Variety (Oct 1940)

Veanesday^ October 9# i94a PICTURE GROSSES a Theatres, currently are paradinfl oiclure lineup that is considerably tetter than has-been usual the past few weeks. And. those htouses which haven't flicker, power have, a good stage attraction for boxoffice strength. . •... V ^ Palace put on a hangup eampaign Jor its combination of 'Dante, Girl, Dance' and .'Argentine Nights,' and it's resulting in b.o. happiness for two pictures which weren't expected, ib turn in muchjEade. Chicago is lodging towards a good take with 'No Time for /Gomedy.' United Artists, where 'Strike Up the Band' got underway Saturday (5), is a clhch for a gallbpihg gross on the presence of Mickey Rooney and Judy Garlandi' LbU Breese's orch is aii^ asset in the State-Lake^ Estimates for This Week Apollo tB&K) (1,200; 35-55-65-75) ^'Pastor Hair (UA) (3d wk). Anti- .Nazi flicker is holding to a satisfac- tory take currently, following plenty of prerbpening publicity becaiise of orijfhal ban by the censors. Taking $8,000, strong,: after healthy $10,400 last week; ■ ^ ' ' ■ ■i' ■ ; ; Chicago (B&K) (4,000; 35-55-75)— 'Time Comedy' (WB) and stage show. Adiilt aind femmie: patronage adding up to $33,000, Which is okay after several disappoihting isessions. Last week, 'Brisham' (20th) and vaude, limp $25,000. Garrlck (B&K) (900; 35-55^65-75). WSea Hawk' (WB). (2d wk). Third week-in the loop for this one and looks for $4,000, ■ good, after fine $6,000 last week. : . Ortent^ (Jones) (3,206: 28-44)— 'Secret Seven' (G61) and yaude; Ina Ray Huttoh bahd oh the stage. Going lor good $16,000. Last week. 'Faces West' (Rep),and Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys oh stage, okay . $14,600. ■ ^ ■:. y ■ Palace (RKO) (2i500; 33-44-66)^ •Argentine Nighti* (U) and 'Dance. Girls' (RKO). Double feature sold solidly by Tom: Gorman and. box- office : reflects this campaign with happy $14,000. Last week, 'Hired Wife* (U) and 'Mummy's Hand* (U), flne three-week stay to bang-up ■ $7 800 "■ ■ Koosevelt XB&K) (1.500; 35-55-65- 75)-;^'Westerner' (U) (2d wk), Bright ; nioney for thiis horse opera, going to : $7,500, . good, after healthy ; $11,900 l<tst wcclc' ■ state-take (B&K) (2.700; 28-44)— •Drive Night' (WB) and vaude. LoU Breese orch on stage and helping to ' good $16,000. Last week^ 'Sporting Blood'" (M-G) plus Bruce. Cabot,, Sid- ney Miller and the Ebsens, okay $15,600. ■ Vnlted Artists (B&K-M-G) (UOO: 85-55-65-75) —; 'iStrike Up Band* (M-G). Opened Saturday (5) and looks for smash business frorh . the ..get-away, which. means at ; least $17,000 for the initial session. Last week. 'Boomtown* (M-G) at 55^65 85, flnlshed five weeks to $7,000* smart. Woods (Essaness) (1,200; 75-$1.10. $1.65)—'Gone' (M-G) (37th week). Continues on and on with practically no break in the steady stream of profitable trade. Looks for $7,500 ~tltifwwekrttfter$8;900-lffst-week.— 'WESTERNER' $13,000 ON MALE PUY IN PROV. Proyidehce, Oct. 8. Well balanced: bills have/most stands on the upbeat, with 'llie Westerner* riding the crest at Loew's State and 'City for Conquest: holding up nicely iat Majestic; ^ 'Strike Up the Band' still beating it up in its second week switch to downtown Carlton. Estimates for Thli Week Albee (RKO) (2,200; 28-39-50)^^ 'Spring Parade' (U); and 'Men Sky' (RKO) (2d Wk). Holding first week pace with. but. slight drop and prom ising good; $5,500; Opening stanza, swell $7,200. ; Carlton (Fay-Lbew) (1,400; 28-39- 50)—'Strike Up Band' (M-G) and ; 'Dulcy' (M-G) ,(2d run). Popularity of Rooney is evidenced by hefty Jlimp of house to tike'of Swell $6, 000.