Variety (Jul 1944)

Wednesday, July 19, 1944 PICTURE GROSSES IS Wi Still Pace Chi; 'Kitty-Heidt Neat $33,000, Raiders' Good $22, Chicago, July 18, + Standouts in the Loop are both holdovers. "Going My Way" hit its biggest receipts at the Chicago last week with $66,<jpO and should do $63,000 easily this week, its sixth, with the "Tars, and Spars" revue oh stage. "Up In Arms'- goes into its 12th week at the Woods with $17,000 in sight. Receipts have been be- tween $16,000 and $20,000 during its run at the Woods. Oriental expects around $33,000 with "Detective Kitty O'Day" and Horace Heidt band on stage, Apollo, which suffered exten- sive* damage in a Are last week, will be closed for four to six weeks for repairs. ' ■ j,'. : Estimates for This Week Chicago (B&K) (3,900; 55-95)— "Coins My Way" (Par) (6th week) plus "Tars and Spars" revue on stage. Great $63,000. Last week, with Ozzie Nelson orch on stage, terrific $66,000. Gai'rick (B&K) (900 ; 55-951— "Roger Touhy" (20th) and "Ladies in Washington" (20th) (2d wk). Solid $14,000. Last week, unusual $18,000. ." -.' . " " . Grand (RKO) (1,150; 55-95)— "Dead End" (FC) (reissue! and "Dixie Jamboree" (PRC) (2d wk). Nice $7,500. Last week, lusty $9,500. Oriental (Iroquois) (3,200; 44-95)— "Detective Kitty-O'Day" (Mono) and Horace Heidt orch on stage. .Brilli- ant $33,000. Last week "Jam Session" (Col) and Duncan Sisters heading vaude. hefty $28,000. Palace (RKO) (2,500; 55-95)— "Marine Raiders" (RKO) and "Aller- gic to Love" (U). Very good $22,000. Last week "Cobra Woman" (U) and 'South Dixie" (U), six days, 2d week, and "Marine Raiders" (RKO) and "Allergic to Love" (U) one day, nice $18,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 55-95)— "Home In Indiana" (20th) (3d wk). Choice $20,000. Last week, dandy $18,000. '•'>-' Stale-Lake (B&K) (2,700: 55-95)— "Dr. Wassell" (Par) (4th wk). Fine $25,000. Last week, trim $29,000. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 55- 95)—"White Cliffs" (M-G) (3d wk). Fine $20,000. Last week, rousing $26,000. . Woods (Essaness) (1.200: 55-95)— "Up in Arms" (UA) (12th wk). Big $17,000. Last week, same. 'RAIDERS'-VAUDE 18G, NICE, TO LEAD BALTO Baltimore, July 18, New entries have sparked biz here. Nicely up ahead are "Marine Raiders," tied to strong vaude layout at the combo Hipp, and "Mask of Dimitrios" at the Stanley., Some good trade reported also for "Sen- sations of 1945" at Loew's Century. Estimates.for This Week v".-''.' Century (Loew's-UA) (3.000: 20- 60 (—' Sensations 1945" (UA). Indi- cated $16,000. Last week, third of "White Cliffs" (M-G), very steady $13,400. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2.240: 20-741—"Marine Raiders" (RKO ) plus vaude. Indicating $18,000. Last week, second of "Once Upon Time" (Coll plus stage show held up well at $14,800. Keith's (Schanbergcr) (2.460: 20- 601—"This. Is Life" (U). Opened/yes- terday (Mon.) after two weeks , of "Double Indemnity" (Par) at S15.200 and $9,300, respectively. Mayfair (Hicks) (980: 25-55)— "Gambler's Choice" (Par). Starting tomorrow (Wed.) after 10 days of I "This Js Army" (WB) to good trade figured at $8,200 for the run. New (Mechanic) (1,680; 20-601— I "Home In Indiana" (20th I (3d wk). I Nice S4.700 after good second rotfrid," SG.400. : : - ':\ . . •.. . ' i Stanley (WB) (3.280: ' 25-66)— .1 "Dimitrios" (WB). Going well at i $17,000, Last week, second of "Was- I sell" (Par) satisfying $15,400. ' Valencia (Loew's-UA) (1,840: 20- 60)—"White : Cliffs" (M-G) (move-1 over); Faring well after three big weeks immediately preceding in ..downstairs Century/ Should- reach fine S6.500. Last week: "U Boat Prisoner" (UA) fair $4,300. 