Variety (Sep 1940)

8 PICTURE GROSSES Wednesdajf September 4, %9i0 Chrads Help L A.^'Love Agaiii Is y • Los Angeles, Sept: 3.: Partly iiloudy \Yeather oyer the three-day. holiday, \vhich kept many in town that would 'ordinarily have ■gone • to neairby beac hielped picture: business and, while .taikes were not exceiptioiiially big, mos^ of jarst-runs fared okay, v Paramount had the biiggest Monday biz, .garner- ing cool $4,000 on the holiday. ..With ■\veekerid total arbund $10,00.0,: hbus^e looks like big $14,500 on the week/ 'Cbniiri'. Rbuhd' the Mountain' was brought in, Monday to' augrnent sec- ond stan?a of'Rhythm on the River,' for - flnal three' days^of holdover week'.; ... Loew's' State and Grauman's Chinese are headed fbr nearly $32,- 000 with;'1 Love You Again' and Tiei: 13? Holdovers: of' 'Sea Hawk' and 'Boys: From 'Syracuse/ at the 'VV'arner :dayTdaters and- RKO< and Pantages,, '■ respectively, are faring well.'.';"',., S^' [ ''.\ - Carthay circle goes dark this week after two weeks continued first run of 'Booni Tbwh..' Shuttering : at- tributed to no iroad., shbw product available for' immediate, resiuiiptipn under thiEtt pbliby.; > .. Estimates for "This Week : CartbaV Circle (F-WC) (1,518; 44- 55-75)—'Boom Town' (M-G) , (2d Wk.)v . Holding/ exceptiorially .strong at, this, regular . roadshow houset and second week of continued' fitst riin should bring great $6,000. Last week, $5,400, as expected. Chinese'. (Graumah-F-WG) (2,024; 30-44-55-75)—'Love Again' (M-G) and 'Pier 13' (20th). Showing ex- ceptional strength arid neait $14,500 in sight*: Last \\reek, 'James* (20th) and IHeartbeat' (20th), fair $8,000. Downtown -(WB) (1,800; 30r44-55) —'Sea Hawk' (WB) (2d Wk.). An- other healthy week in sight for: the Errol Flynn opus, soloed, with around $7,000 the answer. First V^eek,: excellent $14,000. Four Star (iJA-F-WC) (900; 30-44- 55)—'Pride Prejiidice' (MtG) (3d wk.). Holiday biz helped and an- other $5,(j00 in prospect, after last week brought satisfactory $5,300. Hawaii (6&S) (1,100; 83-$i;i0- $1.65)—'Gone' (M-G) . (4th wk.). Cbhtiiiues to surprise by stieaidily in- creasing biz. ^Fourth week jumt)ed to $5,300 arid third week passing the $5,000 . mark, exceptional corisider- irig long runs at Carthay Circle aind Uriited Artist's. .. Hollywood (WBy (2,756; 30-44-55) --'Sea Hawk' (WB) (2d wk.). Run- ning for hefty. $6,500 on holdover. First week ended with big $13,5100. Pantages (Pari) (2,812; 30-44-55)—; 'Boys Syracuse' (U) (2d. Wk.) and •Military Acaderiiy' (Col). Main . feature continues: to draw aiid cur- rent stanza- should hit $6,500. . Last weekV ended.^just. urider $10,000; : Paramount (Par) (3,595; 30-44-55 75)—'Rhythm RiverV(Par) and staige show '(2d . wJc.^. Bing Crbsby opus Ibbks headed for good., $14,500 on holdover,. after first week just reached $23,000. Count Baste: orch given .credit for helping draw. BKO (RKO) (2,872; 30-44-55)— 'Boys Syracuse' (U>. (2d wk.) and 'Military Acaderriy' (Col).dual.' Def initely a click and holdover should hit $7,000, after big $9,500 on, initial, sevien days. iState (Loew's-F-WCi) (2,414; 30- 44-55-75)—'Love Again' (M-G) and •Pier 13' (20th)., Holiday biz helped and excellent $17,500 probable ain^- sWer. Lasti week, 'Frank 'James' (20th) arid 'Heartbeat' (20th), fair $11,500; . : United Artists (UA-P-WC) (2,100; 30-44-55»^'Frank .James' (20th) iand •Manhattan Heartbeat' (iOthj dual. Back to regular policy aftej* week at advanced prices.. Will be lucky to hit $2,4()0 bri current, stanza.