Variety (Oct 1938)

Weduesday, October 12, 1938 PICTURE GROSSES VARIETY Hugh Herbert Aids 'Army M 12G, Vaude Hypes 'Annaber to $17,000, Chi Strong; Take It'Big 40G/Boys 29G Chicago, Oct. 11. Great lineup of pictures and at- tractions throughout the loop cur- rently, with each house putting its best foot forward on the screen or on the stage. So good, in fact, that B&K put the Ritz Bros, flicker, 'Straight; Place and ShoW,*^ into-what is usually a sluflferoo spot—the Apollor In the Chicago, *You Can't Take It With You' is garnering coin for the big arena. Much play being given Frank Capra on direction, Capra fig- uring as a b.o. name around this town. 'Boys Town' at the United Artists, with word-of-mouth adding steadily, makes gross prospects on the week look smashy, Hugh Herbert is pulling Elenty "of business Into the State- ake, pushing the gross far above normal on his personal appearance. Vaude is the only biz backbone of the Palace, also, with Bert Wheeler, Stroud Twins and Doily Kay on the rostrum giving the house a total that will make the. treasurer happy all week. 'King of Alcatraz' at .the Garrick is above average. Estimates for This Week ApoUo (B&K) (1,200; 35-55-65-75) —'Straight, Place' (20th). Ritz Bros, still a draw locally and adding to a good take currently to $9,000. Last week 'Sinners' (Par) finished to neat $5,700. Chicagro (B&K) (4,000; 35-55-75)— 'Can't Take It' (Col) and stage show. Another big session in view for the house at $40,000, thouh slow to start. Last week, 'Daughters' (WB) wound up to great $51,000. Garrick (B&K) (900; 35-55-65-75)— •King of Alcatraz' (Par). Winning :to $7,000, fine take here. Last week 'Touchdown' (Par) a blooper with Boggy $3,300. Palace (RKO) (2;500;~3S-55^65-75) —'Annabel* (RKO) and vaude, with Bert Wheeler-Strouds-DoUy Kay. Headliners on bill accounting for the trade, which will- hit strong $17,000 currently. Picture is holding down biz. Last week, 'Youth Fling' (U) poor $13,400. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 35-55-65- 75)—'Giants' (WB). Not much from this one, despite Technicolor, and wilF conclude with mild $11,000 on the session. Last week, 'Nancy' (MG) took good $8,600 for second half of fortnight's stay. State-Lake (Jones) (2,700; 25-35-45- 55)—'Army Girl' (Rep) and vaude. Hugh Herbert on stage getting the money into the house, which will boom to strong $12,000 on the per- sonal. Last week 'Rich Man' (MG) squeaked in with so-so $9,500. United Artists (B&K-UA) (1,700; 85-55.65-75 )-;Bpjr:s_To wnT-^MJl)^ __GQt-away':fifsrandbuilding. Will hit Very nifty numeral at ^29,000 for ini- tial'stanza. Last week 'Algiers' (U) faded to $8,100, soggy, for second gallop. (RKO) and 'Moto' (20th), plus vaude, $3,100, fair. Paramount (Hamrick-Evergreen) (3,039; 32-37-42) —'Straight, Place' (20th) and 'Crime Ring' (RKO). Paced at $5,800, nice. Last week, 'Co-Ed' (20th) and 'Painted Desert' (RKO), Plus 'Jitterbugs' on stage; (second week for latter), $5,000, fair. Roosevelt (Sterling) (800; 21-32)^ 'Carey's Chickens' (RKO) and 'Re- formatory' (Col). Expect-good $2,000. Last week, 'Clitterhouse' (WB) and 'Sky Giant' (RKO), solid $2,200 RITZ BROS. ON HUB DUAL G0OD17G Seatde Looking Up; Handle' Large lOG Seattle, Oct. 11. Encouraging fall improvement is Underway. Major b.o. goes to Fifth Avenue this week for 'Too Hot to Handle.' Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick-Evergreen) (850; 32-37-42)—'Boy's Town' (M-G). Moved from Fifth. Indicates $6,000, wonderful. Last wedc, 'Four's Crowd' (WB), six days, $2,100, fair. Coliseum (Hamrick - Evergreen) (1,900; 21-32)—'Crowd Roars' (M-G) gnd 'Woman' (M-G). Anticipate good 53,000 in eight days. Last week, 'Miss f roadway' (20th) and 'Give Mfllion' WOth), six days, $2,000, slow. Colonial <Sterling) (800; 21-32)— Mrahge Adventure' (Ind) and short. n'^^ to Undress Before Husband' J^ind), Admish uppedand plenty of Daily Good $2,200. Last week (10- 21) 'Arizona' (Par) aad 'HeU Circus' <^nf). $2,000, okay. ,„^'/*h Avenue (Hamrick-Evergreen) (2,349; 32-37-42)—'Hot Handle' (M- Nice campaign and indicates fjfat $10,000. Last week 'Boys Town' (M-G) 11,500, immense. Liberty (J-vH) (1,800; 21-32-42)— Can t Take It' (Col) (2d wk). Look- »ng for $10,000, plenty marvelous. •Liast week, same film, $10,600, great. /oeJ"*''' (Hamrick-Evergreen) (850, 32-37-42)—'Antoinette' (M-G) KVLh week'. Expect okay $1,700 in wli^A^^^^' Last week, same film, *2j6O0, good. ro^AA"* h e u m (Hamrick-Evergreen) 32-37-42)—'Garden Moon' \«N) and 'Blackheads' (M-G). An- Jicipate only fair $4,200. Last week, .p'^aking Ice' (RKO) and 'Sailor' (RKO), $4,700, fair, 't'?^ (Sterling) (1.350; 16-27- wV"T,^fom City' (BKO) and 'mght i^<^P> dual, and vaude. Expect eood $3,500. Last week 'Annabel- Boston, Oct. 11. 'Boys Town,' after breaking all straight pix records at Loew's Or- pheum in its opening week here, Slaying day and date at the State, olds over and is ftgain leading the town. 'Straight, Place and Show,' on dual bill at the Met, is taking good money. Football mob (Cornell-Har- vard) helped hypo the weekend trade. Estimates for This Week Fenway (M&P) (1,332; 25-35-40- 55)—'Daughters' (WB) and 'Confes- sions' (Par) (2d run). Third week in town, but okay $6,000 indicated. Last week, 'Alcatraz' (Par) and 'Touchdown Army' (Par), dual, fair $5,000. . Keith Memorial (RKO) (2,907; 25- 35-40-55)—'Co-Ed' (20th) and 'Break- ing Ice' (RKO), dual. Only pale $13,000 for six-day week promised. Last week, 'Youth Fling' (U) and 'Annabel' (RKO), double, $13,000. Metropolitan (M&P) (4,367; 25-35- 40-55)—'Straight, Place' (20th) and 'Musketeers' (WB), dual. Good $17,000 gait. Last week, 'Daughters' (WB) and 'Confessions' (Par), dqal, six days of second week, $12,500. Orpheum (Loew) (2,900; 25-35-40- 55)—'Boys Town' (M-G) and 'Lady Objects' (Col) (2d wk.).' Very staunch holdover, aiming at dandy $18,500. First week smasho $25,700, breaking house record for cash and attendance since straight film policy began three years ago. Paramount (M&P) (1,797; 25-35- 40-55)—'Daughters' (WB) and 'Con- Jfissions" (Par), dual (2d run). Okay $8,000. Last week, 'Touchdown Army' (Par) and 'Alcatraz' (Par), medium $7,000. Scollay (M&P) (2,538; 25-35-40-50) — 'Crowd' (WB) (3d run) and 'Giants' (Par) (2d run). Pair $5,000. Last week, 'Spawn' (Par) and 'Num- bers' (20th) (2d run), $5,000. State (Loew) (3.600; 25-35-40-55) —'Boys Town' (M-G) and 'Lady Ob- jects' (Col) (2d wk.). Very good $12;000. First week very big $19,000. NELSON-HILLIARD-'MOTO' GOOD 12G IN OK INDPLS. Indianapolis, Oct. 11, Black continues to be the style on the ledgers of the first-run houses here as business maintains its con- sistently good pace of the past, few weeks. Ozzle Nelson's orch, in com- bination with 'Mysterious Mr. Moto' at the vaudfilm Lyric, is top grosser of the Week. Runner-up honors go to 'You Can't Take It With You,' at Loew's. 