Variety (Jul 1940)

/V^ednesdfty, July 17, 1940 PICTURE CROSSES &eat 19G/Cargo'-McDaiuer, 16G Chicago' July 16. Oriiy two bright marks in the loop ■Ituatioii currently. Every house, ttfith the excepitiori of the Oriental tbd th* ehicagOj have repeat or hold-over screen^material. . ^ Oriental is having the biggest audi- ence Week since the house returned to vaudfllm after the 'Gone with the Wind- run. Is playing to stahd-out business; almost entirely oh the itrerigth of the Andy Kirk band unit. •Andy- Hardy Meets Pebutante,' plus the Jan'Savitt orch ph the stage, Is bringing a happy: stanza - to the Chicago. This is; the. first 'Andy jjardy' to pliay this Balabah & Katz flagship, the others having played .■the:■United Artists;-: ;: tsttmatest^ for AiioUb (B&K) a;20Q; 35-55-65-75) - —'Mortal Storm' (M-G). Third week In loop and looks for $5,500, good, ta^t: week, 'Susan' ;. (M-G), mild |4,300 in third lobp sessipn. Chicago (B&K) : (4,000; 35-55-75)--- •Hardy Debutante' (M-G) and Jan. Savitt band unit bh stage. Strong mtthey.weefc in the offing, with com- bination whirUng the gate to $42,000, ijowerful. Last week, 'Orchid' (WB) blus Rochester and the De Marcos on. stage, fine $35,800, i Girrlck; (B&K) (900 ; 35-55-65-7,5) —'Favorite Wife! (RKO). ;. Brought, back to loop and flgures to ■ garner satisfying $7,000; Holds o Last week, 'Ghost Breakers' (Par), wound up three Weeks in loop to good $3,500. Oriental—(Jones); (3.200; 28-44)— < Island Doomed . Men' : (Col) , and Andy Kii-k: band unit on stage.. Also Buck and Bubbles, and Stepin Fotchit. . Strong stiage. aittraction zooming take to bang-iiR $19,000. Last Week, 'Sandy Lady' (U) plus •Funzafire' unit, healthy $17,800. : Roosevelt (B&K) (1.500; 35-55t65- 75)r-'Orcbid? (WB);. Switched here from Ghicago, but not too hot for the. additional loop showing at $7,000. /Last week, 'Mortal Storm' .(M-G). managed $7,300 for second session . here. ' ■■ ■■• • Stite^Lake (B&K) (2,700; 2.8-44)— 'Strange Cargo' (M-G) and vaude. Bernie Cummins band plus Hattie. McDahiel and Sammy White on stage. Good enough, take in the ofling currently at $16,000^; Last week, '(Command' (Rep) plus Estelle Taylor and Warrien Hyrtier, oke 116.500. United ArUsts (B&K) (1,700; 35- 65-65-73)—'New Moon' (M-G) (2d Vrk). Going along in fine fashion for $13,000, neat, following happy initial week of $14,700. Woods (Essahess) (1,200; 75-$1.10t 11.50)—?Gohe* (M-G)' (25th wk). Ads beginning to hint of closing once inore,. as business slips. Down, to $6,000 currently; which is still . a strong gross- considering the run., Last week, excellent $7;700. $7,000, IIICE IN PROVIDENCE Providence, July 16.' (Best Expioitiaition: Loew's State) Two -holdovers mark, .this week's- main stem- pic fare; with. 'Andy Hardy Meets Debutante' in its sec- ond week at Loew's State; and 'All This, and Heaven Tod' in third downtown . week ; at the Gatlton. 'Maryland' is doing good biz at Ma- ■jestic. ■ One of ■ the best stunt attractiohs. In quite some time has both patrons, and passersby falling for the old peep-show gag at Loew's State. In- ner lobby bokoflice has been coh- yerted into a. jpeep cabinet. A laugh- ing, record, plays continually and; in. Itself attracts plenty notice; Spot: light and signs reading 'You'll Laugh Too' on the box irdunds out the dis- play. ^^Peppie who - take peek find; .themselves'looking at bedrooHr sceiie stills of v'Tui^nabout/ With .picture of stork in. middle. Attractibri opens Thursday; Teaser ads in newspapers ;«nd bumper cards were also part of campaign. ' .: " Estimates loir This Week : Carlton (Fay-Loew), (1,400; 28-39^ 50)—'Heaven Too^ (WB) (3d dbwn- tovm weiek). Still pliaying to hefty ■ trade for swell: $4*000. Last week, New Moon* (M^G) (2d run), hicc ■$2;500.