Variety (Nov 1940)

Wednesday, November 6, 1940 PICTURE GROSSES Chaplin $34,000,2 dd Spots; 'Glamour^MaxweD Unit $15,000, Chicago, Nov. 3. Business is holding currently and indications are for satisfaction at the box-office generally. > There has been much pro and con on the 'The Great Dictator' but the. Charlie ChanJin picture got away, to a fast starrwith its reserved seat opening night at the Roosevelt arid the •Apollo, and is now continuing at a smart clip at $1.65 twora-day in the Apollo and on a grind policy in the Roosevelt at 55c. and $1,10. 'Mounted Police'• has indicated, and 'Dictator' is emphasizing, that the boosted admissions, cut down the number of tickets sold to an ad- mitted degree, but the difference in price is reflected in a satisfactory gross. 'Whether the upped admis- sion price is actually holding down the gross is not proved, but there is no question of the healthy coin re- ceived under the higher ducat ■ charge^. ^ ;.' . • '• :V ; ' • 'Foreign Correspondent' opened in the United Artists on Saturday (2) and is off to a fine start that should get plenty of mazuma from a public strictly foreign news conscious at this time. : ' '■/■'.. Estimates for This Week. : Apollo (B&K). (L200; 85 : 1.10-1;65) 'Dictator' (UA). Opened on Thurs- day (31) night and, got; away fast, heading to excellent $14,000. Last week, under standard 35-55-75 grind. 'Carsoh' 9 UA) flriished. a 12-day en- gagement to meek, $4,700 for final seven days. Chicago (B&K) (4,000; 44-55-85)— Taunted Police' (Par) and stage show. Betty Grable and Ken Mur- ray on stage. Hold-over for entire set-up following powerful initial week's take of $47,700, and currently heading for fine $35,000, Garrlck (B&K (900; 35-55-65-75)— •Wyoriiing' (M-G) arid 'World Flames' (Par). Moved here after ex- cellent week in the Roosevelt and going to $7,000, fine. Last week, 'Rockrte*. (WB) in third loop session took neat $5,800. . Oriental (Jones) (3,200: 28-44)— 'Glamour Sale' (Col) and Elsa Max- well unit on stage. .Miss Maxwell and quartet of Coast name adding up to a satisfactory boxoffce stanza, at $15,000.. Last week, 'Golden Fleec- ing' (M-G) wth Tiny Hill orch on stage managed so-so. $12,100. . Palace (RKO) (2,500; 33-44-66)— .Spring. Parade' (U) and 'Men Against Sky' (RKO). . Second, week for the combination holding to healthy $9,500 on bang-up selling, after taking beautiful $14,200 last Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 75-1.10) —'Dictator* (UA). After Teserved seat opener on Thursday (31) night went into grind policy arid ripping through to $20,000, powerful take froiri get-away indications.. Last week, at 35-55-65-75, 'Wyoming* (M-G) and 'World Flames' (Par) galloped home with nifty $11,900. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 28-44 )r- 'Argentine Nights' (U). and 'Holly- . wood on Loose' unit on stage. . Trio of Coast film names on the stage adding some glitter to the week and ambling through to sufficient coin ".at: $15,000. Last week. 'Flowing Gold' (WB) plus Clyde McCoy band on stage was a bit of a disappointment at $14,800 after healthy start. United Artists (B&K-M-G) (1,700 35-55-65-75)—'Correspondent' (UA) Cot away from the post in whirl- wind, fashion on Saturday (2) ana looks for mighty fine $16,000 for opener. Last week, 'Strike Up Band' (M-G) finished a rousing four-week convention to bang-up $7,500. DICTATOR' NOT SO HOT IN MEMPHJSAT $9,000 Memphis, Nov. 5. Chaplin's 'Dictator' is playing to extremely frail houses at Loew's State despite favorable reviews in the local press, but. the upping of scale will, send it to a normally im pressive figure. Matinee houses are' no good all;, nights are only fair. Another .anti-Nazi effort, the Warner's 'Pastor Hall, .is. getting high .pressure cam paign, : : .'