Variety (Feb 1937)

10 VARIETY P I c f 1 GROSSES Wednesday, February 17, 1937 Frisco Fix, B.O. s Improve; 'Ave.V Radio Plugs Attract Robust Sari Francisco, Feb. 16. Screen at : niost main stem houses this week reach high standard. Fox has 'Maid of Salem;' the Paramount 'On the Avenue' and "Sylvia , idney's 'The Woman Alone;' the United Artists, 'Beloved Enemy;' the Warfield is holding 'Lloyds of London' for a third week arid the St; Francis, 'Thin Man/ for a sixth and final week; Although the Golden Gate is doing; the best , biz in. town, the Harlem revue with Ethel Waters on the. stage is credited, as being the draw. Estimates for This Week Embassy (RKO-Conen) (1*512; 30- 35-40)—'Now and Forever' (Par) and 'Horse Feathers'. (Par), dual. Will just about get by on these two revivals. Take will be around $3,500. It may not mean anything, but Shir- ley Temple is trailing Gary Cooper .and Carole Lombard in the billing. Last week,, . second for 'Forbidden' Adventure' (Dwai Esberg) off at $2,000. Fox XF-WO (5,000; 35-40)— •Salem* (Par) and 'Holy Terror* (20th). Witchcraft scare in old New England not Scaring up big money. Jane Withers makes her first appear- ance i this house in 'Holy Terror' and bringing in some biz. Will have better than average week at around 416.000, Last week 'Great O'Malley' (WB) and 'Dangerous Number' .. <MG) faded to poor 113,000. Golden Gate (RKO) (2,850, 35-55) —•We're" oh Jury* (RKO) and Ethel Waters .'Swjrig* Harlem, Swing.' unit. Swell notices on this show, which should; come through handsomely at around $22,500. Last week, 'Criiriinal Lawyer! (RKO) arid vaude, fair $13,500. •. Ort>heum (F&M) (&4I0:. 30-3540) —'Secretary' (Col) and 'Mighty Treve' ttJ) (2d wk.); Jean Arthur still .getting some biz, but not enough to go over average at $6,000. Last week good at $11,000. Paramount (F-WC) (2,700; 30-35- 40)—'On Avenue* (20th) and ♦Woman. Alone* (GB). Looks like • several radio ballyhoos gave • •Avenue* an impetus. Abundance of Irving Berlin hit tunes in picture fetting plentv of breaks on airlanes. ,ook for healthy $16,000. Last week (2d) a fizzle at $8,000 for 'Champagne.. W.a It z* (Par) and •Career Woman* (20th). 1 . St. Francis (F-WC) (1,476: 30-35 40)-^'ThiniMan' (MG) and 'Hats Off* (GN) (6th wk). Repeats will help swell take on final week of this combo to satisfactory $4,000. Last week v. g. $6,000. • ■ United Artists (UA-Cohen) (1,200; ; 25-40)—B e lb v e d Enemy* (uA). ' Merle Oberon getting tp mean some- thing'. Bad weather and arty nature of picture however, will keep gross down to $8,500. fair. Last week (4th •Allah' (UA) drifted down tq about W* Strike Over, But Detroit Biz Still Off; *Maid'Best at , •Detroit, Feb. 16. . Auto strike may be over but It's not reflected at the b. 6. yet. Figured it'll take a couple of pay; days be- fore things really 'begin M look up. Then, with about $40,000,000 Wage : boosts ih effect at various plants, wickets oughta get plenty of whirls ing. •'• ' *> . : Leader currently is 'Maid of Salem/ plus 'Broadway Juniors' uriit, at the ..Michigan.'-'- Estimates for This Week Adams (Balabari) (1,766; 25-40).— •Devil's Playground' (Col) and , 'Laughing at Trouble* (20th). Good $6,000 at this spot, which is garnering first returns . frorii strike peace through price differential. 