Variety (Dec 1929)

lyedncsday, December 4, 19^9 PICTURE GROSSES VARliETY 9 "Sbews" Week-end Hi^h Gross; tove Parade; $20,100 in 6 Days; tresspasser; $4U00;4lh mi' TAKES SEATTLE RECORD WITH $29,500 Mr WllUam Shakespeare's "Tam- inV of tli6 Shrew" rendered Into SJemieae by pouglas Fairbanks ahd Mary Pickford opened ft the SJvoli and neatly apj^roprlated to Sse°f a new week-end total of $24,- ini $236 above the existing record hSd^y avprevlous E'alrbanks pic ture "Man in the Iron Mask." -Meanwhile, with the help of T^JS? Day, another United Artists Sure. "Trespasser," which had topped existlng^boBeys for egJh M toppling over the $26,000 mark Its first three weeks at .t^^^^ the Fifth hfeld to wlthlnjBOO^c^Tlt? ^ and Settle theatres, Great week and thereby hung up a J^o*!"" pubncitv campaign helped pile up Seattle, Dec. 3. (Draw Pop^ 525,000) Weather: Excellent "Rio Rita" , (film) set new Seattle [house record last week with $29, y^eek's recoiva. ^-s de--l coin In f>ox oCBce. Phone calls used Another^ house record was ae ^^^j .,0^3^ Held for second week, $2 talkers. "After Dark," exaggerated preseh' Among tJ^/fg^^JoSJest weS? fn tation of acting as was. did close to Sont^f wh^J "Nix SSXmel^^^^ at Met last week, reported with holiday Impetus, obtained^ but $90 200. Some disappointment at the Paramount'^ $70,900. but as this was a holdover picture, "Saturday Night Kid," it's a long hop from being —^Itrand and Colony, following » custom fairly general all over the country, took advantage of Thanks- Kivlng to move forward opening from Friday to Thursday. Strand will open "Gold Diggers" Thursday of this week, but will then return to Friday openings. Estimates for Last Week Astor—"Hollywood Revue" (M-G M) ' (1.120; $l-$2) (16th week). About three ihore weeks; decision eubstitutes Ramon Noyarro's^'Devll May-Care" for "Rogue's Song" as successor, with date loosely fixed at this one, but appeals more to older around Dec; 23. Last week, with folks and students. Fell off little holiday, jumped back to nearly | toward end; $9,B00. WILL AHERN Played the lead In "Good News' and Is now on the Coast, having worked in pictures for Warner Bros, and First National. He Is At present master of cerenvoriles at the RKO housfes. Direction RALPH G. FARNUM 1560 Broadway "Disraeli" got big 2d week. Pox and Fifth a.lso on up and up. Estimates for Last ^Week. Seattle (Pub) . (3,106; "'aB-SO)— "Paris" (FN). Title chief draw. Not so hot at b. o.; $12,000. Fifth Ave. (Fox) (2,500; 2B-«0)— 'Christina" (Fox). Cuteness liked, also "Kisses" Idea on stage. Biz up a trifle; $1S,S00. Fox (Fox) (2.600; 25-60)—"Ma- rianne" (M-G-M). Heavy publicity back of Marion Davis. Improved trade; $12,500. . Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (900; 26- 75)—"Flight" (Col). 2d week and good; $7,900. Music Box (Hamrick) (1,000; 26- 75)—"Disraeli" (WB). Town likes TARIS'UGHT, $24,000; COLD SPELL HURTS Pnr $14,000 Carroll-r-"Rio Rita" (Radio) (988; $l-$2) (9th week). Slowlhg up, al- though still Indef; probably figuring around $14,000 with, extra perform ance and holiday. Capitol—"The Kiss" (silent) (M G) (4;620; 35-60-76-$1.50.>. Second week of Garl|o silent picture, $77,- (DOO, after opening to $83.O0O'. In other words, a wow. . '_■ Central—'I'DIsraell" (WB) (922; iJillVi'S ^Sr^LvtfSrffi I Average Grosses in BTdyn; day from l,3€0-seit Warners, Where Coliseum (Fox) (1,800; 25-50)— "So This Is College" (M-G-M) Okay, 2d run;' $3,800. . Orpheiim (RKO) (2,700; 50)— "Rio Rita" (RKO). No vaude for first time. ■ Picture super-plugged [fore and aft. City's record, $29,500, and '^held over, President- (Duffy) (1,800; 25 $1.25. Stock, stage. F&ir; $3,800. New House Opened Brooklyn, Dec. 3. Cold weather helped box-oflilces warm up last -week. At^-the- Par amount "Welcome Danger" did $56,' In Its final eight days It got $28,400. Shares with "Love Parade" In get- ting biggest plugs by general public, - Cohai><-"Song- o£ IjQve": (Col) (1,4X10; $l-$2) (4th, flnal week) S^nV^'.