Variety (Feb 1939)

^cdaesd»7r Vebrvtaej 1» 1939 PICTUBE GROSSES VARIETY Rain Swamps Philly; Dorsey-Tate' Poor $22,500, Us^m Fair HI Fhlladelpliia, Jan. 31. Desoite nifty marquees practically fill down tlie line, biz is extremely disappointing. Some lair figures are teing himg up, but they're far below what was expected. .Aidmg and abetting the^ slump Is old man weather, rain hurting over the week- end and practically annihilating it yesterday (Monday). Most welcome sight is Idiot's De- light' at Boyd* Queues are frequent at the house, pushing up gros? to nifly $22,500. 'Beachcomber,' on the other hand, though heavily ballied, is running along in slow gear. Clinch- Ifig $13,500, fair for the house. Even the dependable vaudfllm Earle is failing fo mesh in the accus- tomed manner with Tommy Dorsey on the boards. While the trombone tooter last March did better than $27,000, he's set for hardly more than $22,500 this run. That's hardly prof- itable on the heavy nut. 'Jesse James»' in second session at Stanley, soften- ing considerably, down to $12,000. Estimates for This Week Aldine (WB) (1,303; 42-57-68-75)— ♦Beachcomber' (Par). Probably hurt by so-so reviews, despite strong baUyhoo. Clicking for only $13,500, fair, but will probably h. o. Last week, 'Topper' (UA) (2d wk) weak- ened badly for cold $7,500. Boyd (WB) (2,350; 37-57-68-75)— Idiot's Delight' (M-G). Bright spot Qf midtown with nifty $22,000. Last week, *Zaza'. (Par) (2d wk), very sad $7,100. Earie (WB) (2,758; 26-37-42-57-68> —'FUrting Fate' (M-G). Tommy Dorsey orch on stage. Mediocre showing at $22,500. Last March, with a pic of about equal strength, band registered better than $27,000. Last week, 'Off Record' (WB) and Ben Bernie and Mary Small on stage, $19,100, poor. Fox (WB) (2,423; 37-57-68-75)^ •Made Me Criminal' (WB). Very tepid at $14,000. Last week, 'Son Frankenstein' (U), $11,000, extremely disappointing after swell biz done by reissue of 'Firankenstein' and 'Dracula' at Studio a couple doors away. Karlton (WB) (1,066; 37-42-57-68) —'Son Frankenstein' (U) (2d run). Repeating its poor showing at the Fox with measly $3,000. Last week, •Artists and Models' (Par) (2d run), unprofitable $2^800. Keith's (WB) (1,870; 37-42-57-68) —Topper* (UA) (2d run). Making poor snowing at $3,100. Last week, •Woman Again* (Col) (2d rtm), poor $3,000. Stanley (WB) (2,916; 37-57-68-75) —'Jesse James' (20th) (2d wk). Sat- isfactory, but skidded far more than expected to $12,000, after hitting nice $19,900 in initial sesh. Stanton (WB) (1,457; 26-42-57)— •Disbarred' (Par). Failing to make any sort of showing at $3,400. Last week, 'Ambush' (Par), likewise set tiie house behind the black ball with $3,500. IDIOT'S' AT $22,000 DEUQITS PTSBG. Pittsburgh, Jan. 31. Practically all of the com avail- able for entertainment this^week is going to two spots, the Alvin, where Jesse James' is packing 'em in, and ttie Penn, where 'Idiot^s Delight' is headed for top biz. Elsewhere it's strictly a case of the blues and grosses hitting rock bottom. James' giving the Alvin its best take since 'Alexander,' and will stay there for second wteek instead of go- ing to Senator. Idiot's* will move to Warner for its h, o. First attraction m Stanley's 11th birthday celebra- tion, 'Great Man Votes' and Russ band, taking it on the chin. While 'Son of Frankenstein,' now at senator after nice sesh at Alvin, isn't going anywhere, either. Estimates tor This Week . A>vin (Harris) (1,850; 25-35-50)— Jesse James* (20th). Nothing like it nere smce 'Alexander' and a cinch w clean up big. Won't hit figure musical got, but should have no trouble getting at least $17,000, great, nff * ^y^^'l' 'Frankenstein' (U), -fell ?,f,.a*ter big start and finished up Jtist short of $10,000. (Shea-Hyde) (1,750; 25-40) Women' (RKO) (reissue), and Marry' (RKO). Biz fair enough out house can't get any turnover, rliii ^ore than three hours. J^oks like around $2,300. May stay <^3ys since Fulton hasn't "SLPfoduct on tap until 'Tail Spin' woth) opens Feb. 10. Last week ^i»ciflc Liner' (RKO) and 'Peck's 5^5 Boy' (RKO), in nine days all right at $3,200. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-35-50) r;i«"ot's Delight' (M-G). Shearer InA ^^^^^ together b. o. dynamite WW raves for both performance and picture shooting this one right into SPPer brackets. Had the biggest Saturday (28) since 'Snow White' ana paced for an easy $22,000, fine. Moves to Warner Friday (3) for sec- ?H,Yeek. Last week, 'Dawn Patrol' tWB), fizzed to less than $14,000. Senator (Harris) (1.800; 25-35-50) —^"Frankenstein'. 03}. Here for h. o. after nice Alvin we^ but just stag* gering slong and wm bft lud|cy to f:et even $2,000. Last week, second or 'Kentucky' (20th) here—film previously had seven days at Alvin— fair $2 500 Stanley'(WB) (3,600; 25-40-60)— 'Man Votes' (RKO) and Russ Mor- gan's band. Flicker well received but getting no b. o. attention and orch, despite impressive radio rep, isn't helping any. Looks like poor $13,500, if that. Last week, Bowes' ams and 'West Point' (UA), fair $16,500. Warner (WB) (2,000; 25-40)— 'Crooked Mile' (Par) and 'Tom Saw- yer' (Par), Another bad week in store here. Couple of weakies wQot better $2,800. I^ast week, •Devil's Is- land* (WB) and 'Annabel' (RKO), $4,600, okay. mm STRONG $17,0i IN CLEVE. Cleveland, Jan.. 31. Except for a spell of warm weath- er against blizzard which struck yes- terday (Mon-), there's no other ex- planation for the' sudden spurt of business upward, at least 50% better than last week's. Triple-name stage pull of Ann Sothern, IJoger Pryor and Eleanor Whitnor is hurdling 'Off the Rec- ord* at the Palace to zingo $18,000. 'Idiot's Delight' only one notch be- low that, cleaning up the rest of the gravy for the State. Hipp made mis- take- in keeping 'Jesse James' after last week's slump. Estimates for This Wciek Alhambra (Printz) (1,200; 10-20- 35)—'Dr. Meade' (Col) and 'Little Tough Guys' (WB). Nice $2,000 for four days. Last week 'Lady Vanishes' (GB) and 'Last Warning' (U) (2d wk), good $2,800, Allen (RKO) (3,000; 30-35-42-55)— 'Pacific Liner' (RKO). Not so stormy at $3,000, average. Last week 'Frank- enstein' (U), chiUed to $2,900. Hipp (Warner) (3,700; 30-35-42-55) —'James' (20th) (2d wk). A bit short on wind and stamina, $9,000 being UberaL Last week, $12,500, good in spite of unexpected drop. Palace (RKO) (30-35-42-55)—'Off Record' (WB) plus vaude with Ar- thur Pryor orch, Ann Sothern . and Eleanor Whitney. Latter lielng a localite, boosting solid bill some more for excellent $18,000. Last week 'Going Places' (WB) with Bill Robinson in flesh, $17,000, bright. State (Loew's) (3,450; 30-35-42-55) •Idiot's Delight' (M-G). Yanking the femmes and smart plugging sets it for healthy $17,000. Last week 'Honeymoon' (Par), Crosby's poor- est to date, $7,500. Stillman (Loew's) (1,972; 30-35-42- 55)—'Four Girls' (M-G). Just get- ting by with $3,000. Last week 'O'Connor' (M-G), dived with the rest of town to $2,000. Labor Board's Contempt Charge Vs. L 1. Ediibs State Labor Relations Board will ask N. Y. Supreme Court Justice Ferdinand Pecora today (Wednes day) to punish for contempt several Long Island, N. Y., motion picture theatre operators for failure to com ply with the board's order of last April relating to motion picture ma chine operators employed by the the- atres. The Board's order, later up- held by the court, directed the thea tre operators to stop interfering with machine operators from joining Lo cal 306 and also to reinstate six workers who had been fired for union activities. The Board claims the defendants have failed to comply with the order and now wants the court to impose penalties. The theatre operators complained of are^ Long Island Theatre Corp., Cross Island Amus. CJorp., Northern Amus. Corp., Laurelton