Variety (Jan 1949)

Wednesday, Januar; 5, 1949 Forty*tMrd P^tKEj^jPit Annivermry nCTVRB CROSSES 61 Heavy Snow, Rain Hurts Qii Albeit Hope-Torme-De Wolfe Wham $76 'Shoes' Big 16G, 'River at Flood 39G ^ Chicago. 4 Chi boxoffice got caught in heavy snow storm and rains which swept city over the weekend and early in the weelc. However, two vaude houses hit lush grosses and most houses were benefited by overflow . from these two, : the Oriental and Chicago. Chica'go, under impetus of. terrific exploita- tion by house .flaclf, garnered the year'? highest gross with $76,000 for "Paleface" and Billy De Wolfe and Mel Torme topping stageshow on first week. Orisntal hit great $59,000 with "Three Musketeers" and Three Suns opening session. . "Red River at the-Woods rolled «p a.xolossal $39^000 o p.e.n i n g round. '-"June Bride" at the State- liake did healthy $22,000 opener. "Red Shoes" teed off at Selwyn ■with socko .$16,000, and is hold- ing. In the holdover section, bright- est was the second week of "Every Girl Should Marry" at the Palace •which took home $17,000. "Ham- let" at the Apollo, in fifth week, was nifty $14,000. the Garrick, in seventh stanza^ did bright $15,000. Rialto and Surf, both off the Raiidolph Street beat, ,wei:e hit by the -Storms. Estimates for Last Week ' , Apollo (B&K) (1,400; 1.20-2.40) —"Hamlet" (U) (6th wk). Crabbed, .jieat $14,000 in fifth session. Chicago (B&K) (3,900; 50-98)— • "Paleface" (Par) with stageshow headed by Billy DeWolfe and Mel Torme (2d wk). Holding well after sensational $76;000 for Bob Hope Comedy in first week, over hopes. Garrick (B&K) (900; ' 50-98)— "Snake Pit" (20lh) (8th wk.). Nifty $15;000 for seventh week. Grand (RKO) (1,500; 50-98) — "Freaks" (M-G) (reissue) (3d wk.). Bright $12,000 for second round. Oriental (Essaness) (3,400; 50- 98)—"Three Musketeers'? (M-G) plus Three Suns p.a. (2d wk); Socko $59,000 for opener. Palace (RKO) (2,500; 50-98)— "Every Girl Should Marry" (RKO) (2d wk). Trim $17,000. Rialto (Indie) (1,700; 50-98)— "Phantom of Opera'' (U) and "Ali Baba 40 Thieves" (U) (reissues). Fair $7,800 for first week. * Robscvelt (B&K) (1,500; 50-98)— "Night at Opera" and "San Fran- cisco" (M-G) (reissues) <2d Wk).. Okay $12,500 after fast $16,000 in 'first.- ■ ■ - ; ■ Selwyn (Shubert) (1,000; 1.20- 2.40)—"Red Shoes" (EL) (2d wk). Hit socko $16,000 in first week ending Dec. 31. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 50-98) —"June Bride" (WB) (2d wk). Trim $22,000 for first session. Surf (Indie) (650; 85)—"This Is New York" (UA) (6th wk) Okay $5,000 for fifth week. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 50- 98)—"Man from Colorado" (Col) (2d wk). Crisp $22,000 for open- ing round. . Woods (Essaness) (1,073; 98) "Red River" (UA) (2d wk), $39,000 for initial week. : World (Indie) (587; 80)-r-"Lost One" (Col) (8th wk). Not too Md $3,500 for 7th week. K.C. Biz Back in Stride; 'Married' Opens |na^^ Hope Hold$ Up Ice^ Kansas City. Grosses are back in ; regular stride,, fairly weU jcecovefed from; the ' pre'Ghristmas sWniip:. • Town has roster of ace pix; too, getting some better money, especially since I the New Year's Eve extra shows boost the, take this session. "Wbrds ! and Music."' at the Mldlandi Opened I Friday (31). "Every Girl,Should Be I Married," at the Orpheiira, started ; great last Wednesday ; (29), ''Pale- I face,"' in; second week ;at -jpara- llooks unusually good afteit snlash I opener.