^ Last week 'Howards Virginia' (Col) and 'CJrbss Country Romance' (RKO) v(2d run), okay $3,5()0, - Fay's (Indie) (2,000; 15-28)—'Gay Caballero' (20th) , and ; 'Nobody's Sweetheart Now' (U ). Paced at good $ .500. Last week 'Mummy's Hand' (y) and 'Tulsa Kid' (Rep), fair $3,000. . .^Majestic; (Fay) (2.200; 28r39-50) .City GonquestV (WB) and 'Calling All Husbands' (WB). This pair stepping: up take. to strong $8,500 Last week 'No Time Comedy' (WB" and 'Yesterday's -. Heroes'. (20.th) good $0,500. ...Siate (Loew.) (3,200; 28-39-50)— Westerner' (UA) and. 'Sky Murder'. <M-G). Getting hefty coin, but the play is mainly on the male side of he ledjger, Gobd $13,000. Last week Strike Band' (M-G) and 'Dulcy' (M- G), sky-high $18,000. Strand (Indie) (2,000; 28-40^50)— Private Affairs' (U) and 'Ski Patrol' (U). Nothing too attractive and )laying to poor $4,000.. Last week ^Quarterback' (Par) and 'Earl Pud-, dlestone' (Rep), ditto. DM Indianapolis, Oct. 8. Biz this week is iabout evenly divided among the downtown houses, with Loew's doing okay with a hold- over of 'Strike Up the Baiid,' dualled with 'Secret Seven.' Circle is healthy with 'No Time for Comedy' and. 'Tom Brown's School Days.' Indiana is also stepping along With 'City for Conquest' anid 'River's End.' Apollo is mixing .a reshowing of 'Judge Priest' with a current re- ease of 'Night Train.' still adhering to the Sunday opening. Lyric is robust for a change with credit going to Phil Spitalny's Hour of Charm orch and not much help from. 'Queen of the Yukon' on the screen, House hung the marquee with aniinal skins and had a boy out front in an Eskimo outfit to plug pic. which is. a radical departure from the dignity which spot has maintained in past. iEstimales for This Week Apollo (Wallace) (1,100; 25-30-40) —'Judge Priest' (20th) (revival) and ♦Night- Train-: (20th). Fair $2,100. Last week, 'Lost Horizon' (Col) and 'Awful Truth' (Col), $2,000. Circle (Katz-Dolle) (2,600; 25-30- 40)—'No Time Comedy' (WB) and 'Tom Brown' (RKO); Very nice $8,500. Last week. 'Mumrhy's Hand' (U) and 'Argentine Nights' (U), fair $6,300. Indiana. (Katz-Dolle) (3.100; 25-30- 40)—!City. Conquest' (WB) arid 'River's End' (WB). Okay $7,000. Last week. 'Spring Parade' (U) and 'Men Against Sky' (RKO), $6,800. Loew's (Loew's) (2^400; 25-30-40) —'Strike Up Band' (M-G) and 'Secret Seven' (Col) (2d wk). Nice $8,500. Last week, dandy $12,500. Lyrle (Lyiric) (1.900; 25-30-40) — 'Queen Yukon' (Mono) and Phil Spitalny's orch. Profitable $12;000. Last week, 'Up Air' (Mono). and Ozzie Nelson's orch, disappointing $9,800. .7: Rooney-Garland H.O. ■ ■•■ ■.■ DenyerrOetr 8.' •Strike Up the Band' and 'Men Against the Sky' are packing them in to top the town. Double will hold o>fer. Estimates for This Week _ Aladdin (Fox) (1.400; 25-40)—'For- eign Correspondent' (UA).^After a week at the Denver, fair $3,800. Last week, 'Brigham Young,' after a week at the. Denver, nice $4,000.. : . Broadway (Fox) (1.040; 25-35-40) —'Wyoming' (M-G) and 'Queen of Destiny' (RKO). After,a week at the Orpheum., .s.g. $2,000, Last week, •Boom Town' (M-G), nice $3,000; 2d week here after two at the Orphevun. Denhsm (Cockrill) (1.750; 25-35- 40)—'Cherokee Strip' (Par). iPoor $4,000. Last week, 'Quarterback' (Par) poor at $3,000 for six days. . Denver .