Variety (Apr 1941)

PICTURE GROSSES ITidnetdtT, April 2, 1941 ig; l ea Lewis Koosts Los, Angeles, April 1. : (iBeii ExplditatioQ: State); With . orie or tViro exceptions first luhs this vveiek are playing, to just ordinary biz. Exceptions are 'Fan- tasia*, at the Garthay Circle,' Tnow in ninth week of two-a-day tun, and 'Nice Girl,', the beahiia .Durbin opus, at tlie .RKO and Pantages. 'Bad Man* Is doing just fair at" the State and Chinese while Paramount is holding • "The Lady Eve' for a third week, but. has bolstered with 'The Round Up.' •John Doe'. is holding strong for its third week at. ..the': Wairner d&y- daters, and will get a! fourth, session; State theatre profited through tomewhiat novel -exploitation for •The Bad Man.' Olvera Street-as- Bociation (Spanish-Mexican) co- operated and virtually turned over the quaint one-block-long thorough- fare to idvertisiilg; thie Seery film. A 25 ft..bahtief was extended across, the street,- cutouts of Beery were lavishly used and quitie a pretentiouis display and exhibit arranged In one ol the buildings. . ■ . ' .. . . OEstipmies'.^f^^^^ Carthay ClrcJe (F.-WC) (1.516; 83- ♦i.lO-$1.65)^'Fantasla' (Disney) (9th •Wk); Slipped to $10,000. 'but: vfith Easter , approaching it will .probably Jump ba?K. Eighth week surprised witfi jiiicy $11,70,0. Chinese'(Grauman-F-WO (2,034; 30-44-55-75)—'Bad 'Man' (M-G), and •Blonde Inspiration' (M-G). A litfle , better than usual with, fair, $7il00 in prospect,..Last- week, 'Ends .Night' (UA) and 'Golden Hoofs* (20th), weak $6;000. Downtown' (WB) (1,800; 44-55-65- 75)—'John Doe' (WB) (3d wk) ; Showing. considerable . strength on extra long run. Garnering a good . $.8,800 this round and holds a fourth week. Second. week effled with big $11,500. . Font Star (UArF-WC) (900; 30-44^ 55)-^'Hamilton Woman' (UA) .(2d wk). Looks like $6,700 on current stanza, after first full regular week ground out lucrative $7,400. Hawair(G&S) (1,100; 30-44-55)— •Convoy' (RKO). and 'Afivacious ■ Lady' (RKO) (rcrissue). Consider- able interest in the main feature and will likely garner around $1,800. . Last week, 'Blackout' (UA) and 'Laddie' (RKO) (2d wk), okay $1,200. Hollywood (WB) (2.756; 44-55-65- 75)^'John Doe' (WB) (3d wit). Very good .$8,500, after second week pil^d up sweet $11,700; Holds a fourth week. Orpheam (B'way) (2,200; 30-44-55) — Man Betrayfed? (Rep) and Ted Lewis revue on stage. Should hit okay $19,000. Last week. 'Phantom Submarine' (Col) , and 'L'il Abner' (RKO) with Buddy Rpgers heading stage show, okay $10,000. PanUges (Pan> j(2,812; 30-44-55)— •Nice Girl' (U) and 'Scattergood Baines' (RKO)." Started strong and looks headed for .heat $9,500 plus a h.o. Last week, .'Girl,. Guy' (RKO) and 'Elliery Queen' (Col), not. so hot $7,500. . Paramount (Par) (3,595; 30-44-55 75)—'Eve' (Par) (3d wk) and 'Round Up' (Par) plus stage show. About $9,000 for five. days. Bill yanked to provide nine-day week for 'Las Vegas Nights' and Duke Ellington starting today (1). Last week A2d), 'Eve' soloed to $14,000. RKO (RKO) (2.872; 30-44-55)— 'Nice Girl' (U) and 'Scattergood Baines' (RKO). Good $8,500 and hold.'!. Last week, 'Girl; Guy' (RKO) and 'Ellery Queen' (Col), just topped $8,000. - State (Loew-F-WCi) (2.404:. 30-44 55-75) —. 