Variety (May 1929)

Wednesday, May 22, 1928 VARIETY Roxy s at $83J)00 R 0. Tafianf; fiairyinore Rim Goes Floppo; VaUees 3d Week at Par $78,700 Much shaking of mahaserlal heads and scanning of ekiea along the bright bulb boulevard last w«ek. Business was fluctuating and' it rained In-between and frequently. The weaiher was unusual enough for California, Paramount, Capitol and Rozy were bunched around the )SO,000 mark, the Boxy ai bit over, the others a little under. That's aspirin business for the cathedral but okoy for its competitors. "Singing Fool" lacked stamina at tlie Strand, taking but f 27,000 on its second week. Sjo far as Broadway is concerned the six months' run at i2 apparently squeezed out the Jol- BOn picture's OniAv. It's ilrst^ grind ■H'OPk tnlly. $46,700, was also a dis- appointment. On toj) of a $S3.000 week the Ro.\'y's holding over of "The Valiant" (Fox) is a little paradoxi- cal. Columbia's "Mother and Son" had been booked for -this' week. 'Tjut has been set back. Fox may desire to build U)) Paul Muni, star of "The VulJant,'' an unknown at the pay box (under his prcsc/it title, al- though having some following in New York under his original legit monicker. Muni Weisonfrcund.) "I'Uernul Love" went floppo at the Rlvoll getting an undlstlngulshe<1 $26,200 on ks premiere week. It will hastily exit this' Friday with <i)ily two weeks. John Bariymore's naiiie couldn't surmount the tragic story. Among the reserved seaters th^ competitive pressure Is slashing grosses. "Broadway Melo<ly" even fell ore to $20,400, a couple of G's below liny previously reiHtrted take. "Rainbow Man," "Mc-ther's Boy" and "Christina" were under $7,000 last week. "Alibi" is another to suffer from the crowded waters. New pictures due this week and nc.vt include "Black Watch" (Fox) opining tonight (Wednesday) at the Caicty. Universal will spring "Broadway'' on its papa May 29. "On With The Show" is due May 27 at Win'Ler Garden. "Cocoanuts" Mjiens at the RIalto tomorrow (Thursday) and Vilma Banky in "This Is Heaven" opens at the Riv- 9li tills week-end. Estimates for Last Week Apollo — "Bulldog Drummond." dialog (UA) (1,270: $l-$2) (3d week). New demand picture suf- fered with the field on second week. But right behind "Broadway Mel- ody." Oft $2,000 from previous week for $19.200.. Goldwyn pur- posely omitting six o'clock extra sliow over week-end, estimating that with warm weather third per- foi-^nance unnecessary. Astor—"Broadway Melody," dia- log (M-G) (1,120: $l-$2) (15th week). Dropi>ed $3,000. Has re- ported $23,000 right along. Holding reserved seat lead by around $1,000. Last week $20,400. Cameo—"Hot Stuff." sound (FN) (540; 60-75). Alice White; linseris comedienne, held over on $6,200. Capitol—"The Pagan." sound (M- G) (4,620: 35-S0-75-$1.60). Silent picture with Ramon Novarro sing- ing .senuenres. Nice week at $78,- 200. ''Bridge of San Luis Rey" cur- ronl. Central — "The Squall," dialog (I'N) (922: $l-$2) (2d week). A1-, though generally panned, did pretty well on first full week; $13,900. Special pui'Hclty probably helpful. Extra space to sell pictm-a as a steaming potato. Cohan — "Mother's Boy," dialog (Poti*e) (1,314: $l-$2) (3d week). Jjlttle ciiance for this one at $2. Too much class opposish. Paced arQund $7,000. HouPc sub-leased from How- ard Hughes of Caddo Productions. • Criterion—"Innocents of Paris.'' dialog (Par) (SB.