Variety (Dec 1942)

10 PIGTimE GROSSES Wednesdaj, December 9, 1942 'Morocco' Terrif $25,000, Done It' 18G, y 33G (2 Spots), Hub H.O.'s Boston, Dec. 8. It's holdover week in the Hub this week with only the Paramount- Fenway twins coming up with a new bill, and that not too strong. The Grove catastrophe affected the Aim houses rather less than other en- tertainment enterprises, although Sunday'! biz (Nov. 29) was just non-existent. It has picked up dur- ing the week, however, with no com- petition whatever except from legit houses. 'Road to Morocco' remained the winner at the Met with a comfort- able $25,000 for second week, and could go another excepting for heavy film backlog- 'Me and My Gal' took show money at the Loew spots and "Who Done It?' was close behind at the Memorial at $18,000, all holdovers. Estimates for This Week Boston CRKO) (3.200; 44-S5-6S-T5- 85)—'Thunder Birds' (20th), plus H; I Maclntyre orch., others on stage. Slow for this spot, off at $24,000. Last week, 'Falcon's Broth- er' (RKO), George White's Scandals 1943 unit, nice $28,500. Fenway (M-P) (1,373; 30-40-60)— 'Mrs. Wiggs' (Par) and 'Apache Trail' (M-G). Not a powerhouse as bills go, mild $5,000. Last week, 'Major and Minor' (Par) and 'Busses Roar' (WB), $5,000. Memorial (RKO) (2,900; 44-55-65- 7=)—'Who Done It?' (U) and 'Get Hep To Love' (U) (2d wk). Bang- up $18,000, and holds another. Last week, sock $25,000. MetropoliUn (M-P) (4,367; 30-44- 65-65-75)—'Road to Morocco' (Par) end 'Aldrich, Editor' (Par) (2d wk). Very powerful draw, going to terrif $25,000. but won't be held. Last week, sockeroo $30,000. Orpheum (Loew) (2,900; 44-55-65- 75)—-Me My Gal' (M-G) and 'Boogie Man Get You' (Col) (2d wk). Staunch $19,000. Last week, great $24,000. Paramount (M-P) (1,300; 33-44- 60)—'Mrs. Wiggs' (Par) and 'Apache *" ■ (M-G). Okay but that'a about Last week, 'Major and 'Busses Roar' (WB), neat $11,900. SUte (Loew) (3,200; 44-65-76)— ■Me My Gal' (M-O) and 'eoogis M..n Get You' (Col) (2d wk). Hold&ig up nicely, around $14,000. Last week, •tout $17,500. TranslDx (Translux) (900; 17-28- 44-55)—'Daring Young Man' (Col) and 'Traitor Within' (Rep) routine $4,600. Last week, 'Flying Fortress' (WB) and 'Police Bullet? (Mono), flne $6,500. IIAJOR' WOW $26,000 TOPS IN SWANK WASH. Trail' all at $11,000. Minor' (Par) lovdier' SoHd 16iG In 2 Denver 'Rangers'$14,500 H.O. Denver, Dec. 8. First-runs still are packing them In most of the time in current ses- sion. 'Forest Rangers' is grabbing the top money in its second week at the Denham and is staying over. Gas rationing effect not yet fully felt here. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 40-50-60)— •Black Swan' (20th), after day-and- date week at Denver and Esquire. Good $5,000. Last week, 'Gentle- man Jim' (WB), big $6,000 after day- and-date session at Denver and Es- quire. Broadway (Fox) (1,040; 30-40-50- 60)—-Pride Yankees' (RKO), after two weeks at Orpheum. Nice $3,500. Last week, 'Yank at Eton' (M-G) and 'Falcon's Brother' (RKO), after Orpheum week, big $4,000. Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 30-40- fO-60)—'Forest Rangers' (Par) (2d wk). Big $14,500, and stays for third sesh. Last week, 'Forest Rangers' (Par), smash $16,000. Denver (Fdx) (2,525; 30-40-50-60) —-Never Lovelier' (Col) and 'Blackle gloes Hollywood' (Col), day-and- ate with Esquire. Strong $12,500. Last week, 'Black Swan' (20th) and 'Laugh Blues Away' (Col), day-and- date with Esquire, smash $19,000. Esquire (Fox) (742; 30-40-50-60)- •Never Lovelier' (Col) and 'Blackle Goes Hollywood' (Col), also at the Denver. Fine $4,000. Last week, 'Black Swan' (20th) and 'Laugh Blues Away' (Col), day-and-date with Denver, stout $6,000. Orphenm (RKOK (2.600; 30-35-40- BO-60)—'Me My Gal' (M-G) and •Scattergood Survives Murder' (RKO) (2d wk). Fine $11,000. Last week, same combo, big $15,500. Faranonnt (Fox) (2,200; 30-45)— Undying Monster' (20th) and 'Dr. Remault's Secret' (20th). Horror combo getting surprisingly stout $0,- 000. Last week, 'Manila Calling' (20th) and 'Smith MinnesoU' (Col), strong $9,500. Washington, Dec. 8. Ginger Rogers is ringing the bell this week, with 'Major and the Minor' at the Palace. Keith's put on a bang-up ad campaign to sell 'Seven Days Leave' but it's mild. 'White Cargo' was kidded by the critics but it is plenty okay at the Capitol. Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew) (3,434: 28-39-44-66) 'White Cargo' (M-G) with vaudeville. Okay $20,000. Last week, 'Thunder Birds' (20th) with vaude, nifty $23,000. Columbia (Loew) (1.234; 28-44)— Moon and Sixpence' (UA).. Good $5,000. Last week, 'Yank at Eton' (M-G), $6,000. Earle (WB) (2.216; 28-39-44-66)— Gentleman Jim' (2d wk) (WB). For holdover of six days, big $16,500. Last week, sock $23,000 in 8 days. Keith's (RKO) (1,830; 40-50-65)— Seven Days' Leave' (RKO). In low gear for this house with $9,000. Last week, 'Who Done It?' (U) (2d wk), all right $10,000 after opening stanza of $16,500. Metropolitan (WB) (1,800; 28-44)— 'Sister Eileen' (Col). Neat $8,500. Last week, 'Flying Fortress' (WB). $8 800 Palace (Loew) (2,242; 28-55)—'Ma- jor and Minor' (Par) bounced from opening day to wow $26,000. Last week, Ttfe, My Gal' (MG) (2d wk), stout $17,000. 'NightaarT Plus Pastor W/^ Qeve. Cleveland, Dec. 8. Auto traffic dropped less than ltl% the first week of gas rationing In Northern Ohio, but grosses In down- town area skidded more than that. Nightmare,' coupled with Tony Pas- tor's orch and Bonnie Baker, is earn- ing the most money at the Palace. EstlmMea for This Wee)i Allen (RKO) (8,000; 35-40-46-55)— 'Washington Slept Here' (WB) (2d wk). Swell $8,400. Last week, •Bambl' (RKO) (2d wk), ordinary Hipp (Warners) (8,700; 39-40-45 M)—'Now, Voyager' (WB). Paced only a shade under Bette Davis' usual take, fine $15,000. Last week, 'Wash. Slept' (WB), fine $14,00. Lake (Warners) (800; 35-40-46-55) —'Bambi' (RKO) (3d wk). Not so much steam on moveover, $1,700 best expected. Last week, 'Tales Manhat- tan' (20th) (d wk), stronger at $3,000. PaUoe (RKO) (3,700; 40-60-70)— 'Nightmare' (U) plus Bonnie Baker and Tony Pastor orch on stage. Av- erage bill and dividends around $18,500. Last week, 'Navy Comes Through' (RKO) with Dick SUbile orch. One $23,000. Stote^ (Loew's) (3.450; 35-40-45-55) —'Whistling in Dixie' (M-G). Okay $11,000. Last week, 'Me My Gal' (M- G), terrific $22,000. Stllbnan (Loew's) (2,700; 35-40-45- 55)—'Me My Gal' (M-G). Pushing toward gratifying $10,000 on move- over from State. Last week, 'War vs. Mrs. Hadley' (M-G). mild $9,000. Metropalitan (Jndle) (3,200; 