Variety (Jun 1941)

10 PIGTURE GROSSES Wednesdajt June 4, 1941 Xrazy'$36,500, Two Hob Spots; 'Blood' 18G, Tlame' Fizdes Boston, June 3. 'Love Crazy' is turning in the best biz in town this week and easily out- running the field. 'Blood and Sand' shows up as the next best bet 'Flame of New Orleans' is fizzling. RKO-Boston ended Its vaude sea- son Sunday (1), going to straight pix for the summer. Estimates (or Thb Week Boston (RKO) (3^00; 28-44-55-65) —'Paper Bullets' (Prod) and 'Gay Vagabond' (Rep), with Berni Vici stage unit, tour days; and 'Cheyenne (U) (2d run) and 'Law Wolf i (Ziehm) (1st run), three days. Okay $11,000. Last week, 'Sell Life' (Se-| lect) and 'Red Head' (Mono), with stage show headed by Thurston | magic and Dinah Shore, four days; and 'Nice Girl' (U) and 'Man Lost' (U) (both 2d run), three days, $7,- eOO, off. Fenway (M&P) (1,373; 28-39-44-55) —'Wanted Wings' (Par) and 'Shot In Dark' (WB) (both continued rvin from" Met). Above par $6,000. Last •week. 'John Doe' (WB) and 'Strange, Alibi' (WB) .iboth continued run from Met), $4,000. „„ Keith Memorial (RKO) (2,900; 28- 89-44-55)—'Flame New Orleans' (U) and 'Too Many Blondes' (U). Skid- ding to a seedy $10,OOC. Last week, 'Broadcast' (20th) and 'Repent Lie- lure' (RKO), $13,000, fair. Majestlo (Shubert) . (1,014; 75- $1.10-$1.65)—'Kane' (RKO) (2d wk). Continues along same level of open- ing week. Disappointing $8,000. Metropolitan (M&P) (4,367; 28-39- 44-55)—'Blood Sand' (20th) and •Cowboy Blonde' (20th). Running Average gait, except for socko holi- day biz, which will boost it to around $18,000. Last week, 'Wanted Wings' (Par) and 'Shot Dark' (WB), $15,000. Oli>heum (Loew) (2,900; 28-39-44- 65)—"Love Crazy' (M-G) and 'Rage Heaven* (M-G). Opened to standee trade and played to near-capiicity crowds right trough weekend, au- guring spiffo $20,000. Last week, 'Hamilton Woman* (UA) and •Queen's Penthouse' (Col), $17,000, good. Paramount (M&P) (1,797; 28-39- 44-55)—'Wanted Wings' (Par) and 'Shot Dark' (WB) (both continued run ttom Met). Good $8,000. Last week, 'John Doe* (WB) and 'Strange Alibi* (WB) (both continued from Met), $6,000. State (Loew) (3,600; 28-39-44-55) —'Lovy Crazy* (M-G) and 'Rage Heaven' (M-G). Very strong $16,500. Ziast week, 'Hamilton Woman' (UA) and 'Queen's Penthouse* (Col), $13,- 000, okay. Transinz (Translux) (900; 15-25- 44)—'Chinese Den' (Allied) and 'Sins Children* (GN) (reissue), four days. Tallying okay $2,000, witti food start on holiday (SO). Lairt weik, 'Voice Dark' (Col) and 'Great Guy* (GN) (reissue) (10 days), $5,S00, very okay. W BREEZY $ia,000, BUFFALO STRONGER NATIONAL B. O. SUMMARY 6 New Strong Pix Hypoing Anemic Boxoffices—*Wings' and 'Blood and Sand' the Best—^PoweU-Loy, Crawford OK The Ideal theatre day, once described by a Bronx exhibitor as 'a holiday that ia cool and damp and looks like rain, and doesn't,' turned national boxofflce fig- ures into more encouraging areas over the past week- end. That old paradox, the cashier's cage, reversed itself from the downbeat of the past few weeks and there were smiles on the faces of showmen.. But the reason for a better first-run showing gen- erally was not the weather. Rather it may be at- tributed to a more general release of six of the newer films that are now spread-eagling the key-spots. In- dication of iheir strength was to be read In the few returns where they played last week. Collectively, they have lifted the average. Best of the group is 'I Wanted Wings' (Par) which is. acting like a shot in the arm for many exhibitors who are taking full advantage of its military exploi- tation, possibilities and profiting proportionately. It is oft to a good start (or healthy second week holdover) in 14 key centers. Correspondents made special men- tion of the accompanying ballyhoo as a cause for bet- ter business, in Detroit, Providence, Cleveland, Pitts- burgh, Lincoln and Minneapolis. --Holdovers included Baltimore, Buffalo and Philadelphia. Kansas City (Newman's) held the picture two weeks. 