Variety (November 1954)

Wednesday, November 17, 1954 PfiSHEfir PICTUltE CROSSES 13 ‘Xmas’ Mighty 55G, ‘Widow’ 20G, 2d Chicago, Nov. 16. - Boxoffice swing is upwards in the Loop this round as. four fresh bills and . stronger-than-usual fare Is proving a hypo. “Athena” is opening to .a sock $36,000 at Orien- tal while “She-Wolf” captures a • smash $14,000 at the Loop., Mon- roe eyes weak $7,000 for “Twist of Fate,” and Grand is great $15,000 with “Naked Alibi” and ‘‘Four Guns to Border." “White Christmas” . continues mighty in second week: at State* Lake. Good returns loom in same round for “Black Widow” at Mc- Vickers. Same applies to “Bread, Love and Dreams”, at World. Roosevelt's “Bengal Brigade” and “Private Hell 36” looks socko;. “Mr. Hulot's Holiday” still is yery •lively in third at the Surf. in fourth Week, “Barefoot Con- tessa” winds up in the; plump brackets at United Artists.. “Star Is Born” shapes large in fifth at the Chicago and still shows going power! Woods is making a tidy haul in seventh with “On Water- front” while “Cinerama” is rack- ing up another great total in 68th week at the Palace, Estimates for This Week Chicago (B&K) (3,900; 98-$1.50) —“Star Is Born” (5th wk). Sturdy $40,000. Last week, $43,500, Grand (Nomikos) (1*200; 98- $1.25V—“Naked Alibi” (U). and “Four Guns to; Border” (U). Sock $15,000 or over. Last week, “Pas- sion” (RKO> and “Massacre Can- yon” (Col), ditto. . Loop (Telem’t) (606; 90-$1.25>— “She-Wolf” (Rep). Adults only pic looks wow $14,000. Last week, “.Shield for Murder” (UA) and “Overland Pacific” (UA) (2d wk), $ 8 , 000 . .. . McVickers (JL&S) (2,200; 65- $1.25)—“Black Widow” (20th) (2d wk). Fancy $20,000 after last week’s $28,000. Monroe (Indie) (1,000; 65-87),— “Twist of Fate” (UA).' Weak $7,000 Last week, “Hell Raiders of Deep’ (IFE) and “White Hell of Pitz-Pa- lu” (IFE). $5,000. Oriental (Indie) (3,400; 98-$1.25) —“Athena” M-G). Smash $36,000 Last week.: “Adventures Hajji Baba” (20th) (2d wk), $16,000. Palace (EitelJ (1,484; $1.25-$3.40> —“Cinerama” (Indie) (68th wk Hefty $31,500. Last week, $31,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,400; 65-98)— “Bengal Brigade” (U) and “Private Hell 36” (FM) (2d wk).,Smash $17,- 000. Last week, $23,000., State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 98- $1.50) — “White Christmas” (Par) (2d wk). Wow $55,000 after $58,000 last week. Surf (H&E Balaban) (685; 95) ■— •‘Mr. Hulot’s Holiday” (GBD) (3d wk. Lively $5,600. Last week, $ 6 , 000 . United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 98- $1.25) — “Barefoot Contessa” (UA) (4th wk). Brisk $12,000. Last week, $17,000! Woods (Essaness) (1,206; 98-$1.25 —“On Waterfront” (Col) (7th wk). Fast $19,000. Last week, $22,500. World (Indie) (697; 98)—'“Bread, Love, and Dreams” (IFE) (2d wkl Nifty $7,000. Last week, $6,500. Estimates Are Net .Film gross estimates as r.^. ported herewith from the vari- ous key cities, are. net; i.e., without usual tax,,. Distrib-' utors share on net take, when playing percentage, henc.e the .estimated figures' are- net ih- me‘. The parenthetic adhussion prices, however, as indicated, include the U. S. amusement tax. ‘Hell’ Hep 7 G, ‘Contessa’ Hotsy 17G,‘Xmas’ 30G Philadelphia, Nov. 16. Too many holdovers here current- ly, biz if off slightly. However Ar- mistice Day and Penn-Army game helped last weekend.. Lone new. comer is “Private Hell 36” and. “Bob Mathias Story” combo at Stanton where a neat if not gaudy session is in prospect. Holdovers are car- rying the bail; with “White Christ- mas” standout with socko total, at Randolph. “Barefoot Contessa” looms smash in third Midtpwn Theatre round but “Drum. Beat” shapes mildish at Stanley in. sec- ond stanza. Estimates