Variety (Mar 1941)

PICTURE GROSSES Chicagb;;March4.;..: T -An started off slowly pn Friday ^} JS^y, and th« week Is generally f'''«ti^kctlry Shape. • fiowever, ^iirf^m lm^ i^^'ff outstanding Sh^t^ :&wn, the best^ rix jS i^ hoWovers, repeats, or : Jte^chtry oi 'Comt Llv^^With Me' • Jhms as something of a disapppiht- : -S af thiTUnlted Artist? ^despite : Se Hedy Lamarr-James ^ Stewart %^£Siri?'a^.vabross:>^ itr^f in the Oriental with a return £te t* the loop lor. 'Comrade^ X.' Tied iii with a rci^ulatiort staRe show. SS^one may. garner a little .coin for the house currently. - .. • ^Hbldlng over at the Palace is,'Pack sS' which has been a reil win- JSfid will go at least three weeks^ pLkce has been on a 'high-money •toMk for several months now and Ks Sared a rich place ior^itseW in the loop show business sun through tTO^ S«ht operation. Formerly under tough product pressure, house Is now Sed for sevferal months at good woduct with fMr. and Mrs.^:Smith/ liice Girl.' 'Citizen KaneV and others, ■ 'Gone' is back in the loop, this time at ■ poo. prices and is ■. garnering healthy monev ip^ the Roosevelt,, es- pcciaUy during the evenings. Chi; V cago is lust going along With 'Tall, Dark and Handsome.' . ■ Eslimatea lor This Week . • Apollo (Disney) (1,200: 75r$l;10 $165)^'Fantasia' (Disney > (2d wk) Nights ate holding , up in . excellent shape, which is guatsntee of high profits. Around $13,500- for current viessiph, after- big $1^.500 for ^initial Chicago (B&K) (4,(H)0- 35-55-75)— •Tall. Dark':(20th) Bnd^Variities'. unit in Stage. Bert Wheelier name *s headliner accounting for a-good por'. tioh of the coin. Picture exhibiting fair b.o. power, and combination Ipoks <$34.060..okay. Last. week. 'West eni%riion' .(20th) r»lus Matty Mal rchestra and Jane Froman on stage. ioBiged at the clpse of the week to'flnish with $38^800, which i? still gobm '. ■ • • ■; Garrlck (B&K) (000: 35-55-65-75> —'Western Union* (20th). Moved over from the Chicago and will take, $5,500, all right; 'Last week,. 'Vir- ginia' (Par) managed $4,400, fair. , ■ Oriental (TPdd) (3,200.: 28-44)— •(Jomrjide (M-G) and vaude. Muriel Page and Dpri Pedro prches^ tra oii stagie. All around combina- tion highly satisfactory and tipping again to strong $18,000. Last week, •HeU's Angels' (Astor) and 'Naughty •90s Revue' on stage, finished with $16,400, good: enough. . . Palace (RKO), (2.500; 33-44-66)— •Back, Street' (U) and 'LaZonga* (U). (2d. wk.). Will, go ^ three ^veeks easily, taking brilliant $1.2.000 currently, after snagging hot $18,200 last week. Booseveli . (B«eK) , (1,500: 35-55-65- 75)—'Gone* (M-G).- On first regular run. this ine is going to excellent business, especially at night, and will garter $16,00<) lor nifty, ihitialer. Last wieek, 'Sierra' (WB) wound up a two-week stay tp $8,200. pkay. SUte-take (B&K) (2,700: 28-44)— •Night Train* (20th) and Ray Her- beck orchestra unit 6n stage. : Her- beck band, a real mpney Item and bringing in high percientage of. the shekels. Picture is backed. by big local ballyhpp,. arid cpmbinatidn Is snaring a heap of coin at $18,000. Last week. 'Shayne Detective' (20th) ,«nd .'International. Casino Revye . unit ptoyed a money-maker at $17; 100. United Artiste (B&K-M-G^ ^l.