Variety (May 1937)

Wednesday, May 5, 1937 PkcTURE GROSSES VARIETr Fix Don t Mix with Heavy Chi Rain; Astaire-Rogers, $30M Strong Biz, HoMst Nude Helps Robinson, 15G NICE B.O. IN B'KLYN Chicago, May 4. Heavy raiins washed out the open- ings of most theatres' Friday (30); Only the Paliace got aSvay with a fair weather break due'to the fact that it started 'Shall We Diance' one day ahead schedule, shioivihg that flicker in on Thursday (29): However, there is a much'better - aiira of box office strength in the loop currently, than last week. United Artists gets an all-time rec- ord- when 'Maytime'. closes Friday (7) after a six-week run, making the, ■ TviacDohald'^Eddy flicker the lone-run • record holder for the house. Pre- vious long stay was by 'San Fran- cisco' (MG), which Went live weeks and one day. At the Palace, 'Shall We Dance' is gured for four weeks at least on its early pace.: It's the first genuine box office session ho.use has had in i)e?rly three months. 'yiTaikiki Wedding' remains in the -idop, now in its sixth week at the tiny Ga^ricki 'Wake lip aind Live' held up to a remarkable second week gross at the fioosevelt and also holds over. Erlanger returns to roadshow. ' flickers Sunday (9), when" 'Captains Courageous' (MG) comes in. Estiniates for This Week Apollo (B&K) (1,200; 35-45-55-65- 7j)_*king and Chorus Girl' (WB). Back in loop afteir previous run at Chicago. Okay at $6,000. Last week, 'Sevienth Jieaven' (20th) finished fortnight to satisfying $5,800. Chicago (BMC) (3.400; 35-55;75)— , ♦C:all It Day' (WB) and Casino Par- ' iSi^H unit on stage. Pace is building bw jonly looks good for $25,000. Laftt" week, 'Internes' (Par) and stage show, $27,000, oke. Garrlek (B&K) (900; 35-45-65-75) Waikiki* (Par). In its sixth loop week and ^till. powerful enough at the wickets. Its $5,000 currently is a ice mark after $5,000 last week. Oriental (B&K) (3.200; 35-45-55-65) -^'Sortg of City (MG) yanked aftei: first day: replaced with Thunder in City' (Col), plus 'Hollywood In- genues' unit with. Corlnne. Nudie Cdrinne getting half. the billing for the stage and accounting for $15,000,' fair, hist week. '5(^ Roads' (20th): and vaude .good $18,900. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 35-55-65-75) —'ShaU We Dance* (RKO) and Vaude.' 'Strong pic and vaude line-. . up, with the Astdire-Rogers flicker figured for . holdover easily. Best, money this house has ogled in a long, ■ long time at $30,000 for first seven diys. Last week, 'Love Is Young' . (U) and vaude, lasted only six days and yanked to sad $10,100. Boo8ev«lt (B&K) (1.500: 35-55-65- 75)~'Wake Up' (20th) (3d week). Holding up well; likely to get good : $11,500 ciirrentiy. Last week, second, sock $16,000, Siafe^Lake (Jones) (2,700; 20-30-. 40-55)—'Espionage' (MG) and vaude. - House holds to steady gross "week after week, and again running to neat profits with $13,000. Last week, 'Doctor's Diary' (WB), fine $13,800. United Artists (B&K-MCJ) (1,700: 35-55-65-75)—'May time' (MG) (6th <nr d final Week). Six weeks makes this the record long-run flicker for th-! house. Touched $11,900 last week, excellent, and will finish to over Sin.ooo current, week.. Last week, filth, got $11,900. 