Variety (Sep 1938)

10 VARIETY PICTURE GROSSES Wednesday, September 28j 1938 Henie Nice $8,500 in Mpk, Cagney Cool $5,000, but Shearer H.O. Warm Minneapolis, Sept. 27. Lack of outstanding attractions, outside of the hold-over, 'Marie An- toinette/ and the sure-seater World offering, 'La Boheme,' is holding down grosses. After a succession' of big" weeks, however, box offices can stand the present slight recession. Weakest of the newcomers is 'Boy Meets Girl* at the Orpheum. •My Lucky Star' will fall behind re- cent Sonja Henie predecessors be- cause of its failure to make a strong impression with critics and custom- ers. After a sensational first week at the State, 'Antoinette' has moved over to the Century and continues to click profitably. Week-end trade was stimulated by an influx of visitors for the Minne- sota-Washington football game, ush- ering in the local, gridiron season be- fore a crowd of 48,000, Estimates for This Week Aster (Par-Singer) (900; 15-25)— 'Racket Busters* (WB) and 'Num- bers' (20th), dual. In for entire Week and en route to good $1,500. Last week 'Gladiator* (Col) and 'Sky Giant* (RKO), $1,800, good. Century (Par-Singer) (1,600; 25- 35-40)—'Antoinette' (M-G). Moved here after smash biz in its initial canto at the State. Still hitting on all cylinders and reaching toward fine $7,000. Last week, 'Carey's Chickens' (RKO), $4,200, mild. Orpheam (Par-Singer) (2,800; 25- 35-40)—'Boy Meets Girl' (WB). Crit- ics rate it better than play seen here last season but biz not there. Light $5,000 in prospect. Last week •Algiers* (UA), $7,500, good. State (Par-Singer) (2,300; 25-35- 40)—'Lucky Star' (20th). Scandina- vians here not turning out in antici- pated numbers for this one and Maybe Sonja Henie's slipping locally at the box office, though mixed opin- ions regarding picture undoubtedly most important influence on gross. Good $8,500 indicated. Last week •Antoinette' (M-G), $12,000, very big. Time (Berger) (290; 15-25)—'Vice Trust' (Indie). Playing up sensa- tionalism. Climbing toward big $1,600. Last week 'Down Stretch' (M-G) (reissue), $700, fair. Uptown (Par) (1,200; 25-35)— •Andy Hardy* (M-G). Gaining mo- mentum and likely to top fine $3,000. Last week 'Yank at Oxford' (M-G), $2,500, nice. World (Steffes) (290; 25-35-40-55) —'La Boheme' (Foreign). Built to order for house that caters to car- riage trade. Jan Kiepura a magnet here, and picture is likely to run several weeks. Gobd $1,800 indi- cated. Last week 'Limberlost' Mono), $300, poor, in four days. GABIE-LOY17G. AROUSES BUFF. week, 'Sinners' (Par), good $6,300. Liberty (Stan) (1,200; 20-25)— 'Tough Guy' (U) and 'Men Pools' (WB). No better than $2,000, below average. Last week, 'Poor Man' (M-G) and 'Prison Break' (U), split with 'Born' (WB) and 'Meet Girl' (20th), poor $1,800. Midwest (Stan) (1,500; 25-35-40)— 'Carefree' (RKO). Will cop good $6,000. Last week, 'Boys Town' (M-G), swelled to good $5,900. State (Noble) (1,100; 20-25)— 'Music Mountain' (Rep) and 'I Cover Waterfront' (UA). Should pull aver- age $2,500. Last week, 'Star Born' (UA) and 'Leathernecks' (Rep), cold $1,800 Tower (Stan) (1,100; 25-35)— 'Boys Town' (M-G). Following one week at Midwest, should get nice $3,000. Last week, 'Antoinette' (M-G) (2d run), failed to make par at $2,000. HOT' STEAMING TO $16, INK.C. erage draw, $4,500 In seven days. Orpheum (RKO) (1,500; 10-25-40) —'Daughters' (FN). In couple of days -early and set to hold eight days. Long week looks for $7,800 good. Last week 'Clitterhouse' (FN), $5,000, fair. Tower ^Fox-Midwest) (2,200; 10- 35-55)—'Co-Ed' (20th) with Johnny Perkins heading vaude. Take very light, $7,000. Last week 'Freshman Year' ,(U) and Benny Goodman's band jammed in the jitterbugs for a new house record at $19,500. Uptown (Fox-Midwest) (1,200; 10- 25-40)—'Dracula' (U) and 'Frank- enstein' (U) (reissues). Eclipsing everything of past two years, $6,300. phenomenal. Last week 'Alexander' (20th), in third week here and fifth in town, satisfactory $3,000. Guild Stands Pat (Continued from page 5) Buffalo, Sept. 27. Too Hot to Handle' is all of that fit the Buffalo and looks to bring in the best business in town for the current stanza. Elsewhere grosses are moderate. Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Shea) (3,500; 30-35-55)— •Hot Handle' (M-G). Gable-Loy should get best gross in months, probably $1-7,000. Last week, 'Sin- ners' (Par), slightly under estimates although okay at $11,300. Century (Shea) (3,000; 25-35)— •Spawn* (Par) (2d run). Nine days for "this and looks good $6,500. Last week, 'Kid' (Rep) and 'Fugitives for Night' (RKO), five-day double fea- ture struck fair $4,700. Great Lakes (Shea) (3,000; 30-50) —'Antoinette* (M-G) (2d week). Holdover does not look particularly strong, probably fair $7,500. Last week, first, fine $14,000. Hipp (Shea) (2,100; 25-40)—'Co- Ed* (20th) and 'Mr. Moto' (20th). Good $6,000. Last week, 'Actress* (WB), weak $4,800. Lafayette (Ind) (3,300; 25-35)—'G Men Step In' (Col) and 'Gladiator* (Col). Looks like fair $7,500. Last week, 'Am Law* (Col) and 'Show On' (G-B), neat $9,800. ASTAIRE-ROGERS, 'CO-ED' OK $6,000 EACH IN 0. C. «« m? 1 ^ 0013 Clt y- Sep*- 27- •Hold That Co-Ed,* at Criterion, and 'Carefree,' at Midwest, are both paced for good $6,000. 'Boys Town' shifted to Tower for second stanza after swell $5,900 at the Midwest last week. State fair, in town all this week, should hypo i>. o.s with large out- state crowds. Estimates for This Week Criterion (Stan) (1,500; 25-35-40) •-'Co-Ed' (20th). Good $6,000. Last Kansas City, Sept. 27. Line-up of films shows sturdy at- tractions, with Gable-Loy combo in 'Too Hot to Handle' at Midland over- shadowing. Film started bullishly at top-notch pace, but is figured to ease off somewhat due to negative word-of-mouth. Orpheum and Newman broke up their customary opening day poli- cies to bring in new films on mid- week dates. Single featured, both 'Four Daughters' and 'Sing You Sin- ners' are showing sufficient strength to hold out for extra days. At Tower, where recent attention has been concentrated on vaude names, it's the film which shows the major draught this week. Annual Jubilesta closed Sunday (25), giving show business back to the theatres, although most man- agers agree the event has been good for business in general. In the face of it, Benny Goodman set a new house record at the Tower last week. Estimates for This Week Esquire (Fox-Midwest) (820; 15- 25-40-55)—'Lucky Star' (20th)., Took over in middle of week and looks like first eight days will get $6,000, good. Last week 'Letter' (U), gave out in its fifth day of second week; $2,500 in short week only fair. Midland (Loew's) (3,573; 10-25-40k —'Hot Handle' (M-G) and 'Lady Ob- jects' (Col). Headed for $16,000, very good. At this pace will shade pre- vious week's take. Last week 'Boys Town' (M-G) and 'Danger on Air' (U) big $15,500. Newman (Paramount) (1,900; 10- 25-40)—'Sinners' (Par). Soloing with a mid-week opening. Looks like nine-day run at least and chalking up $7,500, nice. Last week 'Boy Girl' (FN) proved less than an av- theory that there i: no likely ma- terial for such a sizable investment. No Coi*. LLortage There is no shortage of coin in legit, the playwrights claim. On the contrary, there is a shortage of suit- able scripts. There are a number of producers who have backing, but can't find satisfactory scripts, but no known cases of producers with likely scripts unable to obtain backing. On that theory, additional coin would merely encourage the production of unsuitable scripts and