Variety (Jul 1938)

yfeiMsimjf July IS, 1938 PICTURE GROSSES VAR/ETV Chi Heat No Crimp to Raye P. A. 35G, •Seven Seas^ Pix- 'mm mm Chicago, July 12. In the midst of the lipttest thei- «nm«ter spell of the season thea- Cefucking strong Alms are merely in.rkin« time. On the other hand, T, houses which are billing en tcr- tafnment to the liking of the public anSing that the heat is no bar- J"r to gofld boxoffice results. Two outstanding currently are the Chicago; with Martha Raye on the Stage and on the screen in 'Trop'C H»fiday; and the Palace, with 'Hav- Ing Wonderful Time on the screen and the Boyale-FroUcs Cafe show la. the rostrum. Last named show , js getting real coin for the house. United Artists and Roosevelt ooened with hew pictures Saturday iS) when their previous entries. Vord Jeff" and 'White Banners' managed to last only a single week tach Replacements indicate that the better strength of the new- comeri is in 'Port of Seven Seas, which is doing nicely^in the.UA ' Indications are that the dark Oriental will be opened by Balaban fcKatz around Aug. 1, with a return to its former vaudaim policy. How- ever, it is understood that the former tag of 75c will be clipped. , Estlmatca for This Week A»«lla (B&K) (1.200; 35^55-05)— •White Banners' (WB). Came in Saturday (9) from Roosevelt and will manage fair $5,000 on loop Last week, 'Blockade" Key City Grosses KsUmated T«tal Grass ThU Week.... .. .fl,n2,6M (Ba.«ed on 24 'cities, 150 thea- tres, chiefly first runs, includiii N. Y.) Total Gross Same Week Last Year... ..... |1,132,1M (Bused oil 20 cities, 135 theatres) But Move Towards Stage Shows to Relieyc Public Apathy Is Also National -^Ops Point to Visiting Firerneh. Passing Up Str.- Pix Spots in Keys- Heat Prostrates Broadway Grosses; 'Wonderful Time/ $77,000, Heads List, 'AngerS^^^ UNIONS COOPERATING en coming in droves and huge $10,000 anticipated; Last week; 'Prison Farm' \Par) only fair $5,000. - . Denver (Fox) (2,525; 25-35-50)— •Rage of Paris'. (.11). Average $8,500 and moves to the Aladdin. Last week, 'Josetle' (20th), only $6,000; filial film in two months hot'to be nioved to the Aladdin for a continued run.. Orpheiim (RKb) '2.600; 25-35-40) —'Viva Villa' (M-C) and 'David Copperfield' (M-G) (both reissue). Fair $5,500 for five days to give the house Wednesday opening again. Last week. -Having Wonderful Time' (RKO) and 'Woman Agaiiist Woman' .<M-C;\ good enough at $8,500 to be nioved, to the Broadway. Paramount (Fox) (2,200: 25-40)— 'Accidents Will Happen' (WB); and 'Gold Diggers in Paris' (WB). Avier- aee $3,500. Last .week, 'Crime SchctoV (WB) and 'Sinners ini Paradise' (U). good enough at $4;500 to warrant holdover. . (UA) turned in satisfactory $6,100. . , , , , -. . _. . CU(!»c» (B&K) (4,000; 35-55.75)—i taking former film to the Rialto for •Tippic Holiday' (Par) and stage-, » week show, Martha Raye in person ac-. ,. ,v ,ri,",iV taunting fpr big chiuik of the busi- Sch(X)l y^^l Rlalt*. (Fox) (878; (2d 25-40)^'Crime run) and 'Air hess, which is topping excellent $35,000: Last week, Eddy Duchiii tircheatra finished second week in I house with 'Josette* (20th) and ■ turned in snappy $40,000. i Oarriek (B&K) (900; 35-55-65-75) . T^'Josette" (20th)'. Here for more loop ; time and will garner b'.k. $4,000. Last i week, 'Blind Mice' (20th) tucked ; •way $4,300.. • . rslana (RKO> (2,500; 35-55-65-75> •r-'Woriderful Time' (RKO) and 'Royale Frolics Revue* on stage. Strength on stage' as well as screen accounting for big lift td splendid - $21,000; will go a fortnight on pace, tut week, 'Women Are Like That' .(WB), miserable $11,100. R«M«veU (BScK) (1.500; 35-55-65- 75) — 'Women Against Woman' (M-G). Opened Saturday (9^ and getting some matinee femme trade.; thoiigh rather weak at night; will- finish around $9,000, fair. Last week. 