Variety (Dec 1938)

Wednesdar, December SS> 193S iPICTURE GROSSES VAHIETY B&K Reopen S-L with 'Confessions,' Vaude $1S,I)00; 'Artists-Vaude 27G, 'Nurse M $18M Vinds'$12j Chicago, Dec. 27. Loop returns to full strength curr rently with the State-Lake marquee and stage lighted once more, this time under the direction of Balaban & Katz. House is on a vaudfllm policy at 40c top and is In direct competition with the Oriental at the •same price. ^, j. . Operation of these two houses has been reversed. B.&K. formerly operated Oriental and Jones, Linick & Schaefer the State-Lake. JXi.&S. now have Oriental and B.&K. is try- ing its hand on the State-Lake for the nrst time in the history of the house. Circuit spent around $75,000 on the theatre, with remodeling and redec- oration from front to back. Opened Saturday (24) for a six-day week getaway. Strbng eight-act bill for the inaugural with Helen Morgan and Dick Poran headlining. Oriental is bucking it with a strong stage bill also, relying on a new Major Bowes unit and is gar- nering coin with the amateur swmg- sters. Palace is up against it again this week. , , , , "Artists and Models' at the Chi- cago is getting poor word-of-mouth, but seems suitaole for the holiday season and figures for a profit for the house. For Christmas "week B.&K. revived 'Snow White' and shoved it into the Apollo where the kids mean money. For the straight picture houses the topper is the Roosevelt where 'Trade Winds' is giving every indication of developing into a boxoflice beauty. Estimates for, This Week Apollo (B&K) (1,200; 35-55-65-75) —'Snow White' (RKO). Brought back on Saturday (24) and is going to get money at $7,000, nifty. Last week, 'Angels' (WB) (2d wk) held to okay $3,600 considering the pre- holiday and length of stay. Chicago (B&K) (4,000; 35-55-75)— •Artists and Models' (Par) and stage show. Picture is getting the raps, but anything goes for the week and therefore is headed for $27,000, good stiifE. Last week, 'Young Heart' (UA) with a forced holdover dipped into the carmine for second week at $17,200. Garrick (B&K) (900; 35-55-65-76) — Say French' (Par) and 'Gangster's Boy' (Mono). Not too hot and even with holiday session doesn't appear to rate better than $5,500, fair. Last week, 'Kildare' (M-G) managed $3,000, Oriental (Jones) (1,200; 25-35-40) —^"Secrets of Nurse* (U) and Major Bowes' 'Swing' unit on stage. Al- most entirely the stage half this week for the coin-maker and is a cinch for $18,000, fine. Last week, •Five of Kind' (20th) took it with the rest of the town at $11,700. Palace (RKO) (2,500; 35-55-65-75) — 'Spring Madness' (M-G) and vaude. Not much going on here. Around $16,000 in the offing, still under normal for this house. Last week, 'Annabel' (RKO) was in the cellar with pitiful $10,100. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 35-55-65- 75)—'T-ade Winds' (UA). Headed to $12,000 on account of pre-holiday slice of the session, but should build to strong second stanza. Last week, 'Stablemates' (M-G) wound up three weeks to f arish $7,800. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 25-35- 40)—'Campus Confessions' (Par) and vaude. Got away on Saturday (24) under new auspices and looks for strong $15,000 for initial session. United Artists (B&K-UA) (1,700; 35-55-65-75)—'Shining Hour' (M-G) (2d wk). To $10,000 currently, after taking okay $12,600 last week, t . Dawn' and 'Artists/ Each $13,000, Racing For Cleye. Leader^p Clevelind, Dec. 27. Heaviest grosses is 'Artists and Models' at State, racing against •Hipp's 'Dawn Patrol' for $13,000. 