'Blood and Sand' Virile B.O. Next in strength is 'Blood and Sand' (20th-Fox), the Technicolor-tinted special starring Tyrone Power In the role once played to smash business by Valentino. Only New York (Roxy) is on the. holdover list but the returns from the citie,i now playing justify extended engagements generally. The survey: Boston, big; Kansas City, strong; San Francisco, best in town; Cin- cinnati, good; Detroit, terrific; Chicago, brilliant; Omaha, good; Cleveland, only fair; Baltimore, rosy; Los Angeles, big (two theatres); Lincoln, above aver- age, and Portland, O., the town's leader. 'Love Crazy' (M-G) is hitting a satisfactory groove in Initial engagements, being held over In nearly all •pots. It opens tomorrow (Thurs.) on Broadway at the . Capitol, and has yet to play Chicago. With the aban- don suggested by Its title, U Js registering satisfactorily everywhere. The public Is faithful to the starring team of William Powell and Myma Loy. In Boston, Immense (two houses); Kansas City, class of the town; Baltlfnore, big; Philly, okay, and good second weeks in Minneapo- lis, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo and Pittsburgh. Metro's other starrer, Joan Crawford in 'A Woman's Face,' is a much stronger attraction than trade estimates rated it after previews and first showings. It has stood up. for three weeks In San Francisco, three In New York, and completed holdovers in Cincinnati, Provi- dence and Chicago. Exhibitors find satisfaction in the Crawford 'comeback.' lliey remember those heavy grosses of five and six years ago when she was box- oiTice dynamite in a series of action pictures. The dip In her boxoffice record came with unhappy role selections. 'Face' is melodrama. So is Crawford. In the offing, with a few scattered showings during the week, is a whole convoy of boxoffice materiel in the form of 'In the Navy,' new Abbott-Costello comedy from Universal. None of the big first runs (except where it was sold In advance against them) will pass up this one. First showings occurred during the past week. In Louisville, best in town; San Francisco, fine; Providence, big; Seattle, great; Indianapolis, okay. An- other week will tell the story whether it is as big as 'Buck Privates.* Other studios have tackled the war film seriously—and have burned their fingers. Universal has approached the subject from the light,- human side. There is precedent. Remember Chaplin in 'Shoulder Arms' and Douglas MacLean and Doris May In '23V4 Hours Leave?' There was war then, too. And a public that flocked to theatres—when the marquees looked Inviting. Buffalo, June 3. No peaks In evidence on this ses- sion's landscape, but the general up- I draft Is' raising the numerals to sat- isfactory altitudes at aU gates. 'Billy ) the Kid' at the BuSalo is the frame's . (tandout. Estimates for This TVeek BofTalo (Shea) (3,500; 35-55)— •Billy Kid' (M-G) and 'Magic Music* (Par). Riding for a breezy round- up of $13,000. Last week "Love CS-azy* (M-G) and 'Beauty's Sake' , (20th), satisfactory and more, $11,000. Great Lakes (Shea) (3,000; 35-55)— •Wanted Wings' (Par) and 'Nurse's Secret' (WB) (2d wk). Combo, looks good for a neat $9,000. Last week plenty of zing at $11,500. Hipp (Shea) (2,100; 30-45)—'Love Craz/ (M-G) and 'Beauty's Sake* (20th) (2d run). Nice $7,000. Last week 'John Doe* (WB) and "Knock- Out* (WB) (2d run), fair $5,500. Lafayette (Hayman) (3,300; 30-40) —'Cheyenne' (U) and 'Man Lost' (U). Close to $7,000. neat Last week •Dare. Not Love' (Col) and 'Queen's Penthouse* (Col), under mediocre $5,000. 