Variety (December 1954)

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Wednesday, December 15, 1954 PICTURE GROSSES 9 Cold Snap, Xmas Shopping Bop Chi; ‘Dr, JekyD’-‘Faee’ Fine at $10,000, Paris’ 25G, 3d, ‘Xmas’ Hot 29G, 6th Chicago. Dec. 14. There's nothing new along the Main Stem this round except the fust bite of winter. This, coupled Sitli seasonal competish from de- nartment stores, is cooling off the- jSe hi/ sharply. Pre-Christmas fopofl has hit all situations but some are feeling it worse than others. Sole starter this week is a pair of reissues, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Ttvde" and “Woman's Face, going for a fine $10,000 at Monroe An- other reissues, “Reap the Wild u iiul ’ looks bright in second V eek at the Loop while “Track of Jin d “Bob Mathias Story” shapes fancy at Roosevelt. -Last Time I Saw Paris" is brisk in third frame at Woods as is •1'hlltf at McVickers. “Desiree* looks fair at Oriental in third, while “Drum Beat" is tidy at the Grand in fourth. “Caamen Jones’ is stout at United Artists • White Christmas" is having a smash sixth frame at the State- Lake while “Mr. Hulot’s Holiday' registers par in the seventh at the ^Chicago is yielding “Star Is Bern'' after an unimpressive ninth round. At the Palace. “Cinerama" continues bulky in the 72d session. Estimates for This Week Carnegie (Telem’t) (480; 95)— “Intimate Relations" (Indie) (2d wk>. Trim $3,000. Last week, $3.- 700. Chicago (B&K) (3.900; 98-$1.50) —"Star Is Born" (WBt (9th wk». Winding at dull $16,500. Last week. S22.000. Grand tNomikos) (1.200; 98- $1.25-—“Drum Beat" <WB> (3d wk'. Neat $9,500. Last week. $11,- 700. Loop (Telem’t) (606; 90-$1.25)— '•Reap Wild Wind" (Par) (reissue) (2d wk). Brisk $7,300 after last week’s $12,300. McVickers (JL&S) (2,200; 65- $1.25-—“Phffft” (Col) (3d wk). Solid $18,000 after $23,500 last week. Monroe (Indie) (1,000; 65-87)— “Dr. .lekyll and Mr. Hyde" (M-G> and “Woman’s Face" (M-G) (reis- sues'. Shaping fine $10,000. Last week. "This Is My Love” (RKO) and “Africa Adventure" (RKO) (2d wk-. $4,500. Oriental (Indie) (3,400; 98-$1.25i — Desiree” (20th) (3d wk). Tidy $18,500. Last week. $26,000. Palace (Eitel) (1.484; $1.25-$3.40) —“Cinerama” (Indie) (72d wk). Good $25,000. Last week. $33,500. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,400; 65-98) —“Track of Cat" (WB) and “Bob Mathias Story” (AA) (2d wk). Fast $14,000 after $18,000 last week. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 98- $150'—“White Christmas" (Pan (6th wk). Bright $29,000. Last Week. $34,500. Surf (H&E Balaban) (685; 95)— “Mr. Hulot's Holiday" (GBD) <7th vk-. Okay $3,000, Last week, $3,700. United Artists (B&K) (1,700: 98- 25) — “Carmen Jones” P20th) wk). Plump $18,000. Last week. $26,000. Woods (Essaness) (1,206; 98- S1 25'—" Last Time I Saw Paris" LM-G) (3d wk). Staunch $25,000. Last week. $33,000. World (Ihdie) (697; 98)—“Bread. Love and Dreams" (IFE) (5th wk). Oke $2,700. Last week. $3,500. ‘Athena’ Staunch $8,000, Port.; ‘Phffft’ Loud 7G Portland, Ore., Dec. 14. Downtown biz has taken a pre- holiday nosedive. Most first-runs are just marking time awaiting the mnval of the year-end holidays, i wo holdovers should fare best. i,r ! e „ being good in third inn- • n ‘'i 11 . Phffft" neat second week, J n „ Sun” at Paramount .napes dull. “Athena" looms just ukay at Broadway. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (1.890; 65-90) Athena” (M-G) and "Return Jrom Sea" (AA). Okay $8,000. 'y£ e J t ™“ Cattle Q ueen Mon ‘ and “Africa Adven- ture (RKO), $6,200. f ox (Evergreen) (1,536; $1-$1.25) $ 5 nno S r ? e \ (20th) (3d wk) - Good Last week. $7,000. u . Gu,,d (Indie) (400; $1)—“Young j 1 ale” (indie) and “Laughter n Parad^e-M indie). So-so $1,500. si 900 k * A ways * Bride ’’ (U), Liberty (Hamrick) (1,875; 65-90) (Continued on page 26) 81 (4th 4 Estimate* Are Net Film gross estimates as re- ported herewith from the vari- ous 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- come. The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated, include the U. S. amusement , tax. D. C. Droops But ‘Paris’ Plush 15G Washington, Dec. 14. Main stem biz is settling into i the annual pre-Yule doldrums, with biz generally off. “Down Three Dark Streets" at Loew’s Co- lumbia is surprisingly sturdy. “Last Time I Saw Paris" shapes pleasing in second session at Loew’s Capitol. “Desiree," in third stanza at Palace, looks so-so. Most other spots are in lower b.o. registers. Estimates for This Week Ambassador (SW> (1.400; 60-80) —“Black Knight" (Col) and “This Is Your Army" (20lh). Slow $4,000 in 8 days. Last week, “Three Hours to Kill” (Col), same. Capitol (Loew’s) (3.434; 70-95)— “Last Time Saw Paris” (M-G) (2d wk). Cheerful $15,000 after some- what disappointing, but still solid $23,000 opener. Stays. Columbia (Loew s' (1.174; 60-80) —“Down 3 Dark Streets" (UA». Very lively $9,500. Holds. Last „week. “Sitting Bull" (UA) (2d wk), $5,000. Dupont (Lopert) (372; 65-$l)— “Ugetsu" (Indie) (3d wk). Slim $3,000 after $3,500 last week. Goes another round. Keith’s (RKO) (1.939: 75-$l.25)— “White Christmas" (Par) (7th wk). Fast $8,000 after $10,000 in sixth. Stays on. Metropolitan (SW) (1.200; 60-80) —“Black Knight" (Col) and “This Is Your Army" (Indie). Fair $6,000 in 8 days. Last week, “3 Hours to Kill" (Col), ditto. Palace tLoew’s) (2.370; 75-$D— “Desiree" (20th) (3d wk). So-so $11,000 after $16,000 last week. St ays Playhouse (Lopert) (435; 55-$l) —“Rear Window" (Par) (15th wk). So-so $3,500 for second consecu- tive week, with house on a “night only" basis during installation of Cinemascope. Stays. Warner (SW) (1,300; $1.20-$2.40) —“Cinerama” (Indie) (58lh wk). Slim $9,000 for second consecutive week, but solid advance sale for Christmas week bolstering hopes. Staying on. Trans-Lux (T-L) (600; 70-$l)— "On Waterfront" (Col) (13th wk). Mild $3,800 after $4,000 last week. Stays. ‘BENGAL’BRISK 11G, DENVER;‘CARMEN’ 14G Denver, Dec. 14. Pre-Christmas activity here has put a crimp in biz, and has dropped the usual seven and eight first-runs to four in current session. Other houses, are using reissues and not getting too far. Top newcomer is “Bengal Brigade," which looms good at Paramount. “Carmen Jones" is fine in second week at the Denver, and continues on. “De- siree" looms fine in fourth stanza at the Centre, and holds again. "Private Hell 36” shapes fair at Orpheum. Estimates for This Week Centre (Fox) (1,247; 60-$l ^“De- siree" (20th) (4th wk). Good $9,000, and holding. Last week, $12,000. Denver (Fox) (2,525; 60-$l)— “Carmen Jones" (20th i (2d wk). Fine $14,000. Stays over. Last week, $23,000. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 50-85)— “Private Hell 36" (FM) and “Race for Life" (Lip). Fair WH)00. Last week, "This Is My Love’’ (RKO) and “Kisenga" (Indie) $7,500. Paramount (Wolfberg) (2,200; 60- $1) — "Bengal Brigade" (U) and "Crest of Wave" (M-G), Good $11,- 000. Last week, “Last Time Saw Paris’’ (M-G) (2d wk), $14,000. , Track’ Oke $8,500 in Indpls; ’Jungle’ 6G Indianapolis, Dec. 4. Cold weather and Christmas shopping have sent first-run biz here into a seasonal tailspin this stanza. "Track of Cat" is boxoffice leader, with moderate figure at Olrcl* “Black Knight'” at Loew’s and "Human Jungle,” at Indiana are sluggish. Estimates for This Week Circle (Cock#ill-Dolle) (2.800; 50- 80)—“Track of Cat" (WB) and “Atomic Kid” (Rep). Just okay $8,500. Last week, "White Christ- mas" (Par) (5th wk). Solid $11,000, total of $85,000 on run at $1 top. Indiana (C-D) (3,200; 50-851— "Human Jungle" (AA) and "Port of Hell” (Indie*. Slow $6,000. Last week, “Carmen Jones" (20th), $13,000. Loew’s (Loe\v*s> (2.4E7; 50-80)— “Black Knight” (Col) and "Gog" (UA). Modest $7,000. Last