Variety (Sep 1941)

Wednesday, September 3, 1941 PICTURES 31 Picture Grosses NEW YORK (Continued from page 9) fourth here, zippy $28,000 or there- abouts, which betters the previous session's take of $24,000. Palace (RKO) (1,700; 28-35-44-55- 65-75)—'Tom, Dick' (RKO) (2d run) and 'Private Nurse' (20th) (1st run). Strong $8,500. Previous week, 'Bride C.O.D.' (WB) (2d run) and 'Dressed to Kill' (20th) (1st run), okay $7,000. Paramount (Par) (3,664; 35-55-85- 99)—'Aloma' (Par) and Tommy Dor- sey band, Jack GiUQrd, Condos Bros, on stage (2d wk). Second stanza gets under way today (Wednesday). Broke Labor Day week house record with a sensational $73,000 on first session concluded last (Tuesday) night. Rated record week without any New Year's eve. In ahead, 'Kiss Boys Goodbye' (Par) with Claude Thornhill band, Jerry Colonna (2d wk). Ink Spots (4th wk), elegant $49,000. . Radio City Masic Hall (Rocke- fcUers) (5,960; 44-55-85-99-$1.65)— •Little Foxes' (Goldwyn-RKO) and stage show (2d wk). Best Labor Day week in the Hall's history, with a terrific $120,000 or better. This easily tops the first week's business which ,was $114,000, slightly above expecta- tions. Bette Davis starrer staying lour weeks—maybe five. Rialto (Mayer) (750; 28-44-55)— 'Parachute Battalion' (RKO). Rosy $7,500, best here in some time, with holiday crowds helping greatly. 'Citadel Crime' (Re;), medium $5,000, in previous session. 'Battalion' may hold a couple of extra days. Kivoll (Wright) (2,092; 35-55-85)— Unfinished Business' (U). Reopened Monday (1), after being shuttered all summer. First two days hint near record Labor Day week at these prices. Standing room only on open- ing day and now being aided by swell reviews. Itoxy (20th) (5,835; 35-55-65-75-85) —'Wild Geese' (20th) and stage show. Establish^ Labor Day weelc- end attendance mark and week may reach $55,000, smasheroo. Final and fourth week of 'Charley's Aunt' (20th) and stage show, over expecta- tions at $36,000. State (Loew's) (3,400; 28-44-55-75- 90-$1.10)—'Shepherd of Hills' (Par) .(2d run) and .Ed Sullivan and Harvest Moon dance winners on stage. Great $29,000, with three-day holiday a terri.fic boost. Sullivan and his dancers the real draw. Last week, 'Caught in Draft' (Par) (2d run) and George Jessel vaude show, trim $24,000. best here in some time. Strand (WB) (2,767; 35-55-75r85- 69)—'Dive Bomber' (WB) and Sammy Kaye orch topping stage show. Heading for nearly $48,000, plenty strong takings. House had best Labor Day weekend in 10 years, beating last year's show by 15%. Last week, 'Bad Men Missouri' (WB) and 'Rochester' and Clyde Lucas band on stage (2d wk). Neat $27,000. INDIANAPOLIS (Continued from page 10) 40)—'Dive Bomber* (WB), good $8,700. Last week, 'Kiss Boys' (Par) and 'Parson Panamint' (Par), fair $7,800. Loew's (Loew's) (2,400; 25-30-40) —'Ladies Meet' (M-G) and 'Gel Away' (M-G), nice $9,000. Last week, "Life Andy Hardy' (M-G) and •Queen's Perfect Crime' (Col) (2d wk), nice $8,100. Lyric (Lyric) (1,900; 30-40-50) — 'Sons O' Guns' (WB) and Del Court- ney orch on stage, okay $11,000. Last week, 'Ice-Capades* (Rep) and Jan Garber orch on stage, black $12,000. MEMPHIS (Continued from page 11) in all probability. Last week, Caro- line' (RKO), $3,700, slow. SUte (Loew) (2,600; 10-33-44)— ■Sun Valley' (20th). Glenn Miller pull on swing addicts is helping Sonja Henie toward $7,000, mighty fine. Last week, 'Life Andy Hardy' (M-G), (2d wk), $2,500, fair. Maico (Lightman) (2,800; 10-33-44) —'Aloma' (Par). Poking for a neat $0,800. Last week, 'Mr. Jordan' (Col), $5,200, okay. Strand (Lightman) (1,000; 20-22- 33)—'Country Fair" (Rep) and 'Raid- ers Desert' (U), split week. N.s.g. at $1,200. Last week. 