Variety (May 1937)

PICTURE GROSSES Wednesday, Mny 5, 1937 VdK Uf),' Good IIG, Amoi^i Muuie s ftigher B. Ol's; 'History Fair $(^ Minneapolis, May 4. Due t6 stronger box-bffice aminu- nitioni grosses ;are headiiig upward c urrfen tly after several weeks of rockrbottom takings. 'Wake Up and Live;' in particular, . is ..a patronage rouser, and promises to bring back iprosperity to the huge, Minnesota, wliich has been deep , in the dumps for a fortnight. Estimaies for Tbis Wecik Aster (Publix-Singer) (900; 15-25) —^'Espionage' (MG) and 'Too Many Wives' (RKO), dual, split with •Parole Racket' (Col) and 'Man Found Himself' (RKO), dual. Headed for gbod $1,200. Liast week, 'Great O'Malley' (WB) and 'Sea Devils' (RKO) (2d runs), split with 'China Pasisage' (RKO) and 'Park Ave. Logger' (RKO), dual first runs,- $li000, fair. Century (Publix-Singer) (1,600; 25- 35-40) 'Call It Day' (WB), Coimedy well liked, and should, build. Looks like nice $4,500. Last week,.'Internes' (Par), $5,000, pretty good; Minnesota (Publix-Singer) (4,200; 25-35-55 )—:'Wak(e Up and Live' (20th). Lots of ballyhoo and bang-up. ex- ploitation, picture's merits aloiig with cast names stirring up trade. Pretty good start, and should build. Heiaded for g6o4 $11>000. Last week, 'Persohal Property' (MG); $7,000, poor. Orpheum (Publix-Smger) (2,890; 25-35-40).— 'History Made Night' (UA). This; one apparently better box- ice thaii recent film offerings at this spot. Fair $6,000. in prospect. Last week, 'Woman I Love' (RKO), $5,000. poor. State (Publix-Singer) (2,300; 25- 40)~'Nobody?s Baby' (MG) and ♦Crack-Up" (20th), dual. Considerr ing: grade of pictures, twin bill per- forming isatisfactorily, fair $3,000. Last week, *No Man of Own' (Par) (reissue) and 'Meade's Woman' (Par), dual, $4,000. good. Time (Berger) (290; 15-25)—'Bar- bary Coast' (FN) (reissue). Poor $700 indicated.. Last wi^iek, 'Marines Coming' (Rep), $800, light Uptown (Publix) (1»200; 25-35) •Swing High' (Pat). First habe showing en route to good $3,200. Last week, .'Mrs. Cheyney' (MG), $3,500,. good. World (StelTes) (350; 25.^35-40-50) —'Nine Days a Queen' (UA). Ap- pealing to limited -class trade. Mild $1,200. indicated; Last week, 'Mir- acles' (UA), $1,000, light. DPPED SCALES NEGATE SPRING'S DENT IN PROV. Providence, May 4. Fiirst week of real spring weather keeping a lot of patrons outdoors, but at that the exhibitbrs are going to be all right because of a surprise boost Ih^rices among the first-run stands. Town now has 50c. top, in- cluding tax. Boost was not advei'- tised beforehand, natives getting it cold.' All things considered, the film fare is okaiy. Best bet of week seems to be 'Star Is, B6rn' at Loew's on a dualer: Majestic second with *Wake Up and Live' also ori a diialen Nar ragansett Track now open and very likely to draw biz away from the atres, , Estimates for "This W^ek Fay's (2,000; 25r35-50)—'That ^ May Live' (20th) and vaude. Should be well up around $8,000, oke. Last wieek, 'What Price Vengeance' (U) arid Uncle Ezra Stebbins* 'Barn Dance Frolic' on stage, fair $7,400, Loew's State (3,200; .25-35-50)-r •Star Is Born' (UA) and 'Racketeers In Exile' (Col). This spot will bene- fit; plenty from tilt in pirices. De- spite long show and other elements agains;t it, heading for swell $16,000: Last week, 'Old Soak' (MG) and •Nobody's Baby' (MG), sb-so $11,300. jMajestlc (Fay) (2,200^25-35-50)-^ *Wake Up and Live' (20th) and •Chan at Olympics' (20th). Plenty of activity; should be close to'$10,000, nice. Last week,: 'Marked Woman' (WB) and 'Melody for Two' (WB), $8,800, good, RKO Aibee (2,300; 25-35-50)—'Hit Parade' (Riep) and 'Outcasts of Poker Flat' (RKO). While not as strong, as other houses, $7,500 will be oke. Last week, 'Wornan I Love' (RKO) and 'Miracles' (GN), tepid $6,400. Strand (Indie) (2,200; 25-35-50)— •King of Gamblers' (Par) and 'Back Stage' (GB). Not up to istandard, but .house not kicking at anticipated $7,600. Last Week, 'Internes' (Par), arid 'Circus Girl* (Rip), fine $8,400. MG Studio Club Gains . , ij . • Hollywood, May 4. Metro's Studio club now boasts 2,915 members, 300 new: ones having been garnered in campaign jiist con- cluded. ~. IdW R. koverman, chairman, and ,Wi K. Graig, president, entertained the membelrship committee at a vic- ttNQr breaklBst.- Plugged Into ^A^ Pic . What a song can do for a film " is evidenced by 'My Little Buckarob' fromi Warners 'Clier^ okee Strip,'. which, a B prb- . duction, has been getting A; .' playdates through exhlfb inttir- est inspired, by the song. Warners wanted to change the title otb 'Buckarpo' but the au- thor held biit for an additional $2,500 stipend which nixed that. OVERPHILLY $17.IIM Philadelphia,^ay 4.. . Only one of the* new'batch of pix in downtown hoiises looks like a sure thiiig for big coin, and that's 'Star Is Born.' iPic is figured good for three weeks, Aldine has a couple of other United.Artist releases in reserve, but weather will have much to do with: their showihg, as this, house isn't air cooled and generally closes by June 1... The two houses with, stage shows are still in the imcertaiii class as far as this week's .biz .is concerned. The Fox. has Dave Apolldn's linit plus 'The Hit parade.' Earle has Milt Britton On the stage and '50 Roads to Town' on the screen. - Daylight saving plus'~ the usiial bimch of sports events has already started to curtail'attendance in the downtown sector, with only 'Wake Up, and Live' of last week's , group rating a holdover and' still strong. 'Lost Horizon' clOsed three weeks' sts^ at the Erlanger Saturday (1) an^ 'Captains Courageous' is slated to wind up three weeks' stay , at the Locust this Saturday (8), thus lend- ing roadshow competition. . Estimates for Tbls Week Aldine (1,300; 40-55-65)—'Star Is Born' (UA). First week and Ibokis very big After a batch of rave no- tices. Three weeks figured, with first at big $17,000; length of film and daylight savibg keeping gross down some. Last yreek, 'Love from a Stranger' (UA), vso-so $6,500 in six days of second week. Arcadia (600; 2^-40-50)-'Maytime' (MG) (2d run). Ought to be as big here as elsewhere and will probably outstay a week; $3,000 indicated. Last week 'Family Affair* (MG) (2d ruii), out after three diays;; then 'Libeled Lady' (MG), also for three days, with poor $1,400 total. . Rbyd (2,400; 40-55)—'Woman I Love' (RKO). Reviews tepid and so Is biz; so-so $10,000, ihebbe. on names. Last week, 'Call It a Day' (WB), $10,500, fair. Earle (2,000; 25-40-55)—'Fifty Roads' (20th) and vatide. Milt Brit- ton headliner, pliis six-day bike racers Mbnday (3), .so-so $12,000. Last week, ^When's Your