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8 VARIETY LA Lays Low, Can't Back Heat; Rogers' 'Steamboat' Strong; 'Woman' Doalei $12,506; 'Sanders' $3,500 Los Angeles, Aug. 27. No excitement at b.o. current Stanza so far as customers were concerned. Return of terrific heaj session as week opened threw kink Into the trade, with theatres possi- bly having had forecast on what was coming, for none tried to ex- tend themselves In selling wares. Chinese and State opened Satur- day (24) with the Will Rogers opus 'Steamhoat Round the Bend' to In- teresting, but not big business, but picked up smartly. Former house has Initial day trade Interrupted at matinee by 'Broadway Melody' pre- view, which took up good portion of afternoon with studio having 900 Beats and most of the audience sticking around for the pre showing pic only. Paramount playing 'Man on Flying Trapeze,' doing oke with this one and headed for top of local grosses, which in general are not substantial. ■Front Page Woman' at Holly- wood and RKO just skimmed along at so-so gait while 'Irish In Us,'' moved over to Do\yntown from latter house, getting unusually good trade, from its steady patronage. 'Curly Top,' which held over three days of second week- at State, was switched Into United Artists, re- opened for this run and still proved • Interesting to the Shirley Temple following. 'Sanders of River' in for couple weeks at Four Star got off to Just a fair start on initial stanza. There was no such thing as ex- ploitation on the week on the part of any of the theatres, Chinese and State had an inauspicious news campaign started day before open- ing of 'Steamboat Around the Bend' with half page ads in evening sheets ■and not going further. Paramount' just got out few cards on theirs and no one went to town on' 'Front Page ;Woman,' EBtimatet for This Week Chinese (Grauman) (2,028; 30-40- tS)' — 'Steamboat 'Round iBend' ' (Fox). After only a 24-hovir pre- liminary announcement oi( .opening, this Rogers pic got oft to slow start, but built strongly thereafter. lAst week 'Curly Top' (Fox) "was In for .a ten-day jaunt, which was Jileiity- oke with a |15,600 finale. Downtown (WB) (1,800; 25-30-40) *-'Irish In Us' (WB). Mover over from RKO, stepping along at good pace and for. eight day stay a cinch ^5,000. Last week 'Black Room' (Col) and 'Jalna' (Radlp) corking business for double bill of $4,900. , Filmarte (Relaenfeld) (900; 40- 60)—'La Maternele' (Metropolis). Not, such keen picking this one. ■Will have tough struggle to get an even $1,600. Last Week 'Thunder- storm' (Amktho)' seemed to be Just something to keep house lit, ap Wlndup was just short of $l,Bfl0. Four Star (Fox) (900; 30-B5)-^ •Sanders of River* (UA). This Paul Bobson no sensation, giettihg some- what of a discriminating trade which keeps heavy trafilc out. Should hit around $3,600. Last Week .'Dante's' Inferno* (Fox). For second and final week limped home With ah even $2,800. Grand International (Rosener) (785; 35)—'Constant Nyrhph' (Fox- Gaumont British). (4 .days) and ■'Romance in Budapest' (Du 'World) (3 days). This combo got their in- dividual patronage, which brought take to arourid $1,600, which Is loads of profit. Last week 'Waltz Time In Vienna' ('Vienna Prod) with couple of special parties went double what house expected and tagged out to tune of $1,300, Hollywood (WB) (2,756; 25-35- 40-55)—'Front Page Wbman* (WB). Final plo on WB-RKO pool staying for eight days at just so-so gait that will wind it up with around $6,000. last' week (2a) (6 days), 'Irish In Us', came through as ■'lalculated to o $6,'!00 closing. Paramount (Partmar) (3,595; 30- 40-55)—'Man on Flying Trapeze' (Par) and stage show. Going much better than house figured, as It ha,lted on campaign and will sho'w bit of profit with a $14,000 take. Last week 'Accent on ■JTouth' (Par) bolstered plenty by the Eddie Pea- body and Escudero stage support, went along even better than ex- pected to $16,000 wlndup. RKO (2,950'; 25-35-40-55)—'Front Page Woman' (WB). In for 10-day run for end of WB-RKO pool and will tag off with around $G,500. Which is Just so-so. Last week 'Irish In