--,,. ■. ,:.•.;':,'■;.■,;■';''.■,;:,■;,■,', I Estimates for Last W*ek ;; 1 Esquire (Fox Midwest) (820;: 457 i 65)—"Rose Washington: . Square" (20th) and ."Runaway Daughter" I (SG) (reissues) opened Thursday "Snake Pit" atMSO), Last week, "Return of Wild- -* fire" (SG) and "Jungle Goddess" (SG), slow $2,500. . ; ' ;•; : Kimo (Dickinson) (550; 45-65)-^ "Eternal Return" (indie) French language film opened Saturday (1). Last week, "Fantasia" (BKO) (re- issue). Playing house for third time hit merry $2,300. Midland (Loew's) (3,500; 45-65)— "Words and Music" (M-CJ) and "Leather Gloves" (Gol) Friday (31). Last week, in Hills" (M-G) ("Hitls: of Home") and '.'Black Arrow'; (Col). A-V-crage ,,$12,000.,■ ■■,;,,■,;■: Orphetim (RKO) (1,906; 45-65)— "Every Girl Should Be Married" (RKO) aiid^'Indian Agent" (BKO). Off to a great start .'Wednesday (29), Last week, "Last Days ! of Pompeii" (RKO) and "She" ;tEKO) (reissues), : unusual ;,;billing -for Christmas week bilt :did Well at $9,000. . : ; » ; : Paramount (Par) (1,900; 45-65)— "Paleface" (Par) (2d wk). Not far off from first weeltv-, pace. Last week, great $20,000 for Bob ttope comedy. Roxy (DurwOod) (900; 45-:65)-;t "Panhandle" (Mono) and' "Sixteen Fathoms" (Mono).: Opened Satiir-' ddy (1). Last week,"Live a Little" (EL) and "Adventures G a 1 la n t Bess" (EE), mild $4,000. Tower-Uptown-Fairway (Fox Midwest) (2.100, 2,04.3, 700; 45-65) —"Yellow Sky" (20th). Opened Fri- day (31). Last week, "Mexican Hay- Tide" (U), light $11,000 in 9 days. Fat Holiday Fare Lifts Cincy; 'Words' Out In Front, 'Married' Torrid ' Cincinnati,' Major stands are olfering an assortment of strong holiday fare and biz generally is setting a hot pace. "Words and Music" shapes loudest newcomer, and the flagship: Albee is heading for colossal week with "Blondie's Secret" and a solid bill topped by Jack Carson and Marion Hulton. "Every Girl Should. Be Married" is a fast-stepping first- run. Holdovers in the main are stoutish, / Estimates for Last Week Albee (RKO) (3,100; 64-94) — "Blondie's Secret" (Col) plus Jack Carson,: Marion Hutton, others, on stage. Looks headed for colossal week, spiked by sellout of New I Year's Eve performance on reserv-' ed seat $1.25-1.99 scale. Last week, i "Untamed Breed"- (Col) with Peter 1 Lorre, Allen: Jenkins, others, on 1 stage, moderate $20,000. , Capitol CBKO) (2,000; 55-75) — "Paleface" (Par) (2d wk). Holding j strong after sensational $21,500, lover hopes, for near house record I at regular scale. ! Grand 'RKO) (1,400; 55-75) — I "Words and Music" (M-G). Setting town's pie pace in sizzling tempo. ! Holds. Last week, "Last Days Pom- peii" (RKO) and "She" (RKO) six days, wham $1,1,500. B way Likes Sound of New Year s Biz; larrietf-Lancaster Tall, 'Juan-T.D. Sock, 'Words Wow 3d, 'Joan Hot 7th Broadway firstruns, virtually al' G'obe (Brandt) tl,600: 90-$1.50) holdover this session, benefitted: .