thereby in- crease the percentage of flops, but would not bring about any increase in the number of hits. According to the authors, flops hurt the theatre, r.jt help it. Fo* another thing, it is argued that the period of frenzied production several seasons ago, when some of the leading managers had huge chunks of picture coin for use over periods of a full season or more, led to all jorts of extremes in lavish production and costly flops, but contributed little to the good of the theatre as a whole. Only signs of a possible future re- turn of Hollywood money to legit are what is viewed as a slowly grow- ing restlessness among picture execs and the • undeveloped plan being worked out by a joint committee of studios and Guild reps. As for the former, some persons in position to know claim that it is meiely a ques- tion of time before the Hollywood enC. will grow tired of trying to wait out Broadway. Whe.. the studio heads are Convinced that legit can get along without them and that no concessions will be made, they will resume Broadway financing, it is thought. However, that is merely an unsupported theory and shows no visible sign of coming to pass. As regards the plan being consid- ered by Hollywood and Guild reps, this was suggested almost a year ago by John Wharton, theatrical attor- ney. Fact that both the picture end and the Guild reps have worked so long without beini able to settle on a plan is viewed as evidence that the idea is extremely difficult and complex. On the other hand, the fact that both groups are still work- ing indicates they believe it has pos- sibilities. 'Hot Handle Terrific $20,000 Despite Frisco Crix; Drums Loud $12, San Francisco, Sept. 27. 'Too Hot to Handle,' with Clark Gable and Myrna Loy, is pretty hot stuff at the Warfield. Gable and Loy always have been plenty potent at the b.o., although not treated kindly by the crix in this opus. •Drums,' Korda's Technicolor pic- ture, at the United Artists, got off to a noisy start following nine weeks of 'Algiers' at this house. A second Technicolor picture, 'Valley of the Giants,' is faring fairly well at the Fox. Paramount, Orpheum and St. Francis all have holdovers. Estimates for This Week Fox (F-WC) (5,000; 35-55-75)— 'Giants' (WB) and 'Meet' Girls' (20th). Technicolor treatment has given this old-fashioned story a mod- ern touch, Which is helping to put it over. Geared for $16,000, nice. Last week, 'Daughters' (WB) and 'Higgins Family' (Rep) slipped a bit and ended week with $16,500. Golden Gate (RKO) (2,850; 35-55) —'Annabel' (RKO) and Maxine Sul- livan on stage. Latter getting - a >big buildup in ads and largely respon- sible for most of biz this week, which looks like $14,000, average. Last week, 'Rackets' (RKO) with Pinky Tomlin on the stage, average $14,000. Orpheum (F&M) (2,440; 35-55)— 'Am Law' (Col) and 'Freshman Ro- mance' (U) (3d wk.). Biz skidded so badly in third week that Manager Hal Neides had to yank this bill two days earlier than intended and rush in 'Youth Takes Fling' (U) and 'City Streets' today (Tues.). Latter two pictures will now run nine days in- stead of seven-day stretch. For five days 'Law' and 'Romance' will be lucky to get $3,000. Last week (2d), v.g. $8,000 after first big week. Paramount (F-WC) (2,740; 35-55- 75)—'Has Nancy' (MG) and 'Actress' (WB) (2d wk.). New Janet Gaynor picture with Bob Montgomery and Franchot Tone a honey. Holdover stint will get around $9,000. Last week, great $16,000: St. Francis (F-WC) (1,470; 35-55- 75)—'Daughters' (WB) and 'Higgins Family' (Rep). Hopeful of $6,000. good. Last week (5th), 'Alexander' (20th), strong $5,500. United Artists (Cohen) (1,200; 35- 55-65). 