Us' (2d) (WE) for final stanza came through in swell style to a $6,800 bowout, which Is only $1,490 below Initial week. State (Loew-Fox) (2,024; 30-40- B5)—'Steamboat' 'Round the Bend' <Fcix). With late and conservative sales campaign got oft to a fairly good Saturday opening (24) de- spite heat opposition and kept along at good pace which, should bring windup to around $16,500. Last week 'Curly Top' (Fox) was one of best money getters house has had in long time winding up 10-day stay with an even $21,000. United Artists (Fox-UA) (2,100; 30-40-55) — 'Curly Top' (Fox). Shirley Temple can draw tlie kid- dles In any kind of weather, bo means that house reopening -was warranted as take will hit an easy $0,000. 'ADAMS'-'SEAS' OKE IN DENVER Denver, Aug. 27. On four days at the end of an eleven day run 'China Seas' slack- ened a bit, but still Is way above the average and should have been held two weeks. 'Alice Adams,' three days currently; but starting a full week. Is doing better than any Hepburn picture ever in Denver. 'Dante's Inferno' Is doing great, but getting by on reputation of the name and not on word-of-mouth. Apparently everyone wants to see it, but big business In subsequents is not predicted. 'Accent on Youth,' which play did top at Elitch stock this, summer, is putting the Den- ham back on the map, doing around a grand each of the three weekend days, and will put house way above average. The EUtch engagement boosted the picture gross. 'Girl Friend' was yanked after five days at the Aladdin, replaced by 'Loves of a Dictator* Tuesday. 'Farmer Takes Wife,' moved to the Broadway for three days, still held up and did $S00 in three days, close to the average for a full week. The Broadway is closed currently during the run of 'Tobacco Road.' Opens again Saturday for pictures. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Huffman) (1,500; 25-35- 50-60)—'Girl.Friend' (Col). Yanked after 5 days, replaced by Loves of a Dictator,' after only $800 Intake. Last week, 'Redheads on Parade' (Fox), did nicely, closing with $2,200. Broadway—Closed for week to pictures. 'Tobacco Road,' legit, us- ing house. Last week 'Call of the Wild' (UA) did a neat $2,000 follow- ing big week.at the Denver. Denham (Cooper) (1,500; 25-35- 40)—'Accent on. Youth' (Par). Go- ing at a fast clip on strength of previous legit stock showing. $6,000 swell. Last week, 'Without Regret' (Par) ran the Denham to a new low for weeks—$1,750. Denver (Huffman) (2,500; 25-35- 50)—'Dante's Inferno' (Pox), and stage band; $7,000, okay. Last week 'Farmer Takes a 'Wife' (Fox) dipped toward the end for $7,000, but good enough to go to the Broadway for three days. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 25-35-40) .'China Seas' (MG.M) (5 days) fol- lowing a $10,500 week, and 'Alice Adams' (RKO), three days; spilt. 'Adams' win stay four on following week. Nice $7,500, with each get- ting credit. Last week, |ChIna Seas' (MG) packed thern In repeatedly, going to $10,500. Orpheum is only first-run not using giveaways, but regardless business strong and steady all week. Paramount (Huffman) (2,000; 26 40)—'Welcome Home' (Fox). Just a fair tenant at $2,700. Last week, 'Black Room' (Col) did a neat .?3,000. anytbing like that happ«i)lng' this time. 'Escape Me NeTer" at the Orph, although not given an outside chance to score among the money makers, was given a big free pre- view advance talk-bullder-upper for the most exploitation commotion this week. Estimates for This Week Colonial (LTC) (750; 10-16)— 'Outlawed Guns' (U) and 'She Gets Her Man' (U), split, also Aloha Wanderwell In person and her self- narrated travelog. Combo, split week, looks like $1,100, good money. Last week triple change, 'North of Arizona* (Spec). 'Hot Tip* (Radio), and *Danger Ahead* ("Victory) a bad one at $800. Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-20-25)— ■Farmer Takes a Wife* (Pox). Likely., to get $2,600, nice enough. Last week, 'Shanghai* (Par) very weak, flnisbed Just over $2,000. Orpheum (LTC) (1,200; iO-15-20) —'Old Man Rhythm' (Radio) and 'Informer' (Radio), dual, and 'Escape Me Never* (B&D-UA) split, bogged down on tall end after good start, $1,600, n.e.g. Last week, 'Men Without Names* (Par) and 'Scoundrel' (Par), split, was not very hefty material, but got a fair $1,650. Stuart (LTC) (1,900; 10-25-40)— 'Call of the Wild* (UA). The cur- rent toast and heading for $3,700, strong. Last week, 'Irish In Us' (WB) finished heads up with $3,400, good. Varsity (Westland) (1,100; 10-15- 26)—'Love Me Forever' (Col). House boosting nlte price a nickel, so gate should get near $1,800 this week. House steadily refuses to adver- tise in dailies, which is no help. De- pendence Is on radio and window cards. Indications are house will run nearly 30% .under pace of previ- ous Moore pic, unless rebound comes late on word of mouth. Last week 'Death Flies Elast* (Col) and 'Eight Bells* (Col) fair at $900. 'ALICE ADAMS/ $9,000, PROVIDENCE'S BEST 'FARMER' $2,600, O.K., mr $3,700, LINCOLN Lincoln, Aug. 27. ( est Exploitation: Orpheum) Houses are pouring it on this week. Reason Is mostly that movie fall festival and Grace Moore's 'Love Me Forever' hit burg at the same time. Stuart, J. H. Cooper's acer, Is shooting 'Call of the "Wild and it's pacing toward an excellent $3,700 or better; Lincoln, another LTC spot, is playing up Henry Fonda, former Nebraska lad, and hoping to get continued healthy brcak.s with 'Farmer Takes a Wife.' 'Love Me Forever,' suppressed by a stronc; opposition string and the fact that Manager Milton Overman Is choosing to continue laying out of the newspapers, Is running it considerably bcliind the previous Moore picture. Only hope Is for a word of mouth campaign to hold it up. Previous pic was held over a week, but there's no indication of Providence, Aug. 27. (Best Exploitation: RKO Albee) Brisk autumnal breezes bringing encouraging signs to some of the town's harrassed exhibitors. While business is more or less spotty this week, most theatremen are opti- mistic. Summer has been tough for. all of the boys, and now that hot weather seems to be pretty well played out the mood is much dif- ferent. Screen fare is not particularly in- viting. ^Except for the Albee where 'Alice Adams' Is on tap, the pro- grams are about average. But even at the Albee there will be' no big kill for the week. The natives still seem to be In a summer holiday mood, and whatever attention is be- ing paid to iQIms appears like a side issue. The pace all around, however, is a trifle better. Hepburn should give the Albee the first break in months. Judging from the opening pace the nine-day run should bring at least $9,000. Next week the number of dark houses In town will be lessened by one when Fay's reopens after being closed all summer. House plans usual vaudfllm policy. Three other houses will be still dark; no plans announced for their reopening for next season. Albee has no opposition this week in corrallng the exploitation honors Campaign was mostly routine stuff but there were several phases that merit comment. Playing the first Major Bowes short house capital- ized on radio tie-ups, which were noteworthy. In addition-'there was emphasis on window displays, fash- lon tieups and contacts by mail with 3,000 school teachers and Parent- Teachers* Associations. Estimates for This Week ,RKO Albee (2,500: 15-25-40)— 'Alice Adams' (Radio) and 'Hot Tip' (Radio). House seems assured of $9,000 for nine-day run, about dou- ble what this stand has been gross- ing during the summer. Last week 'Old Man Rhythm* (Radio) and '39 Steps' (GB), so-so at $4,500. Strand (Indie) (2,200; 15-25-40)— 'Smart Girl* (P.ar) and 'After the Dance* (Col). House consistently holds itr own, even without benefit of exploitation; stand Is .sold on newspapers for selling its program, and spends twice as much In line- age thr.n anyone^ else in these parts. This week, in spite of weak reviews, figuring on at' least $6,500, no red ink here. Last week 'Every Night at Eight* (Par) and 'This Woman Is Mine' (Par) good at $7,000. Loew's State (3,200; 15-25-40)— 'Bonnie Scotland' (MG) and '.'Vt- lantic Adventure' (Col). Just ordi- nary, around $9,000 In prospect, un- less there's a sudden switch. La.st week 'China Seas* (MG) was grand at $17,000, weather and everything else against it. Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 15-25-40) — 'Accent'-Phil Spitalny Pull Strong ; Bowes Aids 'Alice' H.O. in Hub •Broadway Gondolier* (WB) and 'Mad Love' (MG). Reviews luke- warm, so there seems to be no like- lihood of a sudden sprint. Looks average around $6,000. Irfist week 'Front Page Woman' (WB) and •Tarzan* lukewarm, too, at ditto. RKO Victory (1,600; 10-15-26)— "What Price Crime' (Beacon) and 'Kentucky Blue Streak.' Cannot possibly go over $800 on split week, off. 'MISSGLORY' TOPSST.LllG St. Louis, Aug. 27. (Best Exoloitation; Missouri) Operators of cinema palaces here have much to be thankful for during past and current week. Heat wave broken. Municipal Opera concluded successful season, last night, and at- tendance at five soft ball parks In city proper each averaging approxi- mately 2,000 nightly, is shrinking due to chilliness, causing customers to return to pix^for entertainment. Fox and Ixjew's State running neck and neck, each holding over feature program, 'Curly Top' and 'China Seas,' respectively. Orpheum, Warner downtown house, will cut into Loew's business this week with Marlon Davies, Dick Powell and Pat O'Brien in 'Page Miss Glory' as Marlon has not been on local screen for some time, and locals like her, 'She Gets Her Man' at the Missouri Is expected to take some of the play away from the Shubert-RIalto's 'Every Night at 8.* Fanchon & Marco's initial pro- gram for Ambassador, which opens its doors tomorrow (28) -will be big U's 'Diamond Jim.' Missouri management left no stone unturned in letting entire town know that ZaSu Pitts was back on the screen. Estimates for This Week Fox <F&M) (5,038; 25-35-55)— 'Curly Top' (Fox) and 'Ladies Crave Excitement' (Mas) (2d wk). Temple had 'em coming strong all week, and closed first seven days with $16,900; should see $9,600 early this stanza. Missouri (F&M) (3,514; 25-40)— •She Gets Her Man' (U) and 'Hon- eymoon Limited' (Rep). Set for a very good week and $8,500 In the till. Last week 'After the Dance' (Col) and 'Mystery Man' (Rep) fell down badly and limped across the line with mere $5,400. Shubert-Rialto (WB) (1,725; 25- 35-55)—'Every Night at 8' (Par) and 'Jalna' (Radio). A better than average dual program will take $9,- 000 without breathing hard. Last week 'We're in the Money' (WB) and 'Without Regret' (Par), too much opposition from 'C!urly Top' and experience below fair week with $6,100. Orpheum (WB) (1,950; 25-35-55) —'Page Miss Glory' (WB). Marlon Daviea should lead downtown grosses with $11,000. Last week 'Old Man Rhythm' (Radio) and 'Man on Flying Trapeze' (Par) fair business with an $8,600 week In face of the stiff competition. Loew's State (Loew) (3,162; 25- 35-55)—'China Seas' (MG) (2d wk). After smashing first week of $21,000 management believes cool weather will enable It to tack on a $10,000 week to make first week of 11th birthday celebration a grand suc- cess. 'BRIGHT UGHTS' $7,000, 'SEAS' 17G, BUFF'S TOPS Buffalo, Aug. 27. (Best Exploitation: Buffalo) Box offices are showing Increased strength after a substantial brace last week. "China Seas" got off in a roar at the Buffalo and looks to do one of the best weeks of the summer. Exploitation and publicity served to build up fine preliminary campaign with picture living up to advances and delivering plenty on arrival. However, top business for this one Is resulting In some level- ing off at other houses. Cooler weather over weekend helped all grosses Estimates for This Week) Buffalo (Shea) (3,600: 30-40-50) —'China Seas' (MG). Whooping it Up in great style with the custom- ers uniformly satisfied. Fine start indicates gross may go to $17,000. Last week, 'Alice Adams' (P.adio), sustained its good opening and came home with expected figure of $9,700. Hipp (Shea) (2,400; 25-40) — 'Smllln' Through' (MG). Revival doing okay and will probably draw under $7,000. Last week, 'Dantc'.s Inferno' (Fox), managed to come in Boston, Aug. 27. (Best Exploitation: Keith) 'Accent on Youth' is showInE the way along Boston's film row this week, with Phil Spitalny on the stage. Shaping up for about $25,000. ■'China Seas' holds over at the Orph and second stand toll there Will be $11,600. Shift in booking broke up the new Loew day and date policy after one week. This week the State Is playing a dual, 'Bonnie Scotland' and 'Girl Friend.