Variety (Oct 1942)

Wednesday, October 7, 1942 PICTURE GROSSES 11 Tind You Terrif $24,000 in Frisco; fake Is; 18G, Dandy IIG, Both H.a San Francisco, Oct. 6. With holdovers riding every screen except one, grosses are down from recent high levels. They're still plenty profitable, however. Sole newcomer is 'Somewhere I'll Find You,' at the Fox, with terrific $24,000. Estimates for This Week Fox (F-WC) (5,000: 50-65.)—'Some- where Find You' (M-G) and 'Escape from Crime' (WB). Terrific $24,000. Last week, 'Gay Sisters' (WB) and 'Pierre Plains' (M-G), great $20,000 for five days. Golden GaU (RKO) (2,850; 44-55- 75)—'Bambi' (RKO) and Ina Ray Mutton's orch (2d wk). Good $18,000. Last week, same bill, $25,000, a little less than expected, but still socko. Orpheum (Blumenfeld) (2,440; SO- BS)—'Talk of Town' (Col) and 'Spirit Stanford' (Col) (2d wk). Holding up to $14,800. Last week, great $10.- fiOO Paramount (F-WC) (2,470; 50-65) —'Wake Island' (Par) and 'Priorities Parade' (Par) {2d wk). Pacing the holdovers in pix-only houses at rugged $18,000. Last week, torrid S26.000. St. Francis (F-WC) (1,475; 35-40- 65)—'Gay Sisters' (JVB) and 'Pierre Plains' (M-G) (moveover). Will hit $7,000. Last week, 'Holiday Inn' (Par) and 'Berlin Correspondent' (20th) (moveover), big $7,500. United Artists (UA-BUimenfeld) (1100; 35-40-55)—'Broadway' (U) and 'Madame Spy' (U) (4th wk). Down to $4,800 on the long stretch. Last week, $6,700. Warfleld (F-WC) (2,650; 75-$1.10) —•Yankee Doodle Dandy' (WB) t2d wk). Another great session at $17,- 000. Last week, smash $28,000. WDr. GiUespie' Tops K.C. With $9,000; 'Siren'-W Sad 7G Kansas City, Oct. 6. The weather over the weekend is hurting business this week slightly. ■Tlsh," plus 'Calling Dr. GUlespie at Midland Is pacing the town. 'Wake Island' at Newman is okay in its third session. Estlmatea for This Week Esquire and Uptown (820 and 8.043; 11-35-50) —'Orchestra Wives' <20th) (2d wk). Pleasant $6,500 seen after $8,750 initial stanza. MIdUnd (Loew's) (3,500; 11-35-50) —Tish' (M-G) and 'Calling Dr. Gil- lespie' (M-G). Bright $9,000. Last week, 'Panama Hattie* (M-G) and 'Grand Central Murder' (M-G), lusty $12,500. Newman (Paramount) (1,900; 11- 85-50) — 'Wake Island' (Par) (3d wk). Satisfactory $6,000 to wind up run, with nifty $8,500 for second frame and socko $13,000 initial stint. Orphenm (RKO) (1,600; 11-35- 60)—'Gunga Din' (RKO) and 'King Kong' (RKO) (Reissues). Mild $5.- eOO. Last week, 'Gay Sisters' (WB) end 'Escape Crime' (WB) (2d wk). pleasing $6,700 after healthy $10,000 opening session. Tower (Fox-Joffee) (2,110; U-35) —'Jungle Siren' (PRC) and 'Lure of Islands' (Mono) with vaude. Thin $7,000. Last week. 'Loves of Edgar A. Poe' (20th) and Sally Rand, in Peisoij, sock $11,000. DANDY'REOPENS B'KLYN HOUSE; NIFTY $22,000 Brooklyn. Oct. 6. Good biz at all downtown deluxers. With Fabian Paramount and Strand garnering lion's share. Paramount is big with "Talk of Town' and 'Spirit of Stanford.' Strand reopened this week with 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' and Is getting first-rate response. Estimates for This Week Albte (RKO) (3.274: 30-50-65)— •Footlight Serenade' (20th) (2d wk) J"d'Falcon's Brother' (RKO). Quiet ♦12.000. Last week, satisfactory $18.- Fox (Fabian) (4.023; 30-55-65)— Across Pacific' (WB) and 'Moonlight 2??*5!i*"^«' (I*eP) <2d wk). Good ♦15.000. Last week, peachy $22,000. Met (Loew's) (3,618; 30-55-05)— somewhere Find You' (M-G) and Pierre of Plains' (M-G) (2d wk). $12,000. Last week, husky $22.- A.?*™".'""' (Fabian) (4.126: .30-55- Cf»~; ."^ °' Town (Col) and 'Spirit Stanford' (Col). Booming $22,000. Last week, 'Holiday Inn' (Par) and JT?