'Bad Man' (M-G) : and •Blonde Inspiration' (M-.G). Looks like fair $11,800. but nothing to i'ave about. Last week, 'Ends Night' (UA) and 'Golden Hoofs': (20th),' weak $6,900. United Artists (UA-F-WC) (2.100; 30-44-55-75)-^'Wiod' (M^G) • (6th- flijal wk). Will liiiely . add around $3,50O'6n final stanza after fifth week Of return date brought, okay $4,500; \Wilshire ^(F-WC) (2,296; 30-44-55) : —'Ends Night' (UA) and 'Golden Hoofs'^ (20th).. Poor .$3,000' Last week. 'Son Cristo',{UA),and 'Chunip Oxford* (UA), $3,400; .. Broadway Grosses Estiinated total 6ro«4 This Week;.... .. ;$304,«00 ■ (Biased on 1* theatres) ; . ToUil GrbsB Same Week . . - Last tear.., ,. ..... ;$351;5Q0 Xflased on. \% iheo.tr^s\ ^ 13iz Louisville, .April 1. , in; the downtown show sector .s generally satisfactory, with 'Lady Eve' at the Rialto showing the rhost b^o.! strength; . Swell: reviews and strong virord-of-mouth are, "helping tremendously. to bring fln6 returns. 'Miss . Bishop.' , at LoeWs State, Is making a mild shbWing. ' \ While grosses are shaping up well along the main stem, a roller derby, which got under, way at this Jefferr son ,County Armory last Week, with the town flooded with service jpasses (15c )i is giving dijwhtown 'houses strong opposish. Estimates, for This Week Brown (Loew's-Fourth Avenue) (1,400; 15-30-40)—'Hardy's Secretary'. (M-G) and 'Lone Wolf Date'^ (Cdl) (2d wk). Still rolling along in third doy/htown week, with Indications for good $1,900. Last week, after move over from Loew's, excellent $3,200. Kentucky . (Switow) (1,200; 15-^25) -'Seven Sinners' (U) and 'Ldng Voyage Home' ' (UA). Dropping slightly below previous weeks, but still okay $1,400. Last week, 'Ari- zona' (Col) and 'Honeymoon Three' (WB>, satisfactory $1,600. Lbew'a SUte (Loew's) (3,200; 15- 30-40)—'Miss Bishop' (UA) and 'Kil- dare's .Crisis' (M-G). Hather short on draught, due to lack of strong marquee iiames, and bpppsish factors which are in evidence currently._Be suit probably medium $6,500. Last week. 'Dictator' (UA). and 'Boston Blackie' (Col), fine . $9,000 on return at regular prices. Mary Anderson (Libson) (1,000 40-50-60)—'John Doe' (WB) {3d wk) Still going along at a potent pace and pointing to a good $3,600 in. probable windup stanza. Last week, second managed line $5,000. Rialto (Fourth Avenue) (3.400; 15 30-40)—Lady Eve' (Par) and 'Sleep ers West' (20th). talk of town and Stanwyck-Fonda opus is headed for bumper $9,000. Last week, 'Tobacco Road' (20th) and March of Time, fine $8,500. • Strand (Fourth Avenue) (1;400; 15 .10-40)—'Girl and Gob' (RKO) and 'Scattergood Bainies^ (RKO): Coupl of first-rate .pic."!, potentially good b.6.: fare, bitting better than average $4,000. Last week, 'Vivacious Lady' (RKO) and 'Melody Three' (RKO) fairisli $3,000. week, 'Girl, Guy' (RKO) and 'Pen- alty' (M-G). fair $9i000. .. ; Paramount (Fox) (2;200; .25-40y^ Man. Lost* (tJ) and; 'Dynamite' (U). Good $5,0001 Last week,' 'Man Be- trayed' (Rep) and "Sign of Woltr' (Mono), , good $5,500. .' Blalto (Fox) (878; 25.40)—'Sierra' (WB), after a week at each the Den- ver-and^Aladdih, and 'Streets Cairo' (II). Good . $2;2'00. ' Last . week. Strawberry iBlonde' (WB), after a week at each the Denver and Alad-^ dih, and 'Face Behind Mask'. (Col), good $2,300. Detroit,'April 1. , This town's suburbs: wJntinue "to draw up drastitc regulation of the- atre operation. Royal, Oak is; the latest to send, tbrpugh the hopper an ordinance which would: ' •1. ;Bih sill-hight bperation., ; .2.. Prohibit; gambling, 'near gam- bling' and anything of the nature of 'bank nights.'