Variety (Apr 1949)

LA Loaded widi Reissues, Holdovers Pendn^ Easter;'Cai^ht'Din $26,0i, , Tarzan' Fair 23G, 'Pacific 26G, 2d Los Angeles, April 12. ♦ Firstriins are getting no help from the school holiday this ses-, sion, and all bi? is down. Two new bills and two reissue bills are catching slow trade; Holdovers also are off. "Caught" shapes very mild $26,- 000 in three theatresi while "Tav-: zan's Magic Fountain" is thin $23,- 000 in five. Reissue combo of "Ser- geant York" and "Castle on Hud- son" shapes light $26,000 in three spots. "Dirigible" and "Subma- rine," also oldies, are dull $J3,500 in four locations. Second week of "Canadian Pa- cific" is down to oke $26,000 in four sites. "Paisan" is still profit- able in seventh El Key week, while "Hamlet" is off to $5,500 in 24th round at Four Star. "Red Shoes" looks fine $7,000 on 15th Fine Arts week. Estimates for This Week Beverly Hills, Downtown, Hawaii, Hollywood Music Hall (Prin-Cor) (834; 902; 1,106; 512; 55-$l)—"Diri- gible"' (Col) and "Submarine" (Col) (reissues). Dull $13,500. Last week, "Jigsaw" (UA) and "Rimfire" (SG), slim $15,800. Chinese, Loew's State, XiOyola, Uptown (FWC) ('2,048; 2,404; $1,- 248; 1,719; 60-$l)—"Canadian Pa- cific" (20th) and "I Cheated Law" (20th) (2d wk). Slowing up to $26,- 000. Last week, $40,600. Downtown, Hollywood; Wiltern (WB) (1,757; 2,756; 2,344; 60- $l)_^"Sgt.- York" (WB) and "Castle on Hudson" (WB) (reissues). Light $16,000. Last week, "Kiss in Dark" (WB) and "Flaxy Martin" (WB) (2d wk), $27,700. Egyptian, Los Anecles, Wilshire (FWC) (1,538; 2,097; 2,296; 60-$l)— "Caught" (M-G). Mild $26,000. Last Week, "Force of Evil" (M-G) and "Man About House" (20th) (2d Wk), $16,500. Orpheum (D'town) (2,210; 60-$l) —"Tarzan's Magic Fountain" (RKO) and "Brothers in Saddle" (BKO). Fait $12,000 here, with $23,000 for 5 day-dating houses. Last Week, "Red Stallion" (EL) and "Old Fashioned Girl" (EL), $9,- 100 here, with $20,800 in 4 sites. Patttages, BKO Hillstreet (Pan* RKO) (2,812; 2,890; 50-$l)—"Set- Vp" (RKO) and "Crime Doctor's Diary" (Col) (2d wk). About $14,- 500. Last week, nice $31,400 but below hopes, Los Angeles, Hollywood Para- mounts (F&M) (3,398; 1,451; 60-$l) -—"Nick Beal" (Par) and "Thunder in Pines" (SG) (LA only) (2d wk). Mild $19,000. Last week, $28,200. United Artists, Ritz (UA-FWC) (2,100; 1,370; 60-$l)—"Red Can- yon" (U) and "Duke of Chicago" (Rep) (2d wk). Off to $10,000, with $16,000 for 5 day-dating spots. Last week. $17.700, with okay $29,600 in Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Ores* This Week .. . ' , $562,500 (Based on IS theatres) I,.ast Year ... . . 5619,000 ■ (Based on 21 t/ieatres) Tacific Punchy in Cleve. 5 houses. JHEARf-STAGEBILL OKAY 17G, ST. LOO ACE St. Louis, April 12. Observance of Holy Week in this heavily populated Catholic city is slowing up biz currently, "So Dear To Heart" and stage presenta- tion, "Jack and Beanstalk," shapes standout at the big Fox. "Red Pony" also is dong very well at Ambassador, with "Life of Riley" held over second week there.. Estimates for This Week . Ambassador (F&M) (3,000; 50-75) ^"Red Pony" (Rep) and "Life of Biley" (U) (2d wk). Nice $16,000. Last week, "Life of Riley" (U) and "Old Fashioned Girl" (EL) $15,000. Fox (F&M) (5,000; 50-75)—"Dear to Heart" (RKO) and stageshow. Okay $17,000. Last week, "Ma and Pa Kettle" (U> and "far Frontier" (Rep), strong $21,000. Loew's (Loew) (3,172; 50-75) — "Ball Game" (M-G) (2d wk). Down to $14,000 following first, canto's $24,000. Missouri (F&M) (3,500; 50-75)— ''Set-Up" (RKO) and "Indian Agent" (RKO). Solid $12,500 or near. Last week, "Family Honey- ^noon'' (U) and "Kiss in Dark" (WB) (2a wk), Sll,500. St.