000 after terrific $19,500 opening week. v .. : . i. : Midland (Loew's) (3,500; 40-60)— "Bathing Beauty" (M-G) and "U- Boat Prisoner" (Col). Husky $17,- 000. Last week, "Hairy Ape" (UA) and "She's Soldier'' (Col), passable $12,700. Newman (Paramount) (1,900; 45- 65)—"Wassell" (Par) (3d wk). Trim $11,000 after second round total of. $13,000 and opening-week gross of $19,500, with a fourth frame likely. Orpheum (RKO). (1,500; 46-65)— "Marine Raiders" (RKO) and "Lou- isiana Hayride" (Col) (2d wk). Nice $8,500. Opening week pulled $11,200, over expectations. tower (Fox-Joffee) (2,100; 39-60) —"Yellow Rose of Texas" (Rep) and "Call of Rockies" (Rep) plus vaude. Lively $11,000. Last week. "Jam Ses- sion" (Col) and-"Slightly Terrific" (U) with stage revue, ditto. ': 'Twain' Good $27,000, Boston ■ • • Boston, July 18. "Mark Twain-' ait the Met and "Cobra Woman" at the Memorial are on top this stanza for straight pix, but business is offish as holdovers keep grosses down despite break in hot weather. "White Cliffs" staunch on second at two Loew spots, how Estimates for This Week Boston (RKO) (3,200; 50-$1.10)— "Ghost Catchers" (U) plus Abe Ly man band, Gene Sheldon, others on stage. Normally off here, but Ly man's "Sing a Song" finale helping to draw. great $29,000, mid-winter average. Last week "Night Adven ture" (RKO) and Gene Krupa orch on stage, whopping $30,000. Fenway (M-P) (1,373; 40-74)—"4 Jills'.' (20th) and "Gambler's Choice (Par). May move out Thurs. (20) after mediocre $6,000 on eight days. Majestic (Shubert-E. M. Loew) (1.350; $1.10) —"Bernadette" (20th). Back to $6,500 on weather break in 11th stanza after off $5,900 last. Memorial (RKO) (2,900; 40-95)— "Cobra Woman" (U) and "South Dixie" (U). Montez-Hall meller drawing fair $22,000, hold probable. La,st week "Home Indiana" (20th) and "Gildersleeve Ghost" (RKO) (2d wk), $19,000. . ' . Metropolitan (M-P) (4,367; 40-74) —"Mark Twain" (WB) and "Take It Big" (Par). Well ballyed for good $27,000. Last week "Wassell" (Par) (2d wk) $23,500. Orpheum (Loew) (2.900: 35-74)- •*White- Cliffs" (M-G) (2d). Sir lively at good $24,000, great women's trade. Last week $30,000. Paramount (M-P) (1.700: 40-74 )— "4 Jills" (20th) and "Gambler's Choice" (Par). May be yanked Thurs. (20) after medium $15,000, first week, 8 days. State (Loew) (3,200: 35-74)— "While Cliffs" (M-G). Strong sec- ond week will touch $14,000 after great $19,000. first. Translux (Translux) (900; .10-74)— "Call Jungle" "(Mono) and ."Con- tender". (Indie). Average summer- time $6,000. and holding. Last week, "Marine Raiders" (RKO) and "Gildersleeve's Ghost" (RKO), fine $14,500. Paramount (Fox) (2,200; 35-74)— "Address Unknown" (Col) and "Jam Session" (Col). Sturdy $8,000. Last week; "Are These Our Parents" (Mono) and "CandlelighTln Algeria" (20th), big $11,500. Rialto (Fox) (878; 35-74)—"Follow the Boys" (U) and "She's Soldier" (Col), after a week at each Denver, Esquire and Aladdin, Good $3,000. Last week, "St. Mark" (20th) and "Ladies of Washington" (20th), car- ryover, fine $3,500. .-..:-•->■• .;. CR0SBY-W TOPS D. C. AT BOFFO $28,000 Washington. July 18. "Going My Way," with Bing Cros- by, leaped to the front of the down- town first runs, and with favorable reviews looks like a month on F. street. "Mr. Winkle Goes to War" is sturdy at the Earle, with "It Hap- pened Tomorrow" treated kindly by crix. "Marine Raiders" won a hold- over at Keith's and ."The Hitler Gang" started off with an impressive opening day: " : , '■ '.- Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew) (3,434 >i 34-72)—"It Happened Tomorrow" (UA) with vaudeville. Neat $23,000. Last week, "Eve of St. Mark" (20th). with vaudeville, held up well at $24,000.. Columbia (Loew) (1.234: 34-72)— "Two Girls and Sailor" (M-G). Socko $8,500. Last week "Knicker- bocker Holiday" (UA); crix reviews hurt, but it did nicely at $7,900. .Earle (WB) (2.240; 30-90)—"Win- kle" (Col) plus vaude. Treated nicely by crix and will get $24,000. Last week, "Once Upon Time" (Col) 2d week wound up with $17,000 after socko first week of $26,000. .:. Keith's (RKO) (1,800; 34-66)— "Marine Raiders" (RKO) (2d wk). Good $9,000 after $14,500. Metropolitan (WB) (1,800; 35-55)— "Hitler Gang" (Par.). Brisk $8,000. Last week, "Between Two Worlds" (WB) (2d wk), fine $7,400. Palace (Loew) (2,778; 34-72)—"Co- ing My Way" (Par): Headed for boffo $28,000. Looks like four weeks. Last week, "White Cliffs" (M-G) (3d wk), wound up with $17,000 or $67,- 000 in 21 days. : K. G. 1st Runs Hot ; 17G 'Beauty,' 'Holiday' I5GI Kansas City, July 18 Cooler weather is hypoing biz al | the first-runs here this week, "Bath- ing Beauty," paired with "U-Boat Prisoner" at the Midland, is the bell- ringer. "Christmas Holiday." day- and-date at the Esquire, Uptown and railway, is strong despite harpoon- ing by the crix. "Dr. Wassell" is steady in its third round at the New- man, as is "Marine' Raiders." in its -Second stanza with "Louisiana Hay- ride" at the Orpheum. Estimates for This Week Fsqulre, Uptown and Fairway (Fox-Midwest) (820; 2,043 and 700; ?-«B,i—"Christmas Holiday" (U>. He^ry $15,000. Last week. "Home -in Indiana" (20th) (2d wk), lush. $11,- 'CliftV Sets Strong Denver Pace, $18,000 Denver, Julv 18. • "White Cliffs".. is putting the 'Or- pheum on top of the gross column this week, while "Wassell" is still strong in its third week at the Den- ham,,.: and holds again. y ':. Estimates for This Week' Aladdin (Fox) (1.400: 35-74)— "Home in Indiana" (20th) and. "Se- Trets of Scotland Yard" (Rep), after a week at each Denver arid Esquire. Okay $6,000. Last week. "Follow the Boys" (U) and "She's Soldier" (Col), carryover, good $6,000. Broadway (Fox) (1,040; -35-74)— "Marine Raiders" (RKO) and "Gil- dersleeve's Ghost" (RKO), after a week at the Orpheum. Good $3,500. Last week. "Hargrove" '(M-G). and •Curse of Cat People" (RKO). after two - week's at the Orpheum. fine $4,500. Denhain .(Corkrill I (1,750: 35-74 i-^ "Wasseil" (Par) (3d wk). - Neat $11.- 000. Last week.'good $11,500. .Denver (Fox) (2,525: 35-74)— "Christmas Holiday" (Ui and "De- tective Kitty O'Day" (Mono), day- date with Esquire. Fine $15,000, Last week. "Home in Indiana" (20th i and "Secrets, of Scotland Yard" (RepI. same as Esquire, big $16,000. Esquire (Fox) (742; 35-74 >— "Christmas Holiday". (Ui and "De- tective Kitty O'Day" (Mono), day- date with Denver. Satisfying $3,000. Last week, "Home in Indiana" (20tln and "Secrets of Scotland Yard" (Rep), same as Denver, big $4,000. Orpheum (RKO). (2.600; 35-74) — "White Cliffs" (M-G). Big $18,000, Cincy Spiffy; 'Holiday' Just Like Xmas, 19G Cincinnati, July 18. AH downtown houses are main- taining a fast summer tempo, three of them well over par on firstruns. Top freshie is "Christmas Holiday." fetching merry cage music at the Al- bee. Lyric is enjoying a fat round on the twin thriller, "Invisible Man's Revenge" and. "Weird Woman." Other newcomer, "This Is Life," is doing all right