Variety (May 1937)

Weanesday, Ma^ 12, I93t PICTURE GROSSES VARIETY Strong Fix Hypo Qii Biz; *Star* Bright $2l000;lletro qhicago, April 11. There's a strong llne-up of product In the lo<it> clurreiitly, despite the fact that a nianber ol pictures are ; Especially tops in the hold- over line is 'iShall We Dance?' which, turned in a tremendous session oh ■ itial week here and world premi , Astaire-Rogers combina- tion evidencine cohtiriued high strength at the b.o. . Of the newcomers^ tops is 'Star Is Born/ which got away Saturday (8) at the United Artists. Also in the rim line with miarked strong appeal is 'Wake Up and Live,' which goes into its fourth week at the Roose- velt, and is holding up remarkably. •Maytime' finally got out of the United Artists after establishing a long run record for the house, going six full weeks. Still in loop, switch- ing to Garricki Presence of Eleaiiore Whitney oh the; stage of the Chicago for three days only aided the weekend get- away of 'Cafe Metropole.* Town once more hisis a roadshowei: in 'Cap- tains Courageous' at the Erlanger, aiid looks for excellent stay. Estimates for This Week Apollo (B&K) (1.200; 35-45-65-75) --•King of Gamblers' (Par). No naihes and figured only for the Rialto boys, who like plenty of action. Aroiihd $5,000, fair. Last week, *King and Chorus Girl' (WB) in second gallop: downtown^ oke $6,300. Chicago (B&K) <4,000; 35-55-75)— 'Cafe Metropole' (20th) and stage show. Louis Armstrong band head- lining for full week, with Eleanor Whitney, Paramount contract player, on for a three-day appearance. Com- bination helping the big house o:! the loop to good $32,000. Last week, 'CaU It a Day' (WB), managed fair enough $26,300. Erlanger (1,200; 55-83-$l;10-$1.65) .—'Captains Courageous' (MG). Two- a-dayer opened Sunday night (9) and has good advance sale. Garrlck (B&K) (600; 35-45-55-65- 75)—'Maytinle' (MG). Good here a $6,500. Last week, 'Waikiki' (Par) finally got out of the loop after a week at the Chicago and five weeks here, closing to fine $5,500. Oriental (B&K) (3,200; 35-55-65)— 'Mountain Justice' (WB) and vaude Little Jackie . Heller topping the vaude. Fair $16,000. Last week, 'Thunder in City' (Col), fair $15,500 Palace (RKO) (2,500; 35-55-75)— •Shall We Dance?' (RKQ) (2d week) and vaude. Second stanza going for $25^000, socko. Last week, $30,000| terrific. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 35-45-55 65-75)-^'Wake Up' (20th) (4th week) Has had remarkable staying power, with hairdly any drop-off on pace; $10,000, currently after fine $12,100 in third week^ State-Lake (Jones) (2,700; 20-25- 35-45-55)—^Racketeers in Exile' (Col) ahd Vaude. Steady grosses is the mark , of this house. Again to $13,- 000, fine. Last week, 'Espionage' (MG), fine $13,400. . United Artists (B&K-MG) (IJOO; 35.55r65-75)—'Star Is Born' (UA). Looks like one of the biggest coin turnouts in the history of the house. Started with a wallop and pulling socko $22,000 for i initial stanza. Last week, 'Maytime' (MG), cracked long-run record of the house and got away with fine $10,800. CIRCUS VS. B'kLYN PIX Compeiish Hurts but Muni-HOpklns Dual Nifty $16,000 That Brit. Influence Arthur Lpew, head of M-Cj's foreign' department, being a travelied gent, has figured out that what is needed for a full day's efficiency, is a mid-after- noon break. With that in mind he has ordered, tea and trim- mings served to the entire for- eign de'pt personnel every aft • ernopn at four.. Loew's' paying for it himself.. rooklyn; May li. Ringling circus in town this week. This is first time for show under canvas in Ridgewdod section, having seen forced out of Flatbush site be- cause of college construction.. . Picture.houses in downtown area are bucking the outdoor competition, with Fabian's Paramount and -RKO Albee doing better than average. Estimates for This Week Albee (2,500; 25-35-55)—'Woman I Love' (RKO) and 'Outcasts of POker Flat' (RKO), plus the new Dionne quint short will give house nifty. $16,- 000. Last week, 'Our Moments' (U) and 'Soldier and Lady' (RKO), $14.