- Laist week, 'Boom Town! (M-G), single billed bri moveover, 'and at advanced tariff, excellent $7,(j00. : . Wiishirc; (F-WC) (2;2^6; 30-44-55); '='Frarik James' (2dth): arid 'Mari-: hattani Heartbeat' (20th). Just so- so $3,500 after: last Week;' with 'Over Moon* (UA) arid 'Mortal Stbrni/ sagged to $3,200: on second move-' over stanza. . \, ' Estimated Total Gross This Week . . , '. . . f424,40(j ;'• , (B(iLScdl, on 12 theatres) : ■■ ■^ Total iGrdss Same Week- ^ ;: tast-irear.:;,;:. /.V.;.-:'. ;„?M5ilO(>: (Basedioh li theatre&) ■ ' Washirigtoh, Sept.; 3. ,^^ Two.■ smiash hits in ■ town/ plus .a clear .isky Saturday. (31) breaking' up at three-week rainy spell; brought the patrons put over. the.\weekend, Capital: always does \yell with hbli- days wheri tourists flock in; . 'Boom Town* leads the town by far at the Palace, and 'Sea : Hawk,'" in second week.at Earle, is still packing 'em in. Capitol, other big vauder; is fight- : ng , ;.tO break even" with Shirley Temple's 'Ypung' People;' Keith's i^ doing well with .second: week ,6f ■Lucky Partners,' and Metropblitah is fPllawing. closely with first local ruix of 'FTowing Gold.' Esiimiates tot This Week ' Capitol (Loew) .(3,434; 28^39-44-66) — Young People' (20th) and vaude. Shirley Temple is ho go at the b.o.: Phil Regan' and Betty: Jane . Cooper ori stage helping to pull it to fair $15,000 average. Last Week, 'Golden Fleecing' (M-G) and vaude, poor' $14,000. ■ ;• :.':;..■ Columbia (Loew) (1,234; 28-44)-^ 'McGinty' .(Par) (2d run): . Okay $4,5001 Last week, 'Pride Prejudice' (M-G) (2d rua), third week dowh- towri, excellent $5,000. . Earle (WB) (2i216; 29-39-44-66) -r^ Sea: Hawk' (WB) arid viude (2d wk). After sniashing to capacity $22,500 first week, this orie is holding to swell $18,000 in second. . Keith's (RKO) (1,830; 39r55) — 'Lucky Partners? (RK0):.,i2d wk). Rogers-Colhiari^ film doing .fine ,in second week with $8,000. Last week^ swell $11,500;^ ■ / Met (WB) (1,600; 28-44)—'Flowing Gold* (WB), „ Management broke this after two:; days; In nine days, nifty $9,000. Last week, 'Snow White' (RKO) arid Disney Festival died in secorid week fp: $2,500 in five days. -■ Palacii ;(Loew) (2,242; 39-55)^ 'Boom: Town' (M-G). Taking the town by, storm for srhash $30,000: Last Week, 'Love Again' (M-G> (2d wk), great $15,000. 'Kit Gaifsoii* Paceisi Seattle With $7^00 Seattle, Sept. 3. This Puget Sbvmd locale is studded with lakeside JresOrts and roadway picnic spots, and for L^bor Day these places go after .biz as their last fling bf the year. .If the day's hot and. surishiny, they ., do well; . if stormy, it's . the showshopis that get ihe kale; Rainy Labor Day, how- ever,'boosted.theatre takes. ■. -'Kit: Carison* is doing big and may ■hold; ■ ■ " Plejity of advarice bally this week for 'Boom Town' (MrG), which opens next stt -two : big seaters, the Fifth and Paramount, handling 5,400 .at one sitting, this being a first for, the Hamrick-Evergreen Using two houses foi", day-arid-date - showing, although John Hariiriek. did it .once at .his Blue ";Mouse: iand Music Box, both srtiall seaters. ;: 'Round the '■ MoUritaIn' -had enPugh to warrant nioveover to B.M; while companion M.B; holds 'Love You Again' fourth week.. Roosevelt; is holding 'Heaven Top,' also for foui'th stanijci, to.steady, take;,.::,:;^-,-.