'White Banners' (WB) fell oil: aui(:kly to $9,000, under expecta- I tions. . •■ , State-Lake (Jones) (2,700: 25-35-1 45.55)^'Gang3 of New YorV (Reo> ; and' vaude. Looks like another! standard week and $11,000 primaHly i on. picture. . Last week, 'Love, Honor. ! Behave' (WB) ducked to $10,200,' fairish. Devils' (U). Nice $1,800. Last week, •Blockade' (UA) (2d run), and 'Pa- tient in Room 18' (WB). ditto $1,800. 'ANGEL' $25,500, 'TIE' $16,000, BOSTON Boston, July 12, .'Haying Wonderful, Time' and 'Shopworn Angel,' both on dual pro- gram.s, are w. y ahead of. competing nicks this. week. Tropic Holiday,' on double bill, is dismal. 'Son of the Sheik' is playing a second-run re- vival at the Newsreel. Hub theatre closed July 6 for alterations. Opens later in season as a Trans-Lux. Estimates for Tbis Week Fenway (M&P) (1.332.25-35-40,-55) Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gro.is This Week ........ I $189,700 - (Based on 10 flieatres; Totar Gross Same Week Last ife^r... v . . . ,$263,500 (Based on 12 (licatr'es; ' Healthy $10,000, Kage' $8,500, Denver United ArUsLi (B&K-UA) (1.700: —White Banners' (WB) and 'Ras S5-.5S-65-75)—'Port of Seven Seas', cals'(20lh). double (2d run). Medium (M-G). Started Saturday (9) and i s.i.soO expected; Last week.'Josetle' On name strength is getting good ; c20th) and 'Yoii and Me' (Par), dual, play to $14,000. Last week.. 'Lord I second run. pallid $4,800. Jeff' (M-G) fell away quickly to | Keith Memorial (RKO) (2.907; 25- $11,000 on lack of midweek support. ' 4n-55t 'Having Wonderful Time' (RKO) and 'Wives Under Suspicion' (U). dual. Aiming at dandy $16,000. La.^t week. 'Always Goodbye" (20lh) and 'Romance of Limberlost' (Mono), double. 3 surprisinfly nifty combo, S16.200; MetropoliUn (MiPV (4,267; 25-35- 40-55)—'Tropic Holiday' (Par) and Prison Farni' 'Pari, double. . All damp, around- $8,000 at best. Last : week. 'Gold Digaers' (WB) and : :Ganz.s ot. N. Y.' (Rep), dual, sad I ?9.500. .. ; . .Orpheum (Loew). (2.900: 25-35-40- ; S,!)—'SHopworn Anyel' IM-G) and 1 -.Vtiins Castle' (C-l) (reissue), dual. ! rriitkiiiis toward? SH.500. Last week, i pon of Sev^n Scaj;' (M-C) and 'Fast Cimipariv' t.M-Oi. dual weak $11,000. raramoiiiit (M&P) ((.797; 25-3.5-40- .5.5 )_ While Bann-ir.s' iWB), and 'Ras- VaU" i20thi, dual (2d run). .Fair ^".SOO piomi.-;cd: La. I week. 'Jo.sette' c20lhi and "You and Me' (Par J, cli)ubl^ (2d rum. iV/./lod. $".200. Scnllay (MAP) i2..i.3B: 25-35-40-50) — J-i.-itille' i20lh I and 'You and Me (Pari rhi.il i:kl run p- 0(T al. $5,000 ■iiifj ' l.n.sl week. -Robiiv Hood" (WB) 'Thoiou^libi vl' iWB), double, i:!(J lun i. vorv jnorl .^9.400. Slale iLorvv) i.l.fiOO: 2,1-35-40-55)— • 'Sli'iDi-.orn .^n?.<>l' i M-G r and 'Mans 'Cji(U>' iC'il > > ! '. dusl. Goind ;i,-.)„-- iboiil .Ill.OOn. T,ast wopk, r'nl.if .Seven ..S(i-i.,' (M-Gl nnd'Fa.fl f >iiM),.Mv.'' I ^\.r, .. .-. n.s.h., $8,000. Denver, July 12. With real hot weather setting in and driving many people to the Hountains for vacatlorts and week- eiWs, most first-runs look likely to Wind up with merely avera.^e grosse.-!. except for 'Birth Of a Baby.' jyhich is packing the Dcnham both Tiatinees and evenings. Standouts • are numerous at the afternoon ses- ' sions, while the house is kept full at r the eyeniiig shows. Pic stays at lea.st , two weeks. I E.stiihales for This Week | Aladdin (Fox) (l.iOO; 25-40)—'Al- J'ays Goodbye' (20th). Profitable ♦♦.SOO and moves to the Rialto. La.-st week, 'Three Blind Mice' (20111) (2(1 run), nice at $3,500. Bnvidway (Fox) (1,100: 25-40)— .HaVin? Wonderful Time' (RKO > and Woman Against Woman' (M-C) 'will 2d run), Only average $2,5UU. Last week. 