-' ;jFay'i (Indie) X2,000;15-28)i-'Not Tough' (U) and 'Yukon .Flight! (Mono). Pace steadying fairly Avell, with take around good $3,500; East, week, 'Leopard Men' (Indie), 'Hold Woman' (pro) and 'Adventures; Red Ryder: (Rep). serial; $3,000. Majestic (Fay) (2,200;; 28-39-50)--^ Maryland' (20th) and 'Sailor's Lady! C20th). /Paced at nice $7*000; Last ■week^ 'Heaven Too' (WB) .(2d wk.), swell $7,000- : . SUtef (Loew) (3.200; 28-39-50)-- nardy Debutai^te' (M-G) iand Than- tom Raiders' (M-G) (2d wk.). At^ traictive : $8,000 promised, after hot $15,500 in-opening .stanza. ' Strand (Indie) (2,000; 28^40-50)-- '21 tlays* (Col) ahd 'Gangs Chicago' (Rep).. Promises fair $5,500, Last weekv 'French Tears- (Par) and 'Mad Men Europe' (Col), also Gal- ento-Baier fight pic, fairish $5,000. Buffalo, July 16; (Best Exploilation:, Great Lakes) : ■ Combo of hot weather and-bottom- of-the-barrel films is . deciniating the bbxoffices here this frame. Wheire it isn't the temperatures,: it's the film ofiprihgS; which are khockihg the taU lies , dizzy,, 'and the situation has the managements knocking their - heads against the wailing .walL . Double trucks are beirig offered conisistently at Jail houses (excejpt the Buffalo) . week after week, but even these parlays, are failing in the pay- off. ^ .■ :,:vv • Personal of Patricia . Morison at the. Lakes in conjunction "With 'Un- tamed' gave the Shea'^ Buffalo es;- plbitaiion boys a chance. Miss Mori- son arrived via air, arid her din-^, .ners, radio arid newspaper ■ inter- views all were good for 'extra 'splurges With everybody concerned iri • a ditherT-^exceptirig .the . boxoffice. . Estimates for; Tills Week Buffalo (Shea). (3,500; .35-40-66)--- ..'Nlew . Moipni'. (MtG). . Only - ray of hope in. .town but plenty 'mild. Around $12,000. Last week; 'Hiardy Meets Debutante' (M-.G),. as . ex- pected, $14,000. Gireat Lakes. (Shea) (3;bofl; 35^55) -j^Untamed' (Par) and 'Captain ■Lady'. (M-G). Not showing much. Probably $5,060, thin. - Last week* •Love .Back' (WB) and 'Mah, talked Much' (WB), $6,700, neat. Hipp (Shea) (2,l60;::30-45)-^'Leo-: pard Men' (Select) and 'Manhattaji Heartbeat' ' (20th). Very blah at $4,^ 000. Last weeki 'Our Town' (UA) arid 'Turnabout' (UA) (2d run), ex- pected marker took a powder and ended Up with, poor $4,500. . Lafayette (Hayman) (3;366; 30-40) —'Zarizibar* (U) arid 'Alias the Dea- con' (U). Droopy $4,000. Last week, 'Petticoat Fever' (M-G) and 'Stand Up Fight' (M-G) (2d run), agoniz- ing $3,000. 20th Century (Dipspri-Basil) (3,- .000; 30-40)v-.'Saturdaiy?s Children' .(WB) :aHd 'Murder Air' (WB). Hold- ing fairly well. Around $6,000. Last week, 'Can't Fool Wife' (RKO) and Little: Jack Little on stage, not so bad, consideririg. . Over . $11,000, 'Win War' Campaip Dents Montred B.Q.