'Drums' and vaude sauntering through RKO Palace for slow $11,- 000, but it's more cheerful than last stanza's ker-plunk grosses. Estimates for This Week Alhambra (Printz) (1,200; 10-20- ?o/~'^^Sst«r's Boy' (Mono) and Strange Faces' (U). Headed for good $1,500 for four days. Last week. Storm Over Bengal' (Rep) and 'Se- crets of Nurse' (U) $800 in same stay. <m^"^" (RK:o) (3,000; 30-35-42-55)— Tough Guys' (U). Too much 'Dead fi^d stuff, following 'Angels.' Fair ?3,000. Last week, 'Angels' (WB) on fourth h.o., $2,500. Hipp (Warner) (3,700; 30-35-42-55) — Dawn Patrol' (WB). Up this spot's st/eet at $13,000. Last week 'Heart of North' (WB) an iceberg, $7,000. Palace (RKO) (3,200; 30-35-42-55) — Drums' (UA) and Ann Midler shar- ing vaude with Eddie Garr. Nice family combo, but can't get going, $11,000, just okay. Last week, 'Spring Madness* (M-G) and Coimt Berni— Vici curled up around the edges, $9,000. State (Loew's) (3,450; 30-35-42-55) —'Artists and Models* (Par). Lots of razzle-dazzle ballyhoo for a good send-off and $13,000, Last week 'Goes My Heart' (UA), $11,000. Stillman (Loew'S ) (1,972; 30-35-42- 55)—'Dr. Kildare' (M-G). At $5,000, fine. Last week 'Christmas Carol' (M-G) $3,500, mild. 'Hardy H.0.7G, Best in Seattle; 'Heart'OK $5,300 Seattle, Dec. 27. Main dough past week went to the state-owned liquor stores and the gift stores, but theatres have been mak- ing a strong enough bid for the dol- lar. Christmas day biz slow, but Monday okay. Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick-Evergreen) (850; 32-37-42)—'Flirting with Fate' (M-G) and 'Up River' (20th). Cheery $3,000 indicated. Last week, 'Angels' (WB) and 'Meet Girls' (20th). Okay $2,200. Coliseum (Hamrick-Evergreen) (1,- 900; 21-32>—'Hot to Handle' (M-G) and 'Mr. Moto' (20th). Rolled up a big $3,800 -in eight days. Last week, 'Straight. Place' (20th) and 'Five of Kind' (20th) slow $1,800, six days. Colonial (Sterling) (800; 10-21)— 'Public Cowboy No. 1' (Rep) and 'Speed to Burn' (20th), dual, split with 'Born to West' (Par )and 'Tracy, Missing Witness' (Rep), dual, good enough 42,000. Last week, 'Highway Patrol' (Col) and 'County Chairman' (20th), dual, split with 'One WUd Night' (20th), 'Dick Tracy Returns' (Rep), dual, $1,700. Fifth Avenue (Hamrick-Evergreen) (2,349; 32-37-42)—'West With Hardys' (M-G) and 'Christmas Carol' (M-G) (2d wk). Holding up to good $7,000. Goodwill ticket selling helping this house plenty. Last week, same films, $7,200, great. Liberty (J-vH) (1,800; 21-32-42)— •Goes My Heart' (UA) and 'Crime Takes Holiday' (Col). Okay with $5,300. Last week, 'Girls School' «:ol) and 'Flight to Fame' (Col) slow $3,100. Music Box (Hamrick-Evergreen) (850; .32-37-42)—'Cowboy and Lady' (UA) and 'Torchy Man' (WB). Moved from Paramount for a third week here, and riding steadily to okay $2,600. Last week, 'Hard to Get' (WB) and 'Dr. Kildare' (M-G), six days, $1,900, mild, on move-over from Fifth Ave. Orpheum (Hamrick-Evergreen) (2,- 600; 32-37-42)—'Heart of North' (WB) and 'Pecks Bad Boy' (RKO). On eight days, doing $5,500, good. Last week, 'Youth Fling' (U) and 'Storm' (U) $3,700, poor. Palomar (Sterling) (1,350; 16-27- 37-42—'Sons of Legion' (Par) and 'Toy Town Jamboree' on stage five days, plus 'Annabel' (RKO) with augmented vaude plus 'Jamboree' two days, good $4,500. Last week. Juvenile Court' (Col) and 'Accidents Will Happen' (WB) plus vaude, fair $3,200. Paramonnt (Hamrick-Evergreen) (3,139; 32-37-42)—'Artists and Mod- els' and 'Down on Farm' (20th), good $5,000, Last week, 'Cowboy and Lady' (UA) and 'Torchy Man' (WB) (2d wk), fair $4,300. Roosevelt (Sterling) (800; 21-32)— 'Room Service' (RKO) and 'Campus Confessions' (Par). Okay $2,000. Last week, 'Gangster Boy' (Mono) and 'Higgins Family' (Rep), slow $1,000, four days. Xowboy'-Vaude 12G, Santa NiJL in Balto Baltimore, Dec. 27. Rather disappointing holiday week- end. 'Cowboy and Lady,' at Loew's Century, setting the town's pace with 'Christmas Carol,' coupled to Benny Davis stage show at Hipp edging into second place. Rest rather tepid. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew's-UA) (3,000; 15- 25-35-40-55) —'Cowboy and Lady' (UA) and stage show headed by Ken Whitmer in h.o. as~m.c. Leading First Runs on Broadway (Subject to Change) (Week of Dec. 29) Astor-'Pygmalion' (M-G) (4th Wk). Capitol — 'Sweethearts' (M-G) (2d wk). Criterion — 'Ride a Crooked Mile' (Par). (Reviewed in Variety, Dec, 7) Globe—'The Lady Vanishes' (20th) (2d wk). Music Hall—'Topper Takes a Trip' (UA). Paramount — 'Artists and Models Abroad' (Par) (2d wk.). Boxy—'Kentucky' (20th) (2d Wk). Strand—'Dawn Patrol' (WB) (2d wk,). Week of Jan. 5 Astor—'Pygmalion' (M-G) (5th Wk). Capitol — 'Marie Antoinette* (M-G). Paramount — 'Artists and Models Abroad' (Par) (3d wk.). Strand—'Going Places' (WB) (6). town with $12,000. Last week, •Drums' (UA) mild $7,300. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,205; 15-25-35-40-55-66)—•Christmas Carol' (M-G) and Benny Davis stage imit. Hitting steady but unexciting pace to $11,000. Last week, 'Blondie' (Col) got a world of .support from local talent •Baltimore Follies' to whack out a wholesome $12,800. Keith's (Schanberger) (2,460; 15- 25-35-40-55) — 'Artists and Models' (Par). Not too forte at $4,500. Last week, 'Storm' (U) drooped with $3,300. New (Mechanic) (1,558; 15-25-35- 55)—'Kentucky' (20th). Opens to- day (Tuesday) after mild "treatment for 'Thanks for Everything' (20th) at $3,600. Stanley (WB) (3,250; 15-25-35-40- 55)—•Going Places' (WB). Not go- ing very far with $5,500. Last week, second of 'Sisters' (WB) fair $4,600 after nice opener to $11,200. 'Hardys-lQIdare 12 Spots, Pac e Hub Peppily Boston, Dec .27. 'Out West with the Hardys,' at the two Loew houses, and 'There Goes My Heart,* at the. Keith Memorial, are taking top coin this week. 'Art- ists and Models,' at the Metropolitan, is disappointing. Keith Boston reopened vaude, with dual pix Sunday (25), and the Ken- more, a brand new Back Bay house, made its debut same day. Estimates for This Week Boston (RKO) (3,200; 20-30-40)— 'Crime Holiday* (Col) and fLittle Ad- venturess' (Col) plus vaude, topped by Lillian (barmen. Opened Sunday (25) for five days, marking return of vaude to this house after absence of seven months. Aiming toward good $10,000. Last week 'Tough Guys' (U) and 'Hold Co-Ed* (20th) (2d run), n.s.h. $2,800. Fenway (M&P) (1,332; 25-35-40-55) —'Sub Patrol' (20th) and •Thanks for Memory' (Par). Fair $7,000. Last week 'Angels' (WB) and 'Down on Farm' (20th) (2d run), $6,000. Keith Memorial (RKO) (2,907; 25- 35-40-55)—'Goes My Heart* (UA) and •Always Trouble' (20th). Headed to- ward nifty $22,500, nine days. Last week 'Secrets of Nurse' (U) and 'Swing, Sister' (U), pale $9,300. Metropolitan (M&P) (4,367; 25-35- 40-55)—'Artists and Models' (Par) and 'Tom Sawyer' (Par). On the weak side at $13,000. Last week 'Say French' (Par) and •Crooked Mile* (Par), $10,000. Orpheum (Loew) (2,900; 25-35-40- 55)—•West with Hardys' (M-G) and 'Dr. Kildare' (M-G). Smash $22,000 in sight. Last week, 'Great Waltz' (M-G) and 'Christmas Carol' (M-G) okay $15,500, nine days. Paramount (M&P) (1,797; 25-35-40- 55)—'Sub Patrol' (20th) and 'Thanks for Memory' (Par) (2d run). Satis- factory $9,000 pace. Last week, 'An- gels' (WB) and 'Down on Farm' (20th), $7,800. Scollay (M&P) (2,538; 25-35-40-50) — Angels' (WB) and 'Down on Farm' (20th) (3d run). Pale $5,500. Last week, •Heart of North' (WB) and •Aroimd Corner'' (20th) (2d run), $4,800. State (Loew) (3,600; 25-35-40-55)— •West with Hardy's (M-G) and •Dr. Kildare' (M-G). Socko $17,000 indi- cated. Last week 'Great Waltz* (M- G) and 'Christmas Carol' (M-G) ade- quate $11,000. B way Strong; 'Xmas Carof Smash 'Dawn PatroF-Abe Lyman , Langhton 4§G, ly 55G The goose hangs high on Broad- way as this year's Christmas lousiness comes through in big bundles for the street. Most amazing development is the terrific play received yesterday (Tues.), with grosses on day headed for very sftiart total. Based on the amount of. business coming to the theatres yesterday (Tues.) on top of the three-holiday weekend, managers are led to the conclusion that today (Wed.) and rest of the week will also go away over earlier expectations. Many of the Broadway houses were forced to stop selling tickets before 11 a.m. yesterday. "The Music Hall was filled as early as 10:15 a. m., the Strand at 10 a, m. The street was generally slow both Thursday and Friday (22-23) as Christmas shopping reached its height. While