Variety (Sep 1937)

Vi^ne9d»y. September 15, 1937 PICTURE GROSSES VARIETY Juicy Pickings in LA., Bing Pushover For Par Mob, $20G; Durbin Pic Smash $25,000, M' CHcks, life 26i^G Los Angeles, Sept. 14. Couple of smash hits in town cur- rently shoulti offset the other first runs- which are ricft so Jtorte due in patt to week-end. hit which held all first runs down. New- comers in the big money are '100 Men and a Girl,' day;dating at the RKO Hillstreet and Pantages, and Par's latest Crosby pic, 'Double Or Nothing,' away to al)angup start at the Paramount. On top of these regular runs, Warners' debuted 'Zola'as a two-a-day $1.65 attraction at the Carthay Circle, where it seems destined for substantial returns on the basis of early advance. Biz at the State-Chinese is off, around $18,000 under previous week, but should wind up current stanza with a satisfactory $26,500. Warner day-daters are doing nicely on 'Var- sity Show' (holdover), and 'Firefly' after six weeks at the Four Star folds (19) with a comfortable profit put- away. Estimates for This Week Carthay Circle (Fox) (1,518; 55- 83-1.10-1.65) — 'Zola' (WB). Pre- miered at $5.50 for around $4,000, which augurs healthy first week for the latest Muni opus. Advance sale is building consistently. Chinese (Grauman)- (2;028: 30-40- 55-75)—'Wife, Doctor, Nurse' (20th) and 'Chan on Broadway' (20th) dual. Trade eased off a bit currently, after Erevious smash week, but present ill, will do okay at around $11,500. Last weelc, 'Thin Ice' (20th) and 'Hot Water' (20th) brought smash $19,650, new house record. Downtown (WB) (1,800; 30-40-55- 65)—'Varsity Show' (WB) and'Wine, Women' (WB) dual (2nd week). Holdover week got away to satis- factory start and should add another $7,000 to hefty $10,500 grabbed on in- itial stanza. Fowr Star (Fox) (900; 55-83-1.10- 1.65)—'Firefly' (MG) (6th week). Entering its final week (closes Sept. 19) operetta continues to hold satis- factory pace^ Last week (5th) wound up with profitable $5,500. House resumes old policy of ex- tended runs at regular prices Sept. 22 ■ Hollywood (WB) (2,756; 30-40-55- 65)—'Varsity Show' (WB) and'Wine, Women' (WB) dual (2nd week). Biz continues good on this holdover, so looks like $7,000 for second week. First stanza brought good $10,500. . ■ Fantagres (Pan) (2,700; 30-40-55)— •iOff Men and Girl' (U) and 'Re- ported Missing* (U) dual. Preem at : ;2.20 top started take off with neat ; 14;300, with first .week likely hitting ■ erriflc $13,000 over preem's take. ;|^st week (8.days), 'Life of Party' RKO) and- 'Annapolis Salute' ilKO), satisfactorly $V,65'0. Paramount (Partmar) (3,595; 30- '40-66)^'Double or Nothing' ^(Par) and stage show. Crosby surefire at fills downtown spot so initial week looks headed for nifty $20,000 and holds. Stage show, headed by Slate Bros, (repeat) helping. .Last week, •Souls at Sea' (Par) wound up second week (8 days) with big $19,500 as indicated. EKO (2,950;30-40-55)—'100 Men Eld Girl' (U) and 'Reported Miss- g' (U) dual. Got avfay to nifty start and should have no trouble hitting big $12,000 on first week. Last week, 'Life of Party' (RKO) and 'Annapolis Salute' (RKO) fin- ished nine days to excellent $11,200. State (Loew-Fox) (2,024; 30-40- 66-75)—'Wife, Doctor' (20th) and 'Chan on Broadw'ay' (20th) dual. Should hit profitable $15,000. Last week, 'Thin Ice' (20th) and 'Hot Water' (20th), terrific $23,700. • United Artists (Fox-UA) (2,100: 30-40-55)—'Thin Ice' (20th) and 'Hot Water' (20th) dual. Moveover of this Henie opus bringing another good week of around $6,000. Last week 'Love Under Fire' (20th) and -Wild and Woolly' (20th), disappoint- ing, at $2 300 ^ Wilshire (Fox) (2.296; 30-40-55- 65)—'Thin Ice' . (20th) and "Hot Water' (20th) dual. Another move- over for continued first-run with very big $9,000 the indication. Last week 'Love Under Fire' (20th) and ^ild and Woolly' (20th), very bad $3,900. Seattle Sittin' Pretty; Thin Ice' Dual Big IZiG Seattle, Sept. 14, Big campaign blasting the way for m-st pop priced showing of 'Lost •Horizon,' which got along for oke take at roadshowing here, and now points ditto, at Liberty. 