Variety (Dec 1938)

10 VARIETY PICTURE GROSSES Wednesday^ December 7, 1938 Pitt s Xmas-Hmded, but M W/i^ M $7,800, 'Angels' H.O. $8,000 Pittsburgh, Dec. 6. Downtown crowded with holiday buyers and they're showing as much care in buying entertamment as with Yule presents. Result is spotty iz. Head and shoulders above neld is 'Brother Rat' at the Penn, swing- ing into line fast after slow start and likely to get a second week at Warner. At latter spot, 'Angels With Dirty Faces' is knocking off great session after big week at the Penn. . , , 'Submarine Patrol's is doing nice- ly at the Alvin and may possibly stick for second week at Senator, though that isn't definitely set yet. Stanley disappointing with Young Dr. Kildare' and Duke Ellington, de- spite fine notices. Estimates for This Week Alvin (Harris). (1,850: 25-35-30)— 'Submarine Patrol' (20th). Sweeping nod from the cricks and holding up nicely, pointing to favorable $7,800. Under ordinary circumstances, that s not h.b. biz here, but with Harris new set-up (another downtown first- Tunner at Senator) film may move for second week. Not certain, how- ever. Last week 'Around Corner' (20th) yanked after six days to mis- erable $5,700. Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1,750; 25-40) —'Down on Farm' (20th) and 'Se- crets of Nurse' (U). House has run Into serious product difficulties and marking time until the upper brack- et of its splits with U and 20th come along. Doubtful if current dual will pass $2,200, pretty bad. Last week •Little Tough Guys' (U) out in six days to under $3,000. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-35- 50)—'Brother Rat* (WB). Over big, with $18,500, good enough to get it a second week at the Warner. Last w^k 'Angels' (WB), $19,000 in eight days and h.o. at Warner. Senator (Harris) (1,800; 25-40)— •Lady Objects' ^Col) and 'Storm* (U). Burg's latest first-runner knows by now it's going to have tough Bledding getting 'em down at far end of town. Headed for bad" $2,000. Opening stanza, with 'Service De Luxe' (U) and John Boles doing a personal, was caught in middle of worst weather break in years, and finished miserably at $6,500. . Stanley (WB) (3,600; 25-40-60)— •Dr. Kildare' (M-G) and Duke El- lington. Not delivering at $15,000, which means red here. Last week Roger Pryor-Maxine Sullivan-Dick For an-Ann Miller stage setup hiked •My Heart' (UA) to nice $19,000. Warner (WB) (2,000-, 25-35-50)— •Angels' (WB) on moveover from Penn. Heading for swell $8,000, best here in some time. Last week 'Man Remember' (RKO) and 'Nancy Drew' (WB), $3,600 in eight days, pretty bad» • H-E Employees Hypo Seattle Bi^ 'Angels' $8,500, Others Okay Seattle; Dec. 6. Emt>loyee3 of Ramrick-Evergreen theatres busy selling 'employees good will' ducats to', boost take dur< ing^the two weeks prior to Xmas This is expected to help biz mate- rially that period, with $50 cash prize for top seller and minor prizes urging the drummers on. EstimatcB for This Week -Bine Monse (Hamrick-Evergreen) (850; 32-37-42)—'Stablemates' (M-G) and 'Touchdown Army' (Par). Sec- ond week here after two prior ses- sions at the Fifth avenue. Hitting $2,300, good; Last week same films gartiered big $3,400. Coliseum (Hamrick - Evergreen) <1,90(); 21-32)^'Algiers' (UA) and •Blockheads* (M-G). On four-day stretch, $2,900, okay. Last week •Boys Town' (M-G) and 'Booloo' (Par), nine days, $4,000, good. Colonial (Sterling) (800; 10-21)— 'Renegade Ranger' (RKO) and 'Crime Over London' (GB), dual, split with 'Dick Tracy' (Rep), three instalments of serial combined to make feature length, and 'West of Santa Fe' (Col), dual. All right $2,- 000 in sight. Last week 'Mars At- tacks World* (U) and 'Missing Guest' (U), $2,500, big. . Fifth Avenae (Hamrick-Ever- green) (2,349; 32-37-42) — 'Young Heart' (UA) and 'Service de Luxe' (U)r Big campaign, which included preview at midnight jamboree at Orpheum recently for 'Heart,* is putting $8,000 in the