Saturday (24) was thinner than expected and Christmas day itself (Sunday) was not quite as big as looked for, though good, on Monday (26) the play was unusually heavy, in spite of rain at night. On the week the total of the 12 leading downtown houses will run about $66,000 over Xmas week last year for the same 12 operations. Infiux. of out-of-towners, coupled with the fact children are out of school until Tuesday (3) is account- ing for much of the business. Man- agers are looking to much bigger matinees during the coming week than they got last year. New pictures wece brought in for Christmas everywhere excepting at the Astor, where the redoubtable Tygmalion' is in its third week now. Regardless of pre-Christmas shop- ping, this picture got $14,600 last week and currently over the holiday should be about $15,000. 'A Christmas Carol,' at the Music Hall, coupled with a two-part stage production that had been he'ld over from the prior week, is going great guns and with a big day yesterday (Tues,), should end at around $110,- 000, immense. Because the stage show, which was held over, and the feature are both distinctly Christmas- like in flavor, house is bringing in sonvething fresh for New Year's by opening 'Topper Takes a Trip' and new presentation outlay tomorrow (Thurs.). ThQ Paramount tees off on a second week today (Wed.) with 'Artists and Model?,' plus Glen Gray's Casa Loma band, afosr scoring a fine $50,000 on the first seven days over the holiday. Other stage show houses that are clicking strongly are the Strand and Roxy. Former may top a big $52,000 with 'Dawn Patrol' and the Abe Ly- man band, while the Roxy. with •Kentucky' is pulling for $55,000. •Kentucky' opened thinly Friday (23) and suffered with other houses Sat- urday (24), but is now hitting a tre- mendous stride. Strand had a better opening Friday (23) and Monday (26) played to one of the biggest holidays in its history, with yester- day (Tues.) also powerful. This is the first theatre engagement in New York for Lyman in some time, and he's drawing stoutly. A $52,000 week will be the highest here since stage shows were installed late last sum- mer. Of the straight film houses, the Rivoli is away out front with •Beach- comber,' which reopened the theatre Christmas eve. Staging what looks like a real comeback, the Riv should hit $40,000, smash, on the first week with the Charles Laughton British- made. At the nearby Capitol, a much larger house, 'Sweethearts' started out thinly Thursday (22) and is not likely to top about $32,000, though quite satisfactory. •The Lady Vanishes,' which drew fine notices, is taking the small-seater Globe to a rollicking $10,000, and it will be held ' over. This picture, 'Beachcomber' and 'Pygmalion' are iall British-mades, giving ^ the tight little isle real b.o. prominence on Broadway this week. Finishing a week at the Rialto yesterday (Tues.) at $7,500, 'Heart of the North' is be- ing retained another day or two, with 'Dark House' (U) and 'Black Cat' (U). reissues, to follow. Only luckless house on the street over the holiday is the Criterion, where 'Blondie* is simply unable to com- pete with the rest of the shows. House will be lucky to hit $5,500. The stage-show State, with 'Out West With Hardys' and Dinty Doyle (columnist), Jane Pickens and others in person, will be around $26,000 or better, good. 'Hardys' is in here im- mediately on top of two weeks' at the Capitol, having moved overnight. This kept the two opening days down considerably. Estimates for This Week Astor (1,012; 25-40-55-65)—'Pyg- malion' (M-G) (3d week). Plow- ing along powerfully, the Christmas holiday push should make the gross about $15,000 this week (3d), which is capacity. Last week (2d), $14,600, remarkable ahead of Christmas. Capitol (4,520; 25-35-55-85-$l,25)— •Sweethearts' (M-G). Got off to a rather weak start but is picking up for possible $32,000 week, good profit, and holds. The second week of •Out West with Hardys' (M-G) was under $15,000, disappointing. Criterion (1,662; 25-40-55)—'Blon- die' (Col). Present competition too miich for this one and lucky if push- ing to $5,500, weak. In ahead, 'Flirts Jmig with Fate' (M-G), topped $5,000, <31obc (1,274;. 