•■;; Estimates for This Week ; Loew's State (Loew) (2,600; 75 .110)—'Dictator' (UA). Will pul. around $9,000, which is big money ordinarily, but n.g. at the prices of* y lered arid way under, smallest week for long run of 'Gone With the Wind.' Last week (10-33-44), 'Knew What. Wanted' (RKO), $3,800, Weak ..... Warner (Warmer) (2,300; 10-33 L~Y ' p astor Hall' (UA). Good campaign is pumping this One to mebbe $3,200. ': Last , week, 'TugbOa Annie' (WB), $3,000. " " New Malco (Lightman) (2,800; 10 33-44)—'Northwest Mounted' (Par) (2d wk). May nab $5,000 on sec- ond week. Last week, wham $12,000. Loew's Palace (Loew) (2,200; 10- 33-44)—'Hullaballoo* (M-G). Good notices- and. word of moUth priming film to possible $4,000. Last week, Dulcy* (M-G), $3,300, better than expected. Strand (Lightman) (1,000; 10-22- 44)—'Cherokee Strip' (Par); three days; 'Ladies Must Live' (WB), two days, arid 'Mummy's Harid' (U), two days. All nice pullers, likely $1,900. Last week, 'Mad Men Europe' (Col), three days; 'Saps Sea' (UA), two days, arid 'Three Men Texas' (Par), two days, $1,800, okay. IN BUFF PREEM First Runs on Broadway (Subject to Chancre) ..-;■ Week of Not. t Astor—'Great Dictator* (UA) (4th wk.). ■ .... Capitol—'Great Dictator' (UA) (4th wk.). Criterion—"Golden Fleecing* (M-G) (6). (Reviewed in yAiasrV, Attcr. 21) Music Hall—'Escape' (M-G) (2d wk.). Pa r am bun tr—'North West Mounted Police* (Par) (6). ; . (Reviewed in VAiarrr, Oct. 23) Rlalto—'Devil's Pipeline' (U) (9). Rivoli — 'Christmas in July' (Par) (5). (Reviewed In VAiory, Sept. 18) . Roxy—'Mark of Zorro' (20th) (2d wk). . . Strand—'Tugboat Annie Sails Again' (WB) (8). Week of Nov, 14 (UA) ''••.• Buffalo, Nov. 5. ; Heavy- competition which sapped a good deal of last: week's boxoffice vitality is still showing its head cur- rently although with less; noticeable results. Attendance at political rallies, especially at the new Munici- pal Auditorium, has/ averaged close to 15,000 people for each event; foot- 3all has been seeing capacity crowds in the new municipal stadium; , and opening game of Sunday night lockey, also at the city-owned Aud, drew a gate of 12,000 persons. Charlie Barnet is spinning the Buffalo's wickets at a -snappy rate, while numerals tor 'Dictator* are not oo fancy. Jimimie Luriceford looks ■; Ust fair*;.:.' ■ -..V' ' Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Shea) (3,500; 35-40-60)— No Time Comedy!' (WB) and Charlie Barnet orch on stage. Should snag very nice- $19,000. Last week, Third Finger' (M-G) disappointing, under $i2;ooo.. Great Lakes (Shea) (3.000; 75- $1.10) — 'Dictator' (UA). Including special opening show : Thursday night (3), should get fair $20,000. Last week (35-55), 'Reuter's' (WB); and 'Hold That Woman' (PDC) soft $4,500. v . , ,': ,. . . ■ Hipp (Shea) (2,100; 30-45) — Rangers of Fortune' (Par) and •Quarterback* (Par). Mildish $6,000. Last week, 'Brigham Young' (20th) and 'Profile' (20th) fair $6,000. Lafayette (Haymari) (3,300; 30-40) ■—'Little Heaven* (U) arid 'Diamond Frontier' (U). Hopped up by Gloria Jean's personal opening day, should snare satisfactory $7,000. Last week, 'Angels Over Broadway* (Col) and 'Military Academy* (Col); fair $6,000. 20th Century (Dlpson-Basll) (3,000; 30-40)—'Queen of Yukon' (Mono) and Jimmie Lunceford orch on stage. Under preceding frame, pas- sable $11,000. Last week, 'Boys of City*. (Mono) and 'Hollywood Hotel' revue on stage shaped up for Okay $12,000. mouNTiES' m H.O. PACING NG MONTREAL Astor—'Great Dictator' (5th wk.). " ; ; •;.,V.- Broadway—'Fantasia' (Disney) (13). >; ;;„••.' :■, Capitol—'Great Dictator' (UA) (5th wk.). • Criterion— Sky Murde r * (M-G) (13). : . Music Hall—'Arizona'. (Col); • •'.v Paramount—'North ■■'■'West. Mounted Police' (Par) (2d wk.). (Rivoli—'Christmas in July* (Par) (2d wk.). Roxy—'Tin Pan Alley* (20th) (15). ■ [ .'■•;■■ Strand—Tugboat ' Annie Sails Again (WB) (2d wit). Montreal, Nov. 5. 'North West Mounted' at Loew's in second week will again top all grosses currently.' with 'Reuters' at Capitol 'second, and the balance be low average. Estimates for This Week Palace (CT) (2.700: 25-45-55)- 'Third Finger* (M-G) (2d wk). Medi ocre $4,500 after fair $7,500 last week. Capitol (CT) (2,700: 25-45-55)- 'Reuters' (WB) arid: 'River's End (WB). Nice $6,000 in sight. Last week, 'Pastor Hall' (UA) and 'Slight ly Tempted' (U), started well but slipped later to fair $5,500. Loew's (CT) (2.800: 30-40r60)— •North West Mounted' (Par), (2d wk). Sighting for good $7,500 after smash $12,000 last week. Princess (CTJ (2,300; 25-34-50)— 'Haunted Honeymoon' (M-G) arid 'Kildare Goes Home* (M-G). Prob able $3,500. Last . week. 