Variety (May 1941)

Wednesday, May 7, 1941 PICTURE GROSSES II New Films Perk Chi; Leigh-Olivier Solid $14m W-Wayne King OK $34M Chaplin Mild 8^26 on Grind Chicago, May 6. Plenty of new shows in the loop, and this fact is giving the Chi pic- ture situation a better boxoffice background than has been the case recently. , iu j Only three repeaters In the down- town sector. 'Fantasia' continues in the Apollo, but will move out Sat- urday (10) alter a stay of 11 weeks. The run proved a capacity-getter on weekends, but shabby durine week- days. 'Dictator' is back, in the loop for the third try, this time at the • Roosevelt at grind policy and prices. Woods, Essaness loop flagship, which has been on a subsequent grind policy since 'Gone with the Wind,-' returns to the two-a-day Solicy today (Tuesday) with 'Citizen ane.' This picture will also show lii the RKO Palace, grinding during the day and on a reserved-seat policy at night. Estimates for This Week Apollo (Disney) (1,200; 40-50-60- 75-$1.10-$l .65) — 'Fantasia' (Disney) (lUh-flnal week). Quits Saturday (10) and house will revert to Bala- ban fit Katz management. Uooing to $9,500, strong, after taking $8,300 last week. Chicago (BficK) (4,000: 35-55-75)— "Night In Rio' (20th) and sta^e show. Wayne King orchestra on the stage. Combination satisfactory at S34,000. Last week, 'iSea Wolf (WB) and Morton Downey on stage, fell sharo- ly after good start to finish with $30,100, fair. Garrick (Bfi:K) (900; 35-55-65-75) —'Sea Wolf (WB). Moved here, but not much at $3,500. Last week, 'Zanzibar' (Par), snappy $4,800 for third loop stanza. OrienUI (Todd) (3,200; 28-44)— Invisible Ghost' (Mono) and vaude. Bela Lugosi on stage and in picture accounting for much of the business. Also a vital power at boxoffice is Teletone Newsreel of '33d Army Division In Camp,' Chicaeo's own. Indicates excellent $17,000. Last week, 'Vivacious Lady' (RKO) and Eddie Peabody and Dick Todd orch, mild $11,200. Palace (RKO) (2,500: 33-44-66)— 'Cheyenne' (U) and 'Model Wife' (U). Managing good $10,000 for ■ingle session. Out today (T"e"l3y) and replaced tonight by 'Citizen Kane' (RKO), which will day-and- date with the Woods. Last week, 'Miss Jones' (RKO) and 'Girl, Guy' (RKO), excellent $15,300. Boosevelt (B&K) (1.500; 35-55-65- 75) — 'Dictator' (UA). Chaplin's third appearance in the loop and not much in the offing, even at the low price. Maybe $8,500, mild. Last week, 'Adam' (Col), okay S9,500. SUtc-Lake (B&K) (2,700: 26-44)— •You're One' (Par) and 'Maid in America' unit. Picture accounting for only boxoffice power of the ses- sion and headed for $14,000. okay. Last week, 'Penalty' (M-G)- and •You're In Army Now' unit, healthy $17,800. United Artists (B&K-M-G) (1,700: 35-55-65-75) — 'Hamilton Woman' (UA). Leigh-Olivier opened Satur- day (3) and started at good pace, which should carry it to solid $14,- 000 for initial session. Last week, 'Ziegfeld Girl' (M-G), finished three-week stay to all right $7,200. Taxes, Moving Day Hnrt Nont'l; 'Street' $6,000 Montreal, May 6. Aftermath of the moving week and the new budget that again wallops all Canadians for plenty, means a dent in grosses currently while the fans lick their wounds. Estimates for This Week Palace (CT) (2,700; 25-45-55)— Miss Jones' (RKO). Sighting for good $6,000. Last week, 'Night Rio' (20th). h.o., fair $4,500. , Capitol (CT) (2.700; 25-45-55)— 'Footsteps Dark' (WB) and 'Knock- out' (WB). Good $5,000 in sight. Last week, 'See Ice' (Brit-Emp) and 'Street Memories' (Rep), disappoint- ing $4,000. Loew's (CT) (2,800; 30-40-60)— •Back Street' (U) (2d wk). Good $6,000, after socko $10,000 last week. Princess (CT) (2,300; 25-34-50)— Reaching Sun' (Par) and 'Las Vegas Nights' (WB). Pointing to weak $2,500. Last week, 'Bad Man' (M-G) and 'Scotland Yard' (20th), good $4,- 