strong box, 10 days. Last week 'Shining Hour' (M- G) and 'Road Demon' (20th )^ nice at $7,200. Liberty (J-vH) (1,800; 21-32-42)- •Drums' (UA) (3d wk). Heading for $4,000, good. Last week, same film, $4,600. Mitslo Box (Hamrick-Evergreen) (850; 32-37-42)—'Shining Hour* (M- G) and 'Road Demon' (20th). Brought over from Fifth Avenue «nd ambling toward fair $2,400. Last week 'Submarine Patrol' (20th) and 'Swing Cheer' (U), good $3,000. Orpheum (Hamrick - Evergreen) (2,600; 32-37-42)—'Angels' (WB) and 'Meet Girls' (20th). Great $8,500 in store. Last week 'Around Corner' (20th) and 'Mr. Doodle' (RKO), $4,- 300, slow. Palomar (Sterling) (1.350; 16-27- 37-42)—'Gangster's Boy' (Mono) and vaude. Very big $6,000 indicated. Last week 'Flight Into Nowhere' (Col) and T Stand Accused' (Rep} with Major Bowes' cowboy unit on stage, big at $5,400. Paramount (Hamrick - Evergreen) (3,039; 32-37-42)—'If King* (Par) plus 'Ferdinand.' Eight days on h.o. stanza plugging toward okay $4,700. Last week, same films, $9,000; great. Roosevelt (Sterling) (800; 21-32)— 'Mayerling' (Indie),. After two en- gagements at the 'foreigner' Mont- lake theatre, this one came down- town for a week, find cleaned up a great $3,000. Last week 'Breaking Ice' (RKO) and 'Give Me Sailor' (Par), $2,300, good. MDud$9, Burns-'BuOdog 7G, Prov. Bright Providence, Dec. 6. Return of warmer weather bright- ening main-stemmers' prospects for slightly better average takes. Dual revival of 'Star of Mianight' and 'Lost Patrol' at Albee doing fairly well. 'Young in Heart' at State and 'Arkansas Traveler' at Strand hold- ing nicely. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2,200; 25-35-50)— 'Star of Midnight- (Col) and 'Lost Patrol' (RKO) (revivals). Holding promise of only fair $4,800. Last week, 'Little Tough Guys' (U) and 'Tarnished Angel' (RKO), so-so $5,000. Carlton (Fay-Loew) (1,400: 25-35- 50)—'Angels' (WB) and 'Torchy Man' (WB) (2d run). Pacing for nice $5,0P0. Last week, 'Shining Hour' (M-G) and 'Listen, Darling' (M-G) (2d run), held for swell $6,200. Fay's (Indie) (2,000; 25-35-40)— 'Hard to Get* (WB) and vaude. Go- ing along nicely and should wind with fine $7,000. Last week, 'Down on Farm' (20th) and vaude, satisfac- tory $6,800. State (Loew) (3,200; 25-35-50)— *Young Heart' (UA) and 'Flirting Fate' (M-G). Not as strong as pre- vious weeks, but paced at nice $12,- 000. Last week, 'Out West' (M-G) and 'Cipher Burea' (GN) drew swell $16,000. Majestic (Fay) (2,300; 25-35-50)— 'Sub Patrol' (20th) and 'Road De- mon* (20th). Aiming for hefty $9,- 000. Last week, 'Angels' (WB) and 'Torchy Man' (WB) drew swell $10,000. Strand (Indie) (2,200; 25-35-50)— 'Arkansas Traveler' (Par) and 'Bull- dog Drummond' (Par). Helping house to hold own with peppy $7,- 000. Last week, 'Men Wings' (Par) closed with nifty $8,000. 'Wings' $8,000, 'Cowboy' $3,500, Montreal Dull Montreal, Dec. 6. Palace Is getting plenty wicket clicking currently and may come out with excellent $8,000 on 'Men With Wings' despite increasing Xmas win- dow-shopping. Balance of first-runs will hardly top $5,000 in any case with Yule doldrums in sight. Estimates for. This Week Pahuse (CT) (2,700; 25-45-55)— 'Men Wings'. (Par). Pointing toward good $8,000. Repeat of 'If King' (Par) last week fair enough at $4,500. Capitol (CT) (2,7X)0; 25-45-55)— 'Suez' (20th) (2d wk). Heading for good $4,800 after very good $7,500 last session. Loew's (CT) (2,800; 25-34-40)— 'Service de Luxe' (U) and vaude. Slipping at $5,000. Nice $6,800 last week on 'Man Remember' (RKO) and Hollywood Laff Parade unit. Princess (CT) (2,300; 25-34-50)— 'Garden of Moon' (WB) and 'Racket Busters' (WB). Put in day ahead of time after 'Dracula' and 'Franken- stein* (both U) were yanked. Will be middling at $3,800. Horrors last week flopped at $2,000 on repeater • Orpheom (Ind) (1,100; 25-40-50)— 'Cowboy and Lady' (UA), Packing 'em in for Very satisfactory $3,500, Third session, of 'Young Heart' (UA) and 