Variety (December 1954)

Wednesday, December 1, 1954 PICTURE GROSSES Chi Climbs; Desiree* Mo $45,(00, Chicago, Nov. 30. The deluxerst are spotlighting their ; strongest fare in months, and a general biz upbeat reflects the potency of fiye newcomers. Hold- overs ate still- mostly strong, too, Biggest noise among the new bills is being , made by ''Desiree'' at thfr Oriental; with a great $45,- 000, Woods is eyeing a tall $41,000 for “Last Time I Saw Paris" while “Phffft” looks sizzling $30,-000 at McVickers. “Drum Beat" is thump- ing a smash $23,000 the Grand while “This Is My Love” shapes modest $6,500 at. Monroe. “Carmen Jones’* still is lush in second round at United Artists. “Suddenly” and “Yellow Moun- tai ” continue - fast at ‘Roosevelt, also in second “She-Wolf” is nice in third at the Loop. In fourth session, “White* Christ- mas” is still terrific at the Stated Lake. “Mr. Hulot’s Holiday” is tidy at Surf In the fifth. “Star Is Born” is starting to falter In sev- enth at Chicago. “Cinerama” looks great in 70th week at the Palace; , Estimates for This Week Carnegie (Telem’t) (480; 95)— “Flamenco” (Indie) (3d wk). Big. $4,000. Last week, $4,500. Chicago (B&K) (3,900; 98-$1.50) —“Star Is Born” (WB) (7th wk). Slipping to fair $28,000; Last week, $38,000. Grand (Nomikos) (1,200; 98- $1.25)—“Drum Beat” (WB). Socko J $23,000. Last week, “Naked Alibi- (U) and “4 Guns to Border” (U) (2d wk), $8,500. Loop (Telem’t) (606; 90-$1.25)— “She-Wolf” (Rep) (3d wk). Nice $8,000. Last week, $12,000. McVickers (JL&S) (2,200; 65- $1.25)—“Phffft” (Col). Sock $30,- 000. Last "week, “Black Widow” (20th) (3d wk), $14,000. Monroe (Indie) (1,000; 65-87) —> “This Is My Love” (RKO) and “Africa Adventure” (RKO). Modest $6,500. Last week, “Twist of Pate” (UA) (2d wk), $4,500. Oriental (Indie) (3,400; 98-$1.25) —“Desiree” (20th). Great $45,000. Last week, “Athena” (M-G) (2d wk), $20,000. Palace (Eitel) (1,484; $1.25-$3.40) —“Cinerama” (Indie) (70th wk). Hotsy $35,000. Last Week, $29,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,400; 65-98)— “Suddenly” (UA) and “Yellow Mountain” (U) (2d wk). Hefty $20,000 after $27,000 last week. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 9&- $1.50)—“White Christmas” (Par) (4th wk). Terrific $50,000. Last week, $48,000. Surf (H&E Balaban) (685; 95) — “Mr. Hulot’s Holiday” (GBD) (5th wk). Fancy. $4,900. Last week* $5,200. . United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 98- $1.25)—“Carmen Jones” (20th) (2d wk). Socko $32,000. Last week, $35,000. V Woods (Essaness) (1,206; 98- $1.25)—“Last Time I Saw Paris” (M-G). Lofty $41,000. Last week, “On Waterfront” (Col) (8th wk). $15,000. 4 Solid $12,500, Ratio; ’Paris’ Fast I3G, ’Xmas’ Potent 16G, 4th Baltimore; Nov. 30. Many holdovers plus a rainy weekend nicked holiday grosses here this week, “Last Time I Saw Paris” is pleasing at the Century.' _“Phffft” is stout at "the' Town. “Drum Beat” is dull at the Stan- ley. “White Christmas” continues potent in fourth week at Keith’s. Estimates for This Week . Century (Loew’s-UA) (3.000; 25- 80)—“Last Time Saw Paris” (M-G), Brisk $13,000. Last Week, “Down 3 Dark Streets” (UA), $7,000. Cinema (Schwaber) (466; 50-$l) —‘‘Madame De” (indie) (2d wk). Okay $3,000 after $3,300 opener.- Film Centre (Rappaport) (960; 50-$l)—“Sabrina” (Par) (8th wk). Profitable $3,800. Last week, $3,500. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,100; 50-$l)—“On Waterfront”. (Col) (6th wk>. Holding at nice $6,500 after $6,000 in fifth. Keith’s (Fruchtman) (2,400; 30- $1) — “White Christmas” (Par) (4th wk). Hefty $16,000. Last week, $15'000. Little (Rappaport). (310; 50-$l)— “Gilbert* And Sullivan” (U). Nice $3,600. Last week, “B'ank Dick” (U) (reissue), $3,300. , Mayfair (Hicks) (980; 20-70)— ‘Cattle Queen Montana” . (RKO). (Continued on page 22) Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re- ported herewith from the vari- Us key cities, are net; i.e., without usual tax, Distrib- utors, share on net take, when playing percentage, hence the estimated figures are net in- comer-' The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated, .include the U. S, amusement tax. $31,000, D. C. Washington, Nov, 3Q. A’ welcome flurry of newcomers, plus heftiest Thanksgiving week- end biz since the plush war years, is giving the first-run b.o. a rosy hue. Friday’s (26) amazing downtown shopping binge helped boost , biz at first runs, with activity carrying over for several days. Topping this boom is “Desiree”, smash at Loew’s Palace. ... “Ugetsu”, prize- winning Jap pic, is solid at Lop- ert’s Dupont after fancy preem hosted by > the Ambassador from Japan. Holdovers also were hy- poed, with top honors in class go- ing to “White Christmas;” now in its fifth session at Keith’s. That its fifth session at Keith’s. “Drum Beat” is fancy in two spots, Estimateis for This Week Ambassador (SW) (1.400; 60-80) —“Track, of Cat” (WB). Good $7,000. Last week, “Drum Beat” (WB) (2d wk), $4,000. Capitol (Loew’s) (3,434; 70-95)— “Barefoot Contessa” (UA) (3d wk). -Pleasant $16,000 for final 9 days. Last week, $19,000. Columbia (Loew’s) (1,174; 60-80) —“Sitting Buir (UA). Fast $11; : 000. Stays; Last week. “Hajji Baba” (20th) (2d Wk), $5,000. Dupont (Lopert) (372; 65-$l)— “Ugetsu” (Indie). Big $6,000 for this Japanese language noveltyV Holdihg. Last Week, “Hobson’s Choice” (UA) (4th wk), $3,500. JCeith’s (RKO) (1,939; 75-$1.25)— “White Christmas” (Par) (5th wk); Up again to bright $17,000 after $16,000 last week. Stays. Metropolitan (SW) (1,200; 60-80) —“Track of Cat” (WB). Fancy $10,500. Last, week, “Drum Beat” (WB) (2d wk), $7,500. Palace (Loew’s) (2,370; 75-$l)— “Desiree” (20th). Smash $31,00Q, practically all the traffic will bear, with scale upped 5c at each level. Holds. Last week, “Black Widow” (20th) (2d wk), $12,000. Playhouse (Lopert) (435; 55-$l) “Rear Window” (Par) (13th wk). Big $5,000 after $4,500 last week. Warner (SW) (1,300; $1.20-$2.40) —“Cinerama” (Indie) (56th wk). Back, to average $13,000 after $16,- 500 last week, which embraced Thanksgiving Day. Trans-Lux (T-L) (600; 70-$l)— “On Waterfront” (Col) (11th wk). Pushing to nice $4,500 after $4,000 in 10th week. Port; ’Desiree’ Big 16G Portland, Ore., Nov. 30. Both “Desiree’^ at the Fox and “Last Time I Saw Paris” at the Broadway shape standout as new- comers currently. “White Xmas” is pushing.ahead to a terrific third round at the. Paramount to top the second week. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (1,890; 75-$l) —-“Last Time Saw Paris” (M-G) and “Dawn at Socorro” (U). Hotsy $15,000. Last week, “Sabrina” (Par) (3d wk),. $6,700.- . Fox (Evergreen) (1,536; $1-$1.25) —“Desiree” (20th). Wow >$16,000. Last week, “Black Widow” (20th) and “Shanghai Story” (Rep) (2d wk), $6,600. Guild (Indie) (400; $l)^“Malta Story” (UA) and “Beauties In Night” (UA) (2d wk). Fine $3,000. Last week, $3,600. Liberty (Hamrick) (1,875; 65-90) —“Shield For Murder” (UA) and “The Yellow Tomahawk”. (UA)*, Oke $7,000. Last week, “Human' Jungle” (AA); and -‘Weak and Wicked” (Indie). $9,200. Orpheum (Evergreen) (1,600; $1- $1.25)—“Track of Cat” (WB) and “Miss Robinson Crusoe” (20th) (2d wk). Neat $6,000. Last .week, $7,400. Paramount (Port-Par) (3,400; $1- $1.25)—“White Xmas” (Par) (3d wk). Upped to smash $18,000. Last' week, $16*000; ‘Drum’ Bangup $18,OO0, Buff.; ‘Phffft’ Hot 'ISG Buffalo, Nov, 30. “Last Time I Saw Paris” at the Buffalo and “Drum Beat” at the Center shape standout here ; cur- rently. Both are great. “Phffft” is rated lively at Lafayette. Estimates for This Week.. .. Buffalo (Loew’s) (3,000;. 