Variety (Oct 1938)

VARIETY PICTURE GROSSES Wednesday, Oetober 5, 1938 Take It' Big $37,000, GaUe-Loy Hot $31,200 Tops in L. A.; 'Garden Bri^ $15,500, 'Sinners H.O. Good Los Angeles, Oct. 4. The Clark Gable-Myrna Loy Metro opus, 'Too Hot to Handle,' and Co- lumbia's 'You Can't Take It With You,' latter solo billed, are the town's pace setters this week, and will account for bulk of the first-run take. 'Too Hot' will pile up $31,200 at day-date State-Chinese, while the Col feature, by virtue of quick turn- over permitted, will top that amount with smash $37,000. 'Sing You Sinners' is keeping well out of the red, as are Warner houses with 'Garden of the Moon' and 'Ju- venile Court' Estimates for This Week Ctdnesc (Grauman-F-WC) (2,024; 30-40-55-75)—'Too Hot to Handle' (M-G) and 'Meet Girls' (20th), dual. Gable-Loy comedy struck the Hol- lywood fancy and trade on week will Tiit big $13,200. Last week 'Hold Co-Ed' (20th) and 'Mysterious Moto' (20th), topped its day-dater (State) for slim $9,000. Downtown (WB) (1,800; 30-40-55- 65)—'Garden of Moon' (WJB) and •Juvenile Court' (Col), dual. Okay $7,501) in face of opposish. Last week •Valley of Giants' (WB) and 'Block- Heads' (M-G), just fair $8,900. Holly wood (WB) (2,756; 30-40-55- 65)—'Garden of Moon^ (WB) and •Juvenile Court* (Col), dual. Combo will get good $8,000. Last week 'Val- ley of Giants' (WB) and 'Block- Heads' (M-G), just fair $8;400. Orpbcum (Bdwy) (2,280; 25-30-35- 40)—'The Renegade Banger' (RKO) and 'Bulldog Drummond in Africa' (Par), dual, and vaudeville. Ini- tial first-time in couple of weeks heading for just so-so $6,800. Fantaires (Pan) (2,'812; 30-40-55)— •You Can't Take It With You' (Col). Quite a little interest in- this film version of the popular stage play and solo billed should hit smash $20,000. Last week 'Youth Takes Fling' (U) and 'Annabelle' (RKO), weak $6,400. Paramount (Par) (3.595; 30-40-55) —'Sing You Sinners' (Par) and stage show (2nd wk). Holdover not hit- ting near pace of initial week, but good $11,500, nevertheless. First stanza topped $19,000, big. BKO (2,872: 30-40-55)—You Can't Take It With You' (Col). Solo play- ing of this one should help turnover and pile up very big $17,000. Last week 'Youth Takes Fling' (U) and •Annabelle' (RKO), dismal $5,000. State (Loew-Fox) (2,414; 30-40-55- 75)—'Too Hot to Handle' (M-G) and •Meet the Girls' (20th), dual. Hit- ting a fast pace and easily the town's solo topper with better than $18,- 000 the answer. Last week 'Co-Ed' (20th) and 'Moto' (20th), worst in months, at $9,000. United Artists (F-WC) (2,100; 30- 40-55)—'Hold that Co-Ed' (20th) and •Algiers' (UA), dual. 'Algiers,' fresh from its long run at the Fo\ir Star, moved in as added feature to 'Co-Ed' and will probably hit good $3,500. Last week 'Boys Town' (M- G) and 'Speed Bum' (20th), on moveover, very excellent $6,300. WJlshire (F-WC) (2,296; 30-40-55- 65)—'Hold That Co-Ed' (20th) and •Algiers' (UA), dual. For moveover, •Algiers' was added in place of ' •Mysterious Moto,' the switch help- ing trade to hijce $5,100. Last week 'Boys Town* (M-G) and •Speed Burn' (20th), on moveover, very big $8,500. More Lincoln Opposish; *4 Daughters,' Big $3,700 Lincoln, Oct. 4. Varsity opened under full steam Thursday (29) with.'Four Daughters,' which seems a cinch to build further. House is planning to hold it for two weeks. 