Variety (Jan 1937)

l^ednesdaj* January 13, 193T r I c T C CROSSES rASterr Pd H.O^ 1^ Ten^ Into Smal House, $8,S00, Nice; lloyds $17,000; 'lliin Han,' 2d Wk., 20G Chicago* Jan. 12. Number of hold-oVer flickers in tdwn holding down the total take around the theatres, but. business ffeherally has plenty ot vigor. * Strongest of the newcomers are <Pehnies iroin Heaven' and 'Lloyds of London.' Bihg Crosby flicker is getting a splehdid evening play, and indicateis easy , ability tO' stick for tito weeks at the Garrick; Jaih-up 0? pictures in the bigger, houses ne- cessitated .shifting pic.;, to this tiny Twold-overs are 'Banjo .On My Knee,* Tjainsmanj! XSirl from Paris* and After the Thin Man/ each of which turned in a good session last week. Ihdicatibns arb ,that-the last-named picture will do the best job oh the repeat stanza.: Estliaaicis for This 'Week .Apollo (B&K) (1,200; 35-55-75)— *ftanjo On My Knee' j(20th) (2d week). Will do around $5,500, neat, lor second session after zipping ibrough to , excellent $10,300: last CuWo (B&K) (4,000; 35-55-75)— Plainsman' (Par) and stage show: WeBterher ishowed flne power last W6ek and is demonstrating ability to slick to $26,000, fine, for current .waltz. Last week was good with : $39,000; originally' overestimated be^^ cause of holiday week's (expectancy. GarHck <B&K) (900; 35-55'65-75) -^'Pennies from Heaven' (Col). Crosby piece heading for i:»leasant $8,500. Last weiek 'College Holiday' (Par) got big $9^100* . Oriental (B&K) (3,200; 35-45-55)-^ Wdeaway Girl' (Par) and vaude. Sophie Tucker headlining and ac- counting lor big share of . gross, which will be prospierbus $20,000: Last week holidays aided 'Sinner. Takes AU' (MG) to $19,000. PaUce (RKO) (2.600; 35-55-75)— ,*Girl from Paris' (^O) and 'Riviera Revue' unit on stage» Second week lor flicker. Business settling iome- what, but okay at $17,000. Last week was mammoth, with New Yeair's Eve adding to vstratospherie $38,500. ^ Boosevelt (B&K) (1300; 35^55-65^ 75)—XloydS* (20th). Looks like b o. w:inner from starting pace and is on way to $17,000, splendid. Last week Taraan Escapes' (MG) feU off after good start and ended with $13,700, most of the' .coin; eoming over the holiday week-end, ^ Stale-Lake (Jones) (2,700; 25^35- 40>-^'Missing Girls' (U) and vaude. (Setting fine proflt at $16,000. Has ..returned to its Saturday openings. Last weiek was nine-day stand, and packed in a'top mark of $22,100 with 'Don't Turn 'Em Loose* (RKO). i ■ . 0n|4ed Artiste (B&K-UA) (1,700; . 85-55-75)H-'After Thin Man» (MG) (2d week). Zipping currently to around $20,000, rehiarkable for sec- |Jm)(K ii^ville Holds Okay B O. Pace; Tlainsman/ $8,500 - , s Lbuisvillei, Jan. 12. Pace holding up well after terrific New Year's biz, and aU first runs will wind up with good grosses. Of the new product, 'Plainsman' and 'Rain- bow, on the River' jare making the best showing. Estimates for This Week i *^«wn (4th Ave.-Loew^s) (1,500; 15-25-40)—'College. Holiday' (Par) and March of Time. Moved here irom Rialto for second downtown week. Anticipate okay $2,800, Last week 'Smart Girls' (U), also in its second stanza after a shuffle from Strand, got mild $2,400: Kentntsky (SWitow) (900; 15-25)— •pimples' (20th) and 'Wedding Pres- .A <*uali splitting with Anthony Adverse' (WB). Should corral good $2,300. Last week 'Pig^ Parade' (20th) and 'Craig's Wife', (Col), dual, splitting With 'Big f "^^oadcast* (Par) and «15 Maiden Lane' (20th), dual, okay $2,200. Loew's State (3,000; 15-25-40)— Z*""- Man' (MG). Hitting good *7.ooo or better. Last week same ^ ^'"^sh $15,000, to better mark of 'Mutiny' and 'San Francisco,' iK^?