'Knute Rockrie* (WB) arid 'Father Prince' (WB). average $4,000. v ... \ > Orpheum (Irid) (1,100: 25-40.-50) 'Diamond Frontier' (U) and 'No- body's Sweetheart* (U). Not . much over $2,000 iri sight, weak. Last week, 'Hit Parade' (Rep) arid 'Girl God's . Country* (Rep),, middling $2,500. ■ s Cinema de -Paris (France-Film) (600: 25-50)—'Battements de Coeur' (2d wk); Nice $1,500, Last week, good $2,000. St. Denis (France-Film) (2,300: 25 34)—'II est Charmant' and 'Poule sur un Mur.' Average $4,500 in sight. Last: week; 'Terre d'Angoisse and 'Le Farttbme.' good: enough $4,600; 'Escape' Big $100,000, 'Zorro* Detroit, Nov. 5. (Beat Exploitation: Michigan) ■ With election interest running high in this key state, final campaigning has slowed down Detroiters on their picture going, at least until after the balloting. Business had been perk- ing up here until the final 1 blasts were put ori with plenty of evidence that the local folks are taking this election seriously. In the hopes of coaxing them out, three of the* houses brought in new product. Fox with 'Spring Parade' and 'Meet the Wildcat,* and the Michigan offering 'Knute Rockne' and 'Money and the Women' making it a race for the top spot. The young draw on the Deanria-' DUrbin prob-. ably will be a factor in this elec- tion week. United Artists brought in 'Escape' and 'Hullabaloo' with the Palms-State and Adams riding through on hold-overs. Michigan helped along its football picture not with just the simple de- vice of getting the local Notre Dame : Club behind it A campaign was extended to extensive Catholic parish here wrth the Archbishop x and other ecclesiastics invited to . a special screening, the coaches from the dozens of Catholic high schools here brought out-rin fact, most of the sports world was brought in on the ballyhoo. Estimates for This Week Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 30-40 )— 'Argentine Way'. (20th) and'Glamour Sale' (Col). Former picture is be- ing, tried for a second week after an earlier week at the Fox. Expecta- tions not above a dull $4,000. Last week,. 'Argentine Way' (20th) was teamed with 'Diamond Frontier' (U) for an okay $5,000. Fox (Fox-Michigan) (5,000; 30-40- 55)—'Spring Parade' (U) and 'Meet Wildcat' (U), Looking for a good $17,500. Last week, 'Public Deb' (20th) and Elsa Maxwell, Marjorie Weaver, Mary Beth Hughes, Mary Healy, Kay Aldrich on stage; big $21,000. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 30-40-55)—'Knute Rockne' (WB) and 'Money. Woman' (Par), Sports in- terest iri this town will help push this bill to a good $16,500, Last week, 'Westerner' (UA) and 'Danc- ing Dime' (Par) came off with an all right $15,500. . ■ .* / . r Palms - State (United Detroit V (3,000: 30-40-55)—'Westerner' (UA) and 'Third. Finger' (M-G). This, is a pairing of .the' top two. pictures from last week's bills at the Michigan and United Artists, and looks for a fair $8,000. Last week..'Ramparts' (RKO) and 'Queen Yukon' (Mono), tapered down to a still good $9,000. United Artists (United Detroit) (2,000: 30-40-55),— 'Escape': . (M-G) and" 'Hullabaloo' (M-G). Doesn't indicate much early strength and. seems bound for' fairish $9,000. Last week, 'Th ird Finger' (M-G) and 'Dulcy' ' (M-G) (2d wk) put a nice $10,000 behind a good $11,000. •• (Best Exploitation: Music Hall) Regardless of the hot interest dis- played iri the Election, with radios getting overheated by Presidential ballyhoo,; the downtown New York theatres are more than holding their own arid, with holiday prices placed into effect yesterday (Tues.), the managers/are handicapping, the situa- tion as pretty satisfactory. Imprest sions ^mong the theatre operating gentry on Broadway yesterday (Tues,) were that although the kids were out of school and increased boxoffice scales were in effect, the grosses would not be comparable/to that on an Ordinary holiday, how- ever; because, of the advance likeli- hood that