Variety (Oct 1937)

Wednesday, October 6, 1937 PICTURE GROSSES VARIETY Pittsburgh Still Bullish; Gives 'Circulation Plus Buddy Rogers 23G Pittsburgh, Oct. 5, Blues being cried elsewhere haven't yet reached Pittsburgh, and biz continues to hold up nicely. Fact is, however, and it's always been so' here, that this city is last to- feel any d.epresh and also last to re* . cover. , . Stanley is keeping its nose way out in front a^ain, combo of Buddy Rogers on stage and 'Back in Cir- culation' proving, a surprise entry, with takings only slightly under rec-' ord-breaking gross of last week. H o. of '100 Men and a Girl' at Alvin doing fine, but house won't hold for ihird stanza, on accoimf of product jam, pulling .'Men' out tomorrow night (6) in favor of 'Wife, Doctor and Nurse.' Estimates for This Week Alvln (Harris) (2,000;. 25-35-50)— <100 Men and a Girl' dJ). Second week. Should knock off better than .$8,000, considerably . better than house Usually does with new ones, and that's' real dough on top of $15,- 000 opener. Talton (Shea-Hyde) (1,750; 25-40) —'Lancer Spy' (20th). Not doing bad at all for a flicker without a name. Got a good week-end and should have no trouble knocking off around $5,000. , That's profit here. Will stick four days beyond regula- tion week in order to get house back to regular Wednesday opening Oct. 13 with 'Sheik Steps Out' (Rep). Last week 'Thin Ice' (20th) on three days of fifth week got around $2,000. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-35- 50)—'Double or Nothing' (Par). Everywhere, but here the Crosby- Saye combo is big. Doesn't look like more than $13,000-for 'Double,' just average. Last week 'Souls at Sea' (Par) slightly disappointing at $15,0001 Stanley (WB) (3,600; 25-40-60)— *Back in Circulation' (WB) and Bud- dy Rogers in person.. Third time Rogers has made this town, and he's always done biz. He's doing It again, surprisingly so, although fact is that O'Brien-Blondell combo on screen is helpful, too. Looks like pretty close to $23,500, great. Last week Horace Heidt, with 'Life of Party', (RKO), topped all previous records for band shows here, getting just about $29,000. Warner (WB) (2,000: 25-40)—'Mr. Dodd Takes the Air* (WB) and "Flight From Glory' (RKO). An- other weakeroo and lucky to get $3,500. That's about the same as last week with 'Great Gambini' (Par), •nd 'Wild Money' (Par). MPLS.'SLUMP CONTINUES, WE'$7,500 Minneapolis. Oct. 5. Grosses continue to plumb the depths for the third successive week. Generally adverse business condi- tions may have something to do with the boxoffice slump, but most of the blame probably is due to the fact that attractions still aren't of a type calculated to excite the public or cause it to unloosen pursestrings. Lack of stage attractions has been detrimental, but the Orpheum has Fred Waring and his 'Pennsyl- vanians' coming Friday, and it's a safe guess that the downward box- office trend is due to reverse itself the impending weekend. Estimates for This Week Aster (Publix-Singer) (900; 15-25) — I Met Him in Paris' (Par) split with 'Slim' (WB) (2d runs) and last three day-s dual first runs 'Hot Water* (20th) ■ and 'Draegerman Courage' (FN). Looks like pretty good $1,200. Last week, 'Exclusive' (Par) (2d run) split with dual first runs 'Re- ported Missing' (U) and 'Hopalong Cassidy Rides Again' (Par), $1,000. J) air. Century (Publix-Singer) (1,600; 25- 35-40)—'Make a Wish' (RKO). Pleas- ing enough picture, but hasn't enough punch to make much of a Doxoffice impression under present conditions. Will be lucky to top light $3,500. Last week, 'Love Under Fire; (20th), $5,000. Fair. Minnesota (Publix-Singer) (4,200; 'Wife, Doctor and Nurse' Cast names and title luring some feminine trade. However, film not sufficiently outstanding to get much of a play at 55c. after 5 p.m. "?,,*°W3rd light $7,500. Last PoSr' ^^^sity Show' (FN), $8,000. 