—"Whiplash" (WB) (2d-final wk), ; from the usual New Year's Eve and -First frpme ended Friday (31), iholidny we^i? "ickup for first stan/.a |fakine in New Year's Eve, moderate endinf! in 1949. Main ."our note to ."^KLOOO albeit over hopes. Stays an otherwise bright business; pic- ti'TTicd. to snow later Friday; (Si) iafternboh;" This :msy:have c"t. sarta into New Y^iir'S Eve but! most mpn- agers felt it Was a relipf, from the continued rainfall. All houses tilted W>i^r scales for. few '^'sa'^'' Ev«!,: price.s rnisg!rig from $2 t ^ $3,60, th*" latter fo" the reseryed !o.acs at ihe Music Hall. While a bit too early at press- time, most operators of : deluxers indicated thftt "the overall tot^l for ■Broadwaiy film houses . on ■New Year's week would coniDai?e favor- ably with 1947.: Still; digging oiit froth tlie recorci Dee, :26 snowstprth a yeiir ago, city's ban on vehicuJar travel hit New Year's trade at firstruns so badly, it will be re-; called thit they experieriied the j slowest Dec. 31 late-sliow business ! (reissues), six days, wham 81,1,500. I in several years. Ban kept thovi-( Guild (Indie) (278; $1.20-2.40)—^ 'sands from motorinf to N. Y. a year "Hamlet" (U) (2d wk). Near-ca- ago. pacity trade. Last week, hotsy \ One of the strongest newcomers $8,500. ,„., , , „ I to wind: up its first week before , Keith's (City Inv.) d 542; 55-'75) I Dec. 31 was the Strand, with "Don i —"Mexican Hayride (Ui (2d wk). ■ juan" and Tommy Do'rsey heading . Continuing rollicking stride. Last 'singe bill. Initial stanza hit smash $76,000, best at that house i'n weeks. '"Every Girl Should |B0 Married" week, goGd:$8,500. Lyric (RKO) (1,400; 55-75) — "Last Days Pompeii" (RKO) and "She" (RKO) (reissues) (m.o.). QpgneJ I Looks helty. Last week,"Jungle "n^nppf' JhT!" (Col) (m.o.), moderate $4,500. ^ ' Palace (RKO) (2,600; 55-75) — "Evcrv Girl Should Be" Married*' (RKO). Off to great start:; Last week, "Rogues' Regimerit" (U), .sturdy $13,000. Shiibert (RKO); (2,100; 55^75) — Rogues' -Regiment" (U) (m.o.). In with Burt Lancaster;'and Skitch Henderson band also completed its first week at the Capitol in the chips. It went to sock $90,000, quite a ; bit over hopes; Second week will get benefit of New Year's J'cre only two weeks, with "Belle Ftirr's Daughter" (20th) opening ,Jan. 8. ! Fw'ion (CHy Inv.) (S85; $1.80- ; !?2.40)—"Joan of Arc" (RKO) (4th , wk). Third week ended Monday ,(3) niglit is, reported way up after ' getting S7,000 in second, session and $6,500 opening week. Booking is for only six weeks; with legit show replacing. ; Gotham (Brandt) (900; 70-$1.20) '—"An?el on Amazon" (Rep) (24 wk). First round ended Friday (31), ' includin.<^ New Year's 'Ev6 trade, ' strong $14,000. ; Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 60-$1.25) !—"One Sunday Afternoon" (WB) :,(2d'-final wk). Second round opened Man. 1. First week mild $20,000. ' "Wake of Rea Witch" (Rep) opens Jan. 8. Pa'ace (RKO) (1,700; 40-95)— 'Stagecoach" (UA) and "Long Voy- age" (UA) (reissues) (2d wk). First week concluded Dec. 31 went to 'surprisingly great $22^000, and over hopesvcven though upped by New Year's Eve trade. This combo due to stay until "Boy With Green Hair" (RKO) opens Jan. 12, renew- ing firstrun policy here. Paramount (Par) (3,664; 55-$1.50) -T-"The Paleface" (Par) with Benny Goodman orch. Buddy Lester top*: ping stageshow .