$ Montreal, July 16, : 'Win the War' pic campaign throughout Canada last riight (15) will dent grosses currently, since fans laid off houses iSaturday and Sunday for ..the big show Monday. Best town is .'Beau Geste,' at Palace, which should run to $7,500. ^ Estimates for This Week Palace ■. (CTV (2,700: 25-45-55) — 'Beau Geste' (Par)". Pointing to good S7.500. Last week, 'Ghost Breakers' (Par), hot so good $5,000. . Capitol .(CT) ; ^2,700;. 25-45-55)-r- 'Private Affairs' (U) and 'Love Baby' (U). Mediocre $3,500. Last week. 'Englishman's Home' . (Col) and 'Second Honeymoon' (20th), weak $3,000. .■ Loew's (CT) (2,800; 30-40-60)— 'Mortal Storm' (M-G) (2d Wk). Good $5,000 in sight, after excellent $8,000 last week, Princess (CT) (2,300; 25-34-50)— 'Caotain Lady' (M-G) and 'Gambling' (WB).. Best prospect is. $3,000. fair. Last week, 'Dr. Kildare* (M-G) and 'Phairttom : Raiders' (M-G), poor- $2(500 ■ brpheum rind) (1.100; 25-40-50)— 'Family. Nations' (UA) . and 'City. Chance' (Par).. Timely pic may gross good $2,500. Last week's third repeat of .'Million B.C.' (UA) faded to $1,2QQ. Cin de Paris. (Frahce-Film) (1,100; 25-50>-.^'Paradis . Perdu' (2d wk). poor $700 in sight, after ri.g. $800 last week.- ; '/ ■■•■ St. Denis (France-Film) (2,300; 25- 34 j_.'Le Chemirieau: and 'Foch.' Out- look possible fair $3,000. Last Week, '3 Mousquetaires' and 'Milady' (re- vival)., fair $3,100. . ^^ISSS'i^ 'Heaven 90G, Hope-Tucker-Baker 41^ onfiway; ,000, Id.' Week of July 18 Astor—'Gone With the Wind' (M-G) (31st wk.). Capitol—'New Moon* (M-G). {Heviewed in Variety, June 19) Criterion —^ 'Sporting Blood': (M-G) (20). ; : : V .. (Reviewed in Vabiety, July 10) , Globe — 'Girls of the Road' (C61) (20). ^ Music Hall — 'All This, and Heaven Too' (WB) (3d wk,). Paramount -r- 'Ghost Breakers' (Par) (3d wk.). Rlalto—'Millionaires iri Prison' (RKO) (15). (Reviewed in curreint : issue) Roxy — 'Maryland' (20th) (2d wk.).: . •■■■.■■■•. ■ Strand—'My Love Came Back' (WB) (2d wk.). ..• / Week of July 25 ■ Astor^'Gone With the Wind' (M-G) (32d wk.). . Capitol. .'New MOon' (M-G) :2d Wk.). :-w.v ■:■;/ Criterion — 'S now White' (RKO) (reissue) (27). Globe ^ 'Leopard Men ■ of ; Africai' (Select) (27), : : : ; : Music Hall—'South of Pago Pago' (UA). (Reviewed in. current issue) .. Paramount— 'Untamed* ' (Par) (24). ■ : ^-: (Reviewed in Variity, : June 26) "■:■• Rialto — .'The Fugitive' (U.) (22): strand—'They Drive By Night' (WB) (26). ■ ■■■■ /:■■-...■■ (Reviewed in Varieiy, July 10) ,. ■) , , Baltimore,' July 16. Rather nice b.o. going,here; steady if not record-making.. Setting a rosy piace is 'Aridy Hardy Debutante,'; at Loew's Century, with action plenti- ful both matinee and night. 'Mary- land,' at both the New and Centre, a subsequent run in habe adjacent to dowritowh sector, attracted s.r.o. response at night premiere (10), highlighted by p.a. of Tyrone Power, Nancy: Kelly and Brenda Joyce and s.caled at top of $1.10.„ Estimates for This Week '. , Century (Loew's-UA) (3,000; 15- 25-40) — 'Andy Hardy ^Debutante' (M-G). Attracting highly satisfab- tory response, with big $13,000 antici- pated. Last week, second of 'New Moon' (M-G), added steady $7,300 to okay opening round to $11,600: Hippodrome (Rappaptort) (2,205; 15-25-35-40-55-66 )--'Lone, Wolf Lady' ((jol) plus Bob Chester orch and Dennis Day. Vaude getting credit for pleasing $12^000. Last week, 'Anne Poplars' (RKO), Major Bowes- 'Prizewinners of . 