'Touchdown Army' (Par) yanked next-to-last day la$t week after very weak $1,800. Cinema de Paris (FranccrFUm) (600; 25-50)—'Plpi le Moko.' Gait of $2,000 at best Last week's repeat of 'La Tragedie IiAperiale' poor $1,- 300. St. Denis (France-Film > (2,300; 20- 34)—'La Mort du Cygne' and 'Les Pirates du Rail' dual. Oil at $4,000. Last week 'Prison aux Barreaux' and 'Etes-Vous Jalouse,' n.s.g. $3,500. HEARrDUAL Louisville, Dec. 6. Newcomers this week will hardly start any cheering, although Xmas drop-oit is not yet noticeable. Mild weather is keeping folks on the street and in the stores, but the prin- cipal cause of the current b. o. leth- argy is lack of potent product. Holdovers at the Brown and Mary Anderson are showing some strength, and of t|ie new pics, 'Young in Hearr at Loew's State promises to lead the town. Estimates for This Week Brown (Loew's-Fourth Ave.) (1,- 000; 15-30-40)—'West with Hardys* (M-G) and 'Adventure in Sahara* (Col). Turned in profitable stanza at Loew's State, and should do nicely here on moveover. Aiming toward $1,900. Last week, 'Shining Hour* (M-G) and 'Blondie' (Col) fair $2,200 on h. o. Kentucky (Switow) (900; 15-25)— 'Four Daughters' (WB) and 'Room Service' (RKO). Shaping up strong- ly toward okay $1,800. Last week, 'Lucky Star' (20th) and 'Hold Co-Ed' (20th) ample .$1,700. Loew's State (Loew's) (3,100; 15- 30-40)—'Young Heart' (UA) and 'Flirting with Fate' (Col). Paced for okay $7,500, best gross In town currently. Last week, 'West with Hardy's' (M-G) and 'Adventure In Sahara' (Col) smacked through for resounding $11,000, and moveover. Mary Anderson (Libson) (1,000; 15-30-40)—'Angels' (WB). Still gooa enough on h. o. to brir^ ih fair $2,- 800 after first week's sweet $6,000. Ohio (Settos) (900; 15)—'Man's Castle' (Col) and 'Dangerously Yours' (WB) split with 'Love, Honor' (WB) and 'Jezebel' (WB). Picking up some of the drop-in trade off the main stem, and heading for satisfac- tory $1,500. Last week, 'College Swing' (Par) and 'Mr. Moto' (20th), split with 'Blondes at Work* (WB) and 'Met My Love Again' (UA), healthy $1,600. Blalto (Fourth Ave ),(3,000; 15-30- 40)—'Submarine Patrol* (20th) and 'Road Demon' (20th). Combo lack- ing marquee names, and draw just so-so. Indications of $4,800, maybe a little more. Last week, 'If King' (Par) ^ and 'Bulldog Drummond' (Par) under expectations at $6,500.. Strand (Fourth Ave.) (1,400; 15-30- 40)—'Storm' (U) and 'Exposed' (U). Headed for below average $2,400. Last- week. 'Thanks for Memory' (Par) and 'Illegal Traffic* (Par), miid $1,800. 'HARDYS'$16,000, CINCY; 'HARD GET'-HEWT 15G Cincinnati, Dec. 6. Trade holding up okay for this pre- Xmas shopping period. Palace is raking up one of the burg's best marks for several weeks on 'Out West with Hardys.' Albee is doing okay with 'Cowboy and Lady,* and the Shubert is registering its biggest vaudfilm season's take on 'Hard to Get' and Horace Heidt's Brigadiers. Surprise floperoo of the year was 'Thanks for the Memory.' It was pulled by Keith's after a miserable three-day showing, although favored by wonderful notices and extra ad- vertising. House shoved in 'Shining Hour' for a second run. Also on the red side currently is the Lyric's tussle with 'A Man to Remember.' Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,300; 35-42)—'Cow- boy and Lady' (UA). Okay $11,500. Last week, 'Shining Hour* (M-G) fair $10,000. .Capitol (RKO) (2,000; 35-42)— I4j?8e?s' (WB) (2d run). N.s.g. $3,, 500. Last week, 'Brother Rat' (WB) (2d run), fine $6,000. Family (RKO) (1,000; 15-25)— 'Lawless VaUey' (RKO), 'Last Ex- press' (U), 'I Stand Accused' (Rep), separate. Normal $2,100. Same last week on 'Man from Music Mountain' (Rep), 'Illicit Traffic' (Par), and Sotis of Legion* (Par), singly. Grand (RKO) (1,200; 25-40)- S^n^^^'^J^*' <"'^B) (3d run). Fair !?v'9?\ ^'^^^ Kildare' (M-G) (2d run) poor $2,500. ^Libson) (1.500: 35-42)— Thanks for Memory* (RKO) Jerked after third day when extra adver- reviews fetched only $800 for that period, which comes nigh being a worst-ever first half for this house. 