'Lloyds' (20th) (2d wk) plus 'Mighty Treve* <U), nice $6,400 last stanza; former pic was muved here after 1 big session at the Fox.'. Downtown (Indie) (2,500; 25-35).— 'Smashing Vice Trust* (Ind). (2d wk) and 'With Pleasure, Madam' (Ind), dual. Second bumper session at $5,000, following big $6,200 last .. stanza, best house has done since re- opening several months ago. Fox (Indie) (5,000; 30-40-65).— •Wings of Morning' (20th) and 'Your Hit Parade' uriit. Good buildup on Annabella probably saved pic from Worse fate than the fair $18,000 com- . ing up. Nice £30,000 last week on 'Secretary' (Col) and George White's •Scandals' on stage. ,,•■.' Madison (United Detroit) (2,000; 30-40-65).—'Man . of Affair's* (GB). : Drawing Arliss. fans but hardly any- body else, at low $6,000. Oke $7,500 last stanza for fourth week of 'After Thin Man' (MG), moved here after three bumper sessions at the UA. . Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; «*30-40-65),—'Maid of Salem' (Par) and 'Broadway Juniors' unit. Tops the town easily with a nice $26,500. Okay $21,000 last week on 'Girl from Paris' (RKO) and Benny Davis revue. State (United Detroit) (3,000; 25- 40).—'Sinner Take All' (MG) plus 'Night Waitress' (RKO), dual; Grosses continue okay here at $10,000. Nifty $9,800 last stanza on 'About to Die' (RKO) and 'Case of Black Cat' (WB). United Artists (United Detroit (2,000; 30-40-65).—'Camille' (MG) (2d wk). Garbo-Taylor opus holding oke.at $10,000, following nice opening session of $15,000, despite strike. Home-Town-Boy Taylor Gets 'Camille' Strong $3,500 in Lincoln, Neb. Lincoln, Feb. Heavy downpour and radio space given Robert Taylor's homecoming and recent ballyhoo .on his grandpa's being, a relief client in Holmesville, Neb*, is counting in favor of r Ca- mi .* Will ick where 'Thin Man' left off two weeks ago and may get $3,500 or oyer.. Likewise into heavy money is the Orpheum pres- entation of the A. Marcus' 'La Vie Paree' unit, at the same figure. Estimates lor This Week Liberty (LTC) (1,200; 10-15)— •Eriipty- Saddles'': (U), plus 'Glass" Key* (Par ), split with 'Arizona Ma- honey' (Par), plus 'Message to Gar- cia' (20th); Good collection and worth $950. Last week .'Ghost Town Gold' (Rep) plus 'Last Outlaw' (RKO) split with 'Secret Valley' (20th) plus 'Show .Them No Mercy? (20th). Okeat $950. Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-20-25)— 'Hideaway Girl' (Par) plus 'Jungle Princess* (Par). First dual for the house iri several, weeks, and as a good comedy; potion is soothing at the b,o. pace of around $2,700. Last week 'Beloved Enemy' (UA) ran pretty good, although the Irish sit- uation & getting bit boring here; $2,450, all right. . Orpheum (LTC) (1,350; 10-15-20- 25-35-40-55)—'Off to the Races' (20th) and A. B. Marcus' Xa Vie Paree' unit for three days. Last half is 'August Weekend' (Indie) plus 'Criminal' Lawyer' (RKO). First- class money; will hit $5,000. Last Week 'Larceny on Air' (Rep) plus 'Winter Garden Follies' unit split With 'Rembrandt' (UA ) and 'Couldn't Have Happened' (Inviric). Not bad at $2,600. Stuart (LTC) (1,900: 10-25-40)— 'Camille' (MG). Pic has been on every,bo4y'8 mind for months, since the ballyhboed Taylor homecoming last October. B. o. take will substan- tiate value of the publicity with a possible $3,500. Last Week 'One in Million' (20th) . got plenty word-of- mouth arid ditto: biz at $3,500. Varsity (Westland) (1.100; 10-25- 35)—'Midsummer Night's Dream' (WB).. Regular price run for this one, arid everybody is helping to put it across. May do $1,700, good for this house. Last Week 'Theodora' (Col), nice $1,300. GARB0 OKAY IN B'KLYN $18,«0» •Camille'; Cagney ; Socko $24,000 Da- Brooklyn, Feb. 16. Healthy biz evidenced at majority of downtown deluxers. Socko biz with 'Lloyds of Lnodon.' Loew's Met and Fabian's Paramount also click- ing.