- Lduis (F&M) (4.000; 50-75)— "South of St. Louis" (WB) and "Ma and Pa Kettle" (U). Oke $7,- 600. Last week, "Johnny Belinda" (WB) and "Sierra Madre" (WB) (2d runs), $6*500. Shubert (Ind) (1,500; 50-75) —' "Untamed Breed "Shot Jesse James" (SG) and "Highway 13" (SG). Good $8,000. Last week, "Unknown Island" <FC) and "Alaska Patrol" (FC) saxne. Cleveland,' April 13. Metropolitan Opera's one-week stand at civic auditorium, doing sellout biz, nipped openings of sev- eral current firstruns. Best show- ing Is being made by;. Palace's combo of Frances Langford, Jon Hall and King Cole Trio onstage, which gave "Clay Pigeon" sock week. "Canadian Pacific" is lively at Hipp. "Bribe" looks so-so at State. Estimates for This Week Allen (WB) (3,057; 55-70)—VSong of India" (Col) and "State Depart- ment-^File 649" (FC). Doing fair- ish $10,000. Last week, ''Bad Boy" (Mono), $11,000. Esquii-e (Community) (700; $2.40) —"Red Shoes" (EL) (16th wk). Amazingly steady at $6,000. after grabbing $6,400 last week. Hipp (Warner) (3,465; 55-70)— "Canadian Pacific" (20th)v Stout $16,000. Last week, '-Kiss in Dark" (WB), $16,500. Ohio (Loew's) (1,200; 55-70)— "Act of Violence" (M-G). Fine $7,- 500. Last week, "Siren of Atlantis" (U), $6,300. Palace (RKO) (3.284; 70-90)— "Clay Pigeon" (RKO) plus stage- show with Frances Langford, Jon Hall, King Cole Trio. §ock $33,000, mainly as result of stage layout. Last week, "Set-Up" (RKO), bright $18,500. State (Loew's) (3,450; 55-70)— "Bribe" (M-G). Rather slow $18,- 000. Last week, "Ball Game" (M- G), big $24,500. Outdoor Weather Bops Philly But W Hot $24,000; 'Canyon' 20G Philadelphia, April 12. Perfect Palm Sunday weather sent thousands of natives hurrying to the shore, and cutting heavily Into Sabbath grosses. Holdovers were principal sufferers. Of new product, "Take Me To Ball Game" rook s bes t—atr—GoldmanT—where^ smash. "Red Gtoyon" is below hopes at Stanley. Estimates for This Week Aldine (WB) (1,303; 50-99) — "Caught" (M-G) (2d wk). Down to $0,000. Last week: mild $12,500. Boyd (WB) «,360; 50 - 99) r- ^'Dark Past" (Col) (2d Wk). Dim $14,500 after $18,800 opening Earie (2,700; 50-99) — "State Dept. File 649" (FC) with Marilyn Maxwell, Mischa Auer, Three Suns onstage. Oke $25,000. Last week, "Lucky Stiff" (UA) plus Tony Martin topping stage, $29,500, but way below hopes. Fox (20th) (2,250; 50-99)—"To Sea in Ships" (20th) (3d wk). Low ebb $14,000. Last week, $19,000. Goldman (Goldman) (1,200; 50- 99)^"Ball Game" (M-G). Solid $24,000, two all-night shows help- ing. Last weeki,"Bribe" (M-G) (3d wk), $10,000. Karlt«iii (GdldmaiiV (1,000; 50-99) —"Little Women" (M-G) (2d wk), Strong $14,000 after sock $20,000 opener. Keith's (Goldman) (1,300; 50-99) —"Force of Evil" (M-G) (3d wk). Dipped to $7,500. Last week, good $10,000. Mastbaum (WB) (4,360; 50-99)— "Kiss In Dark" (WB) (2d wk). Dim $14,000 after tep;ld $19,00(» first week. : ,■ Stanley (WB) (2,950; 50-99) — "Red Canyon" (U). Fair $20,000. Last week, "Nick Beal" (Par) (2d 'Wk), fine $15,000. ! Stanton (WB) (1,475; 50-99) — I "Homicide" (WB). Okay $11,000. Last week, "Jungle Jim" (Col) and " " (Col), $10,000. Trans-Lux (T-L) (500; $1.20- $2.40)—"Red Shoes" (EL) (16th wk). Will hold until warm weather, currently beinp $9,000, good. Last week, $9,300. 