for This Week Arcadia (S&S) (625; 80-$1.35)— “Rear Window” (Par) (12th wk). Fair $5,000. Last week, $5,600. Boyd (SW) (1,430; $1.25-$2.60)— / •■Cinerama” . (Indie) (58th wk). Par $10,000. Last week, $10,200. Fox (20th) (2,250; 09-$1.49)— “Black. Widow” (20th) (3d wk). Fair $(4,000. Last week, $19,000. Goldman (Goldman) (1,200; 65- $i.30)—“Down 3 Dark Streets” (UA) (2d wk). Sluggish $10,000. Last week, $19,000. • Mastbaum (SW) (4,370; 75-$1.30) —'“Star Is Bom” (WB) (5th wk), (Continued rin page 21) ; ; Cincinnati, Nov; 16; “Black Widow,” this week’s only new pic. shapes solid at the Pal- ace. “White iChristmas” continues' very sock in third stanza at Keith’s while. “Sabrina” stacks up oke in second round at the Albee. “Cine- rama” holds to high level in 21st session at the Capitol. Estimates for This Week . Albee "(RKO) (3,100; 50-90)—“Sa- brina” (Par): (2d*wk). Okay $10,-, 000 after $15,000 bow. Capitol (Ohio Cinema Corp.) (1,376: $l,20-$2.65) — “Cinerama” (Indie) (21st• wk). Looks like an. improvement over last week’s strong $22,500, with steady support of out-of-town groups. Grand (RKO) (1,400; 50-75)— “Sands of Iwo Jima” (Rep) and “Wake of Red Witch” (Rep.) (reis- sues). Pleasirig $6,000. Last week. “Highway. Dragnet” (AA)^ and “Loophole” (AA). $5,500. Keith's (Shor) (1.500; 75-$1.25)— “White Christmas” (Par) (3d wk). Another smash week at about $18,- 000 after $22,000 second stanza. Holds. Palace (RKO) (2.600; 50-84)— “Black Widow” (20th). Swell • $12,- 500. Last Week, “Beau BrumiheH”. (M-G), $8,500. ‘Drum’ Beats Loudly In Mpls., 11G; ‘Contessa’ Nice 10G, 2d, ‘Love’ 6G Minneapolis, Now 16. What with an army of visitors, attracted by the Minnespta-Iowa homecoming football game which pulled a turn away crowd of 65,000 payees and with pleasant weather, it Was another lively Weekend fojf; Loop showhouses. ; Lineup of fresh entries stacked up thin again, with only “Drum Beat” arnohg four newcomers calculated to stir up any substantial boxoffice interest. It is lofty at the State. It’s the 31st week for the amazing “Cifierama” at Century. “Barefoot Contessa” is nice in. second week at the Radio City, Estimates for This Week Century (S-W) (1.140; $1,75- $2.65)—“Cinerama” (Indie) (31st wk). Helped by heavy transient trade. Terrific $18,000. Last Week, $19,000. Gopher (Berger) (1.600; 65-85)— “Suddenly" (UA) (3d wk). Winds up profitable run ate okay $3,000, Last week, $4,000. Lyric (Par) <1,000: 50-75) — "Sands Iwo Jima” (Rep) and “Wake Red Witch” (Rep) (reissues). Oldies getting nice attention. Good $4,000. Last week, “Lure of. Sila": (IFE), and “World for Ransom’’ (AA), $3,000. ... Radio, City (Par) (4.100; 85-$l)—.. “Barefoot Contessa” (UA) (2d wk). Has delivered at boxoffice. Good $10,000 or near. Last week, $19,000. RKO-Orpheum (RKO) (2,890; 65- 85)—“This Is My Love” .(RKO). Light $6,000. Last week, IlBlack Knight” (Col). $7,500. RKO-Pan (RKO) (1,600; 50-75)— “Captain Kidd and Slave Girl” (UA) and “Return Treasure Island” • UA). • Okay at $4,000; Last week, “Law Vs. Billy Kid” (Col) /and “Jungle Man Eaters” (Col), $4,000. State (Par) (2,300; 65-85) — “Drum Beat” (WB). Alan Ladd a magnet here. It’s second successive C'Scope pic to be shown here at regular scale. Tall $11,000, Last •week, “Adventures Hajji Baba” (20th),. $8,000. . . Woitd (Mann) (400; 65-$1.25)— “Vanishing Prairie” • (Disney) (2d j,wk). Holding steady. Robust $6,000. 1 Last week, same. ‘WIDOW’ FAST $14,000, HIT;‘SUDDENLY’ 12G v Pittsburgh, Nov. 16. “Black Widow” shapes as best bet here this session with a big total at the Harris, where a hold- over is assured. “Suddenly” looms okay at the Penn. “Star Is Born” shapes sturdy in fifth round at Stanley, arid may stay a sixth. All spots were , helped by Nov, 11 holi- day. “Little Kidnappers” Was .brought- in hurriedly at Squirrel Hill, arid is dping well considering. Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 50-75)— “Naked Alibi” (D>. Lean $4,000. Last week, “Hajji Baba” (20th) (2d wk). $5,500. Harris (Harris) (2,200; 65-$l) — “Black Widow” (20th). Pulled some good reviews and getting nice word-of-mouth. . Best. here this week, big $14,000. Holds. Last week, “Black Knight” (Col), $11,000, helped by sneak preview of “Phffft”. (Col) on closing night. Pen (UA) (3.300; 65-85(—“Sud- denly” (UA). Okay $12,000 or near. Last week, “Sabrina” (Par) (2d wk)j $13,000 in six days. Squirrel Hill. (SW) (900; 65-85) — “Little Kidnappers” (UA). Brought in at last minute without much chance of a. campaign when “VaffTShing Prairie” (Disney) came out after three weeks over bugs in a deal between producer and exhibitor, “Kidnappers’’ looks over $3.1)00, fine. Last week, “Prairie" (3d wk). $2,500, . Stanley (SW) <3,800; 75-$1.25)— “Star Is Born” (WB) (5th wk). Fancy $12,000, and may hold' a sixth round. Last week, $14,000. Warner (SW) (1,365; $1.25-$2,65) —“Cinerama” (Indie) (50th wk). Pulling ahead again a little with extra show Veterans Day, which resulted in biggest matinee here in months. Solid $10,000 or near. Last week, $10,500. Omaha,. Nov. 16. “White Christmas” is standout new entry this week with a rousing take at the Orpheum. * Warmish weather isn’t hurting the musical. “Black Widow” is rated fancy at the State. “Weak and Wicked” looms okay at the Omaha. Estimates for This Week Brandeis (RKO) (1.000; 50-75W “This Is My Love” (RKO) and “Terror Ship” (Indie). Modest $3.- 500. Last week, “Black Knight” (Col) and “Unholy Four” (Lip) (2d wk), $3,500. Omaha (Tristates) (2,000; 50-75) —“Weak and Wicked” (AA) and “Jungle Gents” (AA). Okay $6,- 500, Last week, “Bengal Brigade” (U) and “Laughing Anne” (Rep), $ 6 , 000 . Orpheum (Tristates) (2,890; 75- $1) “White Christmas” (Par). Lofty $19,000 or over. Last week, “Star Is Born” (WB) (2d wk), $10,500. State (Gqldberg) (875; 50-80)— “Black Widow” (20th). Fast $6,000. Last week, “Brigadoori” (M-G), $6,500. ‘Drum’ Lusty $15,000 In Denver; ‘Brummell’ 10G Denver, Nov. 16. “White Christmas” . continues packing them in at the Denham, arid is so strong, it will hold a fifth Week. Current smash fourth Week is. virtually, the same as the third, session. “Beau Brlunm'ell” is good enough - at the Orpheum and .will stay: a second round. How- ever, brightest newcomer is “Drum Beat," fancy at Paramount. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 50-85) ‘Twist of Fate” (UA). Fail' $2,500. Last week, on reissues. Centre (Fox) (1,247; 60-$ 1).— “Black Widow” (20th) (3d wk). Fair $9,000: Last week, $11,000; Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 70- $1.25) — “White Christmas!’ (Par). (4th wk). Smash $20,000, Holding. Last, week, $20,500/ Denver (Fox) (2,525; 50-85) — “Track of Cat” (WB) and “Two Guns and Badge” (AA). Fair $9,000. Last week,. “Hajji Baba” (20th) and “Racing Blood” (20th), $ 12 , 000 . Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 50-85)— “Beau Brummell” . (M-G) and “Deadly Game” * (Indie), Good $10,000. Stays. Last week, “Pas- sion” (RKO) and “River Beat” (Lip), $7,500. Paramount (Wolf berg) (2,200; 50-85) — “Drum Beat’' (WB) and “Paris Express” (Indie). Fancy $15,000 or near. Last week: “Bare- foot Contessa” (UA) (2d Wk)* $9,000. s * i i y i it y 5th, ‘Carmen’ 41G, 3d Broadway first-run theatres are feeling the lull after the holiday (Nov. 11) currently. Many spots will receive added benefit from that day’s trade in present week’s toials t although there was an ob-. vious letdown in subsequent days. Warmer weather cut a large slice, out of the, Sunday take, it being especially felt after thp fine Satur- day (13) upbeat. Only four. bills launched in present. stanza, with “Phffft” at the State standout. This Judy Holliday starrer went tb a strong $35,000 opening week, “Crest of. Wave” looks, good $4,000 at the Guild but won’t stay long. “Bul- let Is Waiting” shapes as some- thing of a dud at $8,000 ooening frame at '! the Globe. ‘.