'Antoinette' is doing fairly well, and the Lincoln's 'Vivacious Lady'-'Devil's Party' dual is going good. Indications are that the town will once again become 100% operating, because T. B. Noble, Jr., who has the Varsity and Kiva, is bidding with Bob Livingston for the lease and equipment of the Sun, 500-seater, which he would make into an action house. House closed Aug. 1, when J. H. Cooper's Lincoln Theaters Corp, dropped it. Estimates for This Week Liberty (Cooper) (1.200; 10-15)— •Boy Friend' (Rep) and 'Saint New York' (RKO), split With 'Strawberry Roan* (indie) and 'Numbers' (20th). Good. $900. Last week, 'Pecos' (Vic) and 'Youth on Parole' (Rep), split with 'Renegade' (RKO) and 'Chaser' (M-G), good $900. Lincoln (Cooper) (1,600: 10-25-35) —'Vivacious Lady' (RKO) and ♦Devil's Party' (20th). Will go over $3,000, from present indications, which Is okay. Last week, 'Keep Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week $308,500 (Based on 11 theatres) Total Gross Same Week Last Year $280,700 CBosed on 14 theatres) Smiling' (20th) and 'Always Good- bye' (RKO), faded to fair $2,700. Stnart (Cooper) (1,900; 10-25-40)— 'Antoinette' (M-G). General com- ment is that the pic moves too slowly. Will see about $3,600, a little better than average. Last week, 'Lucky Star' (2eth), $3,900, okay. Varsity (Noble) (l,100r 10-25-40) -'Daughters' (FN). Will get a dandy $3,700, helped by the heftiest newspaper campaign in years. House just opened (29) after remodelling. CINCY BULLISH, TOWN' BIG $i9,ie Cincinnati, Oct. 4. Smash b. o. of 'Boys Town,' at Albee, and 'You Can't Take It With You,' at Shubert, are surging cinema center's ctHnblned take over last week's by a sweet margin. It's the seventh straight week for biz by and large in the profit column. Two other fresh releases currently are skidding. 'Hold That Co-Ed' will be yanked out of the Palace after six days. Lyric is down under with 'Breaking the Ice.' Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,300; 35-42)—'Boya Town' (M-G). Wham $1«,000. Last week 'Sinners' (Par)> good $13,000. Capitol (BKO) (2,000; 35-42)—'Hot Handle' (M-G) (2d run). Swell $6,- 000. Last week 'Daughters' (WB) (2d run), fair $4,500. FamUy (BKO) (1,000; 15-25)—'Ju- venile Court' (Col), 'Marines Are Here' (Mono), 'Convicted' (Col), sep- arate. Nice $2,200. Same last week with 'Painted Desert' (RKO) 'Bull- dog Drvunmond' (Par), 'Murder' (20th), singly. Grand (RKO) (1,200; 25-40)— 'Daughters' (WB) (3d run). Okay $3,000. Last week 'Antoinette' (3d run) (M-G). fair $2,500. Keith's (Libson) (1,500; 35-42)— 'Sinners' (Par) (2d run). Fair $4,- 000. Last week 'Reno' (U), $2,000, new low for a long time. Lyric (RKO) (1,400;' 35-42)— 'Breaking Ice' (RKO). Sad $3,000; juves washed up here. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 35-42)—'Co- Ed' (20th). Will be jerked tlitx sixth day. Very poor $6,500. Lafit week 'Hot Handle' (M-^G), big $16,000. Shubert (RKO) (2,150; 35-40-59)— 'Can't Take It' (Col). Socko $15,- 000. Will hold indef. Last week 'Alexander' (20th) (6th week), nifty $4,000, bringing total gross for the run close to $65,000, a Cincy record for recent years. HUGH HERBERT-RTTZES PANIC INDPLS., $12,500 Indianapolis, Oct. 4, Hugh Herbert's p. a. and 'Straight, Place, and Show' at the Lyric are clicking off a stroAg figure to share top honors among the first-runs with 'Sing You Sinners' and 'Campus Confessions,' dual, at Circle. 'Valley of the Giants' is doing nicely at the smaller Apollo, while Loew's is far- ing well with second week of 'Too Hot to Handle.' Business unanimously okay in the downtown sector. Estimates for This Wcelt Apollo (Katz-Dolle) (1,100; 25-30- 40)—'Giants' (WB). Best grosser at this spot in recent weeks with prob- able $4,800, good. Last week 'Co-Ed' (20th), mild $3,000. Circle (Katz-Dolle) (2,800; 25-30- 40)—'Sinners' (Par) and 'Confes- sions" (Par). Crosby picture £iven good send-off in dailies and tdke wiU be socko $10,000. Last week 'Daugh- ters' (WB) and ': lissing Guest' (U), okay $7,500. Loew's (Loew's) (2,400; 25-30-40)— 'Hot Handle' (M-G) (2d wk). Hold- over stanza is justifying itself very nicely at $6,000 pace. Last week, same firm, very big $12,500. Lyric (Olson) (1,900; 25-30-40)-^ 'Place, Show' (20th) and Hugh Her- bert headlining vaude bill. Latter given top billing and more than half the space in ads, outdoor copy and general exploitation campaign. Combo will get excellent $12,500. Last week 'Meet Girls' (20th) and Gene Krupa band on stage, $8,500, fair. 