Variety (Aug 1939)

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10 VARIETY PICTURE GROSSES Wednesdayt August 2, ]<)39 Rogers-Vaude $21,(1, 'Hardy' 18G. Frisca Tepperr, 'ISarsy 111,500 Snn Francisco. Aug. 1. The Golden Gate and the Fox are the most successful in battling the in- roads still being made on theatres here by the Golden Gate Exposition. The Gate put on one of its best ex- ploitation campaigns lor Ginger Rogers in 'Bachelor Mother,' which Is packing them in. Mickey Rooney, In another 'Hardy,' is helping the Fox get into important money this week. Best of the holdovers is 'Man With the Iron Mask,' now in its third-final £essioh at the United Artists, which, along with the Golden Gr.to, is still getting 55c top compared to the 40c being collected by the Fox-West Coast houses and the Orpheum. Estimates for This Week Fox (F-WC) cS.dOO: 30-40)—'Hardy Fever' (M-G) and 'Drummond' (Par). Hardy Family doing the trick this week; will show a nice profit at $18,- 000, which is .smash biz nt 40c top. Last week (2d), 'Second Fiddle' (20lh) and 'Hotel Imperial' (Par), • faded to poor $7,000 after big first week. Golden Gate (RKO) f2.850: 35-55) —'Bachelor Mother' (RKO) and vaude. Minus a big name on the stage, 'Bachelor Mother' is making a fine showing for itself. Should get $21,000, remarkably good. Feature of stage show is the O'Neill Sisters' an- nual kiddie revue with 40 youngsters from the bay cities. Last week, •Career' (RKO) and Martha Raye and Tony Martin on stage, wound up with walloping $2G,000. Orphenm (F&M) (2,440: 30-35-40) —'Stole Million' (U) and 'Parents on Trial' (Col) (2d wk). hack of prod- uct only reason for this bill hanging oi\ for second week. Will finish up with dull $5,000. Last week, fairish $7,200. Paramount (F-WC) (2,740; 30-40) -'Frontier Marshal' (20th) and '6,000 Enemies' (M-G). Started off in sluflt tempo, but picked up a bit on word- of-mouth on 'Frontier.' However, picture is short of names and pick-up came too late to give the Paramount better than offish $11,500. Last week, 'Stronger Desire' (M-G) and 'Water- front' (WB), dipped to $7,000, poor. St. Francis (F-WC) (1,470; 30-40)— •Mr. Chips' (M-G) (6th wk). May possibly do one more week if current stint gets anticipated $4,500. Last -week, excellent $6,000. United ArUsts (Cohen) (1.200; 35- .55-65)—'Iron Mask' (UA). Pressure of other bookings reason given for pulling 'Iron Mask' during midst of healthy run. Third and final week will do okay $6,000. Last week (2d), Bwell $9,000. Warfield (F-WC) (2.680; 30-40)— 'Daughters Courageous' (WB) and 'Nancy Drew' (WB) (2d wk). Can't complain at take of $8,000 on hold- over week. Both pictures are get- ting over with the audience in a big way. Last week, sizeable $13,000. DAUGHTERS' GOOD 9iG IN STREAKY DENVER 0. C. No Panic, But 'Daughters' Nice $5,200 Oklahoma City, Aug. 1. 'Daughters Courageous' is doing very nice business at the Criterion. Other films are up slightly, but noth- ing to rave aboiit. Estimates for This Week Criterion (Stan) (1,500; 25-35-40) — 'Daughters Courageous' iWB). Nice $5,200. Last week, 'Fiddle' (20th), bit under $3,800, so-so. ^ Liberty (Stan) 1,200; 15-20-25)— 'Allen Murder' (Par) and 'Nancy Drew' «WB), split with "Island Lost Men' (Par) and 'Girl and Gambler' (RKO), good $2,400. Last week, ■Hell's Kitchen' (WB) and 'Girl Mex- ico' (RKO), fair $1,900. Midwest (Stan) (1,500; 25-35-40)— 'Mikado' (U). Under average at $2,800, but fair for type of film here. Last week, 'Borrowed Time' (M-G), so-so $3,100. Plaza (SUn) (750; 25-35-40)—'Fid- dle' (20th).. Moveover. good $1,000. Last week. 'Juarez' (WB). fair $800. SUte (Noble) (1,100; 15-20-25)— 'Mountain Rhythm' (Rep) and 'Par- ents on Trial' (Col), three days; 'Blondies Vacation' (Col) and 'Or- phans of Street' (Rep), four days, good $2,500. Last week, 'Girls Go Paris' (Col) and 'First Offenders' (Col), nice $2,700. Tower (Stan) (1,000; 25-35-40)— 'Sun Sets' (U). N.g. $1,100. La.