50-80)—- “Last Time I Saw Paris” (M-G). Smash $18,000 or better. Last week, “Barefoot Contessa’’ (UA) (2d wk), $11,000, Paramount (Par) (3,000; 50-80)— “Athena” . (M-G) and “Sleeping Tiger” (Indie). Good $12,000. Last week, “White ; Christmas” (Par) (4th wk), $15,000 at $1 top. Center;. IPar) (2,000; 50-80)— “Drum Beat” (WB). Great $15,000. Last week, “Black Widow” (20th) (2d wk), $10,000. Lafayette (Basil) (3,000; 50-80)-- “Phffft” (Cpl) 'and “Cannibal At- tack” (Col): Lively. $15,000. Last week, “Fire Over Africa” (Col) and “Black Dakotas” (Col), $10,000. Century (Biihawk) (3,000; 60-85) —“Desiree" (20th) (2d wk). Dull $7,500. Last week, : $12,300. Philadelphia, Noy. 30. Thanksgiving holiday was big here. With ' Penn-Cornell plus Army-Navy football games here over the holiday weekend, the in- flux of visitors naturally upped .midtown takes. All but two first- runs stood pat. Holdovers took up slack in most cases, climbing above previous week’s takes. Judy Holli- day’s personal kicked off “Phffft,” to make it the ’ outstanding new pic; Another hew entry, “Track of Cat” shapes drab at Mastbaum. “White Christmas” is one of standout extended-runs,', with smash total at the Randolph in fifth week, being way away of fourth round. “Carmen Jones” also is big In second frame at Stanley. “Barefoot Contessa” looms good in fifth session at the Midtown. Estimates for This Week Arcadia (S&S) (625; 8<P$l!35)— “Rear Window” (Par) (14th wk). Fast $5,200. Last week, $4,500. Boyd (SW) (1,430; $1.25-$2.60)— “Cinerama” (Indie) (60th wk). Okay $11,700 to top last week's $9,500. Fox (20th) (2,250; 90-$1.40)— “Desiree” (20th) (id wk). Fine $27,000. Last week, $45,000. Goldman (Goldman) (1,200; 65- $1.30)—“Phffft” (Col). Plump $19,- 000. Last week, “Shield for Murd- er” (UA), $12,000. Mastbaum (SW) (4,370; 75-$1.30) —“Track of Cat” (WB). Drab $14,000. Last week, “Star Is Born” (WB) (6th wk), $11,500. . Midtown (Goldman) (1,000; 74- $1.49)—“Barefoot Contessa” (UA) (5th wk). Good $14,000. Last week, $13,000. Randolph (Goldman) (2,250; $1.49)—-“White Christmas” (Par) (5th wk). Smash $30,000. Last week, $22,000. Stanley (SW) (2,900; 74-$1.30)— “Carmen Jones” (20th) (2d wk). Big $27,000. Last week, $28,000. Stanton (SW) (1,473; 50-99)—“3 Hours to Kill” (Col) and “Black Dakotas” (Col). Stout $8,500. Last .week, “4 Guns to Border” and “Yellow Mountain” (U), $7,000. Trans-Lux (T-L) (500; 80-$1.50) —‘^Ssbriha” (PaT^t6th-wk); Hefty $7,300. Last week, $9,000. . Viking (Sley) (1,000; 75-$l .30)— "Athena” (M-G) (2d wk). Trim $9,000. Last week, $13,000. Trans-Lux World (T-L) (604; 99- $1.50)—“Suddenly” (UA) (7fH wk). Neat $4,800. Last week, $4,500. • : —- ■ - - : - ’Carmen’ Torrid $21,000, Cleve.; ‘Drum’ Loud 20G Cleveland, Nov. 30. After a long run Of doldrums, the Palace jumps into the big wampum league aigain With “Car- men Jones,”. registering a smack- eroo to top field here. “Last Time I Saw Paris” looms good at the State. “Drum Beat” shapes loud at Allen. “Desiree” on second lap at Hipp looks fine?. “White Christ- mas” in fifth round at Stillman still is great; f Estimates for This Week ! Allen (S-W) (3,000; 60-$l)— .