Birthday' (RKO) and vaude, Rogef Piyor headliner, $13,500, a little above ex- pectations. •Erlanrer (2,000; 55-86-$1.14-$1.71) —'Lost'Horizon' (3d week)'. Closed final week here Saturday (1), gross- ing $7,500. Fox (3,000; 40-55-65)—'Hit Parade' (Rep) and stage .show. Dave Apol- lon unit headlining. This light miisic and, dance. comho still on dividing; line, but ought to make $14,000; fair. Last week, 'Quality Street' (RKO) and stage show, just managed to climb above $14,000, fair. Karlton, (1,000; 25^35-40)-T'Time Out for Romance' (20th). Looks only fairish $2,000. Last week, 'Top of the Town' (U) (2d run), little over average $2,400. eith's (2,000; 30-40-50)—'Personal Property' (MG) (2d run). Ought to get $3,000. Last webk, 'Marked Wom- an' (WB). (2d run), $3,200, good. Locust (1,300; 55-86-1.14-1.71) rr- 'Captains, Courageous' (MG). Start- ed third and last week Sunday (i). Last week's gross was $11,000,^ satis- factory, but manageriiertt hoped for more; Stanley (3.700; 40-55)—'Wake Up and Live' (20th) (2d week). Still big, with $14,000 possible. First week got almost $18,000. Stanton (1,700; 30-40^50)—'Silent Barriers' (G-B)i Not so forte for this house, with poor $5|000 looked for as tops. Last week, 'Her Huis- barid Lies' (Par), $5,400, so-so. 30,000 Mort'l Fanilie»^ TrekUos Ihrts Pk Va; 'Wake Up'$6,500 Montreal, Maiy 4. Exceptiohal weather, plus the an- riual moving treh; in this city in- volving some 30,000. families, is pull- ing down grosses currently. Estimates for This Week His Majesty's (CT) (1,600; 30 )U 'The Gdpd Earth' (MG). Good re- vibws plus rep of hbuse putting: It over to big biz; $7,000, very gbod. Last week, 'Hbad Over Heels' (GB) and 'Man Who Lived Again' (GB) hard hit by weather; $4,000, poor. Palace (CJT) (2,700; 50)^'Wake Up and Live' (20th) aild 'Fali- Warning' (Brit.). Rather light $6,900. Last week, 'Romance in Paris' (WB), poor $6,000. Capitol (CT) (2,700; 90)—'Way Out Wesf (MG) and 'Song of the City' (MG). No better than $5,500 in sight, fair. Last Week, 'Live Only Once' (UA) and 'Nobody's Baby' (MG)j $6,000, good enough. Loew's (M. T. Co.) (3,200; 50)— ^Melody for Two' (WB) and 'Penrod and Sam' (Re^i) with Cab Calloway revue). Looks like $12,0 00, ■ gbod. Last weeki 'Men in Fxile' (WB) :arid 'Too MJiny Wives' (Col), with Sally Rand revue, topped everything in months at $l4,000. Princess (CT) (2,300; 50)^'Man of Affairs' (Brit.) and 'When Love Is Young' (Col); Below average, $4,500. Last week, 'Sea Devils' (RKO) and 'We Have Moments' (Col), $5,500, good. Ciiiema de Paris (France-Film) (60O; 50)—'Koenigsmark' (3d week). Moving time hitting this hard; poor. $1,500. Last week sJso poor at same figure. St. Denis (France-Film) (2,300; 34) —'Mehilmontant' and 'La Feati .d'un Autre.' Estimate $5,000, good; Last week,.'La-Pocharde' and 'L'Ange du Foyer,'$5,500, good. LEWIS IN SHORTS Hollywood, May 4. Joseph H. Lewis washes up exec dtities with George A. Hirliman June 1. He plans to produce a series of sport shorts. Seattle ie Dpidnmis; Muiii--Hdpkiiis K G. 6G Seattle, May 4. Biz off all over town. Maybe its spring imrest or the weather, which, however, has been dark and gloOm- ish arid more designed for indoor recreation than outdoors. Hsiimates for This Week Bine. Moose (Hamrick-Evergreen; 32-37-42) — 'Wake Up, and Live' (26th) and 