Variety (Sep 1942)

10 PICTURE GROSSES ^'•dnMd>y> September 16, 1942 'Gay Sis' $16,000. Best Newcomer In Robust PhiUy; 'Pacific Ditto for 2d Philadelphia, Sept. 15. Jewish holidays helped weekend biz all along the line. Fanciest coin js in the comparatively small-seater Aldine with 'The Gay Sisters,' one of the few new films to bow this sesh. 'Give Out Sisters' is teamed with Charlie Barnet's orchestra for fairish biz. All deluxers are being aided by initial showing of 'Battle of Midway.' Estimates for This Week Aldine (WB) (1,303: 35-46-57-68- 75)—'Gay Si.slers' (WB). Getting heavy play with $16,000 for bow-in plus heavy $3,200 for 'bonus' show- ing Sunday at Earle. Last week, 'Crossroads' (M-G), fair $9,500 for holdover. Arcadia (Sablosky) (600; 35-46-57- 68)—"Magnificent Ambersons' (RKO) (3d run). Surprising everybody with comeback at nice $3,200. Last week. 'Take Letter' (Par), good $2,900 on second week of second run. Boyd (WB) (2.569: 75-$1.10)— •Yankee Doodle' (WB) (5th wk). Still plenty tuneful with $22,000. Last week, bright $28,500, thanks to teriff Labor Day weekend biz. Earle (WB) (2.768: 35-46-57-68-75) —'Give Out Sisters' (U) with Charlie Barnct orch plus Diosa Cos- tpllo. Combo netlinc fairish $23.- 000. Last week. 'Pierre Plains' (M-G") abetted by Horace Heidt unit, neat $30,000. Fox (WB) (2.425: 35-46-57-68-75) —'Acro.iis Pacific' (WB) (2(J wk). Lots of profit at $16,000 this semes- ter. Last week, good $24'.500 in ad- dition to $3,000 at Sunday Earle Ehow. Karlton (WB) (1.066: 35-46-57-68) —'Berlin Correspondent' (20th). Okay $5,000. Leagues ahead of sour $3,200 for 'Tish' (M-G) la.-st week. Keith's (WB) (2,220: 35-46-57-68) —'Footliijht Serenade' (20th) (2d run) (2d wk). Fourth week down- town and still good for $3,500. Last week, good $4,500 for second run. Mastbaam (WB) (4.692; 46-57-75) —'Tales Manhattan' (20th) (2d wk). Slumoing after superb opening, with $26,000 for holdover sesh. First week, wham $43,500. Still too early to gauge what par for the house should be because Mastbaum never v^s run on straight film policy before. ^Unley (WB) (2,916; 35-46-57-68- 75)—'Mrs. Miniver' (M-G) (7th wk). Good $12,000. Last week, elegant $17,000. 'Eagle Squadron' (U) opens {bmorrow (Wed). Stanton (WB) (1,457; 35-46-57-68) —'Flight Lieut." (Col). Solid $9,000. Last week, 'Jackass Mail' (M-G) fair $6,500 for second sesh. 'Husbands'-Thornhill $17,500 in Okay Omaha Omaha, Sept. 15. Claude Thornhill band with 'Are Husbands Necessary' looks standout currently. Omaha is holding 'Holi- day Inn' with 'Lady Gangster' added and is standing up strongly. Brandeis is holding 'Bambi' and 'Highways by Night' for nice takings. Estimates for This Week Orpheum (Tristates) (3,000; 20-40- 55-65) — 'Are Husbands Necessary' (Par) plus Claude Thornhill band on stage. Big $17,500. Last week (20- 40-55), 'Orchestra Wives' (20th) and •l ostman Didn't Ring' (20th), $13,000, strong for straight film program. Omaha (Tristates) (U-30-35-50)— Holiday Inn' (Par) (2d wk) with new 'Lady Gangster' (.WB) added. Stout $8,200 indicated. Last week.- coupled with 'Grand Central Murder' (M-G), $13,400, sensational for pic policv here. ilrandeis (Mort Singer) (1,500; 11- -44)—'Bambi' (RKO) and 'High- ways by Night' (WB) (2dwk). Fintf $ 000 after extratordinary $8,300 for first week. Town (Goldberg) (1.400: 11-20-30) ■■ 'hantom Plai.isman' (Rep), 'Man Wouldn't Die' (20th) and 'Flight Lieutenant' (Col) triple split with 'Orphans North' (Mono), 'Pittsburgh Kid' (Rap) and 'Pioneer Ritter' (Mono), 'Magnificent Ambersons' (RKO) and Spitfire Sees Ghost' (RKO). Neat $1,200 aided by stage revue on Saturday. Last week, 'Ven- geance West' (Col), 'Hello Annapolis' (Col) and 'About Face' (UA) triple split with 'Deadly Ga: le' (Mono), 'Angel Broken Wings' (Rep) and Riding Trail' (Mono), 'Tuttles Tahiti' (RKO) and 'Falcon Takes Over' (RKO) with Sat. sUge