Variety (Sep 1937)

a VARIETY PICTURE GROSSES Wednesday, September 8, 1937 House Records Fall Under $42,700 Founding by 'Thin Ice; Fite Fix Aid Tarty/ 21G; Hobday Ups L. A. Trade Los Angeles, Sept. 7. Labor Day holiday spelled plenty of dollars for the bvilk of the first runs locally, especially at the day- date Chinese and State where new houses records are being set by 'Thin Ice,' and the. RKO Hillstreet and Pantages, aided substantially through having exclusive first run showing of the Louis-Farr fight pic- tures. 'Thin Ice' looks like a smash $42,700, topping by several |. hundred dollars previous high for the two houses. Paramount held 'Souls at Sea' for eight days and iis piling up sweet $i9,500 on the holdover. Combined RKO-Pantages take should pass the $21,000 mark on nine days, while the day-date "Warner houses, with 'Varsity Show' topping their bills, looks like $21,000. Roadshow engagement of Par's *High, Wide and Handsome' closed (6) at the Carthay Circle, af- ter four slim weeks, while another two-a-day booking, Metro's 'Firefly,' wifids up (19) after fairly profitable sojourn. Estimates for This Week Cartbay Circle (Fox) (1,518; 55-83- 1.10-1.65)—'High, "Wide and Hand- some* (Par) (4th-final week). Wound up four disappointing weeks to final $3,000. 'Emile Zola' (WB) moves in (9). . Chinese (Grauman) (2,028; 30-40- 55-75)—'Thin Ice' (20th) and 'Hot Water' (?0th) du^l. Smash opening and exceptionally heavy trade over the three-day' holiday giving a ter- rific $18,700,' topping previous high set by 'Mutiny Gn the Bounty' and equalling biz of 'After the Thin. Man' ■which had New Year's eve trade. Last week, 'Love Under Fire' (20th) and 'Wild and Woolly' (2Gth), fair $11,000. Downtown (WB) (1,800; 30-40-55- 65)—'Varsity Show' (WB) and 'Wine, Women and Horses* (WB) dual. Biz started slowly but holiday trade helped ior fine $10,500. Last week, 'Stella Dallas' (UA) and 'Talent Scout' (WB) (second week), wound up with good $9,000, Foor Ster (Fox) (900; 55-83-1.10- 1.65)—'Firefly* (MG) (5th week). Took on new lease of life over holi- day and should come out okay on current week. Foxirth week hit satisfactory $5,000. Hollywood (WB) (2.756; 30-40-55 65)—Varsity Show* (WB) and 'Wine, Women and Horses* (WB) dual Trade not up to expectations on opening but built over holiday, along •with other houses. Looks like big $10,500. Last week, 'Stella Dallas' (UA) and 'Wild and Woolly* (WB) (2nd week), big $8,000. Pantages (Pan) (2,700; 30-40-55)— •Life of Party* (RKO) and 'Annapo- lis Salute' (RKO) dual. Aided by the Louis-Farr fight pix, exclusive in " Hollywood, and personals by cast of 'Party'' opening night, plus the ex- tra Labor Day holiday trade, should wind up with satisfactory $9,000 on nine days. Last week, 'Make a Wish' (RKO) • and 'Flight from Glory* (RKO), disappointing nine days at $5,200. . Paramount (Partmar) (3,595; 30- 40-55)—'Souls at Sea' (Par) (2nd week) and stage show. Holding eight days for excellent $19,500. First week came within few dollars of ex- pected $23,000, smash biz. RKO (2,950; 30-40-55)—Life of Party' (RKO) and 'Annapolis Salute' (RKO) dual. First local showing of Louis-Farr fight pix and personal^ got house away to big start and with the holiday trade should have no trouble garnering sweet $12,000 on nine days. Last week, 'Make a Wish* (RKO) and 'Flight from Glory' (RKO), satisfactory $6,200. State (Loew-Fox) (2,024; 