- 500, satisfactory. Fox (4,000; 25-35-55)—'I Promise to Pay' (Col) and ^Navy Blues' (Rep). Pleasant $16,000 in store for this brace. Last week, 'Song of City' (MG) and 'Night Key' (U), got weakish $13,000. Met (2,400;. 25-35-55)—'Good Old Soak' (MG) and 'When Love Is Young' (U). Twiimers anticipate sorso $14,500.. Last week 'Personal Property' (MG) and 'Girl Over; board' (U), $15,500, okay. Paramount (4,000; 25-35-57)— 'Swing High' (Par) and 'Racketers in Exile' (Col) (2d week). WiU hit good $15,000. Last week, same pix g6t $21,000. swiell. Strand (2,000; 25-35-55)—'Romance and Riches' (GN) and 'Borderland' (Par). Expect nice $7,500. Last week, 'Motor Madnesis' (Col) and •Men in ExUe' (WB), $7,000, good. 'Dance Hot 33G In 9 Hub Days; Horizon N.S.H. In Back to Normal But 'Horizon' N.G. $l,50a Lincoln, May 11. With roadshov^rs but of the way and all houses back to their regu- lar runs, pix should do nice business current Week. Estimates for This Week Liberty (LTC) (1-200; 10-15)— Espionage' . (MG) plus 'Mighty' (U)i split With 'Laughing at Trouble' <?0th) plus 'Old Corral* (Rep). Good $1,000. Last week *Ghost Patrol' (Par) plus 'Clive of India* (UA), split yrith 'Park Avenue Logger' (20th) plus 'Mary Burns* (Par), ended with neat $900. .Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-20-25 )— Old Soak' (MG). Fair $2,500. Last week 'Top of Town' (U), little un der average at $2,300. Orpheum (LTC) (1,600; 10-15-20 ^5)—'Ecstasy' (Jewel). Doing nice $2,700. Last week 'Good. Earth' <^MG) at roadshow prices, followed ny. Mrs. Martin Johnson in person With 'Jungle Depths of Borneo,* built up to neat $3,000. , .Stuart <LTG) (1,900; 10-25-40)-- Mrs. Cheney' (MG). Will do good ?3,500, Last week 'Personal Prop- erty'. (MG) finished strong with 93,600. Varsity (Westland) (l.lOO; 10-15 20-25)—•Thunder in City' (Col). Looks weak at about $1,200. Last Week 'Lost Horizon' (Col), not so lorte, $1,500 at roadsh^jw prices. HORIZOir ONLY INCLEVE Boston, May 11. Wi.th ideal foggy weather blanket- ing a week-end iexodus, most film stands are in good shape this. week. 'Shall We Dance' is chalking up a hefty take at the Memorial; 'Prince and Pauper,' with stage show, is very pleasing at the Met; and 'Night Must Fall' and 'Old Soak' dual very good at the Orph and Statie. Estimates for This Week Boston (RKO) (3,000; 25-40-55)— Good as Married' (U) and 'Two Wise Maids* (Rep), dual. N.s.h.; about $8,000. Last week'Hit Parade' (Rep) and 'Outcasts Poker Flat' (RKO) dual, good $10,000. Fenway (M&P) (1,400; 25-35-40-50) —'Wake Up' (20th) (2d run) ahd Time Out for Romance* (20th) (1st run), dual. Dandy $7,000 promised. Last week '50 Roads to Town* (20th) and 'Silent Barriers' (GB), dual, so- so $5,000. . Keitli Memorial (RKO) (2,900; 25- 40-55)—'Shall We Dance' (RKO). First solo in several weeks is raking in important coin here. For first nine days, about $33,000. Last week, four days 6f 'Woman I Love' (RKO) and 'Our Moments' (U) (2d week), fair $8,300. Metropolitan (M&P) (4,300; 35-55- 75)—'Prince and Pauper' (WB) and vaude. Very okay at $25i000 clip. Last week- 'Mountain Justice' (WB) and stage show, $16,000, poor. Orpheum (Loew) (2,900; 25-35-40- 50)_'Night Must Fall* (MG) and 'Old Soak' (MG), dual. Very satis- factory $16,000 indicated. Last week 'Romeo and Juliet' (MG), at pop pricieis, $10,000, poor. Paramount (M&P) (1,800; 25-35- 55 )_^«Wake Up' (20th) (2nd run) and 'Time Out for Romance' (20th) (1st run),, dual. Good $10,000 on the way. Last week '50 Roads to Town' (2Qth) arid 'Silent Barriers': (GB), dual, poor $6.ooo; iScollay (M&P) (2.700: 25-35-40-50) .