by the Grand. Palace has one of its,rare holdovers. "Two Girls and Sailor," encoring strongly. Estimates for This Week Albeer (RKO) (3.100: 44^70)— "Christmas Holiday" (U). Jingling $19,000. Last week. "St Mark" (20th), slow $12,000. : Capitol (RKO) (2.000 ; 44-70)— "White Cliffs" (M-G) <4th wk). Okay $6,000, trailing fairly gOod $7,000 last sesh. ' Family (RKO) (1.Q00: 30-40 >—"So- nora Stagecoach" (Mono) and "Moon Over Las Vegas" ill), split 1 with "Contender" (PRC) and "Oklahoma Raider.s" (U). Seasonal $2,200. Ditto last week for "Gildersleeve's Ghost" (RKO) and "Guns of Law" (PRC), split with "Laramie Trail'' (Rep) and "Men. of Sea" (PRC). V Grand (RKO) (1.430: 44-70)— "This Is Life" W). All right $7,000. La.st week, "Home in Indiana" (20th) third week of moveover. great $8,500. Keith's (United) (1,400: 44-70)— i "Home in Indiana", (20th). Second transfer for fifth downtown sesh. !.Sweet":$5.50.0. Last week, "Angels I Sing" (Par) (2d run i. all right $6,000. Lyric (RKO) (1.400: 44-701—"In- visible Man's Revenge" (U i and "Weird Woman" (U). Sock $8,000. Last week. "Marine Raiders" 1RKO) (2d rum. fair $4,500.' I Palace (RKO) (2.600; 44-70)—"Two Girls" (M-G) (2d wk). Terr if $13,- I 000 after wham $19,500 kickoff, ■„,' B way in Spurt As Heat Slackens; "Ang«^ Take It'-Duke-Logan-Lester 65G 'Ape' Good $16,000, Prov ; 'Twain' $12,000 Providence, July 18. New ones all . around this week, with most doing about average biz. Not too much to rave; about- Heat wave hasn't helped much; with most filmgoers preferring the beaches. -' Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) '2.100: 44-55-60)—"It Happened Tomorrow" lUAi and "Song of Open Road" (l;'A >. Opened Monday (17i. : Last wa-ek. '.'Marine, Raiders" (RKO) and "Twilight on Prairie" (RKO) (2d wki;- snappy $10 000. Carlton (Fay-Loev. i (1,400: .44-55) —"Once Upon Time" . ( Col > anrt "Stars on Parade" <M-G) (2d run). Fair $4,000, Last week. "Home ill Indiana" (20th) and "Casanova Bur'- lesque" (20th) (3d downtown week), nifty $5,000, Eay's (Favi (2.000: .44,551—"Mrtde Me Criminal" (WBi and "Polo Joe" (WB). Good $6,500. . Last week. A letup in the heat wave has quickened pace a little, but on the whole the downtown New York houses will not run up a big total this week. However, for this time of the year there are no complaints. The Paramount and Roxy, both of which brought in new shows, are running bne-twb,~but for the Par the take is comparatively much better, in view of a smaller capacity. With "Angels Sing" on the screen and Perry Como plus the Jerry Wald orch on stage; the Par flagship hit a strong $77,000 on the week ended last night (Tues.). Roxy's show of "Take It or Leave It," plus Duke Ellington, Ella Logan and Jerry Les- ter in person, finished at $65,000 for the first seven days through last night, fairly good: : At the Strand, where "Mark Twain" and Vincent Lopez's orch opened Friday (14), the going is dis- appointing at $37,000 or thereabouts. Film played an advance-price en- gagement, first-run, recently at the Hollywood. Another on second-run, but in the big coin, is "White Cliffs of Dover," at the State, which has Dave Apollon, Romo Vincent and Lois Andrews in person. Indications point to a socko $40,000 or better, and as a result show will be held over. That is seldom done here. • Little Victoria is on its first week with. "Minstrel Man." It's just "fair at about $8,000, while "Jungle Wom- an," Rialto's incumbent, is on the brighter side at $9,000 and will be held. "Minstrel" also stays. Among