'Shepherd Hills' (Par) (2d run); 'Lady Louisi- ana' (Rep); and 'Paper Bullets,' split week, $1,450, weak. Only Minn; Anti-Decree And Mo.'s Tax Statutes Adverse to Fix This Yr. Although two states, Massachusetts and New Jersey, have not wound up their 1941 legislative sessions, resume by industry officials reveals only two laws adverse to the film business have been enacted by legislatures in 41 states holding sessions this year. Some.245 measures gave the indus- try greatest concern of a total of 1,343 proposals introduced by state solons, many only affective the pic- tures business indirectly. The bulk of them were not aimed primarily at the film business. Of 92 bills still pending or not defi- nitely reported on, 29 of these are in Jersey and Massachusetts. N. J. legislature is simply adjourned at the present time, with sessions to be resumed Nov. 13. This means that activity is going on solely in Massachusetts. Of the two unfavorable film busi- ness laws, only the anti-Consent De- cree statute in Minnesota is regarded as damaging. The other is in Mis- souri which repeals the old statute whereby theatres in third and fourth class towns formerly were immune from taxation. Under the new law they will have to pay taxes. Not a single state censorship bill has been passed to date. Two biggest problems were of- fered in Missouri and Illinois wliich would have sought a ban on duals through regulation of theatre pro- grams. While there always has been and still is a difference of opinion in the trade on double-features, indus- try leaders fought these anti-dual proposals because they proposed regulation of theatres as to length of their performances. Majority in the business feared that such rules might prove an opening wedge with which legislators subsequently would be able to seek additional regulatory re- strictions. California headed the list of 41 states in the matter of industry legislation, with 295 bills affecting the business in one way or another, introduced at the 1941 session. This is not unusual for this state becau.se the solons there have gone in for film business statutes for the last three sessions. Trade Showings THUBS.,'SEPT. 11 (1 p.m.) FBI., SEPT. 12 (1p.m.).... ^Continued from pace ''^ ( 'Married Bachelor' ) (M-G), 20th-Fox, I 'Smilin' Thru' f P R. ( 'Female of Species' ) (M-G), Jewel • • ('Honky Tonk' J Preview T. Box SIOUX FALLS WED., SEPT. 3 (1 p.m.), 'Glamour Boy' (Par), Amer. Thea. Supply P.R. WED., SEPT. 3 (2:15 p.m.), 'Night of Jan. IC (Par), Amcr. Th. Supply P.R. THURS., SEPT. 4 (10 a.m.), 'Outlaw Trail' (RKO). Amcr. Th. Supply P.R. THURS., SEPT. 4 (11:10 a.m.), 'Dude Cowboy' (RKO), Am. Th. Supply P.R. THURS., SEPT. 4 (12:20 p.m.). 'Riding Wind' (RKO), Am. Th. Supply P.R. THURS., SEPT. 4 (1 p.m.), 'Skylark' (Par), Amer. Thea. Supply P.R. WASHINGTON WED., SEPT. 3 (9:30 a.m.), 'Glamour Boy' (Par), Sylvan T. WED., SEPT. 3 (11:15 a.m.), 'Night of Jan. IC (Par), Sylvan T. THURS., SEPT. 4 (10 a.m.); 'Skylark' (Par), Sylvan T. THURS., SEPT. 4 (10 a.m.), 'Outlaw Trail' (RKO), 20lh-Fox P.R. THURS., SEPT. 4 (11:10 a.m.), 'Dude Cowboy' (RKO), 20th-Fox P.R. THURS., SEPT. 4 (12:20 p.m.), 'Riding the Wind' (RKO), 20th-Fox P.R. MON.,SEPT.8 (1 p.m.).. j'■^^^k^n^'t^'e''R.A.F. 1 (20th), 20th-Fox, P.R. TUBS., SEPT. 9 (11 a.m.),'Last of the Duanes' (20th), 20th-Fox, P.R. 'Man at Large' | ^joth), 20th-Fox, P.R. 'Great Guns I TUES., SEPT. 9 (1:30 p.m.) .. WED., SEPT. 10 (1 p.m.) THURS., SEPT. 11 (1 p.m.).. FRI., SEPT. 12 (1 p.m.) ('Riders Purple Sage') 'Weekend in Havana' { 'Married Bachelor' . \ 'Smilin' Thru' \ 'Female of Species' ] 'Honky Tonk' ' (20th), 20th-Fox, P.R. (M-G), 20th-Fox, P. R. (M-G), 20th-Fox,P. R. U^. vs. Crescent Case Ends After 7 Weeks' Trial; Decision Jan. 1 The Nashville, Sept. 2. Government's seven-week anti-trust suit against Crescent Amus. Co., five affiliated exhibitors five defendant officials of Crescent and affiliates, and Universal and United Artists ended Friday (29) but final decision is not expected to be had until first of year' Judge Elmer Davies set Dec. 1 as date for final arguments after a conference with Government and defense attorneys Thursday (28). During the interim before final argument Judge Davies set Oct. 15 as last date for U. S. and defense to file proposed findings of fact, and also set that date on which Government will file its brief. Thursday (28) exhibits introduced by Crescent attorney William Waller and identified by Kermit C. Stengel, president