Variety (Jan 1949)

60 nCTURB GBOSSES FoHy-ihirif f^^^tETT Anniversary VcJneaday, Januaty 5, 1949 D.C Holiday Crowds Perk Up B.O.; married,' 'Juan,' Hlfords' Open Nicely Tempo of the lowu» , iiiwiuwn ; « *fitt P ul flrstruns definitely was stepped up ; Npuf liafg [||J5 5eatll6! bv the holiday period, with a spe- »^""»*'> New Year's Eve biz. Washington. : town's mid-town ; cial bow to Reserved seat theatres are doing especially well on advance sales this week; This particularly helped J. Arthur Rank, whose 'Hamlet" and "Red Shoes" are competing .for longevity records in two-a^day houses. ■ Estim^fes lor Last IVeefc Capitol (Loew's) (2,434; 44-80)— "Yellow Sky" (20th) plus vaude. Last week, "Mexican Hayride" (U) plus vaudei fairish $23i000, than expected. ■ Columbia (Loew's) (1,263; 44-74) —"Mexican Hayride (U) Jm^o.). Last week, "Belle Starr's Daugh- ter" (20th), only thin $5,500. Keith's (RKO) (1,939; 44-74)— "Every Girl Should be Married" (RKO). Nice start. Last week, 'Blood on Moon" (RKO), wound up with nice $11,000. Little (Lopert) (287; $1.20-$2.40) —"Hamlet" (TJ) (11th wk). Gaining from the: holiday- biz. Last ■ week, fine $4,000. and holds indefinitely. Metropolitan (V.'B) (1,163; 44-74) >'^"Angels Dirty Faces" (WB) (re- issue). Last week, "Can't Take It With You" (Col) (reissue), slim $6,000. National (Heiman) (1.590; 85- $2.40)—"Blanche Furv" (EL). Opened Jan. 2. The 12th and final week of "Red, Shoes" (EL) was big $6,000. "Shoes" moved to Dupont on Jan. 2. Palace (Loew) (2,370; 44-74)— "Word.? and Music" (M-G). Start- ing out strong. Last week, "Gotta Stay Happy" (U), $15,500 for 10 da.vs. well below par for house; Playhouse (Lopert) (432; $1.20- $2.40)—"Hamlet" (U) (lllh wk). Last week, $7,000. Moves out Jan. 5 as Little carries: on alone with this British opus.' Warner (WB) (2,154; 44-74)-^' "Don Juan" (WB). Looks fancy. Last week, "One Sunday- After- noon" (WB), cozy $15,000. I 'Words'Real Biz Music, I 'Regiment' Also in Step i Seattle: ■; i New fare seems to have real apr I peal in current week with "Wptds land Music'' and "Rogues' jRegi- 'ment" shaping as best bets. "Pale- I face" still is' strong in second |frame.'. ■ less I Estimates for Last Week I Blue Mouse (H-E) (800; 50-84)— l"Man From Colorado" (Col) and "Larceny" (U) (m.o.). Last week, "Red River" (UA) (5th wk), okay $3,300. Coliseum (H-E) (1,877; 50-84)— ™ "Paradine Case" (SRQ) and "Kid- napped" (Mono). Last week, "Blood on Moon" (RKO) and "TexSs, Brooklyn" (UA), big $12,400. All Mpls. Roads lead To Taleface/Best Bet Of New Year's Lineup .Minneapolis. Thanks to "Paleface," all roads promise to lead tO Radio City at the start of the New Year. It's easily the outstanding current at- traction and likely to monopolize a major share of the Loop patronage, thanks to its own merits and Bob Hope's tremendous popularity. Other newcomers, howeverv also rate, including, especially, "Every Girl Should Be Married" and "Yellow Sky." The boys are still trying to figure out what happened Christmas week when hopes for a brisk box-office upturn- were shatr tered, Christmas day was far off and the following day (Sun.) also witnessed a 4earth of customersv. The weather wasn't too ■ bad. . Estimates for Last Week Century (Par) (1,600; 50-70)— One Sunday Afternoon (WB) Here after light week at Radio City. Last week, "Sealed Verdict" (Par), good $7,000. Gopher (Par) (1,000; 40-50)— "Model Wife" (Indie) and "Un- finished Business" (Indie) (reiS' 3-Day Holiday Boosts PhiDy; %' 'Joan,' Taleface,' 'Juan' Lm^ Standout ■ Fifth Avenue (H-E) (2,349; 50-^84), > t * , ..ivi -i.