Variety (Sep 1938)

* VARIETY PICTURE GROSSES Wednesday, September 28, 1938 After Legion Conv., Calm Settles Over LA. Trade; 'Sinners Paces with 19G; 'Co-Ed' Mild $18,500, Valley' $17,000 Los Angeles, Sept. 27. Grosses anything but healthy, and In a few spots, downright bad. Slump cannot be blamed on the American Legion convention or the hot weath- er because both have gone their way. Town's solo topper is the new Crosby film, 'Sing You Sinners,' which holds for second week at the Paramount. 'Hold That Co-Ed,* teamed with 'Mysterious Mr. Moto,' hitting around combined $18,500, pretty slim. 'Val- ley of the Giants' doing okay at the day-date Hollywood and Downtown. Estimates for This Week Chinese (Grauman-F-WC) (2,024; 30-40-55-75)—'Hold That Co-Ed* (20th) and 'Mysterious Mr. Moto* (20th), dual. Not very hot, as $9,000 indicates. Last week 'Boys Town' (MG) and 'Speed to Burn' (20th), hot $14,600. Downtown (WB) (1,800; 30-40-55- 65)_<valley of Giants' (WB) and •Block-Heads' (MG), dual. Should hit a fair $8,000, same amount as garnered last week by 'Four Daugh- ters' (FN) on holdover. Four Star (F-WC-UA)—'Algiers' (UA) (11th week). Continues profit- able at $1,500, after 10th stanza brought okay $1,900. Run ends Oct. 2. Hollywood (WB) (2,756:. 30-40-55- 65)—'Valley Giants' (WB) and 'Block-Heads' (MG), dual. Headed for very good $9,000. Last week, second stanza of 'Four Daughters' (FN), hit expected $7,200. Pantages (Pan) (2,812; 30-40-55)— •Youth Takes Fling* (U) and 'Anna- bel' (RKO), dual. Off in keeping with rest of town, for probable $7,- 000. Last week, 'I Am Law' (Col) and 'Lady Objects' (Col), bettered expectations to garner $8,700. Paramount (Par) (3.595; 30-40-55) —'Sing You Sinners' (Par) and stage show. Started slowly with populace still groegy from Ameri- can Legion convention, but will like- ly build to neat $19,000. Holds sec- ond week. Last week 'Sons. of the Legion' (Par) topped $15,000, aided by midnight Legion show. RKO (2,872; 30-40-55) — 'Youth Takes Fling' (U) and 'Annabel'. (RKO), dual. Will hit weak $6,000 on the stanza. Last week 'I Am Law' (Col) and 'Lady Objects' (Col), $8,000, about what was expected. State (Loew-Fox) (2,414; 30-40-55- 75)—'Co-Ed* (20th) and 'Moto* (20th), dual. Just not geared for the downtown clientele so best in sight is poor $9,500. Last week •Boys Town' (MG) and 'Speed to Burn* (20th), hot $18,500 as indi- United Artists (F-WC) (2.100; 30- 40-55)—'Boys Town' (MG) and 'Speed to Burn' (20th), dual. Should hit nifty $5,800 on moveover. Last week 'Nancy' (MG) and 'Rich Man' (MG), weak $2,700. ' Wiltshire (F-WC) (2,296; 30-40-55- 65)—'Boys Town' (MG) and 'Speed' Burn' (20th), dual. Looks like smash $8,500 on moveover for con- tinued first run.<*-Last week 'Nancy' (MG) and 'Rich Man' (MG), okay $6,300. Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gross This W'tk $309,700 ("Based on 12 theatres) Total Gross Same Week Last Year $326,500 (Based on 14 theatres) HERBERT-SHOW DETROIT •Law' Good 5G in Port.; '4's Crowd' Nice $6,000 Portland, Ore., Sept. 27. "Boys Town' continues to register Itrong at Parker's UA in its third week. New pix getting strong atten- tion are 'I Am the Law,' at Or- pheum, and Tour's a Crowd,' at Par- amount. Latter house also lent its stage for commercial tie-rup with a women's store which put on a fash- ion parade. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (2,000; 30-35- 40)—'Garden Moon' (WB) and •Gangs New York* (Rep). Getting lair $4,500. Last week 'Tough Guy' <U) and 'Actress' (FN), fair $5,400. Mayfalr (Parker-Evergreen) (1,- B00;30-35-40) — 'Alexander' (20th) <7th wk). Okay $2,000. Sixth, $2,- 400; First five weeks grossed big $25,000. Orpheum (Hamrick - Evergreen) (1,800; 30-35-40)—'Am Law' (Col) and 'Annabelle' (RKO). Answered to good bally for okay $5,000. Last week 'Sinners' (Par) and 'Murder' (20th), second week, fair $3,800. Paramount (Hamrick-Evergreen) (3,000; 30-35-340;—'Four's Crowd' (WB) and 'Highway Patrol' (Col) with fall style show oi* stage. Good $d,000. Last week 'Lucky Star* (20th) and 'Rackets' (RKO), better than average $5,600. Rivoli (Indie) (1,100; 20-25).— •Dracula' (U) t jid "Frankenstein' (U) (2d wk). Good $1,600. Last week, same reissues billed as Horror Week, good $2,500. United Artists (Parker) (1,000; 30- 35-40)—Boys' Towu' (M-G) and 'Freshman Year' (U) (3d wk). Good $4,000. Second, $5,000. First week registered great < >7,000. Detroit, Sept. 27. Combination of first good weather in weeks and football attractions not helping film palaces. No pic stand- outs currently. 'Boys Town,' holding for second stanza at United Artists, is doing okay. Estimates for This Week Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 30-40)— 'Reformatory' (Col) plus 'Keep Smil- ing' (20th), dual. About $4,000, so-so. Last week, 'Alexander' (20th), in third week, combined with 'Speed Burn' (20th), clipped off $4,300, fol- lowing weeks of $5,800 and $7,100. Fox (Indie) (5,000; 30-40-65)— 'Place and Show' (20th) with Hugh Herbert topping vaude. Paced for $24,Q00, good. Last week, mild $17,000 for 'Co-ed' (20th) and stage show. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 30-40-65) — 'Texans' (Par) plus 'Campus Confessions' (Par), dual. Looks like $9,500, okay. Last session about $8,500, so-so, for 'Has Nancy' (M-G) plus *Rich Man' (M-G). Palms State (United Detroit) (3,- 000; 30-40-50)—'Blockheads' (M-G) plus 'Ambulance Chaser' (M-G), dual. Slightly under $5,000, fair. Just over that mark last stanza for 'Smashing Rackets' (RKO) and 'Painted Desert' (RKO). United Artists (United Detroit) (2,000; 30-40-50)—'Boys Town' (M-G) (2d week). Due for good $7,200, fol- lowing nice $10,500 first stanza, Doubtful if will stick for another session. appointed with $7,500, good but a coupla grand below expectations. Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick-Evergreen) (850; 32-37-42)—'Alexander' (20th) (7th week). Four final days antici- pate okay $1,200. Last week, same film, $2,600, good. 'Coliseum (Hamrick-Evergreen) (1,900; 21-32)—'Professor' (Par) and 'You and Me' (Par), four days. In- dicate only mild $2,600. Last week, •Shopworn Angel' (M-G-M) and 'Fast Company* (M-G), dual, split with •Always Goodbye* (20th) and .'Lord Jeff' (M-G), dual, six days, for 10- day week. Good $4,200. Colonial (Sterling) (800; 10-21)— •Manhunters' (Ind) and 'Main Event' (Col), dual, split with'Arizona' (Par) and 'Circus' (Ind). Heading for good $2,000. Last week, 'Tip-Off Girls* (Par) and 'Night Spot' (RKO), dual, split with 'Stranger from Ari- zona' (Col) and 'Miss Thoroughbred' (WB), okay $2,100. Fifth Avenue (Hamrick-Ever- green) (2,349; 32-37-42)—'Antoinette' (M-G), two days of third week. 'Boys Town' (M-G) opening .today (Tuesday). Anticipate okay $1,900. Last week, second of 'Anioinette,' $6,100, big. Liberty (J-vH) (1,800; 21-32-42)— 'Algiers' (UA) (2d week). Paced for $4,000, fair. Last week, same film, $7,500, nice but below hopes. Music Box (Hamrick-Evergreen) (850; 32-37-42)—'Has Nancy' (M-G) and March of. Time. Moved from Paramount and looking for nice $2,- 800, Last week, 'Sinners' (Par) and 'Danger Air' (U), third week, $2,400, okay. Orpheum (Hamrick - Evergreen ) (2,600; 32-37-42)—'Four's Crowd' (WB) and 'G-Men» (RKO). Indi- cate good $6,000. Last week, .'Giants' (WB) and 'Keep Smiling' (20th), $5,- 300, good. Palomar (Sterling) (1,350; 16-27- 37)—'Barefoot Boy* (Mono) and 'Devil's Party' (U), dual, with