election crowds could riot be anticipated for the film - thea- tres. All. of the Broadway houses advertised heavily for the downtown mobs that; the great presidential race was sure to bring out and sought to share extra business, through flashing results from stage or screen. Some of ; the houses had tieups with news services,, others- relied on the radio. The / . Par amount introduced ■ an in- novation by . throwing ; - results from the; booth on the screen dur- ing the running of the picture by superimposing it ori the ' bottom of the film. This without disturbing the performance by the picture; ■ . eBusiness Monday (4) was : generally good during. the entire day and. yes- terday started out "all right. Due to higher scales ' arid scheduling of late shows by all houses, it was esti- mated the take would be double that of Monday or better. 'Escape' and 'Mark of Zorro' are the two new major first TUtjs of the week. Both are tearing around the back stretch for big weeks. At the Music Hall the Ethel Vance, storyrf* widely read, will upset the dope con- cerning anti-Nazi filiris by doing a possible $100,000 and holds Over; 'Mark of Zorro' was brought into the Roxy Saturday (2) instead of the customary Thursday change day . and started off very powerfully, looking perhaps-$52,000 on the week. It also will hold. . 'Dictator;' in its fourth, week at the Capitol and Astor today (Wed:), is not. filling the former but at the twice-daily Astor is coming close to a capacity. sellout. Tl\e third week at the grind Cap, where seven shows are played during weekdays, .five on Sundays, the third week ending last night brought the b.o. statement to around $65,000. This compares with. $75,000 for the second Week. At the Astor. with 16 shows on the week at upped admissions, reserved seats, the second week was $21,500, while the six days on the third through Mon- day (4) was $18,500. The indications are that the Chap- lin, picture will remain indef at the Astor the same as 'Gone With, the Wind' but that, it may go out Of the Cap on its grind run there in three or four weeks. Holdovers on Broadway show; par- ticular strength. 'Arise, My Love' and a stage show of Tommy Rey- nolds, Jon Hall arid Frances Larig- fbrd; closed so potently at the Para- mount last night ^Tues.) at $39,000 that a fourth week would have been scheduled but for prior commitments. This ' also true of the Strand, where 'Knute Rockne* and Woody Herman are gathering terrific mo- mentum for possible $27,000. Very close behind the second week s take of $30,000. Strand, however, also will riot hold over, though'it could have done so. . Even the Rivoli has picked up pace, with the fourth week of six days ending Monday night (4) bringing the house $13,000 as against $15,000 the prior stanzai •Loew's second-run State marches on ;in the big profit column, this week •looking around; $32,000 with 'How- ards of Virginia,' which didn't do so hot at the Music Hall, plus a. b.O. stage hill headed by Harry Rirchman. Sophie Tucker, arid Joe E. Lewis. House hit an excellent $34,400 last week with 'Foreign Correspondent' and the Louella Parsons unit.... ;Aided by effective teaser ads, the exploitation campaign on -'Escape', for the Music. Hall, put ori by the theatre and Metro, takes the Broad- way cake,;; More than the average amount of money was spent for ad- vance and run. Estimates for This Week Astor (1,012; 75-85*$1.10-$1.65-$2.20)- —'Dictator' (M^G) (4th week). Still going • strong here. Last week (2d) was $21,500, while the six days: on the third week, including Monday (4) was $18,500, very .close to capacity. Good extended run indicated here, though . picture may depart from its grind run at the Capitol at an early aate. . • • ' "' ■ Capitol (4,520; 75-$1.10)—'Dictator* (M-G) (4th week). Begins the stint today (Wed.) that will add' Up to a month with the third: stanza through last night; (TueS.)/totaling $65,000. The. second week was $75,000, in both cases fine.profits: . Criterion (1,662; 28-44-55-65) — 'Goldeti Fleecing'. (M-G) opens hero today (Wed). 