20th Centnry (DIpson) (3,000; 30- B5)—'Met Argentina* (RKO) and IaB. America* on stage. Snug $11,- 000. Last week (30-44c) 'Devil Dogs* (WB) and 'Singapore Woman' (WB), peppy $8,000. Bennett's Next 'AldrichV Hollywood, June 3. Second directorial start for Hugh Bennett on the Paramount lot is •Heni^ Aldrfch for Presiderit,' next In the series generally titled 'Mr. Aldrlch's Boy,' in which he began his pUotlng career after serving time as a film editor. Ferles goes along with the same cast, including Jimmy Ijydon,'John Lite], Jime Preisser, Mary 'Anderson and .Charlie Siiilth. PORT. CHIPPER; TOOD' ?8,000, 'B'CASr $6,800 Portland, Ore., June 8. Music Box, usually a second run house, is in the chips this week with 'Fantasia' at roadshow prices. 'Blood and Sand' is getting a fine figure at Paramount, while 'Broadcast' at the Orpheum is strong. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (2,000; 35-40- 60>—'Wagons RoE* (WB) and "Lady Louisiana' (Rep). Okay $4,500. Last week,-'Ziegteld Girl' (M-G) held 10 days on Its second stanza for great $8,000. Maytalr (Parker-Evergreen) (1,- 600; '315-40-60) —'John Doe* (WB) m.o. from Paramount for a third week. Good $3,600. Last week, 'Model Wife* (U) .and 'Black Cat' (U), fair $3,000. Hosic Box (Hamrick-Evergreen) (900; 65-$1.50) —'Fantasia' (RKO). Ijooks like strong $6,000 for this usually second run spot. Orpheom . (Hamrick - Evergreen) (1,800; 35-40-50)—'Broadcast' (20th) and 'Dead Men Tell' (20th).' Heavy $6,800. Last week, 'Wanted Wings' (Par) closed a second week for great $4,500. Faramoant (Hamrick - Evergreen) (3,000; 35-40-50 )-;-'Blood Sand' (20th) and 'Shot Dark' (WB). Great $8,000. Last week, 'John. Doe' (WB) closed a second s^nza with Winning $5,800. United Artists (Parker) (1,000; 35- 40-50) — 'Uncertain Feeling' (UA) (1st wk) and 'Dictator' (UA) (4th wk). Nice $6,000. Last week, 'Dic- tator* took a high $4,900. ^ APRIL WAGES UP $702,199 That Month Marks Increase of $103,909 'FACE' $7,000, MONTREAL B. O. Not Very Good—'Ziegfeld* 2d Stnrdy $6,000 Montreal, June 3. Grosses'running somewhat below average. Best take being registered- by 'Woman's Face' at the Palace, Estimates for This Week His Majesty's (CT). (1,600; 43-88)— 'Fantasia' (RKO). Started Monday (2). Palace (CT) (2,700; 30-45-62)— 'Woman's Face' (M-G). Good $7,000. Last week, 'Broadcast* (20th), nice $6,500. Capitol (CT) (2,700; 30-45-62)^ 'Flame New Orleans' (U) and 'Dou- ble Date* (U). So-so $5,000. Last week, 'Affectionately' (WB) and 'Strange Alibi' (WB), fair $5,500. Loew's (CT) (2.800; 35-53-67)— 'Ziegfeld Girr (M-G) (2d wk.). Good $6,000 after very strong $10,000 last Princess ((TT) (2,300; 30-40-53)— 'Magic Music' (Par) and 'Monster, Girl' (Par). Weak $3,000. Last week, 'Man Lost' (U) and 'Mr. Dyna- mite' (U), poor $2,500. Orpheum (Ind) (1,100; 30-40-60)— 'Miss Bishop' (UA). Good $3,500. Last week, 'Pot Gold' (UA) (2d wk.), fair enough $2,000. - Cinema de Paris (France-Film) (600; 30-60)—'Recif de CoraU' (3d wk.). No better than $800 expected, weak, after feeble $900 last week. St Denis (France-Film) (2,300; 30-40)—'Les Petites Alliees' and 'Jim La Houlette.' Good $4,000 in sight. Last week, 'Fedora* and 'Anchois de Bombes,' good $4,300. BmYN BOWS TO CONEY; 'JONES^ $18,000 BEST Brooklyn, June 3. Holiday affected downtown delux- ers plenty. Most citizens got out of town or headed for Coney's board' walk, and result was hard on ex- hibitors. Top dough this stanza gar. nered by the RKO Albee showing 'Devil and Miss Jones' and 'Ride on XRAZY' LEADS^iTRONG K.C. WITH BIG $11,000 . Kansas City, June 8. Holiday week-end brought bright- est extay of attractions town has had In weeks. Films In every spot are good, and Tower has Ted Lewis stage show topping. Biggest gross goes to 'Love Crazy' at the Midland. Stjtge engagement