. . ; 3, Establish, a (iurfew law' prac- tically ruling out, ybungsters from night attendance. 4. Prohibit .undesirable or .'unr true'advertising. DIGTATOR'FINE $12,000 DENyER; 'EVE' 3D lOG Denyer, Api'il, 1. , 'dreat Dicttitor' is turning in the heavie-st cash at .the .benver, ;whiiie 'Lady Eve/ in its third Aveek, at the benham and helped thi.s time by 'Las Vegas Nigiit.';;'- is still. ;^,oing ■ fine business. .. ,,';. , ■; . Estimates for This .Week. .. : Aladdin (Fdx> (l/ioO; ;i25-40)—To bacco Road' C26th), aft^r a week; at the. Denver. ; . Good ~$4,000. Last woek, 'Sierra' (WB) .and -'Blackout (UA) ,■ after a week at the. Denver, .fair $i3.500; • ■■ /. , Broadwiy (Fox) (1.040; 25-35-40) -^'.Girl, Guy' (RKO) and 'Penalty (M-G), after a week at the Oi-pheum. Acceptable $3,000. Last week 'Hardy's Secretary' (M-G) and 'Lib erty' (M-G): (2d week, after 'a week at the Orpheum), fair $2i^00.: ; D,enha;m (Cockrill) (1.750: 25-35 40)-^'Eve' (Par) (3d week)' apd 'Las Vegas Nights' (Pair). Fine. $16,000, Last week, 'Eve' (Par). , Solo," piacked them in to tune of, ^lO.CiOO. :, ; Denver (Fox) (2,625; ,25-35-40) 'Dictator* (UA). .Bountiful -$12,000. Last week, 'Tobacco "Road* (20th) and 'Double Oate* (U). ditto. Orpheum ' RKO) (2,600; 25-35-40) —'Bad Man- (M^G) and 'Free and Easy' (M-G). Okay at $9,500, Last Baho No Dog Town Baltlmor*, AprlH. A blltx on local pockelbpoki last week With a record lineup 6t diversified , thttrtalnment, made history, reaching a rifecord- breaking total of $139,000; ell. around* three-day annual iea- aon of Met- Opera (24-26) drey^ art; estimated $47,000 with atah-;; ' dees at av.ietry performance. .Le<* -' git waij represented by tWp at- tractions; prerBroadWay preeins, of Herman Shumlih's production of LHlIah He:ilrtian*6 'Witch on' the Rhine,' which; drew bang© ■ $18,877.50 tp Ford's, and the Chi-; ■ ckgo company of ^'Arsenic and Old Lace,':. at tHe Indie Mary- land which jattracted $13,76l;53! to that house. . ■ • ;Pix BAd vaude In downtown . area held up. bravely with esti-; - mated total of. $53,000 -figured for combined downtowners. ; Nabes,; niterles, .danbes ;Bnd, concerts, reported holding their own, in.; spltlp,, oi; ;the onslaught.:.. It's Lent,-top! : Durbin $21M: '$15,(1 Istlmatea TAtal Grpsii . Ihla week;, . v l. . ; fll^ST/lOO (Bated (w \2ff cUie», ,172 ^he(i- tf«», cMefiif jtrsl '.ruTw, includinfl K.Y.) -■.■.;■■■;:.-;■-■;,•/-.■:■:-•'■-■,,; ";;■ . Total Gross Same Week ; . : Last Year.;;. .>;. V.$i,M3JIM (Baiid on 22 cities, 166 theatres) IndiaiiapoliSi April 1. Andy Hardy's Private Secretary' is doing, a landofflce business at Loew's this week, dualed with 'El lery Queen'. The combo is so far out in front that the others are still in the backstretch, with ndne. of them coming in for any heavy money. Indiana thought it had a winner in 'Sea Wolf,' played, singly, and booked it in for a nine-day. stay; but biz is. slow, and the overtime period will be in, the nature of, a timerout to ; get back .to a Friday opening for 'Road to Zanzibar'; Cir cle Is holding'John i3pe': as a single feature for another week to fair re- sults. , Lyric," with Ray Noble orchestra on stage, and 'Man Betrayed' oh screen', is doing better this week than on previous weeks, when band shows were featured. But the b.b,; is still not enough into • tlie black to cause any exhilaration. Estimates (or This Week Circle (Katz-Dolle) (2,600: 35-44 55)—'John Doe' (WB) (2d wk.). Okay $5,000.: Last week, $9,500 at the Upped scale.