■'■;: Estimfiies for This Week • Blue Mouse (Hamrick-:Evergfeen) <850; 30r40-50) — 'Round Mountain'. (Par) and 'Tom :Brown' (RKO), Moveover from Orpheum, iridieates sibw $1,700. Last: week, 'Ramparts' (RKO) and 'Golderi Fleecing' (M-G) (2d week) so-so at $1,600. Coliseum (Kamrick-Evergreeh) (l,- 900; 21^35)—New Moon' (M-G) and. •Biscuit Eater* (Par): (2d run); Ex- pect good $3,000: Last week, 'Andy Hardy Deb' (M-G) arid 'Lucky Cisco' (20th) (2d; run), great $3,450. . Fifth Avenue (Hamrick-iEviergreeri) (2.349; 30-40-50.) — 'Lucky Partners' (RKO) (2d week, five day?). Garner-; (Continued on page 25) Buffalo, Sept. 3. This week is rather .bumpy, with Labor: /Day : Ijusiriess". no/ bargain., Bobni Town* is Outdistaricing .every- thing. .' •,.; •.••:' - ■• . Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Shea) (3,500; 35-40-60)— 'Rhythrii on River' (Par),Slow $12,000. Last week,, 'Money .and Woman' (M-G) plus Orrin Tucker orch-Bohnie. Baker skyrocketed to- $29,000. : Great Lakes (Shea) (3.000; 44-65) -.'Boom Town' (M-G). TaU $22,000: Last week (35-55), 'Frank James' <20th) arid^Sing, Dance* (Rep). De- veloped for $9,000; Hipp (Shea> (2,100; 30-45)—'Young People' <20th) and 'Chan at Wax Museurii' (20th). Good $7,000:' Last week, 'Love You Again' (M-G) (2d ruri) and 'Pier 13* (20th), surged tO over $8,000. : Lafayette <Hayman) (3,300; 30-40) -^'Stayed for: Breakfist' (Col) and 'Passport to Alcatraz' (Col).. Nice, o-ier $9,000. Last week, 'Private Affairs' (U) and 'Not So Tough' (U), Okay, nearly $7,000. . 20th Century :(DipsOrirBasii: (3,000;. 30-40)—Xucky Partners' (RKO) and 'Millionaires in Prison' (RKO). Mild nine days, top'$9,000. Last week, 'Queen of Destiny' (RKO)' and ■CrossrCouhtry: Romance': (RKO), dreary; under $3^000. ; U Buys % Lessons , Hbilywood, Sept,'3. Uriiversai's policy of buiiiding fcreeri plays arourid song' titles Con- tinues wjth the; purchase bf 'Siic Les- sons frorii Madaride LaZbngia.' Pic- ture will; carry the sarnie name as the ■.popular-: ditty.,'' To date, Helen Parrisii;is the/^^ly player cast. ' ; ' ' i.'f•:iiU;■ r Blasts KgMM hsco; lU^Citjr Crosses Estiiriated Total Grosf : Thii Week;... ... ....|i,tf58,«00 , (Bdsed M 25 .citie$, .16T t/ico- tres, chiefly first ru?ij,. iTicIudintf N..Y.) " ''.'"'r Total Gro.ss Same Week Las* Year ....., .