30-40-55- 75)—'Thin Ice' (20th) and 'Hot Water' (20th) dual. Set new house record for opening day, held strong throughout and with smash holiday biz will finish around $24,000, tops for house. LasT Labor Day 'Got- geuus Hussy' (MG) ended Week with $21,700 in till'. Last week, 'Love Un- der Fire' (20th) and 'Wild and WnoUy' (20th), weak $11,000. V.iiited Artists (Fox-UA) (2.100; 30-10-55)—'Love Under Fire' (20th) and 'Wild and Woolly* (20th) dual. Took a nosedive on moveover and best in sight is slim $3,000. Last ■week. 'Broadway Melody' (MG) and *Mr. Moto' (20th), on .moveover okay • at fi4.C00. , V/]!shire (Fox) (2,296; 30-40-55-65) ^'Love Under Fife' (20th) and 'Wild and Woolly' (20lh) dual. Trade off nbout 40% over previous wcclc, so $4,500 very disappointing. Last wesk, 'Broadway Melody' (MG) and 'Mr. Moto' (20th), very big moveover trade at $8,000. 'HORIZON' SMASH 16G IN BUFF;'ICF HOT 14G Buffalo, Sept. 7. Biz strong all over. 'Lost Horizon* with a wow $16,000 is the standout!, Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Shea) (3,600; 30-40-50)— 'Thin Ice* (20th). May go to $14,000, o.k. Last week, 'Artists and Models' (Par), $16,000, big. Century (Shea) (3,400; 25-35)— 'Make a Wish* (RKO) and 'Big Shot' (RKO). Around $12,000, big. Last week, 'Four Aces' (Ind) and 'Off Again On Again' (RKO), $6,200, n.s.g. ' Great Lakes (Shea) (3,400; 30-50) —'SoXils at Sea* (Par). A socko $15,000. Last week, 'Broadway Mel- ody' (MG)' (2d wk), $7,200, big. Hipp (Shea) (2,400; 25-40)—'Love Under Fire' (20th) and 'Wild Money" (Par). Nice $7,500, same as last- week'« 'Stella Dallas' (UA) (2d run). Lafayette (Ind) (3.400; 25-35)— 'Lost Horizon' (Col). Smash $16,000. Last week, 'King Solomon* (GB) and 'Girls Can Play' (Col), $6,300. TORlZiTEADS BALTO, $13,000 Another 'Youngest* JWfir. Indianapolis, Sept. 7. George Settos, operator (jf 1h!> Oh'.o theatre, is still ;ippointiM/j; 'siriie's youngest theatre mai)n{*ers.' Latest to be elevated to that po- si1i;;ii is 20-year-old Donald Bclir^ man, upped from aft usher. Baltimore, Sept. 7. Strong line-up of product is help- ing local trade, with 'Lost. Horizon.' ((Jol) giving the Hippodrome the town's lead with a very solid $13,000. 'Thin Ice' (20th) at the New is using every bit of its limited capacity and ringing up a good profit with $5,900. Loew's Century is giving 'Stella Dal- las* (UA) extra heavy exploitation and going along at a very steady pace to $10,000. Estimates for This Week Century (LQew*s-UA) (3,000; 15- 25-35-40-55)—'Stella Dallas* (UA). Off to a good start and holding a very steady pace to $10,000. Last week, 'Knight Without Armor* (UA), only $7,100. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,200; 15-25-35-40-55-66) — "Lost Horizon' plus vaude. Leading town -with ex- cellent $13,000. Last week, 'Make a Wish* (Col) and vaude, okay $11,000 Keith's (Schanberger) (2,500; 15- 25-35-40-55)—'They Won*t Forget* (WB) collected rave notices and holding, an even pace, with $6,000 in- dicated for eight days. '100 Men and a Girl* (U) announced to open to morrow CWed.). New (Mechanic) (1,400; 15-25-30' 40-55)—'Thin Ice* (20th). Using ca pacity to bang out a resounding profit with $5,900. ' Second week al' ready announced. Stanley (WB) (3,450; 15-25-35-40 55)—'Confession* (WB). Not getting more than $4,500. Last week, second of 'Artists and Models' (Par), $5,500 after socko first session to $15,000, 'A.