'Swiss Mis.s' (M-G) and .o'Uid Alibi' . (RKO) (both 2d rum. 52.500. ' jj,"*""•»•»> (Cockrill) (l,7.'il); 2.»-:;.)- W '-.'Bii th of a Baby' (Indie), V/om- Sensi(u; a growing lack of appeal of double .feature bills an(l a public apathy towariJ such artificial b.o. stimulants as games, premiums and giveaways,.showmei.) throughout the countiiy .are gettiiig bullish'on stage shows for the first time in a number of years. Enthusiasm which is developing in favor of vaudeville, stage- shows, bands,, irevues, etC;, is also based to' some extent, on a study , of the changes, that have occurred since sounii came iii 12 ycai's ago, with radio in that time hiaking such adr vahces that even in the sticks the potential. lilm-goer is conscious of the fact that his local picture' house isn't giving him the kind of enter- tainment he gets on the air. It is no secret among showmen that when, holidays occur, the the- atres in the larger keys of the coun- try that are presenting vaudeville or stage shows of any: diiscription along with films, get the majority of the play away from'the straightpicr ture houses. This is explained by the contention that when people from out of town Clime into New York, Chicago, Detroit, Boston or other cities for a holiday they are not in dined to.see just. a picture, but, in stead, choose a house that also gives 'em some vaudeville, a stage band or .some sort of flesh .as dressing. ■ The statistics show in New York, tor example, that the out-of-towners flock'to the stage show houses in preference to the istraight film pal- aces, regardless of the screen attrac- tion. Psychologists of the theatre reason that people in the hinterland, which means all parts of the country, excepting a half dozen or so keys/ are starved for the sight of stage eiitertainment. Radio has taught a large jhajority of the public to ap- preciate, the. higher type of enter- tainment, but it also has taught them that they are denied this in their local bailiwicks. Thus, in the opin- ion ot many showmen, a lot of peo- ple will prefer to listen to the radio rather than to go to a local picture house to .■»ee two Class B pictures on a dual bill. The desire for some- thing different than a clambake mu- sical and a Corney western, or a fifth- rate comedy, has had the effect ot militating agaiiist the chances of the box office. See Union.4 Co-operalinf While it has often been an (5co- nomic problem to present stage shows throughout the country on any basis comparable to what it was prior to talkers due to union de- mand.s, cost of talent, etc., it is now believed that the.se same economic, factors may favor the po.ssibililies of deals for the comjng se-i-suh en-, abling the presentation of living ar- tists 0(1 1 piolilable basis. The stage hands and mii.iician.'t, it. i.s- believed, have learned theii lc.-;.~iOn: that after fighting 'cnnnsd inu.sic' f )r 12 years —somothiiiii that co.<t unions ' mil- lions—ittnight be b3.sl to face the economic.^ of the siliialion and play a little l)jll. In Njw York; the mu- sician.s. are actually., an.xious to" do this, and. it is expected, the sta.^c Hot weather through most of.Mon- day. (11), With the weekend the cruelest so far this season for' the picture houses, put business into low and is making Broadway a colorless .sight this week.: Sunday (10) was the warmest day so far this year and the towri was deserted. Even the Music Halt took a big dip that day; although doing nicely,Saturdaiy (9). The: Hall's current 'film, 'Having Wonderful Time,' is receiving the best play in spite of : everything; about.$77,000. That Isn't smash, biit against: conditions it is satisfactory. Picture gives way tomorrow (Thursr day) after a single week to 'Algiers.' 