Variety (Jun 1938)

10 VARIETY PICTURE GROSSIBS Weilnesdajt June 1, 19.')8 'Murder-CaOoway,'Robin'Each lia Getting Most Out of Crippled Mpls. Minneapolis, ay 31. Holiday exodus to the state's nu- merous lake resorts by' flshermen and others, Minneapolis-St. Paul A.A. league baseball games that pro- vided tough opposition and real es- tate tax payments that must be met before June 1 are aggravating the depression that has been denting tlieatre grosses lot* several months. Exteptionally strong shows like •Robin Hood,' Cab Calloway in per- Boh and 'Jezebel' are pulling ^okay trade, but even their takings leave much to be desired and are far un- der what the figures would be in more hormar times. For the others it's the toughest sort of going. EsUmatcs for This Wttk Aster (Par-Singer) (9(KI^1^5-25)-- •Condemned Women' (RKO) and •Goodbye Broadway' (U), dual flrst- runs, split with 'Love, Honor and Behave*^ (WB) and tTorchy Blane m Panama* (WB).-also dual flrst-iuins Looks like pretty good »1.4<». Bast week, 'Louis Pasteur' (WB) (re- issue) and;'Start Cheering* (Col), first-run, dual, split with Trip to Paris' (20tK) and 'Call of Yukon' (Rep), dual first runs, fair $1,200. Centory (Par-Singer) (1,600; 25- 35-55)-^'Jezebel' (WB) (2d week). Moved here from State, .skidding after good initial week; mild $3,500 in prospect. Last week, 'Fools for Scandaf (WB), bad *2.800. Minnesota (Par-Singer) (4,200; 25- 35-55) — 'Cocoanut Grove' (Par). WelMiked picture, faring well at hands of critics iand customers; but tough opposition and other • adverse factors, including 55c scale after-5 p.m., too much of a boxoffice handi-. cap and theatre is going into _new low ground; may not top pathetic $3,000. Last week,: 'Vivacious Lady' (RKO), $4,800, bad. Orphenra (Par-Singer) (2,890; 35- 40-55)— 'Sliglit Case of Murder' (WB), with Cab CaUoway and revue on stage. Lots of good entertainment for little money, but the depression is being felt; lucky to Teach lair $11,000. Last week. 'Marco. Polo (UA), $7,600, led town and pretty good. Stoto (Par-Singer) (2.300; 25-35- B5)—'Robin Hood' (WB). Raves all arOund and should build; believed headed lor fine $11,000. Last week, •Jezebel' (WB), fair enough $7,000. Time (Berger) (290; 15-25)—'Mari- huana' (Esper) (2d run) (4th week). Sensational exploitation and timeli- ness selling tlnis. one; will wind up ■with fair $500. Last week, okay $800. ■ Uptown (Par) (1,200; 25-35)-^ 'Ciolden West' (M-G). First neigh- borhood showing; pretty good $2,800 indicated. Last week, 'Sunnybrook Farm* (20th), fair $2,500. World (Steffes) (350; 25-35-40-55) —'Der Bettel Student* (German). Not well. received and flopping de- spite heavy newspaper advertising campaign; German-made pictures no dice here; poor $500 in prospect Last week, 'Storm in Teacup' (OA); lijght $800. KOBIN'$9,000, SEATTLE; WAPPED' OK $6,000 (850; 32-37-42)—'Dr. R^•y^hnf!; (P^'] and 'Hardy's Children' (M-G )^ dual (2d run). Looking for fair $2,800 for nine days. La.',t week, !Joy of Living' (RKO) and 'Island in Sky (20th), dual, five days, slow $1,600. : Orplieam (Hamrick-Evergreen) (2 60O; 32-37-42)—'Kentucky Moon- shine* (20th) and 'Crime of Dr.-Hal- let* (U), dual. Indicated fair $4,500, Last week, 'Four Men and Prayer (20th) and Thrill of Lifetime' (Par); dual, poor $3,000. Palbmar (Sterling) (1,350; 10-27- 37)—'Kid Ck)mes Back' (WB) and 'Invisible Enemy* (Rep), dual, with Ben "Turpin in person. Heading for okay $4,000. Last week, 'Night Spot' (RKO) and Bowes unit on stage, $4,- 700; good but below Bowes average. Faramonnt (Hamrick-Evergreen) (3,049; 32-27-42)—'Kidnapped' I20th) and 'Go Chase Yourself (RKO), dual. Likely pleasing $6,000. Last week, 'Dr. Rhythm' (Par) and 'Hardy's Children' (M-G), dual, held 11 days, okay $7,200. Bookevelt (Sterling) (800; 21-32)— 'Mad About Music* (U) and 'Slight Case of Murder' (WB), dual. Antic- ipates slow $1,700.