Variety (Sep 1938)

Wednesday September 7, 1938 PICTURE GROSSES VARIETY Benny Goodman-Bailor Saul to Nice $50,000; Cm' Biz Very Good All Over; Henie 12G, Lloyd Astaire 18G 2d Chicago, Sept. 6. u.w season Is under way this week Ja all"theatres, particularly under £?|alaban * Kate Jbanner,,spread Selves with additional advertis- ?S5Swy and exploitation; Weather flSXg««. anVwlth Labor Day »^?the theatres currently have Sgtog about which to squawk. EflisFup and down the line. rMcaeo continues with its parade JScT attractions which has had JLfrwicket whirling like a pror ££r these last eight weeks. If JSrthW the turnstiles are whizzing SStnan usual over Labor Day 2* with .Benny Goodman or- I«tra heating up the customers. 5§te fie Chicago still doesn't we as the Jitterbug center of Sa nation, as does the Paramount ta 'New York, the youngsters^ are nevertheless shagging up and^down the aisles, with the ushers trying Lniv to keep the runways clear. In for two weeks, Goodman is a cinch tor nice -trade, this being hu first theatre appearance in Chi- cago despite fact; he originally clicked locally at the Congress hotel, Switching suddenly on booking, B 4 K. pushed 'Lucky Star' into the Roosevelt and detoured- 'Professor Beware' Into the Apollo. It has be- come B. & It's intention, more and more, to keep the Roosevelt for at- tractions which, have femme appeal lud deliver the slapstick, gunplay md more masculine-appeal flickers Into the Apollo and Garrick. Holding for additional looping cur- rently are 'Carefree,' 'Antoinette' and 3oy Meets Girl.' . Estimates for This Week &a»li« (B&K) (1,200; 35-55-65)— ■Professor Beware'. (Par). Looking tiittd to a sprightly session with ■tor/of Labor weekend , aid, and lading to: $5,500, good. Last nek, 'Andy Hardy' (MG) concluded iterrlf loop gallop to $5,000. Picture ijnunife from the bell, aicaco (B&K) (4,000; 35-55-75)— tlve Me. Sailor' (Par) and Benny :Gttdman orchestra on stage. Strict- ly the stage pull currently though Xirtha Raye pictures have done insistently well around here. Zing- os to a high-numeral session of at hast $50,000 from the getaway. Go- af at the rate ; of six.. shows daily m only a question of turnover. Last nek, 'Alexander' (20th) finished third smackeroo stanza to hefty WOO. Gttrick (B&K) (900; 35-55-65)— Inf Meets Girl' (WB). Filling in lor the most part, shoving in here liitr a quickie stay in the Roosevelt. Wl go to about $6,500, good. Last nek, 'Crowd Roars' (MG) wound H> Its third loop stretch to $5,100, Mice (RKO) (2,500; 35-55-65-75) -tarefree' (RKO) and vaude (2d wek). Holding well and with the Widay strength will turn in, a taig-up $18,000. Started slowly last w« but picked up momentum and Wlked away with $24,700, strong. Iweyelt (B&K) (1,500; 35-55-65- 'S^lucky Star'(20th). In quickly M looks.like easy $12,000 this week, gettug plenty of matinee aid oh kids '"Fjk skater. Last week, 'Boy Meets Girl'(WB) faded to $8,000, meek for • wrt-ninner. i..^|«-Uke (Jones) (2,700; 25-35- JWJ^'Fast Company' (MG) and ™«e. Repeat in loop for picture J« «tu good here. Steady pace of «J» holds to $10,500 currently, WSts. Last week, 'Reformatory' was meat-atid-drink for this J*M>d the shekels totaled to fine Artists (B&K-UA) (1,700; ■Sf 5 "! 