\..; |1>753,300. (fiased on 27 cities, 179 tTicdtTes) . . Detroit, Sept. J. (Best Exploitation: Fox) . Heading into the fall,: busiiiess grows consistently, stironger. here after a summer not bad in itself. It niay be' thOse millions pouring into Detroit on war orders; it may have been a cool ,sumriier;which kept ^business up, .and going into Septem- ber the future looks excellent. V .' Holdovers :,have . been, plentiful here all: the. last niorith ;and curr reritiy. thre^,: houses . are continuing picture runs: .United Artists,, which last week broke its gross recbrd, has 'Boom Town'; the Adams, which took over: the; Fox. bill, and the .Palms-State, which : nibyed in the dup frorii . the .Michigan;,; : The Fox got some nice tieups with Its currerit 'Hie Stayed; for Bi-eak- fast.'::The picture was-a natural tot ai midnight charity show, linked up ;With the - Detrpit News, night- ,club entertainers .arid .: the Salvation Army in advance: of the bpenirig. Added tieups, were made with", the coffee, cream, and doiighritits people for the midriight shack which was 'carfled on all liast week.; The 200 Farm Crest bakery ;driver;S delivered rifiore than. 200,000' packages of ^oughnuts arpurid , the ' town, \Vith ^H(e Stayed fpr Breakfast' wrappers; Lik&Wise the: Bprderi dreamery de- livered' all. its bottles with the' caps carrying ballyhoo , on the pictuire;: Estimates for This Week Aa»ms:.(Balaban) (1,700; 30-40);^ ' I'.i.. :'•■ "■ ■ '■ : .'■ I I ' i 1 ;t. )>(' 'Frank James*. (20th) and 'Blpndie Servant' (Gpl). Former ' jpictui-e moved over from: Fox after two weeks there. iBtill looks good for $5,000. Last week, 'Snow White' (RKCj) (revival), fou^ Disney sihorts and 'South Karanga' (U), good $5;- '000.::- ;::: '■ ". Fox (Fox-Michigan) (5,O0O; 30-40- •55)—'Stayed Breakfast* (COl). and 'Lady : Question' (COD. Strong .$17,- 000. La^^^^ week, 'Fraink James' (20th> arid 'Chan Wax' (20th) (2d wk.), fine $15,000. : Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 30-40-55)T^'Rhythm River' (Par) and .'We Are Young' (M-G ).; Headed foi: good $16,000. ' Last week, 'Drive Night* (WB) and 'Golden Fleecing' (M-G), okay $15,000. ■ : Palmis-State (Uriited Detroit) (3,- 000; 30-40-55)--^'Drive Night! (WB) and 'Golden Fleeciriig* (iM-G). Pair moved over frprii Michigan arid . will stay up with $7;500. Last week, 'Golden Glpves* (Par) and 'Great McGinty* ■ (Par), helped by extensive «ikploitation, cariie out with o.k. $8,- ooa. ■;:. ■ ■ ■ United Artists (United Detroit) (2,000; 30-50-75) .r^ 'Boom Towri' (M-G) (2d wk.). This one roaried up there consistently all. lagt . week to land a magriiflcent $21,000 at the advancjed prices, arid with ..the holi- day help, lo,nks for $16,000 more this week. ••, CinCiririatii Sept. 3. Holiday weekend Wiipplied several notches: of; pdmph tp combiried: take pf . main steni; cihemaa over. ,last, week's wham, hot-weather bizi Which is rpiea.sing to exhibs in view of big^ draw of Reds, biddihg tp repeat-asi National ■ Leslie. ch,amt)3 and playing doubleheadei s. Sunday (1) arid Labor; Day in iiear flriish of . theit^ifiasbn's flriai long ,hOriie.';stay.; ;., ; ,. v . ; ;'' 'Sea Hawk' is collecting top mpriey currently \vith a swell :Albee rinark, Next best is: 'Liicky Partriers,', at Palace, bijt for iiikewarrii flgiure. Keith's, has its best dicker in weeks izv'Great:McGi,rityv*'•: .' Except for the smallie Family, other houses' are shpwiriif holdover product. ' lEstimates tot This Week ; :■■ Albee (RKO) (3,300; i 3i9i-47 )^'Sea Hawk' (WB). Swell $15;000. , Last week, 'Frarik -James' (v20th),^ fair $9j500. ' Capitol (RKd) :(2;000;.42-60)-^ 'Boom: Town' . (M-G): (4th wk). Holding close to last week's (3d) hefty $8,000 and Will, stay for an- other week. : GrOss : foi: : first four Weeks around $49,000, Cincy's best run mark : sirice - 'GOrie. With the Family (RKO) (1,000; 15-28) — '(jhristian Meets Women' (RKO) and 'Manhattan "Heartbeat' : (20.th), di-. vided with 'Suicide. Legion' (Ind) and 'Son Roaring Dan* (U). Normal $1,900. Last week, 'Millionaires Prison' (RKO) and -Pop Pays' (RKO); split with 'Gambling: Seas'- (WB) and. 