Variety (May 1929)

VARIETY PtCTURE GROSSES Wednesday, May 1, 1929 With LA. Off. Iniths" $29,400 Okay; Uer$25,500;1)esertSoiig"$a^^ "Melody" Slips, $28,000—"Coquetfe'V Going in High at $30,000—"Black Watch" Following "Mask" Los Angeles, April 30. (Drawing Population 1/160,000) Weather: Fair One of those oft weeks. Likely that the locals are counting their dimes and quarters pending the ar- rival of summer tourists within the next few weeks. This Is an annual thought for the all-year-arpund residents. Theatres are the first to feel it with the plcttire houses nat- urally getting a heavy whack. In Its third week "Coquette" led the town by about $1,500 with the Paramount getting second money on t»lx's "Nothing But the Truth" at $29,400. State did not get the break with "The Barker" that was anticipated at $2B,B0O. Had Clark and McCuUough on the stage, too. Picture played'the Carthay Circle a few months ago. "The Desert Song," In Its tl»lrd week, did very well with quite a number of repeat customers' who like the tun6s. Sophie , Tucker helped the Hllletreet and "Molly aiid Me," a T-S part talker. "Syncopa-^. tlon" took a no66 dive on its initial stanza at the Criterion. Goes out May 1. "Iron Mask," at the Carthay Circle for Its seventh week, Is nearly petered out May 8 will see "The Black Watch" (Fox) here. . "Chinatown Nights," at. the Egyp- tian, was nothing at all from the take standpoint, while "Making the Grade," at the Etulevard, Just about made the grade. f6r the house. Estimates for Last Week Boulevard (Fox) "Making the Grade" sound (Fox) (2,164; 26r60). Nothing to brag about; stage show credited with about half of the $6,- 000. Carthay Circle (Fox) "Iron Mask" souiid (UA) (1,600; 26-)1.60) (7tta week). Has overstayed Us time; around $7,600 and another week to go; "Black Watch" dialog (Fox) here May 8. . Criterion (^ox) "Syncopation" dialog (Radio) (1,600; 26-76) (list week). Buyers - wouldn't' go for It ikaplle' good .eelllng campaign;' no profit at .tB,600. Egyptian (UA-Fox) "Chinatown Nights" dialog (Par). (1,800 ; 26-7^). Wally Beery picture h.s.g.; $6,700. Qrauman's Chinese (UA) '"Broad- way Melody" (dialog) (M-Q) (2,- 028; 60-$1.60) (18th week). With most of wlntef tourists gone, slipped a bit; still healthy though at $28,- 000. ■ ■ ■ ^■ Hillstreet (B-k-O) "Molly and Me" dialog (T-S) (2,942; 26-75)/ Pi^aw on Week ,m;ostly credit^ , to Sbjlhie Tucker; $16,600. ' - - Loev/a 'State (Loew-Fox) "The Barker" dialog (FN) (2,042; 26-$l) Too.soon after Carthay Circle; with Clark ^and McCuVough at head of IP. and M. unit responsible for tilting draw to $26,600', which isn't the boU Ing point. Paramount (Pub) "Nothing But the Truth" dialog (Par) (3,696; 26- 76). With trade off all around, Dix film did nobly in getting $29,400. United Artists (UA-Pub) "Co 4|uctte" dialog (UA) (2,100; 26-$l) (8d week). Mary Plckford seems to be marvel of the town;, drawing them from early mom till late at night; for the stanza $30,000 claimed. Warner Bros. (WB) "DeJiert Song" dialog (WB) (2,756; 26-75) (3d week). Just dropped a little below week before; around $24,000 okay. Janiungs' 'Betrayal' Falls Down m SL $17,600 St. Louis, April 30. (Drawing Population, 1,026,000) Weather: Rain and Fair Business was hurt by rain the flrst half of last week. All houses had good attractions but were limited on comedy. Biggest surprise was the way Jannlng's film, "Betrayal," failed to pack 'em at the Missouri. Jannlngs bas always been a favorite here. Estimates for Last Week Ambassador (3,000; 35-50-65-76)— , "The Letter," dialois: (Par). Did ' very well; $25,100. Fojc (6,000; 35-75)—"Romance of Underworld," sound (Fox). Good crook picture and stage show; did fairly. L"oow'a~~8rafo (^;300r-25^35-6fr)— -"Coquette," dialog (UA). Mary Plckford's talker okay here; $30,100 Mieaouri (3,800; 35-60-65-75)— •Betrayal," sound (Par). Not deemed up to Jannlngs' previous work;. Harry Rose's stage show; $17,600. Grand Central (1,700; BO-76)— "Show Boat," dialog (U). Opened to $2 premiers Friday of previous Acrobatic Yessers One of the choicest yes-man stories coming out of Holly- wood Is that of a picture man who had a screen test of. a promising girl which he wanted a certain west coast producer to review for an opinion. The executive was agreeable, and said: "Sure, my committee and i will take It- up at our usual 3 o'clock projection room sittings any aftemon you say." The agent, trying to sell his . screen possibility through that committee stuff' was the nuts, but' after some hawing it was agreed that the - executive's yes'-men be permitted-to voice their opinions first, following' which their chief - would say^ his'little say. -The Idea was, of ' course, to-get the yessers' real o'plnlon first-without being In- fluenced by their boss.' The short reel of the girl's test was showii and the quartet committee then voiced opinions. "Great!" said the first -"Marvelous I" second's. "SweU!" third chimed in. ' "1 think it's lousy," was the production manager's decision. -Up spoke Tes-mah No. 1: "OtreBiU lt the gal didn't look so bowlegged:" ' "Marvelous, if that cast in her eye didn't spoil It." Tesser No. 2 qualified. • "Swell," No. 3 reiterated, "If her t>roflIe were better." ''Sonny Boy''$263pO,OJL; 'tetter'' fair m Minn. FBIHCE OF WALES, PATRON . One of the season's outstanding social events la the "Toe H" • Ships Boys Club benefit performance. This year on the Aqultania with a METER DAVIS ORCHESTRA as the entertainment feature. The PRINCB OF WALES knew Talbot House *. «■ a Grenadier Lieu- tenant and baa been Its never-fail- ing patron. Minneapolis, April 30. (Drawing Population, BOOfiOOy Weather: Favorable Last-week was a sharp disap- pointment :. for nearly .all local amusement palaces. Groses turned In by highly touted pictures ran far' underexpectations. Looks as though a spring slump has hit the town. » Comparatively, a legit stock made the best showing. Next in line for mention was "The Bridge of Sah Luls 'Rey," at the Henneplh-Orphe- um. This had not been anticipated as possessing heavy pulling power. It failed to come within miles of shattering records, but, unsupport- ed by strong vaude, it drew several hundred more smackers than the heavily exploited and preceding "Syncopation." Critics raved about "The Letter," at the State. So did discriminating moviegoers, but among the general fans ther^ was considerable diver- sity of opinion. Trade was far from hot. At the Minnesota "Sonny Boy" proved an ace matinee attraction but a night weakling. "Queen of the Night Clubs," Lyric offering, also fell down on pulling power: Texas Gulhan didn't mean much In this almost night-clubless town. Estimates for Last Week Minnesota (F. & R.-Publix) (4,- 200; 76) —"Sonny Boy." dialog (WB) and Publix unit First-class program for the kiddles, with excel- lent matinee trade; drop In night takings counterbalanced by mati- nees; around $26,300. State (F. & R.-Fubllx) (2,300; 60) —"The Letter," dialog (Par). Dif- ferencis of opinion all over town; play presented here In stock several months ago and flopped; stage show pleased;- around $16,800, disappoint Ing, Hennepin-Orpheum (R-K-O) (2,- 890; 50-60)—"Bridge of San Luis Rey," sound (M-G), and vaude. Fact that its stars .are unknown hereabouts and that it Is a costume picture was expected to mitigate, but drew heavily on the book; vaude bad and about $14,200 fair. . Lyrie (F. & R.