<. >r- —"Wonderful Urge" (20th) (2dLast week, "Night Time in Wk). Was only moderate $8,300 last I week. \ Liberty (Ind) (1,650; 50-84)— "Paleface" (Par), (2d wk). Holding well after huge $17,200 last week. (Rep) and; "You're Not So (Indie) (reissues), mild $3,- Hub Happy Over Hope, 36G in 1st Biz With continues to Boston: hold up here Music Box (H-E) (850; 50-84)— "Blood on Moon" (RKO) and "Texas, Brooklyn" (UA) (m.o.). Last week, "Don't Trust Husband" (UA) \3d wk), nice $3,70D.- ' I Music Hall (H-E) (2,200; 50-84)—• I "Words and Music" (M-G) and j "Guns of Hate" (RKO). Last week, house sank to new low with "Un- faithfully Yours" (20th) and "Trouble Preferred" (20th), at only $3,000. Orpheum (H-E) (2,600;. 50-84)— I "One Sunday Afternoon" (WB) and "Secret Investigator" (Rep). Last week, "Mexican Hayride'' (U) and "Bungalow 13" (20th) .(2d wk), fair $6,600. Falomar (Sterling) (1,350; 50-84) —"Good Sam" (RKO) and "Race; St." (RKO) (2d runs). Last week, "Plunderers" (Rep) with Barclay School revue, annual local event, good $8,300. Paramount (H-E) (3,039; 50-84)— "Rogues' Regiment" (U) and"Blon- die's Secret". (Col). Last week, "Man from Colorado" (Col) and "Larceny" (U) (2d wk), nice $6,800. Roosevelt (Sterling) (800; 50-84) "Julia Misbehaves" (M-G) and | Tough' 1200. I Lyceum (Nederlander) (li86&; 90r $1.20)—"Macbeth" (Rep) (2d wk). Did fairly well at $7,000 last vfeek. Lyric (Par) (1;000;. 50-70)—"Mex- ican Hayride" (U) (m.o.). Here after fair initial State: stanza. Last week, "Innocent Affair" (UA) (2d wk), light $4,200. Fix (Corwin) (300; 50-70)—"Sit- ting Pretty'' (20th) (2d run). Last week, "Raw Deal" (EL) {2d' wk), light $1,400. Radio City (Par) (4,400; 50-70)— "Paleface" (Par). Last week, "One I Sunday Afternoon" (WB), light $12,000. RKO-Orpheum (RKO) (1,600; 50- 70)—"Every Girl Should Be Mar- ried" (RKO). Last week, "Blood on Moon" (RKO), good $11,000. ' RKO-Pan (RKO) (1,600; 50-70)— "Blood on Moon" (RKO) (m.o.). Here, after healthy :flrst week at (Continued on page 61) Heavy New Year's Biz Ups St Loo; ^Words' Loud, 'Hayride' Starts Stout . St. Louis. Sagging grosses at the mainr- stemmers were hypoed by heavy New Year's Eve biz; "Words and Music," heavily plugged, is on its way to a socko take. "Mexican Hayride" looks fairly good. Estimates for Last Week Ambassador CF&M) (3,000; 50-75) —"Sunday Afternoon" (WB) and "Rocky" (Mono). Last week, "Live A Little" (EL) and "Hollow Triumph" (EL), okay $14,000. Fox (F&M) (5,000; 50-75)—"Mex- ican Hayride" (U) and "Blondie's Secret" (Col). Last week, "pale- face" (Par) and "Dynamite" (Par) (2d wk), great $17,000. Loew's (Loew) (3,172; 50-75)— "Words and Music" (M-G). Last week, "Gallant Blade" (Col) and "Danger in Hills" (M-G), nice $16,000. Orpheum (Loew) (2,000; 50-75)— "In Navy" (U) and "Pardon My Sarong" (IJ) (reissues). Last week, "San Francisco" (M-G) and "Night at Opera" (M-G) (reissues) (m.o.), solid $7,500. St. Louis (F&M) (4,000; 50-60)— "Kiss Blood Off Hands" (U) and "Trouble Makers" (Mono). Last week, "Ali Baba 40 Thieves'! (U) and "Phantom Opera" (U) (reis- sues), oke $5,500. Shubert (Ind) (1,500; 40-60)— "Paleface" (Par) and "Dynamite" (Par) (m.o.). Last week, "Flying Tigers" (Rep) and "The Fighting Seabees" (Rep) (reissues), good $5,000. 