'Boys Town'-'Rich Man' Record 15G in Denver Denver, Oct. 4. Indian summer weather over the weekend nicked grosses in several first runs, with football games and mountain trips getting nod from thousands. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 25-40)— 'Daughters* (FN), after a week at the Denver. Strong $4,000 and mov ing to Broadway. Last week, 'For ever Yours' (GN), fair $3,000. Broadway (Fox) (1,100; 25-40)— •Annabel' (RKO) and 'Breaking Ice' (RKO), three days, after a week at the Orpheum; 'Ziegfeld' (M-G), four days. Fair $2,500 in sight. Last week 'Has Nancy' (M-G) and •Fugi- tives' (RKO), both after a week at the Orpheum, okay $2,500. Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 25-35- 40)—'Touchdown, Army' (Par). Av- erage $5,500. Last week, 'Sinners' (Par), good $8,500. Denver (Fox) (2,525; 25-35-50)— 'Giants' (WB) and stage show. Nice $9,500. Film moves to AUadin. Last week, 'Daughters' (FN), good $9,000. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 25-35-40) Town' Wham 27|^G in Frisco; Marxes On $18,500, but Ritzes 14G No Sock San Francisco, Oct. 4. •Boys Town' is going to town in a big way at the Fox. Cast and story are perfect for this house, which draws on the heavily populated slum Mission District. Even though many of these people are involved in either the warehouse or department store strikes, picture is definitely a b.o. winner. Picture has cbmpetish for the cor- duroy trade in 'Room Service' at the Golden Gate,'ar.d the Ritz Bros, in 'Straight, Place and Show' at the Paramount. Latter only fair at wicket, however. Estimates for This Week Fox (F-WC) (5,000; 35-55-75) — 'Boys Town* (M-G) and 'Vacation Love' (M-G). Tracy-Rooney combo a b.o. natural. Turnstile spinning plenty at hotcha $27,500. Last week, 'Giants' (WB) and 'Meet Girls' (20th), average $15,000. Golden Gate (RKO) (2,850; 35-55) —'Room Service' (RKO) and vaude. Marx Bros, very popular in this house, although notices were mixed. Can't complain at $10,500, which is best figure Gate has seen in a long time. Last week, 'Annabel' (RKO), nice $14,000. Orpheam (F&M) (2,440; 35-55) — 'Youth Fling' (U) ;ind 'City Streets' (Col). Rushed in two days earlier than originally planned when 'I Am the Law' (Col) had a sinking spe}] during its third week. Fairish '$7,200 for nine days. Last week, third, 'Am Law' (Col) and 'Freshman Year' (U), two days short of seven, saw slim $3,500 in till. Paramount (F-WC) (2,740; 35-55- 75)—'Straight, Place' (20th) and 'Broadway Musketeers' (WB). Latest Ritz Bros, film given a Saturday opening instead of customary Thurs- day initialer. Although public re- ception good, won't get more than fairish $14,000. Last week (2nd), 'Has Nancy' (M-G) and 'Actress' (WB), fair $9,000 in nine days. St. Francis (F-WC) (1,470; 35-55- 75)—'Daughters' (WB) and 'Higgins Family' (Rep) (3d wk.). After dis- appointing start at the Fox 'Daugh- ters' finally caught on. Second week here built from day to day, justify- ing holdover for third stanza. Should do $4,500. Last week sizeable $6,000. United Artists (Cohen) (1,200; 35- 55-65)—'Drums' (UA) (2d v/k.). Sec- ond stint, holding up well, doing profitable $8,500. Last week got big $13,000. Warfleld (F-WC> (2,680; 35-55-75) —'Hot Handle' (M-G) (2d wk.). Sec- ond week soaring to $14,000, which is better than some pictures have been doing during their first week here of late. Last week big $21,000. PbiBy B.O. Rides H^h on Grid Hypo; Morris-loon Bfe 22^/^, 'Service 16^2 Key City Grosses Estimated Total