5 )—'Antoinette' (MG) (2d J**). Femmes banging down the jws and continuing in second week ?ffi? Mul *16,00O after grinding out JWUOping $20,500 last week. Held "^n by length of flick. far Hypoes Lincoln ; Texans' Good $4,000 , Lincoln, Neb., Sept. 6. wTj'^a State Fair is in full swing ?Uv? ■ / es are getting goodly share J« out-of-town trade. Stuart sin- Sni» Si2. g00d one for visitor atten- SlC;jne Texans,' which is a natu- yiv. tn 's territory. Lincoln's dual u «cn Man, Poor Girl' and 'Give ViL-i ailor ' is also okay, i S'y'S going through remodel- JgWK staying open. Will probably STi'. L about thre e or four days **ifc «.I he m onth and then reopen ™« runs. Scale will advance Present 10-15c to 10-25-35c. lllJSr llnat es for This Week •Wt£ (c °oper) (1,200; 10-15)- *ill Ues . ,ReD > and 'Accidents tr cSf£?* n (WB), split with 'Coun- De*n a ', r ^an' (20th) and 'Drums of *e»klft, .(Cres). Fair $900. Last «ehi' r Express' (U) and 'Wild w * < th), split with 'Bulldog Key City Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week ... .$i,832.20» (Based on 26 cities, 169 thea- tres, chiefly first runs, Includino N. V.) Total Gross Sam* Week Last Year.. ..»1J89,7M (Based on 22 cities, 154 theatres) Drummond' (Par) and 'Speed to Burn' (20th), fair $900. Lincoln (Cooper) (1,600; 10-25-35) —'Rich Man' (M-G) and '.Sailor' (Par). Good $3,000. Last week 'Col- lege Swing' (Par) and 'Dangerous to Know' (Par) split with 'Give Mil- lion' (20th) and 'Passport Husband' (20th), fair $2,700. Stuart CCooper) (1,900; 10-25-40)— Texans' (Par). Will go well and probably $4,000. Last week 'Letter' (U) $3,700, good, but less .than ex- pected. ■ BALTO STEADY; 'SPAWN* NICE $9,000 Baltimore, Sept. 6. Steady if not sensational biz right down the line here this week, with nice lineup of product and cool, holi- day; interlude helping matters. 'Spawn of North,' at Keith's arid 'Carefree,' at the combo Hipp, are leading the parade, but not too far ahead, of the other entries. Third - week of 'Alexander' holding strong at the New, running up a possible record for that limited scater. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew's-UA) (3,000: 15- 25-35-40-55) —'Has Nancy' (M-G). Getting some play on strength of marquee names, with nice $7,500 the possible count. Last week, 'Woman' (.M-G) poor $5,100.. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2.205; 15-25-35-40-55) — 'Carefree' (RKO) and vaude headed by Tommy Tucker's or,ch. ' Probably okay. $11,000. Last week, 'Breaking Ice' (RKO), owing it all to ballyhooed seventh anniversary stage layout headed by Frances. Langford and. Red Skeltoh, packed them in all week to socko $18,300. Keith's fSchanberger) (2,460; 15- 25^35-40-55)-«-'Spawn T (Par). Step- ping'along to pleasing $9,000. Last week, five days of 'Sailor' (Par), nothing much at $2,900.. New (Mechanic) (1,558: 15-25-35- 55)—'Alexander' (20th) (3d week). Maintai ing a healthy pace to $6,000, after booming total of $19,000 for first two weeks. Stanley (WB) (3.250; 15-25-35-40- 55)—'Boy Meets Girl' (WB). Not getting gross looked for, with just fair $7,000 indicated. Last week, 'Racket Busters' (WB), pleasing $8,600. CANADIAN NAT'L EXPO DENTS TORONTO 15% Toronto, Sept.. 6. First week of Canadian National Exhibition here has dented theatre attendance an estimated 15% but de- luxers show a good profit, with 'Al- ex?nder's Ragtime Band' as top grosser, but 'Crowd Roars' crowding. Third and final stanza of 'Alexander' will bring the figure up to. $34,000 for the run after a first-week zoom of $16,000. Influx of C.N.E. visitors might gen- erally be expected to boost the b.o., but reverse is.fact, During the two weeks of the Expo, locals