*"fAv^"'**"*» (Libson) (1,000; 15-25.40 ):-'Sing Me a Love Song' *^ohX' Slightly less than averagie at fvi??' -^^s* 'C^old Diggers' fJir$2 dOO^'*^^*'^®^ snagged ^iahib- (Settos) (900; IS)—'Shiii- I"ates. Forever' (FN) and 'I Cover v^u^?A'^'^^^°^*' (tJA), :dual, splitting J^i^h Cynara' (UA) arid 'Laddie' ' 'dS n^^' ^i?*^- Good $900. Last week i2*'^02. Years' (FN) and 'Stella Parish' : (FN), dual, splitting with k^^^y Legs' (FN) and 'Alice Adams' mKO), duaii with lielp of New |l 800^ ^"^^s prices, took fijie 4n^**& Ave.) (3;0d0; 15-25- ^ft .;";rn^^^^"^'"^^' Getting oke ^8.500, as result of some: national 'r^ii*'^^ network plugs. Last week aY ^^^IJjj Holiday* (Par) plenty good Strand (Fourth Ave.) (1,500; 15- 25V40)—'Ralribow on River'; (RKO)* and 'Make Way For Lady^ (RKO), dual. Bobby Breen's radio following will help-to better $5,400, fine. Last week 'One i Milliori' (20th), ex- cellent $4,500. Kansas; City,. Jan. . It's. Weather, vs^ product currently, with former an odds-on.faVorite: over weekend. , ing day there was .a no parking order out for downtown area because, of sleet stoi'm, • conse- quently trade was -exceptionally light; 'Garden, of Allah' stepping into lead with 'Three Smart Girls' giving the Mairistreet a comfortable session. ^Estlniates for This Week ' Mainstreet (RKO) (3,200; 25^40)^ 'Three Smart Girls' (U) nicely ballyed arid should touch $10,000, fine. Last week 'Plainsman* (Par) cock-eyied the. estimate aind went for •great $18,000. Best house has done with • exiception 'Adverse' sincie last spring. Midland (Loew) (4,000; 25-40)— 'Garden of Allah' CUA) and 'Sinrier Take AH' (MG), dual, Town'is only first-run dualler looks for fair. $12, 000' Last week 'Camille' (MG) stumbled towards the finish, but Okay at $14,800. Newman: (Par) (1,900; 25-40) 'Great Giiy' (GN). Cagney riiay get $7,000, nice. Last week 'College Holi day' (Par) got steady biz, catching good $7,600 for second week. Tower (Rewot-Fox) (2,200; 35)— '(Than at Opera' (20th) and vaude. Doing all right at $6,900. Last week 'Mind Your Own Business' (Par) arid vaude got good $7,600. Uptown (Fox) (2,030; 25-40)—. 'Plainsman' (Par) (2d run). Moved from Mainstreet and will get ten days here/ Looks like fine $7,000. Last week 'Gold Diggers' (WB) (2nd run), $4,200, fair, f. . ■ •■ , :: QUICK, WATSON, ASPIRIN Port/$Tenip.,KzDrop; Stoves Get Top Crosses Portland, Ore.. Jan. 12; Pluritmeting thermometer sent b,b. grosses down this week natives huddled to their furnaces. , Estlinatcs for This Week Broadwa»y (Parker) (2,000; 30-40) —'After the Thin Man' (MG) and 'Down the Stretch', (FN). (3d wk)- Biz damaged by cold Weather, but still okay at $5.000: Second . week good, $7,000. First terrific, $13,600. Mayfair (Parkier-Evergreen) (1,400; 30-40>-^'North of Nome' (Col) and 'Plot Thickens' (RKO). Dual gettine average $2,000. Last week 'Don't Turm 'Em Loose' (RKO) and 'One Way Passage' (WB), latter. - issue, got okay $2,800. Orpheiim (Hamrlck' Evergreen) (2,000; 30-4O)^»The Plainsman' (Par). (2d wk). Doing nicely in spite of weather; $5,500, First wieefc col^ lected raves and good b,o. results at great $8,200. Paramount (Evergreen) (3,000: 30- 40)—Theodora