of Ted Lewis at the Tower marks one of few times in two years house has veered from its established any-seat-anytlme. for 30c. For this week only it's a top of 50c including taxes. Estimates tor This Week Esqnire and Uptown (^20 and 2,043; 10-28-44)—'Blood Sand' (20th). Got nice start on Wednesday (28) opening, and looks to turn in strong $9,000, earning Itself a holdover. Ijast week, 'Model Wife* (U) and 'Black Cat' (U), sUght $5,000. Midland-(Loew's) (4,101; 10-28-44) —'Love CS-azy' (M-G) and 'Lone Wolf Chance' (Col). Going over nicely to $11,000, best house has had in weeks. Last week, 'Pot Gold' (UA) and 'KUdare People* (M-G), finished better than expectations at $9,000. Newman (Paramount) (1,900; 10- 28-44)-'Million DoUar Baby* (WB). Not registering too strongly at $6,300, but also not bad. Last week, 'Wanted Wings' (Par) (2d wk), $4,800, good enough after stronger opening week. tower. (Joffee) (2,110; 10-30-40-50) -T-'Rookies Parade' (Rep) and Ted Lewis and orchestra on stage. One of infrequent price raises justified by stage attraction, and swinging along to top $10,000, very big here. Last week, "Vaquero' (20th), with Gene Austin heading stage show, good $6,800. Cool Weather Peps Detroit; 'Blood' ^ow 26G, Tings' $17,000 Detroit, June 3. (Best Exploitation: Michigan) Cool weather over the long Dec- oration Day holiday, Improved prod- uct, energy In the exploitation de- partments, and a general perking up of spending and no large strikes all seem to be factors In the Detroit im- provement. The Fox is shooting up to great grosses with 'Blood and Sand' combined with 'Naval Acad- emy,* catching a further lift after the long weekend by bringing in 'Dr. I. Q,' on Monday (2) for a six- week stand. Michigan, too, is catching a nice play after the doldrums with its 'I Wanted Wings,' and 'Honeymoon for Three.' House also gets the exploita- tion nod by getting SeUridge Field fliers to put on two aerial circu'ses over Detroit on day 'I Wanted Wings* opened at a Thursday mid- night show. A private p}ane went up to stream out a banner, hooking up the Army fliers with the picture. Other tie-ups were a banquet for notables at the field, plentiful win- dow displays, a fighting plane on dis- play in the downtown area, and a Mayoral' proclamation of 'Flying Cadet Week.* About the only thing they didn't get was a black-out. Estimates for This Week Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 30-40-55) -'Broadcast' (20th) (3d wk.) and •Voice in Night' (Col). Nice $6,500. Last week, Tenny Serenade* (Col) (3d wk.) and 'Scotland Yard' (20th). dull $4,500. Fox (Fox-Michigan) (5,000; 30-40- 55)—'Blood Sand' (20th) and 'Naval Academy' (Col) with 'Dr. I. Q.' on stage after June 1. Terrific $26,000 in sight. Last week 'Broadcast' (20th) and 'Dare Not Love' (Col) (2d wk.), so-so $12,000. Mlchi^n (United Detroit) (4,000: 30-40-55)—'Wanted Wings' (Par) and 'Honeymoon Three' (WB). Big $17,- 000.. Last week, 'Love Crazy' (M-G) and 'Washington Melodrama' (M-G), light $12,000. Palms-State (United Detroit) (3,- 000; 30-40-55)—'Love Crazy' (M-G) and 'Washington Melodrama* (M-G) (2d wk.). Bill moved from Michigan looks for fair $8,500. I«st week, 'Men Boys Town' (M-G) and •Hamil- ton Woman' (UA), unexciting $7,000. United Artists (United Detroit) (2,000; 30-40-55)—'Billy Kid' (M-G) and 'Rage Heaven* (M-G). Okay $12,000 and probable holdover. Last week, 'Woman's Face' (M-G) and 'Wait for You' (M-G) (2d wk.). put nice $9,000 behind choice $14,000. HARRIS WEST TO 0.0. NEW LA. VARIETY TENT Hollywood, June 9. Wages paid studio workers during v^qjero'' AprU lncreased^$103,009 over the EsUmates for This Week ?,f;f^^„?