&M.' $8,500, tm BACK'8G,0KINM0NT'L Montreal, Sept. 7 Hot weather plus the long week- end Labor Day holiday will not do much for the main stems which may however, pick up later in wfeek. Cap itol and Palace should break about even on top with $8,500 apiece, which will be good enough. . . Estimates for This Week Palace (CT) (2,700; 50)—'Artists and Models' (Par). Should be worth $8,500 with likelihood of h. o., good Last week's repeat of 'Good Earth (MG) did satisfactory biz at $5,500 Capitol (CT) (2.700; 50)—'Road Back' (U). Getting good play and may gross up to $8,000, quite good Last week, 'Can't Have,; Everything (20th) and 'Mr. Moto' (20th), very good $9,000. Loew's (M. T.) (3.200; 40)—'Gang way' (GB) and 'Speed to Spare (Rep). May gross up to $5,000 on better than usual biz. Last week, 'Midnight Madonna' (WB) and 'North of Nome' (WB), $3,500. just fair. Princess (CT) (2,300; 50)—'King Solomon's Mines' (GB) and 'Take My Tip' (Emp). Pointing to $5,000, rood for this hou.se. Last week, 'Toast of New York' (RKO) and 'On A^ain. Off Again' (RKO), good enoii}<h at $4,000. C'iijprfia lie Paris (France-Film) (COn: r)0)—'Nitchevo' and 'Le Malade lM; ;.;innire' (2d woek), E.xpcct $2, ncn nflcr a good $2.r)00 last week. fiJ. Wcnss (Franco-Fi]ni> (2.300; 34) - 'T/,/\'riuill' and 'Lcs Gni.s Liirons,' ir< ;i.«o rcl'in.f^ into fall biz and may 'AVi.i-a f.:i.rm. very «ood, . La.st week J) nice $3,000 on 'Un Grand Amour do Ecplhf-vcn' and 'Mon Cousin de M;u .'•:eille.' 1st Runs oil jS'iay (2d .: • (Subject tii^C&ngl week of ^mM. 9' Astor—'Firefly?.-^ WG) Wk>. • ^ ^^!^ Capitol—'Broadway' Melody' (MG) (2d wk). Central — 'Shadow Strikes' (GN) (11). (Reviewed in Variety July 14) Criterion — 'Bulldog Drum- mohd Comes Back* (Par) <2d wk). Globe—'Souls at Sea' (Par) (5th wk). Hollywood — 'Emile Zola' (WB) (5th wk). Muslo Hall—'Prisoner of Zen- da' (UA) (2d wk), Faramonnt—'Double or Noth- ing' (Par) (2d wk). Rialto—'Flight From Glory' (RKO). (Reviewed in Vabiety Aug. 11) Rivoli—'Dead End' (UA) (3d wk). . Roxy—'Thin Ice' (20th) (2d wk). Strand—'Vatsity Show' (WB) ' (2d wk). - Week of Sept. 16 Astor —'Firefly* (MG) (3d wk). Capitol—'Good Earth' (MG). (Reviewed in Vamety Feb. 10) Criterion-'On Such a Night' (Par) (14). Globe—'Souls at Sea* (Par) (6th wk). Hollywood — 'Emile Zola' (WB) (6th wk). Music Hall—'Lost . Horizon' (Col). (Reviewed in Vamexy March. JO) Paramount—'High, Wide and Handsonie* (Par) (15). (Reviewed in Vamety July 28) , Rivoli-Uv'Dead End' (UA) (4th wk). Roxy—'100 Men and a Girl* (U) (17). (Reviewed in This Issue) Strand—That Certain Woman' (WB) (15). (Revifiwed in Vasibty Aug, 4) Weather Break Helps ProT. but Not Enoff; 'Horizon' Best, $13,500 Providence, Sept. 7. Unrelenting heat and a general exodus to resorts for the holidays had theatres set for one of the worst weeks of the year, but a break in the weather brought about by cool- ing rains turned the tide* li it hadn't been for -the terrific sock suf- fered the first two days because of the heat, grosses would have been well in the higher brackets. As it is exhibs must satisfy themselves with keeping out of the red. Biz going good all around. Even the spots with mediocre fare are do- ing okay with overflow from Loew's and the Albee, where the programs are the 'strongest. 