Variety (December 1954)

8 PICTURE GROSSES Wednesday, December 15, 1954 Only Extended-Runs Stout in LA; ‘Wave $15,000, ‘Queen 13G, ‘Cry’ 11G, All Lean; Christmas Solid 16G, 7th Los Angeles, Dec. 14. Other than a few well-extended longrun bills still showing some •stamina, first-run grosses are drag- ging this week, being well under the same frame a year ago as Yule shopping takes over here. Indicative of the status of biz Is the slow $15,000 shaping for "Crest of Wave" in two theatres, the thin $13,000 for "Cattle Queen of Montana,” also in two sites, and the light $11,000 expected for "Cry Vengeance” and "This Is Your Army,” playing in three spots. Among the holdovers, the sev- enth frame of "White Christmas, in two houses, is standout with a solid $16,000. Also good is the $10,000 seen for fourth week of "Desiree” and the $6,000 for the sixth session of "Barefoot Con- tessa” at the Fine Arts. Elsewhere, Xmas shopping is hurting. Estimates for This Week State, Egyptian (UATC) <2,404; 1,536; 70-$1.10>—'“Crest of Wave” (M-G) and "Atomic Kid” (Rep). Slow $15,000. Last week, with dif- ferent units. Hillstreet, Hawaii (RKO-G&S) <2,752; 1,106; 60-$1.10) — "Cattle Queen Montana” (RKO) and "She Wore Yellow Ribbon”- (RKO) (re- issue). Thin $13,000. Last week, Hillstreet with Egyptian, Uptown, "Black Knight” (Col) anJ "Canni- bal Attack” (Col) <2d wk), $11,300. Warner Downtown, Wiltern, New Fox (SW-FWC) (1,757; 2,344; 965; 70-$1.10)—"Cry Vengeance” (AA) and "This Is Your Army” (20th). Light $11,000. Last week, "Track of Cat” <WB) and "Shanghai Story” (Rep) (2d wk), $15,300. United Artists. Four Star, Vorue (UATC-FWC) — "She-Wolf” (Rep) (2d wk). So-so $6,500. Last week, UA only, $5,500. El Key <FWC) <861; 70-$l,10)—. "Earrings Madame De” (Indie) <2d wk). Dull $2,200. Last week, $3 000 Hollywood (FWC) <756; 70-$1.10) —“Sabrina” (Par) (3d wk). Slow $3,800. Last week, with Orpheum, $10,500. Ritz, Loyola, Rialto (FWC-Metro- politan) (1,363; 1.248; 837; 80- $1.25) — "Woman’s World” <20th) and "Deadly Game” (Lip) <3d wk). Modest $11,000. Last week, with- out Rialto, and with Palace, Iris, $18,000. Chinese <FWC) (1.905; $1-$1.75) —"Desiree” <20th) (4th wk). Good $10,000. Last week, $14,200. Hollywood Paramount (F&M) (1,430; $1-$1.50)—“Last Time Saw Paris” <M-G) <4th wk). Okay $6,500. Last week, with State, $15,-. .300. Wilshire, Los Angeles, Iris (FWC) <2,296; 2.097; 814; $1-$1.50) —-“Carmen Jones” <20th) <6th wk). Finished sixth frame Wilshire, L. A. Sunday (12) with niee $10,- 200, plus $3,000 for first Iris week. Fine Arts (FWC) <631; $1-$1.75> —“Barefoot Contessa” (UA) <6th wk). Neat $6,000. Last week, $7,000. Warner Beverly, Downtown Par- amount (SW-ABPT) (1.612; 3,200; 90-$l.50)—"White Christmas” (Par) <7th wk). Okay $16,000. Last week, $19,600. Pantages (RKO) <2JU2; $l-$2.25) —“Star Is Born” (WB) (11th wk). Previews upping this to okay $9,- 000. Last week. $8,000. Warner Hollywood (SW) <1.364; $1.20-$2.65) — "Cinerama” (Indie) (85th wk). Into current fram Dec. 12 after medium $19,200 last week. Canon <ABC - Rosener) <533; $1.10) — “Bread, Love, Dreams” (JFE) <6th wk). Fair $2,200. Last week, $2,600. Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week $450,500 (Based on 22 theatres.) Last Year $524,700 < Based on 24 theatres .) Knight* Hot 16G, PhiBy; ‘Xmas’ 17G Philadelphia, Dec. 14. Pre-holiday slump is here, with only "White Christmas” and "Car- men Jones” warranting holdover. "Black Knight” looms as top new- comer with a stout session at the Goldman. “She-Wolf” is rated fair- ish at Stanton. "Cattle Queen of Montana” and 'This Is Your Army” shapes mighty light at Mastbaum. Others, including extended-runs, are sagging sharply this week. "White Christmas” still is socko in seventh Randolph round, and may stay again. Estimates for This Week Arcadia (S&S) (625; 80-$1.35)— "Rear Window” (Par) (16th wk). Fair $2,800 in last five days. Last week, $4,500. Boyd (SW) (1,430; $1.25-$2.60)— “Cinerama” (Indie) (62d wk). Okay $8,500. Last week, $8,700. Fox (20th) (2,250; 90-$1.40)— "Desiree” (20th) (4th wk). Modest $12,000. Last week, $16,000. Goldman (Goldman) (1,200; 65- $1.30) —"Black Knight” (Col) Sturdy $16,000. Last week, "Phffft” (Col) (2d wk), $11,000. Mastbaum (SW) (4,370; 75-$1.30) —"Cattle Queen Montana” <RKO) and “This Is Your Army” (20th). Barren $10,500. Last week, “Crest of Wave” <M-G), $11,500. Midtown (Goldman) (1,000; 74 $1.49)—"Barefoot Contessa” (UA) (7th wk). Tasty $8,000. Last week, $ 11 , 000 . Randolph (Goldman) (2,500; 75- $1.49)—"White Christmas” (Par) <7th wk). Socko $17,000. Last week, $18,000. Stanley (SW) (2,900; 74-$1.30)— "Carmen Jones” (20th) (4th wk). Brisk $15,000 or over. Last week, $19,000. Stanton (SW) (1,473; 50-99)— "She-Wolf” (Rep) and "Make Haste to Live” (Rep). Fairish $8,000. Last w'eek, “Fire Over Africa” (Col) and "Miss Robinson Crusoe” (20th), $6,300. Trans-Lux (T-L) <500; 80-$1.50)— "Sabrfna” (Par) (8th wk). Trim $5,000 or near. Last week, $5,500. Viking ISley) (1,000; 75-$1.50)— "Athena” (M-G) <4th wk), Slow $4,000. Last week. $8,000. Trans-Lux World (T-L) (604; 99- $1.30)—“Suddenly” (UA) (9th wk). Mild $3,000. Last week, $3,500. ‘Knight’ Lusty $10,000, Seattle; ‘Queen’ NG 5G Seattle, Dec. 13. Mighty sad biz outlook at first- runs here this round with the usual Xmas shopping blamed. Best bet of new pix is "Black Knight” which shapes good at the Coliseum. “Sa- brina,” in sixth stanza at Music Box, looms at top longrunner, with fancy takings. "Desiree” shapes fairly good in third Fifth Avenue session. Elsewhere, the tidings are nearly all gloomy. Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (800; 90- $1.25*—"Beauties of Night” (UA). Sad $2,000. Last week, “She-Wolf” <Rep), $3,900 in 10 days. Coliseum (Evergreen) <1.829; $1- $1.25)—"Black Knight” (Col) and "Law Vs. Billy Kid” (Col). Good $10,000. Last week, "Track of Cat” (WB) and "Jungle Gents” (AA), $7,500. Fifth Avenue (Evergreen) (2,500; $1-$1.25)—“Desiree” (Col) <3d wk). Good $7,000. Last week, $8,400. Music Box (Hamrick) (850; 90- $1.25)—“Sabrina” (Par) (6th wk). Fancy $6,000. Last week. $5,700. Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,300; 90- $1.25)—"Beau Brummell” (M-G). Mild $6,000. Last week, "Last Time Saw Paris” <M-G), $6,400. Orpheum (Hamrick) <2,700; 90- $1.25)—“Rogue Cop” (M-G) and “This Is Your Army” (20th). Dull $6,000. Last week, "Rear Window” <20th) and "Dawn Socorro” (U) (4th wk-5 days), $5,700. Paramount (Evergreen) (3,039; $1-$1.25) — "Cattle Queen Mon- tana” <RKO) and "This Is My Love” <RKO). Sad $5,000. Last w'eek, "Black Widow” (20th) and "Return from Sea” (AA) (2d wk), $4,800. ‘Passion Okay 9G, Frisco; ‘Paris’ 10G San Francisco, Dec. 14. Pre-Yule shopping activity is taking a toll as usual .this round but some spots are holding up fairly well. "Passion” at Golden Gate is rated okay. But bulk of strength is coming from longruns. “Last Time I Saw Paris” shapes good in third Warfield week. “Carmen Jones” is rated trim in fourth round at