Variety (Sep 1939)

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10 VARIETY PICTURE GROSSES Wednesday, September 27, 1939 Phifly Evidences Slight Perk, But Crosby-HaOett Only Fair Philadelphia, Sept. 26. The windup of the Jewish holidays and oooler weather is bringing a boost to grosses in downtown houses. The climb at the b.o. is small, how- ever, but indicates a steady increase in the future, in view of the bright- ening economic picture in Philly. Brightest spots on the film horizon here are 'The Women,' at the Boyd, giving all signs of having a profitable run; 'Old Maid,' which is continuing Its phenomenal success downtown in second-run showing at the Karlton, and 'Rains Came,' now in second ■week at Stanley. 'Here I Am Stranger' is hitting the low mark at Aldine. Kind words from the pic crix failed to perk this tear-jerker. 'Star Maker,' plus a heavy nut stage show, is- moderate at Earle. Estimates for Tbis Week Aldine (WB) (1,303; 32-42-57)— •Here Stranger' (20th). Lack of mar- quee names seems to be the reason this one isn't doing biz. Looks like a poor $9,500 for eight-day stay. Last, week, 'Under-Pup' (U), held over nine days of its second week because of lack of product, likewise did poor- ly, just shading $10,000.. Boyd (WB) (2,350; 32-42-57)— 'Women' (M-G). Nice press buildup, big names and great reception the Clare Booth play got here is helping to build this comedy to very nice $19,000 and is certain to h. o. Last week, 'Old Maid' (WB), fancy $11,20,0 in third week. - Earle (WB) (2,758; 32-42-57)— 'Star Maker' (Par), with Mai Hal- lett's orch, Cliff Nazzaro, Wally Ver- non and others on stage. Crosby's latest is lots better thaii the films- generally shown here, but only mod- erate $19,000 in sight. Last week, "Hawaiian Nights' (U) and Jimmy Durante, poor $16,000. Fox (WB) (2,423; 32-42-57)—'5th Ave. Girl" (RKO) (2d wk). Fairish $8,500 for five days of second sesh. First week, nice $15,700. Karlton (WB) (1,066; 32-42-57)— •Old Maid' (WB) (2d run). Still fly- ing high with pretty good $6,000 after terrific run at Boyd. Last week, •Golden Boy' (Col), weak $3,400. Palace (WB) (1,100; 26-32-42)—'Oz' (M-G) (3d run). Going strong In its fifth week downtown with swell $4,- 900. 'Lady Tropics' (M-G), okay $4,600. Stanley (WB) (2,916; 32-42-57)— •Rains Came' (20th) (2d wk). Still pouring it on with nice $12,000 ekedded for this stanza. First week brought comfortable $19,300. Stanton (WB) (1,457; 32-42-57)— 'Coast Guard' (Col) and Louis-Pastor fight pic. Despite war feeling, this type of film doesn't seem to draw. Mediocre $4,600 seen. Last week, •Diist Destiny' (WB), good $5,500 in cecond-iun showing. wk). Displaying unexpected strength at pretty good $2,800, following ini- tial week's good $3,700. ■ RIalto (Fourth Avenue) (3,000; 15- 30-40)—'Rains Came' (20th). Top at- traction in town this week and bring-- ing in many patrons on strength of Louis Bromfleld's novel. Class trade is giving the wicket a whirl. Pacing for meaty $8,000. Last week, 'Beau Geste' (Par) and 'Stop ( Look* (20lh) dipped sharply toward end of week, but still satisfactory at $7,000. Strand (Fourth Avenue) (1,400; 15- 30-40)^'Man Is News* (Par) and '$1,000 Touchdown' (Par). Aiming at fairish $3,200. Last week 'Human Bondage' (RKO) and 'Lost Squadron' (RKO) (revivals), mild $2,600. Hub Biz Up, But Touchdown' No Score at $11,000 Heat, U. Hurt L'ville; Thunder Pleasing $7,000 Louisville, Sept. 26. Continued summery weather Is having a retarding effect on b.o. grosses hereabouts, as well as fact that Louisville Colonels won Ameri- can Association playoff, which means that baseball interest will be pro- longed throughout Little World Se- ries with International League win- ner. Night games draw crowds here and are bound to dent film house grosses. 