Amus. Co., Merrick Gales Amus. Corp., and the Linden Operating Corp. Some Storm Chicago, Jan. 31. The heavy snowstorm here yesterday and today (Tuesday) Is playing havoc with loop and theatre bushiess. Some 15 inches of snow has fallen. Which is about three Inches taUer than Jr. Laemmle. No B.O. Punch In Mpk; Idiofs lOG Paces Town Metro's Ballet Testee Tamara Toumanova, ballet danseuse in 'Stars in Your Eyes,' Dwight Wiman musical which opens Feb. 9 at the Majestic, New York, has been optioned by Metro.. She'U be tested during the show's Broadway run. MinnefapoliSir Jan. 31.., Grosses continue to suffer.from'a la(^ of vitality. In at least two in- stances, 'Idiot's Delight' and 'Man to Remember,' takings rate better than ^ fair, but are still far l>elow what Gomd be termed highly im- pressive grosses. Gable-Shearer opus, at State, wiU lead town by a wide margin. 'Man to Remember,' in third week at World, continues to knock 'em dead at that sure-seater, but its $3,000 is a lot of money only for a 350-seater. Gopher, with 'Going Places,' still doing well, but here, too, a $3,500 pull means plenty of patronage, without counting as really big coin. 'Stand Up and Fight' will wind up eight pretty fair days at the Or- pjieum,*but 'There's That Woman Again,' while wdl liked, is doing none too well for the Century. ^ Stage shows still are conspicuous by their absence. Estimates for This Week Aster (Par-Singer) (900; 15-25)— 'Moto's Last Warning' (20th) and 'Swing. Sister' (U), first-runs, split with Wewsboys' . HOme' (U) and 'Crooked Mile' (Par), also first-runs. Headed for satisfactory $1,700. Last week, 'Tough Guys' (U) and 'Comet Broadway' (FN), first-runs,-^plit with 'Spy Ring' (Col) and 'Marry' (RKO), also first-runs, fair $1,500. Century (Par-Singer) (1,600; 25- 35-40)—'Woman Again' (Col). Pleafe ing enough picture, but having plenty of boxoffice trouble. Will do well to reach light $3,500. Last week, 'Dramatic School' (M-G), $4,000, light. Gopher (Par-Singer) (998; 25)— •Going Places' (FN). Dick PoweU means nothing: to boxoffice here any more, but house is definitely on map with policy that apparently spells consistently profitable grosses. Looks like pret^ good $3,200. Last week, 'My j&eart' (UA), $3,400, good. Orpbenm (Par-Singer) ■ (2,890; 25- 35-40)—'Stand Up' (M-G). Picture in for eight days and giving good enough account of itself. Pretty good $6,500 indicated. Last week, 'Dis- barred' (Far) and. Fibber McGee imit on stage, $7,500 in three days, good. State (Par-Singer) (2,300; 25-35- 40)—'Idiot's Delight' (M-G). Critics acclaim it one of year's best and customers also doing share of boost- ing. Shearer-Gable names and play's fame calculated to make turn- stiles hum. Shooting toward good $10,000. -Last week, 'Honeymoon' (Par), $6,000, mild. Time (Berger) (290; 15-25)— 'Walking Dead' (U) (reissue) and 'From Big House' (SR), split. Looks like mild $600. Last week, 'Am Criminal' (Mono), $700, fair. Uptown (Par) (1,200; 25-35)— 'Angels' (FN), split with ^Brother Rat' (WB). First nabe showings. Grood $3,200. Last week, 'Angels' solo, $2,800, good. World (Stefles) (350; 2S-35-40-55) —'Man Remember' (RKO) (3d wk). Still packing 'em in, principally as result of critics' huzzahs. Long run sure. Very big $3,000. Last week, $3,100, great. SHEARER-GABLE PEPPY $12,000 IN OKAY PROY. Providence Jan. 31. Biz on upswing again, with 'Idiot's Delight' at State getting good $12,- 000. Others swinging along at healthy pace include 'They Made^Me a Criminal,' at Majestic, and 'Girls' School,** at Strand. Albee is holding its oWn with re- vivals, 'It Happened One Night' and 'Mr. Deeds Goes to Town.' Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2.00O; 25-35-50)— 'Happened One Night' (Ck)l) and 'Mr. Deeds' (Col) (revivals). Aver- age $6,500. Last week 'Fugitives Night' (RKO) and Ozzie Nelson on stage, fair $7,500. Carlton (Fay-Loew) (1,400; 25-35- 50)—'Trade Winds' (UA) and O'Con- nor* (M-G) (2d run). Pacing for $6,- 000, fine. Last week 'Kentucky' (20th) and Titans Deep' (GN), $5,- 000, okay. Fay's (Indie) (2,000; 25-35-40)— 'Devil's Island' (WB) and vaude. Healthy $8,000. Last week 'Khig Un- War m Balto; Topper Fair derworld' (WB) and vaude, sWell $8,000. State (Loew) (3,200; 25-35-50)— •Idiot's Delight' (M-G) and 'Homi- cide Bureau' (Col). Headed for peppy ^12,000. Last week Trade Winds' (UA) and O'Connot' (M-G), nice $11,000. Majestic (Fay) (2,3: ; 25-35-60)— 'Made Me Criminal' (WB) and 'Go- ing Places' (WB). Stepping nicely for swell $8,000. Last week 'Heart North' (WB) and 'Smiling Along' (20th), weak $5,000. Strand (Indie) (2,200; 26-35-50)— 'Girls School' (Col) and 'Mysterious glider' (Par). Looks good for $8,- 00. Last week 'In French' (Par) and 'Disbarred' (Par), meek $4,500. DEI SKIDS, BUT 9n9 $11,000 Detroit, Jan. 31. Slippery boulevards and- snow are combining witjti strong counter-at- tractions to haiid downtown film boxofifices'plenty of competish. The blizzard yesterday (Mon.) and today is believed to have cut business 85% below normal. 'Jesse James,' pliis vaude, continues to pull -em in at the- Fox on holdover, white 'Idiot's Delighf i& getting favorable piscy at the United Artists. Estimates for This Week Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 30-40)— 'Pacific Liner' (RKO) coupled with 'Annabel' (RKO). Won^t get mor^e than $3,500, mild. Last • session, about $3,700 for 'Secrets Nurse' (U) and 'Down Farm' (20th). Fox (Indie) (5,000; 30-40-65)-^ 'Jesse James' (20th) (2d wk) with holdover stage show. After clicking off smash $35,000 first stanza. Power opus shoidd come home with okay $18,000 currently. Mlefaisan (United Detroit) (4.000; 30-40-65)—'Cowboy and'Lady' (UA) plus 'Ambush' (Par), dual. JSeaded for bad $10,000. Last weiek 'Honey- moon' (Par) and 'Off Record' (WB), only fair $11,500. Palms-State (United Detroit) (3,- 000; 30-40-50)—'Stand Up? (M-G) (2d run) plus 'Federal Man-Hunf (Rep). Taylor-Beery flicker moved here after poor stanza at UA; figures for fair $6,500. Last stanza mild $5,000 for 'Zaza' (Par) (2d run) and 'Long Shot' (GN)7 former .flhn moved here from Michigan. * United Artsts (United Detroit) (2,000: 30-40-65)—'Idiot's Delighf U^-G). Ballyed .nicely and should get good enough $11,000 and holds. Poor $6,000 last week for 'Stand Up' (M-G). Ulanton'-Vaude Fine $10,00a in Montreal Montreal, Jan. 31. Loew's looks like the best bet for the week with 'Mad Miss Manton' and Count Berni Vici imit. 'Citadel' at Palace should also do weU. Bal- ance of theatres are spotty. Estimates for This Week Palace (CT) (2,700; 25-45-55)— •Citadel' (M-G). Big baUy on this one is getting results; $7,000, very, good. Last week 'Hardys' (M-G), disappointing $5,000. Capitol (CT) (2,700; 25-45-55)— 'Woman Again' (Col) and 'Spy Ring* (Col), won't see better than $3,- 500, fair. Last week •Kentucky' (20th) and 'March of Time's Refu- gee,' good $5,000. Loew's (CT) (2,800; 30-40-60)— 'Miss Manton' (RKO) and Count Berni Vici unit. Stage show may jack, up gross to $10,000 witl^v in- creased admish, very good. ' Last week 'In French' (Par) and vaude, poor $5,000. Princess (CT) (2,300: 25-34-50)— 'Dr. Kildare' (M-G) and 'Swing, Sis- ter' (Par). Good enough $3,800. Last week, repeat session of 'Beach- comber' (Par) and 'Drummond' (Par) very good $4,500. Orpheum (Ind) (1,100; 25-40^50)— 'Toppsr' (UA) and 'Won.en Prison' (RKO). Looks like $3,500, good. Last week 'King Kong' (RKO) and 'Happened One Night* 'Col) (reis- sues), $1,800. poor. Cinema de Paris (France-Film) (600; 25-50)—'Courier de Lyon.' Fair $1,800. Last week 'Prison de Femmes,' repeat, $1,000, so-so. St. Denis (France-Fihn) (2,300; 20- 34)—'La Goualfeuse' and stage show. Pointing to very good $7,000. Last week 'Batnabe' and 'Gosse de Riche,' $7,500, excellent. Baltimore,. Jan. 31. Decision of Lpfew's Century to cut admission scale beginning Thursday (2) heaping additional blues on downtown exhibs. Slice, coincident With elimination of stage shows at Century, will cut former top of 55c to'40&.and set a 25c admission up to 6 p. m., instead of 12:30 noon hereto- fore. Keith's is expected to follow suit. Combo Hipp will hold to pres- ent scale. New and Stanley are un- certain. Considerable jerking around of dates last week to oftset tepid tak- ings had the Stanley pulling out. 