vaude. Only fair $3,000. Last week, 'Billy Kid' (Rep) and 'Under Suspicion' (U), dual, plus vaude, one night (Monday), $4,400, big. Paramount (Hamrick-Evergreen) (3,039; 32-37-42)—'Carefree' (RKO) with 'Jitterbug Jamboree' on stage. Set for four weeks. Getting -im_- mense $10,000. Last week, 'Has Nancy' (M-G) and 'Prison Break' (U), dual, $6,800, good. Roosevelt (Sterling) — 'Cowboy' (FN) and 'Sinners Paradise' (U). In- dicate okay $2,000. Last week, 'May- time' (M-G) and 'Treasure Island' (M-G), pulled after two terrible days, split with 'Cowboy' (FN) and 'Sinners Paradise* (U), five days, $1,9C0 total, fair. 'Carefree'-^tterbugs Big $10,000 in Seattle Seattle, Sept. 27. Paramount theatre has stage show, 'Jitterbug Jamboree' unit, arid it's drawing big biz. Anticipated run for 'Algiers' at Liberty will be nipped at end of second week, Indi- cations point, as opening week dis- Harris 9 Bix Pic (Continued from page 1) famed jazz trumpeter. Harris is ac- companying Meredith west and will try to line up a Hollywood director for the picture. It will be made in the east. Meredith is weighing sev- eral legit offers to follow 'Horn,' but nothing is set. Hollywood, Sept. 27. Metro's college yarn, 'Spring Dance,' went into production yester- day (Mon.). Maureen'O'Sullivan is tie femme lead. Picture will be shot around Lew Ayres until he has finished his current job in 'Young Dr. Kildare.' Morris-Wheeler- Moon Wow $19,000 In Cleve,; Marx Bros. Good $16, Cleveland, Sept. 27. Chester Morris' arid Bert Wheel- er's stage personals are the stim- ulants hypoing 'Garden of. Moon' at the Palace. There was a natural drop over weekend because of Jew- ish holidays but two national con- ventions and vaudeville's comeback are boosting gross to $19,000. State's 'Too Hot to Handle' is drawing swell biz, with knockout matinees. Gable-Loy names are dynamite. 'Room Service' at Hipp is strong enough to rate two h. o. weeks at affiliated Allen, which is cleaning up with 'Four Daughters.* Stillman also going a good job milk- ing 'Spawn' and may keep it for third stanza. Estimates for This Week Allen (RKO) (3,000; 30-35-42-55)— 'Daughters' (WB). Holdrover from Hipp is down the family-trade alley, climbing steadily to $7,500. Last week, 'Lucky Star' (20th), skated along on thick ice for $6,500, good. Alhambra (Printz) (1,200; 10-20-35) —'Birth of Baby.' First pop-priced showing here and at seven-a-day looks like record $6,200. At least three-week run Indicated. Last week, 'Kid' (Rep) and 'Week-End (G-B), poor $1,900 in four days. Hipp (WB) (3,700; 30-35-42-55)— <Room Service' (RKO). Originally skedded for Palace, but exchanged in a 2-for-l deal, it gives house a rare ballyhoo break. Also inspired some clever gag contests and a hefty build-up for very satisfactory $1(1,000. Last week, 'Daughters' (WB), sweet $13,000. Palace (RKO) (3,200; 30-35-42-55) —'Garden Moon' (WB) with vaude topped by Chester Morris, Bert Wheeler. Good for $19,000. Last week, 'Annabelle' (RKO) with ZaSu Pitts and Rufe Davis on stage, ex- cellent $16,000. State (Loew's) (3,450? 30-35-42-55) —'Hot Handle' (M-G). Big-time ex- ploitation shown here and perfectly timed in booking. Crix made it thriller of year and b. o. indicates fine $18,500, or better. Last week, 'Boys Town' (M-G), terrific $21,500. Stillman (Loew's) (1.972; 30-35-42- 55)—'Boys Town' (M-G). Will nab $10,500, which is aces." 'Last week, 'Spawn' (Par), on second lap, fished up smart $8,500. Philly B.O. Wobbly; Shearer Strong $19,000, but Crosby Weak $14, Key City Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week $1,525,600 (Based on 24 cities, 156 thea- tres, chiefly first runs, Including W. Y.) Total Gross Same Week Last Year $1,576,500 {Based on 23 cities, 163 tfieatres) 'Daughters' Sweet (18,000 in Boston; Holds Off Vaude Boston, Sept. 27. 