Variety (Jun 1937)

10 VARIETY PICTURE GROSSES XTetliiesday, Jiine 2, 1937 Deer-Hunting in Minne. Theatres; But Taris' Fair 8^^; loon $5,500 Minneapolis, June 1, After a long stretch of slim takings, grosses seemingly are headed for an irreducible fninimum currently. .The first hot weather of the summer, causing a considerable exodus: to lake flsHing resorts and otherwise depopulating the loop, • ha^ the the- atre pretty empty. TThe total box- office haul ifor all the downtown the- atres \vill be less than the Minnesota aloiie occasionally garners in mote nornial times. The single bright spot is 'A Star is Born.' This picture did a bang-up business last wieek at the Minnesota iand has been itioved • over to the Century for a second loop week. It still is clicking well enough to keep the theatre out of the red. Estimates for This Week. Aster (Publix-Singer) (900; 15-25) —'Love Is News' (20th) (3d run) arid 'One Way Passage* (WB) (re- issue), split With . dual first runs, 'Crime Nobody Saw* (Par) and 'Hills of Old Wyoming' (Par), Mild $1,000 in prospect. Last week, 'Nancy Steele' (26th) (2d run)^ split with *BuUd6g Drummond' (Par) and 'Pen- rod and Sani' (Par ), $800, poor. Sentary (Publlx-Singer) : (1,600; 5-55)—'Star Is Born' (20th) (2d week)^ Doing right well^ compara- tively, after big week ait Minnesota. Good $6,500 in prospect. Last week, 'Romeo and Juliet' (MG), $5,000, fain Minnesota (PUbli inger) (4,200; 25-35-55)—T Met im Iii PaJis' (Par). Well-liked picture, but iis. han- dicapped by nu'merous^. adverse coii>. ditions. Moderate $8,500 indicated.. Last week, 'Star Is Bom' (20th), $12,000, fine. Orpheum (Publix-Singer) (2,890; . 25-35-40)—'Turn Off Moon' (Par). Will have to finish very strong to reach fair $5,500. Last week, 'Old Soak' (MG). $6,000, fair. ' State (PubUx-Singer) (2.300; 25- 40))-^'Murder to CoUege' (Par) and Tolcer Flat' (RKO), dual. Suffering with thei rest Headed for poor $2,200. Last week, 'That Man's Here' (FN) and 'Midnight Taxi* (20th), dual, .$2,500, Ught. ; Time (Berger) (290; 15-25)-^'Dark Angel' (UA) (reissue). House hav-: ing difficulty in obtaining product and is using reissues now for the: •most part. Will do well to hit very poor $500. Last week, 'Mighty Bar- num' (20th) arid /Sky Devils' (re- issues), split, poor $4,800 fbr nine Uptown (Publix) (1,200; 25-35)— •King and Chorus Girl' (WB). First nabe showing, looks like mild $3,000. Last week, 'Waikiki Wedding' (Par). $4,000, good. • . ' World (Steffes) (250; 25-35-40-55) r-'Love from Stranger' (UA) (2d wk). Out after two days on secbrid week, only $300, poor. 'Men Are Not Gods' (UA) operied today (Tues). Last week. $1,500, mild. NOtHIN'HELPS INDPLS; 'GALAHAD'FAIR 4G ^ar/ $7,500, 'Enemy' $6,500, Strong in Port. Portland, Ore., Two strong pix cashed in over the Decoration Day week-end. They are • Star is Born' at Parker's UA, and 'BeloVed Enemy' at the Broadway. Stage unit called 'How ai Wife Should Undress,' with two femmes •and one man. is a b.o. hypo at the usually dull 'Mayfair. Unit runs 45 minutes and is doubling normal b.o. biz at that house, Estlniates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (2,000; 30-40) —'Beloved Enemy'. (UA) :and 'Pick a Star' (MG). Doing good $6,500 and may hold. Last week, 'Gave Hirin Gun* (MG) and 'That Man's Here Again' (FN), did a little better than average $5,300. Mayfair (Parker-Evergreen) 400; 30-40)—'Romance to Riches' (GN) and 'Jim Handy. Detective* (Rep), plus stage unit 'How. to Un- dress.' Latter drawing . great biz. $5,000. Last week. 