'Murder Goes to College' (Par). Former a moveover from Fifth, latter a hew one replacing 'Man Who Found Himself (RKO). Indicated $4,000, good. Laist week, 'Wdikiki Wedding' (Par) and 'Pen- rod and Sam' (FN), $2,200, fair for fourth week. Coliseum ( H a m r i c k-Evergireen) (1,900; 21^32) 'One in Million' (20th) and 'Rembrandt' iUA) dual (2nd wk) three days only. Anticipated fair $1,100. Last week, same films, $4,300, good. Colonial (Sterling) (850; 11-16-21) •—'Romance and Riches' (GN) and 'Gun of Pecos' (FN), dual. Fair $2,200 in sight. Last week, 'Grime Nobody Saw' (Par) and 'Navy Spy' (GN), $2,200. fair. Fifth Avenne (Hamrick-Ever- greeri) (2,400; 32-37-42)—'Woman I Love* (RKO) and 'Man's Here Again' (FN). Combo not so forte at b.o.: poor $6,000. Last week, 'Wake Up* (20tb), and 'Man Who Found Him- self (RKO), $9,100, okay. Liberty (J-vH) (l;90O; 21-32-42)— 'Accused' (UA) and 'Promise to P&y' (Col). Poor biz ior this dual, $3,300. Last' week, 'History Made Night' (UA) and 'Let's Get Married' (Col), fifth week, so-sO $3,400. Metropolitan (University Theatres) (l,4i0; 58-1.15)—'Good Earth' (MG) . (2rid week). Holding up nicely; Last week, first, had great night biz but light matinees for big $10,800. Music-~ Box (Hamrick-Evergreen): (900; 32-37-42 > —'Marked Woman' (WB) and "Romance' (20th). Moved frbm Orpheum and heading.for only moderate $2,500 here. Last wieek 'Maytinie' (MG), six days of fifth week, $l,90O, weak. Orphe.um (Hamr ick-Evergreeri) (2.700; 32-37-42)—'Mountain Justice' (FN) and 'Way Out West' (MG). No draw; $4,500 will be poor. Last week, 'Marked Woman' (WB) and 'Ro- mance' (20th), $6,100, good. Paloniar' (Sterling) (1,450; 16-27- 37)t— 'Circus Lady' (Rep) and vaude, Betty Burgess-Sonny Lamont head- linirig. Only (fair $3,700. Last week, 'Hahley; Detective' (Rep) and vaude,' $3,600, fair. Paramount (Hamrick-Evergreen) (3.106; 32-37-42)—'Night Must Fall' (MG) and 'Love Is Young' (U). Not much; $4,800, Will be poor. Last week, ^Good Old Soak' (MG) and 'Hus- band's Secretary' (U), $5,100. Roo.seveH (Sterling) (850; 21-32)— 'God's Country' (WB) and 'Ready, Willirig' (WB). Fair $2,500. Last week, 'Maid of Salem' (Par) and 'When's Your Birthday* (RKO), $2,600,. fair. trV title Jitters Hollywood, May 4. .Universal Is. having title jit-, iers seeking hew handles for eight pictures Current or .pre- • paring. Present titles are: 'As Before Better Than Before,' 'Man Who Crief Wolf,' 'Scoop,' 'Channel Cjros$i ,' 'Night Pa- trol,' 'Heather of the High Hand,' 'New Orleans' iahd 'Syn- thetic Gentlemari.' Studio personnel is offered the customary $25 for each new title: accepted. 'Romeo'At Pops No Qeve. Pamc; Cleveland, May 4. Hipp waking up and for a change is copping all the gravy with *Wake Up ^nd Live,' also stealing all bally- hoo honors. 'When Love is YoUng,* backed by strong vaude, doing things lor Palace, while 'Romeo and Juliet,' at State at pop' prices, is disappoints ing. 