Variety (July 1929)

Wednesday, July 24, 1929 PICTURE GROSSES VARIETY 9 Par's 4" ox^umce ; Last week's .-.JJi-oadway grosses tohd to indicate the: picture parlors are happily Iininune to • th<» ; d^ep sti.iifini er blight .currently ossify in? the Ifeffits. ^ Statisticians estimate the popula- tion of Greater Kew Yorlc fo.be over .1,000,000 persons ■- fe'tver in the licatod season; than durinjr the rest of the' year. This huge absente»* body of citizens scerhs to be felt by the dramas -far more than by ..the: flicker galleries, .even though as usual in. hot weather New Yorjk. holds lSO.OOO, transients daily. ' ' .riunnihg thfe^lndfex finger dow.Ti the - Broadway film roster discovert a number of sizable grosises,. and' particularly strong against the siip- pbsed handicap vof the . w<;iither. Nothing sickly about the. IRoxy's! $97,906, and: the Paramount Clara- .bowed to $82,300 with -"Dahgerous CurVes/V . CabitQl's $57;460 hot bad, either, with Golurhbla's "Fall of Eve." ■ • V... . ■ In .farther• evidejibe that wheh the picture.-is there the crowds will be, ..weather- Regardless, is. the Ilialto',.s ; $53,000 .w.eek-elid CSat;-Suh:. . 20-21) With 'The Mystierlous . Dr; ' Fu Mahchu,," which makes." the fourts ■ P.airamount money, picture on. ;the street,. That is:. .in itself a unique record for Broadway'in hot weather;' . "Thunderbolt'' is jiist.winding ,up a .dough chkagenioht at the Rlvblii VFour Feathers'" isrclose to ,the sell- out at, the: Criterion,, and^ tt^^^^^ Bdw dido • is sticking for ft second week at :the Paramount. ' ,.,. In th© $2 division "Smiling Irish Eyes", -succeeded '.'Broadwa,y Babies'.' at--the .Central last n i^ihi (Tucsday); VJSulldog Drummohd": blows the Apollo. Sunday. "Broadway Melody" has about, three, weeks more to go, and ''Hallelujah'' ,is due; at the Emr ■bassy.; ■ ..:" . .E.ietimateis. for Last: Week . A P Qi i.d—^':Bulldog: Drummond" (XIA) ..(1,270;' $l-$2>. :(i3th..and final week) . Hoisted . itself bit to $9,400. but out after this' week.' and three- rnohths.; Possibly -iCollow .'"Evan- geline" at HiyoII; Made money all the wJiy find leaving before dipping Into, blood.- . : - . ..Astor—'.'groadway Melody" (M- G-M) (1,120; . $l-$2) (24th week). Quoted at $15,000..; , Capitbr—"Fall of Eve'^ (Columbia) <4.620; 3.o-50-75-$1.50). Farce gath- ered $57^000, nicei. showing for inde- j)fendoht filin in big house and fol- lowing, month's ,.epgaigemGnt at $2., Of bbna-fide indies Columbia In Jast year . has had greatest hiamber oir Broadway showihg^s. ; • Central — "Smiling .- .Irish Eyes'.' (FN); (922; . $l-$2). :. iColleen Moore pictm-o christened last night: (Tues- day). . "Broadway Babies" tarried fov month. Colb:r(y-^"Show Boat" (U) (ligOO; 35-50-.6'5) f3d.->Veek);- XJ's favorite o.ra.ft. has di.«jpla!yod. speed, on rbpeati Cruised 'along ,brightly in 3d week to hotter than $10,000. ." Criterion—"Four Feathers,'' silent (Par) (802; ^l-$2) (7th Wbek), Try- ing -to figure drawing power of this ;o.np is. a major sport along- Broad- way.; At. $I3,i06, lots . of vitality. Those who don't like talkor.s point- ing to the golden silence of "Feath- ers." .Next, probaLbly"The Virgin- ian." but indef.. Gaiety "Black . Watch'', (Fox) (808; $l-$2) (loth week). Stayed long.or than expected; Tinged with claret. Pegged arourid $5,000. Globe—"Melody Lane" (ly) (i;418; ,$l-$2) (2d. week).. First full week quoted pretty high, - so that's out- ;?ii?'