Variety (Sep 1937)

Wednesday, September 22, I93T PICTURE GROSSES VARIETY Loop Dips but lost Horizon' OK 3d Stanza of'Dead End' Chicago. Sept. 21. ■ For some unaccountable reason the Jobp is off. Slump is chopping about JQ% off of reasonable gross expecta- tions. Some theatre managers, scout- Ing for any kind of excuse, blame it on tfie mixup of getting the kids batk to school once- more. •* As far as the infantile paralysis kid ban goes, this has been sliced to 'J2'years top," where formerly the ban ranged up to ages of 16 years. Loop has been affected by the ban, ijf course, but not as tough as the neighborhoods. This, naturally, is as it should be, since the loop was never much of a spot for kid trade except youngster attractions. Plenty of repeat and holdover stuff .'in the loop currently, with the Chi- ' tago bringing iri 'Lost Horizon' for lits-pop run following roadshowing feveral months ago at the legit Jflanger. Picture is in for two weeks. Palace has '100 Men and a Girl' pen- ciled in for four weeks, but" neither the exchange nor the theatre is plan- ning On holding the picture that long, due to other commitments. £ cinch for a fortnight's run, how- ever.. • ' Estimatef) ior This Week Apollo (B&K) (1,200; 35-55-65-75) «r-'Mr. Dodd' (WB). Program ihusical doing a fair enough trade at the house, $5,500 pace. Last week, 'Good Earth' (MG) finally scrammed the loop after its third booking at okay ,$5,100. Chicago (B&K) (4,000; 35-55-75)— •Lost Horizon' (Col) and stage show. Though starting slowing with the rest of the loop is perking nicely and will ride up into excellent fig- ures on building pace at $42,000, strong. Last week Double or Noth- ing' (Par) backed by Eddy Duchin band on stage banged in whacking {48,000. Garrick (B&K) (900; 35-55-65-76) w-'Double or Nothing' (Par). Moved iiere from the Chicago and big take n the offing at $9,000. Last week, 'Artists and Models' (Par), touched good $5,800. Oriental (B&K) (3,200; 35-55-75)— . ^Stella Dallas' (UA) (2nd week), ffemme flicker big money winner, Turned in a wow $36,000 last week for the start of new house policy |nd holding to strong $25,000 cur- rently. Palace (RKO) (2.500; 35-55-65-75) ^•100 Men' (U) and Block and Sully headlining vaudd end. Flicker in If or at least two weeks. Headed for ^ high take on its initial session with dicated $29,00Q, with word-of- bUth giving it added". strength purly Last week, 'Riding on Air- ,KO) 'with Bobby Breen on stage •took fine $20,000 despite ban on kid Wade. , Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 35-55-65- 'f5)—Topper' (MG). Weakie of ttie • oop, not getting anywhere, maybe ri2,000 for the first week at best, : Ast week, 'Varsity Show' (WB) fin- ! ghed last seven days of fairish stay '10 $11,200, oke. State-Lake (Jones) (2,700; 25-35- 49-55)—'Marietta*. (MG) and vaude. Revivals have been doing business here, and this one no exc^rlon; f)ping to fine $15,000. Last week, light From. Glory* (RKO) turned proHtable $13,600. United Artists (fi&K-UA) (1,700; P5-55-65-75) —'Dead End' (UA) (3d lyeek). Humdinger at the wicket, third week indicates excellent hold- ing power with $15,000. Last week ■Vvas strong $18,900, 'Big City' (MG) slated to follow and then 'Broadway Melody' (MG). Erlanger (1,300; 55-83-$1.10-$1.65)— •Zola' (WB). House returned to legit Sunday (19) and forced this picture out after three walloping roadshow yeeks. Could have continued in- definitely at the pace, finishing with $13,000, practically as good as open- ing week. ICE,' 'aORY' $16,000; BROOKLYN BIZ OKAY Brooklyn, Sept. 21. Jt-ity of Churches is experiencing ooUsh weather and a flock of musi- als at the principal downtown de- wxers. Week-end also brought some rain, wh;ch resulted in a spurt at all jnajor houses. Loew's Met With Vogues,' Fabian Par with 'Varsity onow m the second week and RKO Albee with 'Thin Ice' are all doing agreeable, biz. Estimates for This Week (2,500; 25-35-55)—'Thin Ice' (Pvrl^ 'Flight from Glory.' -Getting a nice reception, ^iir^.l'^ ^<=°re good $16,000. Last week Love Under Fire' (20th) and $15 000^ Woolly' (20th) okay at ]VrFn\/r 25-35-55)—'Women V ^MG) and 