80- 95)—'A Man's World' (Col) plus 'Bombshells of 1943' and Frank Sinatra on stage. Carried to fairly good $7,500 in three-day weekend run. Last week, 'Foreign Agent' (Mono) plus Ink Spots, Lucky Mll- linder orch, stout $9,500 in four days. PUyhonse (Indie) (2,200; 30-40- 50)—'Glass Key' (Par) and 'Powder Town' (RKO) (2d run). Good $5,000. Last week, 'Major and Minor' (Par) and 'Live On Danger' (Par) (third downtown wk), nice $7,000. SUI« (Loew) (3,200; 30-40-50)— 'Me My Gal' (M-G) (2d wk). Justi- fying holdover with snappy $12,000. Last week, grand $19,000 for biggest week in a long time. Strand (Indie) (2,000; 30-40-50)— Road To Morocco' (Par) and 'Spirit Stanford' (Col) (2d wk). Holding to opening week pace for nifty $10,000 after taking in zowie $15,000 In first sesh. 7 Sweethearts' Plus Morgan $14,000, Mpls.; IHorocco' Big 9G H. 0. Minneapolis, Dec. 8. With Russ Morgan on the stage and 'Seven Sweethearts,' the Or- pheum currently has the boxoffice right-of-way. Holdover of 'Road to Morocco' at the State is strong. Bob Hope comedy probably being kept from record the first week by below zero weather. Last week gave promise of setting a new loop high, the Thanksgiving to Sunday trade breaking local rec- ords for a four-day period. Then the temperature dropped to 10 be- low zero coincident with gasoline rationing, and grosses slumped abruptly. The indicated $20,000 gross for 'Morocco' in its first State week, a record-shatterer, failed to materialize because of the bad weather. Estimates tor This Week Aster (Par-Singer) (900; 17-28) — 'Hidden Hand' (WB) and '(General pied at Dawn' (Par) (reissUe) in for flve days, good $2,200. Last week, pache Trail' (M-G) and 'Wildcat' 'ar) 4>Ut with 'Falcon's Brother' iXO) and 'Meet Stewarts' (Col), big $3,600 In eight days. eentury (P-S) (1,600; 30-40-50)— 'Avengers' (Par), Many Norwegians here and plenty of effort expended to interest them. Well sold and de- spite mixed reaction from crix and customers wiU do $9,000, very big. Last week, 'Panama Hattie' (M-(i) (second week downtown, $5,000. ' Gopher (P-S) (1,000; 28-30)—'Give Out, Sister' (U). Modest $S,00d In ?irospect. Last week, 'Flying Tigers' Rep), very big $8,000. Orphenm (P-S) (2,800; 35-44-95)— 'Seven Sweethearts' (M-Q) and Russ Morgan orch, others, on stage. Well liked stage show and pleasing pic- ture, good $14,000. Last week, 't>rlde of Yankees' (RKO), b(a $12,- 800 in eight days, but hurt by sub- zero temperatures after terrific start at 40-99C scale. Stete (P-S) (2,200; 30-40-90)— 'Road to Morocco' (Par) (2d wk). ■Proving an amazing boxoffice per- former here. Raves and fast-mov- ing turnstiles for this one. Looks like very big $9,000 after stupendous $17,000, bad weather break keeping it from new high here. Uptown (Par) (1,100: 30-M)— 'Somewhere Find You' (M-G). First neighborhood showing. Big $4,000. Last week, 'Bambi' (RKO). good $3.- 000 in six days, also first neighbor- hood showing. World (Par-Steffes) (350; 30-40-50- 55)—'Desperate Journey' (WB) (2d wk). Has clicked solidly in this town. Good $2,500 after nice $3,200 on first session of moveover. Pitt Is Xmas Simpping, So Biz Dips; 'Gal' Mild mOOO. 