Gross Thia Week $1,574,20» (Based on 24 cities, 154 thea- tres, chiefly first runs, including N. Y.) Total Gross Same Week Last Year $1,511,200 (Based on 23 cities, 162 theatres) —'Boys' Town' (M-G) and 'Rich Man' (M-G). Breaking house record for duals; smash $15,000. Last week, 'Breaking Ice' (RKO) and 'Annabel' (RKO) fair $6,000 for six days. Paramount (Fox) (2,200; 25-40)— •Army Girl' (Rep) and 'Numbers' (20th). Fair $3,000. Last week, 'Ac- tress' (FN) and 'Murder' (20th), fair $3 000 kiaito (Pox) (878; 25-40)—'Frank- enstein' (U) and 'Dracula' (U) (2d wk). Still strong at ^2,500 pace. Last week, horror dual finished with big $4,000. Good Pix Ice Hot GaUe-Loy 12G Louisville; Oct. 4. Strong line-up of films currently at all downtown houses. An added hypo is Marjorie Weaver, new 20th- Fox star, back home to visit the folks for a week. While here, she's mak- ing three appearances on Sunday and Monday at the Strand in con- junction with 'Hold That Co-Ed.* P. a. gave a tremendous boost to the college film. 'Too Hot to Handle,' on a single at Loew's State, is strong. 'Room Service,' on a dual with 'Personal Secretary* at the Rialto, displaying plenty of sock, and 'Valley of Giants,' single at the Mary Anderson, looks to be well on the okay side. C o u r i e r-Journal's Kentuckiana Week is current, with free lectures, Rudy Vallee and Gene Krupa orchs., and Buddy Rogers band with Bobby Breen at the Jefferson County Ar- mory. But everything considered, film houses are doing plenty okay^ visitors from surrounding territory gandering the new films while in town. Estimates (or This Week Brown (Loew's-Fourth Ave.)— 'Sinners' (Par) and 'Confessions' (Par) (dual). Switched here after profitable stanza at Rialto and prom- ises to return fair $1,900. Last week, 'Carefree' (RKO) and 'Rackets' (RKO), satisfactory $1,800. Kentucky (Switow) (900; 15-25)— •Little Women' (RKO) and 'Racket Busters' (WB) (twin), split with 'Penrod' (WB) and 'Professor Be- ware* (Par) (dual). Pacing for aver- age $1,700. Last week, 'Clitterhouse' (WB) and 'Miss Broadway' (20th), okay $2,100. Loew's State (Loew's) (3,100; 15- 30-40)—'Hot Handle' (M-G). Pulling the Gable-Loy fan contingent in po- tent fashion, helped by a timely color short on Czechoslovakia. Extra space in newspapers and national ads will help boost take to fine $12,- 000. Last week, 'Boys Town' (M-G) and 'Lady Objects' (Col), good $6,- 000 on h. o. stanza. Mary Anderson (Libson) (1,000; 15-30-40)—'Giants* (WB). Getting nice response and looks to stand up okay, with help of visitors in town for Fall Trade Week. Should take okay $3,700 in spite of plethora of. free opposish. Last week, 'Daugh- ters' (WB), good $3,200 on h. o. Ohio (Settos) (900; 15)—'Break- fast for Two' (RKO) and 'Swing Lady' (WB) (dual), split with'Lancer Spy' (20th) and 'Broadway Girls' (UA) (pair). Looks like fair $1,300. Last week, 'Doctor, Nurse' (20th) and 'Front Page' (UA) (dual), split with 'Heidi' (20th) and 'Hot Water' (20th), average $1,400. Rialto (Fourth Ave.) (3,000; 15-30- 40)—'Room Service' (RKO) and 'Personal Secretary' (U) (dual), and March of Time. Potent bill offer- ing plenty of inducements to out-of- town shoppers. In spite of all the Kentuckiana attractions, biz should stack up okay $10,000. Last week, 'Sinners' (Par) and 'Campus Confes- sions' (Par), strong $10,000. Strand (Fourth Ave.) (3,000; 15-30- 40)—'Co-Ed' (20th) and 'Murder' (20th) dual). With Marjorie Weaver in town for p. a.'s Sunday and Mon- day, b. 0. traffic took a spurt which should carry things along to sizable profit on the'Week, probably $4,200. Last week, 'Annabel' (RKO), and 'Kid' (Rep), nice $3,500. Philadelphia, Oct. 4. Pleasantly swift upward surge at the b.o., which set in with better product and cool weather a couple weeks ago, hitting