- Last week (16- 27), 'Call of Yukon* (U) and 'Drum- mond's Peril* (Par), dual, four days of ^ohd week, slow $1,0 MNSHINr 8G, INDPLS.; 'CRIME SCHOOLr$7,500 Indianapolis, May 31. 'Kentucky Moorishi ' is out in front among the first-runs with a siibstantial take at the Circle, Svhile 'Crime School' and vaude at the combo Lyric are also, perking along moderately well. 'Holiday' at Loew's is faring only mildly. Estinutes for Tliis Apollo (Katz-bolle) (1,1 ; 25-30- 40)—'Robin Hood' (WB).. oved over from Circle for a second run. Doing dandy biz at $5,200. Last week, move- over of 'Vivacious Lady' (RKO) and 'Goodbye Broadway' (U) okay at $3,500, Circle (Katz-Dolle) (2,800; 25-30- 40)—'Kentucky Moonshine' (20th) 'One Wild Night* (20th). Take indi- cates $8,000, prosperous. Last week, 'Robin Hood' (WB), $10,500, best in many months. Lbew;s (Loew's) (2,400; 25-30-40— Holiday* (Col) and .'Action for Slan- der* (Col). ; Only fair $6,000. Last week, 'Yellow Jack' (M-G) and 'Hold That Kiss' (M-G), $6,500. Lyric (Cjlson) (2.0()0: 25-r30-.40)^ Crime School' (WB) and 'Waikiki Nigtits* revue on stage. Former given: credit for slight ascent in house gross to $7,500, fair. Last week, 'Sinners in Paradise' ( ) and vaude^ $6,600, lukewarm. (Continued from page 1) yachts and provisions for disem- barking visiting yatchsnien at the box-oftlce provided. Tie with rail- roads to sell theatre tickets in New York and Boston are being dis- cussed; . . Murvyn W. Vye, Jr., heads up the enterprise and will, be the producer. General manager is J. Edward Shugrue. William Cowen will direct and John Koenig is scenic designer. Permanent company conisistihg of all Equity cast has been quietly picked and is already .filled. Members are Norma Chambers, William Cham- bers, Howard Ferguson, Uta Hagen, Philip Ober, Ethel Morrison, Esther Mitchell, George Nash, Sydna Scott, Ivan Triesault and J. P. Wilson. First season planned from July 1 to Sept.. 3. Theatre is not on same site as for- mer Falmouth strawhat which burned down. tASTir-'SAINT' 12G, RTTZES $9,000, PROV. Seattle, May 31. Memorial Day fotirid new bills at Paramount, with 'Kidnapped', follow- ing the 11-day run of 'Dr. Rhythm,' which moved yesterday for an ex- tended run at the M. B. Threaten-, in*; weather over the double holiday failed to help show biz. Barnes' cir- cus and big baseball crowds hurt, Estimates far This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick-Evergreen) '850; 32-37-42)—'Vivacious Lady (RKO) and 'Stolen Heaven* (Par) dual (2d run). Looking for poor $1,800. Last week, 'Te.st Pilot' (M-G) six days of fifth week, winding up great run, fair $1,600. Coilseam (Hamrick-Evergreen) (1,950; 21-32)—'Rebecca' (20th) and •Dangerous to Know* (Par), dual, six days. Indicated sad $2,000. Last xvcek, 'Bie Broadcast' (Par) and •Love on Rudget' (20th), dual, three days, sDlit with 'Sally. Irene and Mary* (iZOth). and 'Merrily We Live* (M-G), dual, ten-day week, bad $2 400 Colonial (Sterlina) (800: 10-21)— 'Singing Cowboy' (Rep), and 'Niim bcred Woman* (Mono), dual, spli with'Breakfast for Two' (RKO) and •Courase of West' (U), dual. Exoects fair $1,600. Last weeic, They Won't Foreet* (WB) and "Dinner at Ritz' (20th), dual, split with 'Female Fug itive* (Mono), and 'Thunder Trail' (Par), dual, fair S1.500. Firth Avenne (Himrick-Ever^reen) (2.366; 32-37-42)—'Robin Hood' (WB) solo. Headed for huae $9,000. Last week. 'Vivaciioiis Lady' (RKO) and 'Stolen Heaven' (Par), dual, slow $5.ono. Libertv M-vH) a.eOO: 21-32-421— •Holiday' (Col) .solo. Leading fo fair $*500. Last week. 