'Rains Came,' on a single at Rialto, Is doing the best business of the week, with "Thunder Afloat,' dual at Loew's StaV, is well above average. H.o.'s are mild, . Estimates for This Week Brown (Loew's-Fourth Avenue) <1,000; 15-30-40) —'Women' (M-G) end 'AH Came Out* (M-G) (2d wk). Retained for third downtown stanza, after 'Beau Gesle' (Par) slackened at Rialto. Currently heading for good $1,600, considering. Last week, robust $2,500. Kentueky (Switow) OOO; 15-22)— •Daughters Coumgeous' (WB) and ^Naughty But Nice* (WB). Pretty potent product and aiming for' good $1,700. Last week 'Second Fiddle' t20th) and 'Unexpected Father' (U), ai(jed by State Fair visitors, fairish $1,600. Loew's State (Loew's) (3,100; 15- aO-40)—'Thunder Afloat' (M-G) and •Miracles for Sale' (M-G). Couple of action pics maintaining pretty good pace and may grab off pleasing $7,- 000. Last week, 'Shall Have Music* (UA) and 'Coast Guard' (Col) sagged ba(jly and yanked day early after weak $3,500 in six days. Mary Anderson (Libson) (1,000: 15-30-40)—'Dust Destiny* (WB) (2d Boston, Sept. 26. Good biz around town, with three holdovers, 'The Women,' 'Old Maid' and 'Tomorrow Comes' holding the spotlight Town's biggest press party for Anna Neagle and Herbert Wilcox here last Friday (22) primed about 100 newspapermen, and women from all over New England for advance publicity on 'Nurse Edith Cavell,' which had a one-shot preem Friday night, supplemented by a personal appearance by star and director at the Keith Memorial. Keith's Boston goes Into big name vaude Oct. 12, with a full week of Eddie Cantor and his unit. Estimates tor This Week Boston (RKO) (3,200; 20-30-40)— 'SpeUbinder' (RKO) and 'Smuggled Cargo' (Rep), with vaude for three days, and .-Return Frog' (Select) and 'Demon Barber' (Select), (dual) for four days. Shaping up to dandy $10,000. Trade is slowly building up at thia spot Last week 'Flirting Death' (Imperial) (1st run) and 'Woman Judge' (Col) (2d run), dual, with, vaude, three days, and 'Second Fiddle' (20th) (3d run) and 'Saint London' (RKO) (2d run), double, four days, okay $8,300. Fenway (M&P) (1,332; 25-35-40- 55)—"Touchdown' (Par) and 'Chan' (20th), dual. Combo getting wrong- way word-of-mouth and around $4,500, poor. Last week 'Beau Gest' (Par) and 'Quick Millions' (20th), third week in town, under expecta- tions at $5,000. Keith Memorial (RKO) (2,907; 25 35-40-55)—'Tomorrow Comes* (U) and 'Sherlock Holmes' (20th) (2d wk.). Aiming at beefy $16,000. In- cludes one performance of 'Nurse Cavell' (RKO). First week socko $20,500. MetropoliUn (M&P) (4,367; 25-35- 40-55)—'Old Maid' (WB) and 'Torchy Dynamite' (WB) (2d wk.). Heading for adequate $13,000. Initial stanza dandy $19,000. Orphenm (Loew) (2,900; 25-35-40 55)—'Women' (M-G) and 'Man Hang (Col) (2d wk.). Holdover ringing up socko $20,000. First week (five days), $18,000, big. Paramonnt (M&P) (1,797; 25-35 40-55) — 'Touchdown' (Par) and 'Chan' (20th). Wobbly $6,000. Last week, 'Beau Geste' (Par) and 'Quick Millions' (20th), third week in town, $6,500. S.colUy (M&P) (2,538; 25-35-40-50) —'Beau Geste' (Par) and 'Quick Millions' (20th). Fourth week in town, around $3,800, dlsannointing Last week, 'Married Cop' (Rep) (1st run) and Tour Feathers' (UA) (2d run), $4,500, okav. • .Slate (Loew) (3,600: 25-35-40-55)— 'Women' (M-G) and 'Man Han?' (Col). (2d wk). Aiming at big $17,000. First week (five days), socko $14,000. 'BLACKMAILVPAYS OK $9,500 IN DENVER Denver, Sept 26. With ell first-runs above aver- age, and several having standouts over the weekend, 'The Rains Came* is coming in with the most imoney. 'Rulers of the Sea* is pulling biz at the Denham, as is 'Blackmail' at Orpheum. Eitimates for Thli Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 25-40)— 'Iron Mask' (UA), after week at Denver. Nice $4,000. Last week, 'Tomorrow Comes' (U), good $4,000 after week at Denver. Broadway (Fox) (1,040; 25-35-40) —'Women' (M-G) and 'Spellbinder' (RKO>. after two weeks at Orphe- um. - Fine $4,000. Last week, 'Great Waltz' (M-G) and 'Naughty Marietta' (M-G) (revivals), average $2,500. Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 25-35- 40)—-Rulers Sea* (Par). Good $7,400 in sight. Last week, 'Beau Geste* (Par), okay $4,500 to finish 17-day run. Denver (Fox) (2,525; 25-35-40)— Rains Came* (20th). Fine $12,000. Last week, 'Iron Mask' (UA), very good $11,000. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 25-35-40) — Blackmail* iM-G) and 'Glamour Girls' (M-G). Nice $9,500. Last week, 'Women* (M-G) and 'Spell- binder* (RKO), turned In one of best second weeks the Orpheum has had —$8,700. Paramonnt (Fox) (2,200; 25-40)— Coast Guard' (Col) and 'Chicken Wagon' (20th). Good $4,500. Last week, 'Speedway' (WB) and 'Million Dollar Legs,' nice $4,000. Rialto (Fox) (878; 23-40)—To- morrow Comes' (U), after a week at each the Denver and Aladdin, and Konga* (Col). Nice $2,000 in sight. Last week, 'Four Feathers' (UA), after a week at each the Denver and Aladdin, and 'Panama Patrol' (GN), average $1,700. Heat Quits Mpls. and Biz Picb Up; Ginger, SG, 'AngekV3G, Both Good GARF1EU)-LANE NUTY $12,500 iNPrrr H.O.S N.G. in Montreal; 'AngeV Nice $3,500 ; •. Montreal, Sept. 26.. Three "h.o.'s are not giving locals much choice the current week. 'Rains Came' at Palace, will garner good $8,000, but the repeats are all pointing to disappointing takes. French houses are on a big up- swing. Estimates (or This Week Palace (CT) (2,700; 25-45-55) — 'Rains Came' (20th). Getting mo.st of the biz in town, with gratifying $8,000 in sight Last week, '5th Girl' (RKO), nice $6,000. Capitol (CT) (2,700; 25-45-55) — 'Dust Destiny' (WB) and 'Every- (Continued on page 52) Pittsburgh, Sept 28. Nothing in the upper brackets this week, but biz Is holding pretty even and nobody's getting hurt. Which makes everybody happy all around. Leaders by comfortable margin are Thunder Afloat' and •Dust Be My Destiny,' at Penn and Stanley, re spectively, and there's a good (ihance that one of these plx will move to Warner for a seconfl week. Just which one, hov/ever, the stretch will determine. 'Rains Came' is dropping about In half on h.o. at Alvin, but still okay, and moves Thursday (28) to Senator for continuation of downtown rim. Latter spot expects to keep it for couple of week^^■..^>n h.o. from Penn, 'Star Maker,' at Warner, is more than just getting by, while insertion of Louis-Pastor fight pic la giving third week of 'Stanley and Livingstone' a lift at Fulton. Senator's really only hotise that's taking it on the chin, with 'Chan at Treasure IsUnd' and 'Benind Prison Gates' accounting for practically nothing. Estimates (or This Week Alvin (Harris) (1,850; 25-35-50) ■Rains Came' (20th) (2d wk). StiU good , and healthy at just under $8,^ 500, good enough to send flicker down to Alvin's sister house, the Senator, for at least another stanza, and pos- sibly two more. Around $17,00<) on opening session, fourth biggest week in house's five-year history. Kulten (Shea-Hyde) (1,750; 25-40) — Livingstone' (20th) (3d wk). Book- ing of Louis-Pastor reel is accounting for considerable extra biz. Looks like around $4,500, anyway, which isn't tin for this spot, and that may result in another h.o. If not 'Under Pup' (U) comes In Saturday (30) for a run. Last week, second of 'Stan- ley.* very good $5,200. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-35 50)—'Thunder Afloat' (M-G). Lot of heady exploitation designed to cash in on war fever. As a result, chances are pretty positive for around $14,- 000. which should mean an extra week at Warner. Last week, 'Star Maker' (Par); bettered $14,500 to get the Wsrner h.o. Senator i Harris) (1,700; 25-40) — 'Chan' <20lh) and 'Prison Gates' (Col). No customers for this twin- ner, but one-day p.a. of Jesse L Larky picking finalists in his 'Gate way to Hollywood' auditions was breather and helped house salvage little .something. Around $1,800 the prospect.. House gets 'Rains Came' t20lh) Thursday (28). l^st