show, $1,100. TIPEOGIN 2DDET.WEEK W Fme $17,500, Ace St Loo Film; Tmd Yod' 17G,W9G,Both2d St. Louis, Sept. 15, With holdovers at the two down- town deluxers, 'Holiday Inn' and Tombstone' tHuo at Fox in midtown, Js the big cinema noise currently. Loew's 'Somewhere I'll Find You' pot far behind on second session, Despite a dash of warm weather grosses remain firm. Estimates for This Week Loew's (Loew) (3,172; 30-40-50)— •Find You' (M-G) and shorts. Hold- over should add another $17,000 to the smash $26,000 grabbed for the first stanza. Ambassador (F&M) (3,000; 30-40 60)—'Tales of Manhattan' (20th) and •Berlin Correspondent' (20th) (2d wk). Neat $9,000 to tack onto the 911,700 garnered in the first session. Fox (F&M) (5,000; 30-40-50)— •HoUday Inn' CPar.) at\6 'Tombstone' (Par). Expected to top the town yrith a fine $17,500. Last week, •Orchestra Wives' (20th) and 'Are Husbands Necessary' (Par), huge surprise at sock $21,000. MIssonrI (F&M) (3.570; 30-40-50) —'Eagle Squadron' (TTJ and 'Are Husbands Necessary* (Par). Move overs expected to grab $0,500, above average. Last week, 'Take Letter' (Par) and 'Footlight Serenade' <20th), $10,000, swell. St. Loois (F&M) (4,000; 30-40)— •Just Off Broadway* (20th) and •Loves Edgar A. Poe' (20th). $4,500. Just topping average. Last week, 'Big Shot' (WB) and 'Blue Horizon' (Par), neat $6,100. Detroit, Sept. 19. Unprecedented here, all downtown houses have holdovers. 'ITiat's marked evidence of the soaring biz this city has been getting. Making the situation more unusual, the major houses aren't even using fresheners with their top picture, a customary practice. Only new entry Is at the Adams, where 'Counter Espionage' replaces 'Agents Meet Ellery Queen" to go with 'Footlight Serenade' in its third week. Estimates for This Week Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 50-65)— 'Footlight Serenade' (20th) (3d wk) an". 'Counter Espionage' (Col). This is the freshest bill in town with nice $7,000 sighted after a fine $8,000 last week when 'Agents Meet Ellery Queen' (Col) was the second feature with 'Serenade.' Fox (Fox-Michigan) (5.000; 50-65) 'Pied Piper' (20th) and'Magnificent Dope' (20th) (2d wk). Splendid $22,000 after soaring away above ex- pectations to a sock $32,000 opening week. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 50-65)—'Holiday Inn' (Par) and 'Spy Ship' (WB) (2d wk). Still strong with $18,000 anticipated after a great $25,000 last week. Palms-SUte (United Detroit) (3,- 000; 50-65)—'Take Letter' (Par) and 'Calling Dr. Gillespie' (M-G) (2d wk). Tucking a neat $10,000 onto last week's fine $14,000. United ArUsU (United Detroit) (7,000; 50-65)—'Mrs. Miniver' (M-G) (eth wk). Still rolling along with trim $10,000 after $13,000 last week. BOB HOPE VS. BOB HOPE Coldwyn and Par PIx May Claih, But Latter Likely First Neither Paramount nor Sam Gold- wyn has decided on release dates for 'Road to Morocco' (Par) and 'They Got Me Covered' ((joldwyn), both of which sUr Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour. Sing Crosby is also with this pair in 'Morocco.' Also Par has not determined how 'Morocco' will be sold, though 'They Got Me Covered' wiM be released through RKO and marketed singly. Both films have been completed. Whichever picture is released first, the other no doubt will be held up to avoid conflict. Presumed Par's 'Morocco' will go out first. 'Ships With Wings' Hot $12,000 in Pro?.; ^Wake/ 'Sarong' 13G Each m H.O. Providence. Sept. 15. With three holdovers here, main- stemmers have nothing to moan about since all are playing to near capacity biz. 