|e.Leonardj:star,.old-,fay:in these part.< .but pic badly pahnd" and not doped, to stick. Rent for- house $6^00, and if even break, lucky. . . Paramount "i^.i-ngerous. Curves" (Par) • iZMH'. 35-C5-75-$l). Beist since. Rudy Vallee made his social dpbut hero.. Second picture in. house hi.story to. be held over/ Critics didn't like picture,::but ;pubilb .did; $82,300. . • • . ..- : . ^ Rialto;—"X)r, Fu; Manchu" (Par) a.^Op;. 35-50-S5). ' Ad.aptatibn 6t. Sax riphm(jf;s heavy-selling goosoplmple yarn started oft- like prairie fire. ■Weekend; grossed $23.000/: Fina;l -.week of '.'Alibi" $24,500. v . ;.^R i v.o.l i—"Thunderbolt": (P a r) C2,20.0; 35-50-85) .(5th, flha;i week), ll^ow pret a sixth week at this, house. - Btit "Thunderbolt'^ heavily profit- able find took house record on opon- .jng. wppk. Bettered 3d week gro.*!s by SfiOO.-for $26,800; -"ISvangcline" vUA) next. //. "~ "Pleasure cirazed". (Fox)' (0,2.05;. r)0-75-$i:.$1.50). Good aver- age week. No fireworks but' divi^ dends; $97;900. '7rStra!rd=^"Twrhr-l^<!-s"^(F—N:)- (2,9001 3,5-50^75), - Second .screen version of a venerable Al Woods tarce, done.by every di-amatic stock m the Country: $26,000. «i ^,^'*"!^'l-^"l5rag-" (F. N,). (i;3:gO ; in • ''^^^ week). Human story nKpd. Demand continues, prettv steady, rlimbing Avith w^oather breaks. Close to $14,000. Pushed out Hot Pictiire , ' Hollywood:, July i23. ■ ; . . .More than,a;Score bf-actors^ .. became prpsti:ated .by the in-., tense heat; registering, at. times '. .as high":., as :-■ 135 • deerrpei,. -in. ' filming.' scenes . on 'iSallyV . for. . ;Fir^t>NationaI at feurbank,; /; ; . .-^n^^ .'deeree • of heat, * ''never before ; experienced ,on an enclosed stage, was gen- - erated/fc^ the' necessity of 150 . sUn ^trcs; f oc.used '.pn the set to .facilitate recording the - scene in. Technlcolori . Actors cpiild -. ;ipt wprk under .this glare . . more sthan two minutes at a . time^. the same as 'during..the . . last heat 'waive. ./' . . At one time .the. building.gpt.: - so hot/that .-thie fire chief. pr- ■ 'dered work be stopped for'^ two hours, while the structure, /cooled; 6tt.\ ■ ■ ' ' 99 Philadelphia, July'23.' / Weather: Very Gobi Cool, almost fall-like weather, ho rain, good bbx-plfice pictures and the number of downtown houses cut to a minimum' • That gave ev6ry indlcatipn of pro- duclnig good business last week and the hope was justified, .though not in every- house. The Mastbauni. eh- Jbyed its moist prosperous week in almost two months with "Danger- ous-Curves." Gross reported at al- most -$49,000 and .-the picture: re- sponsible; not the stage bill. ''; ■ . Fox also , hid a highly satisfac-. tory week with "Behind That Cui'- taln" film arid another Fanchbn and Marco show, "Up. in the Air." Com- bination coaxed about $32,000, also above recent hot weather average. "Drag" wound up two weeks at the Boyd to excellent tirade, at arb.iind. $18,000. Picture was highly praised and , should have- stayed longer but didn't, asr the Warner people, .were bent on bringing "On With the. ;Show" in. Latter opened very strong this week,, and with plphty of extra advertising should be. good for three or four weeks. Disappointment^ -was. "The Rain- bow Man" at the Stanley. Eddie powljng got personal credit for his work, but the reviewers could not warm over the picture, and the jinx .that has been following the Stanley continued. , No stage bill. Despite cool weather, week's gross not over $24,000.