*!; $l-$2) (4th week). After seven years as Para- mount road-show house Criterion lut^t week passed to Ptibllx for oi)eratlon. Report that policy would be changed to grind not confirmed. Chevalier picture ' slated for six week. Improved $200. Last week; $10,800. Embpssy—"Mary Dugan," dialog (Xf-C) (596: $l-$2) (Sth week). At this house $6,900 okay. But "Mary" skidded a grand from previous week and will have to steady to stick! 44th Street—"Alibi," dialog (UA) (1.323; $l-$2) (7th week). Unable to arrest the drooping grosses. _iU'SUndjfJ!,OiJJi^_I^blj£it,v_jiow con- centrating on Chester iUori'IS^ox: appeal. Gaiety—"Christina." sound (Vox) (808; $l-$2) (7th and linal week). This girl never got anywhere; La.st few weeks between $5,ODO-$C,000. "Ulack AVatch" (Vo.x) opens May 22 <<onicrht). €lobe—"Shoivbunt." dialog (ID (1,- 11"<; $1-2) (6th week). Has been doiiiS sood blss-but must defer to CoOeen, Wash. Favorite, Off |3,000;"'I^''Big Washington, May 21. (White Population, 450,000) Weather: Okay One of tlie town's previous sure bets. Colleen Moo;re. failed to, get them la.st week at the Earle In "Why Be Good'^" Fact star did not talk may have had something to do with it. -"Show Boat" showed much strength on its flnal and fourth week, while "The Desert Song" got away excellently at'the M.et. Tough week was big. nllottefd task of three weelcB in stiff test. "Trial of Mary Dugan" plus ' a stage shbw- with Herbert Hawllnson. screen star, new m. c, packed 'em' .igain (and. as usual) at the Palace. I^.id everything in tpwn by a wide ntargin. Wai-ner'a "One Stolen Night" at the Fox. even though the stage show was good, droj>ped almost three graitd under previous week. Jeanne Eagels in "The Letter" got only one week at the Columbia. Mutual burlesque has wired Us Strand and opened this week with "Molly and Me." Estimates for Last Week Columbia—,-"The letter." dialog (Par) (1,232; 35-50). Not much excitement and got only one week in this run house; reported at $11.- 500. E.->rle (Stanley-Crandull) — "Why Be Good'/" sound (F. N.) (2;244; 85- 50). Usually Colleen Moore gets them but this time only about $13,800; Publlx units earlier reported to be triinsferred to this bouse from Pal- ace when Loew units, play the lat- ter now said to be off,.with house .sciieduled to stick to straight sound program. Fox (Fo.x)—"One Stolen Night," dialog (AV. B.), sUge show (8,484; 36-50-75). Never did get started, witli stage show falling-to help mat- te;rs; $16,900. • ' •Met (Stnnley-Crandall) — "Desert Song," dialog (W. B.) (1,586; 85-50). Got excellent start, about $17,000. Palace (Loew)—"Trial 6t Mary Dupmn.*' dialog (M-G-M) stage show (2,363.; 35-SO). Gblng iherrlly on Its way .with something like $22,0W registered on the week. RiaHo (U)—"Show Boat," dialog (U) (1.92T: BO-76-90). Remarkable strength for fourth week, getting something like $10,600 on six days., swttelilng to Saturday opening and reduced scale of 3C-60'for "Synco- pation," now ^current. pre-eminent claiims of "Broad- way," due next Week. "Show- boat's" next docking uncertain. B€-Uered $14,000 iMt week. Harris-"Madame X," dialog (M-G) -,(1,101; $l-$2) (Bth week);^ Capri- cious weather Cut In here as else- where but picture running a strong third to "Melody" and "Drummond." $17,000. > Paramount—"Gentlemen of PresS;" dialog (Par) (3.666; 40-66-75-$l). Third week of Rudy Vallee's stage engagement. $78,700 following $88,500 and $81,100. Three pretty weeks, despite falling off of sen- sationalism in grosses. Succeed- ing weeks will test scope and character of radio fav's pull. Rialto — "Close Harmony," dialog (Par) (3.904; $l-$2) (4th week). Step-laddered from $46,700 to $31,700 to $19,900 (last week). Blows tonight (Wednesday) "Co- coanuts" getting high hat reserved seat premiere tomorrow (Thurs- day) evening. Rivoli — "Eternal Love," sound U.A.) (2,200; 85-5e-85-$l) (2nd week). No punch ~ to this one. Barrymore in unsympathetic role and production generall.v razzed. Taking it on after two weeks, rirst week, $26,200. RoKy—"The Valiant," dialog (Fox) (0,205; 60-7S-$l-$1.50). Held over on $83,000 figure about rockbottom at this hoiise. Fox plugging Paul Muni, new dialog star from legit. Fox "Jlovletone Follies" opens Saturday. Selwyn — "Rainbow Man" (Sono- Art^ (1,167; $l-$2) (6th week). Scrams after tliis week. Around $8,000. Strand — "Singing l^ool," dialoi; i(W.l!.) (2,900; 35-50-65-75) (2nd ^.WJSCkK, J«lsea^,not_^as__^trong on return at pop prices as'-'&htTcn-* . paled. $27,500. "His Captive Woman" (F.N.) current. Warners — "Desert Song," 'diaJos (W.l;.) (1,360; $l-$2) (3rd week). Vltaplione operetta doing mod- erately well. Around $14,000. Winter Garden — "Noah's Ark." dialog (W.P,.) (1.494: $l-$2) (11th week.) Last week about $12,000. '■.On .S\'.UU The SUoni" nest .Wtck, Innocents'Builds in Ptid. ; 'Scandal' at Pan's, $12,000 Portland, ore.. May 21, Portland (PubllX) (3,600; 26-60)— "Innocents of Palrls," opened cold, but went to big fln'lsh. Soimd shorts. $4,600 in 6 days. Broadway (Fox) (2,000> 35-60)— "Girls Gone Wild," sound feature. Fair. P. & M.'s "Cottage Small" Stage idea, okay. Also "The Knife," dramatic sound sliort, billed big. $12,000 in 6 . days. United Artists (Parker-Fox) (1,200; 35-BW. Third and lost week of "Coquette." Held up well to end $0,000. Music Box (Hamrick) (2,000: 23- 5Q). Fourth and last week of "Show Boat." Fair. $7,000. Oriental (Tebbetts) (2,700; 25-35) —"Iron Mask," 2d run. Okay. Fra- zier stage stock in one act. $0,000. Pantages (Pan) (2,000: 35-50)— "Scandal." Vaude. $12,000. Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (1.200: 25- 50)—"One Stolen Night." Fair. $4,500. Oufwin (Duffy) (1.400; 25-$1.25). Duffy Stock In "The Nervous Wreck," 2d week. ^4,500. 'Show Boat'Entire Si While St Louis likes Fox s Vaude St. Louis. May 21. (Draw Pop, 1,000,000) Weather: Warm Almost continuous rain for three weeks let up Tuesday and all the shows got a break. Qvery house had feature attractions which took well. St. Loula had Mae Hurray in person heading a flve-act vaudefllm bill. The St. Ix>ul3 Times bathing beauties, selected at the Missouri tlie week before for try-outs in Warner Brothers studios, appeared in Kd Lowry's stage show at the Ambassador and helped pull them downtown. Vox inaugurated Its new vaudillm policy. Its baily - for "Bridge of Ban Luis Rey" got're- sults.. Estifnates for Last W*«k Ambassador (3,000; 36-60-65-75)— "Two Weeks Oft" (FN), talker. Microphone had no sobering effects on Mockafll-Hulhall team, but this one lacked the pei> of their previous .films, fid Lowry's stage show .with Times beauties; $30,M(^. Fox (6J>00: 8S-76)—"Donovan Af- fair" (Capra), talker. Typical