^Sfi? ^rS^info^^^ '"'hich is okay. Not $2 stuff. Goes Into the Capltoi | J5^^^„„^ t^te^vt^a « this Friday or next If Capitol holds over "Untamed." Independent ad-> venture picture, "Hunting Tigers In India" opens here Dec. Colony — "Shanghai Lady" (U) (1,900; 35-50-75) (3rd, final week). Mary Nolan melodrama went out with $11,300, having * stayed two — W .,S>.T'en..y. Warner^ j^J— Strand offered "Sacred Flame" and a couple of shortfii for mild business. Fox had "Seven Faces" with Horace Heldt held over a sec ond week. Albee had "Awful Truth' as film feature. Loew's Pitkin, In Brownsville, opened last week and downtown houses may have felt It. Werba'« "Hearts In Exile. has Russian bazaar In foyer, with funds going to Paxten Hibben Fund for Children's Hospital in Russia, locale of story. Criterion—"Lov« Parade" (Par) (902; $l-$2) (3rd week). In 13 days Chevalier picture grossed $38,000, Est'mates for Uast Week Paramount—^"Welcome Danger' (Par) (4,000; 35-50-75). Okay at $56,700. Strand—"Sacred Flange" (WB) (2,800; 25-35-50-60-75). Rather Of that sum, $20,000 represented six lame; $18,200 .days inclusive of Thanksgiving. Easily certain of long Engagement; clean-cut smash, with comment uni- formly favorable and specs clean- Ins: up; Embassy — "Newsreel H o u s e" (Pox-Hearst) (568; ^25). Auspices at $24,900. Fox—"Seven Faces" (Fox) (4,000; 35-40-50-60-751^Horace Heidt held over. F &-M tTnit on'stage. Fair at $29 300. Met—'.'So This Is College" (M-G) (3,577: 35-40-50-75). Did all right; Loop Just Fair-Chicago at e- encouraged by consistent business, ranging between $8,000-$9,000. Fox Intends goiiig ahead with other sim ilnr hbuses around country. daiety—"Sunny Side Up" (Fox) (808; $l-$2> (9th \Keek). Zooriitrd VP'n-ard with holiday; best yet at Quoted $17,800^ Globe—"Vagabond Lover" (Radio) (l.OGii; $l-$2) (2d week). Picture tated fair as to merit and Rudy vallee big locally. This pliis some PPinilar Well-plugged tunes presages nice engagement. On first five and a holf days, inclusive of holiday, arpuhd $17,500. Thanksgiving $2 record of Globe with $4,000 Albee—"Awful Truth" (Pathe) (3,248; 35-50*^-75). Had good week. Vaude. $22,200. (6,205; .60-75-$1.50>. Ordinary; title no aid. Around $90,300. Selwyri—"Condemned"' (UA) (1.- 065; $l-$2) (5t;h..weeI0. LilUe over $13,000; new happy ending perma- nently included. Sticks tlirough Christmas weejv, with house getting stage musical, "Wake Up. and Dream," as successor. Strand — "Sacred Flame" (FN) One day clipped Pittsburgh. Dec. 8. (Drawing Population, 1,000,000) Weather: Cold Pictures suffered, last week as radiators froze and furnaces refused to work. Thanksgiving and two- May school holiday saved several "Paris" opened big at the Stan- ley, but toppled quickly and ended as an In-ahd-outerV Little better than $24,000. Bordohl here in stage play less than two months ago. "The Kiss," despite belhg^ silent, claimed near $30,000, satisfactory though hardly as good as previous Garbo efltorts. "Disraeli," at the Grand, was around $21,000 for Its first full week. Not up» to expectations Critics raved, but publld hereabouts not'educated to this claps sOrt of stuff yet. _. Big shot In East liberty was "Rio Rita," which pulled a sensational $11,750 Into the small Sheridan Square. Long run Indicated by first week's takings. "Little-> Johnny Jones" didn't do well at the En right. Maybe $14,000. "Welcome Danger" (Par) tumbled in its sec ond week at the Aldine and was Jerked for '^They Had to See Paris." Lloyd picture about $13,750 in last stanza, or over $10,000 tuhible^from first week. Estimates for La«t Week •Penn (Loew-UA) (3,300; 25-35- CT-.76)=;;"The Kiss" (M-G).