flock to the outdoor atractions while visitors, under current release practice, have seen the present film crop simul- taneously with, or possibly a little before the big town. Presence at C.N.E. of such dance bands as Benny Goodman. Guy Lombardo, Buddy RoKors and Tommy Dorsey isn t helping downtown show biz either. Estimates tor This .Week Imperial (FP-Can) (3.373: 25-35- 50)—-Spawn of North' (Par), oft to- very good $7,200. Last week, 'Boy Meets Girl' iWB). Kood Sfi.800. Loew's iLocw' (2.G11: 25-35-50)— 'Crowd Roars' (M-G). Should garner $8,500 and will hold over. Last week. •Andy Hardy' (M-G) good $7,100 on second stanza. SheaV iFP-Can) (2.603; 25-40.) — 'Army Girl' fRcp) ahd 'Prison Farm (Pai ). Passable at $4,000. Last week, 'Little Tough Guy' (U) and 'Sinners in Paradise* (U), fair $4,800, Tlvoll (FP-Can) (1,433; 25-40) — •Tropic Holiday" (Par) and 'You and Me' (Par). Middling $3,200. Last week, 'White Banners' (WB) and 'Cowboy from Brooklyn' (WB), fair $3,600. Uptown (FP-Can) (2.761; 25-35-50) — Alexander' (20th) (3d wk). Snar- ing $8,700 for third lap, very good; last week, excellent $11,500 after, smash $16,000 on initial six days, lUCKYSTAR'BIG 328500, DETROIT B way Bullish,'Can't Take Wow 120G, 'Andy-Harvest Mooners Sock $39,000, 'Alex 57G 5th, letter 20G, W 13G Detroit, Sept. <J. .. Despite hefty opposish from free Gold Ciip races on Detroit River, Michigan State Fair and other out- door attractions, local film row sur- vived the Labor Day holiday with some to spare. . 'Lucky Star,' plus stage show at the Fox, looks like the winnah, with. 'Marie Antoinette' and 'Alexander's Ragtime Band,' both holdovers, con- tinuing to click at the UA and Adams, respectively. Estimates for This Week - Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 30-40)— 'Alexander' (20th) (2d run) plus 'Safety in Numbers- (20th), dual. Former opus moved here after two smash sessions at Fox: headed for: nice $6,000. Last week about: $3,900, okay,, for .'Little Tough Guy' (U) plus 'Limberlost' (Mono). Fox (Indie) (5,000; 30-40-65)— •Lucky Star' (20th) plus stage show. Clicking ni ly for around $28,500, aided by extra holiday price sked. Last stanza $22,500, spiffy, for second session' of 'Alexander' (20th), fol- lowing riotous $42,500 first week. Michigan (United Detroit) (4.000; 30-40-65)^'Sing You Sinners' (Par) plus 'Men Are Such Fools' (WB), dual. Figured .at $9,500, good. Last week, $9,200, .pretty, good in view of opposish, for 'Spawn of North' (Par) and'Give Me a Sailor' (Par). Palms-State (UD) (3,000; 30-40-50) —'Spawn of North' (Par) (2d run) plus 'Paroled from Big House', (In- die)^ dual. Former pic moved here from. Michigan and look's good for $5,100. ' Last stanza,. 'Clitlerhouse' (WB) (2d run) and 'Army Girl' (Rep) just under $5,000, okay-. United Artists (UD) (2,000; 30-40- 55)--'Man'e. Antoinette' (MG> (2d week). Clicking off neatly at $11,- 500 following smash $16,500 for .first session, which reopened house after two-month layoff. May hold for third stanza. Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week ...... .$388^4* (Based on 12 theatres) Total Gross Same erk Last Vear $4 (Bused oil. 14 theatres) ALL SEATTLE FIX BIG; 'SINNERS' FINE $7,500 Seattle, Sept. 6. The four new ones for Labor Day week are , 'Letter of Introduction,' at Fifth; 'I Am Law,', at Liberty; 'Sing: You Sinners,' at. Orpheum, and 'My Lucky Star' at Paramount. La- bor Day influx helped all houses. Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick-Evergreen) (850; 27)—'Draciila' (U) and 'Frank- enstein' (U) (2d week ), Five days, getting big $7,800. Last week, same pi'cts., great $5,400. Coliseum (Hamrick-Evergreen) (1,900; 21-32)—'Blind Mice' (20th) and 'Swiss Miss' (M-G). Headed for good $3,000. Last week, 'Block- ade' (U) and 'Rascals' (20th), $2,700. Colonial (Sterling) (800; 10-21)— 'Justice' (Par) and 'Reckless Living' (U), split with 'Double Danger' (RKO) and 'Arizona' (Col). Indi- cate big $2,500. Last week, 'Blondes Work' (WB) and Trip to Paris' (20th) split with 'Hawaii Calls' (RKO) and 'Heart of Rockies' .(Rep), dandy $2,100. Fifth Avenue (Hamrick-Evergreen) —'Letter' (U). Running nine days and looks like big $8,500. Last week, 'Alexander' (20th), five days of seer ond week, good $4,500. Liberty (J-vH) (1,800: 21-32-42)— 'Am Law' (Col). Big campaign get- ting big. $6,500. Last week, 'Nowhere' (Col) and 'City Streets' (Col), $4,- 800, good. Music Box (Hamrick-Evergreen) (850; 32-37-42)—'Spawn' (Par). From Paramount for third week here. Anticipate great S4.800. Last week. 'Andy Hardy' (M-G) and 'Rich Man* I (M^G) (3d week). $3,100. big. | Orpheum (Hamrick-Everyrcen) ' (2.600; 32-37-42)—'Sinners' iPar) ' and 'Danger on Air' <U). Paced at i great $7,500. Last week, 'Touch Guy' J (U) and 'Speed' f20tl>). Tair S4.400. 1 Palomar (Sterling-.) (1.350:. 1.6-27- ! 37)—'Music Mountain' (Rep) and 'Wild NiKht' (20th). diial. and vaude. Anticipate biR $4.5 Last week. 'Blind Alibi' (RKOt and 'Leather- necks' (Repi. and vaude. $4,100. good. Paramount (Mnmrick-Evci Ki cen) (3.049: 32-37-42) - 'Lucky Star' (20th) and 'Smashinv Rackets' (RKO). Indiciilf. meat $0,000. Las) week, 'Spawn - (Par), six days, sec- ond Week, oke $5,500. Roosevelt ..(Sterling) .(B00: 21-32» —'Hoosier Schoolboy" 'Mono! and 'Man's Castle' -(Cn'l' i rehsuc'). Good $2,300. Last week. 'Holiday' (Col) and 'Morgue' (U) S2..400,. bi Heavy influx of out-of-towners over the three-day Labor Day week- end move than made lip for absent- ing natives who scrammed else- where, managers claiming better play than for the same holiday period last year. lesser money to- tals created by fact there are several key holdovers this week. Business was better than average Friday night, usually off when a ,holiday is coming, While Saturday, Sunday and Monday (3-4-5) was powerful all the way, though drop-off occurred after 7 p.- m. Monday night (5), as expected, when folks started for back home. It is estimated that about 75% of the patronage represented visitors. . ith ,the natives back to town, business opened excellently yesterday morn- ing (Tues.)'and had the Roxy con- sidering a sixth week for 'Alexander.' Labor Day accounted for one of the best grosses the Music Hall will have had, $120,000 appearing in the .bag with 'You Can't Take It With Yo'u,' while two other houses, Roxy and Par, 'on' holdovers, beat their-prior week's grosses. Hall's top was scored by 'Top Hat,' over Labor Day in 1936, at $134,800, in inclement weather as against sunshine and warmth this yeaiy'while .'Prisoner of Zenda' last winter did S122.000. Third week for -'Sing You Sinners' and Phil Spitalny, plus.ZaSu Pitts; at the Paramount, ending last night (Tiies.) was close to $41,000, as com- pared with $39,500 the prior (2d' week), while 'Alex,' given a terrific push over Labor. Day, .may go to $57,000 on its current (5th) week as against $55,500 the fourth. On its first four weeks having grossed $283,832, playing to 636,253 persons, the approximate total for the run of five weeks for 'Alex' will be $340,000 and attendance over three- quarters of a.million,.truly phenome- nal. The decision not to go a sixth, week, though grossing pace suggests ability to do several additional rounds, is prompted by necessity of 20lh-Fox to get 'Alex' rolling in sub- sequent, runs, plus the fact - 'My Lucky Star' is being held up on first run. Roxy yesterday (Tues.) adver- tised it would open the doors at 11 a.m., but due to heavy crowds, was forced to open at 10:20 instead. ! The State and Strand, with their stage show-policies apDealing to the out-of-town crowds, are very-strong, the holiday again proving that the folks from the outside usually veer to the theatres which have some- thing in. person with the pictures. This accounts in part for straight filmers like the Rivoli and Capitol running behind the five combination houses. Second-run State, with 'Love Finds Andy Hardy' and, m person, Ed Sul- livan and the Harvest Moon dance winners, will -do around $39,000, best since Mae West played the house last spring ana not far from the record of $45,000 held by Rudy Vallee. The Strand, on its second (final) week of 'Boy Meets Girl' and Ben B rnie, will be $30,000 or better. This com- pares with $35,000 the opening week of the new oolicy. Behind the stage show houses arc 'Three Loves Has Nancy,' which will be satisfactory though under hopes at about $24,000 for the Capitol: 'Let tor of Introduction," Ave. Kid' (Rep). . An Unusually strong grosser for this spot,' looking $13,000 or bit over. Will hold. Last •week, 'Bulldog Drummond' (Par) finished poorly, under $6,000. Globe (1,274; 25-40-55)—'Safely in Numbers' (20th). New Jones family release opened here Monday (5) and off fairly good. In ahead, 'Gladiator' (Col), here for eight days, went to $8,100, good. Palace (1,700; 25-35-55)—'Little Tough Guy' (U) (2d run) and 'Meet the Girls' (20th) (1st run), dualed. Fair going here again, probably about $8,500. Last week. 'Gateway' (20th) and 'Mother Carey's Chickens' (RKO). both 2d run, doubled S9.000. Paramount (3.664; 25-35-50-85-99) —'Spawn of North' (Par) and Eddy Duchin band, plus Three Stooges, opens this - morning (Wed.). The third-(final) week for 'Sing You Sin- ners' (Par), plus Phil Spitalny and ZaSu Pl.tts. was nearly $41,000,, mighty. This topped . the second week's take, first time that ever hap- pened in this house, second lap be- ing $38,500. RadU City Music Hall (5,980; 40- 60-84-99-S1.65)—'Can't Take It With ; You* (Col) and-stage-show. Smash business being recorded here on the first week, chances looking-good for $120,000, close to best in history of house. Starts second heat tomorrow (Thurs.). Play on which picture is. based- continues on Broadway and over holiday was sellout Last week here, second for 'Four Daughters' (WB), $86,000. excellent. Rialto . (750; 25-40-55)—' issing. Guest- (U). Opened here yesterday morning (Tiics;). 'Blockheads' (M-G) on .9% days scored a' little .over $10,000, good. RIvoll (2,092:25-55-75-85-90)—'Let- ter of Introduction' (U).' Starts sec- ond week today (Wed.), "though dis- appointing on the first seven days at this side of $20,000. May pick up as word gets around. Final (2d) week for .'Little Tough Guy' (U) only $7,000, poor. Eoxy (5,836: 25-40-55-75)—'Alex* (20th) and stage show (5th-flnal .week). Unprecedentcdly steady grosser, with aid of Labor Day, will beat fourth week's take by going to ' $57,000 or close. The fourth stanza' also went over expectations, closing at $55,500. Run of five weeks at around $340,000 is reallv something for the files. Strand (2.767; 25-55-75)—'Boy Meets Girl* (WB) and Ben Bernie (2d-final week). Weht to a strong $35,000 first week and on holdover will be $30,000 or a little better, exr cellent. Good profit, despite what was spent on opening new policy, will be shown. 