'Lost Horizon' on single bill will undoubtedly give Loew's the lead, while Albee will be close second with Louis-Farr fight pictures garner[i>g the cash on a dual bill topped by/New Faces.' Playhouse, formerly the Modern, reopened doors Labor Day with legit policy, 'Brother Rat' being the in- itial offering. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2,200; 25-35-50)— 'New Faces' (RKO), 'Windjammer* (RKO) and fight pictures. Crowds flocked early despite terrific week to see fight films, and with the cool- ing breezes over the holidays house figures on a great $9,000. Last week 'Make a Wish' (RKO) and 'Super Sleuth' (RKO) just so-so at $6,300. Carlton (Fay-Loew) (1,400; 25- 35-50)—'Thin Ice' (20th) and 'Hot Water' (20th). Weather helping it a bit, but going not so good on a hold- over, maybe $3,500. Last week 'Good Earth' (MG) on holdover, too, plenty bad at' $2,600. Fay's (2,000: 25-35-50) — 'Dodd Takes Air' (WB) and vaudeville. Another case of being saved by the gong. Unless there's a sudden switch house ought to finish up with a so- so $6,000. Last week 'Wild and Woolly' (20th|) took a pasting, with the rest, $4,30p. Loew's SHte (3,200; 25-35-50)— 'Lost Horizon,' (Col). Opening pace faltered but > big weekend biz as- sures house of coming through with a nice $13,500. Last week 'Topper' (MG) and 'Between Two Women' (MG) good at $12,800, Majestic (Fiiy) (2.200; 25-35-50)— 'Love Under Fiir' (20th) and 'Two Who Dared' (GNJ, Off to a poor start and only being helped by over- flow; not likely to gross more than SG.OOO, so-so. Lr..>;1 week 'Thin Ice' (20th) nnd 'IT.;l.Wiitcv' (20th) failed to come ;\i).vv.;iy near anticipated grcs.s, (fl i\t ,■};(; Striind (Indloi (r.200; 25-.^5-50)— 'It's All Vim.' .' (('()])'toul 'She's No liady' Uoime took it on the chin fir.-^l lliroc diiys. riiins helped a bit; i;Ui.,".(i(i. Ji;vl 1c-pi(l. Last week 'Kmn Solonoa' ((SB) and 'Blonde Trouble' (P.u-) pcor at $5,100. H^ppy Days in Dixie for Mpls^ Pix lifi^ OolMdinisI 'ICE,' lOTO' AT $8,000 TOPS IN LOUISVILLE Louisville, Sept 7. Wickets are humming all along the row, and first-runs are fueling rather perky, following an upping of bal- cony scale to 33c. nights and Sunday, effective Friday (3). Continued tor- rid spell is having no marked influ- ence on b, 0. trade, although some opposish is being furnished by nu- merous swing. sessions at outdoor dance spots. 'Thin Ice' and 'Mr. Moto' at the Ri- alto are out in front, with 'Varsity ShoW at the Mary Anderson putting the ticket booth in lively swing tempo. . . Estimates for This Week Brown (Fourth Ave.-Loew's) (1,- 500; 15-30-45)—'Souls at Sea' (Par) (2d week). Set to take average $2,- 200 on h. o. stanza. Last week, 'Toast of New York* (RKO) and 'Born Reckless' (20th), excellent $2 700 Kentucky (Svidtow) (900; 15-25)— 'My Affair* (20th) and 'Riding on Air*. (RKOX dual, spUt with 'Mid- night Madonna' (Par) and 'Wild Money' (Par), dual. Will wind up with f^. $1,900. Last week, 'Moun- tain Music' (Par) and 'Chan at Olym- pics* (20th), dual, smacked through for fine $2,500. Loew's State (3,000; 15-33-40)— 'Dead End* (UA) and 'It Can't Last Forever' (Col), dual. 