^./?' , I ^ w Albee (RKO) (3,274; 25-35-50) — $702,190, it is disclosed by the Call- 'j/uss Jones' (RKO) and 'Vaquero' fornia Labor Statistics bureau. Pay-1 (20th). Okay $18,000. Last week, off is exclusive of that drawn by 'Broadcast' (20th) and 'Repent Leis- talent and executives. ure' (RKO), nice $17,000. Payroll rose 13.8% over AprU of Fox (Fabian) (4.023; 25-35-50) — last year, with a 7.1% increase In Z',f°5|eo)°"(2dTk) ° Fai^^Iw'oiS' the number of workers employed S.^^d Ao * Average, weekly salary was pegged at $47,36, or a-6.3%--boost over-last year, Butler Busy on Kyser Pic Met (Loew's) (3,618; 25-35-50)—'Pot Gold' (UA) and 'Bad Man' (M-G). Good $16,000. Last week, 'Ziegfeld Girl' (M-G) and 'Man-Made Mon- ster' (U) (2d wk), okay $15,000. Paramoont (Fabian) (4,126; 25-35- ■50) r- 'Reaching Sun'., (Par) and Hollywood, June 3. 'Rookies Parade' (Rep). Quiet In addition to producing and di- $15,000. Last week, 'John Doe' (WB) recUng the next Kay Kyser picture an<i "^PP'jSfis' (WB) (3d at RKO, David Butler ^ collaborat- ^1^^^^,"?^^ *||:2?o°: 25-35-40) _ V. Kern on the "Thieves FaU Out' (WB) and.'Big Boss* (Col), Dull $3,500. Last week. ing with James screenplay. Currently he Is wrlfmg In an added part for Lupe Velez. 'Horror Island* (U) and 'Invisible Ghost' (Mono), quiet $4,000. , Par Pays $5,000 For 30-MiiL Radio Meller Paramount last week paid .e^- proximately $5,000 for screen rijghts to a radio story. Yarn, by William Bowers, called 'Man In the Street,' comprised the half-hour episode of the 'Manhattan at Midnight' show aired May 7. Program is sponsored by Energine on the NBC Blue. Warner Bros. Is negotiating for and expected to buy 'A House at Peace,' by Charles Morgan. Yarn, written In England, was formerly called 'The Empty Room.' It Is to be serialized In Red Book and then published as a book. Asking priCe is $40,000. Huston's WB Triple Hollywood, June i. Warners handed John Huston a three-way contract as writer, di- rector and producer. First Chora under'the new agree- ment Is the director task on 'Knight ot Malta*. , Pittsburgh, June 3. John H. Harris, head of Harris Amusement Co. and president of na- tional Variety Clubs, Is leaving this week for Hollywood to organize a Tent, which will be the 24th in showmen's organization. Walter Wanger, UA producer, has expressed a desire to be in on the beginnings of a Variety Club on the Coast, and is expected to work with Harris in laying the groundwork. Hollywood was picked as scene of 1942 Variety Club convention on as- surance from number of Coast peo- ple, including Wanger rffSd Walter Pidgeon, that a Tent would be formed there in meantime. 'Alibi'-Heidt Record $19,000, Indianapolis Indianapolis, June 3. Horace Heidt band setting a new house record at the Lyric, with 'Strange Alibi' on the screen, and with the help of a 50c top over the 40c high when they set the previous highest pace a couple of years ago. Big 3,100-seat Indiana quietly put up the shutters for the summer after the final show Sunday (1), with lack of product given as the reasofl. "OtRiBif 'houses are showing signs of return- ing life after several weeks with a low pulse. Estimates for This Week Circle (Katz-Dolle) (2,600;" 25-30- 40)—'In Navy' (U) and 'Too Many Blondes' (U). Okay $7,800. Last week, 'Million Dollar Baby* (WB) and 'Magic Music' (Par), poor $3,800. IndUna (Katz-Dole) (3,100; 25-30- 40)—Shuttered for the summer. Last week, 'Wanted Wings' (Par) held over for an extra three days to get the weekend biz before closing, but not so good at $7,500 for the entire 10 days. Loew's (Loew's) (2,400; 25-30-40)— •Woman'sOtlace' (M-G) and'Washing- ton Meliidrama* (M-G). Okay $8,000. Last week, 'Pot Gold' (UA) and 'People Klldare' (M-G), so-so $6,000. Lyrio (Lyric) (1,900; 30-40-50)— 'Strange Alibi' (WB) and Horace Heldt orchestra. Terrific $19,000 for new house record. Last week, 'Miss- ing Days* (Col) and Lou ^eese orchestra, fair $8,500.