Variety (Apr 1937)

Wednesdajt Aprfl 14, 1937 PICTURE GROSSES VAniETY Rosy; Harked Woman' Plus Qurber Sock 25G; laytiiner M Pittsburgh, April 13. it's piK^'day at the. mines here this week and the old alibi about too JnUch competish is going by the bofcrds, for record grosses jare m order everywhere. Smartiest thing around is the conibo of Jan Garber's battd and 'Marjted Woman' at Stan- ley with house heading for its big-. ewV gross sincie Jack Benny did an in-peWon here. FUcket- considered poteht, but it's Garbei: who's the spck punch, in this set-up.. , . , Trade boorrting light along the line ■ With exception; of Alvin, where weak dual of/Women of Glamour,' and '23% Hours Leave' is being yanked after six. days to bring in Top of the Town' tomorrow (Wed.) da/ahead of schiedule. 'Good Earth's' first ■ week topoed everything since ♦Midsummer Nighf^s Dream' for a $1.50 flicker. Estimates for This Week Alvin (Harris) (2,000; 25-35-40)— •Women of Glamour' (Col) and '23»4 Hours Leave' (GN). . Only spot in town this week where biz seems to be staying away/ Under $4,500 in six days, diiar being, yanked prematurely to bring iii 'Top .of Town' (U) tpmpiv row (Wed.) for a run. Last week; second of 'Seventh Heaven' (20th v, way off at $5,000, Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1,750: 25-40) -^l40ve is News' (20th) ,(2d Weelt), Looks like site- has struck, another run winner. No sign of let-up and hitting $7,000, which makes a third week certain. First Week a little over $7,000. big. Nixon (Erlanger) (2.100; 50-75-$l-. $1.50)—'Good Earth* (MG). Away to good start in second ■wee'k and thii-d Would-have been a cinch had not house'booked in a legit shoW. 'Close Quarters,' to open Monday (19>- Opening week for 'Earth' topped all Toad-^ow pix takes around here Since-. 'Midsummer Night's Dream,' getting close to $13,000. great. >enn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-35-50) —Maytime' (MG). MacDonald- Eddy; operetta should have no trou- ble cracking throtigh with smash ^^0,000. That's enough to send it into Warner Friday (16) for coritihua- tion of downtown run at same scle. Last .Week, 'Personal Property' (MG). soicko, not far from $17,000. Stanler (WB) (3,600: 25-40-60W *Marked Woman' XFN) and Jan Garber's band. , A wow,, pure and simiple^twith conibo rollihg up smartr est take WB deluxer haiis had isince Jack Benny played here. Flicker well liked, but it's Garber who's get ing most of the credit for oh enom enal $25,000, toboing by !S2..'iOO smart lake he brought here just a year ago. Last week; 'Her Husband Lies' (Par) and Don Redman's band. With Buck and Bubbles, disappointing, at $14,000, pooh Warner (WB) (2.000f 25-40>— We'rie on Jury' (RKO) and *Esbi- onage' (MG); WeU liked twin bill. Witti recent air show of Moore-Brod- erick making them a niaraucc teami .Thafs being reflected in nice $5,500. Last week. 'Outcast' (Par) and 'Maiha Steps Oiit' (MG). just fair $4,700. ^ ;S(kSo Pix, bot Good h L'viDe; Davis $4,500 Louisville, April 13 With just s6-sd product at most fltst-runs, and a holdover, 'Maytime' at Loew's State, business is holding up siurprisingly well. Top trade is going to the Rialtb 35[iih two ordinary pix^ '50 Roads to Town' and 'Sea Devils.' 'Maytime' still showing plenty strength at the State. Estimates for. This Week , .WbW*:'(Fourth Ave.