‘Bengal Brigade” and vaudeville is heading for a trim $21,500 at the' Palace. : “White Christmas" and stage show, with a great' boost on Nov. 11, is topping the fourth week to land a great $157,000 in fifth ses- sion at the Music Hall.. Naturally it is holding a sixth week, with eria of run not in sight until sometime in December. “Carmen Jones*’ holding at Srnash $41,000 or close at the Riv- oli in the third frame. Third week of “Black Widow” at the Roxy finished at a mild $36,000. “De- siree” is being launched tonight (Wed.) with a special command performance preem at this vast house. “Star. Is Born” is holding with big $86,500 day-dating at the Para-, mount and Victoria for fifth week. The latter hit $31,500 while the Par did $55,000 in the eight-day fifth round. Jackie Gleason and his full tv show will open on the stage of the Par flagship todiay (Wed.) with “Drum Beat” “Barefoot Contessa” is winding its run at. the Capitol today (Wed.) with a good $21,000 in prospect for this final (7th) week. “Last Time I; Saw Paris” preems tomorrow (ThursA “Hansel and Gret.el” held with lively $20,500 in fifth stanza at the Broadway. “Sabrina” continues at around the same gait as recentWeeks, with a fancy $19,000 racked up . in eighth round >at the Criterion. “The Detective.” held with smash $15,300 dn second frame at the Fine Arts, “On Waterfront” con- tinued hotsy at $19,500 in 16th week at the Astor while “Sud- denly” shapes okay $9,000 in sixth session at the Mayf air. Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) <1,300; 50-$l,75) “On Waterfront” (Col) (17th wk). Still perking at $19,500 in 16th week ended last night (Tues.). The 15th stanza was $20,500; Stays on. '. Broadway .(Myberg) (1,900;* 74- $1.50)—“Hansel and Gretel" (My- erberg) (6th Wk). Fifth frairie ended Saturday (13) held at lively $20,500 after $25,000 in fourth week, Continues on. Baronet (Reade) (430; 90-$1.55)—' “Sea Around Us” (RKO) (reissue). Opened Sunday (14). In ahead, “Leonardi Da Vinci” (Indie) (re- issue) (2d wk), okay $2,500 after $3,200 opener. • Capitol (Loew’s) (4.820; 85-$2.20) -r-“Barefoot Contessa” (UA) (7th- final Wk). Present frame ending today (Wed.) looks to reach good $21,000 or near after $24,000 for sixth week. “Last Time I Saw Paris” (M-G) opens tomorrow (Thurs.). *»• Criterion (Moss) ('1.700; 50-$l,85) —“Sabrina”- (Par (9th wk). Eighth ‘session ended last. ight (TuesJ held at fancy, $19,000 after $22,000, over hopes;' for seventh! Stays on until “Country Girl” (Par) opens in December. . Fine Arts (Davis.) (468; , 90-$ 1.80) —“The Detective” (Col) (3d. wk); Initial holdover round ended Sun- day (14) held, with smash S15.Q00 after $19,500 opener, second high preem.week here. Globe (Brandt) (1.500: 70-$ 1.50) —“Bullet Is Waiting”. (Col). : First week, ending today fVVed.) is head- ing for light $8,000 or less. In ahead, “Black Knight” (Col) (2d .wlrl -700 Guild (Guild) (450; $1-$1.80)— “Crest of Wave” (M-G) (2d wk). First stanza ended last night Tues.) Was good $4,000. In ahead. “Mar- tin Luther” (Indie) (4th wk : 5 days), $4,000. . Mayfair (Brandt) (1.736; 79- $1.80)—r"Suddenly” \UAi (6th wk). This stanza winding today (Wed.) held with okay $9,000. or near. Last week. $10,500. Palace (RKO) (1,700; 50'$1.60)-*- "Bengal Brigade” IU) and vaude- ville. Week ending tomorrow (Thurs.) looks to reach trim $21.