'Words' Starting Oif Fast in Pitt * , . '"t^*. houses reporting okay | "Velvet Touch" (RKO) (2d runs), takes. Keith Boston with "Dude Last week, second runs of "San 3^f^ ^^s leading the field i Francisco" (M-G) and "JNight at until Mickey Rooney came up With ! Opera" (M-G), good $4,000. flu and had to cancel the last two I _ days of his p a. Memorial is still I strong with holdover of "Every * Girl Should Be Married." Met' shapes solid with second week of | Paleface" after Bob Hope comedy ^ got sock opener. "Snake Pit" at paramount and Fenway and Words and Music" at Orpheum and State, opening New Year's, tve, look like winners. I _ Estimates for Last Week [ ..T,'**f"' <Jaycox) (1,300; 40-80)—I •Enchantment" (RKO) (2d wk) i Solid $20,000 on first week ' . Boston (RKO) (3,200; 40-80)—I •Dude Goes West" (Mono). On , stage. King Cole, Helen Forrest,, others. New Year's Eve take should hypp biz. Last week, "Un- tamed Breed" (Col) with Mickey Kooney, Janis Paige, others, on- stage. Mig-ht have been smash but Kponey's illness dropped it to Bob Hope Qves Denver House Biggest in Year .. ■•■ ■-■Denver: Paleface" wound up with best week for more than a year at the Denham, and is headed for an in- definite stay. "Rogues' Regiment" with "Sofia," after turning in fair weeks at Denvert Esquire, Webber, was moved to the Aladdin. . Estimates for Last Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 35-74)— Johnny Belinda" (WB). Fair Pittsburgh. Big splash of new pictures usher- ing in New Year with "Yellow Sky" day and dating over weekend at both Harris and Senator. Latter house kept it only two days, how- ever, Gregory Peck starrer than going it alone at Harris. "The Search" and "Big City" got away I ,fast at Ritz. Moveover of "Every I Girl Should Be Married" looks I strong at Warner and "Words and I I Music" teed off stoutly at Penn. I „, .,. Midnight New Year's Eve shows at i Terrific $28,000. Exeter "Paisan" $9,000 for Fenway (Indie) (1,300; 45-'75)— [Indie) (2d wk) great first. on. .re ^- Theatres) (1,373; 40-80)—"Snake Pit" (20th). Lobks plenty solid. Last week. "Fijihter Squadron" (WB) and "Wild Horses" (SG), okav $7,000 Majestic (Shubert) (1.500- $2 40) —' Red Shoes" (EL) i7th wk). Held to big $7,500 for 6th week, school Vacation helping. Memorial (RKO) (3,000; 40-80)— "Evety Girl Should Be Marriod" <gKO) and "Behind Locked Doors" (EL) (2d wk). Holding up sloutlv after wow $32,000 for first MetropoJitan (N. E. Theatres) (4 367: 40-80)—"Paleface" (Par) and "D.vnamife" (Par) (2d wk). got great $36,000 in first. Qrpheum (Loew) (3.000; 40-80)— •'Words and Music" (M-.G). Opened strong. Last week. "Man From Colorado" fCol) and "Leather" Gloves" (Col), fair $22,000 Paramount (A. E. Theatres) (1,700; 40-80)—"Snake Pit" )20th). Should be big. Last week. "Fiehter Squadron" (WB) and "Wild Horses" (SG), solid $15,000. State (Loew) (3,500: 40-80)— •'Words and Mu.sic (M-G). Starting well. Last week. ■ -- - $3,000 for 5th week downtown. ' Broadway (Cinema) (1,500; 35-74) —"Red River" (UA) closed record run with dim $4,000 for 5 days of ' 9th week. ! Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 35-74) I—"Paleface" (Par) (2d wk). Bob Hope comedy holds well. Fiiist week hit terrific $19,500. Denver (Fox) (2.,'525; 35-74)— "Rogues' Regiment" (U) and "Sofia" (FC), day-date with Es- quire, Webben Fair $12,000. Esquire (Fox) (742; 35-74) — "Rogue.s' Regiment" (U) and "So- iia^ (FC), also Denver, Webber. Fair $2,000. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 35-74)— Yankee" (M-G) and Bad Sister" (U). Good $16,000. Paramount (Pox) (2,200' 35-74)— ;'Father Dunne" (RKO) and "Bring -^t"^ ^A'^L^^^^'^" <RKO) (reissucK Thin $8,000. « ^J""" JZ^""^ '878; 35-74)—"June Bride" (WB) and "Smart Girls So ■ Webber (Fox) (750; 35-74) — 'Rogues' Regiment" (U) and "So- il''"' ^'so Denver, Esquire. Fair $2,000. advanced prices all along the line helped steam up trade. Estimates for Last Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 44-76)— ''Mexican Hayride" <U). Last week. Countess Monte Cristo" (U), very dim for Xmas session at $6,500. Harris '""— ■■ — Taleface' Scalps New Toronto Record, $32,660 Toronto. "Paleface" set