25-40-55)—Xady Vanw ishes' (20th). English-made received excellent reviews and is heading for a fine $10,000. Holds over. Last week, 'Adventure in Sahara' (U), $6,500, pretty good for the week be- fore Christmas.- Palaoe (1,700; 25-35-55)—'Brother Rat' (WB) (2d run) and 'While New York Sleeps' (20th) (1st run>- Brought in a day earlier than usual, this bill finished its seven-day stint last night (.Tues.) at $7,500, fair, ani$~ is replaced today (Wed.) by 'Angels with Dirty Faces' (WB) (2d run) and •Annabel Takes a Tour' (RKO) (1st run). In ahead, 'Hard to Get'.(WB) (2d run) and 'Comet Over Broad- way* (WB) (1st run), got $6,000 oft six days. Paramount (3,664; 25-35''5S-85'-99> —'Artists and Models* (Par) and Glen Gray orchestra (2d week). Starts on holdover today (Wed.) after getting $50,000 on week ending last night (Tues.), very good. In.' ahead, •Thanks for Memory' (Par) and the Blue Barron-Shirley Roi* combination, on second week of ih& show, got $24,000, some profit. Radio City Music Hall (5,980; 40- 60-84-99-$1.65) — •Christmas CarqlT (M-G) (1st week) and stage show (2d week). Combination of Yuletide stage production and 'Carbl' account- ing for terrific holiday week ot- $110,000 but won't be held. House brings in 'Topper Takes a Trip* (UA) tomorrow (Thurs.). The week before Christmas 'Duke of West Point' (UA> drew $68,000, getting by. Rialto (750; 25-40-55)—'Heart of North' (WB). Finishing first seven days yesterday (Tues.) at $7,500, good, is being retained another day or two. Arthur .Mayer sometimes changes on 10 minutes' notice here,. 'Cipher Bureau* (GN) floundered, only $5,000. ' . Rivoli (2,092; 25-55-75-85-90)— •Beachcomber* (Par). Laughton star- rer, made in England, and knocked off for distribution in this country by Par, a smart move; reopened this house Saturday night (24).'and there's plenty of action at the b. with gross first week looking $40,000,; big. Holds over. Theatfe was closed down two weeks ahead of Christmas,. Previously it had been Up against it due to poor product. Laughton picture proves ability of house to dQ real business if it gets wprthy prod- uct. Roxy (5,836; 25-40-55-75)—'Ken- tucky' (20th) and stage show. CSot away disappointingly but has picked up pace and is proceeding strongly down the stretch for a likely $55,flOO, holding over. Last week, second of •Thanks for Eveiything' (20th), $25,- 000, under hopes. Strand (2,767; 25-55-75)—•Dawn Patrol' (WB) and Abe Lyman band. Draught of Lyman's band, plus that of the feature, although it has no women in the cast and regardless of the fact it is a remake (mentioned by critics), is combining for a ter- rific sock week here of $52,000 or better. This will be the highest gross under the policy since insti- tuted late last summer and beats the prior high, near to this flgur^ established by Ted Lewis and 'Angels' (WB). Fourth week of laU ter was near to $20,000, very good before Xmas. State (3,450; 35-55-75)—'Hardy ^ (M-G) (2d run) and vaude includ- ing Dinty Doyle and Jane Pickens, Picture closed two weeks at the Cap Wednesday night (21) and opened here next day, getting away lightly, but with pickup over holiday, busi- ness should mount to $26,000 or over-, very good. Last week, 'Gieat Waltz* (M-G) (2d run) and nameless vaude bill, only $15,000. which hurts. DuPont on Coster Pic Hollywood, Dec. 27. E. A. Du Pont gets the directorial job on 'The Drug King,' Warners pic- ture built around the Coster switidlci William McGann, originally assigned to the job, is busy directing 'Sweep- stakes Winner.* Latest additions to the cast are Donald Crisp and James Stephenson, supporting Claude Rains. Columbia is also' rushing out a Coster pic. Christie on GN Lot Hollywood, Dac. 27. Al Christie has taken offices at Grand National to prepare a series of shorts. He will also direct features on the lot /