'Star Is Born' (UA) in Sat. (8). Erlan.?er (1.200; 55-83-$t.l0-$1.65) --'Ciaptains Coutageious' (MCJ). In Sunday (9) for two-a-day run. Heaven'N. G. 4C, Port.; Fair Big $7,500 Portland, Ore,, May 4. ^Leadihg houses are in thie money this week with strong product. 'Night Must Pair is. a wow at Piarker's UA. K-ing and Chorus Girl' answering to several weeks build-up bally for tna_ Paramount. ^ Seventh. Heaven^ at the Orpheum, nowever, is;; n.g. at. the ,b.o, stimates for this Week Broadway (Parkier) (2,0d0; 30-40) --Good Old Soak' (MG) and 'Song . Of City' (MG). . Answering to ex- Pioitatiqn for good $7,500. and may nold. Last week, 'Top of Town* (U) ana 'Husband's Secretary' (WB). $9,000^^ days altogetheir for good ' QA%.y^a''i" (Parker-Evergreen) (1,400; f^-jO 'Maytime' (MG) (6th wk.). patting fair $2,000. Fifth week, $2,200. «<ii ^^^'^^ weeks piled up terrific .«9«Pheuin (Hamrick - Evergreen) 'SeventhHeaven' (20th) and Off to Races' .(20th). Combo do- ing pootly; $4,000 best in sight. Last i^eek. 'Quality. Street' (RKO) and ^ancy Steele'. (20th), closed with oidinary $4,700. paramount (Hamrick-EVergreen) (3.000; 30-40) 'King arid Chorus Girr (WB) and 'Man Who Found Him- self (RKO)., Getting results on ter- rific pre-release campaign for good $7,000, Last week, 'Waikiki Wedding' (Par) and 'Time Out for Romance' (20th) .(2d wk.)/gobd enough $4,800. United Artists (Parker) (1,000; 30- 40) 'Night Must Fall' (MG). Looks like a big winner, for this'hOuse arid should hold, first week doing great $7,500. Last week, 'Romeo and Juliet' (MG). collected raves but no qOin; poor $4,400;. Baltimore, May .4. Biz on upgrade here in spite of holdovers and daytirrie opposish from, races.. Swell line-up of film fare putting hypo into b.o.'s. Town's trade top being hit by combo Hipp with 'Shall We Dance?' (RKO) and Happy Felton's orch on stage, combo indicating a very hey- hey $19,000, which means sure, hold- over. Loew's Century, returning , to flesh to put on. fifth annual edition of 'Okay Baltimore- revue of locals, in tie-up with local News-Post, added to 'Hit Parade' (Rep), getting a fair play at $12,500.. Estimates for This Week Cehtary (Loew's-UA) . (3.000; 15- 25-35-40-55)—'Hit Parade' (Rep) and fifth annual '.Okay Baltimore' local revue sponsored by local Hearst papers.. Maintaining steady pace for fair $12,500. Last week, 'History Made at Night' (UA), $6;300,. weak. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,300; 15 -25 - 35 -40- 55- 66) — 'Shall We Dance?' (RKO) with Happy Felton's. brch on.stage.'. Looks likd very big $19,000 and h.o. Last week, 'We're on Jury' (RKO) and Jan Garber's orch, disappointing at . $10,6001 Keith's (Schanberger) (2.500; 15- 25-30-35-40-55) —„*Waikiki Wedding' (Par) (3d week). Going strong, in- dicating profitable $7,800, Last week, second,, okay $10,200' following a bang-up opening session of $13,100. Maryland (McLaughlin) (1,570; 55- 83-1.10-1.50)—'Lost Horizon' (Col) (2d . week). Final session of two- week road' show run. Got so-rso $7,300 in first.. New (Mechanic) (1,400; 15-25-30- 40-55)—'Wake Up and Live' (20th) (2d week). Holding up at merry p;ace for second week, which ends tomorrow (Wed,), tO $7,200, ample profit for this house. Will undoubt- edly go into third stanza. Got swell $10,000 first week. Stanley (WB) (3,450; 15-25-35-40- 55)—'Marked Woman' (WB) (2d week). Holding." excellent start to $8,000, which is