'Behind the Headlines' (RKO) and ^Head Over Heels in Love' (GB). poor $1,800. Orpheum (Hanirick -, Evergreen) (2.000; 30-40)—'Woman I . Love'. (RKO) and 'Call It a.Day' . (WB). N. g. arid pulled after . delivering. $2,500 ini four' days. Last week; 'Shall We Dance?' (RKO) and 'Mid- nite Taxi' (20th); in five days of second week. o.k. $3,800. . P»raiiioiiiiit (Hamrilk-EVergreen) (3.(M)0; 30-40) 'Wake Up' (20th) and •Promise Nto Pay' .((Col) (2d wk). Bogged down and but after four days at $3,000. First week . wowed. 'bm in this big house to the tune of great $8,600. United Artists (Parker ) . (1,0Q0; :dO-40Jl;, 'Star Is ■Born'^ (UA ). Answerr ing to exploitation for good $7,500. May hold. Last week 'History , at Night' (UA), registered fair $5,200. Resorts Dent Seattle Pix; 'Go Getter'Slow at $3^0Q Seattle, June^ L Double holiday this weekend, cprri- bmed with . 'summery weather, tobk the play to the resorts, with- conse- quent dullness at showshbps. Hanurick-Evergreen has two hold- overs this, week, with Liberty hold- ing 'Star.' which ' is. plenty socko; Next week H-E . goes. new pix at every spot, which is a - record, and opens Music' Hall, too, for 'Clois- tered' (Ind),' set for run with co- operation of Catholic groups. Eistimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick-Evergreen) (900; 32-37-42) —'Cafe Metropole' (20th) and ^Midnight Taxi': (20th), (3d week). Indicate fair $2,500 cur- (ContinUed on page 25) B'KLYN GOES OUTDOORS Beaches Get Play, But Fix Holdlngr Up Nicely : Brooklyn^ June 1. Decoration Day weekend resulted in exodus from City of Churches, Long Island parks and beaches get- ting great playi C^oney operied -of- ficially for seasori with Steeplechase arid Luna redecorated, repairited, but essentially same old routines. Board- v/alk is still the greatest..attraction. Picture houses in downtown area, neveretheless, are holding up well despite hot weather. Estimates for This Week. Albee (2,500; 25-35-55) 'Shall We Diarice' (RKO) and 'Let Them: Live' (U). Arrived yesterday (Mori- day) and anticipate healthy $18,000. Last week, 'Wake Up and Live' (20th) and 'You Can't Buy Luck' (RKO), $15,500, nice. Fox (4,000; 25-35-55) — 'Mountain Justice' (WB) and '23^ Hours Leave' (GN). Will get only mild $14,0.00. Last weel):, 'Melody for Two' (WB) and 'Angel's Holiday* (20th.), $13,000, poor. Met (2,400; 25-35-55). 'Star Is Born' (UA) and 'Way Out West' (MG) (2nd wk). Will get quiet $14i,000. Last week, $15,000, good. 'They Gave Him a Gun' due Thurs- day (3). ParamiDnnt (4,000; 25-35-55) — 'Prince and Pauper? (WB) and 'Case of Stuttering Bishop' (WB) (J|nd wk). Appears okay at. $14,000. Last week, $19,000. Strand (2,000; 25r35-55) — 'Talk of the Devil' (GB), and 'Cherokee Strip' (WB). Looks like good $7,000. Last week. 'Draegerman Courage* (:WB) and Tough to Handle' (Syn). $6,000. fair. OK B.O. IN HDB; -AFFAIR'NICE mm Boston. June 1. : No record- breakers. ;^but a gerier- ally adequate film lineup, for the holiday -weekend will mean satisfac- tory' <K>unt-ups. 'CafcMetropote'trioves over to the Boston, with new co-feature, 'Can't Buy Luck,' after okay initial frame on. dual bill at Memorial. 'Captainis Courageous' is holding ,own in second week of good, but not socko, roadshow. 