25Wo!'"*.r..^P"^l'''-Si'figer) (2,890; Rain:*^^ ?'e City' (MG). Tracy- inpr ^^"^}^° exercising some pull- ing power, but critics and customers have been only lukewarm toward this one and it's not clicking on all cylmders. Fair $7,000 in prospect for eight days. Last week, 'That Certain Woman' (FN), $6,000 for eight days. Mild. Two eight-day runs get house back from Wednesday to Friday opening for Waring. State (Publix-Singer) (2,300; 25- 40)—'Devil Is Driving' (Col) and ■Lady Escapes' (20th), Dual bill going along at moderate $2,800 clip. Last week, 'Marry the Girl' (WB) and 'London by Night' (MG), dual bill, $3,000. Fairly good. Time (Berger) (290; 15-25)—'Face on Barroom Floor' (revival). Strik- ing theatre front display bringing in some customers, but not enough. Will be lucky to reach poor $500 and last out week. Last week, 'Rain' (revival), $600, Light, Uptown (Publix) (1,200; 25-35)— 'Artiste and Models' (Par), First riabe showing. Good $3,000 indi- cated. Last week, 'Toast of New York' (RKO), $2,500, Light. World "(Steffes) (350; 25-35-40)— 'Janosifc' (Foreign). Light $1,000 in prospect. Last week, 'Fire Over England' (UA), $1,600, Mild, Bowes Ams., With 'Confession Big At in Buffalo Buffalo, Oct, 5. Takings here seem to have leveled off currently, although the Bowes Anniversary Ams are topflight at the Buffalo. Whether it's the show or the public yen for flesh the fact re- mains that the ticket machines are being kept hot, 'City' at the Lakes held over after a rousing first week. Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Shea) (3,600; 30r40-50)— 'Confession' (WB) and Bowes imit. Week-end business was tops and gross should go to smash $20,000. Last week 'Vogues Of 1938' (UA) bogged down and failed to reach ex- pected figures. Fair $12,500. Century (Shea) (3,400; 25-35)— ■'Lives of a Bengal Lancer' (reissue) (Par), House seems to be up in run- ning again with perhaps neat $7,500 this stanza. Last week 'Bad Guy' (MG) and *Blonde Trouble' (Par) jumped into winning column with excellent $8,000. Great Lakes (Shea) (3,400; 30-50) —'Big City'- (MG) (2nd week). Holdover for this with perhaps $7,- 500 indicated. Last week jumped into lead at outset and drove up to swell $15,000. Hipp (Shea) (2,400; 25-40)—'Wife, Doctor and ,Nurse' (20th). Nice business indicated. Probably ovef- $8,000. Last week TThin Ice' (20i)i) (2nd run), return for this spelled fair .$6,800. Lafayette (Shea) (3,400; 25-35)— 'Gangway' (GB) and 'Small Town Boy' (GN).( Running along evenly to probably $6,500. Last week 'Girl Said No' (GN) and 'Armored Car' (U), came in with satisfactory $6,800. m OK $15,000, K. C, 'ZOLA' UG Kansas City, Oct. 5. First rate film fare about the stem currently and it's about time the pic exhibs got a break. However, biz is spotty. Openings not so forte, and with Tonri Mix circus moving in for two-day stand Monday, first part of week is sure to feel the pressure. Wickets twisted more tunefully Sunday. 'Zola' drew a terrific press and while it's doing good biz, Mainstreet is following the Midland's 'Big City,' Estimates for This Week Fox (Fox) (2,200; 35-40)—'Chan on Broadway' (20th) and vaude. with Little Jack Little band. House kicked out 25c. mats for this engagement. Got a light opening but built over Sunday. Experience has been that name stuff builds steadily during week here, Look for fair $11,000. Last week 'Wife. Doctor and Nurse' (20th), okay, $10,000. Mainstreet (RKO) (3,200; 25-40)— 'Zola' (WB). May be a dark-horse but doesn't indicate better than $11,000, fair. Last week, 'Double or Nothing' (Par) and 'Sophie Lang' (Par) took so-so $9,500. Midland (Loew) (4,000; 25-40)— 'Big City' (MG) and 