(Fox) (2,525; . 25-35-40)— 'Howards' (Col) and 'Nobody's Sweetheart' (U)'.?:: Fair $8,500. Last week, 'Foreign Correspondent'. (UA), good at $10,000. y . Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 25-35-40) —'Strike Up Band' (M-G) and 'Men Against Sky' (RKO). Big $13,500. and' holding.^ particularly due ta Judy Garland-Mickey Rooney starrer. Last week,. 'Wyoming' .(M-G) and 'Queen of Destiny* (RKO), good at $9,300. Paramount ("Fox) (2,200; 25-40)— 'Captain Caution' (UA) and '3 Men Texas' (Par). Fair $3,500. Last week, 'Girl Ave. A' (20th) and 'Won't Talk' (Col), good at $4,000. Rialto (Fox) (878; 25-40)—'Brig- ham Young' (20th), after a week at each the Denver and Aladdin, and 'Before I Hang' (Col).' Good $2,000> Last wieck. 'Stayed for. Breakfast* (Col) and -Lion Wings' (UA). after a week at each the Denver and Alad- din, good at $2,000. . V: v First Runs on Broadway (Subject to Chan0e) Week of Oct. 10 Astor-^'Gone With the Wind/ - (M-G) (43d wk). CapltolViStrike Up the Band' (M-G) (3d wk). Criterion — 'Wyoming' (M-G) (2d wk). Globe—'Pastor Hall' (UA) (4th wk). Music Hall—"They Knew What They Wanted' (RKO). ' (Reviewed in Current Isstxe) Paramoont—'I Want a Divorce' (Par) (2d wk). ♦Rialto—'I'mStai Alive' (RKO). ■ (Reviewed in Vawety Oct.-2) Rivoli—r'Long Voyage Home' ■ (UA) (8). ... (Reviewed in. Current Issue) Roxy—'Spring Parade' (U) (2d wk). '■' '^V.'-.'. Strand—City fbr Conquest'• (WB) (3d wk). ■.^ Week, of :'Oct. 17 . Astor—'Great Dictator' (UA) . (15). Capitol—'Grieat Dictator' (UA) • (15). ■ ■ •■ ' • . Criterion —• 'Golden Fleecing' ■ (M-G) (16). (Reviewed in Vapikt.y" Aug. 21) Globe—'Captain Caution' (UA). Masic Ball—'They Knew What They Wanted' (RKO) (2d wk). Paramoont—'Arise My Love' ." (Par) (16). RItoU— 'Long Voyage Home' (UA) (2d wk). ; Roxy—Dbwn Argentine Way' (20th) (18). Strand —'Knute Rockrte—All American' (WB) (18). . . (Reviewed in Current Issue) $14,000 IN PITT M, B way Rrm: Cagney-Byrne Band $35M Mickey-Judy 40G, Bing-Reisman Pittsburgh, Oct. 8. Biz locally seems to be picking up considerable slack at the moment. End of daylight saiving helping some and fact that those big weekend football crowds, whin Pitt was a gridiron great; are missing isn't hurt ing any either. Anyway, boys are getting encouraged, particularly with takings very favorable on just good pix and hot standouts. 'City for Conquest.' at Stanley, and 'Hired Wife,' at Alvin, are leading the parade. Well-liked by .crix, and public's backing revieWers Up for a change. Both films are slated for h:o.'s. 'Strike Up the Band' is doing nicely in second week at Penn and will likely move elsewhere for a third, while 'Great McGinty,' on twinner with "Dance* Girl, Dance.' is surpr'Isingly pleasant at Warner. Ritz getting by with 'Foreign Correspond- ent.' on move-over from. Stanley, with only the Fulton dipping into the red, on' 'Public Deb No, 1.' Estimates for This Week : Alvin (Harris) (1.850; 25-35-50 )— 'Hired Wife' (U). Off to fast start and, with house, switching Bank Nights from Thur.-Fri. to Mon- Tues.. certain to wind up strong. Should have no trouble collecting $10,000. which means second week. "Last week 'How^^ big disappointment at $7,000 and way in. red considering cost of campaign, etc. Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1.700; 25:40) -'Public Deb' (20th). Not much ex- citement over tbis. May pull around $4,000, tt.g. Last week 'Brigham Young' (20th), got four days of h o. week and ' abbreviated session knocked down around $2,100. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-35- 50)-^'Strike Up: Band' (M-G) :l2d wk). H.o. at this site was decided on at last minute arid not a bad deci-; sion; Looks to do around $11,000. pretty good. Last week $19,000, big. RIts (WB) (800; 25-35-50)—'For- eign Correspondent' (UA). Moved here, from Stanley, management flg- uring flicker didri't get what it de- served there and might .have a chance of building ori word^of- mouth. Still riot Up to expectations; but giving small-seater profitable week at $2,560. Last week 'Boom- Town': (M-G), : fourth downtown week at advanced prices, great $3,800. Stanley (WB); (3.600: 25-35-50)— 'City for Conquest' (WB). Boys went tb; town. on th is one and overboard for Cagriey. also - pointing but that Sheridan's on way up. Some local interest as well through screen de- but of. Arthur Kennedy, graduate of Carnegie 'Tech .drama school.. .. Stays for eight days to get house back to Friday opening with 'Knute- Rockne' SIB) and should,do $14,000 at least, st week 'Correspondent' ' (UA) arbund $12,000. ; Warner (WB) (2.000; 25-40)— 'Great McGinty'. (Par) and 'Dance. Girl* (RKO). ^ Paced for $5.000;.swell here for a double bill, and the news- papers can be thanked. Last week 'Westerner' (UA) on move-over from Penn, fine $5,200. : (Best Exploitation: Roxy) Deanna Durbin was away from- town a pretty long tiriie. but when she chetfked back into New "York last week a real welcome awaited the young Universal star, Her .'Spring Parade' came into the Rpxy Thurs- day (3) and thev've been kept busy up there ever since counting the ad- missions. . They .will ' total around $62,000 on the first, weiek, biggest house has done this year. . . • Only other major first-run opening of the week was 'I Warit a Divorce' at the Paramount, which has Frankic Masters, Jane Frbman and the Three Stooges in person. Finding the going slower than anticipated, the first sev^n days through Jjst night (Tues.) was onlv $35,000. pretty mild but profitable. Par : holds over, with the second (final) stanza beginning today (Wed.). The Jewish holidays (New Year's) Thursday and . Friday (3-4) fell nicely,; for ..the- theatres and is credited' larftely with the. strong grosses being registered in most of. them. Despite the more than 600.000 drawn to; the World's Fair on. the two days, the: weekend was generally very good with Saturday (5), which, beat- Sunday (6). being unusually heavy at the b.o.' •Strike Up the Band' is continuing powerfully at the Capitol and on. its second week, at hand., may hit close to $40,000. It got a little over this figure the first seven days. The difference may have been created by the fapt that Mickey Rooney was at the State in person against the initial week of 'Strike Up Band.' On his stage engagement .at the' second-run State he came close , to $45,000, . best nbn-holiday week in the history of the house. Hitting $44,000 the first week at the strand, 'City for Conquest' arid Bobby Byrne are salTing along .at a good pace for around $35,000^ The show goes a third week, but today : Byrne checks into a hospital to re.7 move an appendix that has Jjeen bothering him for some tiriie. Guest conductors will pilot his b&nd. Mtisic Hall looks to a possible $73,000, okay,-with. 