- Indiana (Katz-Dolle) (3,100| 25-30 40)—'Sea Wolf" (WB). Forced into a nine-day stay to get back to Friday opening. , but not deserving of it with puny $7^000 sighted' for, the full period. Last week; 'Girl, Guy' (RKO) and 'Scattergood Baines' (RKO), nol- sorgbod $5,000. ■ Loew's (Loew's) (2.400; 25-30-40)— 'Hard.v's iSecretary' (M-G) ;and 'El lery Queen' (Col). Big noise of the town with sup0r-nifty $11,000. Last week, 'Come Live' (M-G) and 'Mary Dugan' (M-G)'; fair $8,000.: ,Lyrib (Lyric) ■ (i.iBOO; 30-40-50)— 'Man Betrayed' (Rep);, and Ray- Noble's orchestra. Fair $8,500, with price upped odd pennies ;to make it come out , even; mohe.Vi Last week, 'Murder-Among Friends' (20th), ahc 'Screwballs-of 1941' on stage, weak: $7i200.'.- ;:'■- •WOIF BANGOP $9,100, SEATTLE;'EVE'UGHT - -Seattle, April 1 Grosses spotty thi.s round. Biggest tnke is being -registered ' by 'Sea Wolf teamed with 'Double Date' at the Orpheum, 'Lady Eve,' on the other hand, isn't getting more- than a slow $4,900 at the Paraniourit. V •John Doe.' essaying a" third session has-sagged-aporieciablyTfroni the pre vlotls high tallie.«!. ' , Estimates, for This Week Bliie,Mousie (Hamrick-Evergrecn) (850;; , 30-40-50) — 'Tobacco' Road .(20tii) and : 'Play- Girl'; (RKC)) (4th 'wk). -SlIppln(»; to $1,600, after; big $2:600 ;ia.st week; Coliseum (Hamriftk-Everereen) (i,' flOOf 21-35)—'Kitty Foyle' (RKO) and 'InvL-iible Woman' (U)^ (2d nm). Big .1S3.500 in store. Ln.st week. 'Hufisnn's Ba.v' (20th);and 'Son Cristo' (UA) (2d run), fine $3..300. ' tifth Avenue (Hamrlck-Evcrgrefth) (2,349; 40-50-65)—'John Doe' (WB). ' BiiiffalP,;April 1.'' 'Biick Privates' In Its .thircl canto it the Lafayette la ;the big bojcpfllce noise of ; the town. $t,ill tanning , great guns, . the; Abbptt-Costello; starrer will turn in another, wallop- ing marker' tp add to Its already highly, Impressive preceding tallies. It is set to iachieve the unique dis- tlnctlpn of being the-first film to at- tain a four-week run at the, house in the; \whole 11 years 'of its present operation. , Elsewhere takings continue on the potent side with duals predominating, at all first-run hoUses;: 'Sea Wolf' is garnering a gratifying gross at the. Buffalo, while 'Secpnd Chorus' at the Lakes looks staunch. Hipp's re-run of 'Hardy'is .Secretary' and 'Girl, GUy, GoV at tlie Century are nip, and tuck in the middle brackets. Estimates fqr This; Week Baffalo (Shea) (3,500; .35-55)—'Sea Wolf (WB) and 'Golden Hoofs' (20th). Preserving pretty pace, for around nice $12,000. Last week, 'Hardy's Secretary' (M-G) and 'Miirder .Among. Friends' (20th), showed plenty of punching power, nearly $15,000. :. Great Lakes (Shea) (3,000; 35-55) —'Second Chorus' (Par) and 'Flight Destiny' (WB). Strong $8,000. Last week, 'Dictator' (UA) and 'Cherokee' (Par) (2d: wk-2d run),, holed out nearly $7,000, okay, v Hipp (Shea") (2,100; 30-45) 'Hardy's Secretary' (M-G) and 'Murder, Anriong .Friends* (20th) (2d run). Repieat stanza (6n moveover) headed for probably nice $7,500. Last week, 'Eve' (Par) and 'You're the One' (Par) (2d run);, satisfactory session at $7,000. Lafayette (Hayman) (3,300; 30-40) —'Buck Privates' (U) (3d wk) and 'Nobody's Sweetheart' ,(U). Plenty of pesos figured in any currency. Pointing for .over $9,000. Last week. 