000. , Orpheum (Ind) (1,100; 25-40-50)— 'So Ends Night' (UA). Pacing for good $4,000. Last week, third re- peat of .'Son Christo' (UA), fair $2,- 700. Cinema' de Paris (France-Film) (600; 25-50) 'Mayerling et Serajevo' (3d wk). Satisfactory $1,000, after good $1,200 last week. St. Denis (France-Film) (2.300: 25- 34)—'Cavalcade d'Amour' and 'Toi, .c'est Mol'. Good $4,000. Last week, Le Bossu' and 'Ronds de Cuir,' fair SI Ann Key City Grosses Estlniated Total Gross ThU Week $1,572,400 (Based on 25 cities, 176 thea- tres, chiefly first runs, tncluding N. Y.) Total Gross Same Week Last Tear $1,480,000 (Based on 25 cities, 169 theatres) Only Wash. Excitement Is PoOHcs;'Kildare'Plus Yande Anemic $15,500 Washington, May 6. Grosses are off consi(]erabIy this week as compared to last, but it's mainly because there's only one new film on main stem, 'People vs. Kil- dare,' at Capitol. Battle for top take is between this and heldover 'Penny Serenade' and Joe Cook stage show at Earle. Estimates for This Week . Capitol (Loew) (3,434; 28-29-44- 66)—'Dr. Kildare' (M-G) plus vaude with Patricia Bowman. Not wear- ing out the turnstiles at $15,500. Last week, 'Night Rio' (20th) and vaude, fair $17,000. CoInmbU (Loew) (1,234; 28-44)— 'Lady Eve' (Par) (2d run). Still un- satisfactory; $4,500. Last week, 'Men Boys Town' (M-G) (2d run) pulled through with same good enough $4,500. Earle (WB) (2,216; 28-39-44-66)— 'Serenade' (Col) and Joe Cook stage show (2d wk.). Dunne-Grant draw, plus additional bally of tieup with local Catholic U. show, bolstering this one nicely at $15,500. Last week, excellent $19,000. Keith's (RKO) (1,830; 39-55)— 'Miss Jones' (RKO) (4th wk.). Tapering off, but still more than satisfactory $7,500. Last week, fine $9,000. Metropoiilan (WB) (1,600; 28-44) —'Great Lie* (WB) (2d run). Femme word of mouth holding up third downtown week to nice $5,000. Last week, 'Man Made Monster' (U), died the death of $3,500. Palace (Loew) (2,242; 39-55)— 'Ziegfeld Girl' (M-G) (2d wk.). Bloomed over the weekend and aims at fine $13,500. Last week, excellent $18,500. TEEING'-NOBLE'S ORCH NICE $15,000 IN OMAHA Omaha, May 6. Ray Noble's band and vaude show coupled with 'That Uncertain Feel- ing' are good at Orpheum. Omaha is doing a dive with 'The Sea Wolf plus 'The Invisible Woman.' Estimates for This Week Orepheujn (Tristates) (3,000; 10- 40-55) _ 'Uncertain Feeling' (UA) and Ray Noble's band and vaude. Good $15,000, but not special for stage shows here. Last week, 'Pot O' Gold' (UA) and 'Wild Man Borneo' (M-G), little better than $9,000, poor. Omaha (Tristates) (2,000; 10-30- 40)—'Sea Wolf (WB) and 'Invisible Woman' (U). Under par, $7,500. Last week, 'Zanzibar' (Par), four- day holdover. $6,100, very good. Brandeis (Mort Singer) (1,500; 10- 25-35-40)—'Penny Serenade' (Col) and 'Strange Alibi' (WB) (2d wk). Fair $3,000. Last week, fine $6,500. SUte (Goldberg) (900; 10-20-25)— ■Western Union' (20th) and 'Thief Bagdad' (UA), split with 'Monte Christo' (UA), 'Keeping Company' (M-G) and 'Lady Red Hair' .(WB). Fair $1,000. Last week, 'Back Street' (U) and 'Virginia' (Par), split with 'Frisco Docks' (U), 'Get GWV (U) and 'Night Train' (20th), fair $900. Town (Goldberg) (1,500; 10-20-25) —'Old Cheyenne' (RepJ, 'Romance Rio Grande' (20th) and 'Nobody's Sweetheart' (U), triple, split with 'North Lone Star' (Col), 'The Castles' (RKO) and-'Robber's Range' (RKO), and 'Smitli' (RKO) and 'Rhythm River' (Par). Fair $900. Last week, 'Prairie Pioneers' (Rep), 'South .Suez' (WB) and 'Vigilantes' (U), triple, split with 'Slightly Tempted' (U), 'Easy Question' (Col), and 'Sa'nte Fe Trail' (WB), and 'Virginia' (Par) and 'Margie' (U). $1,000. Avenue-Military-Dundee (Gold- I berg) (960; 600; 300; 25)—'Bagdad' (UA) and 'Western Union' (20th), ! split with 'Keep Company' (M-G). I'Frisco Docks' (U), and 'Lady Red 'Hair' (WB). Good $1,200". Last I week, 'Back Street' (U), and 'Vir- Vinia' (Par), split with 'Night Train' I (20th). 