- Pictut6j however, held over. This week's pictures include "River of Romance" with iSuddy Rogers at the Mastbaum; "Pleas- ure Crazed" at Fox; "On With the- Sho.w" at Boyd; :!'RaInbow;Man" at Stariley, and "Gamblers" at Karlton; ; .Estimates for Last Week ■ Mastbau'm. (5,000; :40-'50-75) "Dani gerous. Cur.v'es" (Par).. Clara Bo.w and. pictui'e, highly popular. First real smash hoiigie has had in almost twp months; $49,000. . ... Stanley, (.3,700;-. 35-50,-^75'). "Rain- bow .Man". (Sohoart-Par). / (l.st week). Dbwihg liked but hot so picture. Week at $24,000. Fox - (3i000: ; 90), "Behind That Curtain" (Fox). Received mixed -notices,, but -Stage bill , helped ^out lot;, business strong at $32,000. ; ■ . . Boyd .(2,4Qa; 35.-50-75)', "Drag" CF. .N.). 2hd, iihal week, though business w-arrant^d ioriger stay. $.18,000. 'lOn ."With the ShoWV in for •run. . '■ ■■ . : / / ■■■ Karlton . .(1,100; :50)/".Whecl pf Life" (Par); Not SO forte with $3^500.repbrt^di •/ - . - ; - ■.-■"Here;'1-is". . -' ; . " Yours Very Truly / IJTTiLE JACIC LITTLE Khown, and ■ idolized by millions. Nb-w. in England, hiy nati-ve land. .Gietling acquainted with the rela- .tiveS..' /•; .-/.../ ".■ •■. ■ .:-;.■ / Mbtoring through; the. I5ritislv Isles/, What a .vacation' . : .; ON JOLSOr^^^ . Los Angeles,- July 23. -. Walter: Ahtho.iiy and I^^ Rigby assigned to/ writescreen, play of "Mammy'' fbr; Al; Jpl.soh - and Wav- Tiers.. • '■ '/' At the same studio J..Crrubb.Alex- ander will write the dialog for '.'Islo pf Escape." • . . Stanly, l^sAid, All-Soiind; ^ood iGrosses Last Week . - -Baltimore, Julj-^ 23.-. (Draw; Pop, 850,000) / :. Weather Qleai' and Gobi. :Baitimbre's blggeist seater, • Stan- ley,;-has: given, if s orchestra, notice and the Ixouse will gp all-sound be- ginning Aug;;!.. This is the. bitterest, blow, handed the. local; musicians since the all-wire policy, went into effect last year. It leaves only the CentuiT, Keith's..a.nd the Hipp with musicians :o.n v;the hoof, : and ■ the latter house is closed fbr the .stini- mer. ■' : . - There is^ . little likelihood that either the CJcntuiry or the two combo houses will follow the other thea- tres. in the allrwire policy. - AH thre? lean iieavily on stage shows.- Fine weather: last week gave the houses a .good break. At the. Stan- ley VilmaBariky in person Monday: and Tuesday with "This Is Heaven/' The "in'person" stuff was; a^ riot; equaling, the ; jam caused byV Del Rio's personal, appearance at th.« .same house several weeks ago. / Century , was rather good - last week with . "Wheel of Life/' .Up- stairs Valencia abo.ve a-verage with "Prisoners," wliile the.uptowh Park- way b. o. panic with "Cocoahuts.": . The combb Keiths has installed .a resident revue troupe,-Raynbr Lehr Co., as. a mid-j&ummef substitute for. the Keith;, vaiide- end of their bill, and the idea is regi-Herihgi The. Ne-H', now operating oh a tWo-Week policy, oDened "Behind That Curtain" to: good business.. . . Estimates for .Last Week' 'V Stanley .<Loew, Stanley-.CJrahdail), "This Is ^ Heaven" (3,600; 25-60). Opened with two record-breaking days due to VIlma-Bahky in person. Matinees On two days biggest in hotise history. Tr.ade slipped later and just good average week at $18,000. Century'(Lpew), "wheel of Life" (3,200; 25t60).. " Opened big and held up two days. Easing off Wedrie.saa,v on. Stage- show;.