'Buck Privates' (U). (2d wk) and 'Doiible Date' (U), socko money at. more than $10,000. ,20th Century (Dipson) (3,000; .30- 45)—'Girl, Guy' (RKO) and 'Scatter- good Baines' (RKO), Good enough $7,500. Last week, 'Vivacious Lady' (RKO) (re^issue) and 'Fargo Kid' (RKO) (6 days); short session, snagged abovie $6,000, not especially fancy. (2d .week at this house, 3d in town). Pair $4,600, biit a big drop from prior figures. Last week, same , films, $8,- 000, big. ; ' : , Liberty (JtvH) (1,650; 30-40-50)-^ 'Devil Commands' (Col) and 'Face Behind JJask' (Col), . Good $4,900. Last week, 'Adam' (Col) and 'Blon'die Latin' (Col), $4,500, good. ■ ' • Music, Box (Hamrick-Evergreen) (850: ,30..r40-50)—'Girl; Guy' <RKO) and 'You're the One' (Par) (3d wk). Fair $1,800. Last week, same films, $2,900,-big.- ;-• ■ ■.; ,V: -; Orphejam, (Hamrick - Evergreen) (2,000; 30-40-50) —'Sea Wolf (WB) and 'DoubliB Date' ,(U). Immense $9,- 100 sighted. ; Last week (40-50-65), 'John Doe' (WB) solo, day and date with Fifth; socking good $8,800/ ^^Palomar (Sterling) (1,350; 20-50)-- 'Distnct Attorney" (U) and 'Knock- put'^ (WB). plus. vaude. Fair $4,800, Last .week,.:,'Pett.icoat Politics' (Rep) and 'Dynamite' (U); plus vaude, $4,- 500, fair; , ;^ Paramount (Hamrick - Evergreen) (3.039; 30r40-50)-T-'Eve' (Par) and 'Melody for ; Tbfeei' (RKO). Slciw $4.900j_ . Last;week, 'Ends Night' (UA) and 'Road Show- (UA), ordinary or less at $3,600. , ' ' Roosevelt (Sterling)- (800; 21-35)^ 'Second Chorus* (Par) and 'Escape Glory^ (Col) (2d. run). Garnering a fair $2,000. Last week (30-40-50) 'Footsteps' (WB), and 'Shadows Stairs' (WB) (2d wk), okay $2i8D0. Winter Garden (Sterling) (800: 16- 30)-r:'BIack(3ut' (UA) and 'Nellie Kelly' (M-G) (2d run). ^ Slow $1,900, Last week, 'Too Many (Jtrls' (RKO) and 'Bagdad' (UA) (2d run), $2,200. okay. > Petrbit,: April ;1^;-,,. This town continues to run - strong • Into th'* tall-end of Lent. 6lz has beeh ihe be^ In decades for the uisual sluggish perlpd,, and while the current weelc; probably won't ;;show ; much abov*:: average, that, Is due: rnostly to :tho ordinary product; , Jt. is stiU plenty good considering., Fox ; probably will shoot out in irbut on the strong Deahna Durbin ' lUre here with Wlce Girl' plus 'Little Men;' .the Michigan, after two big weeks ,on 'Dictatpr,' which continues its downtown; run at the;Palms-State, - will drop, back to;an average gross with 'Strawberry Blonde' .and. 'Case of Black Parrot.' ^ United Artists also has; brought In some liew stult, with 'Bad; Man* and 'Blonde Inspiiratioh/:; . moving ; put •Gone With jthe; Wind' after six big. weeks. 'Tobacco Road,' after three weeks, still continues sharp: It's bolstered this week,with 'Vivacious Lady' (rerlssue), and Is Impiroving ; its grosiseS: over last Week at the AdamSi' ;-,.. ;':' i.'. . 