of Rockwood amusements and film buyer for Crescent circuit, showed that in many small towns popcorn and screen advertising amounted to as high as 34% of total revenues. Stengel stated that these revenues kept many theatres from going into the red. Also introduced was evidence showing that nearly 35% of revenues came on Saturdays from showing of western pictures. Left in the trial, in addition to Crescent, Universal and UA are Rockwood Amus. Co., Kentucky Amus., Cumberland Amus. Co.. Cherokee Amus., Lyric Amus., and Muscle Shoals Theatres. Defendants in the case are Tony Sudekum, presi- dent of Crescent, Kermit C. Stengel, official of several Crescent affiliates, R. E. Baulch, secretary-treasurer of Crescent, and co-operators of Muscle Shoals Theatres, Mrs. Nettie Sude- kum, wife of Tony, and Louis Rosen- baum. On Aug. 8, dismissals were granted to Columbia Pictures; Strand Enter- prises, a Crescent affiliate by G. W. Haynes, of Memphis, operating a chain in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas; and Nu Strand Amus. Co., Kingsport, Tenn. Shaw-Pascal ;Contlnued from page 1; tlon with Pascal on the proposition. Nothing definite has been set yet, however, they declare.) Pascal Indicated his next pictures will be made in England with J. Arthur Rank financing and Richard Norton overseeing production de- tails while Pascal Is In America pre- paring 'Arms and the Man' as the initial picture. Producer said Kath- arine Cornell probably would be starred in 'Candida,' Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne in 'Capt. Brass- bound's Conversion' (he said he had a verbal deal with the pair) and Katherlne Hepburn in 'The Million- airess.' Also on his schedule, he asserted, are three books by Maur- ice Maeterlinck and an original by Maxwell Anderson. British productions will be bud- geted at $200,000 to $300,000, Pascal said, with Anthony Asquith prob- ably directing. Distribution in Eng- land will be handled, by General Films, he declared, while U.S. ar- rangements are open and he will be working away from his United Art- ists distribution deal. 100% for GBS Gabriel Pascal—whose frequent changes of mind are getting to be something of an industry laugh- getter—has dropped his scheme for producing his next pic in Canada and will work in Hollywood or Lon- don instead. He has also apparently abandoned the idea of doing a non- Shaw story as his next and alter- nating between CBS and non-GBS yarns. Pascal, before departing from New York for the Coast last week, said he will take a Shavian double- dip next with 'Arms and the Man' fir.st, to be followed by 'Capt. Brass- bound's Conversion.' Whether they will be produced in U. 'S. or England will depend on financing and casting problems which will be settled this week in huddles by the producer with UA owners and execs. 'Snow Goose,' Paul Gallico story, was to have been made by Pascal in Canada next. He says now that It will be too cold up there this win- ter to shoot it and he is postponing it until spring. Pascal also told re- porters in Lisbon recently that he was planning a picture to be made in Spain about the life of Columbus and that he was going to import a flock of English and American tech- nicians and actors to make It Inside StufT-Pictures In consequence of a long-term lease on the Beach at Miami Beach. Fla.,- built for Paramount by a New York investor not otherwise affiliated with show business, Par has sold for $162,000 a parcel of land nearby on the! beach on which it had planned erecting a theatre itself. It has been' purchased by Arthur Ungar, automobile dealer in Miami, with a; down payment of $42,000 in addition to a $100,000 mortgage. The Beach! at Miami Beach, operated by S. A. Lynch for Paramount, was opened last Christmas. It is on a rental basis of 22% of the gross. On its way out is the old Hollywood custom of largesse in the form of; expensive gifts to production crews by stars at the finish of a picture. = Habit was discouraged some time ago by the Screen Actors Guild, without ! much success, but now the studio publicity