'Lovelier' N.G. (i^ -4- DS GIRLS'-L CARROLL UNIT, $15,000, OMAHA Omaha, Dec. 8. With the only new major show in town, the Orpheum looks forward to a big $18,000 for 'Between Us Girls' a- d Earl Carroll's 'Vanities' on stage. Omaha has holdover 'Road to Morocco' with new second feature, Sweater Girl,' and expects around $8,600, very good, while the Brandeis will hold 'Once Upon a Honeymoon' and try a new stunt for the house, a new second feature, 'Scattergood Survives a Murder.' Early response makes it look like at least a $5,000 week, not bad for holdover. Estimates tor This Week Orpheum (Tristates) (3,000; 20-40- 55-60-65) —'Between Us Girls' (U) and Earl Carroll's 'Vanities' on stage. Previous experience with Carroll shows, plus fact that other two majors downtown are holding over, leads to expectation of a big $15,000 or better. Last week, 'Thunder Birds' (20th) and stage show, 'Salute from Hawaii' and Ray Kinney's band, fine $15,600. Omaha (Tristates) (2,000; 11-30-35- 50)—'Road to Morocco' (Par) holds over with new second feature Sweater Girl' (Par). Opening looks like nice $8,000. Last week, 'Morocco' (Par) and 'Berlin Correspondent' (Par) smash $12,700, exceeding origi- nal estimates. Brandeis (Mort Singer) (1,500; 11- 30-35-50)—'Once Upon a Honey- moon' (RKO), second week, with new second feature, 'Scattergood Survives Murder' (RKO). Good $5,000. Last week, 'Once Upon Honeymoon' (RKO) and 'Blackie Goes Hollywood' (Col), nifty $8,200. Town (Goldberg) (1,400; 11-20-30) —'Valley of Hunted Men' (Rep) (1st run), 'Here We Go Again' (RKO) and 'Bashful fiachelor' (fttCO) split with -Outlaws Fine Ridge' (Rep) (1st run), 'Big Street' (RKO) and 'Son of Fury' (2(mi) aided by Saturday stage show. Nice (1,300. Last week, inger Pacific,' 'EUery Queen Meets emy Agent' (Col) and 'Flying - --..iS. ^ijA) gollt with T " Jam' rtJ) 'ith Music' (UA) split with 'Eagle ""). TUdy In Jam' (U: and 'Slue MontMe Skies' (Rep) with -Squadron' (U) Saturday and Sunday stage shows, good 11,400. 'RANGERS' 12G IN BALTO 2D 'WASH.'TRIM $16,000 IN .PROV.;'GAL'12GON2D Providence, Dec. 8. Three holdovers this week with the State's 'For Me and My Gal', Strand's 'Road to Mosocco', and the RKO Albee's 'The Wavy Comes Through' getting the nod. Majestic's 'Washington Slept Here' also is going great. Estimates For This Week Albee (RKO) (2,300; 30-40-50)— 'Navy Comes Through' (RKO) (2d wk) and 'Scattergood Survives Mur- der' (RKO) (Ist wk). Nifty $8,000 after zowie $14,000 first week. Carlton (Fay-Loew) (1,400; 30-40- 50)—'Springtime Rockies' (20th) (2d run). Steady $3,500. Last week, 'Now. Voyager* (WB) (third down- town wk), very nice $3,500. Fay's (Indie) (2,000; 29-39-50)— 'Yank In Libya' (PRC) and Mar- cus Show on stage. Sock $8,000 ex- pected. Last week, 'Secret Enemies' (UA) and vaude, swell $7,500. MaJesUc (Fay) (2,000; 30-40-50) —'Washington Slept Here' (WB) and 'Hidden Hand' (WB). Swell $16,000. 'Last week, 'Springtime Rockle.s' (20th). sturdy $14,000. 'Morocco' Neat $14,000 In Bnf f. HO.; 9G Buffalo, Dec. 8. Holdovers and early Xmas shop- ping are holding down the total take m the downtown area this week. Despite this, 'Road to Morocco' at the Buffalo is still nice In holdover ses- sion after a socko first week. 