(4th wk). Third session ended Tuesday (4) not far I off from second week's total, get* ! ting an assist from New Year's Eve and Jan. 1 business. Second round Eve and the followihg.;daiy, which f&'-JSStiMOoSo" should keep the pace n^ar initial | ^^laf r Avertwe round. ' "52 40).^''Hariilet' winners wKh^'thelr net viTovln-j?^^^^'''^ ^^^^ l^^t (Tues.) ^airfeh stride. Last week, "Gallant rnrXm^rDay'X.^^^^^^ ^'^^ Blade" (Col) (m.o.), .so-so $4,500. ' ■ • ■ •• (U) (583; $1.20- (U) (15th wk). INDPLS. ON UPBEAT; miS' $13,000 TOPS Indianapolis. Firstrun biz has recovered from pre-holiday slump of Christmas week> but didn't'get .much above average anywhere partly: because of weekend cold wave. Nothing held although "Mexican Hayride" moved from Indiana to Keith's for second stanza. •'^Danger in Hills."- "Gallant Blade" combo, playing to heavy kid trade at Loew'Si led town. Estimates for Last Week Circle (Gamble-Dolle) (2,800; 44- 65)—"Blood On Moon" (RKO). Oke $11,000. Indiana (Ganble-Dolle) (3,300; 44r65)—"Mexican Hayride" (U). Fair $11,500. "Keith's (G-D) (1,300; 44-65) — "One Brick Higher" (Indie). Thin $2,600 on documentary made at Purdue University with student ■ cast. ■ Loew's (Loew's) (2,450; 44-65)— "Danger In Hills'; (M-G) and "Gal- lant Blade" (Col), Nice $13,000. lyric (G-D)(1,600; 44-65) — Plunderers" (iflep) and "Ro$e of Yukon" (Rep). Mild $5,500. L'vifle Sees '49 OK;'Hayride'p Louisville; Prospects for business oii the main stem is good for 1949: tlur-, .rently, pace is healthy but not stu- Huge I pendous. "Rogues' Regiment" at Mary Anderson and ''Mexican Hay- ride" at Rialto made best showings last week. Estimates for Last Week Brown; (Fourth Avenue) (1,200;; 45-65)---"Night Has Thousand Eyes" (Par) and"Disaster" (Par). Tabbed nice $5,000 on m.o. from Rialto. Kentucky (Swltow) (1,200; 30-40) -^"Apartment for Peggy" (26th) and"Touch of 'Venus" (U). Moder- ate .$3,200. Mary Anderson (People's) (1 ,;0()0; 45-65) — "Rogues' Regiment" (U) Not too hefty $7,000. Rialto (FA) (3,000; 45-65)— "Mexican Hayride" (U) and "Ad- ventures Gallant Bess" (EL). Catch- ing kids out of: school holiday wieek but medium $12,000, looks about all...'"" State (Loew's) (3.000; 45-65)— "Danger in HilLs" (M-G) and "Gal- lant Blade" (Coi). Fairish $11,000. Strand (FA) (1,000; 45.^65)— "Plunderers" (Rep) and "GFrand Canyon Trail" (Rep). Helped by school holidays to brisk $7,000, chantment," went to very big $40 000 while State's "Force of Evil" got a fancy $44,000. Roxy also went over expectations with"Wonderful Urge" and-Bar- bara Ann Scott heading stageshow.: First week was solid $100,000, albeit not up to hopes for a big^ holiday, week. The real champ for Christmas week was the Music Hall with "Words and Music" and Xmas stage bill. Third week ended Dec. 29 soared to great $157,000. Judging by lines despite heavy downpour last Thursday (30) and New Year's .business^ Hall likely will not drop far behind this mark on fourth i session./ ~ i Another powerhouse is "The j Paleface" with Benny Goodman! 