'Ships With Wings' at RKO Albee is only new one around and doing nicely. Estimates tor This Week Albee (RKO) (2,300; 30-40-.50)— 'Ships With Wings' (UA) and 'Marie Roget' (U). Flying high with nifty $12,000 in sight. Last week,'Pride of Yankees' (RKO) (4th wk) and 'One Every Minute' (U) (2d wk), solid $8,000. Carlton (Fay-Loew) (1,400: 30-40- 50)—'Panama Hattie' (M-G) and 'Grand Central Murder' (M-G) (3d downtown wk). Holding over for nice $3,000 after nice $3,500 in second- run trip. Fay's (Indie) (2,000; 25-39-50)— "Men of Texas' (U) and vaude. More than holding own with good $7,000. Last week, 'Give Out Sisters' (U) and vaude, trim $7,800. MaJesUc (Fay) (2,200; 30-40-50)— 'Pardon My Sarong' (U) and 'Berlin Correspondent' (20th) (2d wk). Still playing a happy tune with .grand $13,000 or near. Knocked off zowie $17,500 in first week. Metropolitan (Indie) (3,200; 55)— 'Men San Quentin' (PRC) and Mar- tha Raye, plus Carl Tatz and his WEAN orchestra. Fairly good $7,500 In three days. Last week, 'Shut Mouth' (Col) and Stan Kenton, ditto. State (Loew) (3,200; 30-40-50)— •Somewhere Find You' (M-G) (2d wk). Looking for nice $12,000 after surprising $20,500 in first week. Strand (Indie) (2,000; 30-40-50)— 'Wake Island' (Par) and 'Alias Bos- ton Blackie' (Col) (2d wk). Holding solid line for wham $13,000, after knockout $15,000 in initial session. STILL NO SUNDAY PIX IN KNOXVlUE Knoxville, Tenn., Sept. 15. No. films was the Knoxville menu last Sunday (13), the day they were scheduled to start for the first time in history here. Reason was preacher pressure that caused city council Tuesday (8) to let an ordinance which would have per- mitted pictures on the Sabbath, die. Instead the council repealed its 1891 'Blue Law' and appointed -a com- mittee to study advisability of pass- ing an 'enabling ordinance' for Sun- day pix, as provided by state law. . During the discussion of Sunday films, T. Wesley Hill, pastor of the Bible Baptist Church, who recently preached a sermon entitled '-Why a Skunk Would Hold Its Nose In City Council' was ejected from the hall for protesting too vociferousi/ against the fllmr. Dandy' and Vaude, Sizzling $35,000, Wash. Leader;'Sarong'Swingy 15G Tokyo. UM'-MiDerTerrifm In Hnb; Holiday Inn' Hi«e27G in 2d Kenny Baker Wins Tiff Los Angeles, Sept. 15. Arbitration board decided in fa- \0T of Kenny Baker in his conten- tion that his motion picture contract with the William Morris agency ex- pired Dec. 31, 1941, and that no radio provision had been involved. Agency contended the pact in- cluded radio and was valid until No- vember, 1943. Washington, Sept. 15. Busine.<;s for the down town houses continues hefty. 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' is off to a running start, 'Pardon My Sarong' and 'Invisible Agent,' latter helped by Gene Krupa band, are also strong. Of the holdovers. 'Somewhere I'll Find You' is still crowding the lobbies, with 'Across The Pacific' getting a terrific hypo from the first government film. 'The World At War,' which inspired a set of rave notices from critics. Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew) (3.434; 28-39-44-66) —'Invisible Agent' (U) with Gene Krupa band on stage. Fancy $25,000. Last week, 'Footlight Serenade' (20th) with vaudeville, $24,000. Columbia (Loew) (J.234; 28-55)— 'Mrs. Miniver" (M-G). (2d wk). Fine $10,000 In sight. First session, smash- ing $12,000. Earle (WB) (2,210; 75-$1.10) — •Yankee Doodle Dandy' (WB) with vaudeville on hoisted tariff, terrific $35,000 is certain. Last week. 'Across the Pacific' (WB) with vaudeville, dandy $21,000. Keith's (RKO) (1,800; 40-50-65)— •Pardon Sarong' (U). Sizzling $15,- 000. Last week, 'Eagle Squadron' (U) (2d wk), lusty $9,000. MetropoliUn (WB) (1,600; 28-44) —'Across Pacific' (WB) and U. S. film, 'World at War.' Added attrac- tion is.a box stimulant, stout $9,500. Last week, 'Talk of Town' (Col), $9,000. Palace (Loew) (2,242; 28-55)—I'll Find You' (M-G). (2d wk). Cork- ing $23,000 after first week hit $27,000. 