'Lost Horizon' opened road-shbw xun at Hanna, legit house,^ Sunday (2). Estimates for Tbis Week Alhambra (Martin Printz) (1,200; 20-30-35)—'23% Hours Leave' (GN) and 'Mamma Steps Out,' (MG), dual. Ordinary at $2,200; too much com- petish. Last week, 'Hats Oil' (GN) and 'Women of Glamour' (Col)j dual, got $3,100, fair. ^ Allien (RKO) (3,000; 25-40) ^ •Promisb to Pay* (Col). Okay tralde at $5,50P. Last week, 'Marked Wo- man' (WB) shot in frorii Hipp for second week, $4,500, nice. Circle (Marmorsteiri) (1,900; 15-35) —'History Made Night' (UA). Special one-week shift into second-ruriner, with (iuick build-up to possible $3,000, fair: Last week 'Wings of Morning' (20th) and "Time Out for Romance' (20th), $2,300, pobr. Hanna (Carl Hanna) (1,435; 55- $1.65)—'Lost Horizon' (Col). Road- show opened two-week run Sunday (2) with strong ballyhoo and news- paper raves. RijPP (Warners) (3,700; 30-40 )r^ —•Wake Up and Live' (20th). Looks like a record-buster for this £^t. Certain to catch great $19,000, with a move-over .to Allen. Last week, 'Woman I Love' (WB) had trouble, $13,500, fair. Palace (RKO) (3,200; 30-75)— Xove Is Young' (U) and vaude. Winl Shaw and Billy House in flash sec- tion pushing up figures to neat $19,000. Last week, 'Call It a Day' (WB) reversed the order by carry- ing so-so 'Slums of Paris' unit to $19,000. State (Loew's) (3,450; 30-75)— 'Romeo and Juliet.' Going a little better than in road-show run at legit Hanna, but still not so forte at fair $14,500. Hike in house prices is slight evening damper. - Last week 'Hit Parade' (Rep) got extra support from Ted Lewis' orchestra-revue on stage, ending with excellent $20,400. Stillman (Loew's) (1,972; 25-35)— •Her Husband Lies' (Par). Nothing very, salable in this case, probably $6,500, sorso. Last week 'Men Not Gods' (UA), $5,500, poor. JANillNGS' NAZI AWARD Berlin, May. 4. Senalpr" Eiriil: Janriirigs has been given the iirinual governmental prize for the. best filrii acting work of the year.: .■ ' Prize - specifically mentions is work in 'Der Herrscher' ('The Vic- tor'), just released. Fifi D'Orsay V Collapse Dcriver, May 4; Fifi D'Qrsay, maki . . personal appearance at the Denver, theatre^ collapsed when she lost her voice in the midst of her second song.v Doctor was calleiJ,. and for the other shows she only talked. She spent the night in a hospital. IT'S Campus Scouting Hollyvvood, May 4. Lucille Ryman, Universal talent scout; has hit out for the east in search of 15 btairty beauts among femme college attendees. Girls will get roles in Bud(^ De Sylva's forth- coming 'Yoiing Man's, fancy.' Femme Bopner. will overlook pro- fessional pretties and confine her hunting to schools. ■ ' .ittsburgh, .May.4.' Mid-summer weather and dayli s,avings cutting in only on weakies. The others aren't bei bothered at all. Sock weeks are in sight for Penn and Stanley. At former site, 'A Star Is Born,' is running prbtty close to 'Maytime' figures and will stick downtown for second week at Warner, whUe at Stanley, combo of 'Call It A Day' and Ina Ray Hut- ton's band, while oflt somewhat oyer recent sessions at this deluxer, is coming through with highly profit- able stanza. Talk of trio of road-show pix, 'Captains Courageous.' 'Make Way for TomorrbW' and 'Souls at Sea,' braving hot weather for two-a-day showings at Nixori but more .than' likely they'll hold off until eprly fall. House has no cooling plant; Estimates for This Week Alvin (Harris) (2,O0O; .25-35-40)-^ 'Nancy Steel* (20th). Oft and on policy of duals here, with manage- ment deciding, to let this one go on itsf own, a wise: move. Alvin doing likewise w:ith 'Wake Up arid Live' (20th), opening Thursday (6) With expectiations of going at least- three weieks. 