holdovers, "Once Upon Time" is continuing a fast gait for a very fancy $100,000 this week, its third and last at the Music Hall. House brings in "Dragon Seed" to- morrow (Thurs.). Another major opening tomorrow is "Since You Went Away," which arrives at the Capitol with Gene Krupa on stage. Though to be, sold elsewhere at 50% above established scales, it will play the Cap at its regular admissions. V ' Estimates for This Week ; Astor (Loew's) (1,140; 60-$1.20)— "Bathing Beauty" (M-G) (4th- wk). Very firm, with $21,500 grossed for the third week ended Sunday night (16); $21,900 garnered the prior semester. '.; Capitol (Loew's) (4,820; 60-$1.20)— "Two Girls" (M-G), Sammy Kaye orch. Three Ross Sisters and Paul Winchell (5th-final; wk). Break in weather and announced withdrawal will mean more this week at $59,000 than for the fourth, when $58,500 was grossed, substantial profit. "Since You Went Away" (Selznick-UA) opens tomorrow (Thurs.), with Gene Krupa on stage. Criterion (Loew's) (1,700; 60-$1.25) —"Christmas Holiday" (U) (4th wk). Continues steadily, with third week having wound up last night (Tues.) at near $29,000, while previous round (2{f) was. a particularly strong $34,- 000. Goes a total of five weeks. . . C.lobe (Brandt) (1.416: 60-S1.10)— "Hairy Ape" (UA) (3d wk i. Fairly good at $10,000 or over this week, compared with $13,000 for the second, and holds another? .- • Gotham,-(Brandt). <900: 60-98) — "Dead End" iF-C) (reissue i (3d wk). Fair enough at $7,500 this week (3d) to remain a fourth: the third was S3.000. .;, . Hollvwood (WB) (1.499: 80-$1.20) —"Skeffington" (WB) <8th wk). On the current (8th) week looks to hit over $20,000, okay profit, which beats the $19,500 rung up for the seventh frame. Remains' until some time in August, . when "DoughgirLs" (WB) succeeds. ;> ■; Palace (RKO) (1.700: 60-$1.10)-H "Marine Raiders" (RKO). (3d: wk ), A disappointer here, with the blow- off only about $15,000. while last week (2d) was fair $16,200. "Step Lively" tRKOt opens Wednesday !26.l.. .-. "- J'aramounl (Par) (3;664: 60-$l.20) —"Angels Sing" (Pari. Perry Como and Jerry Wald orch i2d wk). Not ■outstanding, but at $77,000 On the; first . week, ended last night (Tues.i, strong. Last w-cek, 10th for ' "Going My Way" (Pari' and Charlie Spivak, big $65,000. Radio Citv Music Hall (Rocke- fellers r (5.945; 60.-$!. 10 i—"Once Upon Time" (Col) and stageshow <3d-nnal w'k-l. 'But' for a. booking commit- ment which limits run of "Time" To three weeks, it would be held over; the final round will hit a verv fine $100,000, while last week (2d) was near to $110,00, smash business. "Dragon Seed" (M-G) opens tomor- row (Thurs.). Rialto (Mayer) (594; 40-85)— "Jurigle Woman" (U). A puller at $9,000 and will be retained. Last week, second for "Mummy's Ghost" (U), $6,500. - v..--" ' '. '■' Rivoli (UA-Par) (2,092: 60-$1.20)— "Wassell" (Par) (7th wk). Holding to stout $30,000 for sixth stanza end- ed last night (Tues.). Previous Week (5th) finished at $33,000. Roxy (20th) (5,886: 60-$l,20)— "Take It Or Leave It" (20th) and, on stage, Duke Ellington, Ella Logan and Jerry Lester (2d wk). Fairly good for this time of the year at $65,000 for initial seven days ended last night (Tues.). The final (3d) canto for "Home in Indiana" (20th). Enric Madriguera orch, Hazel Scotl. Joe Besser and Carmen Amaya, slid to $51,600, rather weak. State (Loew's) (3,450; 43-85)— "White Cliffs" (M-G) (2d run) and, in person, Dave Apollon, Romo Vin- cent and Lois Andrews. Off a rec- ord-breaking six-week run at the Music