'Room. Service,' at the Cir- cle, is having a healthy session. Estimates for TMs Week Apollo (Katz-DoUe) (1,100; 25-30- 40)—'Sinners' (Par) and 'Campus Confessions' (Par). Moved over from Circle and will gjirner $3,200, okay. Last week, 'Giants' (WB), moderate $3,600. Circle (Katz-DoUe) (2,800; 25-30- 40)—'Room Service' (RKO) and 'Rackets' (RKO). Not up to pre- vious Marx Bros, films, but nice at $7,500, Last week, 'Sinners' (Par) and 'Campus Confessions' (Par), swell $9,000 to justify its move-over to the Apollo. Loew's (Loew's) (2,400; 25-30-40) —'Can't Take It' (Col). Well-ex- ploited, this one is clicking off ex- cellent $10,500. Last week, 'Hot Handle* (M-G), nice $5,500 in sec- ond week. Lyric (Olson) (1,900; 25-30-40)— 'Moto' (20th) and Ozzie Nelson.orch on stage with Harriet Hilliard. Combo headed for $12,000 tak«, sturdy. Last week, 'Straight, Place* (20th) and vaude headlining Hugh Herbert, also in the groove with $12,000. First Runs on Broadway (Subject to Change) Week of Oct. 13 Astor — 'Marie Antoinette* (MG) (9th wk). Capitol—Too Hot to Handle' (MG) (2d wk). Criterion — 'Broadway Mus- keteers' (WB). Globe — 'Dark Rapture' (U) (2d wk). Music Hall—'There Goes My Heart' (UA). (Reviewed in Vahietv, Sept. 28) Paramount—'If I Were King' (Par) (3d wk). Rlalto — 'The Last Express* (U) (11). RIvoH—'Youth Takes, a Fling* (U) (15). (Reviewed in Vabiety, Sept. 28) Roxy-^'Suez' (20th) (14). Strand—'The Sisters' (WB). {Reviewed in Vabieiy, Oct. 5) Week of Oct. 20 Astor — 'Marie Antoinette' -.(MG) (10th wk). CapUol—'Stablemates' (MG). (Reviewed in Varietv, Oct. 5) Criterion — 'Girls on Proba- tion' (WB). Globe—'Mr. Wong, Detective' (Mono). Music Hall—'There Goes My Heart' (UA) (2d wk). Paramount—'If I Were King' (Par) (4th wk). RIvoU—'Youth Takes a Fling' (U) (2d wk). Roxy—'Suez' (20th) (2d wk). Strand — 'The Sisters' (WBi (2d wk). TRACY - RODNEY HNE $22,000 IN BDFF. Buffalo, Oct. 11. •Boys' Town' and 'Can't Take It With You,' latter in its second week at the Lafayette, are standing out this week, with the level elsewhere somewhat above average. 'Take It' is hitting a clip which will closely approach its rousing first stanza. 'Boy's Town' looks to bring home an- other top gross. Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Shea) (3,500; 30-35-55)— 'Boy's Town' (M-G). Should get around fine $22,000. Last week, 'Boy Girl' (WB) and Rudy Vallee's orch, eight days for the picture, though only six for Vallee, brought neat $1.9,300. Century (Shea) (3,000; 25-35)— 'Touchdown Army' • (Par) and 'Smashing Rackets' (RKO). Under $7,000, fair. Last week 'Giants' (WB) and 'Crime Ring'^ (RKO), good $7,300. Great Lakes (Shea) (3,000; 30-50) —'Algiers' (UA), Looks to'get only fair $7,500. Last week 'Room Ser- vice' (RKO) dropped down to poor $6,800. Hipp (Shea) (2,100; 25-40)—'Four's Crowd' (WB) and 'Jones Family' (20th). Okay at