- Less than $30,000 satisfactory, but not up to usual Garbo figures. Grand (WB) t2,000; 50-75)^'DIs- raeli" (WB). A disappointment in first week at $21,000; pre-explolta- tibn well planted, and critics raved; but mob not up to this sort of stuff yet; special student tickets at re- duced prices distributed in all high- schools and three local universities Another week all that's figured arid- then "Gloflfying American Girl'' (Par) for 10 days before hcfuse closes for I'edecoration; reopens Xmas .day with "Show of Shows" (WB). Stanley (WB) (3,600; 2o-35-60) Big opening for "Paris" (FN), but tumbled after first couple of days; Iticky to get $24,000. Aldine (Loew) (1,900; 35r50)— "Welcome Danger" (Par). Off badly in second week; pulled for "They Had to See Paris" (Foi); Lloyd talker uncLer $14,000, as against $24, 500 for' flifSt Stanza; house going back to single- week bookings, Sheridaii Square — RKO's small seater in East Liberty, at 25-50, did sensational $11,750 for first week of Rip Rita" (Radio). Looks set for healthy run. Enright (WB) (3,700; 25-35-40-60) —"Little Jphnny Jones" (FN). May-; be $14,00(r, poor here, Harris (1,400; 10-20.-30-40) — "Love, Live and Laxigh" (Fox). Good at $7,000. • 'SUNNYSIDE UP' OVER mOO^ WASH. WKS. Washington, Dec. 3. (White Population, 450,000) Weather: Fair and Cold Thanksgiving meant rriuch . to everybody. Two .holdovers, "Sunny Side Up" and "Rio Rita" did splen- didly. Fox picture smashed every second week record ever hung up in this town and "Rita," got as much on Its third stanza as It did its second, "Marianne," with the usual Hearst spread, did $24,000 at the Palace, putting this house back on its old stride. Added Interest lay In fact that Al Evans, m. c, was on his flnal week. "Forward Pass" trailed into the Earle oh top Of a flock of college pictures and had the holiday to thank for its $12,000. "Skinner Steps Out," at the Rialto, couldn't even get out with the holi- day.. Fairbanks and- Pickford'0 "Shrew" got only two weeks at the Columbia with a gross that wasn't so hot considering the former in- dividual '■''-aw of this pair, "Wel- come Dangerii-T- is into a second Met. week,"' Estimates for Last Week Columbia (Loew)—"Taming of the Shrew" (UA) (1,232;- 35-50). Might have been a good week in- dividually for Fairbanks or Pick- ford, but not togetlier; about $11,- 000, Earlo (S-C-Warner) — "Forward Pass" (FN) (2,244; 35-50) (2,900; 35-50-75) Paramount—"csntiivfinv Mlo-hf TCld" to give "Forward Pass" holiday (Par^ a6T6r35^-6f"75-$^^^ I openin-' "—'^^—1'- week, 870,900, following $84,100. Big di'op in holiday session not ex pected. "Applause''curreht- " ^ Rialto—"Trespassei* (UA) (2,000; 3o-50-6i)-85) (5th week). At $41,l00 only J800 under 3d week. Remark ^ablg^inrm^ey'iTiBr . Rivoli—<'Taming of Shrew" (UA) (2.J00; 35 - 50 - 65 - 8F). Fairbanks Flame" okay for six days at $34,100. Warners—"General Crack" (WB) (1,360; $l-$2). John Barrymore pic- ture opened last night (Tuesday) to the hullabaloo of Warners' custom- ary page splurges in the dailies. Warners -specializes.-bn.Jta^.Qpemng_ nights, and they ai'e bis events . ^ , ^ , Winter Garden—"Show of Shows" Piokfora jointly beat by $216 house (WB) (1,494; $l-$2) (3d week), record iieid by Fairbanks Tor Hn First full week. $33,800, very. big. oponing week-end; $12,754, Satur- Vies with - "Hollywood Revue in day. $11,547 Sunday. Har(^ LFoyd's nximber of namfes. Picture sold \\ eloome Danger" exited with total without individual mention, cbncen- ero.