departments are putting on tha } shush, which is more effective. Fjlm stars, like other philanthropists, ' don't care to hand out benefactions without due publicity. The practice: was developing into a pain in the neck a'nd the bankroll at the same time. Abbott and Costello have requested an arbitration by the Screen Actor3 i Guild to determine their right to dismiss the William Morris Agency as their representatives. Morris office filed a counterclaim and the matter will be decided by arbiters within the next two weeks. Morris office agented the comedy team, while Edward Sherman has them under per- sonal management. Al Daff, Universal's manager in the Far East, presently conferring with home-office officials in N.Y., has the largest sales territory of any U. S. foreign-managing director. Daff's area extends a distance of some 14,000 miles from one point in Siberia to the most eastern point in Greece. ; His district covers practically all of Europe plus the Far Eastern nations, Australia and New Zealand. Paramount signatured a new 12-year contract with Electrical Research , Products, Inc., last week for full modernization of sound and reproducing ;• equipment. David Shapiro's Philiy Suit Quietly Settled Philadelphia, Sept. 2. Suit for $210,000 filed by David Shapiro,, operator of the Admiral, against the major distribs and the Warner circuit, has been quietly set- tled and the house has been sold to the Ellis interests. It was revealed here last week. Shapiro is said to be ailing and wants to retire from the film biz. Terms of the' settlement with War- ners weren't revealed, but it is be- lieved that the clearance restrictions, against the Admiral in North Philly had been eased. Martin and A. M. Ellis, who took the house over, operate the Towers, Camden, and the Broad here. U Selling Away FroQi N.Y. Roxy to Ri? and M.H. Universal is selling away from the Roxy, N. Y., to the Rivoli and Radio City Music Hall this season, starting with the Riv reopening film, 'Unfin- ished Business,' and has penciled ia Olson and Johnson's 'Hellzapoppin,' 'Paris Calling' and 'Ride 'Em Cow- boy.' Setting of two pictures into the Music Hall marks the first time Uni- versal has been in the Hall for sev- eral years. Four or five years ago the company used to supply some of the bigger pictures from its lineup. First one this year will be 'It Started With Adam.' slated for the Hall oh Sept. 25. 'Appointment for Love* follows on Oct. 23. 'New York Theatres MUSIC HALL IIliLD OVElt "THE LinLE FOXES" Spectacular Stags Production* PARAMOUNT HELD OVER Dorotlir I.AHOVK Job halt. 'AI.OMA of th* HOUTH RKAB* In Technicolor A Paramount Plclur« IN PERSON Tommy DOESEY and Band NOW PLAYING SPENCEK TKAn INftKID IIERCMAN, I.ANA TUKNKR 'DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE' An M-G-M Rttlcnne AIR COOI.KD H'wnr At A STOP nonm Open 45th St. »:IS A.M. NOW PLAYING GARY COOPER 'SERGEANT YORK' A NEW WABNEB BKOB. HIT HOLLYWOOD B'wny at Olnt Bt. AIB-CONIUTIONKU Bttrtt THUDS. M-O-Nfl Ftur-ttv 8U«MMl Joiin Rntxirt Ore«r rraMford • Titrlor • OiirMR hWhen Ladies Meet' with IIcrlMrt Marahall IPALACE?7;sf WEEK BEGINNING ti^t'T ^t.< :it B'way 6h«wlni Ciloiia HwHOKon .\ilfilplift Mcnjoa 'FATIIEK PLU8 Week S\h Laugh on B'way •Tark Ilennv 'CIIAUrKY'.S AUNT' I Timtl Stvtt Thun..8<»l.4 M-Q'i TeehnlMlor •JILORSOMS IS Oratr CARSON Wtlttr PI DO EON Last TInii Wad Tiuhnieolor "8IIKrHKRU of th« UIM.8" Held Over ON STAOEI — Ed Sulllvae and Harrait Moan Danea WInnara PLUS—Starling Thurtday Btnny FIELDS — MILLS, KING 4 RAY i MIR-COHDITIONCD BROADWAY'^VSar- ^ 1 ai*»a»<lanlwlhalKrilMM«llSr| :j$^ Dorsey's $3;500 Theatre Fire Johnstown, O., Sept. 2. Fire in the storeropm, ticket of- fice and entrance corridor of the Dorsey theatre on Aug. 27 caused $3,500 loss, according to estimates,by James Dorsey, owner of the thea'tre and building. 2ND WEEK KBROr. FRKI> FLYNN • MacMURRAY In a Nqw Warnor Bro». lilt "DIVE BOMBER" —In rcmon— SAMMY KAYE Kitra! BII.I.Y DeWOI.FE STRAND B'way&47St. IRENE DUNNE ROBERT MONTGOMERY in "UNFINISHED BUSINESS" DaHi 0MKl:3«A.M. 4Mh at MIONITCtHOW;