Goes WUd' (Col) arid 'Can This Be Dixie?' (20th); (2d wk); Good biz entirely on merits of first pic, $5;000. First week registered great, $8,700; ^Parker) (l OOO: 30- 40)—•CamilleV(MG). (2d wk); Slip-- pmg to fair $4,500. First week ter- rific wirinier with $7,000. Post-Holiday B way Holdovers; 'Million Lincoln. Mgr. Learns 'Guy,' $600, Lincoln, Jan, 12. Zero weather is the hieadlirier this week and b;o. tempo slowed down. "Three Smart (iirls' getting good'ride at the Lincoln '(ireat Guy' sets precedent of sorile kind, being held over because the first week was so bad, not because it Was. good. Estimates for This Week Liberty (LTC) (1,200; 10-15)— 'Cavalcade of the West' (Diversion) plusV'Boheriiian Girl' (MG), t split with 'Kirig of Hockey' (WB) plus •Ex Mrs. Bradford' (RKO). Gold Weather nippirig. this house badly and riot, more Ihairi $700'in sight. Last week 'General Spanky' (MG) plus 'Bitgle Ariri' (MG), split with •Red Salute' (UA) arid 'Chari' (ioth) hit by cold on. tail end of week; $850, average. ■ , . Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-20-25) Three Smart Girls' (U), ; Given the bally and aiming at: $2,500,. which is good, considering weather. Last Week- 'Stowaway' (20th) came near $3,000, very good. - ' Orpheum (LTC) (1:350; 10-15-20- 25-3^)—'Plot Thickens* (RKO) plus stage show,: 'Parisian. Nights Revue,' split with 'White Hunter' (20th) plus 'Make Way for a Lady' (RKO). About $2,000 is the best, that cari be: hoped for. Last week 'Let's Make a Milliori' (Par) with the- Texas (ieri- tennial. revue On stage, split .with Tundra*. (B-T) and the week was excellent at $3,100. Stiiart (LTO (1,900: 10-25-40)— 'Garden of Allahf (UA). Not very hiefty possibiritjr with ; icpmbine of elements . against it. VLikely to go below average at $3,000, Last week 'Plaipsman' (Par), was sweet enough after New Year's Eve. start to get $4,000, fine.' ■ Vai-slty (Westlarid) (1.100; 10-20- 25-35)—'Great Guy' (GN) f 2d week). New idea iri extra timing- Milt Overman, city manager.;: said there Was so much . .sickness arid . bad weather, first week, which wai; slow at $700, that he was going to hold, pic a second week so patrons could come arid isee ilt Second week, how- ever, looks bad at $600, or less« B ttsj Jfeers* at Denver, With riiercury hitting 14 below, grosses were kejpt down first of the week; but as soon as the temperar ture cliriibed above' zero business picked Up. *Gold Diggers' is easily toppirig town at the Denver. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Huffman) (1,500; 25^40) —'Garden of Allah' (UA), following a: week at the Denver. Okay at $3,- 000. Lastvireek, 'Banjo on My Knee'' X20th), Was good enough at $3,000 to get a second week at thie Broadway. Broadway (Huffinari) (1,500; 25- 40)—'Banjo on My Knee' (20th), fol- lowing a week at the Aladdin. Nice ienough: with $2,000. .:Last Week, 'Stowaway' (20th), following week at Denver, finished with good $2,500. Oenham (Cockrill) (1,500; 25-35- 40)^'Plainsman* (Par) .(2d week); Swell, Considering; at $6,000 pace. Last week, ;is>ame pic, paizked house repeatedly and closed with mam- moth $10,000. Denver (Huffman) (2;500; 25-35- 50)—Gold Diggers' (FN) and stage barid. Town's topper with swell $11,500; Last week, 'Garden of Allah' (UA), firiished with nice $10,500. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 25-35-40) —•After the Thi Mari' (MG) and 'General Spariky' (MG) (2d week); Letdown arid only /fair $6,000 in sight. Last \ireek, isame pix played to eriorriious business, $17;500, ' r eluding New Year's Eve show. : Paramount (Huffman) (2,000; 25- 40)_'White Hunter' (20th) and 'Be- loved Vagabond' (Gbl). Not: so good, at $3,000. Last week, "More Than a Secretary* (Col), and 'Slalom* (World), got nice $5,000. An alNtime low iri new pictures is recorded for the current week, only a .brace of fresh ones having come ■ , 'God's Country arid the Woriian' at . the Strand, and 'Smart. Blonde,' latter as: 50% of a* double bill at the grind .Palace. Neither are causing the haany holdovers any concern. . The tirited northern, 'God's CpurtT try,'.is gasping through a seven, days' run Which will , hieari at tops only $15,000 for the somewhat, unfortunate Warner showTWiridow which found competition disappointingly tough over vXmas arid New Year's With 'Gold Diggers.' The other new pic- ture of the week, 'Smart Blonde,* is aided at the Palace soriiewhat^ by having 'Stowaway';.as corripariy, but unlikely that the gross will go-over $8,500. , By the: erid of: the week several New Year holdovers 'will throw in the...spOrige, letting in fresh cellu- loid, among openings being 'Plainsr man' today (Wed.) at the Para- mount;. .'Lloyds of. Loriddn' at the Music Hall toitiorrow (Thurs.), 'Men Are Not God,' ait the Riv Saturday (16), and 'Black Legion' at the Strand, also Saturday (16). After an ll-day holdover of 'We Who Are About to Die! at the Rialto, 'Hide- away (jirr was ushered in yesterday (Tues.). Of the , holdovers, two .are very strong, 'After the Thin Mari' and 'One in a Million;' forriier now iri its third week at a Cap pace that riiay mean $35,000, While 'MUlion' augurs a sturdy $42,000 on its second week at theRoxy, Both hold another. The third week of 'College Holiday/ end ing at the Par last night (Tues.) suffered aNdrop at around $20,000 on the week: but gets: by. The second week of 'Girl frbni r Paris' is /more disappointing. After registering a very big $111,000 New Year's week, currently ori its second it won't be better than $60,000, a dangerous dip but rio.cedi A holdover that is bring- ing soriie real action to the Criterion lis 'Great Guy.' The Cagney starrer churned through to a big $28,000 pn its first Week and currently on sec ond Will probably hit $20,000, stay ing a third. The picture proves tha: attractions are all that the Crif needs, there being nothing wrong with the theatre arid its operatiori' While business everywhere: on. the New Year's' weekend was sOm^thirig to write the exchanges ? about, with the return of kids to school Monday (4) there was a distinct dip and over the past weekend (9-10), with rain On Sunday, the box offices were gen- erally affected;: With 'Lloyd's' closed down Sunday night (10) at the Astor, the house is being readied for Metro's 'Good Earth.* Opening date: for the road- show run has riot yet been set. Estimates for This Week Astor (1,012; 55-$1.10-$l,65-$2.00)— 'Lloyds' (20th) (7th week). Werit 6% weeks, grossirig"' $7,800 on the final week ending Sunday (10). Moves into the Music'tiall tomorrow (Thurs.) at pop pribes, with 'Good Earth' (MG> succeeding No opening date yet set.' .V Capitol (4,620; 25-35-55-85-$1.25)— 'Thin Man' (MG) ;(3d Week). Hold- San Francisco, ,: iz ,here is: zooming along in spite of the coldest January iri 25 -years iand a flu epidemic