mys- tery thriller holds suspense well; audience liked new vaude policy. LoMv'a Bute (8,800; 26-35-66)— "San Luis Rey" CM-O-M). Wilder story moves slowly.' Shorts; Masourl (8300; 85-60-66-76)— "Satarday'8 Children" (FN), part talker. Corinne Orlfflth's voice dis- appointing, but picture Interesting; Harry Rose's stage show; $19,100. Grand Central (1,700; 60-76)— "Show Bo at," ^a l week; no shorts. ''Tnitii" Returns Ceotury To Baho/Leai $21,000 Baltimore, May 21, "Broadway Melody," after six weeks at downtown houses (day and date in two houses for one of the six), has passed on tp the neigh-' borhood theatres and is still pack- ing 'em in. Gross for the six weeks at Loew houses, $84,762, record. Century once more regained first place, topping the big Stanley by two grand, "Nothing But the Truth" proved:, l>etter getter than "Mai-y Dugan,". although the latter okay. "Iron Mffisk," at the upstairs Va- lencia, failed to show anything big but "The Divine Ijady" at uptown Parkway came through rather sat- isfactorily. "The Leatherneck" oke at the lUvoIl. "Mother's Boy" aver- age at Keith's. ' Estimates for Last Week Century (Loew) "Nothing But Trutli" (3,200; 26-60). Picture well liked. . Got press brealc due to Rich- ard Dlx's presence in Baltimore (patient at local hospital). Stage show. ' Teddy Joyce new m. c, good start. Business not up the theatre's big weeks; $21,000. Stanley (Loew-Stanley-Crandall) "Marj' Dugan" (3,600; 26-60). Fhut time for Shearer in this house (usu- ally at Century), Business not up t(> expectations, although far from bad; $10,000. Valencia (Loew-Unlted Artists) "The Iron Mask" all sound (1,500; 25-60). Satisfactory but not big for this one four weeks back at Stan- ley. Just fair at this uptown stand; $3,300. "~°RiV6l!~'( Wilson)—"The^—Leather- neck" all sound (2,100; 26-60). Opened welL Tall Cedars' conven- tion affected trade somewhat, par- ticularly Friday mat. On whole sat- isfactory and above recent average. Parkway (Loew-UA) "Divine I.,ad.v" all sound (1,009; 15-35). Bet- ter fur this select uptown house tlian tor clowntown Stanley,. Is'ol "Pagan" at $31,150 Is $10,000 in Front; Nothing Else Hot in L. A.-Par $21,000 ''Gentlemen of Press" Light—$13,100 for "Blaclc Watch"—"Wild Parly" $6,900—"Boat" $13,008 Length of Show Got Penn, PittshnrgK $83,000 Pittsburgh, May 21. \Yiih the regular one week standr. maintaining average bis aiid the- lone holdover, "Show Boat." at Grand, doing better tha» espeeted, nobody complained last week. Day- light saving summer reaction hasn't set In yet, and showmen are sitting back waiting for what's bound to come. "Hearts in DUle" started off big at Aldlne, following sis wccks^ run ot "Broadway Melody," but tal;ings tumbled after middle of \^-cck, with gross around $16,000. "Show Boat." in third and flnal week, claimed $15,300, giving house average break for run. "Desert Soug" opened Sat- urday to big crowds, coming in on wave of exploitation that started almost three weeks ago. Censors played havoc with "Mary Dugan" at Penn; striking out pas- sages right and left. House got around $33,000, but bill ran away over two and a half hours. House without m. c. last week, unit "Pearls of Bagdad" carrying own musical director, but Wesley Eddy was in town rehearsing, and opened yes- terday. Clinrley Melson inade his bow a;; guest m. c. at Stanley: arid: put on elaborate eta^e^ shbtr.' ' Picture. "Nothing VBut :th,e'; TruthJ* .ahd walked off with around ,S2S,S0(r. Plp- turc and stage both wisll liked. Estimates for' Last Week Aldine (Loew's) -(i,900; 26-36-60) —"Hearts in Dixie," dialog (Fox). Liked by critics, around $16,000. Bi2 started big, despite^ long-"froadway Afclody" run Just "before,' "but fell Sway oft about' middle of week.. Plenty of dough spent plugSlhg "Dixie" several weeks In advance.