*"?? Meet Queen' (Col) (4th wk). nice $12,000. .Y!i?"^^(WB) (2,950; 75-$1.10)- rpSSo Dandy' (WB). House reopened with this one. Getting 000 aiming for $22.- Key City Grosses estimated Total Gross This Week $2,359,900 (Based on 27 cities, 183 thea- tres, chte/(v first niits tncrudtng N. V.J Total Gross Same Week Last Year $1,801,900 (Based on 25 cities, 184 theatres) GRID UPS MPLS.; EILEEN' BIG 14G Minneapolis. Oct. 6. 'My Sister Eileen' stands out as the most important new film cur- rently and has the State turnstiles clicking pleasantly. Two other new- comers. Benny MerofT's stage revue. "Funzaflre.' plus 'Magnificent Dope' on the screen at the Orpheum. and the Gopher's 'Smith of Minnesota' also are delivering. Trade was helped by weekend football crowds attracted by the Minnesota-Iowa Seahawks' game dci^pite motoring restrictions. Estimates for This Week Aster (Par-Singer) (900; 17-28)— •Little Tokyo" (20th) and 'Dr. Broad- way" (Par), dual first-runs. Good $1,800 in five days. 'Danger in the Pacific' (U) and 'Thundering Hoofs' I RKO). also dual first-runs, opened Monday (5). Last week, 'Spitfire Elephant' (RKO) and 'Enemy Meets Queen' (RKO). dual first-runs, good SI.COO in five days. Centuty (P-S) (1.600: 30-40-50)— 'Wake Island" (Par). Moved here from State after good week there, i Looks like satisfactory $5,000. Last week. 'Pardon Sarong' (U), strong $4,800 after week at Orpheum. Gopher (P-S) (1.000: 28-30)— 'Smith of Minnesota' (Col). Built around Minnesota's AU-Amerlcan half-back and starring him, it's good boxofTice at a time when local foot- ball fever is at a high pitch. Good $4.U00 in prospect. Last week, 'Men of Texas' (U), mild $3,000 in six and half days. Orpheum (P-S) (2.800: 40-44-55)— 'Magnificent Dope' (20th) and Benny MerofT's 'Funzafire' on stage. Well- liked show and satisfactory film but looks only $11,000. mild. Last week, 'Are Husbands Necessary' (Par) and Jan Garber orch, fair $14,500. SUte (P-S) (30-40-50)—'My Sister Eileen' (Col). Plenty of raves for this corking comedy and it's going for sock $14,000. Last week, 'Wake Island' (Par), good $10,000. Uptown (Par) (I,l60; 30-40)— 'Crossroads' (M-G). First neighbor- hood showing. Climbing toward good $4,000. Last week, 'Gay Sisters' (WB), first neighborhood showing, fine $4,500. World (Par-Steffes) (350; 30-40-50- 55)—'Pied Piper' (20th) (2d wk). Fortnight here very profitable after disappointing first week at State. Good $2,400, after strong $3,400 open- ing session. Ilfings for Eagle' Best In Seattle, Big $12,000; 'Dandy'OkelOG on H.O. Seattle. Oct. 6. Blue Mouse is tilting to Sac for 'Tales of Manhattan' on moveover from Paramount theatre. 'Wings for Eagle' at the Paramount is leading the town, with holdovers in many spots this week. Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick-Evergreen) (800; 40-50-65)—'Manhattan' (20(hi and 'Soft Shoulders' (20th) (4th wk i. Hot release from Paramount theatre, great $4,800. Last week (30-40-58). 'Holiday Inn' (Par) and 'Poe" (20th). (4th wk). $3,800. Fifth Avenue (H-E) (2.349: 40-50- 65)—'Pride of Yankees" (RKO) i2d wk) and ' World at War" (U.S.). Smash $9,000. Last week. 