“Drum Beat” (WB). Big '•'-‘W.OOO. I (Continued on page 22) Broadway film business is reach- ing boom proportions this stanza, being aided by a great Thanksgiv- ing Day, holiday upsurge. Trade was hampered right up. through last Wednesday (pre-holiday) nignt by rains. The boxoffice .. began perking right after the annual Thanksgiving Day parade down Broadway, arid reached a peak Sat- urday (27). Some theatres did nearly as much in the four-day pe- riod ^through Synday (28) as reg- istered in the previous full week. Best newcomer is “Sitting Bull” at the Mayfair, which looks to get a sturdy $27,000 in first week end- ing today (Wed.). , Reissue combo Of. “Battleground”-”Asphalt Jun- gle” is heading for £11,000, big: for oldies, ait the Globe: “Human Jun- gle” plus vaudeville likely will hit sock $27,000 at the Palace./ ... “White Christmas” With stage- show is soaring to a great $149,000, or about $30,000 ahead of last week, irt seventh session ending to- day: (Wed.) at the Music Hall. “Xmas” gave the Hall its greatest November in receipts, and the eighth week starting tomorrow, will make the pic one of the biggest to play at the huge house. Jackie Gleason and his tv show on the stage plus “Drum Beat” wound lip the second week at the Paramount with a smash $116,000 to top the opening stanza. “Last Time I Saw Paris” is holding at a great $46,000 in second round at the Capitol. “Desiree” looks to finish its ini- tial holdover session today at the Roxy with great $70,000. “Car- men Jones” is climbing, oyer its previous week's total to a great $29,000 at the Rivoli. “Phffft” also is goiiig ahead of the second stanza to get a fancy $19,000 in third week at the State, “Star Is Born” like- wise beat its preceding round with a smash $39,500 in seventh Victoria frame. It’s continuing. “Sabrina” too is improving over its previous week’s ; take to get. a big $17*000 on 10th session at the' Criterion. “On Waterfront” wound up its 18th week with a sockeroo $19,000 at. the Astor, also ahead of the previous round. Nearly all arty theatres are show- ing better results for Thanksgiving week than in the previous session. Outstanding was the $12,000 racked up by “The Detective” in fourth stanza at the Fine Arts arid “High and Dry,” which went to a solid $6,000 in 13th round at the Sutton. “Aida” also pushed up to a smash $16,000 or near in the third frame at the Little Carnegie. Estimates for This Week Astor (City Iriv.) (1,300; 50-$1.75) —.“On Waterfront” (Col) (19th wk). Pushed .up to smash $1.9*000 in 18th stanza ended last night (Tues.) after $14,500 in 17th week. Stays until Dec. 19, when “20,000 Lea- gues Under Sea” (Disney) opens. Broadway (Myerberig) (1,900; 74- $1.50).—“Hansel and Crete!’ (My- erberg). Finished seven-week run with fine $14,000 in seventh stanza pf eight days, ending Sunday (28). Sixth week was $12,600. It had opened at Fox Brooklyn on Nov. 23, and this was reflected in final two weeks here. House goes legit. Baronet (Reade) (430; 90-$1.55) —“Notorious” (Indie) (reissue). First week ending tomorrow (Thurs.) looks like fine $4,000. In ahead, v ’Sea Around Us” (RKO) (2d wk-5 days), $1,500. “Game ofLove^ (Indie) opens Dec. 14. Capitol (Loew’s) . (4,820; 85^$2.20) —“Last Ti'rrm Saw Paris”' (M-G) (2d; wk). First holdover session ending tomorrow (Thurs.) looks like great $46,000 after $50,000 opening . stanza, which took in Thanksgiving Day. Stays on. ■. Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 50-$L85V —“Sabrina” (Par) (f 1th wk). The lOth stanza ended last night (Tues.) climbed to rousing $17,000, after $12,500 in ninth week. Stays until ’’Country Girl” (Par) opens in a couple of : weeks; Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$1.80) —“The Detective” (Col). (5th wki. Fourth round ended Sunday (28) pushed Up to great $12,000 after $11,200 for third week. Stays. Globe (Btaridt) (1,500; 70-$1.50) —“Battleground” (M-G) and “As- phalt Jungle” (M-G) (reissues). First session ending tomorrow (Thurs.) looks like $11,000, big for oldies.. Holding. In- ahead, “Fire Over Africa” (Col), $7,500. MavfMr (Brandt) (1.736; 79-S1-80V I —“Sitting Bull” (UA), Initial stanza ending today (Wed.) is he-'d- : ing