'Thin Ice' getting local filming angle (Mount maimer) played up, accounting for" added interest. at Sea' surprised everyone ihn,. "magnificent $13,000 at Para- mount last week and roars into sec- Zit^^eek. 'Topper' also big sur- w"" ^>^to at Orpheum, after Deating $io,ooo. schools reopening bringing folks back to town, but kids too busy to go to shows as yet. Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick-Evergreen) (900; 16-27)—'Great Gamnini' (Par) and 'Westbound, Ltd.' (U), dual. An- ticipates O.K. $2,500. Last week 'Knight Without Armor' (UA) and 'Talent Scout' (WB), dual, $3,000, big. Coliseum (Hamrick - Evergreen) (1,900; 21-32)—'Met Him in Paris' (Par) and 'Pick a Star' (MG), duaL Good for $4,000. Last week 'Moun- tain Music' (Par) and '13th Chair' <MG). dual, big $4,100. Colonial (Sterling) (850; 10-21)— 'Tootin' Rhythm' (Rep) and 'Blading Barriers' (Mon), dual. At $2,100, fair. Last week Louis-Farr fight and 'Girls Caii Play' (Col) at 27c. straight, no rave at $2,800. Fifth Ave. (Hamrick-Evergreen) (2,400: 32-37-42)—'Thin Ice' (20th) and 'One-Mile from Heaven' (20th), dual. Expects $12,500, socko. Last week 'Broadway Melody' (MG) good at $6,400. Liberty (J-vH) (1,900; 21-32-42)— 'Lost Horizon' (Col), single bill, first time here except roadshow, looks set for run, starting with a great $10,000. Last week 'Stella Dallas' (UA), sin- gleton, 3rd week, big at $5,000, but moved out for 'Horizon.* Music Box (Hamrick-Evergreen) (900; 32-37-42 )^'Broadway Melody' (MG), single bill. Moved from Fifth Ave. for third week in towni mod- erate $2,800. Last week 'Good Earth' (MG) 3rd week, six days, okay at $3,800. • Orpheum (Hamrick - Evergreen) (2,700: 32-37-42)—'Topper' ^ (MG) and 'Mr. Moto' (20th) (2d week). O.K. at $7,500. Last week, same films, a surprising $10,600. Palomar (Sterling) (1,450; 16-27) —'Paradise Isle' (Mon) and vaude. O.K. for $3,700. Last week 'Hoosier Schoolboy' (Mon) and vaude, big $4,500. Paramount (Hamrick-Evergreen) (3,106; 32-37-42)—'Souls at Sea' (WB) and 'Blonde trouble' (Par), dual (2nd week). Indicates a good $6,000. Last week, same films, three powerful days over La^or Day holi- day accountable for $13,000, topping the town for months. Roosevelt (Sterling) (850; 21-32)— 'New Faces' (RKO) aUd 'Lart train from Madrid' (Par), dual. Expects $2,500, good. Last week 'Siiigiag Marine' (WB) and 'Meet Missus' (RKO), dual, $2,700, good. DEAD' SOCKO $21500, Pin. Pittsburgh, Sept. 14. Expected reaotion following a sen- sational Labor Day week I's not nearly as great as anticipatea,^ and biz is rollihg right along on every side this session, to keep the smileg fixed and the ledgers black. Arrival of cooler weather is m.aking the town theatre-minded again and aoe attraa- tions are all splutlng fhe groove. 'Dead End' Is a solid smash at the Penn, hitting for • top money hero this season, and sticks for a second week at the Warner, while (Sien Gray's Casa Loma orch is bolstering 'Knight Without Armor' at the Stan- ley to give the WB deluxer another top-flight gross. Two h.o/a, 'Lost Horizon' at the Alvln and 'Thin Ice' at the Fulton, are sailing along briskly, with 'lee' stacking aj^in and 'Horizon' going oyt Q^jly because tne house Is getting jammed up on product. Drop in merct\,ry s^t 'Life of Zola' up at the Nii^on, m its second week, about $1,500 over the opening take. Estimates for This Week Alvin (Harris) (2,00.0: 25-35-50)-- 'Lost Horizon' (Gol) (2d wk). plenty strong and punching out well above $10,000. That's godti enough to rate a third stanza, but the houSe is getting behind on release sched- ules. Opening week set an all-time house record, even with stage shows, at $18,300. Art Cinema (Hendel) (290; 35-50) —'Damaged Lives' (Weldon). Sex pic still grinding out enough to show a slight profit. Now in 10th week and getting around $750 to make stick- ing worth while. Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1,750; 25-40) —'Thin Ice' (20th) (2d wk). Lots of stuff left. House doesn't have a cool- ing plant and weather is giving the Henie pic the h.o. impet-us it needs. Looks like better than $8,000, which means a third week, with a fourth possible. Last week, 'Ice' rolled up a new house record at well over $12,000. Nixon (Erlanger) (2,100.; 50-75- $1.00-$1.50)—'Life of Zola' (WB) (2d wk). Road show engagement got dual break in mercury drop and Labor Day, with result that gross went up to around $9,000, or about $1,500 better than opehing week's take, Now in: third and last stanza, with house lavmching its regular legit season Monday with 'Star- Wagon.^ Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-35- 50)—'Dead End' (UA). Solid smash and heading for sock $22,500, or better. Got away to a flying start, with word-of-ihouth and rave no- tices. Will be among the site's record grossers for the year and moves to the Warner Friday for h.o. Last week, 'Varsity Show' (WB) has too much competish and fact that it was houise's third big musical in a row didn't help. Finished to ordinary $13,000. Stanley (WB) (3,600; 25-35-60)— 'Knight Without Armor' (UA) and Glen Gray's Casa Loma orch. Flesh section credited with the big draw; pushing along to around $23,000. Last week, Eddy Duchin and 'San Quen- tin' (FN), on strength of $8,200 Labor Day, all-time mark here for single day, finished with sizzling $27,500 to top every previous band show gross here. Warner (WB) (2.000; 25-40)—'Meet the Missus' (RKO) and 'Talent Scout' (WB). One of the weakest duals to hit this spot in some time. Sticks eight-days, due to 'Dead End' .moving over Friday and doubtful if it will get even $3,750 over the longer distance. Last week. 'Super Sleuth' (RKO) and 'Marry the Girl* (WB) pretty good at $5,100. Prov. Cools, B.O.'s Get Hot,D'way Melody' 15G, 'Arlists-Models' $8,500 Providence, Sept. 14. Exhibs have finally got the kind of weather they have been hollering about for weeks, but only a few stands are getting any real break out of it. Picture fare is good in some spots and fair in others, and grosses are about the same. The leaders are 'Broadway Mel- ody' at Loew's and 'Artists and Models'" at the Strand, the latter on a double bill. 'Melody' looks the topnotch coin grabber, with 'Artists and Models' a good second. 'Road Back,' at the Albee, seems headed for show money, opposish iat the other spots being rather tepid. 'Lost Horizon' moved from Loew's to Carlton for second week. Going so-so. Thursday (16) another stand, the New Empire, joins the first-run houses with a combo policy. Play- house, legit stand, dark this week. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2,200; 25-35-50)— 'Road Back' (U) and 'On Again, Off Again' (RKO), nice going all things considered; house pretty sure of (tracking $6,500 for the week, oke. Last week, 'New Faces' (iRKO) and 'Windjammer' (RKO), also fight pictures, good at $7,600. Carlton (Fay-Loew) (1,400 25-35- 50)—'Lost Horizon' (Col). Second week riot likely to go over very big, maybe $3,500, so-so. Last week 'Thin Ice' (20th) and 'Hot Water' (20th) about same. Fay's (2,000; 25-35-50)—'Wine, Women' (WB) flnd vaude. Pace is around average here; if it doesn't falter house sure to garner around ^,500, so-so. . Last week 'Dodd ■Takes Air' (WB) and vaude jacked up to $6,000 with, the aid of cool weather and rain, fair. Loew's State (3,200; 25-35-50)— 'Broadway JWelody' (MG). Only solo f>ix in town this week, but the eader nevertheless. If present pace continues $15,000 is as good as in the till, swell. Last week, 'Lost Horizon' (Col), also the town's leader with a nifty $13,500. Strand (Indie) (2,200; 25-35-50)— 'Artists and Models' (Par) and 'Hofialong Rides Again' (Par). Should have no trouble is hitting $'e,500, oke. Last week, 'It's All Yours' (Col) and 'She's No Lady' (Par), n.s.g. at $5,400. State Fair, Convensh, Cool Weather Up L'ville; 'Horizon' TiG, Durbin 6G Louisville, Sept. 14. Everything is in favor of the first- runs currently, and takings will be plenty satisfactory, although not in the smash category. State Fair opened Sunday (12), International Typographical Union holding con- vention, attended by 3.000 delegates, and weather cool, an ideal setup all around. "Lost Horizon" at regular prices, will put Loew's State in the lead for b.o. honors, followed closely by '100 Men and a Girl' at the Rialto. 