'Bambi' Nice $8,000 On Den?er ILO.; 'Talk' 14G D^ver, Sept. 15. Holiday Inn' is packing the Den- ham for a second week and may do almost as well as opening stanza. Stays for a third session. Talk of Town' and 'Lucky Legs' are filling the Denver for a nice total. Aladdin did overflow biz at special Monday night bond sale showmg of 'Iceland,' with seats going only to buyers of $1,000 bonds. Sale of bonds for this totalled $1,560,000. .Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 40-50-60)— Pied Piper' (20th) after week at Denver. Fair $4,500, with special showing of 'Iceland' on bond strictly for sale of U. S. war bonds. Last week, 'Pardon Sarong' (U), after Denver week, nice $4,500. Broadway (Fox) (1,040; 30-40-50- 60)—'Sgt. York' (WB). Mild $3,000. Last week, 'Cardboard Lover' (M-G) and 'Favorite Spy' (RKO), after Orpheum week, thin $2,000. Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 30-40- 50-60)—'Holiday Inn' (Par) (2d wk). Gigantic $16,500 or thereabouts, which equals opening week mark. Stays for third stanza. Last week, broke records at $16,500. Denver (Fox) (2.525); 30-40-50-60) —Talk of Town' (Col) and 'Lucky Legs'(Col). Big $14,000. Last week, "Pied Piper' (20th) and 'A-Haunting Will Go' (20th), big $16,000. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 30-40-50- 60)—Bambi' (RKO) (2d wk) and 'Highways by Night' (RKO). Okay $8,000 for holdover session. Last week, 'Bambi' (RKO) and 'Spitfire Sees Ghost' (RKO), fine $14,000. Paramount (Fox) (2,200; 30-45)— 'Footlight Serenade' (20th) and 'Little Tokyo, U. S. A.' (20th) (2d wk). Fine $7,500. Last week, same duo, $9,000. 'FINDWT6G FOR Pin. H.O. Pittsburgh, Sept. 15. Town is practically all holdover this week, and okay. 'Somewhere I'll Find You.' at the Penn, is leading the pack, with Tales of Manhattan' a close second at the Harris. 'Foot- light Serenade' is going all right at the Fulton. Each of them Is play- ing a second stanza. 'Somewhere' and 'Tales' will move elsewhere for a third. Estimates tor This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700: 30-40-55)— 'Footlight Serenade' (20th) (2d wk). Tough competition opening session held this one down, but is doing better comparatively on holdover. Should wind up around $6,500 or better. Last week, pleasing $iB,000. Harris (Harris) (2.200: 35-50-65)— 'Tales Manhattan' (20th) (2d wk). H.o. session should have no trouble clocking stout $11,000 House has 'Talk of Town' (Col) scheduled for Wednesday (16) so 'Tales' will move to Senator. Last week, great $21,000 to set a record for new Harris, top- ping opening week of 'Shores Tripoli' (20th) by more than $3,000. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 30-40- 55)—'Somewhere Find You' (M-G) (2d wk). Loads of dynamite left, great $16,000 or near. Picture goes to Warner Thursday. Last week, smash $25,000. , Ritz (WB) (800; 30-40-55)—'Gay Sisters' (WB) (4th wk). After pre- viou.sly playing one each at Warner and Penn, pretty fair $2,200 after $2,900 last week. Senator (Harris) (1,750; 30-40-55) —'Lost Horizon' (Col) and 'Can't Take It' (Col). Reissue of two Frank Capra hits rushed In when 'Blondie for Victory' (Col) and 'Lit- tle Tokyo, USA' (20th) flopped in four days. Solid $3,800. Last week, 'Blondie' and 'Tokyo' only about $1,- 000 In abbreviated session. Stanley (WB) (3,800; 30-44-55-66) —'Tarzan's N. Y. Adventure' (M-G) and Jackie Cooper-Gertrude Niesen. Mild $17,000. Last week, 'Blue Hori- zon' and Lou Breese band and Three Stooges, nice $23,500. Warner (WB) (2,000; 30-40-55)— 'Friendly Enemies' (UA) and 'Calling Dr. Gillespie' (M-G). Will barely pay the rent at sad $3,700. Public Is used to h.o.'s from Penn and these first-run double features have a struggle. Last week, "Wings for Eagle' (WB), movcover from Penn, under $5,000. JONES LEADS THE MABCH Hollywood, Sept. 15. Universal assigned Allan Jones as .topper in 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home," with Phil Spital- ny's all-girl orchestra featured. Bernard Burton produces and Charles Lament direct.s, starting Sept. 21. Boston, Sept. IS. Although there are plenty of hold- overs, biz is satisfactory all around with the RKO Boston, bellying Glenn Miller's farewell appearance, getting a terriflc $40,000. Miller crew not helped much by 'Little Tolcyo, U.S.A.' but 85c admish top a big aid. 