'All Over is n^P^- Okay $14,000. Last wecK Drummond Comes Back' (Par) and 'Sheik Steps Out' (Rep), about $13,000, satisfactory. Met (2,400; 25-35-55)—'Vogues of 1938* (UA) and 'Bad Guy' (MG). Good $15,000 expected. Last week •Topper' (MG) and 'Between Two Women* (MG), near $16,000, good. Paramount (4,000; 25-35-55)—7'Var- sity Show' (WB) and 'Killer at Sea' (GN) (2d week). Will get pleasant $14,500. Last week fine $16,500. Strand (2,000; 25-35-55)—'Danger- ous Adventure' and 'Legion of Miss- ing Men.' Duallers will get okay $5,- 500. Last week 'Californian' (20th) and 'Public . Wedding' (WB) got $5,000, satisfactory. "ZENDA.'m WE, DR,' 12a (MY, OK Cincinnati, Sept. 21. Coolest mid-September tempera- ture locally for decades a b.o. boon for cinema chambers, swell biz, by and large, stretching into second week. Trade topper currently is *Zerida,' registering $18,500 for the Albee. Palace is in line for $12,000 on 'Wife, Doctor, Nurse,' Lyric racked up $3,000 in first half on 'Borneo,' pic giving way to 'Lost Horizon' for extended downtown run. . Three-week run on 'Lost Horizon' at Shubert ended Monday (20). House followed with 'Thin Ice' for a 21-day stay, to be followed by its regular vaudfilm season.. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,300; 35-42) — 'Prisoner of Zenda' (UA). . Great, $18,500. Last week, 'Dead End' (UA), $17,500, swell. Capitol (RKO) (2,000; 35-42) — •100 Men and a Girl' (U). Moved oyer from Palace for second week, gbod, $6,000. Last week, 'Stella Dal- las' (UA) (2d week), $6,000, swell. Family (RKO) (1,000; 15-25) — 'Born Reckless' (20th) and 'Big Shot' (RKO), split. Averago, $2,100, Last week, 'Hollywood Cowboy' (RKO) and 'Lady Escapes^ (20th), split, $2,300, big. . Grand (RKO) (l,200f 25-40) — 'Stella Dallas' (UA). "Transferred fi:om Cap for third downtown week, $3,500, nice. Last week, 'Broadway Melody' (MG) (4th TVeek), $3,500, dandy. Keith's (Libson) M,50P{ 23-40) — 'Dead End' (UA>, Switched from Albee for second week, $7,000, big. Last week, 'Something to Sing About' (GN), $5,000, tpijf* Lyric (rKO) (1,400; 35-42) — 'Borneo' (20th). Four-day stay, end- ed Monday (20), fetched a dandy $3,000. 'Lost Horizon* (Col) opened Tuesday (21), moving over from three-week riin at taie Shut>e.r4. Last week, 'Varsity Show' (WB) (2d week), $4,500, Qiay, Palace (RKO) (2,60pi 33-42) ^ 'Wife, Doctor^ (20th3j Average, $12,000. Last week, '100 Men and & Girl' (U), $15,000, larg6. Shubert (RKO) (2,150; 35-42) —• 'Lost Horizon' (Col), Closed 2l-day run Monday (20) for total tak* of $28,500, excellent. Bi4 for final ?even days hitting $6,50(1. *Thm Ice* (20th) started Tuesday (21) on three-week run. 'Zenda' Tops Portland, $8,500; All Hooses Up Portland, Ore., Sept. 21. All grosses are stronger thaji they have been for a year,. 'Thin Ice* Is big stuff at the Paramount, Parker's Broadway is going to town with 'Big City,' following a great 14 days of '100 Men and a Glrl.» Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (2,000; 30-55) —'Big City' (MG) and 'Dance, Char- lie, Dance' (WB). Getting good play at around $8,000. Last week, '100 Men and Girl' (U) and 'Men Are Not Gods' CWB) closed a big second week at $5,000. ^ ^ Mavfair (Parker-Evergreen) (1,- 400; 30-55)—'Naughty Marietta' (MG) and 'Hell Divers' (MG). Revival booking of two previous hits zipped this house above its average for okay $2,800. Last week, 'Devil Is Driving (Col) and 'Forlorn River' (Par) only fair at $2,200. Orpheum (Hamrick - Evergreen) (2,000; 30-55)—'Varsity Show' (WB) and 'Big Shot' (RKO). Answering t to exploitation for a winning $6,500. I Last week, 'Souls at Sea' (Par) and •Lady Escapes' (20th) held 12 days for strong $10,000. Paramount (Hamrick-Evergreen) (3,000; 30-55 )--'Thin Ice' (20th) and 'She's No Lady' (Par) (2d week). Clicked frona the start. Good $5,500 this week after sock $7,700 last week. United Artists (Parker) (1,000; 30-55)—'Prisoner of Zenda' (UA). Big stuff. Topping everything in town. Great.) $8,500. Last week, 'That Certain Woman* (FN) and •London by Night' (MG) were tame, with weak $4,300. MUME m BUFFALO Buffalo, Sept. 21. Business is still skipping along with nice grosses, and, with the cool spell holding on, things look favor- able for a continuance. Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Shea) (3,600; 30-40-50)— 'Double or Nothing' (Par). Off slight- ly from previous peaks, but indica- tions are very nice $16,000. Last week 'Dead End' (UA) turned in one of the neatest grosses in weeks at swell $19,300, Century (Shea) (3,400; 25-35)— 'Wild and WooUey' (20th) and 'Mr. Moto' (20th) (2d week). Should do over $5,000, okay. Last week, hold- over of 'Make a Wish' (RKO) for three days, split the week; which ran to fine $8,700. Great Lakes (Shea (3,400; 30-50)— 'Varsity Show' (WB). Drawing nice business and should deliver excellent $8,500. Last week 'Souls at Sea' (2d w^ek) still showed signs of life with good $7,600. Lafayette (Ind.) (3,400; 25-35)— 'It's AH Ydurs' (Col) and 'Motor Madness* (Col). Box-^office seems back in the running, and indications are for fine $9,000. Last week 'Lost Horizon' (Col) (2d week) came in as expected with excellent $10,000. $2 J50 Jack-Pot Gets $6,850 for Pitt House; And It's Called Good! Pittsburgh, Sept. 21. Biz down the line is still holding firm, despite the arrival of the grid season, market crash and a-flock of other disturbing influences. While, of course, not quite up. to sock takes the last few weeks they're good enough to keep smiles fixed and hopes high. Apparently the Rainer-Tracy names are enough to overcome ad- verse notices and 'Big City' is do- ing very, nicely at the Penn, while Dick Stabile's band, a big local fave, is helping Kay Francis' 'Confes- sion' over the rough spots at the Stanley. Estimates for This Week Alvin (Harris) (2,000; 25-35-40)— 'Love Under Fire' (20th). Got a swell start on strength of two con- secutive bank nites with $2,750 pots and will bring in at least $6,850, all right. Last week second of 'Lost Horizon' (Col), great at over $10,000 and rated another h.o., but house yanked it becalise product was get- ting jammed up too much. Art Cinema (Hendel) (290; 25-35- 50) — 'Damaged Lives' (Weldon) (Uth wk). No end to this one's sticking powers., Figured to pull out for certain last" week, but took a spurt and finished brisky at $1,150, which is profit. Will have to pull out,- however, Sept. 29, when Gabe Rubin reopens his foreign film pol- icy. Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1,750; 25-40) —'Thin Ice' (20th) (3d wk). Knock- ing off real coin, with prospects of $6,500 or slightly more. Sticks for fourth week, and, with biz showing no noticeable let-down, management is visualizing another 'Godfrey,' which ran seven weeks at this site a year ago. Last week 'Ice' copped $8,000 on top of the $12,000 opener. Nixon (Erlanger) (2,100; 50-75-$l- $1.50)—'Life of Zola' (WB). Road- ^ow wound up three-week stay Saturday night (18), getting around $5,000 on the closing session. Not particularly big, but total gross of around $23,000 paid for itself and everybody is satisfied. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-35- 50)—'Big City' (MG), Cricks ham- mered this one plenty, but it had an unusually good week-end and should finish pretty close to $16,500, all right. Last week 'Dead End' (UA) was a solid smash at $22,000. Stanley (WB) (3,600; 25-40-60>— ■Confession' (FN) and Dick Stabile's band, Gracie Barrie, Shaw and Lee. Stabile seems to' be bringing 'em in. He got quite a local rep here at the William Penn hotel last winter. Considering cost of the layout, $18,- 000 will be considerably more profit- able than last week's $20,000 with Glen Gray's Casa Loma outfit and 'Knight Without Armor' (UA). Warner (WB) (2,000; 25-35-50)— 'Dead End' (UA). Moved here after a sock week at the Penn, and still has plenty of stuff left. Should do an okay $8,000, or close to it. Last week 'Meet the Missus' (RKO) and 'Talent Scout' (WB) was one of the poorest duals to hit here in a long time and got one of the poorest grosses,' around $3,500, Legionnaires No Help to B way; 100 Men Sock $65m'Certain Woman 25G/Zenda; 3d WL 92G Broadway thought the American Legion would be just what the doc- tor ordered for the box office, but up