'Drums' (UA). Crix raved about Technicolor treatment of 'Drums' and liked its star, 'Sabu,' who made a p.a. here last week. Big $12;0Q0- is anticipated. Last week (9th) 'Algiers' closed with good $3,500. Warfield (F-WC) (2,680; 35-55-75)— •Hot to Handle' (MG). Headed for terrific $20,000, big money these days. Twenty-four sheet posters have been up so long on this picture th?*-.-"*^*-? was some danger of it p<- - ' when it finallv week, 'Co-v r •:* (RepV * Kyser-loon Sock (32,000 as All Pitt B.0.s Boom; Handle' Hot $20,000 Canadian Sex Campaign Ties In 'Damaged Goods' Vancouver, Sept. 27. For first time on record, govern- ment authorities came through with whole-hearted endorsement of a sex picture when 'Damaged Goods' played the Plaza here. Highly con- servative English-type government consistently refuses any tieup which has suggestion of commercial angle, but this picture played in too nicely with the current campaign against sex diseases to be passed up. Resulting endorsements from Pro- vincial Board of Health, Parent Teachers Federation, and other prominent, bodies engaged in social work put the picture over to excel- lent grosses .on its two-week run at this independent deluxer. GABLE-LOY BIG 12G IN INDPLS. Indianapolis, Sept. 27. Business continues above normal for this time of year and is sur- passing last season's figures for the same period here. 'Too Hot to Han- dle,' at Loew's, is turning in a sock- eroo session to lead the downtown houses by a healthy margin. In the runner-up slot is Gene Krupa and his band at the Lyric in combination with 'Meet the Girls.' 'Four Daughters,' at the Circle, is managing to build to fairly decent figures after a slow start. Apollo trails in the moderate class with 'Hold That Co-Ed.' Estimates for This Week Apollo (Katz-Dolle) (1,100; 25-30- 40)—'Co-Ed' (20th). Plunged in newspaper ad space, but take is only fairish.at $3,400. Last week, 'Racket Busters' (WB), lukewarm $3,000. Circle (Katz-Dolle) (2,800; 25-30- 40)—'Daughters' (WB) and 'Missing Guest' (U). Disappointing, although satisfactory at $6,000. Last week. •Carefree' (RKO) and 'Sky Giant' (RKO), $7,800, good. Loew's (Loew's) (2,400; 25-30-40)— 'Hot Handle' (M-G). Gable-Loy team powerful magnet here with gross at $12,000, very big. Last week, •Boys' Town' (M-G) and 'Lady Ob- jects' (Col), also $12,000, socko. Lyric (Olson) (1,900; 25-30-40)— 'Meet Girls' (20th) and Gene Krupa hand on stage. Latter credited with drawing $10,000, good. Last week, 'Four's Crowd' (WB) and vaude, $9,800, plenty okay. PROJECTIONISTS BONE UP ON TELEVISION Philadelphia, Sept. 27. New fad among the members of the Projectionists' Union turned up here last week. Theatre reel-twid- dlers are going in heavily for a course in television operation being offered by RCA-Victor at its plant in Camden. Lessons cost $25 per series of five, which includes necessary text books. Boy Scouts at heart, the projec- tionists have been repeatedly warned that visio will be here in two years, and they're being prepared. Power Off, 3 Illinois Towns Darken Cinemas St. Louis, Sept. 27.. Picture theatres in Murphysboro, Carbondale and West Frankfort, 111., were darkened last week when van- dals blew up a 75-foot transformer tower with dynamite charges near Murphysboro. The tower carries juice generated by the Central Illi- nois Public Service Co. 12 miles from Murphysboro and the energy is transmitted to the Western United Gas & Electric Co. which distrib- utes it. Repairs were quickly made for Carbondale and West' Frankfort con- sumers but Murphysboro was with- out juice until the next a. m. Small Gets 'Duke' Away Hollywood, Sept. 27. Edward Small got his long delayed 'Duke of West Point' under w^v General Service studjp" Haywprr* ~ Pittsburgh, Sept. 27. Town's biggest weekend in years, what with Sesqui celebration vind- ing up in a mammoth parade, Pitt footballers