Variety (May 1949)

We«lnefMlay, May H\ 1949 Piirrms Heat Holdovers Slough Chi; Me Shines at $18,000,'‘‘Criss-Cross’ 20G, ‘Fan’ 15G, ‘River’-Contino 50G, 2d i?er’ StardJtn 000 ® ^ ' oLg TuUui $ 18,000 ‘Barkleys’ Bright $50,(1 After Big Pittshiiri7h. Mav 10. ^ Preen; Flamingo’-Ted Lewis Hep 63G Chicago, May 10. Heat wave sent the mercury over ftO holding in sweltering level, n^ntil Saturday. As a result grosses “le olT currently in many theatres, rniveisal has two of th'e best new- M%Vis. • C.iss Cross" at Palace uith bright $20,000. and "Pa and Ma Kettle’ ’at Roosevelt, at trim tt8 000 "Fan” isn’t too breezy i with $15,000 at United Artists. 1 Of the two-week holdovers. “City Across River” plus Dick Contino unit at Oriental holds staunch at $->0 000 Chicago, with "Flamingo Road" and Janet Blair and Victor, Borge in person, shapes line $4.5,- 000. "Little Women” at State-Lake 1. s okay with $16,000. • Joan of Arc ” goes into seventh week at Ctrand with strong $13,000. i ‘ Red Shoes” still is in chips at $7.- 500 on 20th stanza at Selwyn. Kstimates for This Week Chicago iB&K) <3.900; 50-98)—; ‘‘Flamingo Road ” <WB) with Janet Blair and Victor Borge in person (2d wk'. Trim $45,000, Last week, $54,000. (iarrick (BAK) <900; 50-98)— ‘•Shot Jesse James” <SG) and "S.O.S. Submarine” (SO (2d wk). Okav $6,000. Last week, $8,500. c/rand (RKO) (1.500; 75-$1.25)— "Joan of .Arc” (RKO) (7th wk). Stal- wart $13,000. Last week. $17,000. Oriental (Kssaness) (3,400; 50-98) —•‘City Across River” (U) with Dick Contino unit onstage (2d wk). Strong $.50,000. Last week, $57,000. Palace (RKO) (2,500; 50-98)— "Criss Cross” (U), May hit best coin here in several weeks, $20,000. Last week. "Life of Riley” (U) and "Mutineers” (U). $14,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 50-98)— "Ma. Pa Kettle” (U). Robust $18.- 000. Last week. “Bad Boy” (Mono) (2d wk). $10,000. Selwyn iShubert) (1,000; $1.20- $2 40)—"Red Shoe.s” (EL) (20th wk). Down to $7..500 shaping. La.st week, stout $9,500. State-Lake (B&K) (2.700: 50-98) —"Little Women” (M-G) <2d wk). Tastv $16,000. Last week, big S2->60(). United Artists (B&K) (1,700; .50- 981—"Fan” (20th). Good $15,000. Last week. ‘KTaught” (M-G) (2d wk). $10,000.- Woods (P^ssaness) (1.073; 98)— "To Sea in Ships” <20th) (2d wk). Sliding to $19,000. Last week, solid $24,000. World (Indie) (.587; 80)—“Louisi- ana Story” (Indie) )2d wk). Slightly below par at $3,500. Last week, same. Estimates Are Net P'ilm gross estimates as re* ported herewith from the vari* ous key cities, are net, i.e., without the 20% tax. Distribu- tors share on net take, when playing percentage, hence the e.stimated figures are net in- come. The parenthetic admission prices however, as indicated, include the U. S. amusement tax Champion’ Socko ‘Game’ Cops $18,000, Denver; ‘Dream’ 17iG, 2 Spots; Bing 13G, 3(1 Denver. May 10. Denver is loaded with holdovers currently hut some of them are doing as w dl as the new entries. “Dream Is Yours” is fairly nice in two spots while "Ball Game” shapes big at Orpheum and will hold. Top holdover is Bing Cros- by'.s “Connecticut Y’ankce,” still nice in third Denham session, and stays over again. Estimates for This Week Denham (CockrllD (1.750; 3.5-70' "—"Connecticut Yankee” (Par' (3d vki. Nice $13,000. Holds. Last veek, $14,000. Denver (Fox) (2..525; 35-74)— Dream Is Yours” (WB' and ‘Cheated Law” (20th •. day-date v^ith Webber. Fine $15,000. l,Hst week. -To Sea in Ships” (20th' and Tucson ” (2()th>. $14,000. P-squIre (p'ox» (742; $L20-$2.40) --“Red Shoes” (P:L). Big $4,500. H(»lds over. Last week, “Life of Riley (U' and “Judge” (FC). $2..500. ^ Orpheum (RKO) (2.600; 35-74'— Ball Game” (M-G) and “Behind Locked Doors” (PX). Big $18,000. ^)^olher week. Last week. Bribe” (M-G) aqd “Captain Bov- toll lU'. $13,000, , Paramount (Fox) (2.200; 35-74)— lar/.an'.s Magic P'ountain” (RKO' Mild $8,000. Riley” (Ui and good $10,000. Voirue • Art Cinema' (600; 60-90* !)te Fledermaus” (Indie'. Fine $■>.