'Four Daughters,' on dual bill, is getting best play this week. 'Lucky Star' won a holdover at Keith's with a new co-feature. Talk of vaude returning is a fa- vorite subject for stagehands and musicians here, but doesn't appear likely before November or December. Estimates for This Week Fenway (M&P) (1,332; 25-35-40- 55)—'Giants' (WB) and 'Murder' (20th), dual. Fair $6,000. Last week, 'Spawn' (Par) and 'Numbers* (20th), dual, $6,300. Keith Memorial (RKO) (2,907; 25- 35-40-55)—'Lucky Star' (20th) (2d week) and 'Personal Secretary' (U), dual. Okay $13,000. First week of 'Star' and 'Meet Girls' (20th) very good $23,700. Metropolitan (M&P) (4,367; 25-35- 40-55)—'Daughters' (WB) and 'Cam- pus Confessions' (Par), dual. Good combo clicking to tune of $18,000. Last week, 'Four's Crowd' (WB) and 'Legion' (Par), $15,000, nice. Orpheum (Loew) (2,900; 25-35-40- 55)—'Am Law* (Col) and 'Gladiator' (Col), double. Satisfactory $16,000. Last week, 'Has Nancy* (M-G) and •Chaser' (M-G), good $18,000. Paramount (M&P) (1,797; 25-35- 40-55)—'Murder' (20th), dual. Me- dium $9,000. Last week, 'Spawn' (Par) and 'Numbers' (20th), dual, $8 000 Scoilay (M&P) (2,538; 25-35-40-50) —'Spawn* (Par) and 'Numbers' (20th) (2d run), dual. Fair $6,000. Last week, 'Boy Girl' (WB) and 'Kid' (Rep) (2d run), $6,000, fair. State (Loew) (3,600; 25-35-40-55) -'Am Law' (Col) and 'Gladiator' (Col), dual. Adequate $13,000. Last week, 'Has Nancy' (M-G) and 'Chaser' (M-G), good $15,000. HORROR REISSUES BIG $4,000 IN DENVER Denver, Sept. 27. Trankenstein' and 'Dracula' are sensational at Rialto, combo of hor- ror reissues giving small house a smash gross. 'Four Daughters' is nice at Denver and moving to Aladdin. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 25-40)— 'Forever Yours' (GN). Fair $3,000. Last week, 'Lucky Star' (20th), good $3,500, after a week at the Denver. Broadway (Fox) (1,100; 25-35)— 'Has Nancy' (M-G) and 'Fugitives for Night' (RKO), both after a week at the Orpheum. Good $2,500 here. Last week, 'Carefree* (RKO) and 'Rackets* (RKO), both after a week at Orpheum, good $3,000. Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 25-35- 40)—'Sinners' (Par). Good $8,500. Last week, 'Spawn' (Par), neat $8,000. Denver (Fox) (2,525; 25-35-50)— 'Daughters' (FN). Nice $9,000. Last week, 'Boy Girl* (WB), backed by neat stage show, nice $10,000, Orpheum (RKO)" (2,600; 25-35-40) —'Breaking Ice* (RKO) and 'Anna- belle' (RKO). Fair $6,500 in six days. Last week, 'Has Nancy' (M-G) and 'Fugitives for Night' (RKO), strong $10,000. Paramount (Fox) (2,200; 25-40)— 'Actress' (FN), and 'Murder' (20th). Fair $3,000. Last week, 'Lady Ob- jects' (Col) and 'Reformatory' (Col), were $4,000. Rialto (Fox) (878; 25)—'Dracula' (U) and 'Frankenstein' (U) (reis- sues). Horror combo drawing smash $4,000. Last week, 'Letter' (U), after week each at Denver and Aladdin, and 'Highway Patrol' (Col), good $2,000. Crime Clubbing Again Hollywood, Sept. 27. Preston Foster and Frank Jenks get the top spots In the next Crime Clubber, 'The Dead Don't Care/ at Universal, repeating the roles they played in 'Westland Case/ Grosses Philadelphia, Sept. this sesh pretty mixed, showing principally picking their pictures. 