-."Surprise Party," average; $21,000, good in mid-sum- mer.- Valencia (Loew-UA), "Prisoners" (1,500; 25-50). : Cprinne.Grifilth ac- counted for above average draw. Houso now xising first run.s with varying results. Satisfactory . at $2,800,; /■ .;.- ■.-'-• ; :;-::-..-v .-:..'-: Parkway (Loew-tJA), "Cocoanuts". (1.000; 15-35).. Near; capacity day. and night. Surprising' mid-summer businessi,. NOt house rccordj but close at $5,000. New (M. jNfcchanic)', "Behind That Cu,rtain-' ,Ct500; 2S-50)» .Advance :publicity got this, bri.e off tb good start and- fine weatlier .break, kept up- mbmentum. ; Above; average opening week at $8,500^ iiolding over. -/'; '.- - - Keith's (.Schanbe.rgor.s); "Collew LOve'l-;and . l^aynbr Lehr ReVUe Co. (3,200; 25-^56)/ itevue: troupe in tab musical: -o^)Crating on pretty much same poh'p,\- as Smith Co. at opposi- tion :Hipp in: winter. This hou.se has advanth.-g'e Of location : plu.s ..wirerl; and i.s hotter summertime .stand. Good at $13,000. Aug. 3, to make room for JoKson's "fSay It With .Songs," Aug. 6, ^ Winter Gardeh--"On AVith Sliow" (WB) (i;494;- $l-$2) (9(h wook), .Running mate tb - "Drag" also ro- markabl.v stf-ady,- although not ca- pacity; $15,too -di.stinclly .okay -for length of engagement. Par's Sound Low, 'Tashions'^ State,LA,M800-^^ 4ith Oimerision Los Angeles, July. 23/ ' Poc Marstah,. psychologist at: Tf riiversaij is trying; to :setl -Carl Laemmie, Jr.,. the idea of gblng f, in . for. fourth dimension . pic- : tiires by the aid 6i X-ray to be. used in filming .his/bbbk,- ■"IDmotioris pf Normal People;" .■ Book was .pubiished in." 1958.; ToWii's Summer Higk ' /. . Montreal, 'July .23. / . (DraVv Pop, 600,000) ; ■ ■ ■ Weather ■ Fine ■-" Coolvweather from. Wedhesctay;on gave grosses a chance to cllmib' back to normal. Ail otheiftheatTes in dis- trict closed, which, gives i). o. an- other fillip,, with the; result that grosses fire making record's .for time of year.; A flock of 'film Stars.; blew into town Friday, Saturday'.; a'hd, SundayT—Vilma Bahky, Victor Mc- Lagleh an.d Rod;!La Roque. • ; :/Palace' .with -"Deset-t; Sbng". .came hear breaking its' mid-summeir .high with $25,060. Held oyer..;. Capitol had Outstanding picture in "Alibi," Drew number of the lit- erati and ha:d big houses all week, running second to iPalace with $18,- 000.- quite, good. for mid-summer... Princess :p.ut on. first. color lalkihg picture seen here i,h"Re,d3kIn,'' atr tracting good hoUses; $12,000. at low admission .-.prices -..ind ;smaller seat- ihg.-thah other main stems, good for the; theatre; .: . :; Lbew's shbwod prizefigiit picture in '-Man I Love/" rating 50^50 with vaude and got $16,000, above .;averT age for .house. - NeighborhOod.s had poor Saturday and. Sunday, but picked up heavy money Ifiter- in the week -with the cboler weather. Estimates for Last Week • - Pal.aee (FP) (2,700; 40-75), "Des- ert Song" (WB)/; Close to 50 per ce.rit; better than; previous week and at $25,000 held over.' One of the best takes in years at-mid-^summer. Capitol (irP) ; (2,700; 40-65), "Alibi" (ITA), , Rated ; among best films, seen here, this year. Drew well all week; $18,000, first-class for sea- son.. .; Princess (CT) t2,100; 30-55), "Redskin" (Par).. . AH color, novelty here and took well. Richard Dix locally popular;, $.12,000,. about.aver- age for season.'