•)')() and holding. La.st week. Mous. Vincent” (Indie) (2d wk). $2, ;>(»((. Webber 'Fox) (7.50; 35-74)— l>iV"M is Yours” (WBi and y b -Ued Law” (20tli>. also Denver f 50)) Sbi()«,’ 5*2.90U. Philadelphia. May 10. Summer weather knocked out weekend film trade, and boxoflice tumbled in ratio to rise in tempera- ture. "Champion” is current top- per at the Earle, clocking socko session. Of other new product. "Canadian Pacific” looks best at the P'ox. “Quartet.” at normally .second-run Studio, is doing smash biz. i F.stimates for This Week ' Aldine (WB) (1.303; 50-99)— “Bride of Vengeance” (Par*. Mild $12,500. Last week, “.Act of Mur- der” (U). $9,000. Boyd (WB) (2.360; .50-99*—"Por- trait of Jennie” (SRO) (4th •wk). Neat $15,000. I^st week. $17,000. Earle (WB) (2.700; 50-99*- “Champion” (UA). Packs wallop at $32,000. Last week. “Song of India” (CoD with Phil Spitainy orch onstage, below hopes at slim $15,000. Fox (20lh) (2.2.50: 50-99*-“Ca-! nadian Pacific” (20th). Oke $19.-| 000. Last week. ^‘Belvedere to College” (20th) (3d wk-5 days), great $16..500. Goldman (Goldman) (1.200; 50- 99)—“Ball name” (M-G) (5th wk). Fair $9,000. Last week. $12,000. Karlton (Goldman* (1.000; .50-99) —“Little Women” (M-G) (6th wk*. Down to $4,500. Last week, trim $6..500. Keith’s (Goldman) (1.700; 50-99) —“Connecticut Yankee” (Par) )3d wk.). Dropped sharply to $8,000 after okay $11,000 second week. Mastbaum (WB) (4.360; 50-99)— “Flamingo Road” (WB* (2d wk). Sturdy $22,500 after big $30,000 1 opener. I Stanley (WB) (2.950; 50-99)— “Knock On Doof'” (CoD (3d wk). Down to $14..500 after fancy $20.- 000 second round. Stanton (WB* (1.475; 50-99)— “Bad Boy” (Mono'. Mild $8,000. Last week, “Walking Hills” (Col), $9,000. Studio (Goldberg) (490; 50-99)— “Quartet” (EL). Smash $7.,500. Last week, not firstrun. Trans-Lux (T-L* (500: $2.40- $120)—“Red Shoes” (ED (20th wk). Still in chips at $8,000. Last week. $8,400. Pittsburgh. May 10. Golden Triangle has a couple of winners this week in “Connecticut Yankee” at Stanley and “City .Across River” at Harris. Shutter- ing of Fulton for couple of months to undergo complete overhauling job has removed one firstrun from downtown sector, and some of that coin is being distributed around. Penn is taking it on chin again with “Bride of Vengeance” and "Lucky Stiff.” second stanza in a row this house has been in doldrums. “Red Shoes” opens roadshow run at Ritz .May 12. Estimates for This Week Harris (Harris' (2,200; 45-80'— “City Across the Rner" (U*. Got away big and heading for better than $13,000, with m.o. to Senator nearly assured. Helped by person- , als for couple of days by Peter Fer- ' nandez and Al Ramsen. kids in pic- ture who grabbed plenty of space and radio time. Last week, “Knock On Door” (CoD. $16,5r'' in 9 days. Penn (Loew’s-U.A' (3.300; 45-80' —"Bride of Vengeance” (Par) and "Lucky Still ” (UA). Latter added at last minute to bolster Paulette God- dard starrer. but isn’t helping. Very slight $12,000 looks all. Last w'eek "Portrait of Jennie” (SRO), $12,500. Stanley (WB* <3.800; 45-80)— “Connecticut Yankee” (Par*. Sturdy $18,000 or