nice going for this deluxeh Last week a pleasing $10,-^ 700. /Molhents' dual $14^00; 'Swing High' H. O. Okay Brooklyn, May City of Churches was .certainly made aware of show biz >past .few days, what with burlesk ci'usade on page one of all local sheets, Ringling circus paper plastered: all over toWn (show due May 10), WPA musical at Majestic theatr , concessionaires /reopening Coney^ and better than average flicker fare on deluxei' screens in downtowh area. Estiniates for This Week Albee (2,500; 2i5-35-55)—'Our Mo- ments' (U.) and 'Soldier and Lady' (RKO).' Brace will get satisfactory $14,500. Last week, 'Top of Town' (U) and 'Quality Street' (RKO), $16,000, good. Fox (4,000; 25-35-55)—'Song of City' (MG) and 'Night Key' (U). Weak $13,000 at best. Last week, 'Silent Bai-riers' (GB) and 'Crime Nobody Saw' (20th), $15^000, ice. ■ Met (2,400; 25-35-55)—'Personal Property' (MG) and 'Girl Over- board' (U). Good $15,500.. Last . week 'History Made at Night' (UA) and 'Breezing Home' (U) $14,000, Olcay. Paramount (4,000; 25-35-55)— *Swing High' (Par) and 'Racketeer's in Exile! (Col) (2nd week).. Twin- ners holding up well, in second and last stanza; $15,000 in view. Last week, fine $21,000., Strand (2,000; 25-35-50)—'Motoi- Madness' (Col) and 'Men ;in Exile! (WB). Pair setting okay $7,000. Last weeki 'House of Secrets' (Prin) and 'Girl Loves Boy' (GN), $7,500, good.- BUFF. BIZ BLAH; 'ROMEO' FAIR $8,500 Buffalo, May 4. pic wickets are sluggish currently; Warrii weather and daylight saving are the b.o. deterrents. Estimates for This Week. Buffalo (Shea) (3,600; 30-40-55)— 'History Made Night' (UA). Getting top gross for the week, but. not above average, $11,000. Last week, 'Wake Up and Live' (20th), strong $17,500. Century (Shea) (3,400; 25-35) ^ 'Murder Goes to College' (Par) and 'Park Avenue Logger' (RKO). Looks like another, week of under $7.000, weak. Last week, 'Woman Wise' (20th) and 'Crime Nobody Saw' (Par), $6,000, poor. . Great Lakes (Shea) (3,600; 30-50) —'Romeo and Juliet' (MG). Indica- tions point to only fair $8,500. Last week, 'Woman I Love' (RKO), some- what better than expected, but still so-so, $8,000. Hipp (Shea) (2,400; 25-40)—'Wake Up' (20th) (2nd week). Here for second stanza and looks like very nice $7,500. Last week, 'Soldier and Lady' (RKO) and 'Off to Races' (20th). $4,500, poor. Lafayette (Ind.) (3,400; 25-35) •Silent Baririers' (GB) and JHappy Go Lucky' (Rep). Dual looks to do poor $5,000. Last week, 'Promise to Pay' (Col) and 'Let's Get Married' (Col), very nice $8,000. Wash. Biz Gone With Cherry Blosspms; lake Fair 16G; 'Properly,' Vaude, 25G Washi May With .cherry-blossoms arid tourists gone, theatre biz ■ is staggering. '.Keith's taking :it on the chin through being Unable to. get print of 'Shall We Dance' until today (Tuesday) nd having to hold 'Woman 1 Love' four and half extra days. Pic was good for seven, but no more. 'Personal Property' is the easy winner, with 'Wake Up and Live.' which had critics spouting adjectives, for week following pre- view, taking far from big. gross. Estimates for'This Week Capitol (Loew) (3,424; 25-35-60)— 'Personal Property' (MG) and vaude. Art Shaw's band interesting some jam fans, but it's Harlow and "raylor that are getting 'em for sock $2o,0Q0; Last week. 