—'Internes Can*t Take Money' (Par) (2d run) and 'Girl From Scotland Yard*. (Par) (1st run), dual. Pretty good $8,000 or better. Gettine; some Overflow from circus, at Garden. Last week 'King and Chorus Girl' (WB) and 'Marked Woman' (WB) (both 2nd run), good $8,200. . Shubert (Col) (1,590; 65.85-$l.l0- $1.65)—'Lost Horizon' (Col) , (5th wk). Last week (4th), rOadshow slipped to $6,500, Disappoi ing rUn at roadshow prices. . State (Loew) (3,300; 25-35-40-50)— 'Old Soak' (MG) and 'Night Must Fair (MG). dual. Healthy.combo for this area, headed for about $13,000. Last week 'Romeo and Juliet' (MG), poor $8,000. Cleveland, May 11. Trade is better than average herie despite such distractions as roller- skating marathon at civic auditori- um, pre-season openings of amuse- ment parks and general exodus to country spots due to Juhe weiather; At the Palace, 'Cafe Metropole' and 'Ice Follies'• on transformed stage drawing $23,000 or better, largest gross at this RKO stand in a coupla months. State is oh. its heels with 'Star Is Born;* . only a grand: or two below, and hold-over of 'Wake Up and Sing' is okiay at . Hipp: 'Lost Horizon's' road-show run not' mak- ing any history at legit Hanna, al though fair. Estimates for This Weeic Albambra (Martin Printz) (1,200; 20-30-35)—'Top of Town' (U) (2d run). Brief change of policy, but fair $2,800. Last week, '23% Hours Leave' (GN) and 'Mama Steps Out' (MG), dual, $2,000, so-so. Allen (RKO) (3,000; 25-40)— 'Night Key' (U). Good enough at $6,000. Last week 'Promise to Pay' (Col) picked up in midweek and got. $7,500, smart. Circle (Marmorstein) (1,900; 15 35)—'History Made Night' (UA) (2d run). A precedent for this , nabe spo^. held over for total of fifteen days for grand biz. Second eigh; days ■ perhaps $3,000, nice. First week, $3,400, good. Going back to duals Thursday (13) with "Broken Blossoms' (Imp) and 'High Haf (Imp). Hanha (Carl Hanna) (1,435; 55 $1.65)—'Lost Horizon* (Col) (2d wk.). Second stanza of rbadrshow run in legit house slowing down considerably. Last week, first, $10,500, only fair. Hipp (Warners) (3,700; 30-40)— •Wake Up and Live' (20th) (2d wk.) Still banging along, on h.o., the first of the season here; $14,500, fine Opening week of $19,000 was very big. Palace (RKO) (3,200; 30-75)— .'Cafe Metropole' (20th) and *St Mbritz Ice Follies' on stage. Top notch combo, with vaude getting novel ballyhoo as pix yanks 'em , in to probable tune of $23,000,. very sweet. Last week, 'Love Is Young' (U), With vaude headlining Wini Shaw and Billy House, skidded pain fully, going under $10,000, poor. State (Loew's) (3,450; 30-55) 'Star Is Born' (UA). Fast sendoll in matinee trade, standees in traffic jams over week-end; certain for $21,500, excellent. Shrewd and com plete campaign laid down by Bob Horter and Milt Harris, including two contests. Last week 'RomeO and Juliet' (MG), poor $12,500. Stillman (Loew's) (1.972; 25-35)— 'Way Out West'. (MG). Tepid Laurel arid Hardy pic and ditto in biz; $5,000. Last week, 'Her Hus band Lies' (Par) $3,500, poor. Weak Pix, H.O.'s Keep BVay Biz Down; ?rince Hot $tOOO; W Red SlkOOO; Ditto Tomorrow; lOG Suriv total of this , week's grosses foir 12 downtown Broadway houses will be the lowest .in a long time, with, this due partly to a few Weiak }0x office attractions and partly to he fact that there, are fouir holdr overs, not counting final week for Good Earth.* : Lone new picture with, any strength is 'Prince and the Pauper,' a| the Strand. It is attracting heav- rily and, on the first week ending to- i^ight (Wed.), ought to be around ^0,000. big and naturally, holds.; S^econd best, but a long Ways behind, is 'Internes Can't Take Money' at be Paramount, -with the Xavier Cugat-Dixieland Jazz Band combina- tion in person. Combo means only around $34,000 for the house, but; while much lower than recent first weeks here, is sufficient profit to go another seven days. 