- 500. Last week, ‘.‘Four Guns To Border” (U) and vaude. $23,000. Paramount (ABC-Par) (3.664; $1- $2)—‘‘Drum ..Beat” (WB) with Jackie Gleason tv show on stage. Opens today (Wed.). In ahead, “Star Is Born” (WB), (5th wk-8 days), sock. $55,000 after $60,000 in fourth week, for a remarkably sock extended-run. Paris (Pa the Cinema) (568; OO- $1.80)—“Bread. Love and. Dreams” (•IFE) (9th: wk). Eighth round ended Sunday (14) was. solid $9.- 300 after $9,600 lor seventh week. Rivoli (UATi (2,098;. 85-$2'-^ "Carmeii Jones” (20tlf>) (3d wk». Current stanza ending tomorrow Thurs.) is heading for very big $41,000 alter $47,500 for second week, being helped . by, Nov. . 11 holiday especially; Stays on iridef. Radio City Music- Hall (Rocke- fellers) (6,200; 95-$2.75)—'“White Christmas” (Par) and stageshow (5th wkh Looks to climb to smash $157,000 in current session, and holds again. Trade Nov. 11 was particularly sock, With lines that day and also Saturday and Sunday. Fourth .Week was $144,000, oyer expectancy,. Continues . on until first or second week in December. , Roxy (Nat’l. Th.) (5.717; 65-$2;40) —“Desiree” (20th); Opens with a command performance preem to- night (Wed.). Regular run starts tomorrow . (Thurs.). In ahead, “Black Widow” (3d wk), fair $36 - .000 after $45,000 for second Week. State (Loew’s) (3,450;: 78r$1.75)— “Phffft” (Col) (2d vvk). First stanza ended last night (Tues.) hit socko $3o>000. In ahead, “Beau Bruiri- mell” (M-G) (3d Wk), $13,000. • Sutton (R&B) (561; 90-$1.50)— ‘‘High and Dry” (U) (12th wk). The 11th week ended Monday (15) was oke $5,500 after $6,200 for 10th frame. Trans-Lux 60th St, fT-L) (453; $1-$1.50) — “Little Kidnappers” (UA) (12th wk). The 11th round ended last night (Tues.) held at okay $4,800 as against $4,700 for 10th week, ' Trans-Lux 52nd St. (T-L) (540; $1-$1.50)—“Lili” (M-G) (89th wk). The 88th session ended Monday (i5) was fine $5,000 after $4,800 for 87th Week. Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060;, $1- $2)—“Star Is Born” (WB) (6tli wk). Continued: very big at $31,500 in fifth Week ended Sunday (14), Fpurth round was $33,000: Stays on indef, Warr.er (Cinerama Prod.) (1,600; $1.20-$3.30) — “Cinerama” (Indie) (76th wk), The 7:5th stanza ended. Saturday (13) climbed to. smash $38,800 after $36,000 for 74th Week. ‘Christmas’ Paces Prov., Giant $18,000 for 2d; ‘Drum’ 16G, ‘Star’ 13G, 34 Providence, Nov. 16! “White Christmas” is still out- distancing the first-runs burrently to give Strand a torrid second stand. Majestic’s “Star Is Born” big in. third. RKO Albee’s “Dru) Beat” is soiid. State’s “Brigadoon” is rated fairly good. Estimates for This Week Albee fRKO) (2.200; 70-851— “Drum Beat” (WB) , and “World .For Ransom” (AA). : . Lofty $16,000 Or near. Last week, “Crossed Swords” (UA) and “Captain Kidd and, the Slave Girl” (UA), $8,000, Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 75-$1.25) —“Star Is Born*’ (WB) (3d wk). Nifty $13,000 after cornering $17,- 000 in second.. ‘ State (Loevv’s) (3,200; 70-90 i— :“Brigadpori”. (M-G). Hefty $14,000. Last week. “Suddenly” (UA) and “Her. 12 Men” (M-G). $13,500. Strand (Silvermanf (2,200: 50r$t). —“White Christmas” (Par) (2d \vk). Huge $18,000 after $24,000 opener. ‘Aida’ Boffo in N.Y. “Aida,” S, Hurok presentation,- released in the U.S, by Italian Film Export, proving one of few opera films, to score heavily smash’ in its initial week at Ih Little Carnegie^ N. Y. While hot playing to capacity every show, biz is strong enough to warrant scheduling special . ihorriing performarices. seldom dorie at arty houses. Based on first foui’rday pace, “Aida” may estab- lish a new L'iftle Carnegie high.