'Howards of Vir- ginia' On its second week, ending to night (Wed.). Added to the first seven days' $85,000, a satisfactory profit is. shown in spite of tough .competition arourid town the past fortnight. Hall opens They Knew What They Wanted' tomorrow (Thurs.). RKO itself has been taking advance ads on . the film The Rivoli last night (Tues.) ushered in 'Long Voyagis Horiie' after a six weeks' run with 'Foreign Correspondent' that has been highly successful, totaling close to $150,000. The concluding (6th) . week, at $15,000, almost matched the prior stanza when the gross was $16,090. : 'Rhythm on the RiverV and Leo Reisman are at the State but con- siderable quiet prevails after. Rodney left. Indications point to about $10,- 000, fairish. Tickets went on sale at . the Astor and Capitol Monday (7) for 'Great Dictator,' which opens Tuesday rtlght (15) at both houses. Large lines formed at an early hoUr and the box '0fficeif7~were swamped tr3ring--t<r handle the crowds. The mail order sale has also been heavy. The Chap- lin picture runs 135 minutes and while it will do . but two shows at- the $2. top Astor, up at the Capito} six and seven shows may be man-; aged as compared with 'Gone's' four-, a-day. 'Gone,' which closes at the Astor Sunday night (13). shot away up in gross last ' week, gleaning $14,700. Universal and the Roxy steps to the front this week on exploitation In behalf of 'Spring Parade.' Among other things, the ads were effective. Astor (1.012; 75-85-$1.10-$1.65- $2.20) — 'Gone' (M-G); (43d-final week). When up went the closing notice up also went the gross; last week (42d) $14,700 as compared to $9,900 the previous week. Closes Sunday night (13) after an amazing run, 'Dictator'. (ijfA) coming in Tues- day night (15). . . Capitol (4,520; 35r40-55-75-$1.10- $1.25)—'Strike Up Sarid' (M-G) (2d week). Went bv«S|40,000 the first week when ■ Mickey Rooney was at the State in person, but tees off on the holdover so strong that the gross may come close to the $40,000 figure, thus-faricy^prbfit on the first 14 days. Continues through Sunday (13). with . 'Dictator' (UA) having special reserved-seat" premiere Tuesday eve- ning (15). ■: ■ ' Criterion (1.662; 25-40-55-65)— 'Wyoming' (M-G), Wallace Beery western, briginally slated . for the Cap, e>:ceptibria]Iy well, here, knock- ing out $14,000 the first seven days, ending last night CTues.). Holds starting ' today.., (Wed.). •. Iri_ ahead $7,500 this week (3d), o.k.. after riab« bing $10,000 last week (2d) and $12;* 000 the first. Holds. ; Palace (1.700; 25-35-55)—'HireH Wife' (U) (2d run) and 'Money and Wolhan' (WB) (1st run), dualed. About $8,600 looks tops for this pair. Last week 'Liicky Partners' (RKO) (2d run) and 'Beyorid To- morrow' (RKO) (1st run), coupled, $8,500. ■■ Paramount (3,664; 35-55-88-99) —'I Want Divorce' > (Par) and. Frankie Masters, Jane Frbman, Three' Stooges (2d-final week)..Begins con- cluding rdurid. today (Wbd.) after . first seven days' take of only $35,0OO, quite disappointing but, as show, is scaled, okay profit. : Last week, sec- ond for 'Rangers of Fortune' (Par), ' and Jan S^vitt-Andrews Sisters- Jerry Leister, $28,500, satisfactory. Radio City Music Hall (5.980; 40- 60-84-99-$1.65)—'Howards' (Col) and stage Show. (2d-final week). AH right On holdover at $73,000. or close; first' week $85,000. good. 