a new house rec- ord at the Imperial, largest film theatre in Canada, with a smash $32,600 in its first week, and holds for four weeks. "Three Mus- keteers" at Loew's also saw the ropes up for a smash $21,000, also holding for a run. With announce- ment that "Hamlet" will close in two weeks, this has upsurged to near capacity at the Hylahd. Estimates for Last Week Hyland (Rank) (1,354: Sl-$1.50) —"Hamlet" (U) (7th wk). Back to near capacity after nice $7,500 last week. Imperial (FP)) (3,373; 36-66)— "Palefac^" (Par) (2d wk). New rec- ord at $32,600 for first week. Will hold for four-weeksi Loew's (Loew) (2,096; 36-66)— Three Musketeers" (M-G) (2d wk) " ■"■ $21,000 on initial round ! issue). Near capacity $6,200' and is holding over. M Fire Guts Texas House : Amherst, Tex. The Majestic here, owned by O Cosby, Jr., destroyed by fire. well. Last week. "Man From Colo- but some of booth equipment mav rado" (Col) and "Leather Gloves". be salvaged. Cosby may rebuild (Col), mild $12,000. ■ tlie house. skedded to hold over three weeks, Odeon (Rank) (2,390; 35'$i.20)-T-, "Miranda" (EL) (2d wk). tusjar $16,000 for tee-off session. Shea's (FP) (2,386; 36-66) — "When 'Baby Smiles" (20th) (2d ,„ . , ,wk). Hit hefty >$13,000 in opener. "Yellow 4kv'W9mM'^"?' f'-'^^V '^'''»" <1.«1; 36-66)- "Re- I ^yellow Sky (20th). Last week, tUrn lif Octnher" Yf^niv To*,i.i "Return of October" (Col), wasn't $5 Joo """"^'^ <<^<»"- Tepid too hot at $11,500 in 9 days. T Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 44-76) (Loew) (2,743; 36-66)— -"Words and Music" (M-G). Got a ^'^^ Happy" (U). Fine •lot of extra space in the news-! *^*'"""- papers via Joe Yule, Mickey 1 Victoria (FP) (1,260; 36-60)— Rooney's father, being here at same ' "Goodbye, Mr, Chips" (M-G) (re^ , time in "Finian's Saiiibow." Last weeks, "Hills of Home" (M-G) and "Night at Opera" (M-G) (reissue), around $13,000. , Ritz (Loew's) (800; 44-76)—^"The Search" (M-Gi and "Big Citv" (M-G). Raves for "Search" and big getaway credited to strong build- up as well as Montgomery Cliffs name. Last week, "Hamlet" (U) (8th wk), less than $2,500. Senator (Harris) (1,750; 44-76)— "Yellow Sky" t20th). end day and dating , Then "Canyon Passage" (U) and, lions banned Frontier Gal" (U) came in. Last' type with pix. week "Phantom of Opera" (U) and Estimates All Baba''(U) (rei^sufes), $4,500 in 9 days, Stanley (WB) (3,800; 44-76)— ,"One Sunday Afternoon" (WB). I This was originally supposed to be Xmas Week attraction but got pushed back a week. "Every Girl 'Should Be Married" (RKO), best here in long time and way oyer ex- pectancy at great $22,000. • Warner (WB) (2,000; 44-76-— Evei-y Girl Should Be Married" (RKOI (m.o.). - Closed strong at Stanley and opened same way here and may stay for a while. Last week, 'Christopher Blake" (WB) and 'Unknown Island" (FC). not too hot at $6,000. : ™ « , „ **hlladelphia The three-day holiday, coupled with tremendous crowds brouehf into mid-city by the New Year'q Bye celebration and the traditional Mummers Parade on New Year'il Day, combined to send boxofficn takes vSoaring. ; ■ New product came into nearlv every house over the holidays Local interest centers on the threo higher - priced films, "Hamlet" "Joan of Arc" and "Red Shoes'" Difficult to appraise staying povir. ers of trio pn basis of the holidav splurge. ' ■ "Yellow Sky," at the Fox, and "Don Juan," at the Mastbaum, look top grossers. "Paleface" drew SRO business- in its first week at Goldman. "Joan of Arc" may equal its opening week figure, at the Karlton, which was smash. 