'Man> CasJIe' (Col) n"rt 'KTa'in'Event' (Col), dual, fairish .S3.fi00. ^ .. Music Box riclt-Evergretin) Lusty Takes Off Hollywood, May 31. Lou Lusty rolled 'The Affairs of Annabel' last week, his first picture as a producer at RKO. Screenplay by Eert Granet and Paul Yawitz is from an original by Charles Hoffman. Cast includes Jack Oakie and Lucille Ball. Providence, ay-31. Revival of'Man's Castle'.at Loew's looks like -week's bright spot. Stiand's bix picking lip with 'Stolen Heaven.*^ 'Robin Hood^ shifted from Majestic to Carltoii for. third week and still going strong, Ma.lestic looking for good week, with 'Ken- tucky MOonisnine.' Estimates' for .This Week Carlton (Fay-Loew) (1,400; 25-35- 50)—'Robin Hood* (WB) (3d week). Heading for capacity $5,000. Last w«ek, 'Monte Cristo' (UA) and 'Cover WaterfrOnf (UA), no so hot $3,000. Fay's (2,000: 25-35-50)-:'Torchy Blane in Pahaitia' (WB) and vaude oh stage. So^so $5,000. Last week, 'Women Are LikeThat* (WB) and Bowes unit came through with neat $6,500. . Loew'si . State (3,200; 25-35t50)— 'Man's Castle* (Col) (reissue) and 'Saint in New York* (RKO). At tracting. customers for juicy $12,000. Last week, 'Yellow Jack' (M-G) and 'Extortion' (Col) garnered better than average $10,000. Majestio (Fay) (2,300; 25-35-50)— 'Kentucky. Moonshine* (20th)' and 'Beloved Braf (WB). Looks like good show with swell $9,000 in off- ing. Last week, 'Robin Hood* (WB; (2d week), worked for okay $7,000. Strand (Indie: (r,200; 25-35-50)— 'Stolen Heaven* (Par) , and 'Prison Nurse' (Rep). Better than average shown here, lately and heading for pickup $6,000. Last week 'Dr. Rhythm' (Par) and 'Bat 20' (Par) helped for swell $7,200. GIVING SHOKTS THE BUSH Hollywood, May 31, Jack Chertok. -will clean up his early summer shorts production slate at Metro by sending four be fore the cameras-by the etid of this week. First to go is 'Mona Lisa,' followed by 'Marshal Ney,* 'The Free Wheelinig Newt' and 'Sea Gulls of Salt Lake- Crane Wilbur has been assigned to write and direct two historical Technicolor shorts at' Warners. 'Democracy' will trace that subject from Thomas Jefferson's time to the present,, and 'American Cavalcade' will deal with highlights of history. Inside Stuffr-Pictures Lbeatioii epidemic at 20th-Fox, with erews touring the-country in qiie.st of outdoor shots, has caused a shaip uptiirn in the railroad business, Otio Brower an4 gang are on their way back from Indianapolis where they filmed backgrounds at the MemOrisi Day auto facei. Advance guard of the 'Five of a Kind- troupe is in Callander, pht,, with the rest treliking June 7, Another crew Is headed for the Ozark mountain district to spot sitei for 'Jesse James,' Still another is ready to s rt toward the'Atlantic sea- board fbr'Splinter Jleet* scenes. In the last three weeks three units have been working in widely se.p- arated sectors: iii New York for ' His Island,* in Arizona and soulhei California for 'Suez,* and in the Blue Grass country for 'Kentucky.' Grand National is establLshing some sort of a record Idr horse operas i the pToduction of 'Rollin' Plains,' which is rollin' in six different spots st the same time, Tex Ritter lifiusical is using three, exterior locations at Neivhall, ChatsworOi aiid Balteisfield. Indoor work is being done at Grand National, Talisman and International Sound Recording studios. AL. Herman is directing, here and there; Frank H. ( ick) Ricketson, Jr., head ot the Fox-West Coast Inter- Mountain theatres, wrote.a manual for the 1937 convention of his man-' agOrs; which was a digest of theatr niethods ahd management. Thoug intended only for his. own chain, the manual proved so useful that olher division heads and many independent operators begged for copies. A second limited edition was run off, but this proved to be tOo small, .so Ricketson amplified his manual to cover practically any operation, and Uie book, 370 pages and index, has b^en published by McGraw-Hill ($3.50) Under the title, 'The Manageinent of Motion Picture Theatres.