'BILL,' KAYE RED AT $15,000 IN BLUE Pin Pittsburgh, July 12. Biz generally continues to take it on the chin here, despite moderate pick-ups ill other lines and wide talk of returning prosperity. Town's going through the worst summer in several years, with average takings ofl more than 25% over last year this time, and no sign Of immediate relief. • Nominal leader this week is Stan- ley with 'My Bill' and Sammy Kaye's band, although generally disappoint- ing just the same. H. O.'s at Alvin and Fulton. 'Three Blind Mice' and 'Rage of Paris,' just managing to hang on; reissue Of 'David (Copper- field' at Warner brutal and. nothing much.for 'Shopwoi-n Angel' at Penn. Esllmates for This Week Alvin (Harris) (1,850; 25-35-50)— 'Three Blind Mice' (20lh) (2d week). Not much niorie than, getting by. Opening' stanza's take of $6,400 wouldn't ordinarily justify a h.o;,.biJt things have been .so bad lately that management decided to let this one stick. Headed for $4,200 or there- abouts currently, nothing to write home about. Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (I.7S0; 25-40) —'Rase of Paris' (U) (2d week). Practically same situation as at Al- vin. Flicker's gettihs a lot of good woid-of-mouth and Darrieux a flock of prai.se, but they're not buying very heavily. Paced for $:t.900 on the sec- ond sessiV)n after pretty ordinary $4,- 901) ODener. ■ Penn (l.oew'.s-UA) (3..'?0n; 25-35- SO)—'Shopworn Angel' (MG)! No- tices mixed, but piai.<e for Margaret .Sullavan bubbly, Prospects just fair and will.lie luckv to como out of it with SlO'.OnO. L.i.i't wfii>l( 'While Banner;<' (WBi. so-so SIO.OOO. Stanley (WB) Ci.eOO: 2.)-40-fi0)— 'My Bill'. (WB) ii.id Sariimy Kaye's band. WhJn K^ye. h'^Ho.xt thing around Ihc.si; day<;. tari'i craci:, the .summer cleornsh. tti'-ii it is a fJcoresh and lui mis'.ako about il. Doih!; a 1)11 b^llei'.Hi.'i'i icci.'iil nkcs hcie. but $15,000 is criMi.s-m fn)- the house. Last wu'ik 'C'lcoaniil Clrovc' (Par) hands will adopt the same attitude. I •■'n(f: ('J"eKi'ii|).i's band plpnty over Various N. Y. opuratois are par- ticularly juxi-iiis to put .in vr'.iidc or sla:ie biirJ sjid-.'s this ,(;i)iniM.'4 S'Mi biciu.s-? .)i' the ci'iiuds that v.-ill pour ill ri'')in evci'.vwIiL're for the w'.ii'Id's f ill'. Tiu\S'-' sSi.owmoii ai'c in.>isteMt Hut the Fair vi.iiilors will bi aii.\i )Ms. L > s; > v;iu(li! or other livlri;; til.Mil >i'f.,;i' I loiv^ iiiul tuc- soinj livil i)iciiir.!s. Thu>, »vir);;.! .v. .Y. ripr^ralor (C'xUin'i.;-) ■ -se 10) do'.un to miscr- .-•stinvili'd. bo ;.:)li' Slii.ODO. WariiT iWBi'2.000- 2.')-,40 )—'Cop- •n-rrirld' (.VKJi !iiH 'Torchv Blane' iVVB). Miv soi.ind d:-a(h knell for I ';: ;sii.''S -n'oiind h-.;i e. Biz awful and rliiiil b;;iii-4 V''nU:'d loinorrow (13) »!lor vix (l:)ys iVi ii'Tf;" w.tv for an- Tlhri tv.'iimer. '.Saint in New. York' 'CICOi inid 'Mil'l Thru K':<' (MG). On ■il)'.)i('vi il .'.d';:;-<■')!». old ,v|"lro hit w-.in't Xi.'t'.M. I..KI. wpclc '('rjish- i-^l ii.T If illv'v.i I.I' r|{|.'O i Hifl 'Stolon M'jjvon' iP.<i''. pior Sil.-iOO! Next to the big de luxe.r in. Radio City, the best biisines.s is credited to 'Rage of Paris.' on it.s current second week at the Roxy, and 'Tropic Holi- day,' plu.s Xavier.Cugat and Frances Langford, on the wiiidup (2d) week at the: Paramount eniJing last night (Tuesday). : 'Rage', looks about $28,- 000. on the holdover, gcttin.g by. while' second lap for "Tropic Holiday' was $24,000, also niild but profitable. The re.st of the town shows scat- tering results, with some sbots away down in the dumos. 'Shopworn. Angel,' at the Capitol, look.? short of $1.8,000. very : di.sappointing, while 'My Bill.' oh it.