^ Grand (Stanley-WB) (2,000; -SO- 75)—"Show Boat;" dialog (U). »1B.- 300 in third and final week. Mai^ blis fell 'way ott, though "nlftht pa«ik maintained. Picture no panic dtii*'- ing rim here, but got tcrir. enough returns througli pldasant word^Ot- mouth. Women especially liked.lt. Penn (Lbew^s—UA) ,8,800; K^iiJ 60-75)—"Mary Dugitm" dialog (liF- 'G). Maltreated by cehabrs 'and stage show. "Pearls of Bagdad." didn't help take away badjtaste' left by dialog cuts. AtxHlt $38,000, due more to length of program -than anything else. Picture, ran alpiost two hours, Stanley (Stanley-WB) (3,600; 25- 36-60)—"Nothing But Truth," dia- log (Par). Charley Helson's debut OS m. c. in elaborate stage show, $28,600. Trade building steadily here, mob beginning ' to evidence some interest in presentations and overture produottons. Jt they keep pushing ahead, fall should see this house back in big money. Enright (Stanley)-WB) (8,700; 2S- 35-40-60)—EUist Liberty's de luxe house just moving along andvgetr ting nowhere. "Love and Devil," sound (FN)(, took drubbing in dalles, and Dick Powell strlved man- fully to hold up stage show. Pic- ture big problem here.' House must take what's left after Stanley and Grand h%ye pick. Biz shows it. Tagan'' and Smging No Panic al $28,000 San Francisco. Hay 21. (Drawing Pop., TtOfiOO^ Weather: Clear and Cool Not so good last week. "The Pagan" at the Warfleld failed to knock 'em, but house maintained its leadership. Those who heard DIx talk In "Notlilng But the Truth" liked the picture, but biz was not as flourish- ing OS the week before at the Granada. California put on "The Rolnbow Man" Thursday. Chcva- lIoV's picture, which had two weeks at the California, moved to the St. Francis, where it opened for its sec- ond run Friday. Bill Wagnon ditched "Dark Waters" at the end of the first week and opened Thur8day\vith "Madonna of Avenue A" at his Davlen. "The Desert Song" is now in Its 20th week at the lOmbassy. Estimates for Last Week —Warfleld-(Fox-lK(CW-)—(3,63i;-XIL:i. 65-90)—"The Pagan," part singing (M-G-M). Singing of Ramon No- varro did not draw particularly, but stage show good card. About $28,- 000. Granada (Publix) (2,698; 35-50-65- $1)—"Nothing But Truth," dialr.s (Par.). Held fair but nothing mar!<od at $22,500. California .(C.ubli.\-J. .(2,aopj Jj-50- Los Angeles, May 21. (Drawing Population, 1,450,000) Weather: Fair Ice di'lving weather and the flood of stimnier tourists not due for an- other two weeks, with state ond county tax payments being made on time, did not bolster the picture houses last week. Only one film hit over $31,000. This was "The Pagan" at Loew's State. House led Its nearest competitor by more than |10,000. Ramon Novarro's first Hinging opus and with the actor's following strong and the Hearst newspaper help trade was partic- ularly heavy. Paramount's "Gentlemen of the Press" was weak b.o. On a