-Loew's) (1,- 500; 15-25-40)-^'Soldier and Lady (RKO) and 'Wanted to Marry (RKO), dual. Fair enough $2,400. Last week 'Waikiki Wedding' (Par) and March of Time' ran strong oh £®cQnd downtown week to take good 12,700. .Kentucky (Switow) (900; 15-25) Reunion' (20th) and 'Girl from Paris' (RKO), dual, splitting . with Big House' (MG) and 'Dancing Lady' Parents' (Par), dual,. Biz plickihg up here with completion. of street re- pa:irs in sight Headed for good $1,- 400. Last week 'Rhythm on Range* (Pai-) arid 'F-Man' (Par), dual, split- ting with 'Last Gentleman' (UA) and 'Moon'^ Our Hbme' (Par), dual, okay $r,4O0. iliaito (Fourth Ave.) (3,000; 15-25- 40 )^*50 Roads; to Town* (20th) and 'Sea Devils' (RKO ),. dual. No names in particular., to draw, yet biz, ter-^ rific. House seems able to draw With most anything, and $8,500 and may- be more is indiciated for current staiiza. Last week 'Seventh ileaven' (20th) pulled in big $7,000. Strand (Fourth Ave.) (1,500; 15-25- 40)—'When Love Is Young', (U) and 'We Have Our Moments' (U),. dual Cricks lukewarm on .this duo arid patronage none too hefty. Will be satisfied with fair $3,300, Last week 'Quality Street' (RKO) and 'We're on the Jury'- (RKO), dual, took aver age $3;500, *Diaricirig Lady* (MG) and' 'Don't Turii 'Em Loose* (RKO) and vaude, lair $10,500. Princess (CT) (2,300; 50)^'Quality Street' (RKO) and 'Girl Overboard' (RKO). Point to good $6,000. Last week,v ret)eat of 'History at Night' (UA) and 'Don't Tell the Wife' (RKO), $5,000, nice. Cinema de Paris (France-Filin.) (600; 50)—'Un Grand Amour de Beethoven* (5th week). Expect $2,- 000, after $2,500 last week. St. Denis (France-Film) . (2,300; 34) 'Leis Deux Gosseis' and 'Oeil de Lynx.' . Going weir and promise $5,- OOO, good. Last. week. 'Vagabond Bienaime' arid 'Jeiine Fille Modern,' $5,500, good. Frisco Goes for 'Heaven,' llmsa! $15,000 Each; 'Soldier; SMM M ^ith 'Crack Up' (20th) and 'Love SongV(WB). dual, fair $2,200. ^liOew's State (3,000; 15-25-40)-^ Maytime^ (MG) (2d week). Mac- uonald-Eddy musical still getting P»emy play; schools co-operating by P'uggmg 'Maytime* tunes in music el^i^^i Second stanza promises to well above average. Last w«eic same pic took fine $9,000. .■: IB^^,3r Anderson (Libson) (i:0d0; fS*0)—'Marked Woman' (WB); yicks praised this one, and Bette ht» ^l/2"°wirtg should boost take to . Last week 'King and pS^^^^"-'! <WB) on second weftk grabbed okay $3,400. Ha^H.^ Afrt^\°^^ (900; 15)-'Law in ) and 'Trail of Lonesome Tf?v« <iualv splitting with ^ove on Bef (RKO) and 'Too Many Washington, April 13i. Rain and cold. Which forced post pqnemerits of CJherry Blossom Fes- tival, doi flicker shops plenty good this week.' out-of-towrters figur ing if they can't see the pretty flowers in the flesh they*ll take 'em in the newsreels. Biggest interest is in 'Maytime, which bids to top Palace all-time high for three-week run, Earle db-^ ing well with 'Marked Woman' , ahc Willie and Eugene Howard. C!apitol is plugging " Cab Calloway over 'Song of City,* Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew) (3,424; 25-35-60)— 'Song of City* (MG) and vaude. Cab Calloway and colored unit get top billing, but playing to poor $17,000. Last week, 'Seventh. Heaven' (20th) and Salici Puppets, got oke $20,500 Columbia (Loew) (1,583; 