uncorking grid campaign at Stadium and pennant-bound Pi. rates closing home season, almost doubled normal population and in- flux reflected beautifully at down- town b.o.s. Looks like the top stanza here in several months, with every- body cashing in. Way out in front of pack is* Stan- ley, with Kay Kyser's band and 'Garden of Moon,' flirting with house record and a sure thing to come out with a new high here for band shows. Also hot is 'Too Hot to Handle' at Penn, steaming along in great fash- ion with 'Boys Town' at Warner, after great session at Penn, heading. for a five-figure medley and likely to stick another seven days. Estimates for This Week Alvln (Harris) (1,850: 25-35-50)— 'Place and Show' (20th). Off a bit on tag end of week, but, coasting through on great four-day start and should wind up pretty close to $8,500, good but not quite strong enough to rate h.o. ' House gets 'You Can't Take It With You' (Col) Thursday (29) for a run, with legit version opening against it at Nixon four days later. Last week, 'Gladiator* (Col) and 'Reformatory' (Col), poor $5,300. Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1,700; 25-40) 'Lucky Star' (20th) (2d wk). Gen- erally healthy condition of town giv- ing Henie flicker break and attrac- tion looks to wind up with around $5,000, or slightly better. Last week, 'Star' went to $7,000, good, but a loss over takes of Henie in past. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300: 25-35-50) 'Hot Handle' (M-G). Gable-Loy combo spreading itself nicely in ac- tion-packed comedy meller and should have no trouble waltzing through with pretty close-to $20,000. Ordinarilv a h;o. figure for second week at Warner, but 'Boys Town' do- ing so well at latter soot it may stay over again and edge 'Hot' out. Last week. 'Boys Town' (M-G), terrific $26,500. Stanley (WB) (3.600; 25-40-60)— •Garden Moon', (FN) and Kay Ky- ser's band. Sensational's the word for Kyser. Two years ago WB de- luxer wouldn't take him for $2,500. Now he's the biggest thine house has ever had in a band. Shooting at $32,000 mark, a new high for orch shows, and with any kind of break may even forge ahead of Judy Gar- land's $33,000 to set a new Stanley- record for current scale. Last week, 'Giants' (WB) and Jan Garber's band, only $15,000, a big disappoint- ment. Warner (WB) (2,000: 25-35-50)— 'Boys Town* (M-G). Moved after great week at Penn and still has plenty of stuff left. Paced for $10,000 and may go above that to snatch big- gest h.o. biz site has ever had. prob- ably will stay another week. Last week. 'Rich Man* (M-G) and 'Booloo* (Par), pretty terrible at $3,800 in eight days. MARX BROS. BIG $14,500 IN WASH. Washington, Sept. 27. 'Four Daughters,' which rode in on push from the crix after opening new nabe house week before down- town debut, is easy leader this week. Everything doing okay, with 'Room Service' and third stanza of 'Marie Antoinette' pleasantly surprising. Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew) (3,434; 25-35r40- 66)—'Lucky Star' (2Cth) and vaude. No-name vaude li'.lle help and Sonja Henie alone won't get over fair $17,- 000. Last week 'Boys Town' (M-G) and 'National Barn Dance' on stage, smash $33,000. * Columbia (Loew) (1,242; 25-40)— 'Alexander' (20th) (2d run). Second week of reoeat after two weeks up street getting nice $4,000. Last week same pic built to swell $7,300. Earle (WB) (2,216; 25-35-40-66)— 'Daughters' (WB) and vaude. Bally and reviews plus Wayne Morris on stage leading town with nice $19,000. Last week 'Giants' (WB) and Ben Bernie's orch to good $10,500. Keith's. (RKO) (1,830; 35-55)— 'Room Service' (RKO). Big $14,500. Last week 'Annabelle' (RKO), lasted six days for passable $5,000. Met (WB) (1,600; 25-40)—'Actress' (WB). In smaller WB house and