'Say It in French' on Wed. (25). and rushing in 'Zaza,' previously, set for Sat (28): Keith's, too, yanked 'Newsboys Home' on short notice, insierting 'Devil's Island,' also pre- viously planned for later booking. 'Jesse James,' at New, continues strong in its second week, and Hipp, thanks to strong vaude lineup, head- ed by Ben Blue and Helen Morgan* hitting it off ir pleasing style. Estimates for This Week Centary (Loew-UA) (3,000; 15-25- 35-40-55)—'Topper' (UA). . Holding fairish pace; possible $10,000, Last week, 'West Point' (UA), unexciting $8,200. Hippodrome (Rappaoort) (2,205: 15-25-35-40-55-66)—'Spring Madness' (RKO) and vaude headed by Ben Blue and Helen Morgan. Okay $12,* 000. Last week 'Man Votes' (RKO) and p. a. of Connie Bo^well, fair $10,800. ]freith's (Schanberger) (2,406; 15- 25-35-40-55)—'Devil's Island' (U). Starting second week tomorrow (Wed.) with mildlsh $5,500 under iti' belt, after being rushed in to replace 'Newsboys Home' (U), which couldn't get anywhere at $2,200.. New (Mechanic) (1,558;, 15-25-35- 55)—'Jesse James' (20th) (2d wk). Holding up in exceUeht style to sat- isfying $6,500 after rosy opener to $8^00, biggest here in moons. Third week set Stanley (WB) (3,250; 15-25-35-40- 55)^'Zaz&' (Par). Rushed in to re- place 'In French' (Par), which hob- bled along to bare $2,700. 'Zaza' will run until Sat. (4), when 'Wings of the Navy' (WB) opens. Ten days of Colbert pic headed for fatrish total of $7,000, POWER SOCKO IN OMAHA, 15G Omaha, Jan. 31. 'Jesse James' is rocking a host of records at the Orpheum here with an estimated $15,000 take, beating 'Alexander.' Opening day set a new mark and Sunday show socked an- other. •Jesse' ptunping up business all around, with 'Paris Honeymoon' at the Orpheum clicking nice $8,500. 'Son of I^rankenstein' holding up well in spijte of competish. Estimates for This Week Avenue - Dundee - Military (Gold- berg) (950-810-650; 10-25)—'Hardys'; (M-G) and 'Young Heart' (UA), split with 'Girls School' (Col), 'Comet Broadway' (FN) and 'Mr. Moto' (20th), tripler. Very good $2,300. Last week •Angels' (FN) and 'Fours' Crowd' (FN), split with 'Giants' (FN), 'Five Bind' CZOth) and 'Num- bers' (20th)^ tripler, very jtood $2,300. Brandels (Slnger-RKO) (1,250; 10- 25-35-40)-^Trankenstehi' (20tti) and 'Annabel' (RKO)t Good $4,800. Last week 'Pacific Liner* (RKO) and •Girls Probation' (FN). $4,400, gdoeU Omaha (Blank) (2,200; 10-25-40)— 'Honeymobn' (Par) and 'FUriinf Fate' (M-G). ExoeUent tt,S00: taS week 'Zaza' (Par) and 'Up River', (20tb), $6,700, gQod-. - Orphenm (Blank) (3,000; 10-25- 40)—Jesse James' (20th) and 'Swing, Sister' (U). Smash $15,000. I.ast week^ 'Kentucky' (20th) and 'Down Farm' (20th), $13,000, socko. Town (Goldberg) (1,250; 10-25-40) -'Western Jamboree' (Rep), 'Gang BuUets' (Mon), first-runs, and 'Mr. Moto' (20th), tripler, fiplit with 'River Range' (Rep), first-run, 'Young Heart' (UA), and 'Swing Cheer' (U). Good $2,000. Last week 'Flight Fame,' 'CaUfomia Frontier' (Col), first-runs, and 'Giants^ (FN), tripler, split with 'Tombstone' (RKO), 'Four's Crowd' (WB) and 'Angels' (FN), $1,800, good. Horton Back to Far Edward Everett Horton left yes- terday (Tues.) for the Coast to re- turn to the Paramotmt studio which gave him a leave of absence that he might make a film abroad. Completing 'Gang's All Here* la London, Horton returned to the States Thursday (26), accompanied by his sister.