-' Theatres got.some opposition frorii 'Golgotha,' French production on view at Academy of Music three days last week; ' < Estimates for This. Week Albee (2,500; 25-35-55)—'Lloyds' (20th), arid 'We're on the Jury' (Par ), dual. Getting considerable play and will. bang out peachy $20,000. Last week 'One iri Million' (20th, 2nd week), and 'plough, and. Stars' (RKO), $18,000, nifty.: . /. \\ ■ Fox (4,000; 25-35-55)—'Great Guy' (GN) arid 'Join the Marine's*' (Rep), dual. Looks like sbckb $24,000 and holdover. Last week^-'Black Legion' (WB) (2d week), and 'Once a Doc- tor' (WB), $17,000, good. n Metropolitan (2,400; 25-35-55)— 'Camille' (MG)—Alone oh bill and promises to get nice $18,000. . Last week, 'Beloved Enemy' (UA), and 'Sinner Take All' (MG), $16,000, ok&y Paramount (4,000; 25-35-55)— 'Stolen Holiday' (WB) arid 'Mind Your Own Business' (Par). Satis- factory pair of flickers, Will get okay $17,500. Last Week, 'Plainsman' (Par) and 'Let's Make Million* (Par) (2d Week), $19,000,^splendid. . Strand (2,000; 25-35-50 ^'Secret Valley* (20th) and. 'Death in Air? (Syn.). TWo mellers due for .okay $9,000. Last, week, 'Conflict , (UA), and 'Kidnapped in Shanghai* (Ind) got $8,500, good. Kansas City, Feb. 16. Weather and biz are both mild. Golden Gloves tournament kayoed openings and, early Lenten slump will take care of the balance of the week..'. 'Black Legion* at: the Newmari is being sold straight for the hardr boiled fare it is. No gate-smashing, but nice b& in, sight. Estimates for This Week. Mainstreet (RKO) (3,200; 25-40 )— 'Stolen Holiday' (WB). Doing aver- age Kay Francis business here, $7,500, fair. Last week 'God's Country' (WB). Color still no sales iteni, lo- cally, but pic got $8,000, okay. Midland (Loew) (4,000; 25-40)— 'Worrien of Glamour' (Col) and 'Dan- gerous Number* (MG). Dualler get- ting $10,000, njji.' Last week 'Sec- retary' (Col) and'Devil's Playground' (MG). Not so "hotsy,.$10400. House has been the only first-run dualler during the past lew weeks, with brunt of newspaper copy on ariti- double-features directed straight at it. ■":.,'" •• . . * . Newman (Par) (1,900; 25-40)— 'Black Legion* (WB). Week-end didn't kick up much controversy on this heavy. Straight selling may do an acceptable job as girls won't nave the alibi' that they weren't warned, thus squelching adverse word-of - mouth. Should reach nice $7,500. Last week 'Doctor's Diary' (Par), $6,700, so-so. Tower (Rewot-Fox) (2,200; 25-35) Pk Big $18,500, Stage House $24,500 Cleveland, Feb. . One-inch snow over cold, week- end, a thaw, is example of current weather that is causing fluctuations in biz for average pix,' but not for the tbp-notchers. Lent's not cutting in as much, as previous years. Neither is annual Grotto circus in Public Hall, despite its heavy ballyhoo. itz Brothers iri p. a. storming Pal- ace and giving 'Great O'Malley' a swell ride to about $24^500. Estimates for This Week Albambra (Martin Printz) (1,200; 20-30-35)—'Man Betrayed' (Rep) and •Smart Girls' (U), dual. Latter a second-runner, but copping all. the. gravy on this corner, $3,400 for sec- ond week. Also possibility of a sec- ond h. o. of three more days, a house record. Last week same combo pulled in $4,300, swell. Allen (RKO) (3,000; 25-40)—'About to Die' (RKO) — Only average $5,500. Last week, 'Holy Terror' (20th), was very neat, $7,000. Circle (Marmbrstein) (1,900; 15-35) —'Fury* (MG), and 'Rose Mari ' (MG)—Revivals. Brief splurge in dual revivals, proving just the right tonic, $6,000 being way over first- run grosses. Last week, 'Cloistered' (Pathe Cinema), had hard time col- lecting $3,000, poor. , Hipp (Warned) (3,700; 30-40)— 'Avenue* (20th). Irving Berlin songs putting it across; so are Ritz Bros., due to their personal up-the-street: at Palace. Both houses went in for re- ciprocating plugs. Should run up. to $18,500, highest here in two months. Last week, 'Stoieri Holiday' (WB)> couldn't get warmed up; $14,500, fair. Palace. (RKO) (3,200; 30-60)— 'Great O'Malley' (WB) with Ritz Bros, topping vaude. Film.okay, but it's three comics that are filling the pews, to the. sweet tune of about $24,500^ Last week,, 'God's Country' (WB) with Benny Fields on stage, caught $20,000, flattering. State (Loew's) (3,450; 35-40-50)-* 'Rernbrandt' (UA)—Originally sked- ded for Stillman B-house, this one Was kicked, around and postponed at least four times before they decided it was strong enough for top Loew spot. Guessed right, as it is heading for around $19,500, grarid for a high- brow pix. Last week, 'Champagne Waltz' (Par) got lambasting from Cricks, but $18,500 was good. Stillman (Loew's) (1,872; 25-35)— 'Under Cover of Night'. (MG)—Fair meller and a bit above ordinary b. o., $6,500. Last week, 'Plainsman' (Par) i third hold-over, garnered $7,500, excellent Berlin's Score, Powell Carroll Pave Way (or'Ave/in Minne, OK $11,000 —'Wornan Wise' (20th) and vaude. Good $7,000. Last week 'Smart Blonde' (WB) and vaude, $7,200. Uptown (Fox) (2,030; 25-40)—'One In Million' (20th) (3rd run); Pic had successive weeks at: Mainstreet and Newman. Current stanza, opened better than either of other houses. Should get $4,500, better than aver- age . first-run here. Last . week,' •Lloyds' (20th) (2nd week) nice $4,700. Strike Qv^r, Seattle Biz Booming Despite Lent Feb. only a mi factor here. 'On the Avenue* is leadirig this burg at the Music Hall. Thousands of men are back to work along waterfront, with lumber, mills looking for iriiiriense biz the. 'coining months to supply, demands frorii flooded areas along Ohio arid Mississippi. Theatres feel this up- surge in employment. Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (900: 37-42)—'Stolen Holiday' (FN) and 'Under Cover Night' (MG), dual. Moveover from Paramount, .with poor $2,400 expected. Last week •Winterset' (RKO) and 'Wprnari Wise* (20th), dual, $2,500, slow. Coliseum (Evergreen) (1,800; 21- 32)—'Libeled Lady* (MG) an*,'White Hunter' (20th), dual. Looks like $3j- 300, swell. Last week 'Tarzan Es- capes' (MG) - arid 'Hideaway Girl' (Par), dual* slumped to bad $2,100 in six days, arid pulled. Colonial (Sterling) (850; 11-16-21) —Trailing West' (WB) and 'Lived Again' (GB), dual, split with Tri- vate Secretary* . (Prin) and 'Coin- flict' (U), dual. Great $2,500 antici- pated. Last week-'Empty Saddles' (U) and , 'Get 'Em Haines' (Rep), dual, split with 'Devil on Horseback' (GN) arid 'Motive for Revenge' (Rep), dual, $2,100, good. Fifth Ave. ( vergreen) (2,400; 27- 37-42)—^Lloyd's' (20th) and 'On Jury' (RKO), dual, 2d wk. Okay at $5,200. Last week, same films, $9,500; big. .