^t week, 'Unexpected Father' (U), so-so $1,400. OK Biz Amazes Omaha Mgrs.; Tm'y Nice 8G Hays Seals Indicate Big Drop in Eastern Shorts The big dip in shorts producti<5n :r. the cast this year was reflected both in the number of shorts passed on by the Hays office production code division up to June 30, and ali-o in the small number of shorts in work on eastern studio stages. , With Warner Bros, halting shorts i production' at its Brooklyn plant and .{.Paramount vastly curbing its work or) musical and band shorts in N. Y., only a small handful of shorts producers remain. At the present time, Grantland Rice sporis films (Par), Milton Schwartzwald musical shorts for Universal, Pathe Reviews, Columbia sports series and Terry-toon car- toons are virtually all shorts now being turned out in the east. Check shows that the eastern pro- duction code office had reviewed 178 short features in the first six months this year as compared with 228 In the same period of 1938. HEN-RAISERS UP CLEVLiROGERS BIG $12,000 Cleveland, Aug. 1. International poultry congress, pulling 80,000 fllm-mlnded visitors is helping, hiking State's and Hipp's grosses tq a peak higher than the temperature. Former has a hot cake in 'Andy (Sets Spring Fever,' with heaviest tnatinee biz of summer. Hipp also whamming conventioneers as well as natives with 'Bachelor Mother,' rolling along big enough to rate two week h.o. Palace is only one starving, 'In- dianapolis Speedway' being unable to work up any steam. Auto strike riots are expected to hurt biz. Estimates for This Week Allumbra (Printz) (1,120; 10-20- 35)—'Girl from Mexico' (RKO) and 'Jones Family' (20th). Good for four days, $1,500. Last week, 'News Made Night' (Col) and 'Inside Information' (U) ran half stanza to so-so, $1,000. Allen (RKO) (3.000; 30-35-42-55)— Denver, Aug. 1. With stiff competition, four first- runs are above average, while the remaining three are below. 'Yeoman of the Guard,' Central City Festival production, drew plenty from pic- ture theatres in ringing up best gross in several years for annual event Broadway has reopened after re- modisling. Estimates (or This Week Aladdin (FOx) (1,400:'25-35-40)— 'Star Born' (UA) and 'Tom Sawyer' (UA) (reissues). Poor $2,500. Last week, 'The Hurricane' (UA) and 'Dead End' (UA) (reissues), average $3,500. Broadway (Fox) (1,100: 25-40)— ' 'Hardy Fever' (M-G) and 'Panama Lady' (RKO), following eleven days at the Orpheum. Good $3,000. Last week the house was still closed for repair.'!. . Denham (CockrillV (1,750; 25-35 -40)—'Stolen Life' (Par). Poor $3,- 700 in sight. Last week, 'Allen Mur- der Case' (Par), below normal $5,- 200. Denver (Fox) (2,525; 25-3,--40)— 'Daughters Courageous' (FN). Good $9,500. Last week, 'Sim Sets' (U) and stage show, good $10,000. Orpheum (RKO) i2.600; 25-35-40) —'Borrowed Time' (M-G) and 'Gam- bler Lady' (RKO). Good $9,000. Last week, 'Hardy Fever' iM-G) and 'Panama Lady' (RKO), following four days the previous week, ave- rage $8,000. Paramount (Fox) (2,200: 2E-40)— Naughtv Nice' (WBJ .and- 'Water- front' (WB). Fine $4,000. Last week, 'San Francisco' (M-G) (reissue) ,and 'Clouds Europe' CCol), average i$3,r-- 500. ... Rlalio (Fox) (878: 25-40)—'Hurri- cane' (UA) and 'Dead End' (UA) (reissues), following last week at the Aladdin. Only $1,200, poor, for this moveover dual. Laist week, Omaha, Aug. 1 Exhibitors are a bit surprised at an upswing In biz with what they thought were so-so bills. 'Captain Fury' is heading for very nice $8,000 at the Omaha. Manager WiU Singer of tKe Brandeis, cantj.Second Fiddle' (20th). Okay decide whether it is Fi ve Came I 53 500 for second week, moved over Back' or latest Blondie picture, Hipp. Last week, 'Daughters that's responsible for surprising; courageous' (WB), another shift- *5.500. j over, got better $3,800. Estimates for This Week | circle (Marmorstein) (1.900; 15- Avenne - Dundee - Military (Gold-. 