. Forhief-legit house! Loew's (FP) (3,200; 35-60), "Man T • Love" (Par). Equal draw with vaude; $i6,000; ;/st.eadIly ' better gi-oss .each of last three weeks. New FUm Go. Plaiis L. A: as Well as Pictures Hollywood, July 23. ' Cortlandt Pictures, recently in- corporated under. Gallfprnia laws, has taken an option- on Burbank property with object of building a stiidlp. - Cortland J. Van Deusen, presi- dent, says the company will pro- duce features, short, dbmestib farces and put on stage plays'in Los Ah.<- geles. L. ir. Marsh, local attorney, is vice-president, ;arid Hunter Kea- aey,: secretary-trea.surer and. general manager. • Photbcolor AH Ready • Apropo.s of nothing in . particular (unless it could be the sensational performances of/"i-echnicolor -.stock) Photbcplor Coriv issued, a statbmcht this week that it was ready to enter "Into active pai-tlcipatlon in the field of color production:" . This i.s the -concern with labora- tory ; arid .studio in. Irviiigton-on- ITufison wTiich : has boon claiming: new; principles In coloi* piiotography for two or three- year.s, but ha.sh't dennitely shown , anything publicly. K.t;itcmeht- qupte.<< 'President^ F^^ S'ernoo';-.' ■ - Wholl Remake **Dove" ? HollyAvopd, July 23. ; '^Tyn Ited-^"rt-ia ts - pi ah—t-n—^renm hrr^ "The Dove"; ns a- tnlkor/ It has hot, been deflhitcly decidod what prij- ducer will 'be assigned tp niake i li . in the event Edwin Carewe niake.s it, he win ..star Doloi'c.s Del liio. If Roland West is. assig'noirto tht; job he will co-feature. Lupe Voloz .tiuI Clic'ster Morrla. i Monorail Sept. 1 - . ■lif;]lywood, .Ti'iiy-23. . . .-'iystf-'in for ';shiPtiiiti' '.sf'-cTiory :W-f'fl b'(^ '-•OJiiplctfl'y in.sf.jrlltMl |,y. S'lfpt.: i'. All. >itai<f.' soi.M -.'ind propvrtiffs will - bi' pifkcd up l)y !;i;i-nt grii)i)(>i;'s l)|;f<-0 of Rtori'itro find depo.sitod. .On (hi',. .^(:ure whf'ro. do.sirpil. Eli>ciI'ic e<jiiiii- j m'f-nt will be iri.^tjillr.fl ah'l 'isti uf)/' . by .'<irniliir nu-thod. - ; • . i ;- ' ■.'.-;/ ■'■ .'/ Los .Angeles,; J-iily',23/ /;. (Drawthg Popiiiatiohy 1,500;6(X)) , .; ;Wo3ther Hot : . / •Plenty IvOt agaia'U^ the picture theati'cs had to fight it. I'H.nduranco fliers,' ; jlo,ridell and; Rbinhardt,, hiolped .,.the-';State: a; bit in reaching $29,8.00. although .; l^Tbrma ; Shea means ihucH lb<?ally';' and - was.; in "Mrs. Cheney/' /3Biit/thc PaJrarijoiinl^- AVaged:' hb - such r. successful battle with, avtenjou . ,.and. "Fashions ; in. Lbye.*.' De-spite a. bo'pstihg editorial ; fOf- Menjbu, appdaHng- in the Ex- aminer,:, the; star.- Could bnly draw. $16,500, whleh is low for the theatr.^ since • going ali sptmd. " Menjou also; holds; the bottom, figure on this site . at $15,500,,-Wheti -it was the Me.tro^ politan. and had-stage shows. "Hollywood Revue'.' maintains it's local load^rsiiip -at l^etter than $31,-: - P0^> and is holding- .stronger than ' ;a:iy of the Other rviri pictures cur- rently displayed. -; "Mi^dnhie X" tboi< ,a $2,000 .tumbte.to'$9,400 oh Its third Crftoriph week/ arid. "Show Boat'* 1.^ . due here, tomorrow -(Wednesday). ■ /'Gamblers'-' had Just a/faii^ seebhd . week at Warhei-is -with .