'Squadron' 15G» Tor4nito Toronto, April 12. Pre-Easter slump, helped by fine weather and too many holdovers, is dropping biz at most houses this week. "Fighter Squadron" is top gro.sser with big session at the Im- perial. Estimates for This Week Downtown, Glendale, Soarboro, State (20th Cent) (1,059, 955; 698, 694; 35-50) —^"Johnny Apollo" (20th) and "Show No Mercy",(20th) (reissues). Okay $12,000. Last week, "Red Stallion Rockies" (EL) and "Jiggs, Maggie in Court" (Mono), ditto. Imperial (FP) (3,373; 36-66)— "Fighter Squadron" (WB). Big $15,000. Last week, "Northwest Police" (Par) (reissue), $13,000. Loew's (Loew) (2,096; 36-66)-^ "Bribe" (M-G) (2d wk). Okay $11,- 000 after last week's $14,000. Odeon (Rank) (2,390; 35-$1.20)— "Saraband" (EL) (2d wk). Fair $13,000 after good $16,500 last week. Shea's (PP) (2,386; 36-66)— "Whispering Smith" (Par) (2d wk). Okay $7,000 after last week's $9,- 000. University (FP) (1,556; 75-$1.20) —"Joan of Arc" (RKO) (3d wk). Tapering to $10,000 after last week's sock $12,500. Uptown .(Loew) (2,743; 36-66)^ "Life of Riley" (U) (2d wk). Good $6;500 after okay $8,500 opener. 'Kiss' Smooth {14,000 In Drab Pitt; Tanyon' $7M W Low 8G H.O.$DullHnb;m-In(lia Staunch $2imMGameOby2!)Gin2d Pittsburgh, April 12. Holy Week Is just about -What everybody ■ exected here—^not good; Only thing making even a slight dent is "Kiss in Dark" at Stanley. "Force of EviV with "Bad Men of Tombstone" at Penn is way down. "Red Canyon" at Fulton is fairly good. Estimates for Jhis Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 45-80)— "Red Canyon" (U). Good $7,000, and may stay extra 3 days. Last week, "Ma and Pa Kettle" (U) (2d wk), strong $5,500 in 4 days. Harris (Harris) (2,200; 45-80)— "Walking Hills" (Col). Barely okay at $8,000 or less. Last week, "Dark Past" (Col), $9,000. ' Pehn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 45-80) —"Force of Evil" (M-G) and "Bad Men of Tombstone" (Mono). Will take a bad licking at $10,000. Last Week, "Ball Game" (M-G) (2d wk), okay $14,500. Stanley (WB) (3,800; 45-80)— "Kiss in Dark" (WB). Jane Wy- man's hot right now after her Os- car, and this should help pic to $14,000, not bad for Holy Week. Last week, "El Paso" (Par), $17,- 000. Warner (WB) (2,000; 45-80)-— VEl Paso" (Par) (m o ). Doing well after brisk Stanley stanza with $6,- 000 or over . Last week,. "Own Tr ue tove" (Par) and "Homicide" (WB77 dull $5,000. Key City Grosses Estimated Total Gros* This Week ...... $2,575,000 (Based on 25 cities, 197 theatres, chieTty nrst rwris. »»• eluding N. Y.). Total Gross Same Week Last Year . . . $2,654,000 \ Based on 23 cities, 209 theatres). 'Set-Up' Sturdy $11,000 in Seattle Seattle, April 12. FirstrunS' are generally slow this week. Outstanding is "The Set- Up" which is solid at Coliseum. Plethora of holdovers also will.hurt this round. Estimates for This Week Coliseam (H-E) (1,877; 50-84)— "The Set - Up" (RKO) and "Highway 13" (SG). Solid $11,000. Last week, "Walking Hills" (Col) and "Song of India" (Col), about same. Fifth Avenue (H-E) (2,349; 50-84) —"Bad Boy" (Mono) and "Hide- Out" (Rep). Dim $6,000. Last week,; "Family Honeymoon" (U), and "Clay Pigeon" (RKO) (2d wk), okay $9,500 in 10 days. v | Music HaU (H-E) (2,200; 50-84)—! "Boy Green Hair" (RKO) and "Gun Smugglers" (RKO) (2d wk). Slow $4,000 in 5 days after last week's $6,600. Orpheum (H-E) (2,600; 50-84)— "Red Stallion" (EL) and "Rusty saves Life" (Col). Oke $7,500. Last week, "Kiss in Dark" (WB) and "Flaxy Martin" (WB), $8,200 in 9 days. Paramount (H-E) (3,039; 50-84)— "El Paso" (Par)- and "Micheal O'Halloran" (Mono) (2d wk). Down to $6,000 in 8 days after good $9,400 opener. Roosevelt (Sterling) (800; 50^84) —"Johnny Belinda" (WB) and "Sierra Madre" (WB) (2d runs) (3d wk). Academy , awards helping to hold near $4,000 after last week's nice $4,800.. 'Game' Hits $25,000 In 12 Days to Top L'ville : Louisville, April 12. "Take Me to Ball Game," at Loew's State, in 12-day stand will capture top biz in town this week. "Canadian Pacific" at Rialto also is okay. "Lawton Story," at National, with p.a. of Ginger Prince, juve player^ opening day only, looks mild. Estimates for This Week Mary Anderson (People's) (1,000; 45-65)—"Homicide" (WB). Mild $5,000. House to shut for few days to allow final face-lifting. Last week, "Flaxy Martin" (WB), $4,500 in 6 days. National (Standard) (2,400; 50- 85)-^"Lawton Story" (Indie) with p a. of Ginger Prince; others, on- stage. Modest $6,000. Last week, "Man Who Reclaimed Head" (FC) I (reissue) and Hollywood ■ Revue 1949 with Una Mae Carlisle on- stage, fairish $7,000. Rialto (Fourth Avenue) (3,000; 45-65)—"Canadian Pacific" (20th) and ''TUeson" (20th). Okay $12,000. Last week, "Enchantment", (RKO) and "Clay Pigeon" (RKO), $14,000; State (Loew's) (3,000; 45-65)— "Ball Game" (M-G) and "Golden Eye" (Mono). Good $25,000 in 12 days. "Force of Evil" (M-G) and "Act of Violence" (M-G), tee off to- day (Tues.). Strand (FA) (1,000; 45-65)— '.'Tarzan's Magic Fountain" (RKO) and "Gun Smuggler."?" (RKO). Healthy $6,500. Last week, "Last Days Pompeii" (RKO) and "She" (RKO) (reissues), $6,000. . Me' Rides High In Prov., 22G; 'Whiplash' 13G, 'Criss Cross' IIG Providence, April 12. State is riding high with "The "Bribe7'~~wlth~TsthBr"~stands—only fairly moderate in the pre-Easter week. Next "best is 'Majestic's "Whiplash." Estimates, (or This Week Albee (RKO) (2,200; 44-65)— "Criss Gross" (U) ' and "Old- Fashioned Girl" (EL). Moderate $11,000. Last week "Set-Up" (RKO) and "Gun Smugglers" (RKO), nifty $17,000. Fay's (Fay) (1,400; 44-65) — "Dark Corner'' (Indie) and vaude onstage. Fairly good $7,000. Last week, "Luxury Liner" (M-G) (re- issue) and Ken Maynard with Tar- zan heading stage, solid $9,500. Majesttc (Fay) (2,200; 44-65)— "Whiplash" (WB) and "Flaxy Mar- tin" (WB). Good $13,000. Last week, "John Loves Mary" (WB) find '^Highway 13" (WB), $12,500. Metropolitan (Snider) (3,100; 44- 65)—"Paisan" (Indie) (2d,wk). So- so $5,500. First week, nifty $14,000. State (Loew) (3,200; 44-65)— "Bribe" (M-G) and "No Minor Vices" (M-G). Hot $22,000. Last week, "Act of Violence" (M-G) and Sammy Kaye orch heading stageshow, so-so $20,000. Strand (Silverman) (2,200; 44- 65)—"Undercover Man" (Col) and "Mutineers" (Col). Second week started Monday (11). First was happy $12,000. Boston, April 12, Plenty of holdovers for Holy Week tipoff just how routine biz is here this round. Staunchest new bill is "Walking Hills," paired with "Song of India," at the Met. Sec- ond weeks of "Ball Game" at State and Orpheum and "Family Honey- moon" at Memorial are okay. Estimates for This Week Astor (Jaycox) (1,200; 40-85)— "Gotta Stay Happy" (U) (3d