'Woman Chases Man' is fair on double bill at Orph and State. Estimates tor This Week Boston (RKO) (3,000; 25-40-55)— •Cafe Metropole' (20th). (2d wk. moved over from the Meniorial) and 'You Can't Buy Luck' (RKO), dual. /Metropole' nearly milked at Me- morial^ but with new .co.rfeature flgrired to hit around $8,50(),' okay. Last week, fair $7,800 for 'Shall- We Dance' (RKO) . (3rd week) and 'China Passage' (RKO),. double. Colonial (Lbew) (1,643; 55-85- Circus^ Expo K.0, deve. B.O/s; Taris Nb IK; Umt PNs'G^^ Indianapolis, June 1. Woeful openings were the rule at all downtown houses here and biz was deadly dull over the weekerid wiith the exception of the final night shows on Sunday evening, when some of the arriving spectators for the 500-mile race helped a little. Speedway visitors failed to mean, much for the theatres this, year in contra.st to previous years. Hot weather drove everybody to out- door sDots, air circus, etc^ ' Estiriiates for This Week Apollo (Fourth Ave.) (1,100: 25- 4a-'Kid Galahad' (WB). Bette Davis given the attention in ads, but take is only moderate at $4,000. Last week, 'Angel's Holiday' (20th), was weak $3,000. . Circle (Monarch) (2.800; 25-40)— 'Met Him in Pairis' (Par). Colbert seems to haVe nice strength here and gros.s will be town's best this'week at $7,500, good. Last week. 'Make Way for Tomorrow* (Par) and ■Silent Barriers* (GB), was One of .year's poorest at $2,800. Indiana (DeVine) (3.100: 25-40)— •Love From Stranger' (GB) and VaUde. Ingeriues' girl band on stage featured over rest of bill, but fourth and final week of vaudevillb policy at this de luxer is liffhtweight at $6,500. Last week. 'iSoldier and Lady' (RKO) and Fletcher Hender- son orch on stage, was also on wrong side of :led.eer at $7,500. Loew'fi (Loew's) (3.800: 25-.40)— •Gave Him a Gun* (liiG) on twin bill With 'Way Out West' (MG). Former given heayy national ad as- istance locally, but results pre only fnirly good at $5;500. Last week. ■Woman Chases Man'. (UA) and *I Promise to Pay' (Col), mild $.'5,000. Lyric (Olson) (2.0h0;. ?'?.3f)-40)— •Chan at Olympics' (20th) and vaiide. Nothing on staj?e to sell and Chan isn't a draw with gross de- pandinf on hnuse',*! usu^l ron<"''?tenov to brfiak even at $7,000. L'^t week. «Ac Gnod As Married* (U). with M'li'! Bros headlining vaude, okay $8,800. Only 'Cafe,' $7,000 Okay As Holiday Lkks ntt Pix; Colbert Fair $12,500 Pittsburgh. June 1. Holiday weekend,-perfect .weather and the great outdoors are combin- ing to give the film biz a kicking around this week. Always a bad break for pix Whert a holiday falls on Monday, for they started pulling out! of town in droves as early as Friday and knocked trade down to nothing. Only sizable dent Is bel^g made by 'Cafe Metropole' at Fulton,. House got a'break, however, since its bperi- ihg day., is Wedriesday, two days ahead Of other' first-runners, Flicker holds for second week. 'I Met Him in Paris' , drew money-ih-the-till notices and; managing to iriake fairly satisfactory, showing at Penn, al- though depressed by the. holiday sag. while, combo of 'Gqod Old Soak' and St, Biloritz, Ice Ballet at Stanley isn't gbing anywhere arid will probably wind tip giving site poorest week iri couple months. sUmates for This Weelc Aivin (Harris) (2.600; 125-35-40)— 'Chan at Olympics' (20th) iirid '50 Roads' (20th) A Channer usually means something ground here,, but not very much this time, Lobks like barely $5,000, n;s.h. here. Last week, third of 'Wake Up and Live' (20th), close to $6,000, giving this one around $22,000 on the run. First time in this sitb's history that a flicker ever stu:k for three full weeks,. Fulton (Shfea-Hyde) (1.750; 25-40) —'Cafe Metropole' (20th). Looks like, another ru-^ winner for lucky Fulton.