35 ^—'Unmarried' (RKO) plus 'Some berg) (800-600-950; 10-25) —'Dodge; Like It Hot' (Par). Not more than City' (WB) and 'lucky Night i $2,300, average, if it lasts a fuU (M-G),-dual, split with 'Mutiny on 1 frame. Last week,'Never Die'(Par) Bounty' (M-G) (reissue) and 'Kid| and 'Can't Murder' (WB) (2d run), Texas' (M-G), dual. Booming to, $1500 fair. $_2,000,..great Last week 'An^^^^^ Hipp (Warner) (3,700; 30-35-42- (Col) and Pygmalion I ^,i,_:.'p,,v,e,„, m „ + i, « . (rkO). comedy its best fine, Last week, 'Second Fiddle" (20th). Have Wings' Hipp (Warner) (3,700; (M-G), dGal, split with ■Sergeant ">-'Bac'ielo^^ Mother' Maddek- (M-G) and 'Es/eTybodys-^^'^^l'- ^9^^^^ .J lf^ Bahv' (20th) $1800 verv nice giving this spot one Of Branded (Singer-RIW^ (1.250: 10-l^™n,er week; $12,00_0 _ being 25-35-40)—'Five Came Back' (RKO) and 'Blondie' (Col). Showing un- usual draw for $5,500, swell. Last week, second stanza of 'Daughters Courageous' (FN) and 'Code Secret Service' (FN), av(;rag€ $4,000 alter first week of $6,500, socko. Omaha (Blank) (2,000; 10-25-401— 'Captain Fury' (UA) and 'Bridal Suite' (M-G). ■ Good $8,000. week 'Hardy Fever' (M-G) 'Prison Bars' (UA), $8,500, nice. Orpheum (Blank) (3,000; 10-25-40) Mpls. Vaude Spot Hmis Pic Houses; Time Light $4;200 on Classy Trade OK Pix Beat Toronto Heat; lask^ Fine lOG Toronto, Aug. 1. Despite terrific heat wave, b.o. currently showing an upswing, at- tributed to pre-release of product originally skedded for fall, at least in Canadian territory. 'Man in the Iron Ma.sk' is showing its heels to the. rest of the field, but Daughters Courageous' is in second place and picking up well. EsUmates for This Week Imperial (FPrCan) (3,373; 25-35- 50)—'Prison Without Bars' (UA) and Unexpected Father' (U), dual. Very good $7,500. Last week, 'Girls Go Pari.i' (Col) and 'Woman Judge' (Col), good $6,800. Loew's (Loew) (2,611; 25-35-50)— Iron Mask' (UA) and 'All Come Out' (M-G), dual. Excellent $10,000. Last week, 'Maisie' (M-G) and Stronger Desire' (M-G), eood $7,200. Tivoll (FP-Can) (1,433; 25-40)— Invitation Happiness' (Par) and Grand Jury's Secrets' (Par), dual. Good $3,200. Last week, 'Juarez' (WB) and 'Some Like It Hot' (Par), good $3,400. Uptown (FP-Can) (2,761; 25-35-50) ■'Daughters Courageous' (WB). Very good $7,100. Last week (2d). 'Second Fiddle' ('20th). good $5,200; after first week of $6,900. Wy $18,000, Ginger s $12,000 Forte in Wash. got kidding notices and slightly melted, $9,009, Palace (RKO) (3,200; 30-35-42-55) —'Indianapolis Speedway' (WB). Nobody of importance in the driver's .<:eat; ambling into bad $5,000. May be cut short. Last week, 'Hell's Kilchtn' (WB) extended to nine Last; days but couldn't reap more than and; $6,500, indifferent SUte (Loew's> (3,450r 30-35-42-55) .ir- ^. . „IrD^ A ,—'Hardy Fever' (M-G). Off to —■Naughty Nice (WB) and Jopes grand $16,000, doing the heaviest Family^ (20th). Looks like $8.Mp, cay.night biz and definitely going J'^^^n''^^^'lc.^,M^l'i into StiUman for fortnight. Last ^^^•^^u''"'' ^M-G),' 'Borrowed Time' (M-G). well '"^S^wn^icoldberg) (1,250: 10-20-25) -'i";^^ „ „ -'Old Caliente' (Rep), 'Big Town'„SUI'man (Loew's) 19^:30-35-42- , Czar' (U), first runs, and 'Family -^S)—Borrowed Time' (M-G). Noth ; Next Door' (U), tripler, split with • 'n.? wrong with $4,000. Last week I'Dodge City' (WB) and 'Night of,'Malsie (M-G), $4,000, Mystery' (i>ar), dual. Good $1,700.' 1 Last week 'Wyoming Outlaws' (Rep), 'Fixer Dugan' (RKO), first runs, and 'C?fe Society' (Par), tripler, split with 'Zero Hour* fRep), I first run. 