'They Knew What They Wanted" (RKO) pperis tomorrow (Thurs.) Rialto (750; 25-40-55)—'Diamond '. Frontier' (U). This one:: suggests around $7,000. good. 'Chan at Wax Museum' (20th) was $5,700. Rivoli . (2,092; 35-40-55-75-99 )-t ong Voyage Home' (UA) had a special opehing last night (Tuesday).. It. follows six swell moriey-hiaking; weeks with 'Foreign Correspondent' ' (UA) which was $15,000 the Windup stanza a,nd $16,000 the' prior week. On the engagement close to ,$150,000, lots for.the right side.of thie ledger for both UA and the theatre. R o X y (5.835; 35 - 40 - 55 - 75)— 'Spring Parade' (U) and. stage show. A distinct smash, first week's take around $62,000. Holdover, week be- gins tomorrow (Thursday), which from now. on will bie the regular change d^y iristead of' Friday. Six-' day hoido^fer of 'Brigham Young' (20th) only $22,000, very disappoint- ing. State (3,450; 25-35-55-75)—'Rhythm on River' (Par) (2d run) and Leo Reisman, Approximately $19,000, comparatively mild ■ f bllowing Mickey Rooney's socko week of nearly $45,000 with 'I . Love You Again* (M-G) (2d run) as the film. This was the best non-holiday week house ever did. Only Eddie Can- tor, at $51,300, over a Fourth of July, topped it, doing more shows than was possible' with Rooney... Strand (2,767; 25-50-55-75-85-99)— 'City for Conquest' (WB) and Bobby Byrne ■ (2d Week). . Came through with fine $44,000 the first week and maintains steady pace for $35,000 or nearly that on the holdover. A third week is scheduled, but Byrne, urider doctor's . care for appendix trouble sirice opening here, had to withdravtr last night (Tues.) for an operation. Band reriiains with, guest conductors batting for Byrne the balance of th* engagement. mm IN BALTO Baltimore, Oct. 8. It's 'Strike Up the Band' her* this week with Loew's Century using. its fulsom* capacity, to chalk up an im- posing towri-Ieading ftguref. Also seeriiingly headed to a good take is 'City for Conquest' at the Stanley. Rest of town Is rather spotty. Coriibo Hipp, trying hard with a strong; vaude layout to bolster ac- companying 'Dance Girl,: Dance,' is poor. Estimates for. This Week Century (Loew's-UA) (3,000; 15- 28.44)—'Strike Up Band' (M-G). Garland-Rooney ringing the bell solidly with booming' $14,500. Last week 'Foreign Correspondent'. (UA), good $10,400. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2;205; 15-28-39-44-55-66) — 'Dance GirV (RKO) iplus vaude headliriing J. C. Flippen, Larry. Adler. and Mills Bros. Trying hard, but accomplishing only $11,000, poor. Lasf week 'Stayed Breakfast': .(Col) and/ vaude, n.g. $10,700. '-yyy' ■ ■ Keith's (Schanberger). (2,406; 15- 28-33-39-44)—'Spring Parade' (U): (2d wk). Holding fairly wjell to po^-; ^ible ^5,000, after okay initial rbund to pleasing $8,800. New (Mechanic) (1.581; 15-28-35- 44)—'Kildare Home'; (M-G).. .pra.W- ing some daytime, response- to this house of femme patronage aind indi- cating, fairish $4,500. : Last week 'Great Profile' (20th), mild $4,700. . Stanley ■(WB) (3,280; ■15-28-39-44-- 55)—'City Conquest* (WB). Cagney -jf - .V - i^, - ■-, vi> ^<--- J - drew .-favorable ..ptesS".: arid__jUiQuld. 'Goodbve, Mr. Chips' i^^^ ), on, four .reach strong $10,000^ and ; po.ssible days only $2,000, terrible... | h.o. Last week, second of 'No Time Globe • (1,180; . 25-35-55) —'Pastor:, Comedy' (WB),' added all right $5.- Hair (UA): (3d-final week).. About 800 to strong opening sesh at $11,700.