- House opens Wednesday and beat the others to punch on the weak weekend, piling up enough of lead to account for at least $7,000. Holds ovei: and manageriient expects, attraction to'swing right back and almost match getaway stanza's fig ures. Last week, 'Hit Parade' (Rep), got off to riice start on strength of Phil Regan's simultaneous p.a. at Stanley, but bogged down on stretch and finished at $4,100. poor. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-35 50)—'Met Him in Paris' (Par), Slick comedy got cbrklhg notices and under b^inary circumistances would be good^for .big winner. However, jholiday hitting it hard in midriff and house will'have to be content with fail- $12.500,. or perhaps a trifle better. Last week 'Kid Galahad' (WB). a. plea.sant surprise all around, getting $15,000 to top previous week's take with 'Shall We Dance?' (RKO) l>y an even grand. Stanley . (WB) . (3,600: 25-40-60)— 'Good Old Soak' (MG), and St- Moritz Ice Ballet. Marquee strength pretty lini and looks like craze here for, ice shows in art arena doesn't extend to theatres as well. Will be lucky to cross $15,000. poorest ses- sion house has had in couple of months. Last week. 'Internes' (Par) and Sheo Fields' band turned in socko $25,000, best here this, season, and with rippling rhythmic getting chiff credit for big take. Warner (WB) (2.000; 25-40) — 'Melody for Two' (WB) and 'Man Who Found Himself (RKC)). Noth- ing here to attract anybody', even if there were «ustomers to be had. Will orobablv stagger along to $4,000, pretty sluggish for this site. Last week. 'Way Out West' (MG) and 'Murde:' Goes \<, College' (Par) not n lot better at $4,200. $1,10-$1.65)—'Captains Courageous' (MG) (3d week). Salt water , tear jerker is not getting matinee trade, but holding good even kiefel at night. Secorid roadshow week okay $9,000, .but not sensational. .Feriway (M&P) (1,400; 25-35-40- 50)—'Jeeves' (20th) and 'Make Way for Tomorrow' (Par), dual, okay $6,500 pace. Last week, 'Midnight Taxi' (20th) (1st ruri). arid 'Pnnce and'Pauper' (20th) (2nd run), dual, pleasing $6,500. Keith Memorial (RKO) (2.900; 25-40-55)—'This Is My Affair' (20th) and 'Ob, Doctor' (20th). dual. Very good, dragging both m^t arid eve" trade. $20,000, Last week, 'Cafe Metropole' ^(20th) and 'Let Them Live' (U). double, good $16,500. Metropolitan (M&P). (4,300; 35-55- 75)—'I Met Hitri in Paris' (Par) and stage show. No great shakes, but in- dicated $25,000 is satisfactory. Last week, Benny Goodman on stage and 'Go Getter' (WB) ori screen, mopped up handsome $39,400. Orpheum (Loew) (2,900; 25-35-40- 50)—'Woriiari Chases Man' (UA) and 'I Proimise to Pay' (CqI), dual; Slow start, but gaining momentum; prom- ising fair $15,000. Last week, .second for 'Star is Born* (UA) arid 'Family Affair' (MG), dual, riice $12,000. Paramount (M&P) (1,800; 25^35- 55)—'Make . Way for Tomorrow' (Par) and 'Jeeves' (20th) dual. ..Get- ting two extreriies of word-pf-mbiith arid bnly modierate gatb, $8,000. Last week, .'Midnight taxi' (20th) (1st run) dnd 'Prince and Pauper' (WB) (2nd run).