probably over $7,000. Last week 'Hot Handle' (M-G) (2d run) poor $5,800. Layfayeite (Ind.) (3,300; 25-35-50) •Can't Take If (Col) (2d wk). Hit- ting on high and looks good for third stanza. Current gross swell at over $13,000. Last week lived up to an- ticipations and hit ceiling for $19,000. B'KLYN B.O.S CLICK 'Lady'-Vaude Good $11,000; -'Spawn,' 'Town' H.O.'s OK Brooklyn, Oct, 11. Mighty array of flicker fare in downtown emporiums, with two holdovers, 'Spawn of North,' at Para- mount, and 'Boys Town,' at Metro- politan. Albee also gathering shekels this stanza thanks to Astaire-Rogers in 'Carefree.' Vaude and single pic policy at Strand doing nicely. Estimates for TMs Week Albee (3,274; 25-35-50)—'Carefree' (RKO) and 'Annabel' (RKO). Will get nifty $19,500. Last week, 'Co-Ed' (20th) and 'Fugitive Night' (RKO), weak $14,500. Fox (4,089: 25-50)—'Garden Moon' (WB) and 'Missing Guest' (U). Sat- isfactory $14,500: Last week. 'Giants' (WB) and 'Leathernecks' (Rep) (2d- final week), good $12,Q,0Q. . . . Met (3,618; 25-50) — 'Boys Town' (M-G) (2d wk). Holding up well and.will pull fine $15,000. Last week, first, good $18,000. Paramount (4.126; 25-50)—'Spawn' (Par).and 'Barefoot Boy' (Mono) (2d wk). Dandy $17,000. Last week big $24,000, • -Strand (2,870; 25*50) —'Lady • Ob- jects' (Col) plus vaude with EsteUe Taylor. Good $11,000 in sight. Last week,''Campus Confession' '(Par) and vaude, fair enough $10,000. House nut with vaude is a little over $9,000. B way Holdovers Strong, Colman $5a000 2d/Drum$85G/Handle28G; 'Rapture $11,000, Mess' NSG 22G This is another week where the calendar helps the box office. More Jewish holidays and Columbus Day will push most of the pictures far beyond what they'd normally get, but there's nothing outstanding ex- cepting the Par on its second week of 'If I Were King' with Tommy Dor- sey, plus Connie. Boswell.. (5ne of the most powerful shows this house has had since going into stage shows Christmas, 1935, the second lap end- ing last night (Tues.), was close to $56,000. This is the second biggest week the house has had under its present policy and also betters most of the first weeks. 'King' and the Dorsey-Boswell combination, down for a four weeks' stay, starts the third today (Wed.) on the holiday. Yom Kippur a week ago today (5) was tremendous everywhere, in some theatres bigger on the matinee than at night, but that day none of the houses charged holiday prices whereas today (Wed.), they do. This will close 'Drums' on its second week to a possible $85,000, after snaring $88,000 on the first seven days. Pic- ture got good notices and drew a majority of carriage trade, with re- serves sale big. The second week of 'Too Hot to Handle' ought to J)e close to $28,000, good, and goes a third, while the second (final) session for 'Straight, Place and Show,' not a strong one for the Ritzps, the gross, however, will be quite okay at $34,000 or thereabouts, Ritz comedy got $43,- 000 on the first week for a total of around $77,000 on the 14 days, satis- factory profit, though, under hopes, 'Sue%' opens at the Roxy Friday (14). 