'All Yours' (Col). Press actually gave second feature a send-off and that's some- thing in this burg. Looks fine for $15,000. Last week 'Zenda' (UA) and 'Bad Guy' (MG), okay, $12,000. Newman (Par) (1,900; 25-40)— ♦Double or Nothing' (Par) (2d run) ^d March of Time. Top half of last week's Mainstreet bill moved here. Augurs, $4,500, oke. Last week 'Life of Party' (RKO) and 'She's no Lady' (Par), $5,000. fair. Uptown (Fox) (2,020; 25-40)—'100 Men and Girl' (U). Pic goes into second week here after initial show- ing at Fox, Did fairish downtown biz and in first week at Uptown did good $4,600. This week looks nice at $3,500. 'COLLEGE' BET IND.CJ21 Washington. Oct. 5. Things are looking up this week and if nobody's rolling in grosses it's because everybody's sharing them. Capitol is easy leader with 'Life Begins College' and plenty bal- ly on stage revue featuring mass Big Apple hoofing. Estimates for This Week Capitol .(Loew) (3,424; 35-66)— 'Life Begins In College' (20th) and vaude. No-name Big Apple revue helping to lead town with oke $21,000, Last week 'Something To Sing About' (GN) and Bob Crosby Orch floppo $15,000, Columbia (Loew). (1,583; 25-40)— 'Stella Dallas' (UA) (2d run). Pix got only one week up street at Palace and caught patrons unawares. Looks like big $6,300 in return stay. Last week 'Thin Ice' (20th) (2d run) took nice $5,800, Earle (WB) (2,244; 35-66)—'That Certain Woriian' (WB) and vaude. Xavier Cugat on stage and Bette Davis new offering. unable to pull over fair $16,500, Last week 'Souls At Sea' (Par) and Ina Ray Hutton led town with good $19,500. Keith's (RKO) (1,830; 35-55)— •Vogues of 1938' (UA), Sock cam- paign got opening that should bring big $11,000, although short of hopes. Last week '100 Men and Girl' (U) (3d week) took nice $7,000. Met (WB) (1,853; 25-40)—'Bulldog Drummond Comes Back' (Par). Mysteries favorite in house and Bar- rymore name should help it to oke $4,500. Last week 'They Won't For- get' (WB) same figure. Palace (Loew) (2,363; 35-55)— 'Dead End' iUA) (2d week). Should stand up to fair $7,000. Last week same pic collected under-average $14,000. Providence St9l Jinxed; 'End' 15G, Others Way Off Providence, Oct. 5. This looks like another poor week, the third in a row for exhibs, and there are no ^libis as theatre men are at a loss as to the whys and wherefors. Picture product is oke in three spots. At, the other stands it's just so-so. Tl)e bills include one holdover, 'Varsity Show' and a re- vival, 'Naughty' Marietta.' Loew's with a twin bill topped by 'Dead End' leading with 'Wife, Doctor and Nurse,' also on double bill, at Majestic set for second honors. Strand, the trailer, yanked 'Gangway' and 'Such a Night' yester- day (4) after a very bad five day showing, 'High, Wide and Hand- some' brought in as replacement. 'Life, of Party' and 'Flight from Glory' at Albee among the leaders. Empire, which only recently joined the first-run pack, is supplementing vaudeville with revival of 'Naughty Marietta,' and all things considered the going is pretty good. Fay's, second combo house in town, ahead with 'Back in Circulation.' Estimates for This Week Aibee (RKO) (2,200; 25-35-50)— 'Life of Party' (RKO) and 'Flight from Glory' (RKO); if opposish wasn't so tough house would have surely come further afield. However, anticipated $7,500 is oke for this stand. Last week 'Toast of New York' (RKO) and 'Forty Naughty Girls* (RKO) suffered with the rest of them, grossing a tepid $6,900. Carlton (Fay-Loew's) (1,400; 25- 35-50)—'Varsity Show' (WB); off to poor start on a holdover. Not much more than $3,000 in. prospect; off. Last week 'Prisoner of Zenda' (UA) and 'Women Men Marry' (MG) was ditto. Empire (Indie) (1,600; 25-35-50)— 'Naughty Marietta' (MG) and vaude with Stepin Fetchit in