- doublb, breezed i With okay $9,000. Scolley (M&P) (2,700; 25-35-40-50) —'Prince and Pauper' -CWB) (3rd ruh) ahd .'Night of Mystery* (Par), dual, very good $8,000 iridicfated. Last w«ek, 'Mountain Justice' (WB) and 'King of Gamblers' (Par) (both 2rtd run), dual; $5,500, poor. State (Loew) (3,300: 25^35-40-50)— 'Woman Chases Man* (UA) and 'I Prbmiise to pay' (Cbl) dual. Not torrid, but with hbliday boost will take around , $12,000.. Last w6ek, okay $10,000 for second week of 'Star is Born' (UA) and 'Family Affair' (MG), double.. L'ville Night BJ). Nicks Pix;'Gahhad,'HSOd Louisville, June" 1. Nice 6rop bf pix in town current- ly, .but the heat ■ and' outdoor spots are tough to overcome. Night games at Parkway Field are offering plenty of competish, arid attendance at the nocturnal American Association game& .has increased plenty Over last year. Operi-air dance spots also snaring biz and Will cut doWn grosses to some extent.- Estima'tes for This Week Brown (Fourth Ave.-Loew's) — 'Star Is Born' (UA) and .'Family Af-^- fair' (MG), dujal. Held for an addi- tional seven-day stanza, making total of three downtown weeks. Likely to take $2,100 or more,, okay. Last week, same bill, $2,600, average. Kentuclcy (Switow)' (900; 15-25)— 'Love Is News' (20th) and 'Great O'Malley' (WB), dual, split with 'Meade's Woman* (Par) and 'Devil's Playground'. (Col),.dual. Poor $1,900. Last week, 'Green Light* (WB) and 'Criminal Lawyer' (RKO), dual, split with 'You're in Love' (Col) arid 'Scotland Y^rd' (Par), dual; average $2 200 * ' Loew:s Sta'te (3,000; 15-25-40)— 'Night Must Fall' (MG) and 'Way Out West' (MG), dual. Former, pic getting nice play,, and benefit of story runnirig as serial for several weeks in Courier-Jourriar arid Times. Set to take good $6,400.. Last week. Woman Chases Man' (UA)'and 'Song of „ City (MG), dual, satisfactory $5,600, Mary Anderson (Lisbon) (1,000; 15-25-40)VKid Galahad' (WB). Only Solo pic in town received nice send- off from critics: Sure to snare, good $4,500, and mebbe more. Last week. 'Go Getter' (WB), puny $3,300. Ohio (Settos) (900; 15)—'Arizona Raiders' (Par) and 'Horsefeathers' <MG),. dual, split with 'Milky Way' aiid 'Special Investigator' («KO), dual. : Picking, up steady ti-ade at $1,600, oke. / Last Week, Married Her Boss' (Col) and 'Three on Trail': (Par), dual, split with 'Wit- ^^IS^^]^' (RKO) arid 'Everybody's Old Man' (20th), dual* fair $1,300. ^nx*.'i,?.^^°"''th Ave) (3,000; 15-25- 40)--'ThiS Is My Affair' (20th) and March of Time. Pic getting some good wprd-of-mouth publicity and ir'r^'k ^^^^ sure: bet to take nice $5,400, Last week, 'Turn Off Moon* (Par) and 'Night of Mystery' (Par), dual, best in town at $6,500, ■;• .Strand (Fourth Ave) (1;500; 15-25- }5u:^"?*Af Hpliday' (20th) arid Chan at Olympics' (20th), dual. Fair to^.middling if biz. holds up any, where near weekend pace. Should wind up at $3,300 Or better, satis- ^?ctory .L3st week. 'Good as Mar- f'ed; ^U), and 'Let Them Live' (U), dual, $3,700, nice, ' Cleveland, June 1. ix houses were ganged up by a series of tough breaks that made las^ Friday (28) the poOresI; bpening day of the season. Baseball double- header on that day wais one com- petitor. Cole Bros. Circus date that night also hurtj although circus ati tendance was far below par. Toughest competish came from Opening Saturday of Great Lakes Exposition's, second .Season, which swiped everybody's . attention and all , the downtown trade. Nobody had tihie or inclination, to see a flicker when biggest shbw of year was haVmg debut On lake front. 