'Yankees' (RKO) with 'Just Off Broadway' (20th), wonderful $12,200. Liberty (J-vH) (1.650: 30-40-58)— 'Talk of Town' (Col) (6th wk). Sur- prise at $7,000. and holds. Last week, nice $6,100. Mnslo Box (H-E) (2.600: 30-40-58) —'Crossroads' (M-G) and 'Martha' (M-G) (4th wk). Good $3,700. Last week, same pair, $4,000. Mnslo Hall (H-E) (2.200: 40-50-65) —'Moscow Strikes Back' (Rep) and 'Spitfire Sees Ghost' (RKO). Stout $7,500 in six days, makinc way for Seattle Symphony. Monday. Last week, 'Pride Yankees" (RKO). big $9,200. Orpheom (H-E) (2,600; 75-$l.l0)— •Yankee Doodle Dandy' (WB) (2d wk). Big $10,000 but tilted scale is being felt Last week, same film, $17,000. Palomar (Sterling) (1,350; 40-50- 65)—'HaUway to Shanghai' (U) and 'Timber' (U), plus vaude. Good $8,- 500. Last week, 'Give Out, Sister' (U), plus Major Bowes unit, big $10,- 000. Paramount (H-E) (3.039; 40-50-63) —'Wings for Eagle' (WB) and 'Tomb- stone' (Par). Great $12,000. Last week. 'ManhatUn' (20th) and 'Soft Shoulders' (20th) (3d wk), solid $8,- 000. Boosevelt (Sterling) (800: 30-40- 58)—'Gay Sisters' (WB) (4th wk). Good $3,800. Last week, $4,200. Winter Garden (Sterling) (800: 20- 30)—"This Our Life' (WBi and 'Mar- ried Angel' (M-G) (3d run). Great $4,500. Last week. 'Lost Horizon' (Col) (reissue) and 'Joan of Paris' (RKO), $4,300. 'Sarong' Sturdy $37,000 in Two L A. Houses; Tind You 39^26 in Three Spots; 'Journey V^/^ for 2d Week Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Oron This Week $402,000 (Based on 13 theatret) Total Gross Same Week Last Year $370,7*« (Based on 14 theatres) m'-$iw)oo, - BIG IN CLEVE Cleveland, Oct. 6. Top-notch product Is kicking up terrific rivalry at key houses, but each stand's getting its share. "Talk of Town' is drumming up sizzling tally for the Hipp, with possibilities of a h.o. Backed by Will Osborne's orch and Merry Macs, 'Pied Piper,' at Palace, has enough pep to pass "Talk,' while 'Wake Island' buiMs up more fire- works for nextdoor State. Estimates for This Week Alien (RKO) (3,000; 35-40-45-55)— 'Eagle Squadron' (U) (2d wk). Ordi- nary take for moveover, $4,S()0. Last frame, 'Gay Sisters' (WB) (3d wk), extra nice $5,200. Hipp (Warners (3,700; 35-40-45-55) —'Talk of Town' (Col). It's class stuff for this action house, but sock from the start; swell $19,000 and per- haps another stanza in sight. Last round. 'Eagle Squadron' (U), nearly lost its wings, only $9,000. Lake (Warners) (800; 35-40-45-55) —'Gay Sisters' (WB). Aiming for good $2,700 on shiftover. Last lap, 'F(x>tlight Serenade' (20th), mediocre $1,200. Palace (RKO) (3,700; 40-60-70)— 'Pied Piper' (20th) plus Will Os- borne's orch and Merry Macs. Looks like a steady builder toward great $26,000, or more. Last week, 'Sher- lock Holmes Terror' (U) with (Char- lie Spivak orch, Ann Corio, Borrah Minnevitch, mighty satisfactory at $24,000. SUte (Loew's) (3,450; 35-40-45-55) —'Wake Island' (Par). Hurt by all the competishi but banging away at worthwhile $11,000, or better. Last week, 'Seven Sweethearts' (M-G), poor at barely $9,000. Stiliman (Loew's) (1,872; 35-40-45- 55)—'Moscow Strikes Back' (Art- kino). First Russ war flicker house ever essayed and going encourag- ingly toward $5,500. Last week, 'Pan- ama Hattie' (M-G) (2d wk), smart $7,500. NATIONA L BOXOFFIC E SURVEY 'Wake Island,' 'Dandy,' 'Pride Yankees,' 'Tales Manhattan,' 'Holiday Inn' Real Coin-Getters In Keys Currently With plenty of holdovers and extended runs in evi- dence in principal key cities, new product is finding it tough getting started excepting for scattered playdates. I Only 23 engagements are split among some 11 new features currently. The result is that such boxoffice stalwarts as 'Wake Island' (Par), 'Yankee Doodle Dandy" (WB), 'Tales of Manhattan' (20th), 'Holiday Inn" (Par) an(i 'Pride of Yankees' (RKO) continue the backbone (or exhibitors in the big keys. 