Variety (December 1954)

PICTURE GROSSES Wednesday Deopbeir I’, 1954 Los Angeles, Nov. 30. + First-run grosses are on upbeat this frame, with most houses hav- ing Thanksgiving Day in current Session to account- for improved takes. However, day-date ozoners are beios badly hurt by thick fog: blanket, some losing as much as ' three nights of operation, "With biz off most of other nights. Fojg also hit some of hardtops, but stronger , matinees put them across:. “Track of Cat” is’ likely to get the most coin this frame, with $31,000 in three, theatres. A neat $27,000 shapes for Womans World” in four locations., Sa- brina” is okay $17,000 in two first- runs, being sloughed by ff, ozoners. Also oke is “Black Knight with $22,000 in three* spots. “White Christmas” is zooming to great $29‘000 in fifth round, two houses. “Star Is Born” is up .to $14,000 for ninth stanza. Cine- rama,” with four extra matinees, jumped to $27/700 in 82d week. Estimates for This Week Orpheum Hollywood (Metropoli- tan-FWC) (2,213; 756; 70-$1.10)— “Sabrina” (Par). Okay $17,000. Last week, Orpheum with New Fox, Lo- yola, “Hrijji Baba” (20th) and “Black 13” (20th), $12,300. Palace, Iris, Ritz, Loyola (Met- ropolitan-FWC) (1,212; 814;. 1,363; 1,248- 80-$l:25)—“Woman s World (20th) and “Deadly Game (Lip.). Neat $27,000 or near. Last week, Ritz, “Black Widow” (20th) and “Outlaw's Daughter” (20th). (3d wk), $2,000; others in different units. ,, Hillstreet, Egyptian, Uptown (RKO-UATC-FWC) (2,752; 1,536; 1,715; 60-$1.10)—“Black Knight (Col) and “Cannibal Attack” (Col). Okay $22,000 or over. Last week, With Four Star, without Uptown. “Shield For Murder” (UA> and “Crossed: Swords” (UA), $15,500. Warner Downtown, Wiltern, New Fox (SW-FWC) (1,757; 2,344; 965: $1-$1.25)—“Track of Cat” (WP) and “Shanghai Story” (Rep). Stout $31,000. Last Week, with Iris, with- out New Fox, “Drum Beat” (WB) and "Bounty Hunter” (WB) (2d wk). $14,000. Globe, Vogue (FWC) (782; 885;, 60-$l.10)—“Jesse James’ Women” (UA) and. “Hollywood Thrill- Makers” (Lip). Sad $3,000. Last, week, with Uptown, “Karampja” (Indie) and “Half-Way to Hell” (Indie) l2d wk),. $11,000. Four Star (UATC) (900; $1-$1.25) —“Trouble In Glen” (Rep). Slow $3,000. Last week, with unit. Chinese (FWC) (1,905; $1-$L75) —“Desiree” (20th) (2d wk). Fine $21,000. Last week, $26,700. State, Hollywood ^Paramount (UATC-F&M) (2,404; 1,430; $1- $1.50)—“Last Time Saw Paris” (M-G) (2d Wk). Good $21,000. Last week, $30,600. > Wilshire, Los Angeles (FWC) (2,296; 2,097; $1-$1.5Q)—‘Carmen Jories” (2Qth) (4th wk). Finished fourth week With smart $17,500 after $18,500 in third. Fine Arts (FWC) (631; $1-$1.75) —r 4 ‘Barefoot Contessa” (UA) (4th wk). Steady $9,500. Last week, $9 700 El Rey (FWC) (861; 70-$1.10)— “High and Dry” (U) (4th wk). Light $1,900. Last week, ditto. Warner Beverly, Downtown Par- amount (SW-ABPT) (1,612; 3,200; 90-$1.50) — “White Christmas” (Par) (5th wk). Nice $29,000, way ahead of last week’s $22,000. Pantages (RKO) (2,812; $l-$2.25) —“Star Is Born” (WB) (9th wk). Up to nifty $14,000. Last week, $ 11 , 200 . Warner Hollywood (SW) (1,364; $1,20-$2.65). — “Cinerama” (Indie) (83d Wk). Into current week Sun- day (28) after fat $27,700 last week. Canon (ABC; $1.10)—“Bread, Love, Dreams” (Indie) (4th . wk). Nice $3,200. Last week, $3,900. Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week .. . . .$688,700 (Based on 22 theatres.) Last Year . .