week, b.o. and this well-liked.drama looks good for nice $12..'i00 or better. May get call over 'Thunder Afloat' for Warner h.o., depending on last couple of days. House resumes stage shows Friday (29) with Eddie Cantor end 'These Glamour Girls' (M-G) after four month.s of straight pix. Last week, second of 'Old Maid' (WB), around $10,000, or $8,000 under open- ing stanza. Warner (WB) (2,000; 25-35-50)— 'Star Maker' (Par). - Brought here frorti Penn and doing fair enough, although not up to usual biz here for h.o.'s. Will be lucky to get $5,000. La.st week, 'Leading Citizen' (Par) and 'Magnificent Fraud' (Par), in hog-house at $3,000. Bernie-Xowboy Strong 14^26 On Indpls. Tee-Off Indianapolis, Sept. 26. With the downtown theatrical dis- trict ablaze with marquee lights, as all de lu\e houses go into operation for first time in months, populace Is giving heavy support to stage and screen offerings. Cooler weather, also, is helping bring total downtown gross to a new high for the first time since last spring. Lyric, with Ben Bernie orch on stage and 'Cowboy Quarterback,' is cashing In heavily on reopening week, taking top coin. Indiana, liualling 'Rains Came' and 'Chan at Treasure Island,' is also reaching a new top since reopening three weeks ago. Loew's is having an average week with - "Thunder Afloat' and 'Five Peppers.' while Circle feels the pres- sure with 'Dust Be My Destiny* and Day Bookies Wept.' Estimates (or This Week Apollo (KaU-DoUe) (1.100; 25-30- 40) —'Name Only' (RKO) dualled with 'Spellbinder* (RKO). Just fair $2,400, after first run at Indiana. Last week, 'Beau Geste' (Par), after first showing at Circle, fair $2,500. Circle (KaU-Dolle) (2,600; 25-30- 40)—'Dust My Destiny' (WB) and Day Bookies Wept' (RKO). Feeling the pressure of stronger attractions in downtown area for poor $4,200. Last week, 'Folies Bergere' on stage and 'Hawaiian Nights' (U),' satis* factory $12,500. Indiana. (Katz-DoUe) (3,100; 25-30- 40)—'Rains Came* (20th) and 'Chan' (20th). Making highest score since reopening with nifty $10,500. Last week, 'Name Only' (RKO) and Spellbinder* (RKO), sagged after strong opening to fair $7,500. Loew's (Loew's) (2.400; 25-30-40)— Thunder Afloat' (M-G) and 'Little Peppers' (Col). Average $8,000. Last week, 'Iron Mask' (UA) and 'Clouds Europe' (Col), so-so $7,000. Lyrlo (Lyric) (1,900; 25-30-40)— 'Cowboy Quarterback' (WB) end Ben Bernie orch on stage. Reopen- ing bill plenty strong, with dandy $14,500 In sight. Last week, dark. Sky Patrol' (Mono) and 'Little Peppers' (Col), split with 'Road to Glory' (20th) and 'Chicken Wagon Family' (20th), poor $1,100. Stanley (WB1 (3,600; 25-35-40)— 'Dust De.stiny' (WB). Garfleld-I^ne combo rapidly developing into potent 'LIFE', $4,000, N.G. IN BALTO Baltimore, Sept 28. Steady trade continues here, with Golden Boy, at the combo Hipp, and 'Thunder Afloat,* at Loew's Cen- tury, topping the list and cashing In on extra heaivy publicity effort H.o.'s of 'Beau Geste' and "The Rains Came' are getting good play. Only weak sister on current list Is •What a Life,' considerably off at the Stanley. Estiraates (or This Week . Century (Loew's-UA) (3,000; 15- 25-40)—'Thunder Afloat' (M-G) Hitting it off in unexpected good style and cashing in on extra adver- tising. Strong- $11,000 indicated Last week, 'Winter Carnival' (UA), fell down with n.fi. $5,300. Hippodrome (Kappaport) (2.205; 15-25-35-40-.'i5-06) — '(5olden Boy' (Col) coupled to vaude layout headed by Lew Parker. Maintain- ing steady pace aided by adroit ad- vance publicity effort by Izzy Rap- paport Heading towards strong $13,000. Last week, second of 'Name Only' (RKO) and vaude, didn't hold up in expected style at $9,200 after satisfactory opening round to $11,900. Keith's (Schaiiberger) (2,406; 15- 25-35-40)—'Beau Ge.ste' (Par) (2d wk). Continuing valiant efZort of Minneapolis, Sept, 26, Somewhat of • boxoffice uplurq currently is attributed to an e.