-TOO: 3^-55-65-75) 'Come Live' (M-G >• Getting spme femmes, but npt in the quantities iexpected. Maybe $12,000, •Just.sPrSO; Last week..'Philadelphia' : (MrG); ftiiished smashing •flve>;>veek stay to bright $8,100 lor final seven 'days.-; • Woman' (U) (3d wk). StIU packbg 'em in, and looking for sock $6;000 after $8,00(K:ih second frame. Carlton (Fay-Loew's) (1,400: 2B-39- 50)-^'Strawberry Blonde' (WB) arid 'Father's Son' (WB) (2d tun). . GPod $2,800. Last week, 'Ends Nighl* (UA) and 'Maisie Lady* (M-G) (2d run), fait $2,000. . Fay's (Indie) (2,000; 25-35)—'Rpbin HPPd Pecps* (Rep) and Singiers Midgets, pn stage. Nicie $7,000. Last week, .'Tall, Darlt* (20th) and Major Bpwesnriif pn stage, swell $7,200, Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 28-30-50)r- 'Nice Girl* (U) arid 'Murder Among Frierids*. (20th). Moving nicely for good $7,500. Last week, 'Strawberry Blonde' (WB) arid father's Son' (WB), nifty $8,500. v State (Loew's) (3,200; :28-40-Ml)— 'Hardy's Secretary' , (M-^G) arid 'WUd Man Borneo* (M-G). . Peppy pace heading Ipr swell $15,000. Last week, 'Come Live' (M-G) and 'Blondle Latin* (Cpl), gPPd $12,000.; Strand (Indlie) (2,000; 28-40-50)-r •Virginia* (Par) antf 'Girls 21* (Rep) (2d wk). Still Steady, and prpmlslng heat $6,000 after knpckPut $9,500 in pperiing stanza. : aiVE. First Rons on Broadway (Subjact to Change) Week:Of March 6 ; ; Astor-^'Great Dictator* (UA) (21st wk). ..' Broadway—^"Fantasia*- (IDisney) ; (17th wk)i . .Gapliol-.—'Andy Hardy's 'i»ri- : - Vate Secretary' (M-G). : (Reviewed in Vabxhcy, Feb, 26) ;. Criterion. — 'Trial of Mary Dugari' (M-G). (Reviewed in Vawett, FcbT 12) . Globe—'Night . Train' '(20th) (11th wk). - Music Hall— 'Sp Ends. Our. Night' (UA) (2d wk). . Paramonnt -h- The Lady • Eve' : (Par) (2d wk). ■ • Riaito^'Dangerous Game* (U): (3). ■ ...V (Reviewed in Current Issue) . Rlvoll—'Back Street' (U) (4th wk). •. ■ V, Eoxy-r-'That Night, in Rib' (20th) (8). . ; . r . • : ; strand — 'Strawberry Blonde* (WB) (3d wk). ', . week'pfy.Mirch-is; ;' Astor^'Greiat : Dictator* (UA) ■^(22d^wk);. Brbadway-'Fantaisia' (Disney) ' (18th wk). Capitol—'Andy Hardy's Pri- -vate Secretary* (M-G) .(2d wk), ■ Globe 'Night p'Trairi' : (20th) (12th wk). y:^-.; ^ ':•;.; Hollywood—"Meet John Doe* (WB) (12). Mnslc. Hall—'Cheers for Miss ; Bishop* (UA), (Revietoed in VAHirrir, Jon, 15). Paramount — 'The Lady . Eve* (Par) (3d wk). ' , Elaito—'Ellery Que.eri^s. Pentr house Mystery' (Col) (10). ' Elvoll—'Meet John Doe' (WB) (12). . . ■ ^^'^ ;• Roxy — 'That Night in Rio* (26th) (2d wk). Sti-and—Footsteps in the Dark* ■ ■ (WB) (14). . . -'■ . (Reviewed in Current Issue) tUtDY'$15,000, PROV, NICKED BY SNOWSTORM iprovldence, March 4. (Best Exploitation: Loew*B State) , _Two holdovers hereabouts. , with •Buck Privates' standing its third trick at..the RKO Albee and 'Virginia' in. its Yecond session at > Strand. Hardy's. Secretary* helty at Loew's State. : 'Nice. Girl* also gppd at Ma- Heavy sribwstorm Friday (28) and Saturday (1) put. slight crimp in. early , weekend biz. Loew's State Worked a shorthand contest into its plugging of: 'Secre- wty, and. then topped the stunt by .??"y, radio blurbs of a contest seek- mg list of pix in which Mickey Kooney has appeared. Three money offer^ $10 and 25. ducats Estimates for This Week <rt.^^u *S, .