'Wake Island' is all over the map with topflight coin. ' Continues strong in its sixth N. Y. week at $26,000 and is stout $20,500 in Washington with vaudeville. In San Francisco, $18,000 second week; Indianapolis, sock $10,000; Detroit, great $17,000 second session; Omaha, nice second week: Boston, trim $16,500. second sesh; Louisville, great $12,000; Cleveland, $11,000; Cincinnati, hefty $13,000; Denver, leading the city at $17,000 and Chicago, big $11,000 third week. 'Dandy,' which 'Variety' correspondents report en- countering some opposition on 75c-$1.10 scale, is trim $38,000. two Boston theatres. In Frisco, second week sock $17,000: Jersey City, gigantic $30,000; Pittsburgh, fancy $30,000: Ciiicy, $12,000; Baltimore, nice $14,000, third sesh. 'Pride' is $26,000 in second Detroit week, sock in Louisville, smash in Seattle, $18,000 for second Philly sesh. $10,000 in second St. Louis stanza. $15,500 for fifteenth N. Y. session and $12,000 for sixth Chi- caiio week. "Tales" is topping Montreal and on holdover is great S102.000 in Mew York's Music Hall. In Providence, it i.s sloiit: Boston. $27,500; Cincy, swell second sesh; strong SIO.UOO in BiilTalo holdover. 'Holiday Inn' (Par), largely holdovci- now. is doing $16,000 in second Wash- ington week. $10,000 for Providence h.o., nifty $22,500 in Phibdelphia. sncko in second Montreal stanza and line on Detroit moveover. Most likely newcomers look to be "The Major and the Minor" (Par). "My Sister Eileen' (Col), 'Iceland" (20ll;i. 'Yank at Eton" (M-G), 'Between Us Girls' (U), "Dc^ijerate Journey" (WB) antl 'Panama Hattie' (M-G). Other new entries include 'Glass Key' (Par) and 'This Time for Keeps' (M-GJ. Former appears in only one big spot, doing a stout $36,000 in Detroit with band. 'This Time," in same category, is getting $20,000 in Newark aided by stage revue. 'Major-Minor' is hefty $61,000 in third week at large N. Y. Paramount and big $17,500 for Newark holdover. 'Iceland' is leading St. Louis at $15,500 and is $13,000 in Cincy. 'Between Us Girls' is strong in second Chi week and $13,500. Newark. 'Eileen' is tops in Baltimore at huge $18,000 aided by vaudeville while strong in Minneapolis. 'Yank at Eton' is trim in St. Louis, $12,000 for second Provi- dence week, fine $15,000 in Balto and equally good in Louisville. 'Journey' is doing big $47,000 on Its New York holdover with band, is $24,500 in two Los Angeles spots on holdover and is big in Omaha. 'Hattie,' with good $30,000 in N. Y., has bright $21,000 in Philly, U good on its Buffalo holdover. Continued strength also is Iteing shown by 'Pardon My Sarong' (U), 'Somewhere I'll Find You' (M-G), 'Bambi' (RKO), 'Orchestra Wives' (20th) and 'Talk of Town' (Col). Abbott-Costello comedy is pacing two- house combo.4 in L.A. at stout $37,000, is big $12,000 in Buffalo h o., big Pitt second session and sturdy $11,000 in .sixth N. V. stanza. "Find You' is leading Frisco with giant $24,000. is great $14,800 in Denver, $39,500 in three L A. theatre-;. "Bambi" is smash $20,000 in D. C. and $18,000 for .second Frisco sesh helped by band. 'Talk" is a loud $32,000 holdover in' two Boston spots, $19,000 ill Cleveland. $14,800 second Frisco stanza. "Wives' is makinij its be>t ihowing in N. Y. with trim $43,000 .second week. From Variety' reports: 'Pied Piper' (20th). great $26,000 in Cleveland with band, and okay $20,000 in Buffalo with same support. 'Tish" (M-G) is pacing K.C. at $9,000. 'Footlight Serenade' (20th), $18,000 in sec- ond Newark sesh. S13.000 in J.C. and fine $29,000 in Boston with band. 'Wings for Eagle' (U) is pace- maker in Seattle. Big Street' (RKO) is fine in Buffalo and strong $12,000 r. Providence. Los Angeles, Oct. 6. Looks like the city and surround- ing towns have gone on a gasoline binge before the 4-gallon weekly ra- tioning becomes effective because all business is up currently. Main thor- oughfares were clogged with cars of all vintage over the weekend when biz was best. An example of the bullish Satur- day and Sunday was the Abbott-Cos- tello 'Pardon My Sarong' at the RKO Hillstreet. It picked up $9.- JOQ of the_week's $20,000 total these days. Takings at other spots also boomed over the weekend. Weather rated perfect. Estimates for This yiteV Carthay Circle (F-WC) (1.516: 33- 44-55-65-75)—'Somewhere Find You' (M-G) and 'Just Off Broadway' (20th). In on three-house ■ parlay, nice $6,500. Last week. 'Miniver (M-G) (10th wk). at S2.600. Chinese (Grauman-WC) (2.034: 33- 44-55-65-75)—'Somewhere Find You' (M-G) and 'Just Off Broadway' (20th). Great $14,000. Last week. 'Iceland' (20th) and 'Little Tokyo* (20th), okay $11,800. Downtown (WB) (1.800: 33-44-55- 65-75)—'Desperate Journey' (WB) (2d wk). Smash $12,500 after good $14,500 on initial week. Fonr Stor (UA-WC) (900: 33-44-55- 65-75)—'Pied Piper" (20th) and 'Haunting We'll Go' (20th) (5th wk). Only $1,800, foUowlng $2,600 last Hawaii (G&S) (1,100; 33-44-55-65- 75)—'Wings and Wonnan' (RKO) and 'Submarine Raider' (Col). Air-sea combo mixing for tclm $4,000. plenty ?:ood here. Last week, 'Gunga Din' RKO) and "King Kong' (RKO) (re- issues), okay $1,800 on five days of second week. HoUyweod (WB) (2,756: 33-44-55- 65-75) —'Desperate Journey' (WB) (2d wk). Held up for strong $12,000 following opening stanza's solid $15,500 Orphenm (D'town) (2,200; 33-44- 55-65)—'In Old California' (Rep), with Abe Lyman's band on stage, diving to painful $12,000. Last week, 'Parachute Nurse' (Col) et\<\ 'F«f;ane from Crime' (WB). w'th r iipgi Hampton's band, meagre $14 000. Pantoges (Pan) (2,812: 44-55-65-75) —'Pardon My Sarong' (U* nn-* 'Sher- lock Holmes Voice' (U). Abbott- Costello's latest hitting nke S17.000. Last week, 'Talk of Town' (Col) (3d wk) and 'Give Out, Sisters' (U) (1st wk). $11,000. Paramoan't (F&M) (3.S0fl: 33-44-55- 65-75)-^'Wake Island' (Por) and 'Youth on Parade' (Rep) <2^ wk). Stout $18,000 following smash $25,000 in first frame. Paramount HoIIvwo«mI (F ^- M ) (2.204; 33-44-55-85-75)—'WPkp Ts1-nd' (Par) (2d wk). Fancy $12,000 rfter $15,000 on opening week. BKO Hillstreet (RKO) (2 "72; 33- 44-55-65)—'Pardon Saronc' (U) and 'Sherlock Holmes Voice' (U). Laii^h- o-meter will register a ' swingy $20,000. Last week. Talk of Tbwn' (Col) (3d wk) and 'Give Out. Sisters' (U). $11,500. SUte (Loew-WC) (2.204: 33-44-55- 65-75) — 'Somewhere Find You' (M-G) and 'Just Off Broqdway' (20th). Fine $19,000. Last week. 'W- land' (20th) and 'Little Tokyo' (20th), $17,800. UA (UA-WC) (2.100: 33-44-55-65) —'Iceland' (20th) and 'Littl- Tokyo' (20th). Skating to smart S5.800. Last week. 'Panama Hattie' 'M-Oi and 'Pierre of Plain.s' (M-G\ SO 100. Wilshire (F-WO (2.29fi: 33-44-1)5- 65) —'Iceland' (20th) anH 'Little Tokyo' (20th). Nice S5.200. Last week. 'Panama Hattie' (M-G) and 'Pierre Plains' (M-C). $6,500. 'Eileen' for Music Hall Music Hall. N. Y.. has bought 'Sister Eileen' from Columbia to fol- low 'Tales of Manhattan.' current, which is figured for a minimum of three weeks and possibly four. This one was long delayed in reaching the theatre due to the 10-week run of 'Miniver.' Also booked by the Hall are RKO's "One More Honeymoon' and "You Were Never Lovelier" (Col). Dogs Have Their Day Hollywood. Oct. 6. Dogs are having their day in Hol- lywood, not only as pets of the Tail- waggers but as heroes in war films. At 20th-Fox, Bryan Foy is pro- ducing 'The Army Pup." based on a yarn by Robert Mctzlcr, and at Me- tro Arthur Freed is handling the production leash on 'Dogs of War,' a tale of canine militancy by Wil- liam Kozlenko.