over, best here in several weeks. Last week, , ‘Flamingo Road” (WB'. $16,000. ' Warner (WB* *2.000: 45-80)— “Flamingo Road” (WB* (m.o.). Joan Craw'ford .starrer didn’t run itself out at Stanley, since shooting for around $7,000, good. La.st week. "Tulsa” (El,» (m.o.), $5,500. Torrid heat, with mercury hit- ting new' higlis for this time of year, put a dent in Broadway first- run business last Thursday and Fri- day while favorable outdoor weather on Sunday *8* was no help to trade. .As a cons;'quenoe big N. Y. deluxers generally are tak- ing a beating this session, with sturdy takes the exception rather than the rule. Even the newcomers are not measuring up to what nor- mally could have been expected. Standout new picture is “Bark- leys of .Broadway” at the State. Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers starrer. which teed oil smash, wound up first week last night (Tues.) w'ith big $.50,000 or near. Heat on two days after proem and not-up-to- par Sunday obviously hurt. “Flamingo Road” with Ted Lewis band and stage unit is put- Bing Stout 19G In Mild St. Loo INDPLS. IN DOLDRUMS; ‘DREAM’ DULL $8,000 » ‘••izan.s Magic roui ••)d “Mideoirt” (Repi. Last wrek. “Life of R Jidlgc" (FC’(. good $ La 1 wo' k. “To Sea in '2()th' and “Tucson” (20th'. Indianapolis, May 10. Biz Is very dismal at firstruns this week. Record heat wave hroiighl early burst of summer and Memorial Day 500-mile race pre- liminaries at local speedw'ay plus opening here of baseball club did the rest. “Dream Is Yours.” at In- diana. and “Don’t Trust Husband.” at Loew’s. are leaders, but they are ] only about two-thirds of house averages. Estimates for This W'eek Circle (Gamble-Dolle) *2.800; 44- 6.5'—’ Boy With Green Hair” (RKO) and “Woman’s Secret” (RKO). Pal- try $6,500. I..ast week, “Enchant- ment” (RKO) and ‘ Shamrock‘HiH” (RKO). $7,500. Indiana (G-D) (3.300; 44-65)— “Dioain Is Yours” (WB* and “Daughter of Jungle” (Rep*. Very dim $8,000. I.ast w'eek, “Canadian F’.uiCic” (20lh) and "Hideout” • Rep>. $10,000. Loew’s (Loew’s* *2.450; 44-6.5'— Don’t Trust Husband ” 'U.A' and “Siren of Atlantis” (U.A'. Slim $7.- 500 Last week. “Portrait of Jen- nie” (SRO* and “Black Eagle” • Col'. $9,000. Lyric (G-Dt (1.600, 44-6.5'—‘Stale Department” 'F(’' and “Daughter of West” (FC. Slight .$3,500 I.asI week. “Sliot Jes.se James” (S(i) and * “Highwa) 13" iSG'. $4,500. St. Louis, May 10. Trade at mainstem spots is none too robust this week although big ballys are being employed by sev- eral of them “Connecticut Yan- kee” is leader of new product with solid session at the .Ambassador. ’’Portrait of Jennie” is in second slot with nice take at l.oew’s. “Younger Bros.” shapes just okay at Fox. Estimates for This Week Ambassador (F&M) (3.000; 50-75) —"Connecticut Yankee” (Par) and “Hideout” (Rep). Solid $19,000 for Bing Crosby starrer. Last week. "Dear To Heart” <RKO) and “Red Canyon” (U* (m.o.), $7,500. Fox (F&M) (5.000; 50-75)— “Younger Bros.” (WB* and “Golden Eye” (Mono*. Okay $15,000. La.st week~“Undercover Man” (CoD and "Song of India” (CoD. $14,000. Loew’s (Loew) (3.172; 50-75)— “Portrait of Jennie” (SRO) and “Blondie’s Big Deal” (CoD. Nice $16,000. Last week, “Force of Evil” (M-G) and "Caught” (M-G), $ 12 , 000 . Missouri (F&M) (3..500. 50-7.5)— “Dream Is Yours” (WB* and “Homicide” (WB). Stout $14,000. Last week. “We Were Strangers’’ (CoD and “[..adies of Chorus” (CoD. $14,500. Shady Oak (F&M' <676; $1.20- .40*—“Red Shoe.s" (KLt (3d wk'. im $3,500 following $4,000 second session. World (Ind) (400; 50-75 »—“K.I Paso” (Par) (2d wk*. Hot $3,000 after $3,.500 initial stanza. lit IS ting the Strand back near normal with nice $63,000 or slightly less. This combo had to contend w'ith opening in sweltering heat of last Friday. “Africa Screams" is mild $17,500 at Criterion on fiisl ses- sion. Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1.300; 60-$1.50) —"We Were Strangers” (Col* (3d wk*. Initial holdover round off sharply at $20,000 or less after nice $35,006 opener. Bijou (City Inv.) (589; $1.20- $2,40)—“Red Shoes” (ED CiOth wk). Holding at $12,500 after solid $13..500‘last stanza. Continues. Capitol (Loew’s* *4.820; 80-$L50) —’’.Adventure in Baltimore” (RKO) with Enric Madriguera orch. others heading stage bill (2d-rinal wk*. \Vay down even from thin opening round with $26,000, dullest here in months; first w'as very dim $32,000. “Sun Comes Up” (M-G* with Glen Gray orch. Grade Barrie. Jackie Miles heading stageshow opens to- morrow (Tluirs.), after three pre- view show'ings set for today (Wed.*. Criterion (I^oew’s) (1.700; 70- $1.75*—“Africa Screams” (UA) (2d wk*. First week ended last night (Tues.) mild $17,500. In ahead. •Red Canyon” (U). very meek $15,000 for lone week. Globe (Brandt) (1.500; 50-$ 120) —“The Champion” (UA) (5th wk). Continues strong $30,000 after nice $35,000 for fourth. Mayfair (Brandt) (1.736; 50-$l 20) —“Wizard of Oz” (M-G) (reissue) (4th wk). Slipping to good $17,500 after fine $24,000 third. Stays on. Palace (RKO) (1.700; 40-95)— Shuttered for facelifting, with vaudfilm policy due May 19; “Ca- nadian Pacific” (20th) initial pic. Paramount (Par) (3.664; 55-$!.50) —’Streets of Laredo” (Par) with Peter Lorre. Pied Pipers. Victor Lombardo orch topping stageshow. Opens today (Wed.). I..ast week, "Undercover Man” (CoD with Duke Ellington orch, Billy Eck.stine head- ing stage bill (3d wk), held okay at $60,000 after solid $82,000 second. Park Avenue (U) (583; $1.*20- $2.40)—‘‘Hamlet” dJ* )33d wk*. 'i’hirty-.second week w'as fancy $15,- 000 after $L5..500 in 31st round. Radio City Music Hall (Rockefel- lers) (5,945; 80-$2.40)-"Connecti- cut Yankee” (Par) with stageshow • 5th-final wk*. Off to $100,000 after nice $118,000 for fourth week “Stratton Story” (M-G* and new stagesliow open tomorrow (Thurs.). Rialto I Mage' (.594; 44-99'—“The Raven" 'FC'* and ••iNimders in Rue Morgue” 'FC* (rei.s.Mie.s' i2d wk'. Down to $8,500, or under, after big $11 ..5()0 opener. Rivoli (U.\T-Pai) *2.092, 60-$l.2r>) — Portrait of Jennie" (SRO' (7lli wk'. Sixth round ended last night • Tues.' dipped to mild $11,000 or less, after g»»od $17,000 liflh week. Stajs until .M.iy 17 when “One Woman’s Story" (U> opens willi bond preeiii. Regular 1 uii .stalls May 18 Roxy (20lh' (5.886; 80-$ 1.80*— "Belvedere Goes to College” (20ll«' and Vivian Blaine plus iceshow heading stage hill (4th-(inal wk', Down to $66,000 or le.ss in final session, after $82,000 in third. ■•Forbidden Street” (20th' willi Dick llaymes. Dick Buckley. Three Rockets and iceshow heading stage- show opens Friday *13'. State (l,oew’s' (3.4r>(); 50-$ 1.50) — ‘’Barkli'.vs of Broadway” (M-G*. First week ended last night (Tues * .soared to sock $.50,000 or near. In ahead, "Ball Game" (M-G* (8II1 wk*, $ 12 , 000 . Strand (WB* (2.7.56; 76-$ 1.50* — 'Flamingo Road" (WB* with Ted l. -« IS Old) and stage unit. Fii.sl week is landing nice $63,000 or close. Holds. In ahead, ‘•Dream Is Yours” (WID with Lionel Hampton orch heading stageshow (3d w’ki, slim $28,000. Sutton (Hugofl & Becker) (.561; 70-$L20)—•Quartet ’ (ED (7lh wk*. Sixth frame ended Monday (9) held up to siirpi isingly .strong $13,000 after $13,800 tor liftli week. Victoria (Citv Inv.) (1.060; 95- $1.80)—‘ Joan of Are ” (RKO* (26th- iinal wk*. Dow'n to .