<:pecU ally potent array of pictures and thf cool weather that put an unseason* able heat wave to rout, Whllf grosses are Improved, however, they still size up as sub-normal. Best of the leading newcomers, 'Rains Came' and 'Fifth Avenu* Girl,' at the State and Orpheum, respectively, both seem to have ap- peal. By dint of its performance at the State last week, 'Beau Geste' earned a second loop week and Is nowr doing fairly well for the Cen- tury. A fourth week , is announced as tlie last for 'Four Feathers," which has brought heaps of pros« perity to the World. Orpheum has a stage show for one day, Thursday (28), Us Eddie Dundstedter, former local favorite during his long engagement as a the- atre organist and his radio gang, Chester Morris and his 'Bon Air* show follows at the same house the next day for a full week. Estimates for This Week Aster (Par-Singer) (900: 15-2,'))-.,, 'Chicken Wagon Family' (20th) and 'Konga' (Col), dual first-rims, split with 'Quick Millions' (20th) and 'Hidden Power' (Col), dual first-runs. Reaching toward mild' $1,200. Last week, 'Night Work' (Par) and 'Spell, binder' (RKO), dual flrst-nms. split with 'Chicken Wagon Family" (20thJ and 'Konga' (Col), $1,100. Mild. Ccntnry (Par-Singer) (2.S-35-40)-» 'Beau Geste' (Par) (2d wk). Moved here after good week at St.-ite. Hit- ting fairly satisfactory $4,000. Last week, 'Each Dawn' (WB) i2d wk), $3,500, mild, after good $7,500 week at Orpheum. Gopher (Par-Singer) <9g8; 25)-^ •Angels Wash Faces' (FN). Ann Sheridan and •Dead End' kid.s magf nets. Title no hindrance, either, in view of 'Angels with Dirty Faces sock. En route to good $3,000, which Is tops for several weeks here. Last week, 'Stole Million* (U), $2,300. mild. Granada (Par) (900 ; 25-3.S^—Lady Tropics* (M-G), split with 'Bachelor Mother* (RKO). Fir.st neighborhood showings. Fair $2^000 in prospect. Last week, 'Hardy. .Fi.verl_IM^J,_ split with •Lady Tropics* (M-Gl $2,500, good. Minnesota (Mpls. Co.) (4.000; ISr 25-30)—'Irish Luck* (Mono) an4 stage show. 'Crazy Week* idea cateh* ing on, plenty of comedy and big allr arouncl show bringing 'em In. (3ood $7,200 In prospect. Last week. 'ZtT9 Hour* (Rep;i and stage show, $6,500. fair. Orphenm (Par-Singer) (2,300: 29- 35-40)—'Fifth Avenue Girl* (RKO), Ginger Rogers showing increased pulling power. With Eddie DuncW stedter and his stage show in for on* day (28) at 65c top and helping t^ swell gross, good $13,000 likely to be attained. Last week, 'Golden Boy' (Col), $6,000, satisfactory. State (Par-Singer) (2,300; 25-35-40^ —'Rains Came' (20th). Much praisf for this one and it should buil(L Cantering along toward big $9,500. Moves to Century for second week. Last week, 'Beau Geste* (Par), $7,» 500, good. Time (GlUman) (200: 25-35-40)-i •Lucrezia Borgia' (Foreign). Sen.sa* tlonal and daring advertising help- ing this French picture. Very good $2,000 indicated. Last week, Clouds Over Europe' (Col), five days third week, $400, light, but first twg weeks were good. World (Stefles) (350; 25-35-40-55) —'Four Feathers' (4th wk). An- nounced as final week. Has had swell run. May hit satisfactory 400. Last week, $1,800, okay. Farrow Win Direct From Own Screenplay Hollywood, Sept. 26. John Farrow winding tip this week as director of 'Reno' at RKO, goes to work , as a writer on the screen play of his own book, 'Father Damien, the Leper,' for that studio. . Shooting starts about Oct. 16, with Farrow directing and Jo.<;eph Calleia in the title role. town-leading first week with okay $7,000 adding to initial $11,400. New (Mechanic) (1,581; 15-25-35- .55)—'Rains Came' (201h) (2d wk). Still attracting strong femnie trsde, with hefty $5,500 due at'.er extra good $8,200 last week; Stanley (WB) (3.280; 15-25-35-40- 55)—'What a;Life' (Par). Attracting favorable reaction from crix, but way off in this deluxe house, with n.g. $4,000 the most lookcrl for. Last week, 'Dust Destiny' (WB), aituOy $8,800,