'Me and My Gal' at the Great Lakes is not far behind in eight days of the second stanza, while 'I Married a Witch' also Is bright at the Hipp. Estimates tor This Week Buffalo (Shea) (3,500; 35-55)— 'Road To Morocco' (Par) and 'Live on Danger' (Par) (2d wk). Neat $14,000. Last week, socko at more than $21,500. Great Lakes (Shea) (3,000; 35-55) —'Me My Gal' (M-G) and 'Apache Trail' (M-G) (2d wk). Sturdy $13.- 000 in eight days. Last week, power- ful $18,000. Hipp (Shea) (2,100; 35-55)—'Mar- ried a Witch' (UA) and 'Wildcat' (Par). Bright $9,000. Last week. 'Iceland' <20th) and 'Manila Calling' (20th) (2d wk), ditto. Lafayette (Hayman) (3..300: 35-90) —'Who Done It?' (U) and 'Great Impersonation' (U) (2d wk). Strong $9,000. Last week, sma.ih $18,000 or near. 20th Century (Ind) (3.000 ; 3.';-55)— 'Once Upon Honeymoon' (RKO) and 'Men of Sky' (RKO) (2d wk). Oke $8..S0O. I^ast week, hangup $15,000. fialtimora, Dec. 8. feme slight dr^p h«ra wis week, with holdovers and heavy holiday shopping possibly the answer. Of newcomers, 'Sprififltime in the Rock- ies' is faring well ft the New. 'Bambi' though ^ed to good vaude layout at combo Hipp and sold strongly. Is not measuring up to expectations. Rest of town u qiily moderate. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew's-UA) (3,000; 17- 28-35-44-55)—'Me My Gal' (M-G) (Sd wk). Holding up nicely at $12,000 after smash opening round at $18,800, better than expected. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,240 17-28-38-44-55-86) — 'Bambi' (RKO) plus vaude headed by Dave ApoUon. Good flesh contribution but strong selling not helping. Might reach rather disappointing $15,000. Last week, 'Never Lovelier' (Col) and vaude (2d wk), okay $13,200. Keith's (Schanberger) (2,406; 17- 28-35-44-55)—Forest Rangers' (Par) (2d wk). Holding up solidly at $12,- 000 after ringing the bell with, re- sounding first trip to better than figured at $15,400. Maytair (Hicks) (980; 25-50)— 'Manila Calling' (20th). Attracting some trade at estimated $5,000. Last week, 'Give Out Sisters' (U), steady $5,700. New (Mechanic) (1,680; 17-28-40- 55)—'Springtime in Rockies' (20th). Nicely spotted and good at $8,000. Last week, "Thunder Birds' (20th), fair $4,800. SUnley (WB) (3,280; 17-28-38-40- 55)—'Gentleman Jim" (WB) (2d wk). Maintaining good pace to $13,000 after trim $16,800 on first week. Valencia (Loew's-UA) (1,450; 17- 28-44-55) — Omaha Trail' (M-G). Rather mild $4,000. Last week, 'Eyes in Night' (M-G), in moveover from downstairs Century, house average of $4,400. 'TARZ' FOR STOLOFF Hollywood, Dec. 8. Sol Le.<;ser assigned Ben Stoloff to direct 'Tarzan and the Sheik,' the next Johnny Weissmueller jungle stanor for RKO release. Stoloff moved Into the studio yes- terday iMon.) to collaborate on the .script with Clarcnre Vonng. Pittsburgh, Dec. 8. Qas rationing, cold weather and the beginning of the Xmas shopping rush earlier than usual, all are crimping biz plenty. Only attrac- tions showing any real strength are a couple of holdovers, 'Black Swan' at the Fulton and 'Now,Voyager' at the Warner. 0th rwise, things are pretty disappointing, 'For Me and My Gal' at the Penn and 'You Were Never Lovelier' at Harris, both -being way off the beam. Estimates tor This Week- Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 30-40-56)— 'Black Swan' (20th) (2d wk). Hold- ing up very nicely after smashing house record in first week. Looks like better than $10,000, great under present conditions. Last week, 'Swan' around $16,200, topping previ- ous mark held by 'Green Valley* (20th). Harris (Harris) (2,200; 30-40-55)— 'Never Lovelier' (Col). They're not going for this Aslaire-Hayworth musical despite solid campaign. Will be lucky to hit $6,500, new low for house. Last week, 'Who Done It?' (U) three days in second week, un- der $3,500 following nice $12,000 first stanza. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300:30-40-65) —'Me, My Gal' (M-G). No account- ing for ordinary biz of this one. Will hardly be more thnn $15,000, about the lowest a '.<;peciar has ever done here. Last week, "Now, Voy- ager' (WB), neat $18,000. Bits (WB) (800; 30-40-55)—Major and Minor' (Par) (3d .wk). Cam« here via Penn-Warner-Ritz route. Doing bang-up $3,500 here after going way above expectations at other two spots, too. Last week. 'Gentleman Jim' (WB), on its third week downtown, only $2,000. Senator (Harris) (1.750; 30-40-55) —'Who Done It?' (U) (3d wk). Shifted here after 10 days at Harris and mild at $3,000 or near. Last week, 'Boogie Man Get You' (U) and 'Sin 'Town' (U), in the dumps at $2,300. Stanley (WB) (3.800; 30-44-55-66) —'White Cargo' (M-G) and Major Bowes' Amateurs. First of the Bowes tmits in a couple of years here and it's helping but not as much as the plcnire. Took advantage of the institutional advertising splash to lug nlm. Should do $17,000, okay, ist week, 'Seven Sweethearts' O), plus Cab Calloway orch, thin $16,500. Warner (WB) (2,000; 30-40-55)— ■Now^ Voyager' (WB) (2d wk). Moved from the Penn and holding UP at excellent $8,500. Last week, 'Major and Minor' (Par), also move- over from Penn, great $10,000. 'Escape' Helped to Big $16,500 by Horseshoe' Revae in Indianapolis Indianapolis, Dec. 8. Trade at all five downtown de- luxers is running consistently behind recent high marks this week, with season's first sharp cold wave prob- ably a bigger factor than the start of gasoline rationing in slump here. Billy Rose's 'Diamond Horseshoe' re- vue with 'Can't Escape Forever' is taking the tall coin at Circle. 'Road to Morocco' is leading the straight fllmers at the Indiana. Estimates for This Wceh Circle (KaU-Dolle) (2,600; 30-40- 55)—'Can't Escape Forever' (WB) and Billy Rose's 'Diamond Horse- shot' revue unit Snappy stage show takes credit for most of big $16,600. Last week, 'Navy Comes Through' (RKO) and 'Get Hep to Love' (U), slim $7,000 at 28-33-44 scale. Indiana (Katz-Dolle) (3.200; 28-33- 44)—'Road to Morocco' (Par). Com- edy is doing a nifty single to tune of trim $11,000. Last week, 'Who Done It?' (U) and 'Moonlight Ha- vana' (U), sock $12,500. Keith's (Ind) (1,200; 28-33-44-55) —'Baby Face Morgan' (PRC) with vaudeville and Milt Britton band on stage. Okay $4,500 in four days. Last week, 'Old Homestead' (Rep) and vaucleville, $9,400 in .<:ame time. Loew's (Loew's) (2.450; 28-33-44) —'Me My Gal' <M-G) and 'Boogie Man Get You* (Col). Combo still good for nice $7,500 in second week after a smash $12,500 in first seven days. Lyrlo (Katz-Dolle) (1.850: 28-33- 44)—'Who Done It?" (U) and 'Moon- light in Havana' lU). Picking up an extra $3,500 on moveover from Indiana. Last week, first run combo. 'Sin Town' (U.) and 'Sherlock Holmes Voice' (U), neat $4,700 in six days.