which has thou- sands in hospitals and at home. Maritiriie strike is still going; strong. ;Fox arid Parartiount have the only new'pix iri town. Former ;has ^After the Thin Mari,' which is doing ter- rific biz. Paramount not so fortu- nate with 'Sing Me a Long Sorig' and ■Sinner Take All/ takirigs being borisiderably, beloW-. expectatipris.' Estimates for This W«!ek Embassy (RKOrCoheri) (1,512; 30- 35-40) —"Rairibow oh the River' (RKO) and 'Everythihg is Thunder' (GB) (3d wk), Not soforte at $1.900.. Last Weelt; second, swell at $4,000. ■ Fox (F-WC) .(5,000; ; 35-40-75)— 'Thi Man' (MG) and 'King. o£ Hockey' (WB). After, new records with this bill; terrific $30,000 in sight. Matinees have beeri: unusually, strong for the, picture, locale ,of which is Fri.sco. Last week "Plairi.'jman' (Par) arid 'Country Gentleriien' (Rep) very. fancy at $28,000. Golden Gate. (RKO) (2.850, 35-55) —.'Girl from Paris' (RKO) (2d Wk) and Thvee Stooges on stage,: Hot at $15,000.- Admish raised 15c,. for . this show. Last week, first' for 'Paris,' socko at $23,000. Orpheum (F&M) (2,440; 30-35-40> —'Pennies from Heaven' (Col) and ^You .CJanH Get Away With. It' (U)- (3d;wk). Overflow, from Fox, where they have been standirig them out on the sidewalks every night: helping Crosby get a satisfactory $5,000 on firial week. House also stiniulated biz somewhat With a preview, of May Robson's 'Woman iri Distress!. (Col). Last Week, secorid. firie at $10,000. . Paramount (F-WC) (2,740; 30-35- 40)-T-'Love Song' (WB) and 'Sinner, Take Air (WB). Jimmy Melton sing-- ing to sagging trade; $10,000 con- siderably, below expectations. Last week 'College Holiday' (Par) arid 'Join the Mari , ' (Bep) slipped to $11,000 in secorid; stanza. St.. Francis (F-WG) (1,470; 30-35- 40)—'Plainsman': (Par) and 'Man, I Betrayed' (Rep). Bookirig problem' prevented Gary. Cooper picture from being held o.ver at Fox for a second week, House looks^'set for very healthy week at $8,000,: Last week 'Golddig^efs' (WB) arid 'Fucitive in the.Sky* (2d wk) good at $7,500. tJhited Artists (UA-Cohen) (1;200; .25-40 y—'Stowaway' (20th) (Sd wk). Should have been stowiefd'away after two weeks; very poor $3;500 indi- cated for -final stanisa. Last -Week^ second, $5,000, ri. s. g. * Warfield (F-WC) (2,686: 35-40-55) —'One Iri a Milliori' (20th) arid 'Along Came Love' (Par) (2d wk). Biz holding uo nicely at $11,000.: Last .week, first,, peachy at $18,000. ing strong and . may: jget up to $35,000 : with good theatire weather prevail* ing. Holds fourth week, 'Camille* (MG) being set back to Jan. 22. Sec- ond week for 'Thin Map' over New Year's, around'$44,0(>0, big. Criterion (1,662; 25-40-5$).—'Great Guy' (GN) (2d week): Vety big at $28,000 on the first week over New Year's arid niaihtairiing exceptionally fine stariiina for holdover week of probably $20,000, going third. palace (1,700; 25-35-55).—'Stow- away' (20tTi) (2d riin) and 'Smart Blonde' (20th) , (1st run), doubled; Brother-and-sister bill doing fiaiir, aroUnd $8,500.- Last week, 'Men on Horse' (WB) (2d:ruri) and 'Rainbow on River' (RKO) (2d run), dualed, close to: $12,000, fine. jParamonnt (3,664; 25t35-55-85).^ 'College Holiday' (Par) (3d week) arid Mario Braggiotti orchestra (1st week). Disappointuig third week for 'Holiday' but no bruises at $20,- 000 on final stanza up last night (Tues.); On isecond week with Glen Gray Casa Loma band, , which couldn't stay a third, gross fell off somewhat at $45,000, but still lots of jgravy. '^^lainsman' (Par) and Ray Noble orchestra, plus Sheila Barrett; the riew.