<I*KO) (2,200; 28-39-50)- Huck Privates' (U) . and 'Invisible Cleveland, March 4. Lenten theatrical history is being repeated again here, with all shows —except 'Buck Privates' fortified by Ray Nobie'a orchestra' at Palace- diving intp the. cellar. Cpinbp ai RKO deluxer is out In Irprit and drawing nice cpin. ' 'Son of Monte Ctistp* doing just okay at next-dopr State, but move- over to Stillman's problematical. Mild bdz at Hipp with 'Strawberry Blonde' and 'Rpad - Shpw' dittp at Stillman. Estimates for This Week Allen (RKO) (3.000; 30-35-42-55)-- •Back Street' (U) (2d wk). Move^ over from Hipp hplding up well to $4,000. Last week,.'Western Union' (20th) (2d wk), average $3,500. . Hipp (Warner) (3.700; 30-35-42-55) —'Strawberry Blonde* (WB); Only fair $9,000 at best in sight Last week. 'Back Street' (U), satisfactory at'ill,700, and moved to the Allen. Palaoe (RKO) (3,700: 30-35-42-55 55)—'Buck Privates' (U) plus Ray Noble orchestra. Neatly balanced bill for first week of Lent,' and good $15,000 very prpbable. Last week, 'Night Train* (20th) and Gtenn Miller*s band were whammers, great $24,500 State (Loew's) (3,450; 30-35-42-55) — <Spn CristP* (UA). Smartly plugged; around $10,000, okay; Last week, 'Virginia* (Par) fc, bit thin $9 900 Stlliman (Loew*s) (l,972;:30-35^2. 55)-'RpadShow' (UA). So-sP^,500. Last week, 'Philadelphia' (M-G) (3d wk), hit fine $6,800. TRAM'-TOMUN $8,000, 'SIERRA' BIG 7G, K. C Kairisas City. March .* Film rpw this week is less buxpm than last, but is seeing average or better in every house. Healthy Piece of the week^s trade goes to the TPwer with Pinky Tpmlin on the stage and 'Night. Train' on the screen: 'This Thing- Called Love* at the Midland is being mentioned by . the crix on mPral aftgles, but is receiving good matinee play lor a f?ir week. 'High Sierra' at the Orpheum is vice versa vvlth weak afternoon trade and heavy night patronage: This^pne Is running, strpng, and has a holdover possibility. . , ,, V ■ .a i,„ Second weeks are being played by "Virginia* at the Newman and West- ern union* at the Esquire Jind Up- town, but the formet Is. the pacer . Considerable d is tract ion en- : countered by the film houses on weekend with the Big Six indoor track meet in the auditorium on Saturday, and 'Man Who Came tp Diririer* in the Music Hall for three Estimates lor This Week Esquire and Uptown (Fox M|d west) ' (820 and 2.043; 10-28-44)- •wlstern Union^ (20th) (.2d wk).-FaIr I55;000, following the opening weeks $8 000 'Tobacco Road' opens in botn houses on Wednesday. - . . Midland (loew's) ..(4,101: 10-28-44) — Thing Called Love' (Cpl) and •Wild Man Borneo' (M-G). Getting along to average $8,000. Liast. week, 'Philadelphia' (M-G); and 'Maisie Lady (M-G) (2d wk), very accept- able $10,000. Newman (ParanioUnt) (1.900; 10- 28-44)—'Virginia' (Par) (2d wk). Okay $5.00P. Last week, was slow starting, but got under'way. on week- end to wind with with a neat .$8,000. . Orphenm (RKO) (1,500; 10-28-44) —•Sierra' (WB) and 'Play .Girl' (RKO). Total of $7,000 could rate holdoveir. Last week, -Mr. and Mrs. Smiths (RKO) and 'Black^Parrot (WB)- (2d wk>. avetage $5,000. Tower (Jollee) ^«,^10;^10;ao)j- •Night Train* (20th), with Pinky Tomlin orchestra on stage, fpllowing their two-week wigagement . at the Terrace Grill. CombP is healthy, and gross la likewise at $8,000.: Last weA ' Ridln* Rainbow* (Rep), with variety bUl on stage, gppd.