27. well that Cou- they're pie houses have wickets spinning, while others are bogged down in a rut, despite the fact that weather is cool and clear. Last stanza, which started out with a tremendous bang, got caught in the slough of 11 days of straight rain and so naturally failed to live up to expectations. Pacing the town- is 'Marie Antoin- ette' at the Boyd. Greeted in a big way as a big pic by the crix, it is getting powerful $19,000. Certain of at least another week. Also good bet is 'Boys Town,' in its second lap at the Aldme. It's clicking off fine $12,000 after garnering $16,500 in the initial gallop. Strangely disappointing is 'Sing You Sinners' at the Stanley. Unani- mously acclaimed by the reviewers as Bing Crosby's best, it is neverthe- less getting unsatisfactory $14,000. Estimates for This Week Aldine (WB) (1,303; 42-57-58-75)— 'Boys Town' (M-G) (2d week). Striding along big with plenty word- of-mouth to help it; $12,000, after very sound $16,500 in opening ses- sion. Boyd (WB) (2,350; 37-57-58-75)— 'Antoinette' (MG). Powerful from the start, with $19,000 expected and another week guaranteed. Last week, 'Four Daughters' (WB) (2d week), fell under the spell of the rain and slipped off more than was expected. Got $11,500, fair. Earle (WB) (2,758; 25-37-42-57-68) —'Actress' (WB) and Buddy Rogers' band and Mary Brian fleshing. Pop- ularity of the vaude combo seems to have slid off somewhat from last season, hitting only mediocre $18,000 now. Last week 'Freshman Year* (U) and Kay Kyser's band on the boards, figured to crack houze record if Jupe Pluvius hadn't interfered. Got tremendous $29,000. Fax (WB) (2,423; 37-57-68-75)— 'Place and Show (20 l h) and Ameri- can Ice Carnival on stage. This is next-to-last week of stage shows after five weeks' trial has proved they don't warrant the investment. Below par $16,500 this sesh. Last week 'Giants' (WB) with Harriet Hoctor, p.a.ing, likewise a bust at $15,500. Karlton (WB) (1,066; 37-42-57-68) —'Daughters' (WB) (2d run). Oke at better than $4,000, considering it got two weeks in its opening sesh at 'the Boyd. Last week 'Carefree' (B1&0:) (2d run), didn't quite make the grade for the right side of the ledger at $3,700. Keith's (WB) (l,o70; 37-42-57-68)— 'Lucky Star' (20th) (3d run). Very weak at $3,000. Last week 'Alexan- der* (20th) (2d run; 2d week), still plenty powerful with $5,800 on its sixth week in town. Stanley (WB) (2,916; 37-57-68-75) —'Sinners' (Par). Crix unanimous in lauding this as best Crosby flick yet, but strangely enough it won't even come up to par with $14,000, although figured to go hotter in the nabes. Last week "Hot Handle*' (M-G), also $14,000, although it got far from universal approval. Stanton (WB) (1,457; 26-42-57)— •Kid' (Rep). Brought in as oxygen when 'Army Girl' (Rep) expired in three days last week, but hardly providing succor with very weak $3,800. 'Army Girl' got poor $1,700 m three days. B'KLYN WICKETS HUM 'Gladiator/ Vaude Nifty $14,000» Henle Dual Good $16,000 Brooklyn, Sept. 27. Good attendance at downtown emporiums, with extra activity at Fabian Strand, where vaude and single picture policy Is now two weeks old. Fabian Paramount hold- ing 'Four Daughters' third week, will wind up with nice profit. Nick Kenny and radio gang headlining Folly show. Estimates for This Week Albee (3,274; 25-35-50)—'Lucky Star' (20th) and 'Mr. Moto' (20th). Will do okay $16,000. Last week 'Alexander' (20th) (2d-flnal) peachy $18,000. Fox (4,089; 25-50)—'Giants' (WB) and 'Leathernecks' (Rep). Opened yesterday (Mon.); Last week 'Am Law' (Col) and 'Higgins Family' (Rep) (2d-ftnal week), $12,000, fair. Met (3,618; 25-50)—'Letter (U) and 'Strange Boarders' (G-B). Pleasant $15,000. Last week 'Has Nancy' (M- G) and 'Safety Numbers' (20th), good, $15,000. Paramount (4,126; 25-50 ^'Daugh- ters' (WB) and 'Kid* (Rep) (3rd- final week). Will produce first-rate $17,000. Last week, pair drew ex- cellent $20,000. Strand (2,870; 23-50)—'Gladiator' (Col) and stage show with Frances Faye, Slate Bros., Frank Paris. Will give house nifty $14,000. Last week 'Boy Girl' (WB) and vaude, gar- nered excellent $15,000.