for fancy $27,000. Stays on. rDrum’ Sock , %m 149G, 7th wk), $7,000, but got a nice extend- ed-run. Normandie (Trans-Lux) (592; 95- $1.80)—“Heart of Matter” (Indie) (2d wk). First holdover round end- ing today (Wed.) likely will hold with fine $4,600. Last week, $5,200. Palace (RKO) (1,700; 50-$L60)— “Human Jungle” (AA) end vaude- ville. Week ending tomorrow (Thurs.) looks to climb to smash $27,000 or close. In ahead, “Un- holy Four” (Indie) and vaude,. $22,500. Paramount (ABC-Par) (3,664; $1- $2)—“Track of Cat” (WB). Opens today (Wedj) sans stageshow and With usual house scale. Last week, “Drum Beat” (WB) and Jackie Gleason tv Show onstage (2d wk), soared to $116,000, terrific, arid topppin& opening week’s. $104,000. Paris (Pathe Cinema) (568; 90- $1.80)—“Bread, Love, Dreams’* (IFE) (11th wk). The 10th.frame ende’d Sunday (28) vvas great $9,- 500 after $7*800 in ninth week. Holds. Rivoli (UAT (2,092; 85-$2)—“Car- men Jones” (20th) (5th wk). Cur- rent round ending tomorrow (Thurs.) is heading for great $29,- 000 Or over; Fourth week was $27,000. Continues on. Radio City Music Hall (Rocke- fellers) (6,200; 95-$2.75)—“White* Christmas” (Par) and stageshow (7th wk). This session finishing up today (Wed.) is roaring ahead to sock $149,000 or close, way ahead of sixth week which dipped to $120,000, lowest weekly total of run. Goes an eighth and final week, -with Christmas stageshow and ’’Deep in My Heart” (M-G) opening Dec. 9. Roxy (Nat’l) Tfi.) (5,717; 65-$2.40) —“Desiree” (20th) (2d wk).. -First holdover session eridirig today (Wed.) is climbing to great $70,000 after $65,000 in first week. Stays a third, arid likely a fourth, prior to launching of “No Business Like Show Business” (20th) mid-Decem- ber. State (Loew’s) (3,450; 78-$1.75)-^ “Phffft” (Col) (4th wk)* Third frame ended last night (Tues.) pushed up to fancy $19,0.00 after $15,000* below hopes, in second. Sutton (R&B) (561; 90-$1.50)-^ "High and Dry” (U) (!4th wk). The 13th stanza ended Monday (29) im- proved to. solid $6,000 after $4,400 for 12tK week. Trans-Lux 60th St. (T-L) (453; $1-$1.50) — “Little Kidnappers” (UA) (14th wk). The 13th week finished last night. (Tues.) pushed up to fine $4,800. after $3,900 in 12th stanza. Stays until. “Hunter^ of Deep” (DCA) opens Dec. 16. Trans-Lux 52nd St. (T-L) (540; $1-$1.50)—“Lili” (M-G) (9lSt wk). The 90th week ended Monday (29) „ climbed to 1 arousing $5,300 after" $4,200 in 89th week. "Tonight’s the Night” (AA) is due in around Dec 25 Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; $l-$2) —“Star Is Born” (WB) (8th wk). Soared to smash $39,500 in seventh week ended Sunday (28). Better turnover from the 30-minute short- ened pic and as lone house play- ing this pic is helping plus, of course, the holidays. Sixth round was $32,500. Warner (Cinerama Prod) (1,600; $l v 20-$3.30)— “Cinerairia”'. (Indie) (78th wk). The 77th session ended Saturday (27) improved to a sock $40,000; with two extra shows and holidays helping. The 76th week was $35,000. Little Carnegie (Indie) (528; $1.25-$2)—“Aida” (IFE) (3d wk). This round ending today (Wed.) is heading for Socko $16*000 .after $15,000 in second week. Con- tinues on. ‘Desiree’ Sockeroo 18G, Prov.; ‘Cat’ 11G, ‘Paris’ Dandy 15G, ‘Xmas’ 13G Providence, Nov. 30. The Thanksgiving and resultant school holidays are helping to fill firstruns here, with all stands hap- py. State looms lively with ‘ “Last Time I Saw Paris.” Standout and smash is “Desiree!” “White Christ- mas” in fourth Strand week is hotsy. “Track of Cat” is .rated fancy at Albee. Estimates for This. Week. Albee (RKO) (2,200; 65-85)— . “Track of Cat” (WB) and ‘’Weak [ and Wicked” (Indie); Fancy $11,000. Last week, “Drum Beat" (WB; and / Ati nnrtfl OO )