'Go Getter,' aided by smart vaude bill, isi managing to paddle along at Palace, while most of others are just kebpirig hoses above water.. State's 'I Met .Him in Paris' also making a good showing. Estimates for This Week : Alhambra (Martin Printz)' (1,200; 20-30-35 )-^'Motor Madness' (Cbl ) and 'When Love Is Young' XCol) (2d run), dual. Fair $2,800. Laist week. 'Racketeers in Exile' (Col) plUs 'Hit Parade* (Rep), $3,000, better. Allen (RKO) (3,000; 25-^40)—'Shall We Dance* (RKO). A moveover from Hipp, sweet at $8,500. Last week. 'Prince and Pauper* (WB) registered encoiu^ging J$6.000. Circle (Marmorstein) (1,900; 15- 35 )4-'Sing While You're Able! and 'Men Not Gods* (GB), Not much more than $3:000. fair. Last week, 'Lloy<ls* (20th) and 'One iri Million' (20th), two Oldies, but $3.5()Q okay. Hipp (Warner) (3,700; 30-40)—'Kid Galahad' (WB). Smart adult build- up, going to $17,500 and .mebbe stronger. Last week, 'Shall We Dance' (RKO),.$16,000, light. PaUce (RKO) (3.200; 30-75)—'Go Getter? (WB), with Ethel Shutta in 'Show of Shows' unit. - Latter help- ful, earning nice notices plus good $21,500. Last week 'Melody for Two* and Cab Callbway'is orch, $20,000. State (Loew's) (3,450; 30-65)— 'Met Him in Paris' (Par). jFrothy stuff, yet satisfactory for a hot week. $19,000. Last week, 'Night Must Fall' (MG) was lauded by cricks arid pulled in femmes, but Only fair $17,500. SUIIman (Loew's) (1,972: 25-35)-:- 'Good Old Soak* (MG). Too hokey except for Wally Beery's fans, $8,000. Last week, 'Star Is Born* (20th), transferred for a third week, got a whopping $6,500. Balto iii Dumps; Hopkins N.G. 6G; MRedSG Baltimoire, June 1. Biz is in the doldrums down here, with weekend holiday no help at all. Hippodronie, town's only combo, is leading the way with 'There Goes My Girl' (RKO),_aided by a strong vaude bill, gathering in $11,500. 'Wonoan Chases Man' (UA), : at Loew's Century, wallowing in the red at n.g. $6,000. Second week of 'This Is My, Affair' (20th) holding fair paco at near to $5,100, Which is good takings fbi: this house. . Estimates for This Week . Century (Loew's-UA) (3i000; 15-25- 35-40-55) — 'Woman Chases Man' (UA). Looks like red $6,000. Last week, second sess'iori Of 'Star Is Bom' (UA), held up to fair $8,700, HIppodtrome (Rappapbrt) (2;300; 15-25-35-40-55-66)—^There Gbe^ My Girl' (RKO). Getting plenty of help frorii strong vaUde bill, but only fair $11,500 in sight Last week, 'Behind Headlines' (RKO) plus Major. Bowes International unit, so-so $11,000. Keith's (Schanberger) (2,500; 15-25- 30r35-40T55).^'Wings Over Honolulu' (U). Just going along at $4,500, Last week, six days of 'As Good As Married' (U), poor $3,000. New (Mechanic) (1,400; 15-25-30- 40-55)—'This Is My Affair' (20th) (2rid wk). Holding fair pace. at $5,100, Which is slight profit here. Last week, okay $7,000. Stanley (WB) (3,400: 15-25-35-40-, 55)—'Turn off Moon' (Par). Nothing more than DOor $4,700. Last week, second of 'Prince and. Pauper' (WB)* fell off towards end of run to fair $5,900. BURKS' EEP CHORE Hollywood, June 1. Republic has assigned Arthur Burks to write a treatment of 'Cor- pus Delicti,' Phil Rosen will produce.