* Both houses go back' to day-date Aug. 30 with 'Karenina.' 'Bright Lights' doing all right on a double bill at the Par and Fenway, where grosses will rise above aver- age. 'Alice Adams' held over at the Keith Memorial and looks as if sec- ond week win top the first. H.o. promises $16,500. Rest of the town quiet. Keith Boston opens vaude season Thurs- day (29) with 'Folles Bergeres' and 'Hot Tip' on screen. Big Labor Day weekend antici- pated here, as town is going after celebration angle In a big way. Fig- ured to draw In a pack of suburban trade for the holiday. Jack Granara at Keith's learned at the 11th hour that Major Bowes would ,be available for a p.a. at the Memorial for a send-off for the new amateur series of shorts. Through NBC cboperatlon and some Inside m.meuverings by Charles Koerner, division manager, every paper In town had a smash ad, special read- ers and cuts on the theatre pages, Pathe News took a shot of the vis- itor in the governor's home,* and Granara arranged two special radio plugs In the short time allotted him. Ra_dIo and le^lt crlx invited to a reception to Major Bowes. Success of the campaign measured by the over-capacity house for the show at which Bowes appeared. Estimates for This Week Met (M&P) (4,200; 35-50-65)— 'Accent on Youth' (Par) and Phil Spltalny's femme ore on the stage. Turning in a dandy $25,000. Met sold the radio maestro well. Last week close to $21,000 for 'Irish in Us' (WB) and fashion show on stage. Keith Memorial (RKO) ' (2,900; 25-35-50)—'Alice Adams'' (Radio) (2d wk). H.o. single feature, drag- ging 'em in to tune of $16,500. First week nice $14,900. 'March of Trime' and Major Bowes short highlighted in the billing, which helped draw extra coin. State (Loew) (23-30-40-55)—'Bon- nie Scotland' (MG) and 'Girl t'ricnd* (Col), dual. Aiming at medium $11,000. Last week good $13,500 for 'China Seas' (MG), single. Not strong enough for h.o. Orpheum (Loew) (3,000; 25-35-40- 55)—'China Seas' (MG) (2d wk). Still all right, $11,000 or better. Last week biggest In many months, un- der any policy, $18,300. Apparently elimination of fiesh had no effect on the house. Paramount (M&P) (1,800; 25-35- 50)—'Bright Lights' (WB) and 'Vil- lage Tale' (Radio), double. Will gar- ner an oke $7,400. Last week $6,000 for 'We're In the Money' (WB) and 'Virginian' (Par), relssUe. Fenway (M&P) (1,600; 25-30-40- 50)—'Bright Lights' (WE) and 'Vil- lage Tale" (Radio), dual at $4,500, good. Last week 'Money' (WB) and Virginian' (Par), reissue, $4,000. Keith Boston (RKO) (2,300; 25-30- 40)—'She Gets Her Man' (U) and Mary Dow' (U), dual. Indicates a low $5,000. Last week bad with Cowboy Millionaire' !;Fox) and 'Woman in the Dark' (Radio), double, $4,750. Thursday (29) house reopens stage shows with 'Folles Bergeres' and 'Hot Tip' (Radio), on the screen. Scollay (M&P) (2,700; 25-35-40) — Curly Top' (Fox), second run; and Vlrgmlan' (Par), reissue, second run. May hit $3,000. Last week bad news, $2,750 for 'Broadway Gondo- ilt-r (WB), second run, and 'With- out Children' (Lib). with satisfactory figure despite poor notices, $7,500. ,„Great Lakes (Shea) (3,400; 25- 40)—'Bright Lights' (WB). Opened neatly and holding on for $7,000. Last week, 'Jalna' (Radio) and 'Hot Tip' (Radio), better than expected at 86,500. Century (Shea) (3,400; 25)— 'Dressed to Thrill' (Fox) and 'Born to Gamble' (Lib). Business back at preceding pace which Is under $5,O0U. Last week, 'Virginia' (Par) and 'Old Man Rhythm' (Radio), moved up somewhat with this well rounded bill being helped by good notices to $6,000. Lafayette (Ind) (3,400; 25)—'Air Hawks' (Col) and 'After the Dance' (Col). House feeling the summer slump acutely. Has been holding back attractions but figures to get going next week. Possibly $5,000 for this. Last week, 'Loves of Dictator' (GB) and 'Man of the Hour' (Col), typical week for sea- son with this only about a lIvInK wage for the house at $4,500.