$6,500. ve '.Paradise, (53, -Stewart Slim 20G . (Best Exploitation: Paramount) There isn't mUch action pn the Broadway front this week but 'Lady Eve,' which tpday (Wed.) begins its siecond week at the. jParamount sup ported by a stage show, is doing a whizz-bang business. Also in the chips is the holdover Cagney picture, 'Strawberry' Blonde;' at the Strand, Virhile the niewcomer 'Sp Ends Our Night' is not doing well enough to i 36 considered in the sock division. Although "the first week of Lent may be partly accountable for the jgeneral lull at the. town's b.P.Si other factors are believed more reSpon sible. - Among other things, the Fri day (28) snowstorm caused, much damage arid Saturday morning open- ings were not so forte. Business, on Monday:,(4) . alsp was belPw normal for that day. ■ 'Lady Eve.' with Tony Pastor, Ella Logan and Ben Blue in person for added draught, hit $53,000, big, on its first seven; days. through yesterday (Tiies;). A miniihum of three weeks is scheduled; The respectable figure to be run up by -Strawberry' and the Raymond Scotf band bh their second week at the Strand will be about $i35.000. Goes a third starting En day (7). . In the Hall on a twp-week com mitment .'So Ends Our . Night'^ may get up to' $80,000 on the first seven days, under hopes but. thoroughly satisfactory for this time of the year and in . view; , pf the bad weather. •Conie Live With Me' is taking it ori the chin, at under $20,000 and will be replaced tbmorrpw (Thurs.) .:by •Andy Hardy's Private Secretary. Also In the dumps is "Tpbacco Road ori its second week at the .Roxy. where it appears only $27,000. ^folr lowing a good initial seven days take of $47,000. Remains .two ex^ tra days for total of 16, with That Night in Rib' opening on Saturday (8). • ■,. State comes a cropper at only about $16,000 with 'Virginia second- run and the Bill Bardo band, George Givot and others; Also dropping considerably is 'Back StreeV . which ended its third week at the straight- fibner Rivoli at less than $15,000. Going a 'ourth week,, it will be. suc- ceeded on Wednesday (12)^ by;'Meet Jphn Dpe' which day-and-dates at the Hollywood at advanced prices, riot yet worked out. On the^ same date the picture goes Into two houses each in Los Angeles and Miami. •Dictator,' on a $2 run at the Astor, slated to depart March 23. and Is being. pointeS for the N.^ Y. Lpew circuit lot Eastet week, ateantime, Parampunt haa closedjor the Astor and plans opening 'I Wanted Wings ^Blonde'Qassy $17,500 in Pitt 'HoncymoonVFolic' Fair 19G-Abbott & Costello Sighting Good $7,000 Pittsburgh,.March 4. Town has a lot of strong draws thS week and they're PuU ng har J At Penn. 'Strawberry Blonde u Moving a perfect honey and^ will Sk up best gross In more than a month ?or^hat hous«|. M»f over, but chances art it will move elsewhere for second week. Value of an^Academy Award be- ing proven at Ritz, where K,itty Foyle^ shifted after siiccessive weeks it Peim : and Warner. Dfr after^ selections, biz ^hot skywwd and on Sunday (2) Ritz grabbed $l,?ou, iscsensatipnal fpr this small- 'Folies Bergere* on Stanley stage drtw raves but picture,JHoneymoon for Three;' appears to . be hplding it dowKmeXt. Biz good, but not quite- what management .expected^ •Virginia' doing very : well in . h.p. at Warner and while 'Buck Privates startbd slowly at Senator, by week- end it .was coming through strong and may earri itself , a h.o. Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1.7001 75-^1.10 $165) ^'Fantasia' (Disney).; .Opens tomorrow night (5).^preem being sponsored by Variety Club for Greek War Relief. Preview for press )s. to- night (4). House has been ^closed fpr a week to permit in.staUation pi Fantasound: Last week.^'Back Street' (U) tapered off to $3,60p on h.o.. after opening session of. close to ^ PeJn (Lbew's-UA)^ (3.300;: 2^^ 50) — 'Strawberry Blonde (WB). Everybody went-overboard for this one, tossing posies in-the air for script, cast and general production, with result that it's sailing along to Penn's best take in a lot of weeks. Should have little trouble, grabbing $17,500, and may drive home even slightly ahead Of that. Last ^week, 'Virginia' (Par), excellent J>16.500. , Kite (WB) (800; 25-35-50)—'Kitty Foyle' (RKO) (3d wk). Started oft like an average h.o., but minute Academy Awards were announced, biz zoomed. Has a chance pf crack- ing $4,000. great. Last week. 'Phila- delphik Story' (M-G) (4th wk), fine $3,400. .■.■■>■■:■■: Senator (Harris). (1.750;, 25-35-50) —'Buck Privates' (U). Cri:? liked it very much, but it wasn't until the weekend that Abbott and CasteUo comedy started to catch on. House was going to shove in. double oni pi •Escape to Glory' (Col) and .'Trail of Vigilantes' (U) ahead bf^lTobacco Ilbad' (20th), which opens March 12. but riiay decide at last minute to hold 'Privates.' Looks like better' than $7,000. Last week, second of 'West ern Union' (20th). barely $4,000. ■ Stanley .(WB). (3.600: 25-40-60)^ '.Honeymoon Three' (WB) and 'Folies Bergere.' Stage show . drew raves, but film was spanked. Whatever conies in can be attributed to .the unit. Indications are for. around $19,000' or bit better; still soFiewha.t di-saopointirig. Last. week. Sjerra (WB) and Cab Calloway sensational, getting alriiost $27,000. . best, since Mickey Robney.'s personal irt Septem Warner XWB) (2.000; 25-35-50)— 'Virginia' (Par). Moyeoyer from Penn and Packing a wallop right down .the' line. Lopks. like. SV.lOO here, which is. mpney in : tho . bank, and nb eoubt means another w-.°'K:. at nriotho'-. hoiLse. Last week, 'Kitty Foyle' (RKOV. J>lso on move from Penn. good at $6,700, and then was senf-to the Ritz; -: ' [ there Pn a toadshow engagement at ' $2 on March 26. • ., . v . ' . Best exploitation this week, goes to Paramount's h.p. arid the thea- tre for the job on 'Lady EVe,' which . has included .much space in the.' newspapers, a teaser ad campaign in advance, a recent cocktail party for which a snake was. air-shipped, from: the Coast lor. a stunt, .etc. . Estimates for This Week ... Astor (i;012:75-85-$1.10-$1.65r$2.20) . —'Dictatpr' (UA) (21st week). Last week (20th), $12,700, fair profit. Coes . out March 23, under plans, with 'I Wanted Wings'' j(Par) to open at the : same scales, on March 26. . -^Broadway (1,1395; 55-75.^1.10t$1.65- $2.20)-T'Fahtasia' (Disney) (nth . week). Hit $23,000 the past week (16th), very. good. - ... Capitol (4.520: 35-55-85-$1.10-$l,25) —*Cbme Live With Me'^ (M-G).: Ef- fective ad painpaign falling to save this one from a disgraceful showing; under $20,000 will be all, 'Hardy's Private Secretary* (M-G) opens to- :- riibrrbw (Thurs..);. - Last week,: 'Go: ' West' (M.;G), around $27,00.0, disap>- pointing. . ?■ - Criterion .<1,662: 28-44-55-65)^ ^ 'Mary Dugari* .