'Life of the Party' and 'Flight from Glory' at the Strand, will also pull in the shekels.. Estimates for This Week Brown (Fourth Ave.-Loew's) (1,500; 15-25-40)—'Thin Ice' (20th) the 'Mr. Moto' (20th), dual. After swell seven day stanza at Rialto, sticking around to grab uretty good Oriental.. Chi, New 1st Run 75c Policy Bullish with 'Stella 35G; Duchin-Crosby 42fi, Breen-'Air $2,500. Last week 'Souls at Sea' (Par) just fair $2,200. Kentucky (Switow) (900; 15-25)— 'Another Dawn' (WB) plus 'Slave Ship' (20th), split with 'Wings Over Honolulu' (U) and 'Sing and Be Happy' (20th), dual. Headed for $2,300, okay. ' Last week 'My Affair' (20th) and 'Riding on Air' (RKO), dual, split with 'Midnight Madonna (Par) and 'Wild Money' (Par), dual, exceeded expectations with fine $2,600. Loew's State (3,000; 15-33-40)— 'Lost Horizon' (Col). National publicity, and buildup weeks in ad- vance, showing results here at pop prices. Looks set to cop fine $7,500, and mebbe ihore. Last week'Dead End' plus 'It Can't Last Forever' (Col), pulled hefty and steady biz all week, to top $10,300, way over normal, and far exceeding initial ex- pectations. Biz built steadily, mary Anderson (Libson) (1,000; 15r25-40)—'Varsity Show' (WB) (2d week). Louis-Farr pic added for current week, but returns n.s.h. May come through for $3,100, fair, after first week's big $5,000. Ohio (Settos) (900; 15)—'Hideaway Girl' (Par) and 'Rainbow on River* (RKO), dual, split with 'Murder With PicturesV (Pai') and 'Garden of Allah' (UA), dual. Cool weather and State Fair visitors wiU boost wicket trade to good $1,500. Last week 'Cain and Mabel' (WB) and •Lady Be Careful' (Par), dual, split with 'Wedding Present' (Par) and 'Dodsworth' (UA), dkial, ordinary $1,300. Blalto (Fourth,Ave.) (3,000; 15-33- 40)—'100 Men and Girl' (U) and 'Ee- ported Missing' (U), dual. Nice steady b.o. draw, but not in th^ 'big' class. Will cop $6,000, okay. Last week 'Thin Ice' (20th) and 'WGr. Moto' (20th), dual, mopped up jumbo $9,000, and moved to Brown for continuing seven days. Strand (Fourth Ave.) (1,500; 15-30- 40)—'Life of Party' (RKO) and 'Flight From Glory' (RKO), dual. With visitors galore in to^n, should continue pace to chalk up fine $4,000. Last week 'Make a Wish' (RKO) and 'On Such a Night' (Par), dual, faijr ish $3,200. 100 MEN'WOW $13,500, BALTO Baltimore, Sept. 14. Keith's is getting the town'^i biz this week in grand style, garnering a very socko $13,500 with '100 Men and a Girl' (U). Runner-up is Loew's Century, which is getting a fair play on 'Good Earth' (MG), with a mild $10,000 indicated for iiie week. Holdovers of 'Lost Horizon' (Col) at the Hipp and 'Thin Ice' (20th) at the New fell down somewhat after resounding opening sessions. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew's-UA) (3,000; 15- 25-35-40-55)—'Good Earth' (MG). Just maintaining a fair pace, with mild $10,000 indicated for the week. Last week 'Stella Dallas' (UA) was fairly steady, going to $10,700. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,200; 15-25-35-40-55-66) — 'Lost Horizon' (Col) (2nd wk.). Dropped off to $9,700 after a very socko opening session to $14,000. Keith's (Schanberger) (2,500; 15- 25-35-40-55)—'100 Men and Girl' (U). Opened supper show Wed. (8), collecting critical raves and leading the town since, with wow $13,500 and second week a cinch. New (Mechanic) (1,400; 15-25-30- 40-55)—'Thin Ice' (20th) (2nd wk). Off somewhat to $3,300 after hey- hey first session at $6,300. 