'End* a- little too New Yorkese for customers in this neck of the woods, and looks like fair $6,000. , Last week, 'Broad- way Melody* (MG) on. second week took okay $6,400. Mary Anderson (Libson) (1,000; 15-33-40)—'Varsity Show* (FN). Combo of Powell and Waring is plenty hot here, and fans are worked up on the swing pic. Safe bet to cop a voluminous $5,000 and may hold. Last week, 'Confession' (WB), rode along at average $3,200, Ohio (Settos) (900; 15)—'Cain and Mabel' (WB). and 'Lady Be Careful' (Par), dual, split with 'Wedding Present* (Par) and 'Dodsworth' (UA), dual. Should mark up fair $1,100. Last week, 'Jungle Princess* (Par) and 'My American Wife* (Par), dual, split with 'Down the Stretch* (WB) and 'Midsummer Night's Dream' (WB), dual, fair $1,300. Rialto (Fourth Ave.) (3,000; 15-33- 40)—'Thin Ice* (20th) and 'Mr. Moto* (20th), dual. Sure-fire b. o. draw, particularly with the younger ele- ment; fine $8,000 in view. Last week, 'Souls at Sea* (Par) was safely in the profit column at $7,000. (Fourth Ave.) (1,500; 15- 33-40)—'Make a Wish' (RKO) and On Such a Night' (Par), dual. In- dications are for so-so $3,200. Last week, 'Love Under Fire' (20th) and One MUe from Heaven' (20th), dual, satisfactory all around at $4,000. mmm best IN D. c, Washington, Sept. 7. Holiday week-end after a fort- night of record heat sent 'em scurry- ing to the beaches, but enough tour- ists showed and ducked into the lob- bies to escape the rairt to keep everybody above flops. Price changes, wiping out two-bit admissions m vaude houses and bal- cony differentials in three spots seems to have little effect on size of ayaience or when they come. Up till Monday (6) no real squawks were reported over general tariff jump, which went into effect Friday (3). Earle, which made the biggest in™'^ cutting out the traditional ^Oc balcony fee, is leading the town .with the first pop-price showing ol Lost Horizon,' even the house being surprised at the fact that customers range from carriage trade right down to the shirt-sleevers. Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew) (3,424; 35-66)— Big City' (MG) and vaude. Tracy and Rainer responsible for fair $20,- VSSlt.v-'^^^* "^'^^^ 'Love Under Fire' (20th) same. Columbia (Loew) (1,583; 25-40)— Good Earth' (MG) (2d run). Fol- lowing roadshow and pop-price runs with fair $4,000. Last week 'Can't Have Everything' (20th) same. Earle (WB) (2,244; 35-66)-r-'Lost Horizon' (Col) and vaude. No-name vaude, leaving it up to the pic, which played two weeks of road- show last spring; leading the town with nice $21,000. Last week 'Con- fession' (WB) got the girls at the mats and that was all for a floppo $13,000. Keith's (RKO) (1,830: 35-55)—'Iiif«* of Party' (RKO). Light $6,000. La.st week 'Make a Wish' (RKO) same. Met (WB) (1,853; 25-40)—'Arl^st."? and Models* (Par) (2d run). Good Minneapolis, Sept. 7, State Fair visitors, cool weather and a strong picture lineup are team^ ing HP to invigorate bpxoflices cur- rently. It looks like good business all along the line, with 'You Can't Have Everything,^ 'Souls at Sea,' 'Stella Dallas' arid 'Damaged Lives/ the loop's most powerful, array in many a moon, flirting with prosper- ity. A real bull market. When Duke Ellington and his band in person, plu^ 'Dodd Takes Air,' move into the Orpheum Wednesday (8), an unusual situation will prevail downtown. All four ace loop houses —the Orpheum, Minnesota, Century and State—will have a scale of 55o or higher (50c for Orpheum) after 5 p.m. With "Thin Ice' moved over to the State' from the Minnesota for a second downtown weeks, the for- mer house is interrupting its dual bill policy temporarily. Both loop sure-seaters, the World and Time, are in, the money. 'Dam* aged Lives,' sensationally exploited, is lifting the World out of the slough that it has been In for months. 