<!.c! on six weeks $218,000. -Tre- ti-atlng on number (77) of stars In nH'n(lou.s holiday for flnal week of picture. Another block-long electric $32,800. display outside gives attraction Roxy—"Xix on Damos" (Fox) I glamour. Chicago, Dec. 3. "They Had to See Paris," at the Chicago, kept this ace housei at the head of the procession with satisfy- ing $48,900 in a week of generally average business throughout the loop. Oriental remained in a slight slump, although It climbed above the previous week to $34,400 with "Isle of Lost Ships." "Sweetie," at McVicker's. showed a ifalrly strong pace on $37,000 for the first, six days. Gross., how«ver, I3 rather disappointing to bookers here, who figured record-breaking b. o. for this picture. "(Sold Diggers" is holding exceptionally well at the •Roosevelt, while at the United Ar- tists "Trespasser" dropped $5,000 and Is getting near the danger line. One more week and then "Three Live Ghosts." At the Woods "Rio Rita" picked up ilnd hangs on. "Greiat Gabbo" booked In as soon as "Rita" breaks. The vaudfllm spot, State-Lake, re- sponded to "Love, Live and Laugh" for $29,000. Plenty of exploitation with George Jessel In th© plctiire, at the Palace last week, making a couple of personal appearances at this house. "Flight" called It a run after five aind a half weeks a,t the Stud^bake'r. Picture did excellent business In a. tough spot. Estimates for Last Week Chicaflo (Publlx-B. & K.)—"They Had to See Paris" (Fox), stage show (4,400; 60-85). Will Rogers gets himself a picture following; $48,900. McVickerV (Publlx-B. & K.)— 1 . Sweetie" (Par) (1,865; 50-85). Six Extra M^^y^ brought $37,000; notices mixed. midnight show and a Sunday con- cert, but dropped to around $12,000; one-third of that Thanksgiving. Fox (Fox)—"Sunny Side Up" (Fox) fTtage-Show (3,434; 35-50-75). Second week figure for town to shoot at; $32,450 gives picture over $60,000 on two weeks. Met (S-C-Warner) — "Welcome Danger" (Par) (1,585; 35-50), Started fine and continued so to above $18,006. Palace' (Loew)-^"Marianne" (M- G), stage show (2.363; 35-60-60) Jumped $2,500 ^ver previous week with usual angles assisting; almost $24,000. Rialto rU)—"Skinner Steps Out* (U) (1,987; 35-50). Sad at $5,000. RKO (Keith's) — "Rio Rita" (Ra,dio) (1.963; 36-60). Merrily on Its way; third week same as aec- ond; $X4,000; held over. TUY' $25,500, MINN,, IN BinER COLD WEEK Minneapolis, Dec. 9. (Drawing Population, 500,000) Weather: Unfavorable Intense cold aggravated q. general business slump and last week's groigges" were below par despite the Thanksgiving holiday. "Broadway." dt the Minnesota, easily proved to be the strongest at trabtlon on the main stem. Critics and fans were a unit In boosting, "Welcome Danger" was not a sen gation at .the Century but turned In a neat week and held over.-"" With school kiddles on vacation the latter part of the week, matinee trade was heavy here. Ir\ Its second Week "Rio Rita," at the Orpheum, flIvYered badly and bowed oyt Saturday, Monroe (Fox)—"Song of .Ken- tucky" (Pox) (1,120; 60-75). Slightly below average; race track pictures fighting a losing battle; $4,100; house switches to Friday openings. Oriental (Publlx-B. A: K.)-r"Isle of Lost Ships" (FN), stage shqw (3,500; 50-85). Brought house back slightly, but still weak; $34,400. Orpheum (Warner) — "Hearts In Exile" (WB) (799; 50-76). Not bad for second week with a neighbor- hood showing same^ week; $7,300. Roosevelt (Publlx-B. & .K.)