'Holiday Inn' at the Met is catch- ing sock trade in its second frame and would take more if it weren't for the Lamour-'Wake Island' war bond-bardment last night (Monday). Likely to go a third week, which is a record for this stand. Estimates for This Week BostoD (RKO) (3,200; 40-55-65-75- 85)—'Little Tokyo, U.S.A.' (20th), with Glenn Miller orchestra and Al Bernie. Colossal at $40,000 or over. Running seven short two-hour shows a day and still turning them away for one of the biggest takes on rec- ord. Last week, 'Magnificent Dope' (20th), Johnny Long's orch, Una Merkel, others, $29,000. Fenway (M-P) (1,375; 30-44-60)— 'Priorities on Parade" (Par) and 'Grand Central Murder' (M-G). Only new film bill in town, .staunch $5,500. Last week, 'Gay Sisters' (WB) and 'Spy Ship' (WB), $7,000. Memorial (RKO) (2,900: 40-55-65- 75)—'Pride Yankees" (RKO) and 'Flying With Music' (20th) (5th wk). Still perky at $16,000. Last week, $20,000. May go a sixth. MetropoliUn (M-P) (4.367: 30-44- 55-60)—'Holiday Inn' (Par) and *Dr. Broadway' (Par) (2d wk). Terrif $27,000, and set for third week. Last week. $36,000. Orphenm (Loew) (2.900: 40-65-70) —'Somewhere Find You' (M-G) (2d wk). Falling off a little, but still a good draw al $21,000. Last week, $31,000. Pararaonnt (M-P) (1.800: 30-44-60) —'Priorities on Parade' (Par) and 'Grand Central Murder' (M-G). A first-run bill, impre.ssive $11,500. Last week, 'Gay Si.sters' (WB) and 'Spy Ship' (WB), $12,500. SUt« (Loew) (3.600; 40-65-70)— 'Somewhere Find You' (M-d) (2d wk). Trim $14,000. Last week, $22,000. Translux (Translux) (900; 17-28- 44-55)—'Black Doll' (U) and 'Lady in Morgue' (U). Nice $5,000. Last week, 'Danger Pacific' (U) and 'Not Ladies Man' (Col), $4,500. 'Joan Ozark'-Rey Tops In Indpk Big $17,500; 'Orch Wives'So-So8i€ Indianapolis, Sept. 15. The Circle is leading the town this week, with Alvino Rey apd 'Joan of Ozark.' 'Somewhere I'll Find You,' in its second week at Loew's, is sturdy, as is 'Orchestra Wives' at the Indiana. Biz is hold- ing up well in first week of schooL Estimates for This Week ' Circle (Katz-Dolle) (2.600 ; 33-44- 55)—'Joan of Ozark' (Rep) with Al- vino Rey orch on stage plus King Sisters. Clicko $17,500. Last w«eK, 'Pied Piper' and 'A-Haunting Will Go' (20th), excellent $9,000 at 44c top. Indiana (Katz-Dolle) (3.200: 28-33- 44)—'Orchestra Wives' (20th) and 'Careful, Soft Shoulders' (20th). Third musical feature in row here, average $8,500. Last week, 'Holiday Inn' (Par) and 'Loves Edgar A. Poe' (20th), healthy $12,000. Keith's (Ind) (1,200; 28-44)—"Yank In Libya' (PRC) plus vaudeville. Pulling shov/ to $3,800. good in four days. Last week, 'Hello Annapolis' (Col) and vaudeville, $5,000 In five- day run. Loew's (Loew's) (2,450; 28-33-44) -'I'll Find You' (M-G) (2d wk). Go- ing strong in second sesh at $0,000. Last week, led town at $14,600, Lyrlo (Katz-Dolle) (1,850; 28-33- 44)—'Holiday Inn' (Par) and 'Loves of Edgar A. Poe' (20th). Nice $5,000 on movcover. Last week, 'Footlight Serenade' (20th) and 'Little Tokyo' (20th), fair $3,600 on m.o. nSHEB'S TRAVELOGS Oakland, Cal., Sept, 16. 'Singapore Joe' Fi.sher has launch- ed a new Technicolor-Film lecture, 'Seething India,' under the local sponsorship of William E. Chamber- lain. Film dwells on the back coun- try of India and lecture deals with the problems facing British states- men in Ghandi's country. Much of the film is given over to shots show- ing self-torhire of the natives in religious ceremonies. Fisher is also preparing another travelog on South Africa, his original stamping ground.