1940- plus Baer- Galento fight pic,. combined tO: etch out $11,400. : . Keith's (Schanberger) (2i4i06; 15- 25-35-40)—'Private Affairs' (Par). Rushed in Sunday (14) after three days of 'Way Flesh' (Par) to n.g. $2,700. Last week, 'Alias Deacon' (U), uneventful $4,800. New (Mechanic) (1,581; 15-25-35- 55)—'Maryland' (20th). Given big opening Wednesday (10) day and date with nearby 1,000 seat Centre, and charging 55c, 85ic and "$1.10 for premiere, Should show okay take of $12,000 for first week, very healthy figure for liniited capacity. Last week, 'Earthbound' (20th), mild $3 200 Stanley (WB) (3,280; 15-25-35-40- 55)—'Untamed' (Par). Not getting very far at $6,000. 'All This, and Heaven Too' (WB) opening Satur- day (20). Latter getting heavy ad- vance buildup. Last week, 'Ghost Breakers' (Par), fine $10,900. (Best Exploitation: Roixy) For another -week in: a: row; only two Broadway houses are getting the bulk of the business, the. Music Hall ' and Paramount. The rest are alsor raris, (juite a ways, behind. , While the weather has been generally cool and there has been some rain during the past week, on Saturday and Surir day (13-14) the sunshine kept 'em out-ofrdoors.. ■." ■ .:. 'All.This' finished vety powerfully last week, its first, getting $108,000 and, on the holdover, is . maintain^ ing a very steady gait, looking $90,000. The Hall Will keep it a third round and has hopes that it can be carried .a fourth. The other strong. -public choice is 'Ghost Breakers,' plus Orrin Tucker and Bonnie Baker in person. 'Get- ting a firm all-day play, the second week ended last night (Tues.) at a fine $41,000, following a first seven days' grab of $59,000, very big. Show. goes, a .Ihird stanza beginning to- day (Wed.). . . ,' Balance of the town finds 'Maryr land' at the Roxy doing the best al- though still disappoiritihg :at .aroiirid $35,000. Situation seems to haVe re- solved .itself .down to the point where th.ex-e is only enough business to take care of:a couple houses, with the Hall and Par getting' that while the others take' the sparse leavings. 'Maryland' will hold over, though under hopes on" the first week, ; . . Strand is also having, trouble try- ing to find some, .customers but like the Roiy could be worse. 'My •LoVe Came Back', aind Rudy Vallee may come near to $30,000, disheartening, but the show will remain a second anyway. Vallee had been booked for a two-week stretch. • Al RoSen; who manages the iState'. is out on the Street with a pair of binoculars searching for some faces that' might be-peering in the direc- tion of his boxoffice. He's riot see- ing many and one ;0f the poorest weeks the house had had in yeairs will" result, probably riot over $13(000. Show is 'Typhoon' arid Henny Young- man, Beverly Roberts^ Teddy Powell. Don't ask ;Rdseri how he feels arid better, also, that it isn't mentioned to Charlie : Moskowitz. They prob- ably haven.'t yet ■ forgotten what Horace Heidt did to the State on a two-week visit recently.; .. The Loew bunch also would pre- fer to waive discussion on 'Susan and God' Which, while not as bad as' the secorid-rtm State, is still-poor, at around $20,000. Takes air after just one week, with 'New Moon' coming in tomorrow (Thurs.). This picture has been doing big around the coun- try in dates so far played.. 'Devil's Island,' out of circulation since January, 1939, is getting some business for the Cjlobe. It remains there nine days and should get about $7,500, aWay over house's recent average. 