'Haunted Honeymoon* (M-G ) ground . through on seven days . stoutly to $9,000. In ahead, 'World of Flames' (Par), $8,500, good. Globe (1,700; 28-35-55)—'East of River' (WB) (2d-flnal week); Gath- ered a far-abOve-aVerage $9^000 on first week and augurs around $6,500 on second, okay. Palace . (1,700; 28-44-55)—'City for Conquest' (WB) (2d run) and •Slightly Tempted' (U) (1st run), doubled. This .pair is pulling for about $8;300, fair. Last week's brace, ^No Time for Comedy' (WB) (2d run) and 'Gay Caballero' (20th) (1st run), $7,500, fair. ".' Paramonnt (3,664; 35-55-88-99 )— 'Northwest Mounted , Police' (Par) and Glen Gray orchestra Open today (Wed.). If it were possible to. defer this booking, theatre would hold over. .Arise, My Love' (Par), based'on a $39,000 gross for. third week ending last night (Tues;), swell profit. Stage aid: has been received from Frances. Langford, . Jon. Hall ■ and Tommy Reynolds orchestra, second week for the show having been $46,000, ex- cellent, and the first $58,000, sock- eroo. ; Prices for 'Mounted' will be tilted a little in accordance with crowds arid hours drawn. Radio City Music Hall (5,980;. 40- 65-85-99-$1.10-$1.65)—'Escape' (M-G) arid stage show. Big from the bar- rier and will cross the wire at $100,- 000 or close, immense. Holds. Over. Reserved seats, scale which ups to $1.65 at night, have been, selling, but, with picture drawing a class trade and getting a much bigger play at night than during the day, though , steady at all times. Last week, 'West- erner' (UA) let 'em down, only $70,000. Bialto (750; : 28-40-55)—'Cherokee Strip* (Par). Moved in ^onday (4) and away okay for possible $6,000. In ahead, 'Mexican Spitfire Out West' (RKO) did only $3,500 on five days. Behind that "Meet Wildcat* (U) b. k. $6,000. Rivoli (2,092; 35-40-55^75-99 )— 'Christmas in July' (Par) Opened here yesterday '. (Tues.) after four weeks, of 'Long Voyage Home' (UA), which ended on a muscular note Monday nighF (4) at $13,000 on six days as against prior full week of $15,000. v Roxy (5,835; 35-40-55-75) — 'Zorro* (20th) and stage show. Away with a rush and looks to come under the wire with $52,000 or thereabouts, very good, and holds. Last week,, second for 'Argentine. Way' (20th), topped $30,000, all" fight, with two extra days getting $7,000, Stole (3,450; 35-55-75)—'Howards* (Col) (2d run) and, on stage, Harry Richman«'. Sophie Tucker,. Joe E. Lewis: Undoubtedly the. iri-person- trio Which was at Marden's Riviera is counting plenty at the ticket win- : dows; indications : point to a fine $32,000 or in that.-vicinity, ' Last, week, 'Foreign Cor respondent' (UA) (2d run) and. the Louella Parsons unit, $34,400, powerful. Strand (2,767; 35-55-75-85-99^-, ♦Knute Rockne* (WB) arid Woody Herm;.n (3d-flnal week). It's flying hoofs through the stretch, ' with ' a very sturdy $27,000 in the bag. This nears the second week's take; of $30,- 000, something that's very unusuaL Initial seven : days* take was close, to $44,000. Dictator,' $12,500, Not Up to Louisville Hopes; Louisville, Nov. 5. . Lack of riew product on downtown screens, the unseasonably warm weather which has prevailed for the past few Weeks, plus intense interest in the elections, has slowed up b.o. traffic in this towh. : H.o;s at .the Mary. Andersori and Brown are the only bright, spots in the : local picture. Windup of Churchill Downs, race, meet to. perfect weather conditions was no help. to b.o.'s Saturday (26 ), 'Great Dictator,* at Loew's State, priced at^5c. arid $1.10, is riot as big as expected. : Estimates for This Week : Brown (Loew.'s-Fourth - Avenue) (1,400; 15-30-40)—'Argentine . Way' (20th) arid 'Still Alive* (RKO) (2d wk.)... Built steadily. moveover and will top last week's riiark with $3,200. Last week, fine $3,000. ' Kentucky (Switow) (1,200; 15-25) —'Drive Night' (WB) and 'Rhythm River' (Par). Moving; along toward :gbod $1,600. -Last week,,. 'Frank James' (20th) .arid. 'Young People* (20th), okay $1,500. Loew's State (Loew's) (3.100; 75- $1.10)—'Great Dictator' (UA). - Big; things were expected of this one. However, public.is not buying, no doubt influenced by critics' cool fe- • (Continued oh pace 22)