$624,700 (Based on 24 theatres.) San,Francisco, Nov. 30. Clear weather .and big holiday crowds in town will spell a boom session at first-runs here this round. “Last Time I Saw Pans at Warfield and “Phffft” at Para- mount are running close race for top laurels among the new entries, both being great, “Track of Cat” is rated okay at Golden Gate. “Barefoot Contessa” looms fine in third United Artists round. Estimates for This Week Golden Gate (RKO) (2,859; 80- $1) — “Track of Cat” (WB) and “Sins of Rome” (RKO). Okay $15,- 000. Last week, “Drum Beat” (WB) and “Champagne Safari” (Indie) (2d wk), $10,400. . Fox (FWC) (4,651; $1-$1'50) -- “Desiree” (20th) (2d wk). Solid $19,000 or over. Last week, $26,500. Warfield .(Loew’s) (2,656;, 90-$l) —“Last Time Saw Paris”. (M-G). Sock $21,000. Last week, “Athena” (M-G) (2d wk), $10,000. Paramount. (Par) (2,646; 90 u $U— “Phffft” (Col) and.“Black Dakotas” (Col). Great $20,000 or better. Last week, . “White Christmas” (Par) (4th wk), $12,500 in 6 days. St. Francis (Par). (1,400; $1-$1.25) —“Carmen Jones” (20th) (3d wk). Okay $10,000. Last week, $13,000. Orpheum (Cinerama Theatre, Calif.) (1,458; $1.75-$2.65)—“Cine- rama” (Indie) (48th wk). Fat $24,- 000, Last week, $18,000. United Artists (No. Coast) (1,207; 90-$1.25) —. “Barefoot Contessa” (UA) (3d wk). Fine $9,000. Last week, $12,500. Stagedoor (A-R) (400; $1-$1,25)— “Dr. Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde” and “Woman’s Face” (reissues). Okay $3,200. Last wfeek, “Little Kidnap- pers” (UA) (5th wk), $3,000. Larkin (Rosener) (400; $1) — “Bread, Love and Dreams” (IFE) (4th wk). Oke $2,800. Last week, $3,100. - Vogue (S, F. Theaters) (377; $1) —"Ugetsu” (Indie) (2d wk). Hot $5,000. Last week, $5,200. . Bridge (Schwartz - Reade) (399; $1-$1.‘20) “High and Dry” (U) (4th. wk),. Current round finishing Wednesday (1) looks like big $2,- 700 after $3,000 in third. Stays on. ‘Christmas’ Wham 42G, Monti; ‘Luce’ Big 25G Montreal, Nov. 30. Paramount’s “White Christmas” is boominK here this week, with huge take . ..at Loew'-s. “Broken Lance” is big at. palace. /“Rogue Cop” shapes strong at the Princess; Estimates for This Week Palace (CT.) (2,625; 60-$l) — Lance’* (20th). Big $25,000. iast week, “Egyptian” (20th) (3d wk), $14,000. Capitol (C.T.) (2,422; 45-75)— “Betrayed” (M-G) (2d wk). Okay $15,000 following $22,000 opener. Princess (C.T.) (2,131; 40-65)— “Rogue Cop” (M-G). Fancy $15r 000. ■ Last week, “3 Hours to Kill (Col), $9,000, Loe#s (C.T,) (2,847; 60-$l) — “White Christmas” (Par). Terrific $42,000 or near. Last week, “Gar- den of Evil” (20th) (2d wk), $14,000. Orpheuin (C.T,) (1,048; 40-65)— “Golden Mistress” (UA) arid “Shield for. Murder” (UA). Fair $7,000. Last week, “Rocket Man” (20th) and “Queen of Sheba” (20th), $5,000. Estimated Total Gross This Week ...... $3,279,100 < Based on 25 . cities, and 232 theatres, chiefly first runs, in- cluding N* Y.) Total. Gross Stipe Week Last Year $3,232,300 (Based oh 24 cities and 227 theatres.) Detroit, Nov, 30. Downtowners are doing (swell biz this week with credit going to strong product and heavy iriflux of early Christmas shoppers: “Car- men Jones” is flashy at the Fox, “Drum Beat” is smash at the Palms. “Barefoot Contessa” looks sturdy at the Michigan. “LastTime I SaW Paris” is rated good at Adams. “Desiree” in second round at the United Artists looms strong. “Private Hell 36” shapes 'bright at Broadway-Capitol.. Estimates for This Week Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5,000;. $1- $1.25). — “Carmen Jones” (20th). Big $40,000. Last week, “Black Widow” (20th) and “Fast and Furi- ous” (AAO (3d wk), $18,000. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 80-$l)—“Barefoot Contessa” (UA). Socko $27,000. • Last week, “White- Christmas” (Par) (4th wk), $20,000. Palms (UD) (2,961; 80-$D— “Drum Beat” (WB) ahd “Ricochet Romance” (U). Terrific $30,000. Last week, “Down 3 Dark Streets” (UA) arid “Khybef Patrol” (Coll, $16,000. Madison (UD) (1,900; $1.25-$1.50) —“Star Is Born” (WB) (9th wk). Strong $10,000. Last week, $9,000. Broadway-Capitol (UD) (3,500; 80-$l)-VPrivate Hell 36” (FM) and “Deadly Game” (AA). Bright $14,- 000; Last week, “Golden Mistress” (UA) and “Target Earth” (AA), su.ae; United Artists (UA) (1,938; ($1- $1.25)—•‘“Desiree” (20th) (2d wk). Solid $20,000. Last week, $27,000. Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 80-$D— “Last Time Saw Paris” (M-G). Good $12,000. Last week, “Athena” (M-G), $6,000. Music Hall (Cinerama Produc- tions) (1,194; $1.40-$2.65) — "Cine- rama” (Indie) (89th wk). Oke $14,- 000. Last week, $17,800. Pitt; ‘Xmas’ 35G, 2d Pittsburgh, Nov. 30. Biggest holiday weekend here in years, with shopping crowds bulg- ing the walls of the Golden Triangle following end of 12-month department store strike, sending firstriin figures soaring, “White I Christmas” in second week at Penn is almost as smash as first round, arid stays on. Both new pix, “Phffft” at Harris and “Drum Heat” at Stanley, are doing well, especially the former which hold. Second stanza of “Desiree” holding up strongly at Fulton while “Little Kidnappers” is big at Squirrel Hill in third week. Stays on. Estimates fair This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 65-$1.10)— “Desiree” (20th) (2d wk). Thanks- giving helped, with great, $11,500 likely. Stays on. Last week, $13,- 500. Desiree Fine 13G, K.C., ‘Carmen 12G. ’Drum’ Bis 15G, 'Xmas’ IS ‘STAR’ SOCKO ST. L; ‘CON CONTESSA’ 19G St. Louis, Nov. 30. With Xmas spending splurge un- derway, biz at boxoffice so far is good in downtown sector. “Star Is Born” is proving heftiest draw with sock session at the St. Louis. “Barefoot Contessa” is getting a solid total at Loew’s. “Cinerama” tossed in three extra shows at Am- bassador last week to roll up best gross in several months; . Estimates for This Week Ambassador (Indie) (1,400; $1.20- $2.40)—“Cinerama” (Indie' (44th (Continued on page 22) Kansas City, Nov. 30. 1 Turkey Day and weekend are boosting trade at most wickets, with strong films in most situa- tions. Big money looms for “Last Time I Saw Paris” at the Midland, “Drum Beat” at the Missouri and “Ricochet Romance” in three Fox Midwest houses. “Desiree” playing daydate in two competing houses, is getting fancy play in both, “White Christmas” shapes sock at the Paramount third week. “Carmen Jones” is rated fast at the Orpheum, arid due to hold. Estimates for This Week Fairway (Fox Midwest) (700; 65- 85 v —“Desiree” (20th). Good $6,- 000, and holds. Also at Roxy. Last week, house coupled with Tower, Uptown and Granada. Gieri (Dickinson) (750; 85-$l)— “High and Dry.” (U) (4th \vk). Okay $1,500, may hold. Last week, $1,800. Kimo (Dickinson) (504; 85-$l)—• “Julius Caesar” (M-G). Return date looks oke $2,000. Last week, “Man with Million” (UA) (5th wk), $ 1 , 200 . Midland (Loew’s) (3,500; 50-75)— “Last Time I Saw Paris” (MtG) and “Diamond Wizard” (UA). Hep $12,- 000. Stays. Last week, “Black Knight” (Col) and “Black Dakotas” (Col), $8,000. Missouri (RKO) (2,650; 65-90)— “Drum Beat” (WB) and “Sins of Rome” (RKO). Sock $15,000. Holds over. Last week, “The Thing” (RKO) and “Enchanted Cottage” (RKO) (reissues), $5;000. Orpheum (Fox Midwest) (1,913; 75-$l)_- “Carmen Jones” (20th). Nifty $12,000. Staying , ori. Last week, “Woman’s World” (20th) (6th wk), $4,500. Par,amount (United Par) (1,900; 75-$l)—“White Christmas’* (Par) (3d wk). Huge $19,000 to break all records here. Holds. Last week, giant $16,000. Roxy (Durwood) (879; 70-90)— “Desiree” (20th). Fast $10,000. Holds over. Last week, “Beau Brummeli” (M-G), $3,000. Tower Uptown, Granada. (Fox Midwest) (2,100; 2,043; 1,217; 65- 85)—'Ricochet Romance” (U) and “Yellow Mountain” (U). Good $12,000. Last week, hookup includ- ed Fairway, “Shanghai Story” (Rep) % and “Fast and Furious” (Lip), six days, $10i000. Vogue (Golden) (550; 75-$l)— '“Murder On Broadway’* (Indie) (2d vk), Triiri $1,300. Last week, $ 2 , 000 . Harris (Harris) (2,165; 65-$l) — “Phffft” (Col). Embraceable. notices helping; smash $14,0Q0 looms. Holds, Last week, “Black Widow” (20th) (2d wk), $7,000. Penn (UA) (3,300; 75-$1.25) — “White Christmas” (Par) (2d. wk). Doing nearly as well as first week with terrific $35,000 or better. Last week, $36,000. Squirrel Hill (SW) (900; 65-85)-- “Little Kidnappers” (UA) (3d wk). One of best at this nabe arter all year; holiday. assures it another h.o., $3,000. Second week was $3 100 Stanley (SW) (3,800; 65-$l) — “Drum Beat” (WB). Good $14,000 in 8 days. Lhst week, “Star Is Born” (WB) (6th wk), to $5,500 in. 6 days to give pic around $92,000 on run. . Warner (SW) (1,365; $1.25- $2.65) — “Cinerama” (Indie) (52d wk). Celebrates first aftni Dec! 8 with big civic doings. Pushing to big $11/000. Last week, $9,000. ‘Contessa’ Wow $38,009, Hub; ‘Desiree’ Trim 30G, ‘Xmas’ Great 26G, 5th . Boston, Nov. 30. Biz is bullish this stanza with most downtown firstruns ‘ the chips. Newcomers, “Desiree” at the Met, and “Barefoot Contessa” at the Orpheum and State, are very strong. “Cattle Queen of Mon- tana,” at the Memorial, is. fairish. “White Christmas” in fifth week at Paramount and Fenway con- tinues ..solid. “Last Time I Saw Paris’* in second frame at the Astor is smash. Estimates for This Week Astor (B&Q) <1,500; 70-$1.10)— “Last Time I Sav/ Paris”, (M-G) (2d wk). Very nice $19,500 follow- ing $24,500 opener. Beacon Hill (Beacon Hill) (800; 50-$l)—“Hobson’s Choice” (UA) and “Bad Sister’* (Indie), latter added this week (5th wk). Steady at $6,000 following $6,500 in fourth. Boston (Cinerama Productioris) (1,354; $1.20-$2.85) “Cinerama” (Indie) (48th wk). Neat $17,000. Hypoed, by holiday in previous week to $19,000. Copley 5 (Devlin-Dugan) (1,000; 50-$l.50)—“Spell of Ireland” (In- die) (3d wk). Okay $4,500. Last Week, $6,500. , Exeter. (Indie) (1,300) 60-$l)—- “Inspector Calls’* (Rank). Opened Sunday (28). Last week, “High rind Dry” (U) (6th wk), fair $3,500* Fenway (NET) (1,373; 70-$1.25) —“White Christmas” (Par) (5th wk). Good $6,500 after $6,000 in fourth. Memorial (RKO) (3,000; 50-$l) —“Cattle Queen Montana’* (RKO) and “Monster From Ocean Floor” (Lip). Okay $14,500. Last week, “Black Widow” (20th) and “Cham- (Continued ori page 22) Cincinnati, Nov., 30. Two new bills, “Desiree,” big at Albee, .and “Drum Beat,’^ looming at Palace, are standout Thanksgiv- ing trimmingsJthis session. “White Christinas’* snapes to go ahead of last wee)c ; iu its fifth frame at 1 Keith’s, where, still.smash and near top coin in town. Holiday helped “Cinerama” in 23d week at the Capitol. “Sabrina’* continues potent in fourth downtown stanza. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,100; 75-90)-^ “Desiree” (20th). Tall $19,500. .Last week, “Suddenly” (UA), $9,000 at Capitol (Ohio Cinema Corp.) (1,- 376; $1.20-$2.65)—“Cinerama” (In- die) (23d wk). Big $23,000 outlook although a dip from Thanksgiving $25,300 bulge. : Grand (RKO) (1,400; 50-90)^ “Sabrina” (Par) (m.o.) (2d wk). Plumpish $6,500 after $7,500 third downtriwn session. Keith’s (Shbr) (1,500; 75-$1.25)— “White Christmas” (Par) (5th wk). Holiday a boost to get socko $16,- 000 rind a climb over fourth frame’s $12,500. Palace (RKO) (2 ( 600; 75-90)^ “Drum Beat” (WB). Hefty $14,000. Last week, “Hajji Baba” (20th), "$3,000 at 50c-90c scale. fans’ Rousing $18,000, Toronto; ‘Contessa’ 13G In 2d, ‘Xmas’ 17G, 4th Toronto, Nov. 30. “Last Time I Saw Paris” is socko at Loew’s and is the only major newcomer currently. How- ever, biz generally .is hep at the holdovers. Crowding for; town’s top returns is ‘‘White Christmas,” smash in fourth frame at the. Im- perial. “Barefoot Contessa,” now in second round at Odeori, still is nice, “Black Widow” shapes neat in third frame, playing two spots. Estimates for. This Week Downtown, Glendale, Scarbord, State (Taylor) (1|059; 955; 698; 694; . 40-70)—“Gambler Natchez” (20th) and “Silent Raiders” (Rep). Good $14,000. Lrist week, “Taza” (U) and “Roogie’s Bump” (U), $12,000. Eglinton, Umversity (FP) (1,080; 1,558; 60-$l) — “Black Widow” (20th) (3d Wk). Neat $9,000. Last week, $11,500. Hyland (Rank) (1.354;. 60-80) — “Father Brown, Detective” (Col) (2d wk). Still big at $7,000. Last Week, $8^000. Imperial (FP) (3,373; 60-$l)■ “White Christmas” (Par) (4th wk), Fancy $17,000. Last week, $20,000, Loew-s (Loew) (2,090; 60-$l) r- “Last Time I Saw Paris” (M-G). Wham $18,000. Last week, “Sud- denly” (UA), $10,000. ;Odeoii (Rank) (2,380; 75-$l) — “Barefoot Contessa” (UA) (2d wk). Nice $13,000. Last week, $18,000. Shea’s (FP) (2,386; 75-$l) .— “Rear Window” (Par) (4th wk). Okay $7,500. Last week. $10,000. Tivoli (FP) (1,436; 60-80)—“We Want a Child’* (IFD). Neat $7,000. This week, $5,000. Towne (Taylor) (693; 50-8()) — “Modern Times” (UA) (reissue) (93d wk). Oke $4,500. Last week, $5,500. Uptown (Loew) (2,745; 60-80) — “Beau Brummeli” (M-G) (2d wk). Good $7,500. Last week, $10,500. ‘BABA’ BRIGHT $8,000, OMAHA* ‘DESIREE’ 15G C . Omaha. Nov. 30. /Anticipated pickup arrived dur- ing Thanksgiving week rind all first-run houses are . up this session . “Last Time Saw Paris” is sock at “Last Time Saw 1 Paris” is terrific at State, and' near house high, “Desiree” at the . Orpheum arid “Hajji- Baba” at tire Omaha both are livelv Estimates for This Week Brandeis (RKO) (1,100; 65-85)— "Track of Cat” (WB) and “Kis- enga” (Rank). Good $5,500. Last week,. “Mristerspn of Krinsas” (Col) and “Miss Grant Takes Richmond” (Col), $4,000 at 75c top. Omaha (Tristates) (2,000; 50-75) - “Roogie’s Bump” (Rep). Excellent 1 $8,000 or near. Last week, “Sud- I denly” (UA) and“Killer Leopard” (AA), $7,000. - ) Orpheuin (Tristates) (2,890; 70- i 90)—“Desiree” (20th). Fancy n $15,000. Last week, “White Christmas’* (Par) (2d wk), $16,500 ) at 75-$l scale. ) State (Goldberg) (875; 60-85)— ” “Last Time Saw. Paris” (M-G). t, Giant $12,000. Last week, “Black l- Widow” (20th) (2d wk) and “Girl for Joe” (WB), $3,800 at 80c top.