1 Estimates for Last Week Aldine (WB) (1,303; $1.20-2 40)— "Hamlet" (U) (6th wk). Last week, fine $15,000. Arcadia (S&S): (700; 50 - 99) — "When Baby Smiles" (20th) (2d wk). Doing well. Last week, great $6,000. Boyd (WB) (2.360; 50-99)-^"Kis- sing Bandit" (M-G) (2d wk). Near first week; Last week, neat $21,000. Ear'e (WB) (2.750; 50-99) -! "Words and Music" (2d wk) (M-G). Holding well. Last week, socko $30,000. Fox (20th) (2,250; 50-99)—"Yel- low Sky'-' (20th). Out'in front with .smash week likely. La.st week, "Unfaithfully Yours" (20th), thin $17,000. Go!dman (Goldman) (1.200; 50- 99)—"Paleface" (Par). Sensational start, and: talk of town. Last week, "Three Musketeers" (M^G) (5th wk), fancy $20,000. Karlton (Goldman) (1 000; 90« $1.80)—"Joan of Arc" (RKO) May beat first week total. Last week, v, record-breaking $29,500 opener. Keith's (Goldman) (1.300: 50-99) —"Mexican Hayride" (U) (2d wk). Still getting solid business. Last week, sturdy $15,000. Mastbaum. (WB) (4 360: 50-99)— "Don Juan" (WB). Holding near first week's pace. Last week, ter- rific $45,000, Stanley (WB) (2.950; 50 - 99) — "One Sundav Afternoon" (WB)» Last week. "Hills of Home" (M-G), fair $15,000. Stanton (WB) fl,475; 50 - 99) — "Plunderers" (Rep). Last week, "Moonrise" (Ren), strong $12,000, Trans - Lux (Trans - Lux) (500: $1.20-2.40)—"Red Shoes" (EL) (2d wk). Three shows daily holding this one up. Last week, huge $9,'- 200 opener. ■ 'Eyes' Bright $10,000 Tops New Mont'l I*ix jDojieTt' ^1 Montreal. General; pickup of biz is being noted in all deluxers after holiday julh Best newcomer last week was 'Night Has Thousand Eyes." All Over week- i firstrun houses carried special New with Harris. i X^^''''s Eve shows but local regula- , u vaudeville of any for Last Week loew's (C.T.) (2,855; 40 - 65) xT 4.^?yf^.Si Carmen" (Col) (2d wk). Hot $15,000. - .Capitol (G;T.) (2,412; 34^60);^"NO Minor Vices" (M-G). Stead $11,000. Palace (C.T.) (2,625; 34-60) —- $n^000^ Time" (RKO). Okay Princess (C.T.) (2,131; 34-60) — Night Has Thousand fiyes" (Par). Strong $10,000.- _ Imperial (C.T.) (1,839; 26-45)— Isnt It Romantic" (Par) and • Dynamite" (Col). Solid $5,500. Orpheum (C.T.) (l,040; 34-60)— ..Texas, ^ Brooklyn" (UA) and JUrubu" (UA) (2d Wk). Good Taleface' Real Wampum In Buff.; 'Words' Strong Buffalo. Usual bright New Year's week is in prospect here, with "The Pale- face" starting out like the sock leader at Great Lakes. "Words and Music" also teed off strongly at ; the Buffalo. "Hamlet" is continu- ing its original fancy pace after great opening week at Teck. Estimates for Last Week Buffalo (Shea) (3,500; 40-70)— "Words and Music" (M-G). Last week, "Kissing Bandit" (M-G) and "Jungle Patrol" (20th), mild- $11,000. Great Lakes (Shea) (3,400; 40-70) —"Paleface" (Par). Last week, "Wonderful Urge" (20th), thin $10,000. Hipp (Shea) (2,100; 40-70)-- - "Wonderful Urge" (20th) (m.o.). Last week, "In Navy" (U) and "Who (U) (reissues), nice $8,000. Teck (Shea) (1,400; $1.20-$2.40) —"Hamlet" (U) (2d wk). Holding well. Last week, fancy $9,000. Lafayette (Basil) (3,000; 40-701-- "Gotta Stay Happy" (U) and "End of River" (Indie). Last y/esk, "Gal- lant Blade'" (Col) and "Best Man Wins" (Col), not sharp at $12,000. Century (20th Cent.) (3,000; 40- 70)—"Every Girl Should Be Married" (RKO) and-"Bodyguard (RKO). Last week, "Blood on Moon" (RKO) and "Palooka la Winner Take All" (Mono) (6 days), fat $12,000. New Atlanta, N. C, Drive-Ins Atlanta. New theatres under construction here and Greensboro, North Caro- lina, by Dixie Drive-In Theatres are nearing completion. New drive-ins will accommodate Iva cars. Dixie operates such OP^*!'^ houses in Greensboro and Char- .lotte, N. C; Augusta, Atlanta ' Macon and Savannah, Ga., ari' > Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida,