Variety (Nov 1943)

10 PICTURE GROSSES Wednesday, November. .3, 19<| 3 Rain Slows Up Hub But 'Face It' Okay ; Ditto 'Sparrow'-Lucas, Boston, Nov..a.-' -Let's - Face . It,' at the Mot. and 'Fallen; Sparrow.'- with stage, combo, etlhe Boston; art the week's new en-, tries here- as h.b.'s dominate. First looks good at $30,000: second is okay $26:000. Biz is off-: generally follow- ing nearly, a fall week of rain,, but there are signs Of an upsurge in the current week. Estimates for This Week .. . BoKlon iRKO) (3.200; 44-99)—. 'Fallen Sparrow' (RKO) plus Clyde !'Lu'cas orch, others, on. stage/. Good at $26!00O.' Last vveek, 'Crime Doc- tor'-lUt plus Woody Herman orch. others, oh stage, dwindled in rain to $28,500. -Feriwav (M-P) (1,373; 75-$1.10l— ■Bell Tolls' i Par). Hereafter big twosome at Met and fairly good at . $10,000. High price apparently, re- sented. Last week; 'Army' (WB) (2d wk l. oke S6.000.. ■;' Majetttc (E.~M. Loew) (1,470: 44- '9M)—"Girl from - Monterey- (PRC) plus stage acts; Small $10.000.. Last week, 'Hi Ya Sailor.' (U) stage »ho\v. ditto.- . ' . - ' Memorial ! RKO) (2.900: 44-75)— .'Iron Major' (RKO) and.'Never Dull ■Momtiil'. ilM . (2d .wk): Dropped to $24,000. but still good. Last, week, hypoed l»v personal appearances, etc., gravid $35,000. • .; Metropolitan (M-P) (4,367: -35-65) —'Lei's Face It- (Par) ;and 'Passport Sueii" i Col ). Reverting to regular policy following 'Bell,' but holding tip to..an okay $30,000. Last week. •Bill.TOIls",cPaT) 12d- wk) (advanced , scale!, stout $41,500 after first week's seiisalioivarS63.000. . ~. -6r.phe.uni (Loew) (2.900; 44-65)— 'Johnny Come Lately? lUA) and. 'Na'zly Nuisance' '(UA) (2d • wk)! Comfortable $23,000. Last week; big $30,000. .Paramount iM-P) (1.700; 75-$l.10) —•Bell Tolls' (Pari, Here.after two a I Met. but not so good. Disappoiht- . ing $20,000. price being figured loo high.; Last .week, 'Army' (WB) (2d wk). nice $14,000. Slate (Loew£(3.200: 44.-65)—John^ ny Come Lately' (UA) and ..'Nazty Nuisance' (UA) 12d wk). Down to so-so $10,000. Last week, neat $14,000. . Translux (Translux) (900; 28-65) — •Jsle.Fo.rgotlon. Sins' (PRC) and 'Boys of City' iMoiio).. Good $6,300. Last week. ^Unknown Guest'- (Mono) and •Tiger Fangs' (Rep). $6,800. 'Phantom' Torrid At $17,000, Buffalo Ace; 'Lady Chance'Big 16G Buffalo, Nov. 2. Not much to shout about this week, excepting 'Phantom of Opera.' This musical thriller is plenty socket at the Lafayette. •■; -' Estimate's, for This week . Buffalo (Shea) '3.500; 35-55,)--' ■ Moliiiny Come Lately' (UA)' and 'Nalzy Nuisar.ee' i'UAK' Mild $15.- 000: Last w_cck. Thank Lucky Stars' (WB>. strong S1S.000. Great Lakes i.Sh'ca» (3.000: 35-551— 'Best Foot Forward" iM-G). Unex- citing at S15.000. Last week. .'Bell Tolls' (Pari Ckl wk). sturdy $14:000. Hipp iSheai i2.100; 35-55)—Thank Lucky Stars" (WB). Moved from BufTalo. Okay $8,500. Last week. •Hostages' .(Par) and "Good Fellows" (Par), so-so $8,300. Lafayette i Basil) (3.300; 35-55 )— 'Phantom Opera" (U) and 'All By Myself (U): Soaring to smash $17.- 000. or a bit over. Last week. -King- dom for.Cook''(Col)-and 'Crime Doc- tor" 'Col), passable $10,000. 20lh Century (Ind) (3.000; 35-55) — "Lady Takes Chalice' (RIfO). Po-, tent $16,000. Last week, 'Princess O.'Rourkc". (.WB) and 'Murder Water- front - (WB) (2d wk). solid $14^000. Carney a'nd Marion Hulloh on stage. Torrid $30,000. Last-Week, -'Spitfire' (RKO). with'Richard Himber orch, Allan Jones, oh stage, grand $29,000. State (Loew'sV (3,450; 35-55)— 'Man from Down Under* (M-G>. They're not buying Charles Laughton in war- yarns here: result is sad $9,500. Last week. 'Dob* It" (M-G). solid $18,000. Stlllmari (Loew's) (2.700: 35-55 Ft ■Dood II' (M-G) (2d wk). Brisk $7,- 000. ' LksI week: 'Let's'Face It' (Par) 13d wk)/nice $7,500.; Herman Ups 'Gillespie' To Neat $26,000 in D C; 'Face It'-Vaudfr Ditto Washington. Nov. -.. Three days of driving rain hit- biz' downtown last w.eek. Moisture cost fii-st ..wins and neighborhoods at least $50,000. 'Let's Face It.' received 1 kind- ly by critics, will right it. out with 'Dr. Gillespie's Criminal, Case' and Woody Herman .band for top. hote (his week. . 'Bell Tolls.' iii seventh week'.at; Columbia, is still a sturdy contender.. City That Stopped Hit-, ier' a'nd 'Adventures of Rookie,', first double feature, on' F street, flivvered badly; giving- the Metropolitan its low gross of the year. Pulled after six days. ',',.. -'!'■ Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew) (3.434;,38-75)—'Dr. Gillespie's Criminal, ease' tM-G), with Woody Herman orch! on stage. Jitterbugs w ill boost this one to neat $26,000. Last week. 'Dood If (M-G) (2d wk) plus vaude headed by Wihi Shaw; .Rain'kept gross down lo thip $17,000. ' ...-'.' * : Columbia (Loew) (1,200: 75-$l.10). -rBell Tolls'. (Par) (7th wk). Final week should get okay $10,000: Last week.'hurt by-rain, only about $9,000. . Ea'rle (WB) (.2.242; 30-90)—'Let's Face It' (Par) plus vaude. Given- good sendoff by' crix. -nice $26,000. Last week: 'Sahara' (Col). Suited out like a world-beater. !but: later was. rained out.. $22,000, fine consid- ering.: - Keith's iRKO). . (1,800; .30-55)— SkvV the Limit' (RKO) (2d wk). Looks like good profit at $9,500. Last week. oke. $16:500. - . Metropolitan (WB) (KSOOT 30-55) —'Lady Takes Chance". iRKO). On eight-day run should do $8,000, sturdy. Last' week, : 'City Stopped Hitler' '(Par) afi"d'""TAdvenlures Rookie.' (RKO).'- No soap, and yanked after .r\x days after sad $4,200. Palace (Loew) (2.242: .30-66)— ■joh'nivy Come Lately' (UA) (2d wk). Neat $14,000 after .so-so $16,000 .first week, with rain hurting.. 'Face It'Bright $17,000 Easy Winner in Balto. Baltimore, Nov. 2. Navy Day parade, -which lasted hours last Sunday <3I), kept the stUbho\ders'away on a big day, but biz on the week is generally, good. In. heavy list of h.o.s,; 'Lei's Face It' is having things its own way at the. Stanley, ..'The Adventures of Tartu,' Which ran into additional troubles Saturday ('301 night at; Loew's Cen- tury, through spectacular Are in building directly across the street, looks all right. Repeaters are all maintaining steady pace. Estimates for This Week Centuiv. iLoew's-UA) (3,000; 17- 55)—Tartu' l M-G): Fairish $13,000. Last .week.'Dood If (M-G). Okay $14,200. • Hippodrome . iRappaport) (2,240; 17-66)—'Lady: Takes' Chance' (RKO) (2d wk) plus new vaude layout. Holding up well at $14,000 after wham $18,900 on initial try. '-. KeMh s iSchanberger) (2.460: 17- 55')-^'Phantom Opera* (U) opens tomorrow (.Wednesday) . after four weeks of •Bell Tolls' (Par) at'upped scale of 75c and $1.10.. :Final round was $13,200, vev. big after previous, takes. .•:'■ ' - : ' ■• May/air •( Hicks) (980; 25-50)—^ •Sleepy Lagoon' (Rep).' Solid $6,000. Last week 'Always Bridesmaid' (tf), all right $4,2,00. New (Mechanic) (1.680; 17-55)— •Rosie O'Grady' (20th) (2d. wk). Go-: ing s'troqg al $9,000 after healthy opening round of $12,700. Stanley (WB) (3..280; 20.-60)— 'Let's Face ii' i Par l. Robust at $17,- 000. Last week, second of Thank Lucky Stars' (WB), fell off to $8,- 900 after.big initial sesh of $20,200: .' 'Top Man'-Allen-Vaude Smash $30,000, Gleve. Cleveland., NOV. 2, .Notre ame-Navy grid ' gamc. ; vhich 'dhimmed up record' crowd here last Saturday.' look ball away fronr key houses, but latter arc still scoring heavily. Palace is-.smashing . through 'the line for the biggest coin ■with Top Man.', wilh; Alan Carnfty and Bob Allen's orchestra running ..'■'interference^ Estimates for This Week Allen (RKO) (3.000; 35-55 )^De- alioycr' (Col) (2d wk). Good $7,500, Last week. 'Phantom of Opera' (U) (2d wHh same on moveover. - Hipp (Warners) 13.700: 35:55)— •Claudia - • 120th). Showing . some mighty fancy footwork with mighty •22.500. Last week. 'Destroyer.'' i Co) >, Jast $18,500. Lake (Warners) (800; 35-55)— ■•Phantom,-Opera''(U) (3d \vk i. Okay $3,000 on moveover, duplicating last Keek's "Rising Sun' (RKO) (3d wk) Ohio (Loew's) (1.200: 75c-$1.10)-r- •Bell Tolls' (Par) 6th' wk). Satisfac- -lory* $12,000 on sixth round, and anr other one in offing, after. $12,500 last week. Palace (RKO) (3.700; 85-85)—Top Man' (U) plus Bob Allen orch, Alan SC0LLARD WEST ON SOEG'S 15% DEMAND Hollywood. Nov. 2. C. J. Scollai'd of Paranibunl, chair man iit the exchanges committee, is expected'here Friday ■ iSi . lo take pai l in negotiations between dim ex- changes, and the Screen Olficc Em ployees. Guild on the letter's bid for a 15'; pay hike. The SOF.G si.ilI- ts awaiting word from nroduceis on ils demand for •a 1 l l wage boost for 2.000 white-col- lar workers lh the studios. Cleve. Gets ODT Okay On Sun. Film-Delivery The Office of Defense Transporta- tion has come to the. aid- of dislri - tors and exhibitors in the.Cleveland area, where the.local ODT board had ordered, that no film deliveries;c.ouId be made ;ori Sundays. ; Following appeal by the .distribu- tors., .the ODT ruled that while no more than five .deliveries can be made over ' -day, periods each week.inch! ing Sunday, cait be chosen' : This .is- an important day, especially so ' ickups are.con- cerned. Theatres Agree On Wage Tilts Detroit, Nov. 2. Shorlcvitling any. hearing before the War Laoor : Board, an agreement has been reached-in substance, be- tween . the' local IATSE and major Detroit chains on wage increases for service employees! The '. tentative agreement sees wage hikes in most categories with' only a. formal okay- required fronv the Governmental: conciliator. - The agreement is being worked out between Local B-179. and the : two biggest chains; Cooperative Theatres and United Detroit Theatres, which presages. a similar pay scale for' other chains and independent houses here: • While all figures have not been re- leased! .the hew. contracts - would set . up a price scale of 50c an hour for ushers in the loop district and 45c for. the .neighborhoods. It also will boost cashiers; $3 s week. Detroit Holds Up; 'Canteen' Strong $34,000, 'Phantom Dualed Big 36G Studio Wages Skid Sacramento, Nov. 2. Film industry wajges for Septem- ber skidded.'..siightly \ below the August mark but were sliy far above record for the month in 1942.. : Average weekly earnings for the recent. September w-er'e $72.45, as •gainst $51:68 . a year ago. For August, 1943, 'the weekly .average was'$73.73.: Good Will Briefies ^Hollywood, Nov. Coluiribi is' into the hands- across-- -border campai in 'Screen "Snapshots,'... roduccd by Ralph Staub, recently returned from Mexico -City wliere he .worked out ideas tor.*" series of shorts based on the personalities and growth of the film industry south, of the Rio Grande. Pictures will be released in English and Spanish, in cooperation with the Motion Picture Society for Ahncrivas. the Sparrow'Tops New Pix In K G., Brisk at 10G; 'Sahara'Torrid HG,2d * Kansas City. Nov. 2. . Giosse.-- aie down this week, with holdovers in dfliixers slowing the pace. 'Bell tolls.' in its fourth and final round at the Newman, again is leader. ;Sah;:ra.V in ■ second week at the . Midland with 'Dangerous Blondes.' is next besl_ weet Rpsie O'Grady,' riay-and-date . at Esquire, Uptown and- Fairway. Is steady on h.o. 'Fallen Sparrow,' at the Orpheum, looks to be the prize newcorncr. Estimates for' This Week ; Esquire. , l.'ptown • Fairway iFox-MidwesI) (820. ; and "700; il-CO)—Rbsie OCiady' (20th) (2d wk). Brisk $10,000 following grand $13,500 initial round. Midland iLoews) (3:500: .- -50)— 'Sahara' (Col) and 'Dangerous Blondes' iCol) >2d wk ). Hot $11,000 lo add to srtii.sh- $15,000 opening stanza. . . ■ Newman iPari.nYounl) 11.900; 75- $1:10)—Bell Tolls - (Par). 14lh wk). SteadS" at SI2.000. Tolal 6r $05,500 rung Hp for three previous weeks.' bi pheuih i RKO ) > 1.600: 15-60)-^' 'Falien Sparrow' iRKO) and 'Advent- lures Rookie' i RK6). ; Bright $10:000. Last week, 'Rising Sun' ,(RKO) and 'Aldrich Swings It' '(Par) (2d wk). okay $10,500 after great $.15,000 first frame. Tower iFox-.T6ffec) (Z.100: 15-50) ■Holmes Faces Death' (U) and 'Re- venge Zombies' iMohor plus! vaude:' Nice $9,000, Last Week, 'Kansnn' (UA) and .'Old Bain Diince' (Rep) plus stage show, $10 : 000. Picture Finns Hopeful On Eased Fire Rules For Print Containers Since the National .Board of Un- derwriters and the Interstate Com- merce Commission have approved use of fabricated '.containers 'for film, the industry is hopeful that the present N. City ordinance may. be amended, as a- wartime. measure at least,- permit the. storin of raw stock and prints in.thisc cases. 'An. argUmeiil in (his-direction is'.ox-, peeled to be that die fiber boxes arc okay. In every '•_ exchange ceh; ter in . the country excepiin :N. Y., where the' ire Department has storied cracking down on; buildings where film is stored. While the Fire'Dept. allows manu- facturers lo ship iaw stock in .the fabricated cases, and prints may be sent to N. Y. exchanges ii these cases, the depariment insists! within short lime 'limits, thai the film has to be taken oui of thes ; boxes and placed in metal containers. Also, the fire officials refuse allow.' ex- changes to place the large cardboard boxes of film into Ihe vaults. Worried over the drive ot the N. Y. Fire Dept. iii seeing-that all the regulations are lived up fo, homeoftices Of the: film companies are ihakin inspections' and. instruct- ing their exchange' heads to live up to., the-: rules, but exchanges', it's pointed out,' find.,' ..almost impos- sible to adhere the "severe rcgu- lalions as the Fire Dept. .wants' it. The. fabricated containers, adopted for industry usageVwhen it"'became' apparent there!'would, be-;a siiorliige of tin. have passed .tests by the Un- derwriters and the . ICC oil the ground that they-are'safer-..than tin cases, since tin is a greater conveyor, of heal. . ' • WPB May OK Tin With an appeal currently pending before the N. -Y. Board of Standards and Appeals over the storing'and shipping of films in . cardboard con- tainers Don ynian, of the Easl- ruati Co.'; ineaiiuhile has notified distributors of a proniised allocation of .block slecl from the War Produc- : lion Board which will again permit shipment of all film in tin in the very'near, future. The. Eastman' Co! lawyers.' as well as those 'representing the various distribs whose exchanges, it's charged are flie hazards clue to the storage ot the cardboard containers, will ap- pear before the .Standard's' Board, to- morrow (Thursday) Co- appeal the move which would prevent further shipment'of the celluloid in the ribn-. 'tin. containers'. The violation rule .. nded down despite a recent dempiistralion at trie Eastniah plant ill Rochester which company officials contend was ample proof that the film could be stored safely in cardboard. . ♦ Detroit, Nov. 2. There's plenty of strength left in Detroit despite some sag reflected in the extefided runs which have been prevalent here. Catching the strong play are the sole two fresh, bills to move into the' loop this week, With a close race coming up between 'Stage Door Can- teen' at the Palms-State and Phan- tom..Of the Opera' plus 'Dancing' Masters' at the Fox. -Both are hit- ting toward boprn grosses with :Lcfa Face It* and 'Alaska Highway" at ihe ■ Michigan; strong in its continuation.- Estimates for This Week .' Adams (Balabaii) (1,700; 55-76)— 'Sahara' (Col) (3d wk) and 'Larceny, With. Music 1 (U). Former, moved . over after two-great weeks at the Fox', aimed at .fine $9,000. Last week, •Everybody.) Happy'. (Ceil) . and 'Dangerous':. rBlondesV (Col),•" fresh starters got nice $8,500. - ' Broadway-Capitol (United Detroit) (2.800; 55-75)-r-Watch; on Rhine' (WB) and 'Good Fellows' (Par) Od wk). Continues to better!, expecta- tions on continued run. with $12,000' due after last! (week's brisk* $15,000. Fox-''•('Fox-Michigan) (5,000;. 55-75) —'Phanlom'- (U) and 'Dancing Masl- . evs' (20th). Headed fdr,big $36,000. Last week. 'Sahara' (Col) and "Al- ways Bridesmaid' (U) (2d wk), beltcrcd guess with h robust $29,000. Madison' (United bclroit>^:(1.800; 55-"5)r^-Ba(aan' (M-G) aiul 'Mr. Big'- (U). Pair repealing for ii great $5,200. Last weeky'Hers:lo Hold' (U) and. "Asslgnmehl Brittany' iM-G), okay $4,700. Miehigan (United Detroit> '4.000; 55-I5.i—;Let's Face If ■ <Par) • and 'Alaska Highway' (Par) i'2d wk), Bob Hope fih likely to. follow with $26:000' - after':' lust- week's- socko $34,000. Talms-State (United- Detroit) (3.000; 55-75)—Stage Door Caiileeu* . ■ UAj. Opens to great $34;o00. Last week. 