wk). Down to $5,000 after nice $7;500 for second; Boston (RKO) (3,200; 40-85)— "Thunder in Pines" (SG) and "Jig- saw" (UA). Mild $19,000. La.st week, "The Set-Up" (RKO) and "Amazon Guest" (FC), sock $27,- 000. . Exeter (Indie) (1,100; 45-75)— "Don't Take It to Heart" fEL) and "Waterloo Road" (EL) (2d wk))» Okay $5,500 after $7,100 for last. Fenway (Met) (1,373; 40-85)— "Sgt. York" (WB) and "Castle On Hudson" . (WB). (reissues). Okay $7,000. Last week, "Canadian Pa- cific" (20th) and "Hideout" (Rep) (2d wk), $6,000. Mayflower (ATC) (700; $1.25)— "Portrait of Jennie" (SRO) (8th wk). Off to $3,500 after $4,200 for Memorial (RKO) (3,600; 40-85)— "Family Honeymoon" (U) and "Alaska Patrol" (SG) (2d wk). Rea- sonably okay $18,000 after big $24,- 000 in first. Metropolitan (NET) (4,367; 40-85) —"Walking Hills" (Col) and "Song of India" (Col). Best in town at nice $22,000. Last week, "Kiss in Dark" (WB) and "Strike It Rich" (Mon), $21,000. Orpheum (Loew) (3,000; 40-80)— "Ball Game" (M-G) (2d wk). Down to $19,000 after big $25,000 in first. Paramount (NET) (1,700; 40-85)— "Sgt. York" (WB) and Castle On Hudson" <WB) (reissues). Oldies getting oke. $14,000. Last week, "Canadian Pacific" (20th) and "Hideout" (Rep) (2d wk), fine $12,- 000. Pilgrim (ATC) (l.SOO: 40-85)— "Cover Up" (UA) and "High Fury" (UA). Not bad $10,000. Last Week, "Red Canyon" (U) and "Shamrock Hill" (Indie) (2d wk), $6,000.^ State (Loew) (3,.500; 40-85)— "Ball Game" (M-G) (2d wk). Sotso $10,000. Last week, $15,000. 'UNDERCOVER'$17,000 BEST IN SLOW FRISCO San Francisco, April 12. Balmy weather and big Army Day competition is nicking biz here this session. Few newcomers here this week, with "El Paso" okay at Paramount, "Undercover Man" is good: at Orpheum despite unfavorable conditions. Estimates for This Week Golden Gate (RKO) (2,844; 60- 95)="Tarzan's"Magic—^FotmtaiTi-'- (RKO) and "Kidnapped" (Mono). Mild $12,000. Last week, "The Set-Up" (RKO), $13,000. Fox (FWC) (4,651; 60-95)— "Mother Is Freshman'' (20th) and (Continued on page 18) .: Carroll Estate OK'd Los Angeles, April 12. Tangled financial problems of the estates of Earl Carroll and Beryl Wallace were straightened out with the approval of Judge John Clark in L. A. superior court. Carroll's fortune amounted to $1,435,494. Miss Wallace left ap- proximately $140,000 tti relatives. 'St Louis' Average 12G, Indpls.; 'Kiss' Timid IIG Indianapolis, April 12. Film biz is strictly a holding operation at firstruns here this , stanza. Pre-Easter slump is flat- tening grosses. "South of St. Louis" looks stoutest of new entries, with average figure at the Indiana. "Kiss In Dark" at Circle also is fair but "Force of Evil" at Loew's shapes slow. Estimates for This Week Circle (Gamble-Dolle) (2.800; 44- 65)—"Kiss In Dark" (WBI and "Flaxy Martin" (WB). Moderate $11,000. Last week, "Big Fight" (Mono) with Woody Herman , ordi, Harmonicats, onstage, big $23(060 at 60-90C iscale. Indiana (G-D) (3,300; 44-65) — "South of St. Louis" (WB) and "Homicide" (WB). Average $12,- 000. Last week, "To Sea In Ships" (20th) and "Tucson" (Indie), $10,000. Loew's (Loew's) (2,450; 44-65)— "Force of Evil" (M-G) and "Caught" (M-G). Tepid $10,000. Last week, "Ball Game" (M-G), about $18,000 in 11 days. Lyric (G-D) (1,600; 44 - 65) -r- "Angel On Amazon" (Rep) and "Far Frontier" (Rep). Fairish $(),- 000. Last week, "Walk Crooked Mile" (Col) and "Big Sombrero (Col). $5,500.