'Secrets of an Actress' and Johnny Messner's band, together with Ches- ter Morris and Mary Small, are dis- appointing at the Strand, but with the aid of Columbus Day take may be no poorer than $22,000. House needs more than this under its stage- show policy. A very good showing for Harry Brandt's little Globe is being made by 'Dark Rapture.' Excellent notices were obtained and on the first week the ticket sale should go to $11,000 or over. It holds. Loew's, which has taken a 50% Interest in the Criterion, starts off auspiciously with 'King of Alcatraz,' which has a chance to top a fine $11,000. House has seldom gotten over $iO,000 isince it opened two years ago. 'Antoinette' is dropping a bit and probably will close in two or three weeks, though nothing is set as yet to succeed. It might be 'Citadel,' on which the reports are good. Last week (its 8th), 'Antoinette' got $8,- 900. State stages a comeback this week with 'I Am the Law' and the Clyde McCoy band, possibilities looking fa- vorable for $24,000 or bit over. Estimates for This Week Astor (1,012; 55-$1.10-$1.65-$2.20)— 'Antoinette' (MG) (9th week). Near- ing its close, though date not set; last week (8th), $8,900. Capitol (4,520; 25-35-55-85-$1.25)— 'Too Hot to Handle' (M-G) (2d week). Garnering $36,000 last week, its first, the Gable-Loy starrer is standing up well on holdover, prob- ably $28,000 or close. Remains a third week. Criterion (1,662; 25-40-55)—'King of Alcatraz' (Par). May top $11,000, very good. Last week. 'Sons of Le- gion' (Par) floundered badly, only around $5,000. Globe (1,274; 25-40-55)—'Dark Rapture* (U). Jungle picture, get- ting flne notices, is doing splendidly here; probably $11,000 or near. Holds. Last week, 'Road to Reno' (U) was a road nowhere, under $5,000. Palace (1,700; 25-35-55)—'Lucky Star' (20th) (2d run) and 'Time Out for Murder' (20th) (1st run), dualed. Business very disappointing on this pair, probably no more than $6,000. Last week's coupleton, 'Boy Meets Girl' (WB) and 'Racket Busters' (WB). both 2d run, wasn't much bet- ter, $7,000. Paramount (3,664 ; 25-35-55-85-99) —'If I Were King' (Par), with Tommy Dorsey and Connie Boswell in person <3d week). Smashing through tremendously, this show on its s6cond week ending last night (Tues.) scoied close to $56,000, best holdover week under the policy. The figure is also over what most of the first weeks have been. Two more weeks are scheduled. The first seven days, $67,000, beaten only by last New' Year's week.' Radio City Music Hall (5,980; 40- 60,84-99-$1.65)—'Drums'. (UA) and stage show (2d-flnal week). Tom- tomming the carriage trade and oth- ers for -a second- week tliat may hit $85,000. The first time around the hebdomadal clock was $88,000 for a total on the two weeks' of around' $173,000. nice profit. Picture excep- tionally well sold and got a break on notices. 'There Goes My Heart* (UA) opens tomorrow (Thurs.). Rialta (750; 25-40-55)—'Last Ex- press' (U) opened yesterday (Tues.) and started out well. In ahead, 'Per- sonal Secretary' (U) brought no huzzahs, just topping $5,000. Rlvoll (2,092; 25-40-55-85)—'Room Service' (RKO) (3d week). On the third week .ending last night (Tues.), a bit over $10,000, mild, after having dipped to around $15,000 the second week from initial first seven days of $37,000. Being pushed three more days, with 'Youth Takes Fling' (U) opening Saturday (15), Roxy (5,836; 25-40-55-75)—'Straight, Place and Show' (20th )^ and stage show (2d-flnal week). Ritz'Bros, entry goes to pretty good profit, though more was expected; probably $34,000 this week (2d) after first of $43,000. 