* Ricketson has been a. theatre operator for years. It Is about the first book to present a thoroughly practical survey of all phases of management, and should pirove invaluable to. the student manager,-and'there are fe\ actiye managers.who cannot get some valuable hints from the volume. Incidentally,"Ricketson is originator and one of the. owners of the bank nite idea (with Charles U. Yaeger .of Denver) but this; Is not mentioned in the book, though nearly three pages are. devoted to bingo and its kindred games. Diplomatic trouble, between-flacks and stars at a-major stjudio was dis- closied by this order, issued by a.-publicily exer to. his staff: 'When you want xed apple shots of our stars posed -with visiting firemen hereafter, arrange these pictures directly- \yith the stars. have re- ceived squawks from three important personalities who. resent your .send- ing office boys down witli orchestra leaders, Australian, tourists and what- haye-you; ith reqiiests for speciially-poised stills. Players re.sent 'this treatment, In the future when favors ar^ to be asked of the s , stir your courage> and do it yourself.' Sudden feud between a syndicate film, reporter and a major studio, has stretched-across the Atliantic,'all because the location of the scrivener'a Annie Oakleys for the preview of 'Alexander's Ragtinie Band* \vas not in keeping with his dignity. Unappeased by apologies fr(5m the studio, pub- licity department,, the scribe vented his >vralh by .covering: the preview in informal garb. Still enraged, he cabled a protest to Harry Brand, vaca- tioning in London. .Furthermore, he informed .Brand, also via cable at so much per word, that he was mad at Darryl Zanuck and would ignore the studio' from now oh. Warners .is up against a diplomatic problem, something like the State Department feels when a foreign big shot demands a better spot at the banquet table than .some other foreign big. shot, James Cagney has a contract calling for top billing in all his pictures. Sam and Bela Spewack, authors of ,'Boy Mieets Girl,' in ich Cagney will star, are pacted for the same sort of billing. It is . up to the Warners'- diplomatic corps to unscramble the situation. Paramount no longer will be able to hOast of famous four-name combi- nation of Cecil B. DeMille, Ernst Lubitsch, Marlene. t>ietTich and Gary Coo r in foreign .field .as a result of dropping last three. Cancellation meter on all mail for years registered: 'Paraihount gives you De ille, Lubitsch, Dietrich and Cooper.* Same angle was plugged by foreign sales- men, it is understood. Far has DeMille left. He makes one feature annually. Frisco frisky; 'Lady-Vaude $19,000, 'Kidnapped'-'Rascals ISG, Hepburn 9G San Francisco, May 31. Leader on the street this week is 'Vivacious Lady,' getting an excelr lent reception at the Golden Gate theatre^ 'Kidnapped' and 'Rascals,' at tiie Fox, are biiilding.' Warm weaither and the first holiday of the weekend anything but a help. EsUmates (or This Week Embassy (Cohen) (1,512; 25-40)— 'Saleslady' (Mono) and .'King of the Newsboys' (Rep). Just coasting along at $3,500. 'Scarlet Pimpernel' (UA) and 'M'y. Old Kentucky Home' (Mono) yanked after three days of pitiful biz. Last week 'Call of the Yukon' (Rep) and 'Arson. Racket Squad' (Rep) finished'to fair- ish $3,300. Fax (F-WC) (5.000: 35-55-75)— 'Kidnapped' (20th) arid 'Rascals' (20t(i), Gross up to nice $18,000. La.sf week l2d)'. 