'Steele' looks like $6,000, fair enough. Last Week, "Two Wise Maids' (Rep) and 'Time Out for Romance' (20th), so-so $4,700. Fnlton (Shea-Hyde) (1.750; 25-40) 'No Man of Own' (Par) (2d wk). Second week for this, reissue falling way off, but wUl get at least $3,800, faiir. Last week, 'Man' got sensa- tional $7,500, more than flicker got on original run almost five years ago. Penn ° (Loew's-UA) ' (3,300; 25- 35-50 )^'Star Is Born' (UA). Push- mg through to one Of top grbsses of year, only slightly under elegant 'Maytime' (MG) figures. Looks like pretty close to $20,000, and that means a switch to the Warnei: fot" a downtown second session. Last week, 'Romeo and Juliet' (MG), finished fairly strong but still pretty much of a disappointment at $9,600. Stanley (WB) (3,600; 25-40-60)- 'Call It a Day' (WB) arid Ina Ray Hutton's band. This combo doing all riight for itself. Several grand under house's recent figures, but $18^000 r«>reserits a neat profit. Liast week, 'History Made Night' (UA) and Major BoWes unit felt effects of flood scare and had to be coritent. With aroimd $22,000, good. Warner (WB) (2,000; 25-40)— 'Man's Here Again* (FN) arid 'Doc- tor's Diary' (Par). Not much in this duaL Will be lucky to top $4,000, pbor. Last week, 'Maytime' (MG) in second stanza here and third down- town, still pretty husky at $6,00p. 3 Roadshows in Lincoln, But AD of'Em N. S. fi. Lincoln, May 4. Roadshow fever hit towri this week; three Of them on tap and none of them very strong. Varsity set i 'Lost Horizon' for a week, and Or- pheum immediately played tag, put- tirig in 'Gbod Earth' for two days and following it with Mrs. Martin Johnson in person with her 'Jungle Depths of Borneo.' Stuart, in the pop price fleld with 'Personal Prop- erty,' seems to have the most friends. Estimates for This Week Liberty (LTC) (1,200; 10-15)-- 'Ghost Patror (Pur) plus 'Clive of India' (UA) split with 'Park Avenue Logger' (20th) plus 'Mary Burns (Par). Just fair $800. Last week, 'Santa Fe Bound' (Rel) plus 'Mighty Barnum' (UA); 'Crime Nobody Saw^ (Par) plus 'Rio Grande Romance (Victory), and 'Vice Racket', (De^el), for three changes, $1,700, bi& Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-20-25)- 'Top of Town' (U). Slightly better, than average $2,400. Last week, ?50 Roads' (20th), $2,800, 'okay. Orpheum (LTC) (1,350; 10-15-.20' 25)—'Step Lively, Jeeves' (20th) with stage show, 'Swingtime Follies, split with 'Good Earth' (MG) pa roadshow basis (two diays) tollpwed )jy 'Jungle Depths of Borneo' with Mrs. Martin Johnson in person; Only fair $2,900 in sight: Last two are scaled 55c to $1.65. Last week, 'No .Man -6f Her OWn' (Par) plus 'Sea Devils' (RKO), oke $1,600. Stuart (LTC) (1,900; 10-25-40)-- 'Personal Property' (MG). Good .spot for this Taylbr-Harlow picture. WUi get $3,700» good. Last week, 'Wake Up and Live' (20th). $3,600, gpodi Varsity (Westlarid) (1,100; 10-1.5- 20-25-55-83-$1.10-$1.65) — 'Lost Hon;- zon' (Col). Take looks light for this one-week roadshow date.. Lasi week, 'I Promise to Pay' (Coi;r $1,100, average. Par's Byram to Europe John Byram of Paramount's home office editorial boiard, accompanied by Mrs. Byram, sails for Europe May 15. Byrams go to Naples first ]Syram may visit Vienna and Budapest in seiarch of screen ma- terial.