'Newsboys Home' (U) andi I 'Angels Wings' (Col), tripler, $1,700 ' good. (Continued from page 1) Quick Buildups for Four Youngsters at 20th-Fox Hollywood, Aug. ). Four youngsters,. are due for a quick build-up at .2^-Fox. First to get the publicity shower will be Xlnda Darnell, who clicked in 'Hotel for Women.' Others are Brcnda Joyce, who makes her debut in 'The Rains Came'; Dorris Bowdon, currently in 'Drums Along the Mohawk,' and rR"ule?Tn^d"^'w1,"rn"'fs"'j'udg1= I R^^bert Shaw who drew attention by (Col). $1,700, average. ' hb work in 'Quick Millions.' ting $5,000 and the sponsor $1,000 for the rights. Total of $5,330 would be distributed in 43 cash awards to listeners over the same period.^There would be a new contest every three months, involving four feature pic tures a year. Idea is that the cash prize angle would hypo pre-production audience interest in the films, since the listen' ers would have helped select the stories. Actual selection would be made by a board of show business names, from suggestions contained in the listeners' letters. James Cag- ney, Cecil B. DeMille, Marc Connelly and Norma Shearer are jnentioned k.i possible members of the board. Washington, Aug. 1. Thanks to a trio of strong attrac- tions, maybe a little more cash than average is drifting into the b.o., but three spots with definitely nice takes are wrecking fourth member of the big time. Capitol is out in front with 'Second Fiddle' and much, ballyhooed 75-miiiute edition of Irene.' Palace is close second with 'Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever,' and Keith's is big third with 'Bache- lor Mother." Earle is taking it on the chin bru- tally with 'Magnificent Fraud' and no-star vaude. Estimates for 'x'hls Week Capitol (Loew) (3.434; 25-35-40-66) —'Second Fiddle' (20th) and vaude. Henie-Powcr-Vallee looks good on the marquee and Broadway cast in locally produced 75-minule version of 'Irene' is climax of weeks of sock ballyhoo. Leading town toward nice $20,000. Last week 'Borrowed Time' (M-G) and vaude, slipped when word-of-mouth was film "is too sad,' but .still fair at $18,000. 25-40) Columbia (Loew) (1.234; 'Naughty, Nice'" (WB), $3,600 'Undercover Doctor' (Par), repeat house trying a first run. Be- low average $3,000. Last week Maisie' (M-G) (2d run), oke $3,800. Earle (WB) (2.216; 25-35-40-66)— 'Magnificent Fraud' (Par) and vaude. Opposition slamming this one down to pathetic $10,000. Last week 'Man About Town' (Par) and vaude, slid slightly to still good $17,500. Keith's (RKO) (1.830; 35-55)— 'Bachelor Mother' (RKO). Nice bally on Ginger Rollers carrying her own pic as a dramatic star. Looking at big SI 2.000. Last week 'Stole Mil- lion' (U). weak $6,000. I 'Met (WB) (1,600: 25-40)—'Man' About Town' (Par) (2d run). Shoved | right in after good week at Earle and holding tos.ard oke $3,800. Last, week 'Dauphters Courageous' (WB) (2d run), good $4,000. 1 Palace (Loew) (2,242; 35-55)— •Hardy Fever' (M-G). Swell S18,000.' La.<!t week 'Mr. Chips' (M-G) (3d wk), good $8,500. Minneapoli.s. Aug. 1. The reopened 4,000-seat Miniic'^ota theatre continues to cut a wide box^ office swath. In second week wltH its big show for small prices, it Mill leads the procession and cuts dee-ply into opposition. Huge deluxe house actiMlly turned a profit in its initial canto and prom- ises to do likewise currently. That accomplishment, however. oiriiL"; from the nut such items as rent taxe.v and the salary of Gordon Greene, man-* aging director, who receives hiscom» pensation from the Shubert Players' Corp. Building owners are waiving rent and taking a gamble on nd profits in order to try to keep thf theatre open. In addition to the Minne.^ola the- atre and generally. depre.>!.>;td biKsi. ness conditions, the entcrtiiinment emporiums have still another reason for concern. It's the annual roller derby opening a three-week trick at the Auditorium and fiooding the town with passes redeemable at the boxoffice on the payment of a 'small service charge.' "This derby luidoubt. edtly will hurt the Minnesota plenlv, too. because it caters to the ami class of clientele. Of the filni newcomers. nio.