'Country iRomance' iRKO), fair $1;800. :. Grand (RKO): (1.439; 33-50 )—'LOve Again' (M-G) (2d wk). Sockp$9,000. Last week,; great $14,500.. keitli's (Libson) (1,500; 39-47)-- •Great McGirity' (Par). - Swell $6,500, best here for some time. Last week, 'Gold . Rush . Maisie' (M-G), : slow $3,200. Lyric (RKO) (1;400; 39-47)V'Frank James' (20th Ti-ansferred from Albee. Okiay : $4,000, Last week, 'Boy.s Syracus^i' (U) (2d : wk), dull $3,000. Palace i^KO) (2.600; 39-47): ^ 'Lucky Partners' (RKO).: . Luke- warm $8,500. Last week, .•Stayed Br€akfa.st' (Col), fair $9,000. Shubert (RKO) (2,150; 39-47) --■ 'Stayed Breakfast' (Col); Moveover frorii-Palace for second week. Slow $3,000. Laisl, week, 'Drive' Night' (WB) (2d run), mild $3,200. '. $6,200 in Port, Ore. . Portland, Ore., Sept. 3. 'Rhythm River* is doing nicely for the Paramount, with 'Sea Hawk' at the Broadway keeping right in step. Best holdover is 'I Love You Akairi' at the .UA. ' ; :\'irstima^s for ^l-hls-Week Broadway (Parker) (2,000; 35-40- 50)—'Sea Hawk* (WB). Living up to: advance bally for jjood $6,000. Last week, 'Daltons' (U) and 'Private Affairs' (U) average $4,400. Ma y fa I r: (Parker - Evergreen). (1,500;. 35-40-50)—'Drive By Night* (WB) arid 'Ladies Must Live' (WB). Holding fpi: half a third week (legit show taking three days) to okay $1,800. Last week, around par at $3,300. . . . Paramount (Plariirick • Evergreen) (■3,000; . 35-40-50)—'Rhythm River* and 'Pier 13' (20th). Nice $6,200. La.st week, 'Frank James* (20th) and 'Pop Pays' , (RKO) (2d 'week),■ satisfactory $4;000. United Artists (Parker): (1,000; 35- 40-50)T-'Love You Again' (M-G) and 'We Who Are Young* (M-G) (2d week). Still goirig strong, $4,800. Last week, big ,$6,000; •; Sari Francisco, Sept. i: - Labor Day holiday helping some thitf week, but not top much; heavy play going to fair and weekend tripa out of town. Gent'er of attraction is Warfleld with 'Boom Town' at yanced adniish. Golden Gate hyt poed opening of 'Dance Girl, Dance' with appearances of stars, Lucin« Ball and Maureen O'Hara on open- ing day. 'Sea Hawk,' at Fox; is big. ' Uriited Artists was dark initil F^ day evening (30) for general over, haul. - ■' '■- •.,■.•■ ■■: •' Estimates for This Week Fox : (F-WC) (5,000;, 35^40-50)-^ 'Sea Hawk* (WB). Bucking consid* erable competition, but fine $22,000. Last week (2d), 'Frank James' (20th) and 'Ave. A' (20th), all right at $8,000. ,•,:;■ ,, •. :..::■:';'. Golden Gate (RKP) (2,850; 39-44- 55)—'DanCe, Girl' (RKO) and vaude; Opening day personals by Lucilld Ball and Maureen . O'Hara . got thi* off to good start: Should hit $14,000, Last week, Dorothy Lamour boosted 'Divorceirient- (RKO) to tenifid $23,500. :,::: -:■•■: ■ , ';- Orpheum (F&M) (2,440; 35- 40-50) —'Stayed