$17,000,, and "Hpnky. Tpnk" oi>ehed here yeS'ter- day. (Monday); iKouse' has an- nounced that: its- policy for the: 're- mainder of the summer will be 1usr fortnight runs regairdloss bf 'bo-v pfllee; / .; ; . ' ^ -.r ■> ;;- /■ - .. '^Allbl" went into a second run at the Egyptiah,: doinjg nea.tly enongh ■ with a stage show, at $9;46o/ "Ejc- alted Flapper" nabbed $6,500 at the Boulevard; .ndt bad, and '*The Di^/ yirio Lady,'^ also 'a second run. turned over $12,500 to the Plillstreet. First week of "This: is Heaven" at :United Artists got/-$16,500._iust ali' rights and "Broadway"'/is . simpTv : stringing it out at the Biltmore to less than $6,000; Cartliay .Circle "and "Four Devils" gave In; stubbornly, .showing a sixth week of $8,300, Avith "Dynamite" (M-G) here this Thurs- day (July 25). . V ; • • . / Estimates for Laist Week/ . Biltmore (Erlanger);"i3roadwav"'' (U) (dialog) (1,550- 50-$1.50) (6th week). Not gettlhg aihywhere at less than $6,O0P; felt heat wave, with no. means of cooling, ■ : Boulevard .(F6x),/ ''i3(xaUed Fi.-itp- per" (POX) (dialog) (2^164 ;>. 25-5^X)/ Okay week with thLs oho; np rave but satisfying in ; lieu of .burh^up days; $6,500. . ' ' Carthay Circle (Fox), 'Four Devils" (Fox) (dialog) (1,500; 60r 51.50) (6th week). Has held: its oWn surprisingly well; $8,300. only abpui . $100 down: "Dynamite" (H-G-)- opens July 25. Criterion (Fox), "Madame; X' (M-G) (dialog) (i;6(f0; 25-75) (36 .week). Slipped, to $9,400; and out tonight in favor of "Shpw Boat'? (U). tomorrow (Wednesday) returninij after a twice daily sojourn: . Egyptian fUA-Fox), "Alibi" (UA) (dialog) ■ (1.800;;: 26-75). CIasse.« ; $9,400 as Pleasant: picture previous- : ly downtown arid had stage show help, here, . Chinese (Fox), ''PrbUywood Re- ^^r°> (dialog). (2,028;,-.-50- $1.50) (4th week). No real slgri.^ of weakening as yet; eased past $31,- 000 to retain., local, leadership; Cockeyed World" (Fox) definite! v set as successpr arid probably mov- ing in at first sign of faltering-bv revue film. ■ ■ . ' . Hillstreet (RKO),: "The -Divine Lady" (WB) (sound) j(2,960; 25-75) Second showing for this picture in to-wn and satisfactory; $12,500. Loew's State (Lpew-Fox), "La.<=t /o A??'"^- Cheney" (M-G) -(dlaloe> (2.042; 25-$l), Endurance flier.*. Mendell and Reinhardt, rusjhed in het-ie day after they came down- gave them -five d-iys" to Keip i>.. b/ and boys a factor ;fri:$29,800 ;•= Norma Shear-er, however, powerful locally. ■ Paramouht (PubllX), "Fashlori.s in Love" CPar) (dialog) (3,'595; 25-75). ;M.enjou. film turned in worst weelc^ since house adopted/.sound; pollcv personal boost editorial for;.star In morning. da.{ly .*apparently made no di.ffe.rencer 'way off at $1(J.5j00. V Uniteid Artists (Pub-UA),"This. If Heaven"; (TIA) ,; (dialog) (2,100: - 25-$l) (l.st.;week). Opened July 10 and- $16,300 only, fair; -v."Four Feather.s" ..(Par); here tomorrow XJuly 24). : •.- -■ --.; '> : - •■ ■ ; - .. . Warners .<WB). .."The aamblers". ' (WB) '(dialog) n,T5Q ; . 25-7,^y) - (2,1 •Ind last .w.eek)./ Finished to-$17,000• -figure not- part'lcUlarl.v- strong; for. r.ftm.airidor of .hot wreather hou^f only holding Venture's two we(>k.'4 ro- .gardle.ss rjf busiricss;: "Honky •rorilc" opened .ycstfrd.'iy .(XTonday).' FLOATS AS BALLYHOO : Two ; T/7iiV(>tv(i; - Plr^^trlciil no;irts, i.i!<i'd ..in the i-'-i-n'.l -fbiivcntion: p;)- niil,.-^, ffiv sjindci; fit >idvanl:i!jf()Lis st |.l'!-' t illtl'jV';i (-.'i)ri,» ■ nt niKhl,.;.. It's . li.'illyhd') ' fitr tlii . I'l .':> wing of"SI 10wi)o;11 wuy/'^ • fully . Ilium.. f'lMTOn.f ;ind '•)'vo'x>\'