'Shining Hour* (M-G) (2d run) rushed in Sunday (4) for flvo days, which wiU fetch around Lyric (RKO) (1.400; 35-42)—'Man Remember' (RKO). Sorry $2,400 llanos'$17,m ni%; Xowlioy; 'Angel' EO.S OK; Duals Comiig? and will be yanked after sixth day. Last week, 'Blondie' (Col) very good $5,000. Palace (RKO) (2.600; 35-42)—'West with Hardys' (M-G). Socko $16,000. Last week, 'Angels' (WB), big $14,000. Shubert (RKO) (2,150; 35-40-60)— 'Hard to Get' (WB) and Horace Heidt band. Heidt tossing in a jit- terbug dance contest oti last per- formance Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights, with $100 in cash prizes. Best take so far this season on vaudfilm. $15,500. Last week. 'Lis- ten. 'Darling' (M-G) and Count Bernl Vicl's unit, pleasing $11,500. NlXPfflffiOnS EVEN UNTIL XHAS Pittsburgh, Dec. (J. Distributors sounded warning here last week that they will brook no attempt to slash admission scales during slow pre-holiday season when they clamped down a virtual boycott on indie-owned State in downtown sector. House has been getting 15c for. subsequent-run duals and with trade sloughing off lately, manage- ment decided to cut price to a dime. Although trade picked up imme- diately, almost doubling usual take on first day of reduction, Ray Wheeler, State manager, had to re- sume old scale almost at once when practically every exchange on Fijm Row informed him they would sell him no more product until prices were boosted again. Stragetic position of State, right in center of business section and sur- rounded on all sides by Harris and Warner circuit subsequents, was be- lieved to have produced the quick warning. Indies in isolated areas in the past have cut prices at will with- out suffering any consequences, but it's understood that Film Row will similarly deal with other spots try- ing to undersell competition from now until Christmas, i Downtown Pittsburgh's 18,000 Seats; Town Very Much Over-Theatred Pittsburgh, Dec 6. Pittsburgh, downtown particularly, overseated as never before with opening of new Harris spot, 1850- seat Senator, formerly Aldine. Gives city more than 18,000 first-run seats within about four blocks, big- gest bloc burg has ever had and in view of existing conditions more than traffic will bear. Understood Harris outfit had full cognizance of this situation and tried to avert launching of another house by working out pooling deal with couple of competitors but to no avail. With circuit growing, now number- ing 20 houses, and only one first-run spot downtown, Alvin, Harrises felt they needed another outlet in order to protect itself on product. First approached was Shea-Hyde Fulton, only two doors from Alvin. Fulton splits U pix with Alvin and gets one-third of 20th output. Harris sounded out Shea on idea of pooling everything, letting bigger Alvin take the pick and running no picture more than two weeks, sending their hits into Fulton for third and fourth stanzas. No soap, however. • Then it's said chain went to Wil- liam Skirball, operator of nearby Barry, on a similar deal but this fell through when Skirball Remanded that Harrises share losses he has in- curred since taking spot over almost three years ago. Barry was virtual- ly wrecked by 1936 flood after around $25,000 had been spent on improving site. Harris company claims that when both these overtures were vetoed it had no alternative but to open Sen- ator. CHAS. lEONABD'S SWITCH 1 . Hollywood, Dec, 6. Charles A. Leonard has resigned his advertising post with United Artists. He joins another major company after the first of the year. Philadelphia, Dec. 6. More bad week-end weather again lopped the edge .off of grosses that otherwise might have hit fairly com- fortable averages. As it is, figures are somewhat off, though not badly, all things considered. Biz holding up fair at the second- weekers, 'Cowboy and the Lady' at the Aldine, and 'Angels with Dirty Faces' at the Fox. One of the short- est initial runs on record was reg- istered by 'Peck's Bad Boy at the Circus.