personal. Whether it's the picture or the vaude that's doing the trick is hai'd to tell, but $6,000 is good coin if pace keeps up. Last week 'It Can't Last For- ever' (Col) and vaude was oke at $6,600. Fay's (2,000; 25-35-50)—'Back in Circulation' (WB) and vaude, The going is better than it has been, but it's still not hitting on all six. Maybe $6,800; just fair. Last week '100 Men 'Zola' 29G Has 'Em Singing in Philly; Tours,' with LaRueBarnett ML 18G and Girl' (U) on holdover was poor at $5,100. Loew's State (3,200; 25-35-50)— 'Dead End' (UA) and 'Dear Miss Aldrich' (MG). Best bet . in town; should come well in the nabe of $15,000, great. Last week 'Big City' (MG) and 'Girl Said No' (GN) was among the many disappointers with a so-so $10,300, MaJesHc (Fay) (2,200; 25-35-50)— 'Wife, Doctor and Nurse' (20th) and 'Charlie Chan on Broadway' (20th); this one should bring in the. coin; woman's show and that counts in these parts; house looks for $9,500 at least; swell. Last week 'Varsity Show' (WB) n.s,g. at $6,600, Strand (Ihdie) (2,200: 25-35-50)— 'Gartgway* (GB) and 'Such a Night' (Par); house took it ,on the chin with this one; yanked Monday (4) with only $4,00() to show for five-day run. 'High, Wide and Handsome' (Par) in today (5) for ninerday run. Last week 'Souls at Sea' (Par) on a single bill netted a swell $12;000 leading • the town by comfortable margin. Benny Goodnum Swings 'Salute' To 20G in Balto. Baltimore, Oct. 5. Benny Goodman is in town apd he's keeping the turnstiles of the combo Hippodrome clicking in merry style to ring up socko $20,000 for the show that includes 'Annapolis Sa- lute'. (RKO). Doing five a day and six on Saturday the swingster set a new house high for Sunday business, 'Dead End' (UA) at Loew's Century is building nicely to an indicated $13,500, Estimates f«r Thld Week Century (UA-Loew5s) (3,000; li5- 25-35-40-55) — 'Dead End' (UA) building in nice style after fairly steady week-end to. $13,500. Last week 'Topper' held up to okay $12,200, Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,200; 15-25-35-40-55-66) — 'Annapolis Sa- lute' (RKO) and because of p,a, of Benny Goodman and band, crashing $20,000. Last week 'Something to Sing About' (GN) and vaude, $12,- 600, Keith's (Schanberger) (2,500; 15- 25-35-40-55)—'High, Wide and Hand- some' (Par) opening supper show tonight (Tues), Last week winding up 11 playing days for 'Double or Nothing' (Par) totaled $12,800. New (Mechanic) (1,400; 15-25-30- 40-55)—'Life Begins at College' (20th) open tomorrow (Wed). Last week, second of 'Wife, Doctor and Nurse' (20th) continued profit at $3,- 700 after excellent first session to $5 300 Stanley (WB) (3,450: 15-25-30-40- 55)—'Certain Woman' (WB). Off to good opening, but dropping down to mild $8,000. Last week, second of 'Souls at Sea' (Par) held up well to $7,400 after hey-hey opener to $14,000. G-Man Oswald C. L. Oswald, for many years in charge of Paramount's department of investigation at the home office, was made an active member of the International Ass'n. for Identifica- tion during the past week at the 23rd annual convention of the or- ganization in Washington. The as- sociation operates under the guid- ance of J. Edgar Hoover, head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the Department of Justice. For some years Oswald has been a. member of the International As- sociation of Chiefs of Police, LIFT FOE NICHOIIS Hollywood, Oct. 5, George Nichblls, Jr., has been upped to a producer-director berth at Republic and is looking over scripts to decide what is to be his first story. His work on 'Portia on Trial/ which he directed, brought him the new post. Fred Stanley's Prod. Break Hollywood, Oct. 5. With George Brown, from New Yorlc, taking over the guidance of Columbia's publicity department, Fred Stanley, former head, remains with Columbia. Stanley will be assigned to a pro- duction post. Philadelphia, Oct. 5. Philly wiping the tears away this week With biz In the' cushy classi- fication although not ultra-socko. After pretty punk close-out last week, things started sudden spurt Friday night (1) that held up to make the weekend worthy of re- joicing. Principal rejoicing, however, con- fined to the Boyd, where 'Zola' (WB) is whamming along niftily to crack a record mebbe at $29,500 for the week ending today. Pic opened strong right and should have rto trouble at all for at least three weeks. . Ritz Brothers in 'Life Begins at College' (20th) making life a little more velvety at the Fox this week with a very nice $19,000 after 'That Certain Woman' (WB) left it On the punk side of the ledger with a mere $13,200, Stanley in its second week of dumps now with 'Big City' (MG), which just isn't making anything for anybody at $11,000, Estimates for This Week Aldine (1,200; 40-55-75)—'Dead End' (UA) (3d week). Profitable $9,000. Did $11,800 last wsek. Strong enuff for another week if necieSsary, but being pushed by new U.A. product, so goes out tomorrow for 'Prisoner of Zenda.' Arcadia (600; 35-40-50)—'Good Earth' (WB). Brought, in yesterday and may hit $2,000, hot much velvet. 'Star Is Born' (UA) re-lssue waS jumped in Thursday when lack of new product left nothing else, but had to be pulled in four days. Did punk $600. 'Under the Red Robe' (20th) scraped bottom with only $600 for six days. First run, too. Boyd (2,400; 40-55-65)—'Zola' (WB), Sockarooing at $29,500. 'Lost Horizon' (Col) (2d. week) disap- pointed last week with only $8,600. Earle (3,000; 25-40-56)—'It's All Yours' (Col) with Jack LaRue and Vince Bamett in fiesh. Very mediocre in comparison with recent weeks at $18,000. Last week, 'Life of Party' (RKO) and Mai Hallett band did fair $21,200. Fox (2,300; 40-55-65)—'Life Be- gins at College' (20th). Doing very nicely with $19,000. Last week, 'That Certain Woman' (WB) not up to par at $13,200. Karlton (1,100: 40-50)—'Lost Hori- zon' (Col) (2d run). Good at $5,500, '100 Men' (U) last week clicked off nifty $6,100 for second run. Keith's (2,400; 40-50)—'Wife, Doc- tor' (20th) (2d run). Just so-so at $4,400. 'Stella Dallas' (UA) (2d run) did much better last week with profitable $5,800. Stanley (3,000: 40-55-65)—'Big City' (MG). Not helping this house out of its recent doldrums with punkaroo $11,000. Week-end found it caught between 'Zola' and Rltz Brothers without anything strong. •High, Wide' (Par) failed to show anything last week and was unsat- isfactory at $13,500. Stanton (1,700- 30-40-50)—'Bull- dog Drummond Comes Back' (Par). Average in this action house with $5,500. 'Back in Circulation' (WB) a little better than usual Ihst week for a good $6,700 in eight days, Sheekman Bows As Director on Sten Pic Hollywood, Oct. 5, Arthur Sheekman, writer, draws his initial directorial assignment in 'With Pleasure, Madame,' Ann Slcn starrer for Grand National. Dr. Eugen Frenke produces from script by Hans Kraly and Albert J. (johen. Hopping Up 'Marco' ■ Hollywood, Oct. 5. Extensive advertising and ex- ploitation campaign is being wor'.:cd out at United Artists for Sa-riuel Goldwyn's 'The Adventures of Mcrco Polo,' with Ed Churchill ol the Donahue & Coe agency huddling at the studio since his arrival here last Saturday (2). Ben Washer. Goldwyn's New York publicity head, also arrived for the confabs. Mayer's Irish Protege Hollywood, Oct. 5, Greer Carson, Irish player dis- covered by Metro talent scoiiLs in England and signed by Louis B. Mayer to a term ticket, will soon be at the studio to start work. Carson currently is in the ca.st of Gilbert Millor'.«< 'Old Mii.sic' at the St. James, London.