to yesterday afternoon (Tues.), day of tbe big parade by the former doughboys, it was anything but. Sen- timent of the managers is epitomized by Arthur Mayer's crack, 'I'd love the Legion in some other region.' Even at his little slam-bang small- seater, the Rialto, where thrillers are the usual fare, the business is dis- appointing. Friday and Saturday's take was good everywhere, but, with the Le- gionnaires rolling in Sunday, thea- tres just held their own that day, dipping considerably below Satur- day, and on Monday (20), when bed- lam broke loose downtown, things were as quiet at the ticket windows as on any average Monday, in some cases a bit quieter. There's been too much of a show on the streets since Sunday (19). . Most of the Legionnaires so far haye been walk-arounds, but after yesterday's parade and a couple hangovers, they may start coming into the theares. Managerial optim- ism Isn't high in this direction, how- ever, since about the only amuse- ment most of the visiting firemen have at home are pictures, and they'll be looking for 'other fun while in New York. It has been the history of Legion conventions everywhere that they hurt business more than they help, even if they themselves attend in fair numbers. Answer to this is that most natives keep away from downtown zones, where the Legion laddies are in wild abandon. As result the nabes do a little better. This is also true of New York this week. The best of the new pictures is '100 Men and a Girl,' at the Roxy, which looks a possible huge $65,000. Opinion is that without the Legion it would be $10,000 more. This one holds over. Runner-up among the fresh entries is 'That Certain Wom- an,' which may nudge up to a good $25,000. Cap is a weak third with 'Big City.' Its chances to top a mild $20,000 are not good, 'On Such a Night' is another bad one for the Criterion, under $5,000, while '40 Naughty Girls' is also no dice with the Legion crowd, only about $6,500 for the Rialto. Jimmy Cagney's new- est starrer, 'Something to Sing About,' opened mildly at the Globe Monday (20), and on the week prob- ably won't be more than about $10,- 000, fair. Paramount's six weeks' run of 'Souls at Sea' ended here Sun- day night (19), final (6th) week be- ing $5,000. On the run picture grossed $50,000, a loss in view of what was spent on the $2 engage- ment. Holdovers are topped by a very strong approximate $92,000 for third week of 'Prisonor of Zenda' at the Music Hall. Equally potent is 'Double or Nothing,' with the Shep Fields orchestra, on its third (final) stanza at the Paramount ending last night, $34,000, plenty of profit. Hall brings in 'Lost Horizon' tomorrow (Thurs.), while Par debuts 'High, Wide and Handsome,' recent $2 pic- ture, with the Hudson-DeLange or- chestra, Yacht Club Boys and others today (Wed.) Fourth and last week of 'Dead End' at the RivoU over $20,- 000, also good. Riv today (Wed.) brings in 'Make a Wish.' The State looks to a good $30,000 week with 'Topper' and Chick Webb's orchestra, latter on repeat within a month, while the dual bill Palace is also better than average, about $10,000.. 'Zola,' $2 item at the Hollywood, is dropping a little, as expected, last week (5th) being bit over $20,000, while 'Firefly' on its second week (last week) grossed only $10,200, quiet. • Estimates for This Week Astor (1,012; 55-$1.10-$1.65-$2.20)— 'Firefly' (MG) (3d week). Won't be here long, last week (2d) being only $10,200, just fair. . Capitol (4,520; 25-35-55-85-$1.25)— 'Big City' (MG). Tracy-Rainer names failing to entice more than a rhilc $20,000, and no holdover. Last week, second for 'Broadway Melody' (MG), over $20,000, okay. Central (1,000; 25-35-40-55-65-75- 85-99)—'Chan on Broadway' (20th). Indications point to good $9,500. Last week. 'Shadow Strikes' (GN), $7,000. Criterion (1.662; 25-40-55)—'On Such a Night' (Par). A poor $5,000 won't be reached by this one. Last week. 