'Island- was sent back on release in view of changes Wrought by war'. Twentieth-Fox and the Roxy rate the best exploitation of the week. Twentieth has long been; pounding away on 'Mairyland^.and a week ago held a special world preem in Baltimore. Estimates for This Week Astor (1,012; 75^85-$1.10-^1.65- $2.20)—'Gone' (M-G) (31st week). Last week (30th) $7,200, still dough for the right side of the ledger with Metro getting it both on rental arid in operation Of the theatre. Capitol (4,520; 25-40-55-75-$1.10- $1.25)—Susan and God' (M-G). Joan Crawford and Fredric March names: aren't enough apparently to attract enng Det. B.O.s; Detroit. July 16. Cool weather, cutting down the outdoor biz .and delaying vacations; iS' giving the first-runs here continued uriseaisohally. good b.o; The Fox. rounding out its fourth consecutive week of stage shows, continues to set the pace. Michigan is headed high with 'All This, arid Heaven. Too' and the numerous holdovers attest the support the 'theatres, have been getting. : : Probably a big factor in keeping biz. healthy anjd. the; public spending are those war orders.: which con- tinue to flow. into this -productiorl-. line center. Even the United Artists.; which usually closes in the summer, is running through this year. Estimates for This Week : Adams (Balaban). (1,700; 30-40)— 'Sailor Lady' (20th) and 'Girl 313' (20th). ■ Former moved over from Fox. Poor $4,000 indicated. , Last week 'Lost Horizon' (Col) and 'Aw- fiil: Truth' (RKO ), bolstered by Ga- lento-Baer fight;,? fair $4,800. Fox (Fox-Michigan) ;(5,000; 3,0-46- 55):^'Qutsider' (Alliance) and George Whitejs. 'Scandals' on stage. Latter getting whooping $29,000. Last Week. 'Sailor Lady' (20th) and Cab Callo- way band, good $22,000. Michiiran (United Detroit) (4.000;: 30-40-55)—'Heaven Too' (WB) and 'Pop Pays' (RKO). Hopeful of husky $16,Ci00. . Last week 'Andy Hardy Debutante' (M-G) and 'Capt. Lady* (M-G), fine $15,000. Palms - State , (United Detroit) (3.000; 30-40-55) — 'Andy Hardy Debutante' (M-G) and 'Over MoiJri; (UA). : Former moved over after week at Michigan and bill; looks for fair $7,500, Last week 'Mortal Storm' (M-G) and .'SuSan' (M-G). compo- site of two leaders at Michigan and United Artists, good $8,500. United Artists (United Detroit) (2,000; 30-40-55)—'New.Moon' (M-G) and 'Divorcement* (RKO) (2d wk ). This pair held after a $12,000 first week, and looking for .$8i000 cur- rently. more than about $20,000, very dis- appointing. Last week, third for 'Mortal Storm' (M-G), under $18,000, mild but o. k. Criterion (1,662; 25-40-55)—'Those Were Days' (Par). Won't hit $5,000, heldW the belt Last week 'Wagons Westward' (Rep) faltered in the stretch, finishing at $6,000. Globe (1.700; 25-35-55 )-^'Devil's Island' (WB). A 1938-39 release which had never played New York due to French protests; will get iabbut $7,500, good, on nine days. 'Fugi- tive from Justice' (Col) went five days, orily $3,000. ; Palace (1,700; 25-35-55)—'Brother Orchid' (WB) (2d run) and 'Divorce-, ment' (RKO) (1st run), doubled. Top . picture accounting for probable $8,- 000 .or better, okay. Last Week 'Fa- vorite Wife' (RKO) (2d run) and 'Murder in Air' (WB). (1st run); plus Baer^Galento fight films, $9,700, very good/ . ■ : r'.:. Paramount (3,664; 25-35-55-88-99) —'Ghost Breakers' (Par), with Bob Hope meaning plenty, and Orrin Tucker, plus Bonnie Baker, on stage (3d-final week). , Away on conclud- ing lap today (Wed.)