<t .promi» nent are 'On Borrowed Tiriie' ancj 'Five Came Back.' at the State and Gopher, respectively. Both have ex» cited raves and are getting some b.o. attention, although less, ot course: than would be their lot in more nor-l mal and happier times. 'Second Fidr die' did fairly well in its first weel^ at the State, and becau.<;e of this moderately good showing and th« present product shortage it has beei} moved over to the Centui y for a stcr ond downtown session. The reissuefi 'Eagle and the Hawk' remains for i third week at the sure-seater Time, where it has been a gro.ss stimulus. With Rudy Vallee moving inio tha Orpheum for five days .starling Aug, 4 and the sure-seater World reopens Ing Oie same day with 'The Mikado,* there are still more fireworks in prospect for the loop. Estimates for This Week Aster (Par-Singer) (900: 15-25)-, 'Missing Daughters' (Col) and 'Newg Made Night' (20th), dual' nrsl-nms, split with''Waterfront' (WB) nnil "Trapped Sky' (Col), also diml first- runs. Headed for nice $I.Hnn. La.ot week, 'Girl Mexico' (RKO) and 'Drummond-'. (Par), dual first-runs, split with 'Hell's Kitchen' iWB) end 'Mr. Moto* (20th), also dual fii-tt-run«, good $2,000. Century (Par-Singer) 11.000: 2,S- 35-40) —.'Second Fiddle' i20lh). Moved here from the St;ile. where It did moderately well. Going .ilong nt mild pace and should flnirh to nearly $3,500. • Last week, 'Mr. Chip** (M-G) (3d wk), $4,500. ok.iy after big $11,400 and $7,600 first aiid second week, respectively. Gcpher (Par-Singer) (998: 25)— 'Five Came Back' (RKO>. Critics and customers going for this one in big way. Praise on every hand and fair $3,200 in prospect Last week, *" good. Lucien Hubbard Gets Next Tarzan' Flicker Hollywood, Aug. 1. Lucien Hubbard will produce Metro's 'Tar/.an' picture which pres- ently is being scripted by Myles Connolly. It is tehtaWvely slated to roll next month. Present plan, depending upon Johnny Weismiiller's commitment at the New York World's Fair, callsjor part of the film to be localed in Africa. Granada (Par) (900; 25-35) — 'Young Mr. Lincoln' (20th), .-plit with 'Susannah' (20th). First neighbor- hood showings. Headed for fair $2,000. Last week; 'Invitation Happi- ness' (Par) split with 'Wondtifiil World' (M-G), $2,200, okay. Minnesota (Mpls. Co.) '4.000; 19- 30)—'Woman Doctor' (Rep) and Mayer and Evans topping vaude. Any way you look at it, lots ot thow for the admission' scale. Malerich's 18-piece orchestra a draw in itsflf. Line of girls no boxoffice hindrance, either. Good $8,000 indicated. Vatt week, $9,100, good. Orphenm (Par-Singer) ■ 2.800: 2.")- 35-40) — 'Winter Carniv.il' 'UA). Helped by the cast preseiue of Ann Sheridan, who has been ."=o much in the publicity limelight lately, and Richard Carlson, former U. nt Min- nesota actor. Well liked, but not... sufficiently outstanding lo o\eicome strong opposition. En route lo mild $3,800. Last week, 'Tarzan Finds Son (M-G), $3,500, poor. State (Par-Singer) (2.300: 25-3S- 40)—'Borrowed Time' (M-G). Su- perlatives heaped on this one. but attracting class trade mainly, hack of names holding down take; only light $4,200 in six days. L;!st week, 'Second Fiddle' (20th), $6,500, good. Time (Gilman) (290; 25-05 )— Englo and Hawk' (Par) (reissue) '3(1 wk). This one has been a surprise uronei and initial estimates have been low. Got amazingly good $1,200 Hist \v«ek and $1,000 second. Should dick through to profitable $800 thi.« caiito. SELZNICK'S BRIT, MEGGER Hollywood, Aug. 1. Robert Stevcn.son, Briti.sh director, has been pacted by David O. Selz- nick. Sails from London Aug. 9. Henie's 'Night' Hollywood, Aug. I. Sonja Henie is culling .•■huit )i*r European vacation and iclurnf' lor the stellar spot in 'Every.hiiig Hap- pens at Night' at 20th-Fox. Picture rolls Sept 1 w lUi'T Joe Brown producing.