand of "Desert Song" with 76 apople, Blar. 27-30; Mast week of Lent held- -business down for what was biggest'road show-at- tractioit of local season; near '819,-' 000. Asb's Return No Help; BIdpParLow, Chicago, April 2. Same minority group which took big money away from .the regular lH>op leaders the previous week was still In the saddle Holy Week. Quite a letdown all around, however. Best wa» the 836,000 broui^ht to United^ Artists by the second week of "Iron Mask.'.' This figure is 810,000 above wh^t the house ordinarily would call good. State-tAke was easily above nor- mal again at around 826,600 for "Strange Cargo." This Is the RKO stand's second week , of sound, the policy starting to 832,600. Before wiring^ and with seven instead of the. flve aiid six acts of vaude no^w used,, house- hovered Just above and below'.820;00O^nd mostly below. Biggest downtown house, the Chi- cago, dropped uiider average with "Wolf SoiDg" at 842,000. Oriental also was among the losers, hitting 835.000 with "Chinatown.' NightB." Fox's small Monroe was better than usual with 86,300 for "Tru^ Heaven." Orpheum also was quite satisfied with 87,400 tor the second ahd last week of "Queen Of the Ifl41>t C!luba." "Wolf of Wall Street" went out of the R6osevelt to 819;00O for its third week, 'the otheir two weeks 'jgiving It a. kood'three-'week average'. "In Old''Arizona" Is estimated at about 836i)00 for its third week and car> rie 4^ over. EstlmfitM for Last WiMk Chicago <Publljt)—"Wolf Song." sound (Par), and-stage show (-4,400; 60-176)'.' -Showed n'6 power in adverse we^k; 842,000. ' : MoVioker's (Poblfx)—"In Old Arizona,'; dialog (Fox) (1,666;^ 6Q-'76). Slipped to 835,000 in thhrd week, but Btlll beyond the usual; started at 846,000. ' '■ •' . S .' MenrM . (Fox)r-''!Pruo Heaveti,*' sound (Fox) (1^000; 60-76).: IMd Xery ' weil, drawing 86,800 In oner week stay.' Oriental (PubUz) — "Chinatown • Nlghta," dialog (Par).. imA.Fubllk . unit (8:600; 60-76). Got-jnBt .faclr. comment, BM house felt gonenCl slump.; 886^000^ - . . - - - . brph«um>(W^)T-''Quein<'of Night Clpbs/'dialos (WB) (80l){ 60>. TO- Woi 8I8i860'ia two weeks!for l,0«OS : seat hbuse; first, 111,468/ and ^B)e6« ond, 87,400.. — ,-•.-''' Rdo«ev«lt . -(Publlx)^"W!Olf ot WaU- Street;" dialog (Par) (IfiOOi 6.0(^76); : Down to about: 819.000-In «nal (tbirid); w«e)r; strong opeQlas was at-127(000.' ' '.,,.'•■,.'^ ; .81 a t • - take - (BKrQ)i--VStrange: Cargo.'' dialog (l?athe),> «nd;...vaud'tf (3,700; 60r7»)< Stcant [ yreHk, > or . sound hlt'<imartly;<~826.600,. " . United Artl«U(UA)r^'1r6nMaBk,''^ sound (UA) (1,700;^ 60-76^;'^Prevldue* , week's recprd - toppler-'stlU |10;000 aboVQ normal; 836,0)00 on second -week; house taken'-over tor. opera- tion by B.-ArK. April L Brooklyn,'April 2. Paul Ash vis back at the .Par- amount. Annual food show-, is over, Lent's gone, 'spring's here and'show business is still kind of slo^. '.^ In addition to Aqh the Par had "Redskin" but only did around-844,-' 300, whlQh 'ls 'w^y off. Fox, down the road, has- ho ,klok ho^.' Exc«K lent vaude orp&y and "Lone Wolf's Dadghter^' did Other three houses held on tightly, and didn't complain. / At the Met- ropolitan "Jimmy 'Valentine" and fair vaude drew .824,000, while - the Albee plugged. aloAg with "The; Spieler" and Rudy 'Vallee for 824,000. Strand succumbed to midnight shows nightly, new idea, and of- fered "Sonny Boy" which -was re- ceived fairly well at 823,100. Estimates for Last Week Albee—"The Spieler" dialog (U) (3,248; 36-60-60-76). Rudy VaUee and orchestra got excellent billing and helped; 828,000. Fox—"Lone Wolf's Daughter" dialog (Col) and vaude (4,000; 36- 40-60-60-75). Program starts on Mondays now and crowds have taken kindly to new policy; good vaUde building clientele which here- tofore-stayed away; 831,000. Metropolitan—"Jimmy 'Valentine" diaiog_(M-G) (3,577; 36-40-60-75). Popular plcture'ana"T22,9D0. ; '" Paramount —^"Redskin" sound (Par) (4,000; 36-60-76). Ash Is back and sizzling stage show, but 845,000 very poor. 9trand—"Sonny BoV dialog CWB) (2,000; 25-35-60-60-76). Dayey Lee popular here and' house pleased with 823,100, on tough week. Palace Fair In At$l$,MD^oiW.OOQ WashlngtOOt. April 2. (White Pdpulatlei^^O,000) .Wsaihert-Unsettled' 'What with Holy Weekt' ^hot, cold and rain, picture' business did soine fubhy thttigs-last week.. .' Palace with ."Mating Call" copped top - money age^in. . Earle took a seven grand broc|le wltb ."The jCm:- natlon KW": Fox reversed Itself from <theprevious .week, -opehipg' low and building with "VtaklngVjthe Grade." "Lucky Boy" was indU- ferent at the Met. while .'"Bellamy Trial" lield - up .ratherSi^ell on .its second' week at the Columbia, Xhrerythihg'came back with a ter- rlflti ru.i^ ;Saturday, all nouses plti'g- glng specials. Fox has "Hearts in Dixie" and the Columbia has "Broadway Melody." Both here at regular toll. Estimates for Last Week Columbia (Loew) "Bellamy Trial" dialog (M-G) (1,232; 35-60). Good second week against conditions; about 88,000. Earle (Stanley Co.) "Carnation Kid"'dialog (Par) (2,244; 35-60). Off 87,000 from previous week; means close to 811,000. Fox (Pox) "Making the Grade" dialog (Fox) and stage show (3,434; 36-60-75). Started light but built; just above 817,000. —Met-(Stanley-Co.)_!.'Lucky._BQy."_ dialog (T-S) (1,685: 36-60). Didn't overcome handicaps; near 80,000 very low. Palace (LoeW) "Mating Call" si- lent (Par) and stage show (2,363; 35-50). Dropiied from previous week but silll got top monej; of towM; final count near 818,000.