-Publix) (1,300; 35) —"Queen of the Night Cluba," dia- log CWB). Following "Night Club" .at.thl3Jiauafi.hLurt-lt;-.ai'iJund J.4joo^ poor. Pantages (Pantages) (1,600; 25 50)—"Hit of the Show" (Col) and vaude. Moderately satisfactory, but contained nothing resembling mag net; about $5,200, not so good. Shubert (Bnihbrlde ' dramatic stock) (1,400; 50-$1.26).—"The Sap, Raymond Hitchcock, guest star. Scored knockout hit; nearly $8,000, very big here. "LETTERS" GOOD WEEK Did $8,800 at; Keith's ViiDtory, Prov. —41|600 Over Average - Providence, April 30. (Drawtno-: Population, 316,000) Wtethers Unsettled. Another record .crashed last week when "Coquette,.''.playing six. shows a day at Lioeir'B State, p\illed close "to $28,000. ' t'fatnre holds over. Giood plctwes' helped the- other houses,'despite he&vy rain-over the week-end. "TPhe Letter," at the Vic- tory, gave this house the first real break It has had In ^any weeks. Estimates for^Lsst Week Loew's SUts (8,600; 16-50)—"Co- quette." dialog (UA). Program of ^orts okay: Plokford stays another w«ek; great buslnMs with matinees brisk; aboiit $800 short of record; close tb $28;000; Majestici (Fay) (2,200; 16-60)— "Conquest tor Love," dialog (WB), and "Stolen Kisses,^ dialog (WB). Both; fltans 'caught much favor: about $12,800; good. Strand (Ind) ' (2,200; 15-50)— "Nothing but- the Truth," dialog (Par), aliro "Eternal Woman" (Col). Dix teatore-talk'of town; Burton Churchill, stock favorite here, in cast, and played up big by house; $12,600 reported. Victory (RKO) .(1,600; 16-50)— "The Letter." dialog (Par). House got first real break in weeks, $8,800; around $1,600 or so over what house has been getting. - Fays (f%7) a,e00; 16-60)— "Haunted. Houae;" dialog (FN), and vaude. Feature caught praise; close to $10,500; ftUr. IKASK" TO $19,000; FAIR IN BALTIMORE Baltimore, April 30. (Drkwing Population, 926,000) "Broadway Melody" continues to be the screen wonder of the year. After playing to over 8 per cent, of the town's population at the Stan- ley, picture, was moved to the smaller Valencia and is now In its fourth week' there. This week it establishes another precedent by showing simultaneously at the Val and the uptown Parkway. Despite big outdoor opposition, the races and Home Products Week, picture business was up nicely. '-'Close Harmony," at the Century, got a good draw and the New was okay with "Speakeasy," and film Is holding over. For the first time In many weeks, the screen fare eclipsed the vaude at Keith's. "Man Who Laughs" was the film. Estimates for Last Week Century (Loew), "Close Har- mony," dialog (Par) (3,200; 25-60). Well liked and played to nightly turnaway; stage unit, "Laces and Graces" came in for exceptional comment; business up for $23,000. Stanley (Loew-Stanley-Crandall) "Iron Mask," sound (UA) (8,600; 25-60). Got usual Fairbanks draw, which is satisfactory but not sensa- tional In this town; matinees rather good,'especially Saturday; business up to about $19,000. New (M. Mechanic) "Speakeasy," dialog (Fox) (1,800; 25-60). Best this house has had In months and holds over. Valencia (Loew, U A) "Broadway Melody," dialog (M-T) .