^show today (Wed.). Badlo City Music Hail (5,989; 40- 60-85-99-$1.65) ^ •Girl from Paris' (RKO) and stage show (2d week). With the aid of New Year's got a smas|ho $111,000 first weiek, but oh holdover (current) a hankie of tears at $60,000, just getting out. 'Lloyds' (20th) opens tomdrrbW (Thurs,). _ jalto (75b; 25-40-55)—'Hideaway Girl" (Par) opened, yesterday (Tiiies.). After holdover of 'We Who Are About to Die' for four additional days at $3,000: for that period,' first week Was $8,000. , . Rivoli (2,092; 25-55-75-85-99 )^'Be. loved Enemy' (UA) (3d week). Os- tensibly unable .to withstand the stiff competition, only about $20,000 On third (final) week. Second through New Year's holiday was $31,000. I'Men Are Not God' (UA) Opens Sat- urday (16).; ^ I Boxy (5i836; 25-45-55-75)—'One in MilHori' (20th) and Leon Errol uni^ (2d week). Brought in 24 hoUrs ahead of regular change day for.^ew Year's eve play and on first eight days a staggering $78,500, best house has done sincie jgoing into receiver- ship*. On current (2d) stanza very strong at indicated $42,000, and goei for another run around the track. 'Three Smart Girls'. (U) and Borrah Minevitch in person (he's in 'One in Million') opens Jan. 22., Strand (2,'767; 25-55^75) — 'God's Country and Woman* (WB). Not quite what the 'dbctor ordered aiftei^ two disappbiriting weeks with 'Gold jiggers,' $15,000 looking tops. Sec- ond week of 'Diggers' (WB) orily around $15,000. 'Black Legion* (WB) opens Saturday (16 )r State (3,450- 35-55-75)-4^Go West; Young- Man' (Par) (2d ruri) and vaude headed by 'Fats' Waller or- chestra;. : Business only fairly good, around $22,000. Last week gross bri 'Borri to Dance* (MG) (2d run), arid Herriian Tlrtiberg heading vaude- dipped tp $26,000, but good. Ind'polis Icy, Especially To l)ietricli; 'Allah' 6G ianapblis, Jan. Icy roads along with other wintry weather hazards^ cutting into grosses at:'downtown - first-run houses! but still riiost.of the spots are managing to keep .out of the red^ Estimates for This Week Apolio (Fourth Ave.) (l.lOO; 25- 40)—'3 Smart Girls' (U). Doing okay with strong carijpaigri selling Deanna Durbiri's debut; may hit $5,100. Last- week, 'Gold Diggers of 1937' (WB) slipped after fast start arid finished With $4,900, riioderate. Circle (Monarch) (2,800;. 25-40)-^ 'Plainsman' (Par). Second weiek is proving a mbney-getter with iridica-r tibris of plentjr okay $4,500. Same pic opened up its run with smashing first week gross Of $9,250. Indiana (Monarch) (3,l00; 25<40)— 'Great Guy* (GNf) and .-Mind Your OwH Busiriess': (Par), dual. Cagney exploitied, but :take is likely to be only fair. $5,100. Last week dual of 'Girl from Pariij' (RKO) and 'Make- Way for a Lady' (Par). .s6-so $4..50O. Loew's (Loew's) (2,600; 25-40)— 'Allah' (UA) on dual, with. 'Come Closer, Folks' ;(Gol). Former given all the attention. in ads. Dietrich: seems to have: faded away corisider- ably >n this town, and gross k strug- gling" to reach better than $6.d00i fair; Last week, 'Camille' (MG), dandy at $8,400. Lyric: (Olion) r2;000; 25-30-40)-:- 'Chan iat Obera' (20lh> and 'FoliieR d'Amouf on stage. Both picture arid istage revue sharing credit for very good $9;250. La.st week. 'Sing Me a Love Song' (WB) arid vaude got big l.$9,400. :: ■