'Turn Oft the Moon' and .the Ina Ray Hutton band, plus Mary Small,,who will be held over froni her current two. Syeeks' stage, engagement, is scheduled for Wednesday (19). Getting ho action at all at the ticket wickets, 'Call It a Daty* draws the week's booby prize. Picture will not get the ' Capitol any more .than about $11,000, very poor. Another: that isn't in the running is 'Make Way; for Tomorrow.' Par put this one into the Criterion oh a run basis and spent abound $15,000 in adver- tising, but on the first weiek it will be a sadly ignored public choice at only $10,000; Is being forced into a second week< however. But for the fact that newsreels of the Hindenburg disaster are con- Ceded to have helped bring more people to theatres,, business would b& worse than it is. . Two of the holdies are three-week Bloomer m Cincy; $8,000 Labor Trouble, Rising Prices Boff Port Biz Portland, Ore., May 11. Labor disturbances, plus warm weather, plus average product bump- ing the burg's grosses this week. Rising cost of groceries without wage boosts also seriously affecting b. o, returns,- Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (2,000; 30-40) —'Prince and Pauper' (WB) and 'Way Out West' (MG). Delivering okay $6,000. Last week. 'Old Soak' (MG) and 'Song of City' (MG), nice $7,000 in 11 days. - . Mayfair (Parker-Evergreen) (1,400; 30-40)—Love Is Young' (U) and 'Trouble in Morocco' (Col). Getting only poor $2,000. Last week, 'Poker Flat* (RKO) and 'Two Wise Maids' (Par), six days only for poor $1,700, -Orpheum (Hamrick - Evergreen) (2,000; 30-40)—'50 Roads' (20th) and 'Charlie Chan' (20th). Getting good $6,500. Last week, 'Seventh Heaven' (20th) and 'Off to Races' (20th), good $7,000. . . . , „ . Paramount (Hamrick-Evergreen) (3.000; 30-40)—'King and Chorus Girl' (WB) and 'Man Found Him- self* (RKO). Four days of second Cincinnati, May 11. 'Shall We Dance' at .the Palace paced for $17,000, is the burg's brightest mark in recent weeks. 'Hit Parade' is another winner currently, racking up $6,000 for Keith's. Road show policy at the Shubert came to sudden end Tuesday (11) with jerking of 'Lost Horizon* on 12th day of intended two-week stay dtie to feeble returns. House goeS back to pop prices . tomorrow (Wednesday), with 'Wake Up and Live' in for a run. During regular season, Shubert was Cincy's only vaudfilm stand. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,300; 35-42)—'In ternes Can't Take Money' (Par) Mild $10,000. Last week, 'Woman I Love' (RKO), $9,500, so-so, Capitol (RICO) (2,000; 35-42)— 'Marked Woman' (WB) (2d run) Fair $4,500, Last week, 'Personal Property' (MG) (2d run), $5*000 good. Family (RKO) (1,000; 15-25)— 'We're in Army' (GB) and 'Man Who Found Himself (RKO). split, Nice $2,500. Last week, 'Gold Racket' (GN) . and 'Breezing Home' (U), split, $2,500, okay. Grand (RKO) (1,200; 25-40)— 'Good Old Soak' (MG) (2d run); Fair $2,800. . Last week, 'Waikiki Wedding' (Par) (5th wk.), $3,000, hefty. •■ Keith's ibson) (1,500; 25-40)— 'Hit Parade' (Rep). Swell $6,000. Last week, 'Good Old Soak' (MG), $7,000. best take for some time; Lyric (RKO) (1,400; 35-42)—'Her Husband Lies' (Pair). Sorry $2,500. Last week, 'Soldier arid Lady' (RKO), a no-dicer at $3,000, Palace (RKO) (2.600; 35-42)— 'Shall We Darice' (RKO). Socko $17,000, Astaire-RogOrs drawing big- gest figure for this stand in quite a while. Last week, 'Marked Woman' (WB). $12,000. good. Shubert (RKO) (2,200; 55-83-$WO- $1.50)_^'Lost Horizon' (Col), Sched- uled fortnight's run halted, today (11) at end of 12th day with fCeble $8,000 for. that stretch. 'Wake Up and Live' (20th) opens Wednesday (12) for a run at the usuial pop scale, 35-42 cents. week getting big $4i000._$'irst week got swell $9,000. United Artists (Parker) (1.000; 30 40)—'Mountain Justice' (WB). Fair $5,000. Last week, 'Night Must Fall' IMG) never got started arid closed for just fair $4,700. ers, 'Star Is Born' at the Music Hall and 'Wake Up and Live' at the Roxy. Both are doing so Well on their curr rent third week dates that a fourth ap. ,was considered in each case. It was knocked out at the Roxy because of terms demanded by 20th-Fox for a fourth week. 'Wake lip' is very good at $35^000 this week (3d), while 'Star' will be equally stout at $80,000 or. over. Music Hall didn't make lUp its mind, until Monday night (10) to open 'Shall We Dance?' tomorrow (Thurs.). 