Breakfast' (Col). arid 'Sev cret Seven' (Col) (2d wk.). Looks like $9,000; good. Last week, $l4,4 OOO, okay. Paramount (F-WC) :i2,740; 35-40t 50)—'Rhythrii River' . (Par) arid 'Girl God's Country', (R^jd) ,, Bing . Crosby opus headed for sweet $12,- 000. Last week, 'Young People* (20th) and 'Fleecing' (M-G), fair- ish $8,000. '■ -.. St. Francis W-WC) <1.470; 35-40- 50)—'Love Again' (M-G) and Sea Raider' (Par). Moved here for fourth week ori stem. Okay $.S,5flO oh ,way. Last Week, 'Heaven Top' (WB), finished third weak downW town with like amount. United Artist*. (Cohen) <;i,200; 35- 55-75)—'Pago Pago' <UAt, House reopened,Friday evening t.30) alter • brief shuttering for refurbishment. Looks like $9,500, okay. Warfleld (F-WC). (2,680; 40-50-6!i).. —'Boom Town' (M-G). Advanced aidmish. Ought to bag teri ific $30i» 000. Last week (33-:39-44); third ol *Love Again* (M-G), excellent $10,- 500. :'^-..'".' '■'.. DOOM TOWN' GRABS STRONG jSG, MEMPHIS Memphi.s Sept. J; Metro*s 'Boom Town' struck oil M over Main . street this week. "Towh hasn*t seen grosses 1 ike the tbew'l State figures sirice 'Gone With Wi* Wind/ and such crowds are virtually, Unprecedented. Fbur-star petroleum saga drew biggest Saturday and Sundays 11(1: two-decade history of thi.s showhouBe and is certain for second-wew holdover. Upped prices, as witfi 'The Sea Hawk' at Warner's, failed tO stir resentment.. 'Sea Hawk* is goin^ nicelv in tt» second stanza after a swell,first sef- sion at Warner's. • ,'-.,: \ ^ . First Dixie showing of 'Rampart.9 We Watch' isn't setting any woods on fire, but take" is regarded as latis- faCtory for this type of film. Pic, like all others of week, elicited rav* notices and is getting good audience reaction at Loew's Palace. Bing Crosby's 'Rhythm oh River*, is doing moderately well at the New Malco. Receipts would undoubtedly be higher in a h'ormal week; terrific competish all over is making the go- ing roUgh, but management says traf- fic is pleasing. Estimates for Tliis Week .'■ . Loew's State (Loew) (2,600;. 15-44- 60)—'Boom Town' (M-G) . This on*,, grabbed nearly $10,00o over weekend ' alone and might spurt as high ai $18,000 for week, just about « local record ifor non-rOadshow dates. Liist week, 'Lucky Partners,' (RKG), $4,200, fair. Warner (Warner): (2,300: 15-40-55) —'Sea Hawk' (WB) (2d week). Errol Flynn riiight slash way to ex- cellent :$4,000 for h.o. Last week, $9,500, socko. New Malco (Lightman) (2,800; 10- 33-44 )-r'Rhythm River' (Pa r). Cros- by-Martin-Levant drawirig wall un- dei: circumstances, mebbe $6,000. Last week,'Stayed Breakta.st,' $6,500,: very good. Loew's Palace (Loew) (2,2O0; 10-. 33-44 )t-^' R a mpar t s We Watch' (RKO). Documentaries seldom click here, but MOT feature should nab $4,250, not bad. Last week, 'Captain Caution,' (UA), four days,/ arid 'Golden Fleecirig,' (M-G, three days, $2,500, a flopperoo. Strand . (Lightman) (1,000; 10-22- 33)—'Biscuit Eater' (Par), three clay.s; 'Captain Is Lady' (M-G, two days; •arid 'Phantom. Raiders' (M-G), two days; $1,750, nice. La.st week, 'Girl Friday* (COl) (2nd run), three da-ys;' 'Geronimo' (Par) (2nd ■ run), two days; 'Stage To ChinP': 'RKO », two days, $1,650, all right. .