25-40)— 'On Avenue' (20th) (2d run). Third week on mainstem looking towaro good $4,800. Last week, 'Step Lively, Jeeves' (20th), passable $3,600. Earle , (WB) (2,244; 25-35-40-60-70) --'Marked W6riiain' (WB) and vaude. Bettie Davis plus first vaude appear- ance of Willie and Eugene Howard here in years should get nice $18,000. Last week, 'Swing High* (Par) and return of Bert G;:anoff, e>;-house vocalist, got big $2O,O'0&. - Keith's (RKO) (1.830; 25-35-60)— 'History at Night' (UA) (2d week)! Should see oke $7,000, Last week good $10,500. Met (WB) (1,853: 25-40)—'King and Chorus Girl* (WB) (2d run). Repeat after nice week at Earle ought to win good $5,000. Last Week, 'I Promise to Pay* (Col), good $5,500. - National (Legit) (2,000; 55783-$1.10- $1.65)—'Good Eearth' (MG) (2d week). Metro may take up option oh house for third week; Last week, first, good $13,000. Palace (Loew) (2.363; 23-35-60)— 'Maytime' (MG) (3d week)., May bust three-weelc record with sock $12,000. Last week boomed over ex- pectations to smash $17,000. Rialto (Indie) (1,100: 25-30-40-55) — Congress Dances' (UA) and 'Death Takes Holiday' (Par)- (revi- vals). Should get good $3,300. Last week, 'Robber Symphony* (Tnd) with two days of 80-piece band, scarlet $2,300. Hepburn, Dualled, Good $6,000; MouH Biz Up Montreal, April 13. Nothing stand-out currently on. the main stern?, with the Palace perhaps getting the call and His Majesty'is continuing 'Wings of Morning' for an 11th week.. Nabes are doing .about the best biz in the last five years, Estimates for This Week His Majesty's (CT) (1.600; 50)— 'Wings of Morning' (20th) (llth week). Still doirig well and may get $3,000; last Week, $3,500. Palace (CT) (2,700; 50)—'Fire Over England' (Brit) and 'Family Affair' (MG).. Should get good $9,000. Last week's repeat of .'Maytime' (MG) grossed good $7,500, Capitol (CT) (2.700; 50)—'Waiki i Wedding' .(Par) iand 'Murder ' Goes to College' (Par), Fair $8,000 :iri prospect. Last week 'Silent Barriers (G-B) disappointing $7,500. Loew's (M. T. Co.) (3,200; 50)— 'Big House' (MG) and ^Lady from Nowhere' (Col) and. vaude. Siiould hold to average $11,000, Last week Buffalo, Strong groisses, are aigai in at all...d6Wnt6wh theatres; Business took a substantial, brace and the figures are .well into the upper reg- ister. ' . ' ' ' . ' Estimates for- This Week Buffalo (Shea) (3,600; 30-40-55)-^ ■Fifty Roads to Town' (20th) and Bowes Interrtatiorial Unit. Conibo should, get swell $18;000. Last week," 'Persbriai Prooeirty.' (MG), under an- ticipation at fair $16,300. . Century (Shea) (3.400;; ,25-35)— •Nancy Steele' (20th? ar.^ 'Wirigs: 6f Morning" (20th). ' Whamrnirig them in at top business for the house; probably $10,000. Last week, 'Billy the Kid* (MG) (2rid run) and 'Mama Steps Out* (MG), held Up strongly, $9,700, Grie'at Lakes (Shea) (3,400; 30-50) —'King and Chorus Girl* (WB). Nice publicity; pointing to $10,000/ fair. Last week, 'Maytime* (MG) (2nd run), good $9,900. Hipp (Shea) (2,400; 25-40)—'Wai- kiki Wedding* (Par) (2nd run). Still showing more than .average strength; around $7,000. Last week, 'Swing High* (Par) (2nd run), okay $6,900. Lafayette (Ind.) (3.400; 25-35)— '23% Hours' Leave' (GN) and 'Wo- mian Alone' (GB); Doing nicely; over $8,000. Last week, 'Breiezing Home* (U) and. 'She's Darigerbus' (XT), dropped down to so-sO $6,000. looks to make expenses and ing more. Estimates for This Week Apollo (Fourth Ave;) (1,100; 25- 40)—'Fifty Roads to Town' (20th). Pulling very well at $5,700. Last week 'Seventh Heaven* (20th), all right at $4,500. Circle (Monarch) (2,800; 25-40) — 'Waikiki Wedding' (Par) (2d wk); Okay at $5,000. Did splendid $11,700 Indiana "(Marc Wolf) (3,100;. -40) — Cloistered* (French). Good cam- pai n, but final figures piobably won't top the nut at$4,000> Loew's (Loew's) (2,600; 55-83- $lvlO-$l;50) — 'Good Earth' ' (MG). Road-show pix are not successful, here, generally; Last week 'May- tiriie' (MG)> at regular; prices iil holdover session, did $5,900; good. Lyric (Olson) (2,000; 25-.30-40)-- 'Marked. Woman'> (WB) and unit. Very good at $9,500. Last week 'Men in Exile* (WB) and Sally Rand unit did swell $13,000. NO LAUGH TO ST. L B.O.'S maytime/ $18,000, Tops In KX.; Top Town' 9G Kansas City* April 13. 'Maytime' at Midland catching plenty of trjide and will go into lead without much trouble. 'Good Earth,' roadshowing at Orphetim, holding up. Initial week Was fine. Last week the Shrine circus at the Muny aud put the brakes on pic takes. Estimates for This Week Mainstreet (RKO) (3,200; 25-46)— •Marked Woman' (WB) and 'Man's Here Agaln'^ (WB). .Selling on dual's topper hitting sensational angles. Augurs only average $8,500. Last week 'King and Chorus GirV (WB) and 'Husband's Secretary' (WB), $5,700, poof. Midland (Loew) (4,000; 25-40)— 'Maytime' (MG)< Best bet house has had this year; $l8,0OO, fine. Last Week 'Personal Property* (MG) and 'Find Witness* (Col), nice $14,700. Newman (Par) (1,900;, 25-40)— 'Cloistered* . (Best) and 'We're on Jury' (RKO). Bally going heavy for Catholic and parochial school trade. Doesn't: look better thari low $4,500. Last week 'Waikiki Wedding' (Par) arid 'Midriight Court' (WB) moved here from Mainstreet, held up to good $6,300, Orpheiim (2,200;. 55-83-$1.10-$1.65) —r'Good Earth* . (MG). Initial week of two-a-day roadshowing' grabbed a fine $12,000. Current week (2d) looks to hold up in good style. Next in here will be 'Lost Horizon* (Col), whiph will be roadfehowed, starting laitter part of this riionth. ; Tower (Fox) (2,200; 25-40)--'TQp of Town* (U.) and vaude. Got a fintj operiirig, but cprnpetish may wear it down to $9,000, still okay. Last week 'Time put for Roritiance' (20th) and, vaude, $6,500, poor. - Uptown (Fox) (2.020; 25-40)— 'Swing High' (Par) (3d run). Pic had a week each in Mainstreet and Newman, out a week arid now here; $3,200, n.s.h. Last week, 'Seventh Heaven* (20th) (2d run), moved from Tower, $3,500, fair. 'MARKED WOMAN'HNE $9,500, INDIANAPOLIS Indianapolis, April 13. Considerable aictivity in. the down town sector, with 'Marked Woman* and vaude doing a nifty Week at the Lyric under a 'not recommended for children' label, in face of . the fact that. the house usually depend.*; on family trade, 'Fifty Roads to Town' is getting a better-than-expected play at. the small Apollo. Long- shuttered Iridiana is re-opened with a French fil 'Cloistered,' which St. Louis, Aprjil 13, Biz is off all over town .as 10-day police circus, offering two adriiis- siohs for $1, got under, way at. Coli* seum Friday (9). Biggest hews is 'Maytime,' in third week h. o. at, Loew's, the second pix to run that long in history of house. 'San Fran- cisco' (MG) was the other. Estimates for This Week Ambassador (F & M) (3,018; 25-40- 55)—'When Love Is Young' (U) arid 'Time Out for Romance' (20th). Only $10,000, average. Last week 'King and Chorus Girl' (WB) and 'China Passage' (U), collected $13,500, good. Fox (F & M) (5,038; 25-35-55)— 'Marked Woman' (WB) arid 'Hus- band's Secretary* (WB). Trifle above average with $12,000. Last week, •Soldier and the Lady' '(RKO) and 'When's Your Birthday?' (RKO), fair $11,000. Loew's (Loew) (3,162; .25-35-55)— 'Maytime', (MG) (3d week). Longest run in history of house with eitcep,-. tion of 'Sari Francisco' (MCr) and will garner big $11,000 to be added to fine $15,000 in 2d week. Missouri (F & M) (3,514; 25-35-55) 'I Promise to Pay' (Col) and •Racketeers in Exile' (Col). Nothing here to warrant better than $9,()00, poor. Last .week, 'Seventh Heaven' (20th) and 'Quality Street' (RKO), swell $10,400 after playing other F & M houses. St. touts (F & M) (4,000; 25-40)— 'We Have Our Moments* (U) and stage show. Will get only $8,000, poor. Last week, 'Devil's Playground* (Col) and stage show, $9,5()0, fair. VAKIKrBIG mWO IN PROV. Providence, April 13. Fresh picture product i.«» up to nor- mal again. With inost :of the first-run stands changing this week and double bills in all spots but two. Strand is going it alOne with 'Wai- kiki Wedding.' Fay*s has '23^ Hours' Leave'. With vaude. _ Estimates for This Week Fay's (2,000; 15-25-40)—'23Hours Leave* (GN) and Vaude. Pace okay here. House has the. yaude field to itself this week, whicii should help; around $7,000, nide; Last week 'Mid- night Taxi' (20th). Also nice at $7,400. Loew's State (3,200; 15-25-40)— 'Personal, Property* (MG) and 'Trouble iri Morocco* (Col). Pretty strong bill; pace indicates tiouse wilt be among leaders at $14,000; Last week 'Maytime* (MG); Finished strong second stanza with $8,800 in the till; Majestic (Fay) (2.200; 15-25-40)-:- 'Nancy Steele' . (20th) .and 'That Man's Here Agairi* (WB), Not bad going, considering how tough Op-, posish is; figure on $7,800, good. Last week 'King and Chorus Girl' (WB) and 'Men in Exile' (WB). Just so-so at $6,900. RKO Albee (2,300; 15^25-40)—'His- tory Made at Night'' (UA) and 'CThina Passage' (RKO), Nice comment sure to bring this orie up to $8,500. great. Liast week 'Man Who Found Him.self' <RKO) and tab, 'At Home Abroj^d,' on stage. Fair at $7,000. Strand (Indie) (2,200; 15-25-40) 'Waikiki Wedding' (Pair), Bing Sari iandisco, April 13, 'Seventh Heaven' looks like th* leader on Market street this week. Although the crix disagreed on the merits , of the . pic th'e 'natives are showirig up at the Paramount i goodly numbers. Bette Davis has come into her own again in 'Marked Woman,' which is. being sold fi*orii' a,, sensational angle at the Fox, cou- pled with 'A Family Affiftir.' ing biz augurs a good week. Estimates foir This Week Embassy (Cohen) (1,512; 30-35-40) — Vanishing Gangster' (Atlantic) an,d 'Girls for Sale' (Atlantic). Dur- ing first two days house ran Soph i Tucker nd Florence. Desiriond 1 'Gay Lo.ve,' ari English picture. When biz failed to materialize it ' Was dropped and bi doubled. 'Vanishing Gangster' looks .like series of riewsreel clips; Expects to reach a good $3,200. Last week 'Love in Exile' (GB) and 'Silks and Saddles' (All Star). Hit a new low of $1,000. Fox (F-WC) :(5,00(); 35-40)— 'Marked Woman' (WB) arid 'Family Affair' (MG). Although very heavy, picture. is liked; should hit the bell at $18,000, Last week 'Waikiki; Wedr ding' (Par) and ; 'Husband's Secre- tary^ (WB) (2d .Week). Good at $10,000. Geary ■ (Lurie) (1,200; 50-75-$U $1.50)—'Lost Horizon* (Col) (6th wk). Establishing a record at house. At present clip, it is running ahead Of other road shows here, Last week riice $7,500. Golden Gate (RKO) (2,850; 35-55) -^'Soldier and Lady' (RKO) and vaude. Short on box office names, pic will give this house less than an average week at $12,000 in spite 6£ Eric Blore's p.a. on the opening day. Last week 'Man Who Found Himr self (RKO) and Fred Waring band on stage did fair $24,000. Orpheiim (F&M) (2,440; 30-35-40) —'Top of Town' (U) und 'Woman iri Distress' (Col) (2nd wk). Divided word of. mouth and lack of b.o. names; very disappointing at $5,000. Last Week slipped to $9,000. Paramount (F-WC) (2,740; 30-35^ 40)—'Seventh Heaven' (20th) and 'Step Lively, Jeeves' (20th). Crix socked 'Heaven/ but audiences seem to be giving it an. okay. Headed to- ward satisfactory $14,000. Last week 'Maytime* (MGM) (4th wk). Nice at $8,000. St. Francis (F-WC) (1,470; 30-35- 40)—'Waikiki Wedding' (Par) (3d wk) and 'White Legion' (GN) (first run). Birig Crosby picture pretty well milked at the Fox, so can't look for much over $5,000. Last week 'King and Chorus Girl* (WB) and •Midnight Court' (WB). Slipped badly to around $4,000. United Artists (Cohen) (1,200; 25- 40).—'History Made at Night' (UA) (3rd wk). Stretching run on this too long, bitt shortage of product is the answer. Dangerously low at under $4,000. Last week (2nd) fair $5,500. Warfleld (F-WC) (2,680; 35-40)— 'Personal Property'i (MGM) and 'Her Husband Lies' (Par) (2rid wk). Robert Taylor and Jean Harlow at- tractirig plenty of the younger set. Very good $11,000., Last week at $18,000. (Continued from page 3) too,, is figured United Artists. Almost every star freelancing has l>een meritioried as part of their set- up, but with so many on the loose and- more joining every month they have no fears about talentr especially with,a director lik3 Fbrd; "Two most frequently mentioned as likely to go their Way are William Powell, whose Metrp contract has less than two months to go, and Fredric March, who has been his own boss $100,000 a pic for a long tiriie. Setup will .ioUow pretty closely the line hewed by Walter Wanger arid Davi iSelznick, with Whitney and Gianinni money said to be part of their backing. ' Studio space. at present is at a premium. Washington dough has ..been in negotiation to build $2,000,000 plant with eye to t)Ix, radio and televisiori, and the Ford-Garnett- CoWari trio may have to wait for space until something like this comes through. If built it would be the only iq()% Up-rto-date studio in town, others having everything from 1905; to 1936 features to contend witli, Lot under, .corisideratibri is right in the heart of Hollywood. Crosby .i.s always the best bet at this house. Will duplicate previous cf-f forts arid keep the gros.s up firound $13,000. beautiful. La.st week'Swing High, Swing Low' (Par) and 'Criiitie. Nobody Saw' (Ptir): Held over for three extra; days, bringing' tlie tak- ings to $15,000, retty good.