(3d week) Steady Intake continued at this ele- vator hours; flrst three-week en gagement Jn...thla:-hQU3e sinqg "Big Parade"; about $8,000; satisfactory, Keith's (Scbanbergcr's) '^Man 'Who Laughs," isound (U), vaude (3,200; 26-60). Picture was the big attraction last week; good at about $14,000. Parkway (Loew-U A) • "Duke Steps Out." sound. (M-G) (1,000; 16-35). ,Went big at the downtown Century and ditto at this select up- town stand; about'$4,800, Think House Policy Secondary To Quality of FVogram-k Idea of Public in Portland GUM-CHEWINa BOOH Los Angeles, April 30. Rigid rule against smoking on stages may be hard ,on players, but Is soft for chew- ing, gum manufacturers. Be- fore starting on a day's—or night's—^work smokers stock up on gum where formerly they laid in their supply of clgarets. When under call but not "be- fore the camera, jaws of suf- ferers rise and fall In fierce precision. $30,500 FOR GRANADA'S FIRST ALIrSOUND WEEK San Francisco, April 30. (Drawing Population^ 762,000) Weather: Clear General spurt noticeable last week. Almost every Market street film house showed ^ improvement New policy of all. ^o.und and no presentations at the* Granada was successful. Theatre had one of its big weeks-of the year at-$80,600 on "Wild Party," which moved to the St. Francis for a second week. With a~ wow of stage show and "The Duke Steps Out," the War- field shot far ahead of the preceding week. Lynn Cowan, m. c, ended his flrst week a prime favorite and total here was $35,500. California changed its bin Thursday, "Divine Lady" supplanting "The Letter." Three openings - were staged Thursday with a duo rearrangement of bills at the two Wagnon houses; "Hearts in Dixie" went Into - the Davles. This is the first :time -Wag- non has digressed from the .Warner banner: since he entered the picture game. Estimates for Last Week Warfield (Loew) (2,672; 60-66-90) —"Duke Steps Out," sound (M-G). Second largest Saturday and Sun- day biz In history, resulted in ab(iut $36,600. Granada (Publix) (2,698; 36-60- 60-$l)—"Wild Party," dialog (Par). They like Clara Bow.' and business took a big Jump; $30,600; no stage show, California (PubUx) (2,200; 36-60- 66-90)—"The Letter." dialog (Par). Showed pronounced Increase; week ended to near $23,000. St. Francis (Publix) (1,276; 35-60- 65)—"Canary Murder Case," dialog (Par). Second time on Market street for $6,100. Embassy (Wagnon) (1,367; 60-66- 90)—"Glad Rag Doll," dialog (WB). Second week with about $9,000. Marion Davles (Wagnon) (1,850; 50-65-90)—"Queen of the Night Clubs," dialog (WB). One week only to aro.und $10,600. Columbia—"Broadway ' Meloidy," dialog (M-G). First week to about $20,000. Syracuse Fell for **Duke"; $23,000 at State—Good Syracuse, N. T., April 30. (Drawing Population, 220,000) Weather: Variable "The Duke Steps Out," sound (M- G-M). at $23,000 was cock of the walk here last week, this figure- go- ing $500 beyond the figure done the preceding week by "Coquette," (UA). Keith's was second iwlth ahout $14,000, or $1,000 less than the pre- ceding week. Keith got Its best gate the last half. "Night Club," sound (Par) In the first half meant noth- ing; "Love and the Devil," sound, (FP) which followed was better liked. "Simba" and the Martin Johnsons In person was the weakest sister of the week, doing about $4,000 at the Empire. Estimates for Last Week Loew's State (2,908; 26-50) "The Duke Steps Out." Very good at $23,000. Strand (Ind) (1,600; 20-40) "Clear llie "DSclTs?' "R"6t "llRe'd."'-Orf"tfoin $9,000 of "Why Be Good?" to about $6,000. Empire (Ind) (1,491; 26-40) "Sim- ba" and Martin Johnsons In person. Only $4,000; kid patronage building, with schools plugging. Held over, Eckel (Schine) (1,446; 36) "Cap- tive Woman." Great at $9,000. Keith's (2,514; 25-50). About $14,- 000, average for house. Portland, Ore., April 30. Publix Portland started off with a bang on new all-sound policy with "Wild Party" as flrst feature and short talkers. Fox-Broadway also stood up well as principal opposi- tion, with '^Bridge of San Luis Rey" olnd Fanchon and Marco stage unit. Popular sense is that policy of house Is secondary ccnslderation to quality of show. Local Publix ads have been panning stage 'show Idea as passe, while Broadway boosts them blgC' General public falls to get the fuss ' and wants good shows of either- kind. "Show Boat" made best showlni? " In town last' weelr at' Music Box at 75o top. Did $16,000 and seems set for run. . United Artists held "Broadway Melody" for fourth .week, although original plan was to pliay only three. Estimates .for Laat Week " Portland (Publix) (3,600; 25-60) "Wild Party" (Par). Good pop at- traction on first, all-sound program. - Sound'shorts." $17;000. - ; Broadway (Fox) (2,000;' 36-60) "Bridge of San Luis Rey" (M-G-M). Good romance film. F. & M.'s "Fan- tasma" stage show registered okay. $18,000. United .Artiets . (ParicerrW. C.) (1,200; 35-50). Fourth week of "Broadway Melody." H61d up fair to Uniefi. $6,000. Music Bex . (Hamrlck) (2,000; 60- 76).' Raised prices for first week.of . "Show Boat" (WB). Looked big for good run. $16,000. Blue Mouse (Hamrlck) (1,200; 26- 36) "Red Wine," film feature. Busi- ness steady. Fair program film. $6,000. Oriental (Tebbetts) (2,700; 26-36) "Sal of Singapore" (Paths). South Sea action film. Also Frazler stage players in one-act play. $8,000.' Pantages (Pan) (2,000; 36-60) "Love In Desert" (U) film feature, - program variety. Vaudeville. $9,000. H^ilig-Hipp (Helllg) (60-$2.50)i. Three-day stand of Walker .Wblte».<-. side (stage road show), supplanted stock tab revue. $6,000. Good. . Oiifwin (Henry Duffy Players) (1,400; 26-$1.26). 2d week. "Mother's Millions." $4,600. FOX, SEATTLE, OPENS TO $20,300-BIG SeatUe, April 30. (Drawing Population, 600,000) Weather: Clear and Warmer Never a greater: airay of attrac- tions at local film theatres than laat week. Ne^ Fox opened with Broadway Melody." and it was pretty clearly proven that the town won't stand all the Class A houses now here. Fifth Avenue, with "Speakeasy" and a pip stage show, suffered the worst. • "Wild Party" was in bad spot, too, against the Fox opening. I John Hamrlck had two gre'at bookings at his' Blue Mouse and Music Box, vlelng with the Fox, In "Coquette" and "Show Boat," which packed 'em at both houses. It was a surprise that the Seattle didn't do better, patrons evidently missing the stage show. - Estimates for Last Week Seattle (Pub) (3,106; 26-60)— "Wild Party," dialog (Par). Clara Bow liame wowed In all publicity; started big, but week-end picked up greatly; stage show out; $19,600. Fifth Ave. (Fox) (2,600; 25-60)— "Speakeasy," dialog (Fox). Picture liked, also stage show; Max Brad- fleld back as m. c; biz very bad, new Fox opening hitting hard; $14,- 600. Fox (2,500; 25-60-75)—"Broadway Melody" (dialog) (Mi-G), First week of new theatre; all pictures and music, featuring Jamie Erlck- son, organ, and Sampietro, band master; great opening and biz big at $20,300. Music Bex (Hamrlck) (1,000; 60- 76)—"Show Boat," dialog (U). Open- ing night premiere at $2.60, then reg prices; picture liked and biz great; $14,000. Blue Mouse (Hamrlck) (900; 60- 75)—"Coquette," dialog (UA). Every- one wants to hear Mary Plckford talk; very big at $11,000. Coliseum (Fox) (1,800; 26)—"Sin Sister" (Fox). Nancy Carroll a real draw here; lowest^ priced flrst run souna'TiduWIh~l6wn;"'$3^(r0r " Winter Garden (U Chain) (650; 25)—"Border Wildcat" (U). Thriller going over okay; about only local house of note not wired; $2,400. Pantages (1,500; 25-80)—"Lovo In the Desert" (FN), arid vaude, Biz off; $6,200. Orpheiim (2,700; 26-$l)—"IJouse of Horrors" (FN). Second week of Photophone, but biz oil; $8,900.