'Behind Rising Sun' (RKO) and •Spitfire's Blessed Event' (RKCi) (3d wk): wound up .surprisingly.-, strong session w;iih $11,000. I'niled Artists (United Detroil) (2,000: 75-$1.10)-^'Bell Tolls' iT'ai) (5lh - wkl. This - will inark -final slanza'.here, with $14,000. tUie alter last week's good '$20,000. .- Wilson (1.900; $U0-$1.1>5) t- Bell Tolls' (Par) .(.5th wk). Now down' lo reserved-seat basis for night, shows, will- hold up lo' $7,000 on . three.-' shows-a-'day policy. Last week, okay $9,000'.: Pic will carry on here, follow- ing United Artists bowbut this week . with ils four-a'-day program'. SAG Demands lipped Scale for Day Players Hollywood: Nov. : New wage demands by Screen Acloi-.s Guild call, for'a --.minimum of $6.75 a day, a'boosl from $5.50 for atmosphere players, the lowest stratum .in'.the acting induslry. In higher scales the. stand-ins aiid $10.SO players dc»iiiauri,$12!75 and ithe cowboys, iccskaicr's, and dancers ai;e declaring for. $16.50.. Skaters also vpant 15-minutc rest periods every working hour and higher wage rates '■when--'they furnish their .own cos- lumes and skates. Guild asks that the new rates be made retroactive lo Jan. 1, 1943. ':. 'Iron Major' Sockeroo $18,000, 'Sahara' Ditto, Prov.; '0'Rourke' 12G Providence, N.nv! 2. Main stemnicrs are falling inlo re- verse. English hereabouts, cnmpliiin- in« they Are too busy and tha.t (he manpower siliuitipn is really'a--ma- jor problem. Riding high this w^ck ■are" RKO -.Albee's "Iron Major,' Loew's State's 'Sahara,' and Majes- ties "Princess O'Rourkc.' Strand. opened Monday (1) with Sleepy Lagoon.' Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2,300: 30-50— 'Iron Major' iRKO) and 'Spitfire's Blessed Event' (RKO). Ruth War- rick personal appearance openin day helrJed. Headed for sock $IB; r 000. Last week.'Adventures Rookie' (RKO). and •Spitfire' <RKQ>; solid $14,000. Carlton (Fay-Loew) (1.400: .30-50) —'Thank Lucky Stars' (WB) (2d run ): " Snappy. $3,800. Last. week. ■Johnny Come - Lately' (UA) and 'Chance' of Lifetime" (Col ) i-2d run >, solid $4,000. Fay's (Fay) (2.000: 30-50)—'A<1- ve'lure in Iraq' (WB) plus vaude on stage. Holding fairlv steady at $5,200. Last wgek. -Rains Came'- (20th) (reissue) plus vaude. good $5,000. ■- ; ■■;-. Majestic- (Fay) 12.200; 30-501— Princess 0"RoUrke' (WB) and •Mur- der Oh Waterfront'! (\VB>. Getting a nice lift to swell $12:000. . l;:i..-t week.-Lucky Stars' (WB1.. J11.000. ■ Metropoliian (Snyder) (.'1.201): 36.-, 59>—'Thirteenth Guest'' (Mono) and 'Gay Nineties' tidio Rcvue'on i>!ag.e for-three-day wotkend fun. S'rong . $8,500. Last, week. 'Campus Rhythm' (Mono!) and stage show. fcaiining. Hi. Low; Jack and! Dame and . oft Mario orch,: good $6,000. in three-da run.;, ;..'-.!■ State (Loew) (3.200; 30-50ir- Sa- hara' (Col). Opened .strong ai>d heading for smash $.18,000. ' 'IJist. week; 'Top Mao' (U) and "Dr. .Gilr lespie's Criminal Case'.'M-G ). ditto. Strand (Silverman) (2,000: 30-50) —.'Sleepy-Lagoon' t par Land 'Alaska Highwuy' (Par). Opened Monday (1). Last week, "Bell Tolls" (Par) (2d wk), snappy $28,000 at upt*d prices.