'Talk of the Devil' goes nto the Roxy' Friday (14). 'Cafe Metropole,' finishing its second week ast night (Tues.) at Rivbli, is hold- ing fairly well at $20,000 after an initial week's take of $20,800, and goes another week. On Wednesday (19) house brings in 'When Thief Meets Thief.' The Laurel-Hardy comedy, 'Way Out West,' held sa well at the Rialto on its first week ending Monday (10) thai it is being held two extra days for a total of $11,000 on the nine days, good. Mountain Justice' succeeds, 'Captains Courageous' braves the arrival of warmer weather and siim* mer opposition on a two-a-day run at the Astor, inaugurated liast night (Tues.). 'Earth' closed Monday night (10) after a very profitable 13% weeks' run. 'Lost Horizon,' now in 11th week, will go Out of the two-a- day Globe May 26, when the re- cently-renewed option by Columbia expires.- Estimates for This Week Astor (1,012; 55-$1.10-$1.65^$2.20)-> ICaptalns (Jouragebus' (MG). Opened last night (Tues.) on a tWice-dally engagement after a \%^k weeks' run of 'Good Earth' (MG). Final week for 'Earth' was around $6,000, mild. Capitol (4,620; 26-36-55-85-$1.25)— •Call It a Day' (WB). This one very sour, only around $11,000, plenty of ted. Last week, 'Night Must Fall' (MG), considerably better but not food, under $22,000. 'They Gave [im 'a Gun' (MG) opens tomorrow (Thurs.). Criterion (1^662; 25-40-55)—'Make Way for Tomorrow? (Par). Good re- views help this one, only around $10,OO0 the first week, poor. Stays a second, however, Par's idea being to force it for a run. Last week •Thunder In the City* (Col) was un- der $10,000 on its final nine days after a smart $18,000 the week prior. Globe (1,274; 56-$1.10-$1.65-$2.20)-' 'Horizon' (Col) (11th week). Under $9,000 last week dOth), mild, and out May 26 . when option on house held by Columbia funs out. Theatre goes back to a grind policy if not taken by Par for road-showing of •Souls at Sea.' Palace (1,700; 25-35-55 )-r'Woman 1 Love' (RKO) (2d run) and 'That Man's Here Again' (WB) (1st run), dualed. Doing well and on eight days will be $12,000 or close. 'Sol- dier arid Lady' (RKO) (2d run) and 'We Have Our Moments' (U) (lit run), very poor $5,700 on six days. Paramount (3,664: 25-35-55-85-99) —'Internes Can't Take Money' (Par) and Xavier Cugat-Dixieland Jazz Band in pit. Under average here, but at $34,000 worthy of holdover. Lost week, third for 'Swing High' (Par) and the Louis Armstrong orchestra, $23,000, good. Radio City Music Haii (5,980; 40- 60-85-99-$1.65)—'Star Is Born' (UA) and stage show (3d week). At $80,- 000 this week (3d) looked so strong that a holdover fourth week was considered, but decided against. Second week was a sizzling $100,000. after a first seven days of $102,000. 'Shall We Dance?' (RKO) bows to- morrow (Thurs.). Rialto (750; 2!5-40-55)^'Way Out West' (MG) (2d week). Holding two extra days for good. $11,000 on nine days, 'Mountain Justice' (WB) opens today (Wed,). . RivOll ,(2,092; 25-55^75-85-99) — ^Cafe Metropole' (20th) (2d week). Pretty good grosser, getting possible $20,000 this, week .(2d) and holds third. First seven days clocked $29,800. •When Thief Meets Thief (UA) is scheduled for May 19, Roxv (5.836; 25-45-55-75)—'Wake Up' (20th) and stage show (3d week). Will get juicy $35,000 this week (3d) and was to be held fourth stanza but 20th-Fox and Roxy couldn't get together on terms, so biit tomorrow night (Thurs.)> with 'Talk ' of^ the Devil' (GB) , in Friday (14). Second week for 'Wake Up' /as a clickful $48,500, Strand (2,767; 26-55-7y)~'Prlnce and Pauper' (WB). . This is a real hit for the Strand finally; probably $40,000 first week, smash business for this time of the year,- Holds. Final five days on fourth week of 'Marked Woman' (WB). $8,000. o.k. State (3,450; 35-55-75)—'Waikiki Wedding' (Par) (2d run) and.N.T.G. revue on stagfe. Business only fair to. middlin'i around $24,000; Last week 'History Made Night' (UA) (2d run) and vaude headed by Tito Guizar and tcanT of Mitchell and iDurant, $22,000.