'Robin Hood' (V/B) and 'Hardy's Children' (M-G), hand- some $16,000, Golden Gate (RKO) (2.8,50: 35-55)- 'Vivacious Lady' (RKO) aiid vaude- ville. Expect to do around $19,000. v,.';. Last week,'Blind Alibi' (RKO) and Jackie Coogan oil stage, siitis-^ factor.-/ $14,000. Orpheuro (F&M) (2,440; 35-55)-^ 'Holiday* (Col). Dropping second feature this week in favor of two reel Technicolor musical, cartoon and liewsreei; no more than $9,000, way below expectations. Last week, 'Devil's Party' (U) and 'Flight Into Nowhere' (Col), slipped below bad $6,000. Faramonnt (F-WC) (2,740: 35-55 75)—'Robin Hood' (WB) and 'Hardy's Children' (M-G) (2d run). Should do colorful $12,000. Last week, 'Over the Wall' (WB) and 'Women Are Like That' (WB), bad $10,500. St. Francis (F-WC) (1,470; 35-55- 75)—'Cocoanut Grove' (Par) and -In terna-ional Crime' (GN) (2d week). Hope to reach $3,56(). Last week (3d). 'Kentucky Moonshine' l20th) and 'A Trip to Paris' (,20th), good $4,400. . United Artists (Cohen) (1,200; 35- 55-65)—'Marco Polo' (UA) : (3d week). May «lo around $7,.'j0O, .Last week got $9,300, much better than expected. Warfleld (F-WC) (2.680: 35^55-75) —'Yellow Jack' (M-G) and 'Hold That Kiss' (iVl-G). Not a humdin«er. but better than last week at $12,000, La.st week, 'Cocoamit Grove' (Par) and 'Drummond's Peril' (.Par) did sour $0,000. W^st Coast Sound Studios. Inc.. a New 'York corporation, has increased its capital stock from 2,250 shares, l,50O preferred, $10 par value, and 750 common, no par value,, to 5,000 shares, 1,500 preferred; $10 par value, arid 3,500 common, no par value. Papers -this, effect were -fiied with th« Secretary of State at Albany by Hays, oif, Kaufman jc'Schwabacher, 30 Broad street, N. Y. C. A lot of people were drawn to New York for the War Admiral-Seabiscuit' race, which was called off after niimeroiis visitors, including film people, had gotten in. Others had made reservations and had to cancel ihern, while in some cases film folks had arranged for vacations that would include the Decoration Day race. Some had planned to take in both the Ross-Armstrong fight and the race. Lora Hays, wife of Jean Lenauer. arty film distributor-exhi . who operates the Filmarte, N. Y„ has produced a short titled 'Datelines.' Con- sists of dramatized human interest, stories using film actors Lora Hays is the daughter of Arthur Garfield Hays, liberal attorney. Short which opened at the Filmarte yesterday (31) was directed by Julian Roftmairi. arriers* 'Crime School' is a 'B' picture doing 'A* bus brought in for only $250,000. Jam Handy, commerci Im oiitfit ot Detroit, is currently shooting for. an tinnamed sales organization an industrial film on showmanshi Based on Zerin Kaufman's book, 'Showmaiiship in. Business.' Latter seven editions. oie Tnngle Hollywood, ay 31. Paramount plans to inject. addi- tional romantic interest in its jungle picture, 'BOlo,' to be produced ' Malay by.Clyde E. Elliott. i week at 20th-Fox with the Ritz The studio is on the hunt for a i heading the cast fenvne for additional scenes with Delayed getaway was (jauf Colin Ta pley, male lead. last-minule script changes. Jes' Ain't SingiTi^o Mo' ~ Hollywood,. Mav 31 Off to the Races ollywoodi May After a -delayed start, tvaight. Place and Show* got. under way last ros. With two- -singing cowboys under contract, Monogram will tu'vh Jack Randall iiito a non-.warbliiig he- en and.let Tex Ritter do all the vocal- izing. Randall will be fealmcd .series of eight hor.-ie dnifnas Ritter will play the lead in musical westerns. FOY'S ENCORE CRmER Hollywood; May 31; j Bryan Foy has been a.ssignod b,-y j Wniners to pro(luce. 'Hells Kitchen,* tecilurin.g Humphrey Bogart and the ■Cl ime School' kids, hea(led' hy Bob- l.y .lordan, illy Hallcip and Leo ' Goi-ccy. 'alt Page has the femme lea