■ Liberty (J-vH) (1,900; 27-37-42)— 'Rernbrandt* (UA) and 'Counterfeit Lady' (Col), dual. Good biz at $4,500. Last week 'Beloved Enemy*. (UA) $6,100, big. * Music Box (Hamrick) (900; 27-37- 42)—'One in Million* (20th) (7th wk). Still going swell at $3,600 and sticks, for eighth week. Last Week, sixth week, $4,200, beating fifth, due to weather break and end of strike. Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,300; 27- 37-42)—'On " Avenue* (20th) and 'Crack-Up' (20th), dual. Headed for great $9,200. Last week 'Live Only Once' (UA) and 'Holy Terror' (20th), dual, $3,900, slow. . Orpheum (Hamrick) (2,700; 27-37- 42)—'Bulldog Drummond' (Par) arid 'Doctor' (WB), dual, and vaude. Do- ing good $6,000t Last week 'Daniel Boone'. (RKO) and 'Hate Off* (GN), dual, $5,400, only fair. Palomar (Sterling) (1,450; 16-27- 37)—'Shakedown' (Col) and Duke Ellington band, four days, Band drew big $4,500. Split with 'Letters of Star' (U), four days, doing nice $2,- 200 for good $6,700 total in eight days. Last week 'Easy to Take' (Par ) and Bowes unit, 2d week, $4,- 800, good. Paramount (Evergreen) (3,106; 27- 37-42)—'Black Legion* (WB) and 'Mamma Steps Out* (MG), dual. 'Le- gion' drawing only men and fair $4i500. Last week 'Stolen Holiday' (WB) and 'Under Cover Nighi' (MG), good $5,000. Roosevelt (Sterling) (800; 21-32 )— 'Go West* (Par) and 'In His Steps' (GN), dual. Gombtr-drawing good $2,700.. Last week 'Light Brigade* (WB) arid 'Smartest. Girl': (RKO), dual, $2,800, swell. S0NJA RESUMES PORT. RUN, BIG 8G 2D WK Portland, Ore;, Feb. 16. iri. a Million' ran up terrific score at the Evergreen Paramount first week. Closed for one day to permit house to sell but on Pallet Russe road unit at $2.75. top, but now continuing its record-breaking run for another two weeks. 'Winterset' holding second week at Orpheum to fat results. Estimates for This Week ..Broadway (Parker) (2,000; 30-40) ^'Marnma Steps Out' (MG) and ■Man of People' (MG). Registering okay $5,000. Last week 'Smart Girls' v(U) and 'Mad Holiday' (MG) (3d wk), good ehough $3,200. First two weeks totaled okay $10,800; May fair (Parker-Evergreen) (1-,- 400; 30-40)—'Bulldog Drummond' (Par) and 'Join the Marines* (Rep), dual. Average fare for average $2,- 000. Last week 'Man of Affairs' (Continued on page 31) \ Minneapolis, Feb; 16. Advertisi and. exploitation are having their .inning here this week, with 'On the Avenue' going swell at the Minnesota, thanks to -socko pub- licity as well as the Irving Berh score and cast names, 'Lloyds of London' well the Minnesota last week that it was moved r over to the Century for. second loop stanza and coriti to give a satisfactory .account, of itself. In its seventh Week downtown, Three Smart Girls' still holds forth profitably at the World. Two double feature houses, State and Aster, still in the doldrums,; business at the former being particularly brutal. Estimates for This. Week Aster (Publix-Siriger) (900; 15-25) —'Tarzan Escapes' (MG) and 'Polo Joe' (FN) (2d runs), split, and 'Arizona Mahoney' (Par) and 'Womari in Distress' (Col), first-run dual last three days. Pointed to- ward fair. $900. Last week, 'Hide- away Girl' (Par), first run and 'Rose Bowl* (Par) . (2d. run),, split, and 'North of Nome' .