St. Francis. "Cine- rama” continues at high level at Orpheum while "Ugetsu” still is fine in fourth session at arty Vogue. Estimates for This Week Golden Gate (RKO) <2,859; 80- $1)—“Passion” <RKO) and "This Is My Love” (RKO). Okay $9,000; Last week, "4 Guns To Border” <U) and "Yellow Mountain” (U), $10,600. Fox (FWC) (4.651; $1.25-$1.50)— "Desiree” <20th) (4th wk). Slow $8,500 in 6 days. Last week, $12,- 500. Warfield (Loew’s) <2,656; 90-$l) —“Last Time Saw Paris” (M-G) (3d wk). Good $10,000 or close. Last week, $13,000. Paramount (Par) (2,646; 90-$l)— "Fire Over Africa” (Col) and “They Rode West” (Col). Sluggish $10,000. Last week, "Phffft” (Continued on page 26) Hub Hobbled by Pre-Xmas; ‘Bull’ Fair 22G, Carmen’ Fast 14G, ‘Paris’ 7G Shopping Hits Toronto; ‘Passion’ NSH at 7G, ‘Xmas’ Tall $12,000,6th Toronto. Dec. 14. With Xmas shopping beginning to cut in, biz is generally spotty. The only two new major newcomers, "Pushover" and "Passion,” are not getting far. Town’s top coin still is going to "White Christmas” in sixth frame at the Imperial, with a fancy total. “Last Time I Saw Paris” looks trim in third Loew’s stanza. “Barefoot Contessa” in fourth round at the Odeon is staunch. Estimates for This Week Downtown, Glendale, Scarboro. State (Taylor) < 1.059; 955; 698; 694; 40-70)—“Operation Manhunt” <UA) "Golden Mask” <UA). Light $11- 300. Last week, "Duel in Jungle” (Continued on page 26) Boston, Dec. 14. There’s no Christmas cheer here this week with downtown firstruns just marking time. Of the two newcomers, "Sitting Bull,” at the State and Orpheum shapes best, with fairly good total. “Fire Over Africa,” shapes okay at the Pil- grim. Balance of city is holding over with various degrees of suc- cess. "Carmen Jones.” fast in sec- ond Memorial round, and “Last Time I Saw Paris,” oke in fourth | Astor week, loom best in this J category. Estimates for This Week i Astor (B&Q) <1.500; 70-$1.10)— "Last Time I Saw Paris” (M-Gi (4th wk). Off to oke $7,000 or near following $11,000 last week. Beacon Ilill (Beacon Hill) (800; 50-$ 1) — "Hobson’s Choice” <UA) <7th wk). Neat $3,500 following $4,200 in sixth week. Boston (Cinerama Productions) <1.354; $1.20-$2.85) — “Cinerama” | (Indie) <50th wk). Good $12,500 I follow ing $13,500 in previous w eek. Exeter (Indie) <1.300; 60-$l)— /’Inspector Calls” (Rank) <3d wk). Fair $4,500 following $5,600 in sec- ond frame. Fenway (NET) <1.373; 75-$l)— “Drum Beat” (WB) and "The Raid” <20th) (2d wk). Oke $3,000. Last week, $5,000. Memorial (RKO) (3,000; 50-$l)— "Carmen Jones” (20th) and "Out- law’s Daughter” < 20th) <2d wk). Fast $14,000 after last week’s $21,500. Metropolitan (NET) (4.367; 50- $1)—“Desiree” (20th) and “Bowery to Bagdad” (Indie) <3d wk). Dull $9,000 following $15,000 for second. Orpheum (Loew’s) (3.000; 65-$l) —“Sitting Bull” (UA) and "Captain John Smith and Poehahontas” (In- die >. Fair $14,000. Last week, "Barefoot Contessa” (UA) (2d wk, $12,500. Paramount (NET) (1,700; 75-$l) —“Drum Beat” (WB) and “The Raid” (20th) (2d wk). Fine $10,000 following $13,500 in first. * Pilgrim (ATC> (1.800; 65-95)— "Fire Over Africa” (Coll and “They Rode West” (Col). Trim $9,000. Last week, "Down 3 Dark Streets” (UA) and “Khyber Patrol’ (UA) (2d wk), $7,000. State Loew’s) <3,500; 65-$l)— “Sitting Bull” (UA) and "Captain John Smith and Poehahontas” (In- die). Mild $8,000. Last week, "Barefoot Contessa” (UA) <2d wk), $7,000. Pre-Noel Nips Cincy But ‘Paris’ Lush 1234G; ‘Fire’ 6G, ‘Xmas’ 7G, 7 th Key City Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week $1,898,100 (Based on 23 cities, and 213 theatres, chiefly first runs, in- cluding N. Y.) Total Gross Same Week Last Year $2,136,200 (Based on 23 cities and 222 theatres.) ‘Athena’ Fat 14G, Cleve.; ‘Xmas’ 10G Cleveland, Dec. 14. Mild and mushy is how first-run biz shapes this stanza. "Track of Cat” at trie Allen looms standout wdth a nice total. "Athena” at State and "Down Three Dark Streets” at the Hipp shape fairly good. "White Christmas” in seventh Stillman week still is sturdy. Estimates for This Week Allen (S-W) (3,000; 60-$l) — "Track of Cat” (WB). Nice $10.- 500. Stays. Last week, “Drum Beat” (WB), <2d wk), $9,500. Hipp (Telem’t) (3,700; 60-90) — "Down 3 Dark Streets” (UA). Fairly good $12,500. Last week, "Phffft” (Col), $14,000. Lower Mall (Community) (585; 60-90)—“Marihuana Story” (Indie) and "Cowboys” tlndie/. Mild $2,000. Last week, ''Movement of Truth” (Indie), $2,200. Ohio (Loew’s) (1,200; 60-90) — "Last Time Saw Paris” (M-G) (m.o.). Oke $6,000. Last week, “Barefoot Contessa” (UA), $5,000. Palace (RKO) (3,287; 60-90) — "Yellow Mountain” (U) and "Ric- ochet Romance” (U). Droopy $7,000. Last week "Carmen Jones” (20th) (2d wk), $9,000. State (Loew’s) (3,500; 60-90) — "Athena” (M-G). Fairly good $14,- 000. Last week, "Last Time Saw Paris” (M-G) (2d wk), $8,000. Stillman (Loew’s) <2,700; 60-$l) — "White Christmas” (Par) (7th wk). Winding up run with solid $10,000. Last week, $11,500. Pitt Also Slipping But ‘Paris’ Fair at $11,000; ‘Bengal’ 7G, ‘Athena’ 8G Pittsburgh, Dec. 14. Pre-Xmas slump is beginning to blanket the Golden Triangle and nobody expects anything now until after the holidays. "Last Time I Saw Paris” looks like tops at the Penn but even it’s sagging after the three smash stanzas with "White Christmas.” "Athena” is very dull at the Stanley but "Ben- gal Brigade” at Harris shapes mod- est. "Desiree” is skidding to rock- bottom in final (4th) stanza at Ful- ton. “Cinerama” is up slightly at Warner on first anni ballyhoo. Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 65-$1.10)— "Desiree” (20th) (4th wk). Doubt- ful if it’ll go much over $3,500 on windup. Run has been rather dis- appointing. Last week, nice $6,500. Harris (Harris) (2.165; 65-85)— "Bengal Brigade” (U). Will have to settle for modest $7,000 or less. Last week, "Phffft” (Col) (2d wk), helped by sneak preview, okay $8,500. Penn (UA) (3.300; 65-$l)—"Last Time Saw Paris” (M-G). No help from the crix but title and mar- quee names are giving it some lift. Looks fair $11,000. or over. Last week, “White Christmas” (Par) (3d wk). solid $20,000, and only a prod- uct jam eased it out at such an im- posing figure. Squirrel Hill (SW) (900; 65-85)— “Julius Caesar” (M-G). Popscale run, with special cut-rate ducats for students, paying off at nice $2,500. Last week, “Little Kidnap- pers” (UA) (4th wk», $2,000. Stanley <SW) (3.800; 65-85)— "Athena” (M-G). First Metro pic- ture to play this deluxer in years. Reviewers murdered it and biz is mighty sad at $8,000 or under. Last week. "Track of Cat” (WB), $9,500. Warner (SW) (1,365; $1.25-$2.65) —“Cinerama” (Indie) (54th wk). Up slightly on big first anni ballyhoo with lots of newsaper coverage. Okay $7,500 mark. Last week, $6,700. Cincinnati, Dec. 14. Noel nearness is evident In the extended slowup of 'biz this week at downtown pidture houses even though there’s no reaching for red ink at most of them. Top new bill, "Last Time I Saw Paris,” is good at the big Albee. Other newcomers are "Athena” at Palace and “Fire Over Africa” in the Grand both okay. Keith’s continues to glisten with "White Christmas” in its seventh week. It holds to Dec. 23. "Cinerama” is heading for lowest- of-engagement take this stanza (25th) but figure is still tall. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,100; 75-90) — "Last Time Saw Paris” <M-G). Good $12,500. Last week, "Desiree” (20th) (2d wk), $9,000. Capitol (Ohio Cinema Corp.) (1,376; $1.20-$2.65) — "Cinerama” (Indie) (25th wk). Maybe $17,000, lowest of entire engagement but still tall for length of run. Last week, $17,500. Grand (RKO) (1,400; 50-84) — "Fire Over Africa” (Col) and “They Rode West” (Col). No com- plaint at $6,000. Last week. "Drum Beat” (WB) (m.o.), $6,500 at 75-90c scale Keith’s (Shor) (1,500; (1,500; 75- $1.25) —"White Christmas” (Par) <7tl> wk). Holding to bright $7,000 after sixth stanza,” $8,500. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 50-84) — "Athena” (M-G). Okay $8,500. Last week, "Track of Cat” (RKO), $9,500. H. O.’s Blunt Balto Biz ‘Knight’ Fairish $8,500, ‘Xmas’ Rousing 8G, 6th Baltimore, Dec. 14. Start of pre-holiday recession is evident in firstrun film grosses here this week. Holdovers are prevalent with many exhibs mark- ing time, with new product not due until Xmas. "Athena” is mild at the Century. "The Black Knight” shapes fairish at the Town. "On Waterfront” shapes okay at the Hipp in eighth round. "White Christmas” is holding strongly in sixth week at Keith’s. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew’s-UA) (3,000; 25- 80)—"Athena" (M-G). Mild $8,000. Last week, "Last Time Saw Paris’* (M-G) (2d wk), $7,000. Cinema (Schwaber) (466; 50-$ 1) —“Daughters of Destiny” (Indie) (2d wk). Weak $2,500 after $2,800 opener. Film Centre (Rappaport) (960; 50-$l)—"Sabrina” (Par) (10th wk). Fine $3,500. Last week, $3,800. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2.100; 50-$l) — "On Waterfront” (Col) <8th-final wk). Okay $5,500 after $5,800 last week. Keith’s (Fruchtman) (2.400; 50- $1)—"White Christmas” (Par) (6th wk). Holding staunchly at $8,000 or over, after $9,000 in fifth. Mayfair (Hicks) (980; 20-70)— "Yellow Mountain” (U). Starts to- morrow (Wed.). In ahead, "She- Wolf” (Rep), modest $3,000. New (Fruchtman) (1,800; 35-75- $1.25)—"Barefoot Contessa” (UA) (5th wk). Trim $6,000. Last week, $6,500. Playhouse (Scftwaber) (420; 50- $1)—"Rear Window” (Par) (8th wk). Okay $3,000. Last week, $3,300. Stanley (WB) (3,200; 30-$l)— "Private Hell 36” <FM>. Dull $5,000. Last week, "Drum Beat” (WB) (2d wk), $4,800. Town (Rappaport) (1.600; 35-80) —"Black Knight” (Col).’ Fairish $8,500. Last week, "Phffft” (Col) (2d wk), $8,000. ‘ROGUE’ LIVELY 11G, ST. L; ‘GLEN’ HOT 5G St. Louis, Dec. 14. St. Louis is doing a switch, with invasion of Xmas shoppers in downtown sector, credited with helping first-run film biz currently instead of slough pix trade as usual. However, there are few new entries currently, exhibs ap- parently figuring it smart to coast with product they have running. "Rogue Cop,” now in second week of moveover date at Orpheum, is credited with boosting biz at house to best level in months, being now paired with "Captain Kidd and Slave Girl.” Lone newcomer, "Trouble in Glen,” looms hep in two arty houses. "Last Time I Saw Pads,” “Desiree” and "Star Is Born” are all strong on holdover or extended-run. Estimates for This Week Ambassador (Indie) <1,400; $1.20- $2.40)—“Cinerama” (Indie) <46th (Continued on page 26)