its full stride this sesh under the draft of continued good pix and nicely tempered sun- shine. Largely responsible, too, for the fancy figures was strong week- end biz, fed by crowds on hand for opening of the football season with two good games. Mounting to its almost regular spot at the top of the list is the vaudfllm Earle with Wayne Morris ■and Johnny Davis' orch p.a.'ing and 'Garden of the Moon' on the screen. Good for neat $22,500. Right behind it, from the standpoint of power. Is 'Room Service' at the Stanley, gar- nering $16,500. Not quite powerful enough, however, for another lap, Estimates for This Week Aldine (WB) (1,303; 42-57-68-75)— 'Boys Town' (M-G) (3d week). Still pacing nicely at $12,500 and inked in for at least one more session. Last week very strong $16,400. Boyd (WB) (2,350: 37-57-68-75)— •Antohiette' (M-G) (2d week). An- other one out for a long-distance recoEd by clipphig $15,000 for the present lap and almost $20,000 in itg initial stanza. Certain of at least one more turn. Earle (WB) (2,758; 25-37-42-57-68> -'Garden Moon' (WB) and Wayne Morris and Johnny Davis' orch on boards. House doing nip ups in a healthy turn at around $22,500. Last week, 'Actress' (WB) with Buddy Rogers and Mary Brian in ttie flesh, very disappointing with only $17,500: Fox (WB) (2,423; 37-57-68-75)— 'Co-Ed' (20th) and Ina Ray Hutton crew on stage. Another weakie as the house ends its abortive experi- ment with the return of vaude; $17,- 000. Last week, 'Straight, Place* (20th) and American Ice Carnival fleshing, even worse with around $15,500. Karlton (WB) (1.066; 37-42-57-68) —•Daughters' (WB) (2d run; 2d week). Still steaming along fairly well on its fourth week in town at better than $3,500. Liast week, its first on continued run, v.g. at about $5,500. Keith's (WB) (1,870; 37-42-57-68)— 'Straight, Place' (20th) (2d run)^ Well below par and disappointing at little more than $3,500. Last week; 'Lucky Star' (20th) (3d run), n.s.h. $3,000, although it had unusual ex- perience of playing Its second run in usual first-run Stanton. Stanley (WB) (2,916; 37-57-68-75) — Room Service' (RKO). Hit some- what by rather lukewarm reiseption from the crix, but lush at $16,500. Not good enough, though, for an- other trot. Last week, 'Sinners* (Par), out of tune at $14,000. Stanton (WB) (1,457; 26-42-57)— 'Road to Reno* (U). Very mediocre at about $4,300. Last week, 'Kid' (Rep), weak $4,000. tm TAKE rr; VAUDE wow Ua BALTO Baltimore, Oct. 4. Generally steady doings here, with 'You Can't Take It with You' setting torrid pace at the combo Hipp for biggest take in months, $17,000. Rest of down-towners, including two h.o.'s are bunched together a goodly distance behind. 'Hold That Co-Ed* is building nicely at the New. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew*s-UA) (3,000; 15- 25-35-40-55) — 'Boys Town' (M-G) (2d week) plus h.o. of 'Musical Di- vertissement' flash on stage. Hold- ing up in steady style at $9,000 after bullish opening session to $16,300. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,205; 15-25-35-40-55-66) — 'Can't Take It' (Col) and. vaude. Setting socko pace at $17,000, with a second week in the bag. Vaude being held down to brief 39 mins. Last week, 'Am Law' (Col) plus Ina Ray Button's orch, okay $13,400. Keith's (Schanberger) (2,460; 15- 25-35-40-55) — 'Sinners' (Par) (2d week). Going nicely to $5,000 after pleasing opener to $7,800. New (Mechanic) (1,558; 15-25-35- 55)—'Co-ed' (20th). Building in good style to $5,500. Last week, sec- ond of 'Lucky Star' (20th), mild ^12,900 after uneventful opener at 14,300. Stanley (WB) (3.250; 15-25-35-40- 55)—'Giants' (WB). Getting some daytime and juve support to pos- sible $6,000. Last week, third of 'Daughters' (WB), added fair $5,400 to previous total of $22,400.