(Col) arid 'Mysteri- ous Crossing' (U), first-run dual last three days, $800, fair., Century (Publix-Singer)' (1,600: 25-35-55)—'Lloyds' (20th) (2d wk). Moved here from Minnesota and. still Clicking; $6,000, profitable. Last week, .'Doctor's Diary* (Par)^ $3,000, light.-; .'..'.■.■.„':■ Lyric (Publix-Singer) (1,300; 20- 25)—'Theodora' (Col) (2d run). Eh route to big $3,500. Last week -Le-ve on Run' (MG) (2d run), $2,500, fair. Minnesota (Publix-Siriger) (4.200; 25-35-55) —'Avenue' (20th), Bi|£ scale advertising and plenty of radio and other plugs have attracted much attention to this one. Irving Berlin's music also b.o* here. Pushing toward swell $11,000. Last week 'Lloyds' (20th). $10,500, good. Orpheum (Publix-Singer) (2.890; 25-35-40) —'Black Legion* (WB). Strong press and sensational ex- ploitation calculated to garner at- tention, but femmes are fighting shy of this one and. it will .do well to reach fair $7,000. Last week, 'Stolen Holiday' (FN) and 'Spices of 1937' unit, with latter mainly responsible for big $13,500. ' State (PubUx-Singer) 'Chan at Opera' (20th) and 'Mind Own Busi- ness* (Par), dual. Double features don't mean a thing to the local pub- lic apparently.. Light $2,000 in pros- pect. Last week 'Sinner Take All* (FN) and 'Can This Be Dixie' (20th), dual, $1,500, poor. Time (Berger) (290; 15-25)—'Seven Sinners' (GB). Fair $900 indicated. Last: week, 'Legion of Terror' (Col), $1,0Q0, fair. Uptown (Publix) (1,200: 25-35)—* Tlairisman' (Par). Oke $3,000 for first nabe showing. Last week, 'Col-c=- lege Holiday' (Par), $2,800, pretty World (Sieffes) (350; 25-35-40-55) 'Smart Girls' (U) (7th wk). Still has 'em coming in,paying, numbers. Looks like good $2,000. Last Week, $2,200, good. MONT'L HAS FLU, SKIING, BUT VERY LITTLE B. 0. Montreal, Febl 16. of repeats at rhai stems- and prevalence of flu, plus better ski- ing weather week- , are still cut- ti into grosses. Estimates for This Week His Majesty's (CT) (1,600; 50)— 'Wings of Morning' (20th-Biit) (3d wk). Hoping for $3,500, fair, after $4,500 last week. . ., Palace (CT) (2,700; 50)—'Thi Man' (MG) (2d wk). Repeat do- ing surprisingly well, and should gross good $7,000. Last week it made corking $10,000. Capitol (CT) (2,700; 50)—'Stolen Holiday' (WB) and 'Racing Lady* (WB), dual, Getting fair play, and may gross $6,000, good enough. Last week 'God's Country' (WB) and 'Mind Own Business' (WB), fair $5,500. ■ Loew's (M.T. Co.) (3,200; 60)— 'Mad Holiday' (MG) arid • 'Great O'Malley' (WB) ith Riviera Follies unit. Should gross $10,000, nice. Last week 'One Way Passage' (WB) and 'Once a Doctor' (WB), with 'Command Performance' unit, $9,000, fair. ■ Princess (CT) (2,300; 50)—'Secre- tary'(Col) and 'Legion of Terror' (Col).. May get $6,500, good.. Last week 'Winterset* (RKO) arid 'Rain- bow on River' (RKO), $6,000, good. Cinema de Paris (France-Film) (500; 50)—'KF Rigolboche' with Mis- tinguett may go above average at • $3,000, Last week 'L'Appel du " lence* fair at $2,000. St. Denis (France-Film) (2,300; 34) — Mr. Slow' and 'Les Gaites de Pal- ace.* Expect gross around $5,000, very good. Last week 'Toi, C'est Moi» Ann "Notre Dame d'Amour,' Moi' and $4,500.