par witli this taltc was that of "Broadway Melody." whioh lias slipped at Grauman's Chinese. "Time, Place, and Girl" had just filled In to await opening, of "On with the Show," at Warner's, which opened at $5 top last night (Monday). "The Black Watch," Carthay Clrrle, didn't make mucli headway on its Initial full week with $13,100, Including premier, Probably will last four weeks. Finishing its Second month nt United Artists "Co- quette" .slipped ,to aroiind . $12,800. "Show Boat,V ih second week at the Ullimore,' got off .to rather poor ^tart but picked up tor two sellouts to parties. Come within a $1,000 or so of Initial week.: Second week of "Mai-y Dugan" was within reaching distance of the first. Picture has another two weeks to go. before the t'ox "Follies" is unveiled. HlUstreet ha4 bit of a struggle with" "Two Weeks Off" and vaude. About $2,- 000 behind previous week. "Wild Pai'ty" was only, fair at the- Elgyptlan, while another one ot those 'Jcuoy .titled pictures,- "Girls Gone Y''il<l>'' tit tM Boulevard, was oke, ; . estimates rfor Last W«ek ' : B i 11 m e r e (iSrIanger) — "Show Boat/' dUilog (U.) (1,660; 60-$1.60> (3d weeky. - With theatre parties i4nd heavy weekend, .managed to hit around $13,000.-.>:'': n Carthay .'. Circle .(Fox)—"Black -Watchi" .:dia]og . .(Fox) (1,600; 60- |l>50)i(2d week). -For initial stanza with, dallies'hotitoo forte in praises, take was ° $13,100; Jnclbding about '(ft^op lor |6':preint^e.. iCrUerlen' (EV)x)i:r.;!TrIal of Mary Pugan," dialog, '.(M^GI) <l,600; 26- 26} (3d -,wi^k)<., Hetd up in good sltape: second Bevi6n. d/^yB $11,200. ' E:ayp.|i«n (UA-Foz> — <'Wlld Party," dialog;'(Pat) (liSOO; 26-76). Bow opus Just fairr 18,000; , Gr.aum«n'« 'CtiinMi (UA)— •iB^rtfodWay. Uelody," dialog (M-O) ('2,028; :60-$1.60). (tlUi week). Mats off,.' also eSirl^ nights , of week; arotind 921,000. TlfloUywood Revue Of '29" (M-G), liext In about four weeks. ' Boulevard (Fox)^"Glrls Gone Wild," sound (Fdx) (2,164; 26-60^. Title helped in slack seAson; $5,860. HillMreM (RKO)—"Two Weeks Off,"- dialog (PN) (2,1960; 26-76). MulhalPMackalU talker did nicely; ♦18,600. Loew's State (Ixmw-Fox)— "The Pagan." dialog (MrG) (2,042; 26^$1). With Hearst papei^ push and No- vaiTO; singing, led town at $31,160, ..Paramount (Pub)—"Gentlemen of the I^ess," dialog (Par) (3,696; 26- 76). Newspaper story not relished here;- trade unsteady and flnal count near $.21,000. United Artists (Pub-UA)—"Co- quotU," dialog (UA) (2,100; 26-$l) COth. week). Now In final week; iiuslness for next to last stanza around $12,800; strictly okay. ; Warner Bros. (WB)—"Time, Place flind Girl," dialog (WB) (2,766; 25- 75). In for week, prior to "On with Uia Show"; limited exploitation let house .break about'*eve'n;' around $18,000. OS-00)—/Innocents of Paris," dialog (Par.). Second week held up well at $18,300. St. Franeia (Publlx) (1,^76; 36-60- 05- 00)—"Night Club," dialog ond two other features. Not so good at about $6,700. Embassy (Wagnon) (1,367; 60-66- 90)—"The Desert Song," singing. First week best house has experi- enced for many months; $19,600. Davies (Wagnon) (1,150; 36-50- 06- 90) — "Dark Waters," dialog. Rather disappolnUng with $9,000. Columbia (Gottlob - Plhcus)— "Broadway Melody"; 4th, final week went big; $19,000. F^OR HIRE PRODVCTIONS ICXPIjOITATIONS PRBSENTATIONI COSXOAAES a w.<^9•^llST■ N.y.o^^