* Opened at the usually sec- ond-run Karlton on Friday and was pulled out on Saturday. Shortage of other product forced in 'Robin Hood,' which has already been all through the nabes. Stanton is try- ing something new, what may be the first step towards a double feature in downtown Philly. It is bolstering 'Storm Over Bengal' with 'Titans of the Deep,* a 45-minute semi-feature. Without a doubt comparatively best figures in town are being hung up by the . tiny 355-seat Studio with 'Dracula* and *Frankenstein' twinned. Shudderers start their third week on Thursday and at the present rate are almost certain of a fourth. All rec- ords broken with the Thanksgiving Day opening when the S.R.O. shingle was out within 15 minutes after the box office unveiled. Estimates for This Week Aldine (WB) (1,303; 42-57-68-75)— •Cowboy and the Lady' (M-G) (2d week). Showing nicely on the h.o. to $9,600 after fine first week at $13,200. Boyd (WB) (2,350; 37-57-68-75)— •Spring,Madness' (M-G). Can't grab much of a hold with $9,000, punk. Last week 'If King' (Par) (2d week) went off, after nice first stanza, to $8,800. Earle (WB) (2,758; 25-37-42-57-68) —'Up River' (20th) with Gang Bus- ters Unit and Stuff Smith band on stage. Combo is heading for very mild $19,000. Last week, 'Thanks for Memory* (Par), with Jan Savltt band, Eric Blore and Ethel Shutta p.a.ing, $20,000, pallid. Fox (WB) (3,423; 37-57-68-75)— •Angels' (WB) (2d week). Still riding the crest to $17,500 aftei; socko open- er that zoomed to $22,600. Holds for third round. Karlton (WB) (1.066; a7-42-57-68) —'Robin Hood' (WB). Pic had been all through the nabes already and is back here only as a fill-in with prod- uct short Tallied a $2,000 in five days, not bad. 'Peck's Bad Boy' (RKO) set some kind of a record, going in on Friday and being pulled Saturday with very sour $400 for the two days. Last week 'Around the Corner' (20th) (2d run) ,$3,000, bad. Keith's (WB) (1,870; 37-42-57-68) —'Submarine Patrol' (20th) (2d run). Sad $3,400 in store. Last week 'Young Heart' (UA) (2d run) also poor at $3,300 after two weeks at the Aldine. Stanley (WB) (2,916; 37-57-68-75) —'West with Hardys' (M-G). Very nifty $17,700. Last week 'Submarine Patrol' (20th) poor $11,000. Stanton (WB) (1,457; 26-42*57)— 'Storm Over Bengal* (Rep). First sign of a twin bill in a midtowner is addition of 45-minute 'Titans of the Deep! (GN) here. Combo is turnhig in satisfactory $4,800. Last week 'Illegal Traffic' (Par) no bar- gain at $.4,100. 'RAT' $24,000, B'KLYN 'Heart' Dual $17,000 — Traffic' —' Vaude Nice \IMC Brooklyn, Dec. 6. Socko attendance at Fabian Para- mount where 'Brother Rat' is going over with bang. Next in line is Loew's Metropolitan showing 'Young In Heart.' Other houses in down- town area also due for profitable week. Estimates tor This Week Albee (3^574; 25-35-60)—'Miss Man- ton* (RKO) and 'Little Tough Guys* (U). Happy $16,000 in sight. Last week, 'Certain Age' (U) and 'Man Remember* (RKO) (2d week) drew neat $18,000. Fox i:4,089; 25-50)—'Arkansas Trav- eler* (Par) and 'Nancy Drew' (WB). Okay $14,500. Last week, 'Hard to Get' (WB) and 'Five of Kind' (20th), $14,000, satisfactory. Met (3,618; 25-50 >—'Young Heart' (UA) and 'Dark Rapture' (U). Good $17,000. Last week, 'Citadel' (M-G) and 'Vacation from Love' (M-G) pulled fine $23,000. Paramount (4,126; 25-35-50) — 'Brother Rat' (WB) and 'Little Ad- venturess' (Col). .Fine $24,000. Last week, 'Men Wings' (Par) and 'Night Hawk' (Rep) (2d week) good $17,500. Strjuid (2,870; 25-50)—'Illegal Traf- fic' (Par) and vaude featuring Elea- nore Whitney, Stan Lomax and Bud- dy HaSBett. Attractive $11,500, cred- ited mostly to stage and draught of Hassett, B'klyn Dodgers' slugger, plus others. Last week, 'Gangster's Boy (Mono) and vaude, okay $11,000.