'Wife, Doctor, Nurse' (20th) slated to fol- low. Stanley (WB) (3,450; 15-25-35-40- 55)—'Varsity Show' (WB). Rather dissappointing at $7,200. Last week 'Confession' (WB) n.g. $4,300. CHAN NO, 16 Hollywood, Sept, 14. Kay Linaker, back from playing summer stock in the East, moves into the femme lead in 20th-Fox's 'Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo.' Film is 16th in the Chan series starring Warner Oland. ALL TO THE MERRY Hollywood, Sept. 14. Sonya Levien has moved over from 20th-Fox to Selznick Interna- tional to script 'Merry, Merry, Maidens.' Helen Carlisle orlginaled. Chicago, Sept. 14. Loop has. settled on a 75c. top price in all theatres except the State-Lake, which'has a 55c. peak. General upping of prices in all Bala- ban & .Katz houses is completed this week with the new first-run policy for the vaudfllm Oriental, which cur- rently branches out into top pic- tures with 'Stella Dallas.' At the Oriental this new policy means an increased gross of nearly $20,000 over old average. The mark this week goes to $35,000 at least, and due strictly to the 'Dallas' flicker. Many items concerned in the change of policy for the Oriental, and one of the most important factors in the Oriental shift is the picture jam-up at this time. So many ace pictures being held on the shelves that the distributors are putting genuine pressure on B. & K. for additional release outlets and dat^s. With a flock of ace pictures com- ing up, the Oriental and Chicago are now placed on a par plane. Only slight difference will be in the stage name section, with the Ciiicago flag- ship destined for the top names. Otherwise the policies will be prac- tically identical. Both houses are going in lor lortntght bookings on the surefire pictures, of which 'Dallas' is the first for the Oriental. 'Dead End' passed all expectations and estimates at the United Artists last. week, zooming to $29,000 for a truly sensational week. It is going along now at a smart pace. Chicago has brought back Eddie Duchin and band, such a big winner here four weeks ago, and tied up now with 'Double or Nothing' is turning in a bang-up session. EsttmatdB for This Week Apollo (B&K) (1,200; 35-55-65-75) —'Good Earth' (MG) (2d wk). On its third house stand in the loop Jor this one, okay at $5,000. Last week a pleasant $7,300. Chicago (B&K) (4,000; 35-55-75)— 'Double or Nothing' (Par) and Eddy Duchin orchestra on stage and billed above picture. Getting the bulk of the trade also at an excellent $42,000 week. Last week, 'Artists and Models' (Par) finished a fortnight to good $34,300. Garrick (B&K) (900/ 35-55-65-75) —'Artists and Models' (Par). Moved here after Chicago fortnight and okay take in sight with $6,000. Last week, 'Captains Courageous' <MG) bad a good coin session in its third loop staud with $6,100. Oriental (B&K) <3,200; 35-55-75)— •Stella Dallas' (UA) and stage show. Inaugurates new picture and price policy for the house. And with pic- . tures like this will be a cinch win- ner, over $35,000 in the offing, mag- nificent. Picture is in for two weeks. Last week, the finale of the old 'sec- ond-class' policy was good $21,000 with 'Wine, Women' (WB). Palace (RKO) (2,500; 35-55-65-75) —'Riding on Air' <RKO) and vaude. Bobby Breen headlining on stage and accounting for the big percen- tage of the receipts. Unfortunately this lineup comes in when the in- ' fantile scare has imposed a ban oh children under 16 at any tiieatre, but despite this tough break, house will do a good $20,000. Last week, 'Life of Party' (RKO) turned in a fine $20,000 over the Labor Day week. Roosevelt (B&K) (1.500; 35-55-65- 75)—'Varsity Show' (WB) (2d wk). Holding to a profitable pace, and will garner sufficient shekels for a neat profit again at $14,000, last week almost 420,000. State-Lake (Jones) (2,700; 25-35- 45-55)—'Flight from Glory' (RKO) and vaude. House goes along making a steady profit, again on the right side of the books by plenty with $14,000. Last week, ^On Again' (RKO) satisfactory $13,200. United ArtUtk (B&K-UA) (1,700; 35- 55-65-75)—'Dead End' (UA) (2d wk). Packing 'em in from mom to night. . Had a whirlwind session last week, booming into great money with $28«000, and is following up that strong gallop with an excellent : "I. Ml ■ - spread. $19,000. Much due to a fine publicity Erlanffer (1,300; 55-83-$l.l0-$1.65) —•Zola' (WB) (3d, final wk). Closes roadshow this Saturday (18) to make room for legit show. Has had a real money run here and could easily have continued, fine $14,000 last week. Back In the Tree Tops Hollywood, Sept. 14, D. Ross Lederman will direct Sol Lesser's next Tarzan picture for Principal Productions. Megger formerly toiled at Colum- bia.