'Bulldog Drummond' (Par) (2d week), short of $7,000 but okay for the holdover. Globe (1,274; 25-35-65)—'Some- thing to Sing About' (GN). House returned to pop grind Monday (20) but off only moderately with new Cagney musical; maybe $10,000, fair, on the week. Final (6th) week of 'Souls at Sea' (Par), on a $2 run, only $5,000, .sloppy. Hollywood (1.454: 55-85-$1.10-$1.65- $2.20)—'Zola' (WB) (6th week). More seats are now becoming avail- able; last week (5th) little over $20,000 but very good at this figure and stays on indefinitely. Palace (1,700; 25-35-55)—'Road Back' (U) (2d run) and 'On Again, Off Again' (RKO) (1st run), dualed. Business good, probably around $10,000. Last week's duo, 'Love Un- der Fire' (20th) (2d run) and 'Con- fession' (WB) (2d run), $9,500. Paramount (3,664; 25-35-55-85-99) —'Double or Nothing* (Par) and Shep Fields' orchestra (3d-final week). This show potent three- .weeker, final seven days being $34,- 000, much profit. 'High, Wide and Handsome' (Par), with Hudson-De Lange orchestra, plus Yacht Club Boys, in pit, opens today (Wed.). Second week for 'Double or Nothing' was $42,000. Radio City Music Hall (5,980; 40- 60-85-99-$1.65)—'Zenda' (UA) and stage show (3d week). Holding up powerfully well on final (3d) week, looking around $92,000. Second week's take was $101,000, mighty. Rialto (750; 25-40-55)—'40 Naughty Girls' (RKO). An indifferent grosser, Erobably around $6,500, just fair, ast week, 'Flight from Glory' (RKO) close to $8,000, good. Rlvoli (2,092; 25-55-75-85-99)— 'Dead End' (UA) (4th-final week). But for pictures that have been bought and must be played, this one might have gone a fifth week; the final (4th) week, up last night (TuesO. over $20,000. ' Third week wais $25,000, 'Make a Wish' (RKO) opens today: (Wed.). Roxy (5,836; 25-4i)-5.5-75)—'100 Men and Girl' (U) and stage show. A real smash in spite of Legion and mavbe $65,000, huge, on the first week, hold- ing. Last week, 'Thin Ice' (20th) (2d week) benefited same as other pic- tures by bigger Yom Kippur than expected and ended up at very big $47,500, Strand (2,767; 25-55-75)—'That Certain Woman' (WB). Opened very strong but getting no nelp from Legion for gross that might, other- wise have been higher; $25,000 or close the answer but, good just the same and holds. Last week, second for 'Varsity Show' (WB), under $15,000, disappointing. State (3,450; 35-55-75)—'Topper* (MG) (2d run) and vaude headed by Chick Webb's orchestra. A nice $30,000 week is In prospect. Last week not so good with 'Artists and Models' (Par) (2d run) and Jimmy Dorsey orchestra, around $24,000. MONET CLiCK mM DENVER Denver, Sept. 21. All first-runs except the Par- amount are doing big business. Stage shows at the Denver and l)enham are responsible for most of their grosses. 'Prisoner of Zenda' is top- ping 'Thin Ice' at Aladdin, although "^Zenda' trailed 'Ice' at the Denver, Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,500; 25-40)— 'Prisoner of Zenda' (UA), after a week at the Denver. Fine $5,500 for 10 days. Last week 'Vogues of 1938' (UA) dropped below expectations but finished with good $3,000. Broadway (Fox) (1,500; 25-40)— 'Thin Ice' (20th) (2d week here after a week each at the Aladdin and Den- ver). At $4,500, a pleasure. Last week was very good at the same figure. Denham (Cockrill) (1,500; 25-35- 50)—'Wild Money' (Par), and stage show. Fine business at $10,500. Last week 'Souls at Sea' (Par) (2d week) did a fair $4,000, Denver (Fox) (2,500; 25-35-50)— 'It's All Yours' (Col), and stage show. Okay at $12,500. Last week 'Pris- oner of Zenda' (UA) easily topped the town at'$16,000 and went to the Aladdin for a second week. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 25-40)— 'Big City' (MG) and 'Riding on Air' (RKO). For 10 days, $10,000. is okay. Last week 'Make a Wish' (RKO) and 'Super-Sleuth' (RKO) did nicely at $7,900. Paramount (Fox) (2,000; 25-40)— 'Borneo' (20th) and 'Marry the Girl' (WB), Only $2,000 on five days, and jerked. Last week 'Lost Horizin' (Col) was fine at $4,000. having al- ready played a week each at the Denver, Broadway and Aladdin. Gottlieb Scribbling Hollywood, Sept. 21. . Alex Gottlieb, who resigned re* cently as publicity head for Walter Wanger, has moved over on the Republic writing staff. With Norman Burnstine, ex-flack is scripting 'Smart Guy,' which John Auer will produce.