$8,000 or hear on. blowoff after mild $10,000 for 25th round. "Home ot Brave" (U.A) opens tomorrow (Thurs.*. ‘Belvedere’ Robust $34,000 in Det.; ‘Flamingo’ Sock 30G, Tulsa’ Fast 21G Detroit, May 10. I .A week-long record' heat wave, with mercury up to 90. broke Fri- day *6'. With arrival of thunder- storm, hiz soared. ".Mr. Belvedere” looks big at the Fox. "Flamingo Road” shapes .sock 'at the Michi- gan “Tulsa” also is fancy at the F’alms. Estimates for This Week Fox (Fox-Michi (.5.000; 70-9.5) — •‘Mr. Belvedere” (20tli' and "Last Wild Horses” 'SfD. Big $34,000 I.ast week. “Canadian I’acific” .20tl)). $25,000. Michigan (United DetioiU *4.- 000 70-95)—"Flamingo Road (WB' and' “Lucky Stiff” 'UA*. Sock $30,000 La.st week. “Adventure in Baltimore” (RKO' and ’Hide- out” 'Mono' *^14.000 Pa»ms ' '‘’.900; 70-95'— I ‘ Tulsa” (EL» and ‘ Million Dollar Weekend” (Mono*. Fancy $21,000 Last week. “Undercover .Man” • Col) and ‘‘Blondie’s Secret” (CoD. $12,000. United Artists (UD' (2.000; 70- 95)—“Connci ticiit Yankee” (Par* (3d wk). Wilting to $10,000. I>a.st week, big $16,000. - Madison (UD* (1,800; 70-95)— “Bad Men of 'romtistone” (Mono) and “Strike It Rich” (Mono'. Mild *11,000 Last week. “Sgt. York” (WB' and “C'lsfie on Hudson” 'WB' (reissues', $16,000. .Adams (Balaban* '1.700; 70-95' —“Little W'ornen” (.M-G* '3d wk*. Oke $12,000. I>ast week, atmul same. Downtown (Balaban* (2.900; 70- 9.5i--“Mtihe” 'M-G* and “Kid- n-'pp d” 'M-G' (2d wk'. Slow $7.- OUO. Last week. $8,500. ‘Joan’ Rugged at , $18,000 in L’ville Louisville, May 10. Tow’n’s biggest weekend of whole year, which brought thousands here for Kentueky Derby, didn’t • help much at dow'ntown film houses. Night spots were helped most by the lai ing patronage. "Joan of Arc" on $1.^ top at Rialto shapes big. “Portrait of Jennie” at State is drawing class trade and shapes brisk. Estimatei for This Week Mary Anderson (People’s) G.- 200; 45-J.5)—“Dream Is Yours” (WB). Fine $8,000. Last week. “Kiss in l>ark ” (WB). $6..500. National (Standard) (2.400; 45-65) .—“Jungle Goddess” (SG* with Ha- ' waiian Paradise Revue onstage. Not l)elped by influx of race fans; modest $7,000. Last week. "Sea Spoilers” (Indie) and “Ex Chan'p” (Indie) (reissues*. $5,0(M). Rialto 'Fouith Avenue) (3,000; 7.5-90-$l 2.5(~-Joan ot Air ” (RKtX. Prices upped, and while crilics w'ere lukewarm, looks to soar to big $18,000. Last week. ‘ Life of Riley ” (U* and “.Act ot Murder " (U*. fair- ish $12,000. State (I,oew’s) (3.000; 4.5-65' — “Portrait of Jennie” (SRO* and “Rusty Saves Life” (CoD. Brisk $I4.0()0 looms. Last week. “Under- cover Man” (CoD and “Make Be- lieve Ballroom” iCoD. $13,000 Strand (FA* * 1.000; 45-65'—“Boy With Green Hair" iRKO' and “Rus- tlers” (RKO'. Lively $6,500. Last week. “Woman’s Secret” (RKt)) and “Million Dollar Weekend” (KD. $.5..500. Port. I.ikes ‘Belvedere,’ Rich *24.(M»0. 2 Spots Portland. Ore.. May 10 .All first runs are sliowing an im- proved boxotVice tone here this week ‘‘Mj^. Belvedere To College'* is doing swk biz in two titealres. •‘F.l Paso” is faring well at Or- pheum. "Red Shoes" hioks ace holdover. Kstimates for This Week Broadway (Parker' '1.832. 50-85) —“Ball Game" ' VI-G,' and "Old Fashioned Girl" (KL* »3d wk-3 da VS'. Excellent $4,000. Last week, big $8.3()(). .Alavfa r 'Parker' '1,500; 50-85' — “Big Jack" 'M-C.' and "Mis.s Mink (Continued on page 20)