Hall but still a big smash here, with $40,000 or oyer in view, and holds. Last week, "Sensations of 1945" (UA). Gracie Bariie, Benny Rubin and Dorothy Donegal), Went- to a strong $31,000. Strand (WB) (2,756: 60-J1.20)— "Mark Twain" (WB) (2d run) and Vincent Lopez. Film here after a spring run at the Hollywood at boosted scales but, despite aid of the Lopez band, disappointing at $37,000 or thereabouts. Last week, third for "Mask Dimitrios" (WB), Louis Prima and Phil Regan, mild at $30,000. Victoria (MaUrer) (720; 60-$1.10)— "Minstrel Man" (PRC). Just fair at $8,000 or so but will be held. Last week, second for "Kid From Spain" (FC) (reissue), dropped badly to less than $6,000. "Manpower" (vVB) (reissue), aver- age $6,000. : '■ ', ; ■ ' . '.-- . Majestic (Fay) (2.200: 44-55 )— "Mark Twain" (WB) (return engage- ment at pop prices). Stepping along to fairly good $12,000 I^ast week. "Dimitrios" (WB) and "Allergic Love'' (U). nice $15,000!. : ... v ' State (Loew) (3.200: 44-55i— "Hairy Ape" (UA). Holding up for good $16,000. Last week. "Once Upon Time" iCol) and "Stars on Pa- rade" (M-G). disappointed at $16,000, Strand (Silverman). (2.000; 44-55) —"Man From Frisco" (Rep) and "Trocariero" (Rep). Opened Mon? dav 1171. Last week. "Going My Way" (Par)'13th wk), zowic $11,000. Pitt Biz Steady; 'Indemnity OK $16,000 Pacer Pittsburgh. July 18. Biz maintaining pretty steady level despite heat. "Double Indemnity* getting a good play at Stanley, pic- ture grabbing good set of notices generally, and "Wassell" i» holding up well in second week at Penn. "Address Unknown" sinking Harris to its lowest level in some time but "Pin Up Girl." which moved from that house to the Senator, is clocking a tine session. : • Estimates for This Week '•■•' Fulton (Shea) (1.700; 40-65)—"In- visible Mao's Revenge" (UK Had pretty good weekend, which should insure better than $6,000. not bad with this type of picture, usually half of a double-bill here. House gets one more. "Song of Open Road" (UA), and then shuts down for a few weeks. Last week, third of "Home In Indiana" (20th). okay at $5,000. Harris (Harris) (2,200; 40-65)— "Address Unknown" (Col). Lucky to do $6,500. poorest here in couple of months. Last week, second of ''Pin Up Girl" (20thi. around $7,500, . Penn (Loew's-UA) (3.300; 40-65)— "Wassell" i Par) (2d wk I. Should (inish close to $15,500. very good,Pic- ture will move to Warner to con- tinue downtown tilth Last week swell $23,500. niU (WB) (800: 40-6'i)—"Show Business" (RKO) (2d wk). Moved here from Stanley and enjoying healthy biz: Should do pretty close Lo $4,000. line . Last week, "Mask of Dimitrios" iWP' also on moreover from Stanley, did barely $2,000. Senator (Harris) (1.750; 40-65>— "Pin Up . Girl" (20th) <3d wk); Brought here after fortnight at sister house, the Harris, and still has plenty on the ball. Shooting for $4,000, swell for this. oul-o£-location spot. Last week reissues, of "Girls of Road" (WB) and -Girls Under 21" ' Col i about $2,400. Stanley (WB.i (3.800: 40-G5) — "Double Indemnity" (Par). - Crix went for this tough murder -mc.lt>-. • drama and public's reacting much the same, way.- Geared to do Slti.OOO, not bad. Last week "Show •Business" (RKO) finished fast after ordinary start and got $17,000. ■' :. " Warner (WB) (2.000: 40-65i— "While C'lifj's" (M-G) (4th wk). In second week here after having pre- viously nlayed Penn'.ftjr two weeks. Not much of a drop for run piclure, and ought to wind up* here with bel- lor than S7.000. Last week "Cliffs" got spanking $9,500.