(M-G) opens here to- . day. 'Mad Doctor' (Par),, thbugh-se- verely parihed.didn'l do. badly at $8,000. The same was scored by 'Maisie Was Lady' (M-G.) On its sec- ond week, good. Globe, (1,180; 28r35-55)—'Night Train' (20th) (10th week); Still holding its own well. Iboking-$7,000,. While, last week (9th) was $7,500. Remains another week, starting Sat- urday (8)^ Palace (1,700; 30-35-55)—'Buck Pri- vates' (U) and 'Honeymoon for Three' (WB), both 2d run, dualed. This combo starts today (Wed.). 'Western Union' (20th) (2d run) and 'Meet the Chump' (U): (1st run) got $7,209, mild.' Behind these, the . double..header of 'Kitty Foyle' (RKO) (2d run) and 'La Zonga' (U) (1st riin), grossed only $8,200 on eight days, not good. Paramonnt (3,664; '35-55-85-99)— . 'Lady Eve' (Par) and ,on stage, Tony Pastor, Ella Logan and Ben Blue (2d week). Away on holdover today (Wed.) after smashing through to v fancy $53,000 th,e first seven days, In ahead, 'You're the One' (Pat) and' Ella Fitzgerald; only $30,000, which with aid ot- Washington's birthday meant a little black. . Radio CHy Mnslc Hall (5,960; 44- 55-85-90-$1.65)—'So Ends Our Night* (UA) and stage show; : Held down by bad breaks, but may wirid up the . first week at $80,000.. o.k. profit, pnd starts holdover toniorrow (Thurs.). Last week 'Mr. arid Mrs. Smith' ^ (RKO) petered considerably in the stretch to finish at $82,000 alter'hav- ing nabbed a sock $40,000 .over the Washington, birthday weekend. Firial day (Wed.) was beginning ol Lent. That may have hurt a bit more than . elsewhere. Bialto (750; 28-44-55)—'A Danger- ous Game* (U); Brought in yester- day morning CEues.) after a slow week with 'Meet Boston Blackie' (Col), $5,500. Predecessor, '^Road Show' (UA) was only $5,200, very meagre takings. Rivoli (2.092; 35-55-75r99)^'Back . Street' (U) (4th-flnal wk). Begins concluding stanza today (Wed.), with 'Meet John Doe' (WB) to debut h^re and at the Hollywood next Wednes- day (12) at Upped prices. Third we&k for 'Street' under $15,000. mild, while second was close to $25,000. good. Eoxy (5.835: 35-55-65-75-85)—'To- bacco Road' (20th) and stage show. Off sharpily to bnly about $27,000, following first week of $47,000. very nice. Stays two additional days with 'That Night in Rio* (20th) moving in Saturday (8). .• ' State (3.400; 28-44-55-75-90-$1.10)t- 'Virj»inia' (Par) (2d run) and Bill Bardo, George .GlVot. others, on stagCi No dice., but $16,000 being seen. Last week house hurdled a . serisatibnal $40,000 with .• 'Philly ' Story': (M-G) (2d run) iand Lou Holtz, Wendy Barrle, Lola Lane and Arlinfe Judge.. . Strand (2.767: 35-55-75-85-99)^ 'Strawberry' (WB) and Raymond Scott band (2d wk). Continues strong at the b.o.. appearin« i*35,0OO thi.? weetc (2d). Snared $47,000. ex- cellent, the first week. Goes third. commencing Friday. (7). *Lorna* to Encore? •Lorna Dbone,' English classic, may again live on celluloid. Already twice-filrtied; the '..np.yel by . R, D. Blackmore has interested five studips, sufficiently during the past year tp register the title. Sol Lesser last week became the latest, ranking be- hind David G. Selznick,; who has priority, and Ldew-Lewin.' Edward. Small and Wilt DLsney. in that order. Book wa.s: originally . . filmed by First National in .1922 and then in 1935' by Associated .Talking Pictures (British).