'Imi«' tation oif Life,' revived by the Tim« after a considerable number of pre- vious downtown and nabe engage* ments, is amazing the local trade by holding over for a fourth consecutive week. Rudy Vallee, at. the Orpheum for Ave days last week, did two grand more than the $18,000 previously es- timated, pulling a phenomenal $20,000. Estimates for This Week Aster (Publix-Singer) (900; 15-25) —'Woman Chases Man* (UA) <2d run) split with dual first-runs last four days 'Footloose Heiress' (WB) and 'Rustler's Valley' (Par). Look^ like good ^1,400. Last week, 'Chan at Olympics' (20th) split with 'Sinsj and Be Happy' (20th) (2d runs) and last three days dual features firsto runs 'Big Shot' (RKO) and 'Devil's Saddle Legion*- (WB), $1,100, pretty good. Century (Publix-Singer) (l,600r 25-35-55)—'Stella Dallas' (UA). Great women's picture is in right spot i6 catch feminine trade and matinee bia is particularly forte. Fine $8,000 in prospect. Last week, 'Artists and Models* (Par) (2d week), $6,000 goo^ on top of $13,000 first week at Min* nesota. Minnesota (Publix-Singer) (4,200: 25-35-55)—'Souls at Sea' (Par). Venf well liked picture helped by worcB of-mouth and hard, elective advance plugging, cast names a' factor ih draw; headed for good $10,000. Las) week. "Thin Ice* (20th), $13,000, very big. Orpheum (Publix-Singer) (2,89(k 25^35-60)—'Can't Have Everything* (20th) plus Louis-Farr fight pictiu-ea Musical accounting for most of very good trade. They like 'Can't Have Everything* plenty here. Because Rudy Vallee engagement was for only-five days, this attraction opened Wednesday and goes out 7th, Duke Ellington on stage and 'Dodd Takes Air* (FN) opening 8th. Swell $13,- 000 on cards. Last week, Rudy Vallee on stage and 'Marriage Before Breakfast' (MG), $20,000 in five days, $2,000 above estimate, enor- mous. State (Publix-Singer) (2,300; 25-35- 55)—'Thin Ice* (20th) (2d week). Moved here from Minnesota and con- tinues to click in fine style. Powers and Henie real magnets, climbing toward big $7,000. Last week, 'Wild Money' (Par) and 'Stuttering Bishop' (FN), duals, (25-40), $4,000. Time (Berger) (290; 15-25)—Imi- tation of Life'- (U) (4th wk). This surprising revival, considering how many times this one has played downtown at 10 and 15c prices, is amazing; good $900. Better than last week's $800, Uptown (Publix) (1,200; 25-35)— 'Saratoga' (MG.) First nabe showing for this big money-maker and prom- i.-^es to cop big $4,000. Last week, 'Easy Living*: (iPar), $3,500; good. World (Steffes) (350; 25-35-40-55) —'Darriaged Lives' (Indie); Heavily advertised, this sex picture is getting dandy boxoffice play, big $3,00(), Last week, 'King Solomon's Mines (GB), $1,200, light. at $4,500. Last week 'King Solo- mon's Mines' (GB) nice $5,000. National (Legit) (1,200; 55-83- $1.10-$1.65)—'Life of Zola' (WB) (2d week). Fighting gamely againist non- air cooled house and opposition. May pull fair $3,500. Last week same pic wilh.stood terrific heat for 6ke $7,500, Palace (Loew) (2,363; ' 35-55)— 'Thin.Ice' (20th). Best light fare in town and will get good $16,000. Last week 'Broadway Melody (MG) (2d wcok) built .^slightly to good $9,800. Riailo (Indie) (1,100; 25-30-40)— 'Czar to Lenin* (Lenaur) and."(''ar- nivnl in Flanders' (revival). Il'iMding up to oUe $2,300. Lart week 'Dark Journey' (UA) slid to light $2,000.