'Valley of Giants*" (WB) and Ozzie Nelson band opens Friday (9). ft State (3,4 ; 35-55-75)-Undy Har- dy' (M-G.) and. on stage. Ed Sulli- van with Harvest oon dance win- ners. Combination of Sullivan and Harvest Moon dancers, plus draught of 'Hardy' turning the trick in neat fashion here currently, with gross climbing to smash $39,000 or there- abouts, up with the half dozen lead- ers of all time^ Record high is $45,- 000, held by Rudy Vallee. Right- about face on business this week contrasts with sad $12,000 last week with 'Texans' (Par); and Don Red- man band, Joe Laurie, Jr., and Raye and Naldi. low Temp. Ups Montreal; 'Sinners' Good $7,000 Montreal. Sept. (1. . Coolish weather giving theatres a considerable of j boost, with Palace still leading the a disappointment in spite, of the com petition at under $20,000 at the Riv- oli, and 'Tenth Avenue Kid,' a sur- priser.at the Criterion, where it will score an excellent S13.000 or. bit bet- ter-on the week. 'Kid' will hold, as will 'Letter.' The latter may irhnrove on the second round. 'Block-Heads' went to over $10,000. on 9'£ days at the Rialto. good, while 'Gladiator' carried the Globe on eight days to S8.100. also nice. Globe brought in 'Safety in Numbers' Monday '5>. while Rialto opened 'Missing Cuosf yesterday (Tues.). The first week. $15,200, having in- cluded some paper, the second for ' aric Antoinette' at the $2 Aslor atx lhal. going to SI7.600'. caoacity. Estimates for This Week Astor (1.012: 55-51.10-S-I.fi5-S2.20)-- 'Antoinetlc' (MG ) CM week). I'irkfrl Shoulri' up. last week (2d) to get SI7'iOO. which capacity, .pliis <-t;indin;! room. ranil.tl (4.520: 25-35-55-B5-SI.25)•- 'Three Loves lias.Nancy' (M-G). Ur> igainst terrific' Brondwjiy comnoti- tfon over Labor Day. inclndin" from •ilnr/o-show houses, hut at S24J00O •f! irlv sood. Last week. •'! Am "the. L» ' (Col). $22 000. ' :rilerii>n (1.002: town on .third week of 'Alexander's Ragtime Band.' Other spots will- do' fair to good on outlook. Estimates for This Week Palace 'CT) (2,700: 50)—'Alexan- der' (20th) (3d week). In line for good $7,500; after big. second week of ■' $10,000. ! Capitol (CT) (2.700: 50) —' ing. ; You Sinners' (Par) nnd :' ulldog ! DnimmontI' 'Par). Looks ljir» pood I $7,000. Last week. Texr-n*' (Par) and 'Born' (Pnr). so-so ss 500. Princess (CT) (2.300: SOJ- 'Scirlct 1 Pironern"!' (BriD and 'Oniel.v Girls' (Brit). Pacint for Sfi.OOO. very •tnoii. r.ast. week. 'Fast Comb.inv-*' ' -G) rind 'Ha(tlc of Broadway' ( Oil);, goo S5 000 . Oriilipiim (In/1) (1.100: "i i 'Army r HrV (Rcpl'and -fiack Sin-ci' ifthiy): >ss satisfacioi v S3 ()()(). L.-isl wpek. 'Viclor' (H'rii i 'i;;hling Navv' (Rn'l). gu-irl S2.-i')H. C'lnrma (Je l":nis .(Krancc-Filin) :(!()()• 501 'i'.-^-.ir .S-iii--- It-.iivaii.x' i-Jti v:k ) Fxpci'l SI 200 .iflcr ;;iiod enough SI 400 last w"i'k. St. pnis /Ki ■-»'->Iin> (2.300:34) ■'■nci-ciil'.'' "I" 1 I. ) (!lu.* On the way tit vcrv Koorl t-'idt!!). f.sst \v-=».-?k, Tir.l- th.'izar" ••'>'(. IJiivicurs fl'lfoiiiinc;;.' good $5,300',