< after two very strong weeks up ahead, the first $59.- 000 and the second $41,000. - Radio City Music Hall (5,980; 40- 6p-84-99-$1.65)—'Heaven Too' (WB) and stage show (2d week). Con- tinues a smash; and $90,000 or over is indicated on the holdover, follow- ing, what amounts to sensational business for this time; of the year-on: the . first seven days, $108,000. Re- mains a third; ;week and possibly, fourth, control figure determining that. ■,. -■ .■•: : - Rialtb (750; 25-40-55) — 'Million- aires Prison' (RKO). Opened fairly Monday (15) and possibly $5,500 or better. Last ^ week, 'You're Not Tough' (U). $5,600. Roxy (5,836; 25-40-55-7.5)-^'Mary- land' (20th) and stage show. Not proceeding at a fast piace iand will have to be satisfied with $35,000 or in that vicinity^ less than figured, but will hold, 'Private Affairs' -. (U) was in for eight days but got nowhere, only $27,500. state (3.450; 35-55-75)—'Typhoon* (Par) (2d run), with Teddy Powell, Henny Youngman and Beverly Rob- erts on the stage. Business very poor here currently, $13,000 appear- ing all. This may: be accounted for in part by the fact that 'Typhoon' played two weeks at the Par with an in-person show that got some busi- ness there, and - also. has already played two weeks at the Par, Brook- lyn. Last week, 'Waterloo Bridge' (M-G) and vaude. headied by Jay C. Flipoen and Betty Button, under $19,000, disappointing. - Strand (2,767; .25-50-55-75-85-99)— 'Love Came Back' (WB) arid Rudy Vallee, Going slow at near to $30,- 000 but some profit and show will be held over. Last week; second for 'Man Who Talked Too.Much' (WB) and Bob Crosby, $14,000, very weak. 'HARDY DEB' A HONEY IN LINCOLN AT $4,400 Lincoln, Neb., July 16. 'Andy Hardy Meets Deb' is skim- ming the amusement nioriey- cream, off: the town this week.: IBrother Orchid^ is tough to sell; because Ed. G; Robinson is never warrri marquee matter hereabouts. Baer-Galerito bruising walks tffl with the male play on a short four-day run. Estimates for This Week Colonial (Monroe-Noble-Federer) (750; 10-15)—'High Walls' (Col) and 'Haunted Gold' (WB) split with 'Carson City Kid' (Rep) arid 'Hide- away' (RKO), Very dull, $700. Last week, 'Gaucho Serenade' (Rep) and 'Sabotage' (WB) split with 'Prairie Law' (RKO) and 'Woman I.Love' (RKO), Good. $900i.: strictly due to Autry, in 'Gaucho.' Lincoln (Paraniount-Cooper ) (1,503: 10-25-35-40)—'Hardy Deb' (M-G). Best town, running strong ahead of the pack, fine . $4,400 in. prospect for. eight days, ■■ Last• week,~ 'New- Moon' (M-G) did nicely, $3,800. N e b r aska (Paramount-CJooper) 1.236; 10-20-25) — 'Ghost Home' (M-G) arid 'Calling Vance? (WB) split with .'City of Chance' (20th) and 'iCing of Lumberjacks' (WB). Good.: $2,000. Last week, 'Florian' (M-G) and 'Trouble; Shooter' (WB), fair, $1,700. .- •■ r: : -; .. Stuart (Paramount-Cooper) (1.884;, 10-25-40) — 'Orchid' (WB). Wilting $1,800, five days. Last week, 'Ghost Breakers' (Par), very good, $4,000, eight days. • Varsity (Noble-Federer) (1,017: 10-20-25)—'Tropic ' Fury' (U) ' and Baer-Galento fight. Good $l,lbO;bnr four days. Preceding four with 'Law West of Tombstone' (RKO) arid 'Fugitive from Justice' (WB), light, $600. Last week, 'Wagons Westward' (Rep) and 'West with : >eppers' (Col), fair, $2,000.