1 band onstage at the Paramount, i I It beat initial, week's business by ! Frisco Ctimbs Up; 'Pit'Big Starter San Francisco. Clearing weather and upped holiday scales helped brighten Market Street firstruns over the I weekend. "Snake Pit" started out at the Fox in sock fashion."Rogues' Regiment" at Orpheum also teed off big. "The Paleface" is top holdover at the Paramount after great opening session. : Estimates for Last Week Golden Gate (RKO) (2.844; 60- 85)—"Every Girl Married" (RKO) and "Indian Agent" (RKO) (2d wk). Doing okay. Last week, solid $20,000. Fox (FWC) (4.651; 60-95) —; "Snake Pit" (20th). Opened boff. Last week, "Yellow Sky" (20th) and "Bungalow 13" (20th). okay $23;.500. Warficld (FWC) (2,656; 60-85) — "Words And Music'" (M-G) and "Code Scotland Yard" (Rep) (2d' wk). Holding up nicely. Last week, fine .$22,500. . Paramount (Par) (2,646: 60-85)— "Paleface" (Par) and "Disaster'' (Par) (2d wk). Staying up fine. Last week, sock $30,000. ti nm "T„r,«i„ ti„," fr-„n nr,„.,-,H St. Francis (Par) (1,400; 60-85>-lf^'?%7:i""f. Ihe d "O^r^ "The Accused" (Par) (2d wk). Still '/„^^,,f'^^,^°y//^;:'/"^^^^^ strong. Last week, robust $lf5,000.l;^^„st (Col) d d on^^ $6,500 in Orpheum (No. Coast) (2,448; S5-'^stor (Cilv Inv) (1 100- 70-Rl m 85)—"Rogues' Regiment" (U) and ^^Fnrhnntmpnr ' ™"-^^'^''' "Ladies of Chorus" (Col). Starting r;itf3"i'-'^«»}2re. previous session. Thirteenth round hit smash $19,400, best of run thus far while 12th week was ."iJlS.SOO, a bit over hopes. Radio City iVIusic Hall (Rocke- fellers) (5,945; 80-$2.40)—"Words and Music'' (M-G) with Christmas stageshow (4th wk). Third session : ended Dec. '29 soared to great $157,000, easily best of three weeks thus far. House opened at 7:30 in 1 morning Monday, Tuesday, Wed- I nesday and Thursday, last week* 1 making five stageshows possible; [ Despite this, long lines, even in kpouring rain, were common at all I shows. I Rialto (Mage) -(594; 44-$1.20) — ! "In Navy" (U) and "Pardon Sarong" (U) (reissues) (3d wli:-2 days). Current round starts today (5) being held to oiCy two days be-, cause "Unknown I.sland" (FC) is set to open Jsn. 7. First week ended Dec. 28 went to smash !l?;!i,H°fi?Jf"lH*'!J^A'' .*5 I $13,000 wiiiie second frame, taking second frame ended Dec. 28. Third New Year's Eve was nearly ai week taking m New Year s should'■ ■ " : big. I Rivoli (UAT-Par) (2,092; 60- ; $1;25)—"Snake Pit" (20th) (9th wk). Eighth week ended Wednesday (29) Plan South Jersey Drive-ln Philadelphia. A new drive-in has been an- nounced for the South Jersey area, by W. W. Smith, president of Parkt In Theatres, of Gloucester, N. J. Gloucester group, will be asso- ciated with the Sablosky film in- terests, of Philadelphia, in the new drive-in to. be located: on the Del^ sea Drive in Bridgeton-Vineland. out robust. Last week, a't^'';Co;?^^'d thi^'°$"9:llo^^^- .^-^IJ- business went t^ ITnifpH ArfUfs iNn rrinsoTl ?n7- ^^'^^ '"S $40,000. Proving a terrific 5.5*'85)-!-''Bet'Yeal°•"''?RKO^'(M ^^fZI ^^^iJ'^ """"""^ Ta^UfoS^l,""'"^ -'^^^ Bi^ 7c^ftr'LT%'89; $1,20- StaSor (Ackerman) (350; $1.20 ?2-40)-"Red Shoes" (EL) (11th to: $2.40) (60-85)—"Hamlet" (U) (8th wk). Shaping up lor another,.. „ . ..