'Reuter's' (WB) and 'Suez' I ivtrny fair *i nnn. DERBY BIG, BUT L'VniE FIX IG.; lADY' M Louisville, May 6. Current week's outlook is for only fair b.o. revenue despite Derby in- flux. Only two new bills in town, other houses having h.o's. Tremendous Derby crowd evi- dently not interested in attending pic shows. Estimates for This Week Brown (Loew's-Fourth Avenue) (1,400; 15-30-40) — 'Night In Rio' (20th) and 'Scotland Yard' (20th). Skipped a week after okay stanza at Rialtio and doing well here. Indicates $2,200. Last week, 'Zanzibar' (Par) and March of Time on second week here (3rd downtown week), alright $2,000. Kentncky (Switow) (1,200; 15-25) —'Back Street' (U) and "Thing Called Love' (Col). Healthy $1,400. Last week, 'Second Chorus' (Par) and 'High Sierra' (WB), split with 'Henry' (Par) and 'La Zonga' (U), good $1,600. Loew's State (Loew's (3,300; 15- 30-40)—'Uncertain Feeling' (UA) and 'Adam' (Col). Femmes giving this pair some attention, but general pace looks for only fair $7,000. Last week, 'Serenade' (Col) arid 'Lone Wolf Chance' (Col), fine. $8,500. Mary Anderson (Libson) (1,000; 15-30-40)—'Great Lie' (WB) (2d wk). Doing fairish $2,500 on h.o. Last week, excellent $3,700. Eialto (Fourth Avenue) (3,400; 15-30-40)—'Lady Cheyenne' (U) and 'Mr. Dynamite' (U); Pacing for alright $7,500. Last week, 'Miss Jones' (RKO) and 'Repent Leisure' (RKO), fair $7,000. Strand (Fourth Avenue) (1,400; 15-30-40)—'Sis Hopkins' (Rep) and 'Rio Grande' (20th) (2d wk). H.o. biz fair $3,000. Last week, nice $3,700. ORRIN-BONNIE NG $7.(100, K. C. Kansas City, May 6. Week's business quite in line with the mild trend of the season and no outstanding money is in sight. Best of the entries is Newman with 'Great Lie,' and- Midland with 'Hamilton Woman' on top of dual including 'Trial of Mary Dugan.' Ofrin Tucker orch and Bonnie Baker are no balls of fire at Tower. Estimates for This Week Esquire and Uptown (Fox Mid- west) (820 and 2,043; 10-28-44)— 'Horror Island" (U) and 'Man-Made Monster' (U). May not stay full seven days; poor $4,400. Last week, 'Lady Cheyenne' (20th), mild $6,000. Midland (Loew's) (4,101; 10-28-44) -'Hamilton Woman' (UA) and 'Mary Dugan' (M-G). Leigh-Olivier the magnet here and should add up over average $9,000. Last week 'Ziegfeld Girl' (M-G) and 'Penalty' (M-G), good $11,500. Newman (Paramount)' (1,900; 10- 28-44)—'Great Lie' (WB). Looks for good $7,200. Last week, 'Road Zan- zibar' (Par), in third week,' very good $5,000. Orpheum (RKO) (1.500; 10-28-44) —'Adam' (RKO) and 'Met in Argen- tina' (RKO). Average $5,500. Last week, 'Mad Doctor' (Par) and 'Mon- ster and the Girl' (Par),' languid $4,500. Tower (Joffee) (2,110; 10-30)— 'You're One' (Par) and Orrin Tucker-Bonnie Baker combo. Stage combo also in film and biz is bad at $7,000. Last week. 'Sleepers West' (20th) and 'Scat' Davis band, $7,300, fair. 'Zieggy'Beaut 31500, With H.O.S Only LA. Competish; Andrews'Hypo Orph to $13,000,'Fantasia s 14th, 7G Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week.... $289,500 (Based on 13 theatres) Total Gross Same Week Last Year $i28S,900 (Based on 12 theatres) mn't Look Now'Bat Lent Is Back in Del; lie' Droopsy $14,000 Detroit, May 6. It's beginning to look more like Lent than Lent Itself in the first-runs in Detroit. After carrying through the usual dull period with great grosses, downtown houses have gone into a slump, despite much defense coin in .town. Estimates for This Week Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 30-40-55) —'Night Rio' (20th) and 'Miss Jones' (RKO). Former held over for third week and reinforced by moveover from Fox seems good for $6,500. Last week, 'Night Rio' and 'Queen's Pent- house' (Col), nice $7,000. Fox (Fox-Michigan) (5,000: 30-40- 55)—'Penny Serenade* (Col) and 'Ride Vaquero' (20th). Fair $16,000. Last week, 'Miss Jones' (RKO) and 'Dead Men Tell' (20th), dull $14,000. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000: 30-40-55) —'Great Lie' (WB) and 'Vegas Nights' (Par). Unenthusiastic $14,000. Last week. 'Smith' (RKO) and 'Girl, Guy' (RKO), poor $13,000. Palm-State (United Detroit) (3,000; 30-40-55)—'ZieRfeld Girl' (M-G) and 'Girl, Guy' (RKO). Combination of moveovers from United Artists and Michigan seem good for fair $8,000. Last week, 'Zanzibar' (Par), Michi- gan moveover. and 'Reaching Sun' (Par), fair $8,000. United Artists (United Detroit) (2.000; 30-40-55)—'Men Boys Town' (M-G) and 'Dr. Kildare' (M-G). Showing strength with big $12,000 in sight. Last week, 'Ziegfeld Girl' (M-G) and 'Free, Easy' (M-G) (2d wk), neat $9,000. RESENTMENT PROOF Special Soundproofed Room tor 12 In New Detroit Nabe Detroit, May 6. Because private parties sometimes swarm into the theatre to disturb the patrons and because the fans also resent roped-ofi seats for the friends of the . management, Sol and Mac Krim have got around this audience peeve in their new 650-seat Krim in Highland Park. The trick is that, despite the small size, they have put in a soundproof observation room, seating 12, equipped with its own amplifying system and cut off from the regular theatre. In this way they can move in their friends or 'specials' without arousing resentment if there are standees, and also rent 11 out for private parties wanting to stick together or whoop it up. Pitt B.O. on Upbeat Falls Down; W But Doe,' $15,000, Dual Nice $5, Pittsburgh, May 8. Biz generally on the upgrade this week. Only one spot. Senator, fall- ing by wayside, with 'Model Wife' being yanked after three days of brutal biz and double bill of 'Blondie Goes Latin' and 'Big Boss' pencilled in to round out the week. Estimates for This Week Fulton fShca) (1,700; 25-40) — 'Night Rio' (20th). v Crix didn't hand this one very much, but marquee strength .<;hou)d insure better than nice $5,000. It's holding over. House is reverting to regular pix after dis- appointing eight-week run of 'Fan- tasia' (Disney). Penn (Loew's-UA) (3.300; 25-35- 50>—'John Doe' (WB). Doesn't .'•eem to have usual Capra pull. Reviews ' were by no means raves. Should get ' S15.000, considerably under expecta- ' lions. Last week. 'Ziegfeld Girl' I (M-G), good $17,500. I Rllz (WB) (800; 25-35-50)—'Zan- ! zibar' (Par), Shifted here after week I each at Penn and Warner and seems I to have sufficient left, to hit $3,000, perhaps better. Last week, 'Men of Boys 'Town' (M-G), second week here and third downtown, okay $3,000. Senator (Harris) (1,750; 25-35-50) —'Blondie Latin' (Col) and 'Big Boss' (Col). In for four days, quick booking when 'Model Wife' (U) did an el foldo. Tomorrow (Wed.) 'Sis Hopkins' opens. On complete week, house will wind up behind eight-ball with about $1,100. Last week, 'Lady Cheyenne' (U), another nose-diver, barely doing $3,000. SUnley (WB) (3,600; 25-40-60)— 'Miss Bi.shop' (UA) and Horace Heidt. First stage show here in a month. Combo started slow, but should build to around $22,000. Last week. 'Mi.ss Jones' (RKO), disap- pointing $11,500. Warner (WB) (2.000: 25-35-50)— 'Ziegfeld Girl' (M-G). Moved here after big week at Penn and heading for nice take, at least $7,400, and maybe slightly better should present pace hold up. Will likely go to Ritz for another seven days. Last week, 'Road Zanzibar' (Par), also on h.o. from Penn. fine $6,900. L.OS Angeles, May 6. Loew's State and Grauman's Chi- nese theatres, playing Metro's 'Zieg- feld Girl' day and date, have the town pretty much to themselves this week, virtually all other houses hav- ing holdovers. 'Great Lie' is in for another prosperous week at the Warner day-daters, and 'Penny Ar- cade,' with a new second feature, is holding its own at the RKO Hill- street and Pantages. Paramount is stretching 'Zanzibar' to a third, weeik, with a supporting picture added and an entirely ^new stage show. .'Fantasia' continues to show strength at the Carthay Circle. Estimates for This Week Carthay Circle (F-WC) (1,516; 83- $1.10-$1.65) — 'Fantasia' (Disney) (14th wk). Heading for neat $7,300, on par with 13th stanza. Looks like another month. Chinese (Grauman-F-WC) (2.034; 30-44-55-75)-J-'Ziegfeld Girl' (M-G) and 'Dead Men Tell' (20th). At regular admissions'.' -and without stage show will hit neat $14,000. Last' week, 'Topper' (UA) with 'The Pen- alty' (M-G) mats only, and Carmen Miranda on stage, disappointing $14,000. Downtown (WB) (1,800; 30-44-55)' —'Great Lie' (WB) (2nd wk). Will probably add another $7,600, after first week finished with neat $11,000. Four SUr (UA-F-WC) (900; 30-44- 55)—'Hamilton Woman' (UA) (five- day-7th wk). Should add another $1,600 on final showings after sixth week brought satisfactory $2,300. 'Major Barbara' (UA) preems at $5.50 tonight (Tuesday) for benefit of Bundles for Britain and RAF benevolent fund. Starts regular run following day. Hawaii (G&S) (1,000: 30-44-55)— 'Man-Made Monster' (U) and 'Hor- ror Island' (U) (2nd wk). Will like- ly get another $3,000 on holdover, after first stanza topped $4,300. Hollywood (WB) (2,756: 30-44-55) —'Great Lie' (WB) and 'Black Par- rot' (WB) (2nd wk). Looks like satisfactory $6,800, after. first seven days brought comfortable $10,000. Orpheum (B'way) (2,200; 30-44- 55)—'Mr, District Attorney' (Rep) and vaude. Andrews Sisters are topping stage show and must be given full credit for bulk of $13,000 draw, very satisfactory. Last week, 'Devil Commands' (Col) and 'Face Behind Mask' (Col), weak $6,800. Pantages (Pan) (2,812; 30-44-55)— 'Penny Serenade' (Col) (2nd wk) and 'Boston Blackle' (Col). Hold- over should hit neat $8,500 after first week ground out big $13,000. Holds again at this house only. Paramount (Par) (3,595; 30-44-55- 75)—'Zanzibar' (Par) (3rd wk) and 'Man Lost Himself (U) (1st wk) and stage show. Holdover of main feature for third week, with an added feature and stage show com- prising the Dr. I. Q. Quiz unit, is heading house for excellent $12,500. Last week, 'Zanzibar' (Par) and Phil Harris orch (2nd wk). grcTt $20 000. RKO (RKO) (2.872; 30-44-55) — 'Serenade' (Col) (2nd wk) with 'Boston Blackic' (Col) added. Looks like $8,000 after comfortable $12,400 oh initial stanza. Goes roadshow Friday (9) with 'Citizen Kane' (RKO), SUte (Loew-F-WC) (2 404: 30-44- 55-75)—'Ziegfeld Girl' (M-G) and 'Dead Men' (20th). Should hit big $17,500. Last week. 'Topper' (UA) and 'Penalty' (M-G). dkmal $7,300. United Artists (UA-F-WC) (2,100; 30-44-55)—'Night Rio' (20th) (2d wk) and 'To-^per' (UA). Looks n.g. at $2,200. Last week. 'Rio' with •Jennie' (20lh). weak S2.700. Wllshire (F-WC) (j2.29G; 30-44-55) —'Rio' (20th) (2nd w(c) and 'Topper* (UA). Two top bracket pictures on continued first riin\ exoected to bring satisfactory $5,400. Last week, 'Rio' on first week with 'Jennie' (20th), fair $5,100. Co!. Settles Atlantic Films' $13,000 Claim Atlantic Film ProduclioTis, Ltd. won a complete victory over (Colum- bia Pictures Corp. in N. Y. supreme court yesterday (Tue.sdry) when the latter .settled for the total asked for, some $13,000. which Atlantic claimed was being withheld. Atlantic is the prnducer of 'Thun- der in the City,' .starring Edward G, Robin.son, which Columbia distribu- ted. Columbia withheld some of the receipts due Atlantic based on claims against the plaintld British corporc-* tion by various groups in the U. S. Bert Mayers, of Fitelson 'St.' Mayers, regresente^h^lalnUg^^^^^^^^