'Fantasia/ which has had its ups and downs, is shoeing a little more: stirength In its .isevehth ,week; due tP , school group tie-ups, . ' - V Estimates; for Tiiis Weeic Adams (Balabah)V (1,700; 30-40-55) >r-'Tbbaccb Road' (20th) and 'Viva- cious Lady'- (RKO). (re-Issue). Former' continues to hold interest in fourth week, and, bolstered ; by Stewart-Rogers pic, Is shooting up for . choice $8,500.' Last week, 'To-; bacco Road', with 'Double Date', got okay $7,000. , .,. Fox (Fox-Michigan). (5.000; 30-40-: 55)—'Nice Girl' (U) and 'Little Men* (RKO). Bidding for a big $21,000. Last week, 'Girl News' (20th). and; Raymond Scott: orchestra, got good $24,000. Michigan (United Detroit) (4.000: 30-40-55)—'Strawberry Blbndis' (WB) and 'Black Parrot' ; (WB); Coming up with: nice . $1S,()00. X^st week, •Dictator' (UA) and 'Father's Son* (WB) (2d wk), a big. $22,000 to tuck behind terrific $35.00a'In first lap. Palms-State (Unlt«d Detroit) (S,- 000; 30-40-55)—•Dictator* (UA) and •Father's;Son' (WE ;., Taken over after two big weeks at the Michigan. Seems good for a strong $15,000. Last week. 'Mad Doctor* (Far) and 'Mon- ster Girl' (Par), choice $9,000. United Artists (United Detroit) (2,0(jO; 3iar40-55)—'Bad Man' (M-G) and .'Blonde Inspiration' (M-G). Okay $9,000. Last week, 'Gone' (6th wk) wound up strong run with $8,000. Wilson (2,000; weekly mats 75c and $1.10; weekend mats and nlghts,;$i;iO and $1.65; schoolkld admission half price)-^'Fantasra' (Dilsney) (7th wk). Taking .a little rise again on school tie-ups. Bound for $7,400. Last week, listless $7,200. TVIr. Nobody'-Bowes* Ams Nice $2,500 in Lincoln Lin(:61n, Neb,, April 1. ; Only setup for money on theatre row this week is the combo at the Stuart, Major Bowes' ams and 'Great Mr. Nobody.' 'Girl, Guy; Gob* is running fair- to-middling at the Varsity; 'Bad- Man.' at Lincoln, only show "sturdy on the weekend, when the kids were free to take dime bites of it. Estimates for Thia week Colonial (Monroe-Noble-Federer) (750; ,10rl5)—'Phantom Cowboy' (Rep) and 'Tear Gas Squad'^^ (Col), split with 'Old Cheyenne' (Rep) and 'One Crowded Night"-(RKO). Me- dium $800. Last week. 'Kid's Ride' (Mpflo). arid 'Saint. Taices Over' (RKO). split with 'Pop Pays' (RKO) and.'Pinto Kid': <Col),; ditto.' : Lincoln (J. H. (ibciper-Par) (1,503; 10-25-40)^'Bad Man' (M^G). Beery rooter-.shooter is kid fare and; get- ting only that kind : of- acceptance. In lower ;money niche at around $3,000. Last week; 'John Doe^ (W- B) at 55c top,;fair $4,400 in eight days.; ■• -:'.;■ . Nebraska; (J.; H, Cooper-Par) :(li236: 10-20-25)-r'Mr. Chump' (U) and 'South Suiez' (WB); Proceeding oka.v at $l.t00. Last week, 'Monster Girl^ (Par) and 'Mad Doctor' (Par), had a shock show ratihg -whlcih Iri- :trigued ehough : patronage tp get good $1,800.; Stuart (J. H, Coopeir-Par) (1,888; 10-25-40) 'Gi-eat Nobody', (WB) and Bowes' ams, three days, split with 'Ladv Eve' (Par); Good $2*500; Last week; 'Nice Girl'- (U)„ $a.600, fine. Variety (Nobie-Fedei'er) 11,100; 10-20-25) — 'Scattergood Baines' (RKO) and: , 'Queen's Penthouse* (Col). Pair . $1,500 m. sight. Last; week, 'Pride ;Bowery- (Mono)' and •Blondie Latin* (Col), six days, $1,800,; oke, then made room for three days of •Great ;DiotatPr* ,(VA). moveover from Varsity, which £ot about $700. Varsity (Noble-Pederier) (1,100; 10- 25'40)-;-Girl, Guy, Gob* (RKO). Do- ing pretty well, $3il00. Last week, 'Great Dictator* (tJA), got $6,000 ptkii to; being nitMed to variety.