— "Gold DIggiers" (WB) (1,600; 50-85). Holding well; has slipped only six gi-and In three W^eks; $22,200. State-Lake (RKO) —"Love. Live and Laugh" (Fbx) vaude (2,700; 60- 75), Picked up with a good vaude lineup, Jessel's exploitation ahd per- social appearance In clty« $29,000. Studebaker (Insull)— "Flight** (Col) (1,298; e0-$l,50). Satisfying to everybody; $7,000; closed Satur-' day after five and a half weeks; "Fighting Tigers In India" Sunday.- Unlted Artists (Publlx-UA)— "Trespasser" (UA) (1,700; 60-85); One more week; down to $22,300. Wood* (RKO)—"Rio Rita" (Ra- dio) (1,200; 60-85). Picked up and lingers; $18,000. $20,000 IN MONTREAL; OKAY ON TOUGH WEEK Montreal, Dec. 3. (Drawing Population. 600,000) Weather: Zero and Snow - Pouring rain, followed by zero temperatures and snow put a crimp . , . ,in theati-e' attendance. Grosses "Marianne,'r also sans vaudeville or gho^ed a shrinkage aU around. First stage entertainment, replaced.lt. winter weather of the season, "So This Is College," at the State, Palace again topped with $20,000 also fiufeered. : Toe many college for "Gold Diggers," But for the pictures here the past few nionths. L^ppaniT^g -nreathei* the latter half. Estimates for Last Week house would have run near $30,000. Minnesota (Publlx> (-4^00; 75)—| "Sweetie" rated high at the Capi- 'EVIDENCE' BOSTON'S BEST "kiss" Just Fair at State, $24,500— $30,000 fop Will Rogers Eo.ston, Dpf. 3.. (Drawing Population, 850,00) Weather: Fair Business last week just ordinary. Big Met led the rest of the town with $36,100 for "Evidence" (WB). Estimates for Last Week -:^-.Mfit£op.Qlitan.jG3Lu]>H2a-_,(4.3M^ 75)—"Evidence" (WB). Okay at $36,100. Keith-Memorial (4,000; 33-50-60) —"They Had to See Paris" (Fox). Good at around $30,000. Keith-Albee (3,000; 60-60)—"Mar- ried In Hollywood" (Fox). Fair enough; maybe $22,000. Loew's State (4,000; 30-40-r.O)— "The Kiss" (M-G). Just all right at $24^500. "Broadway" (U) arid "Radio Ro- mance," Publix unit. Splendid bill gave s^atlsfaction; general opinion was best Universal picture ever seen here; around $25,500 . okay in face of bitter weather. Century (Publix) (1.000; 75)— •Welcome Danger" (Par), Didn't tol, hut cold and wet held It down to about $14,000. Loew's and "Mys- terious I.'sland" held to an average $14,500, . Imperial ran true to form with- '■•They Had to Sce^Parls" for $10,- 000. Princess had second week of 'irji;?ht" and did $8,000, niaklng a score as strongly a« many Preceding L^^j^j around $20,000 on fortnight Lloyd's; respectable, however, at j.'-ejRhborhoods hard hit by weath $19,600. ' n . . State fPubllx) (2.100; 60)—"So This Is College" (M^G). Town fed up on coUei^e stuff; dpomcd good of its kind, but too much like prede cessors; about $11,000 not so good. er and mostly under average. Estimates for Last Week Palace (FP) (2,700; 40-75)—"Gold Diggers of Broadway" (WB). Wow LyrS (Publix) (1,300T fo)-"Her "Sweetie" (Pat), Would have rated Private Life" (FN). BlUie Dove high gross In normal week; , only real box omcp hove; star and picture $lf.000,. duetto c.onditlons. ^ drew .satififactorlly; around $5,200. Lo^y? S»'^^°Ar ?; ^-^Gtand_.UPJibUx>..:.Jl»lfii»:^.^ "Saturday Night Kid" (Par) (2d trigucd fans and average at aijOUt loop run;. Bow ace high locally; 1 $14,500. about $8,800. good. Princess (CT) (2,300; 30^55)— A^ter- YPubirxy "(900; 20)—"Salute" [■^•Flight" (Col). Held up well sec (Fox) ('2d . loop run). More foot-I ond we^k; $8,000 ball; $2,400 okay. Pantages (Pantage.'=!) (1,500; 50)—"Woman to Woman" (Tiff) and vaude. Picture better dra'w than most of recent attractions at this houHp; 'about $6,500, good. Imiierial (FP) (1,900; 35-60)— "They Had to ParLs" (Fox). Will 'Roo:r'r.«! okay. Fair at $10,000. Roxy and) (COO; pOo)—"Naughty Duehpss" CJ'lff). Down to $2,000 on poor 'i" t'.'iLhcr.