* wqek at the. Strand ending Inst nightCtuosday ) was only around $7,500. poorest yd for a Kay Francis picture. After a counts of good weeks the secOnd-run State fiills back this week to .the lowest level in nearly five years, about $15,500 with 'Ypii and Me.' plus Ted Friomj, Three Sailors and'Virginia Verrill on tlie stage. Globe is doing okay with 'We're Going to Be Rich.' currently on hold- over and po.ssibly able to get $7,000. 'Rose of Rio Grande' isn't creating much attention at the Criterion, but may end at $({,.500 or bit better, get- ting through. . Rialto yesterday. (Tuesday) broijght. in 'Pri.son Break' after a week of 'Fast Company' at 56.200. Strand ushers in ,'Cowboy from Brooklyn' today. (Wednesday), while, the Paramount nocns 'Professor. Be- ware' and the Jimmv Dorsoy band.' Metro is. readying Ihe Astor for a twice-daily $2 run of 'Marie An- toinette,' to s'ivt the end of the month. EstlmalcA for This Week Capitol (4,520; 25-.35-55-85-$1.25)— 'Shopworn Angel' (M-G). Another disappointcr from the Metro thill, under $18,000. being, answer. Last week, 'Lord JeflT (M-G) was less than that; around $16,000. Criterion (1,GG2; 25-40-55)—'Rose of Rio Grande' (Mono). Not clicking well at $8i500 or bit better. Last week. 'Farewell to Arm.s' (Par) (re- issue) did nicely, topping $8,000. Globe (1,'274 ; 25-40-55)—'We're Going to Be Rich' (20th) (2d week). Went to an excellent $10,000 last week (tst) and on .second is likely to hold to $7,000 or bettor, very good; goes third (ap. Palace (1.700; 2,5-35-55)—'Josetle* (201h) and 'Al ways Goodbye' (20th >' (both 2d run) dualcd. This combin- ation probably won't hit average,. aroun(i $7,0()0. Last week. 'Vivacious Lady' (RKO) (2d run) and 'Mystery House' (WB> (1st run), on nine days, got $10,000,' good: Paramount (3,604; 25-.15-55-S5-99) —'Profes.sor Beware' (Par) and. In person, Jimniy Dorsey's orchciilra . opens today (Wednesday). Second ' week of 'Tropic Holiday' (Par) and the Xavier Cugat band,, plus Frances Langford, ending last niltht (Tues- day) was $24,000. okay. Initial week was a very goo(l $40,000. Thus, on the 14-day en.gagenicnt. house shows a fine profit in spite of weather and other .setbacks. Radio City Muslr. Hall (5.980; 40- n0-84-99-S1.05) —'Hjvin-,' Wonderful Time' (RKO) and staucshow. fiet-' ting majority of play this week and will do wellat $77,000 or thoioabouts. though can't be h,?ld over. Last week, second for 'Holiday' (Col), $69,000, very uood. Rialto (750; 2.)-40-551—'PriSon Break' (U) was hrowsht in here yen- Icrdav (Tuesday) after a w»>Rk of •Fa.a Comoany' (M-G) at $0,200. In ahead.. 'Wives Under Sii.>;picion' (U),, on six days, only S4.200. not aood. Roxy ("..8.36: 2.'>-^0-5'>-75)—'Rage of Paris' <U) and sl:i:!e;sh6w (Zd-final week). V/etit to a smart-$48:000 first we(!k over Jul.y 4 holiday, but will be liirky to top $28,000 on holdover, thouirh getting throuL'h:at this, figure. 'I'll Give a Million' (20th) op-Jiis Friday (15 >. Strand (2.707: 25-.'>5-7:))—'Cowboy from Brookl.yn* (WBi riDr-ns here this morniin» (W.'dr\i;::'lriv i. \<:iv Francis' latest. 'My Bill' iWB) failed to entire a"d on its v.-'-ck end- ing la.sl iii-'lil (Tu-s'l:iy) •rot only -TPund M..")!)!). ;i" ■•M^-. In ;ihi'jid. ' 'White Baiin-'i-s' (.WBi on ii-:vr.c(iii ' v/e<^1.' foil ll.iitM- luiT".- I 1 .'?') (i!in. I Stat» C!,-*.'!!): ;!.'i-.-).'i-7r> > .''i'"ii an I Mo' (IV'>1-!■: C^i |-nnl i-iipd'. iiv- rhidih" v-,i-.i..:-i V -u'-iM tlii-.- .'ail- nvs and 'I I'.-l (•'ri "I'l. VVIi >-ls -u-r Iiirn- ' in" <.lowl" I' " '-lii'- only :'h'illt 1 '-.l.'i.riOO '. f • 1 i--..!t "I'l.i-pc ; f„iiii.• (;>■!.(• I I I-"'' -'"li I'-v- ■ iir' C-i" ,-M-* rvv:r S:;i!Hoii. hit ' ,ij-oiii((l $2iJ.')>l!). »!: i.y.