'Suez' (20th) opens Friday (14), backed by heavy campaign. Strand (2,767; 25-55-75)—'Secrets of Actress' (WB) and, on stage, Johnny Messner band, plus Chester Morris and Mary Small. Weakest show to date here and lucky if scal- ing $22,000, disappointing. Last week, second for Jan Garber, Ethel Mer- man and 'Garden of Moon' (WB) was $19,000, not strong. State (3,450; 35-55-75)—'I Am Law' (Col)' (2d rtm) and Clyde McCoy orchestra. Things are much better here this week, probably $24,000 or bit above. Last week gross didn't reach $17,000, lean, with 'Letter of Introduction' (U) (2d run) and Mai Hallet orchestra', plus Gus Van. miETORRID $16,000 IN BALTO Baltimore,. Oct, 11. Nice lead for 'Too Hot to Handle* at Loew's Century, with only one other pic coming close, 'Can't Take It With You' holding up a booming pace for its second week at the combo Hipp. 'Four's a Crowd' hold- ing fairly well at Stanley. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew's-UA) (3,000; 15- 25-35-40-55) — 'Hot Handle' (M-G) plus musical stage flash directed by D'Artega. Leading town in bullish style to okay $16,000. Last week, second of 'Boy's Town' (M-G), added steady $9,700 to robust opening ses- sion of $16,300. Hippodrome (Rappaport). (2,205; 15-25-35-40-55-66) — 'Can't Take If (Col) and vaude (2d wk,). Picking up momentum to rousing $14,000 after big initial go to $16,400, Keith's (Schanberger) (2,460; 15- 25-35-40-55) — 'Youth Fling' (U). Rather mild going to $5,500. Last week, 'Sinners' (Par) in second ses- sion, held nicely to $5,300 after pleasing opener to $7,800. New (Mechanic) (1,558; 15-25-35- 55)—'Straight, Place' (20th). Unex- citing at sluggish $3,500. Last week. 'Co-ed' (20th). mild $4,900. Stanley (WB) (3,250; 15-25-35-40- 5^)—'Four's Crowd' (WB). Going along at fairish pace to possible $7,000. Last werfc, 'Giants' (WB), got some daytime and juve support to $5,800. 'CERTAIN AGE' BRIGHT $5,600 IN OKLAHOMA C. Oklahoma City, Oct. 11. 'That Certain Age,' at the Cri- terion and 'Four Daughters,' at the Midwest, are pachig the town. State and Liberty remain town's only first- runs with double biUfi, but State is scheduled to go solo in couple oi weeks. Estimates for Tbli Week Criterion (Stan) (1,500; 25-35-40) -'Certain Age' (U). G^od $5,600. Last week, 'Clitterhouse* (WB), $5,400, okay. Liberty (Stan) (1,200; 20-25) — 'Painted Desert' (RKO) and 'Sailor* (Par), split with 'Secretary' (U) and 'Numbers' (20th). Good $2,600. Last week, 'Blockheads' (M-G) and 'Speed Burn' (20th), split with Roadsiiow Pictures, Inc.'s 'Songs and Saddles* with Gene Austin, Candy and Co-Co on stage, very nice $3,400. Midwest (Stan) (1,500; 25-35-40)— •Daughters' (FN). Good $4,800. Last week, 'Room Service' (RKO), nice $4,700. State (Noble) (1,100; 20-25) — 'Crime Holiday' (Col) and 'Flight Fame' (CoL).. . Okay $2,300. Last week, 'Lady Objects' (Col) and 'Juvenile Court* (Col), average $2 200 ^ Tower (Stan) (1,100; 25-35) — 'Carey's Chickens' (RKO). Sweet $3,300. Last week, 'Carefree' (RKO) split with 'Annabel' (RKO), nice $2,800.