„i,i.j m.i. , ,• great session. Last week, socko ■ sho^s„„P"S^^d 10th v^^^^^ $11,500 ] Dec. 30 to great $20,000. a bit over Esquire (No. Coast) (955; 55-85) Jj^Pfs; mnth was $15,000. House -"Return of October" (Col) and , l^^'ng $2.40 top for two New "Blondie's Secret" (Col) (m.o.). ■ s Eve shovvs. Doing okay. Last week, "Red ! Capitol 'Loew s) (4.820; 80-$1.50) River" (UA) (m.o.), big $4,400 on — ^vf^'y^irl Should Be Married" 4th week . ■» v.. (RKO) with Burt Lancaster, Skitch Larkin (Roesner) (400; 65-85)— ' S^"'^^';^?" heading stageshow "Woman Hunt" (Indie) (2d wk). . ,1^ ■"^"'-^'^ holdover frame First week Was pleasing .$2,500. : started Dec. 30, and not far from — ! opening week since taking in New be near that "Joan of Arc" is soaring this week both at the Fulton and Vic- toria. Heserved^seat run at former likely will hit biggest mark of run in third .stanza. At the 'Vic, ".loan " i rebounded trom pre-holiday ■ in-: fluence to smash ,$41,000 in seventh I frame, "Snake Pit" also soared, ■ reaching very .strong $34,000 in eighth week at Rivoli. i gjjow with Ming & Ling, Bob Evans. Estimates for Last Week Harold Barnes topping stage bill Ambassador (Siiil/:kvi 11.200; 55- '^^ wk). Second frame ended last Tuesday (4), First week went to big $100,000 and oyer hopes, bene- fit of two biggest holiday weekday's pushing Up total. State (Loew's) (3.450; 80-$l.50)— "Force" of- Evil" (M-G) (2d Wk), First week ended Dec. 31, taking in reflected picture's/"stamina by climbing up to very/strong $34,000- as compared with $18,00.0 in sev- enth . stanza. Continuing. Roxy (20th) (5,886! 80-$1.80) "Wonderful Urge" (20 th) plus Barbara Ann Scott heading new ice (RKO) (2d wk). session started ''^^*'"''" ' Sltu7day aT.^Trst week,"incTudin^^ Year's Eve, went to fancy — ■ ,S44.000. In for run in view of cur- rent business. Strand (WB) (2,756;' 76r$1.50)^ "Don Juan": (WB) With Tommy Dorsey brch heading stage bill (2d wk). Initial session ended ThurSr wk). This stanza opened Friday day (30) soared to smasli $76^p0. (31). Help from having eight extra one of best here m some time. .Cur^.; shows pushed 10th week ending rent week gets benefit of .-flew Year'.s Eve trade. Victoria (City Inv:) (1.060; 9.5- $2.40)—"Joan of Arc" (RKO) (8th wk). Seventh week ended DeC* 29 rebounded in great style to smash $41 ,GPO as against $30,000 for; sixth. Holds on indef. United Nations (FWC) (1,149; 60-85)—"Yellow Sky" (20th) and "Bungalow 13" (20th) (m.o.). Shapes strong. Last week. "Fantasia" (RKO) (reissue), $2,500. State (Par) (2,133; 60-85)—"In- ternational Lady" (EL) and "Blood On Sun" (UA) (reissues). Nice go- ing. Last week; "Son Of Sheik" (Indie) and "Gaslight Follies" (reissues), sturdy $7,500. MINNEAPOLIS. (Goritinued from page 60) - First session ended i Orpheum. Last week, "Northwest (29), with help from ' Stampede" (EL), fair $7,500. : Uptown (Par) (1,000; 44-60)-- "When Baby Smiles" (20th). One of first nabe showings. Last week, "Johnny Belinda" (WB), ^ood $4,- ,,oooi■.■--.■,..:■■-:,. f World (Mann) (350: SO-85)^"Th« Year's Eve, Wednesday holiday week crowds for four davs, soared to $90,000, considerably over expectancy. Criterion (Loew's) (1,700; 70- $1.85) — "Rogues* Regiment" (U) (3d wk). Third stanza opened Jan 1. Second week held up very fine at $27,000 after $28,000 opener. Mikado" (U). Last - week, rise" (Rep), fair $2,300. 'Moon*