'Hit Parade' (Rep) and Leonore Ulric ,on stage, took light $17 000 Columbia (Loew) (1,583; 25-40)— •Chan at Olympics' (20th),. Should get iEair $4-,500. Last week, .'May- time' (MiG) (2d run), collected swell $5„'>00 in fourth downtown week. Earle (WB) (2,244; 25-35-40-60- 70)—'Mountain Justice' (WB) and vaude. Dames no like title even with Roger Pryor on stage. Won t better light $12,500 against opposi tion. Last Week, ''Internes^ (Par) arid Horace Heidt band, clinibed over estimates to; big $21,500, Keith's (RKO) (1,830; 25-35-60)— 'Woman I Love' (RKO*) Forced holdover will give, brutal.$2,000 for four and half days. Last week same pic got. good $10,000, 'Shall We Darice' (RKO) opened today .(Tuesday). Met (WB) (1,853; 25-40)—'Thunder in City' (GB). Headed for nice $6,500. Last week, 'Marked Wonian (WB) (2d run), good $6,000. Palace (WB) (2,363; 25-35-60 )— 'Wake Up and Li.e' (20th). Critics giggle-crazy, but paying'■customers won't boost it over fair $16,000. Last week, 'Waikiki Wedding' (Par) (2d week), good $10,000. Rialto (Indie) (1,100; 25-30-40-55) —'Private Worlds' (Par) and 'If I Had. a Million' (Par; (revivals) Hoping for average $2,G00. Last week, 'Star of Midnight' (RKO) and 'Lost Patrol* (RKO) (revivals) slipped to same figure, Belasco (1,100; 25-35-55)—'Ecstasy (Cummings) (2d run). Third week Of return rriay milk curious for weak $1,000. Last week same pic got! fair $1,500. .^"i 'Star Is Bom Wk, lake Up 'Metropole on 2d Best on B' Only, four" picfijres obtained road- way first runs this week, biit hone'of them is in the sriiash class. The hold- overs, led by 'Star Is Born,' at the Music Hall, and 'Wake Up and Live.* iat the Roxy, are getting the bulk of a waning spring play. Best of the new pictures is 'Cafe Metropole,' which alighted at the Rivoli Wednesday (28). arid, on its first week is good at $30,000, holding. 'Night Must Fall,' robstlng at the Capitol, isn't doing as. well and will iave to be satisfied, with only about $22,000. While in gross the figures do not look high, 'Way Out West' will be doing over average at the Rialto at around $9,000 . arid thus rates good for Arthur Mayer's isniall- seater. Other new one is 'We. HaVe Our Moments,'^ which is linked on a double bill at the Palace With 'Sol- dier and Lady' on second run. House Won't do $7,000 on six days, poor. Both 'Wake Up' and 'Star Is Born' are very .strong on theljp holdbvers and. go a third, week, ; 'Star.' which got $102,000 the first Week, is no doubt benefiting, from much word of mouth in: yieW of a pace that i.s: so close to that of the first seven days hat this week (2d) Will be $100,000. With the bicture topping the control figure of $64,000 first four day,s on its second week, the Miisic Hall is obliged to hold it over for another seven days, 'Wake Up' is equall.v potent at the Roxy. where it got $61,700 last week (1st) and on the holdover will be very steady' at $48,000. Third week for 'Swing High, Swing Low' and Louis Arriistrong biahd at the Paramount good at $24,000. New show today (Wed.) is 'Internes Can't Take Money' and the Xavier Cugat- Dixieland bands plus Mary Sriiall. HUB^ BUST BIZ HOMEO; TWO SP6b, 25G ' Boston, May Fairly tepid week all around, with considerable interest In the pop price opening of 'ROmeo and Juliet' at the two Loew stands. Just so-so trade for the latter, however. Scollay is proportionately better off than other houses with 'King and Chorus Girl' and 'Marked Woman' on dual bill. Estimates for This Week Boston (RKO) (3,000; 25-40-55)— 'Hit Parade' (Rep) and 'Outcasts Poker Flat' (RKO)* dual. Opening straight film bill for. summer season is very pleasing at $10,000 gait. Last week nice $19,700 for 'Breezing Home* (U) and stage show. Fenway (M «e P) (1,400; 25-35-40- 50)—'50 Roads td; Town' (20th) and 'Silent Barriers' (GB), dual. Got a lot of whoc p-de-doop advance pub- liqity push, but trade only iair $5,000. Last week, 'King of Gamblers' (Par) and 'Melody for 2' (WB), dual, $4,500, off, ' Keith: Memorial (RKO) (2,000; 25* 40-55)—'Woh:ian I Love' (RKO) and 'Have Out- Moments' (U), dual. H, O. for four days will hit around- $9,000. oke. Wednesday (5) brings in 'Shall We Dance' (RKO) for run, solo. First week of 'Woman I Love' and 'Moments' very sood $22,000, Metropolitan (M & P) (4.300; 35 55-75)—'Mountain Justice' (WB) and stage, show. Ve -^* weak at.$15,000, Last week, 'Wawe Up and L've' (20th) and stage show, wow $29,000, Orpheum (Loew) (2,900: 25-3.S-40- 50 )—'RorirteO and Juliet' (MG). Pale !>> 13,000 indicated. Last Week, second for 'Personal Property' (MG) and 'Devil's Playground' (Col), dual. $10,500, fair. Paramount (M & P) (1,800: 25-35. 55)—'50 Roads to Town' (20th) and 'Silent Barriers' (GB); dual. So^so $7,000, Last week, 'King of Garii blci-s' (Par) and 'Melody for 2* (WB). dual, $7,000. ri. ft. Shubert (COl) (1.590; 55-85-$1.10- $1.65)—'Lost Horizon^ UCol): (iih week). Roadshow is slumpi ire week $8,000. n. s, R. : Scollay (M & P) (2.700: 25-35-40 50)—'King and Chorus Girl' (WB) and 'Marked Woman' (WB) .(2d run) Veiv favorable here at $7,800, Last wsek, 'Waikiki Weddirt»»' (Par) (3c run) and 'Circus Girl* (Rep) (1st run), double. $6,000. poor. State (Loew) (3.300: ?.5-35-40-50)— 'Romeo and HiiH^t' (MG), Aiminc? at medium $12,000, Getting better olay from liotown trade than from shonoers. in OrDhfJum district. Last week, h, b, of 'Personal Property' (MG)and 'Devil's Playground' (Col). $9,000, fair. •Thunder in the City' showed nice istrength at the Critetion the first week, close to $18,000, but on ioldover is petering. It. will be re- tairicd nine days for-about $10,000 oh that period, with 'Make Way for To- morrow' opening,Saturday riiornirig (8). Paramount is putting plenty of advertising, money behind this one, spending between $12,000 arid $15,000. 'Marked Woman,' on the final Ave days of a. fourth week, about $7,000, hot bad, and .tonight (Wed.) gives way td 'Prince and PaupeT;' Nice campaign behlrid this one. •Good Earth' goes out of the Astor Monday night (10), after 13V2 weeks, while 'Lost Horizon' will, be leaving the Globe very shortly now. It is ex- pected. Last week (13th) for 'Earth* showed considerable of a dip to $9,000, while 'Horizon' also felt the pressure of an extended run and ispring weather, its. ninth Week being also reported at. arourid ^9,000. '(jap- talris Courageous' opens on a tWo-a- day run at the Astor the night of May 12, while the G16be,\ on exiting of 'Horizon,! will return to a grind policy under operation- of Harrv Brandt. A Warner picture, 'Call It a Day.' coriies into -the Cap tomor- row (Thurs.). Estimates for This Week Astor (l,6i2; 55-$i:l0-$1.65-$2.20) —•Earth' (MG) >(14th week). Got $9,000 last week'(13th) and closes down Monday night (10) after profit- able run of 13'/^ wbekst 'Captains Courageous' (MQ) opens on a twice- daily engagement 'Tuesday evening (It). Capitol (4,620; 25-35-55-85^$1.25)-^ •Night Must Fair (MG). Unable to raise a gallop, not more than $22,000, disappointing. Last week 'Good Old Soak' passed but completely, only $12,000. Criterion (1,662; 25-40-55)—'Thun- der In City' (Col) (2d week). Got nearly $18,000 first week, good, and gbes nine more days, but weakening' considerably, bnly about $10,000 for the nine days. 'Make Way for To- morrow' . (Par) opens Saturday morning (8), backed by a heavy ad- vertising campaign. Globe (1,274; 55-$1.10-$1.65-$2.20) -^'LOst Horizon' (Col) (l6th week). Slowing up noticeably, around $9,000' last week (0th) and probably out in two or three weeks. House then, re- verts to a grind policy undex* direc- tion of Harry Brandt, owner. Palace (1,700; 25-35-55)—'That Man's Here Again* (WB) (1st riin) and 'The Woman I LOve' (RKO) (2d fun), dualed, open today (Wed.) after six days of 'Soldier and Lady' (RKO) (2d run) and 'We Have Our Moments' (U) (1st run). This brace not. very braCin?. under $7,000, poor. Last week 'King and Choirus Girl' (WB) and 'Quality Street' (RKO), both 2d run, dualed, $9;000. Paramount (3,664;. 25-35-55-85-90) —'Swing, High' (Par) and Loiils Armstrong orchestra, in pit (3d week). Did swell throughout the 21rday run, getting $24,000 final (3d) week, ending last night (Tues,), for total on three weeks' run of $114,000, which isn't hay. Second week was $33,500. 'Internes Can't Take Money' (Par) and Xavier Cugat arid Dixie- land Jazz bands open today (Wed.). Radio City Music Hall (5,980: 40- 00-85-99-$l,05)-^'Star Is Born' (UA) and stage show (2d week). One of the Outstanding spring smashes, With business so strong it will run to $100,000 this week (2d), forcing pic- ture to go a third. This is mighty close to the $102,000 tabbed the first week. Only six pictures previously in history of Music Hall, have held three weeks. Rialto (750; 25-40-55)—'Way Out West' (MG), Laurel and Hardy al- ways good here and their latest is no exception, maiybe $9,000 ort week.. Ld.st week 'Outcasts ol Poker = Flat* (RKO)* $7,000, under average, but profit. Rivoli (2,092; 25-55-75-85-99)— 'Cafe, Metropole' (20th). At $30,000 first week ending last night CTues,), good takings and holds. Final foUr days on second week of 'Love, frorii Stranger' (UA) brutal, under $6,000. ,Roxy (5,030; 25-45-55-75 )r-'Wake Up' (20th) and stage show (2d week). A packer-inner and very strorig on the holdover (2d) week at $40i000 after first seven .days of $61,700, making picture another big 20th-Fox i,'roh;ijev this house was fortunate enough to get. Goes a third week, with 'Talk of the Devil* (GB) td follow. Strand (2.707; 25-55-75) .-'Marked Woman' (WB) (4th Week). Final Ave days .on fourth Week ending tonight (Wied.), about $7,000. not bad this far ddwri on run. Third wieek ."^n.OOO, good 'Prince and Pauper* (WB) operis toniijht (Wed,). State (3.450: 35-55-75)—'History Is Made at Ni.Rht' (UA) (2d run) and vaude headed by Mitchell . and Durant and Tito Guizai:. Btisiness off a ways, only about $22,000. Last week 'Maytimc' (MG) (2d run) and Cab Calloway band, $30,000, good.