week. “Athena.” (M-C,) and “Crest of | Wave” (M-G), $7,500. Lyric (C-D) (1,600; 35-70)—“Sar-. atoga Trunk*’ (WB) and “Big Sleep" (WB» (reissues). Dim $4,- 000. Cowboy Copas stage show re- placing second feature Sunday only at $1.25. Last week, “Jesse James’ Women" (UA) and “Big Chase" (Lip), $5,500, same setup with Pee Wee King onstage Sunday. ‘Athena* Mid 8G In Sluggish K.C. Kansas City, Dec. 14. Lighter entries on tap here as Christmas shopping becomes the main draw. Holdovers and reissues hold forth at most fronts. New’ entries are “Athena” at the Mid- land and “Shield for Murder" at the Missouri, both doing only fair. “Reap Wild Wind" at the Para- mount and “Farmer’s Daughter" with “Notorious" at Fox Midwest first-run trio are just mild even for oldies. Latter pair at three Fox Midwest houses is very light. Estimates for This Week Fairway (Fox Midwest) (700; 65- 85) — “Desiree" (20th) (3d wk). May go 10 days, and only $3,000 on long haul. Last week, oke $4,000. Glen-(Dickinson) (750; 85-$l)— “High and Dry” (U) (6th wk) and “The Promoter" (U) (2d run). Light $1,200. Holds. Last week, $1,300 for “High" alone. Kimo (Dickinson) (504; 85-$l)— “Julius Caesar” (M-G) (3d wk). Barely okay $1,300. Last week, $1,500. Midland (Loew’s) (3,500; 60-80)— “Athena" (M-G) and J’Masterson off Kansas” <Col>. Moderate $8,000. Last week, “Last Time Saw Paris” (M-G) and “Diamond Wizard” (UA) (2d wk). $7,000. Missouri (RKO) <2.650; 50-80)— “Shield for Murder” (UA) and “Scarlet Spear" (Indie). Lean $6,000. Last w’eek, “Drum Beat" (WB) and “Sins of Rome" (RKO) (2d wk), at 65-90c scale, $8,000. Orpheum (Fox Midwest) (1.913; 75-$l) — “Carmen Jones” (20th) (3d wk). Fair $6,000, and house likely will close for one week fol- lowing this. Last week, $6,000. Paramount (United Par) (1.900; 60-80)—“Reap Wild Wind" (Par) (reissue). Fair $6,000. Last week, “White Christmas" (Par) (4th wk). fancy $10,000, to wind one of best I runs ever at this house. Roxy (Durwood) (879; 70-90) — (Desiree" (20th) (3d wk). Fairish $4,000; may hold. Last week, $ 6 , 000 . Tower, Uptown, Granada (Fox Midwest) (2.100; 2.043; 1.217; 65- 85)—"Farmer’s Daughter" (RK) and (Notorious" (RKO) (reissues). Blah $6,000. Last week. “Trouble in Glen" (Rep) and “Hell’s Out- post" (Rep), $10,000. Vogue (Golden) (550; 75-$l) — “Pickwick Papers" (Indie) (2d wk). Moderate $1,500. Last week, $1,600. ‘She-Wolf’ Smooth 5G, Omaha; ‘Athena’ 10G Omaha, Dec. 14. Pre-Xmas slack, first snow of the year and icy streets all are de- livering body blows to first-run takes this session. “She-Wolf" is above average at the Brandeis, however, for a good total. “Athena” is okay at the Orpheum. “4 Guns To Border" is okay at the Omaha. “Last Time I Saw Paris" is wind- ing at the State after three weeks. Estimates for This Week Brandeis (RKO) (1,700; 55-75)— “She-Wolf" (Rep) and "Tobor the Great" (Rep). Flashy campaign helping this to good $5,000 or near, excellent for season of year. Last (Continued on page 26) B way Slow But ‘Heart’ Fast 172G, . ‘Star Firm 27G 9th, ‘Paris’ 27G 4th, ‘Passion’-Vaude 22G, ‘Gate’ Opens Big Broadway film business is swing- ing low this session, with Xmas shopping and a plethora of ex- tended-runs blamed for the down- beat. Most first-run theatres are holding their current product until they are ready to open their Christmas week bills. As a conse- quence. few houses are displaying much boxoffice stamina. Outstanding exception to the downbeat, of course, is the Music Hall with its Christmas stageshow and “Deep In My Heart.’’ Opening a week later than has been the custom in recent years, the Hall was swamped last Saturday with a $35,000 gross on the day, one of the peak Saturdays in the history of the house. It is heading for a wow $172,000, one of the great opening rounds for the Hall’s Christmas show. Long lines both Saturday and Sunday helped nearby theatres since they got the overflow. Sold- out situation last Saturday, when an extra early morning show was given, was complicated by the fact that special bus loads of out-of- towners arrived in the city with the visitors intent on seeing the Hall’s show. Even all reserved seats for the early Saturday morn- ing show were sold out before the house opened that day. “Star Is Born” continues very staunch with $27,000 racked up in the ninth stanza at the Victoria. It continues, with end of run not in sight until after the holidays. “Last Time I Saw Paris" is holding well, with a solid $27,000 or near likely in the current (4th) session at the Capitol. Despite t-he all-day rain yester- day (Tues.), the Japanese import. "Gate of Hell” opened with long lines at the Guild. "Passion” with-] vaudeville is heading for a nice $22,000 or close at the Palace. Elsewhere, biz is sagging for the most part. “Track of Cat" looks only mild $26,000 in second round at the Paramount. “Desiree’’ like- wise shapes only fair at $36,000 in fourth frame at the Roxy, with “No Business Like Show Business” preeming tomorrow (Thurs.) night. Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; 50-$1.75) —“On Waterfront” (Col) (21st- final wk>. Held with good $13,000 in 20th stanza ended last night (Tpes.). The 19th week was $14.- 000. Holds only 5 days of current week, with “20,000 Leagues Under Sea” (Disney) opening Dec. 19. Little Carnegie (Indie) <528; $1.25-$2.20) — “Aida" (IFE) (5th wk). This session winding today (Wed.) shapes to get nice $9,500 after $11,400, over hopes, in fourth week. Stays on. Baronet (Reade) (430; 90-$1.55) —“Game of Love" (Indie). Opened yesterday (Tues.). In ahead, “No- torious” (Indie) (reissue) (3d wk-4 days), was good $2,500 after $4,200 in second full week. This pic did the best of any film here for some time. Capitol (Loew’s) (4.820; 85-$2.20) —“Last Time Saw Paris" (M-G) (4th wk). Current round winding tomorrow (Thurs.) looks to get solid $27,000 after $33,000 for third week. “Vera Cruz” (UA), a Technicolor Superscope produc- tions. opens Dec. 25. Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 50-11.85) —“Country Girl” (Par). Opens to- night (Wed.) with a benefit preem for U. S. Olympic Fund; regular run starts Dec. 16. In ahead, “Sa- brina” (Par) (12th wk), was good $10,000 after $11,000 in 11th week, to make an unusually strong long- run here. Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$ 1.80) —“The Detective" (Col) (7th wk). The sixth round ended Sunday <12) continued solidly with $7,200 after $8,300 for fifth week. Continues on. Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 70-S1.50) —“This Is Your Army" (20th). Opened yesterday (Tues.). In ahead, “Battleground" (M-G) and "Asphalt Jungle" (M-G) (reissues) (3d wk-4 days), okay $5,000 after $8,500 for second full week. Guild (Guild) (450; $1-$1.80)— “Gate of Hell" (Indie). Opened Monday (13). In ahead, “Lavender Hill Mob" (U> and "Tight Little Island" (U) (reissues) (3d wk-5 days), oke $2,700 after solid $3,800 in second full week. Had long lines yesterday (Tues.) after paid pre- view Monday. Mayfair (Brandt) (1.736; 79- $1.80)—"Sitting Bull" (UA) (3d wk). Current stanza ending today (Wed), looks to reach fair $11,000 after $14,500 for second week. Normandie (Trans-Lux) (592; 95- $1.80)—“Heart of Matter" (Indie) (4th-final wk). Present stanza fin- ishing tomorrow’ (Thurs.) is head- ing for okay $3,500 after $3,300 in third week. “Big Day” (Indie) opens Friday (17>. Palace (RKO) (1,700; 50-$1.60)— “Passion" (RKO) and vaudeville. Week ending tomorrow (Thurs.) looks to land nice $22,000. Last week, "Atomic Kid" (Rep) and vaude. $24,000. Paramount (ABC-Par) (3.664; 85- $1.75)—“Track of Cat" (WB) (3d wk). Second stanza ended last night (Tues.) was mild $26,000 after $31,000 opening week. “Sil- ver Chalice" (WB) opens Christ- mas week. Paris (Pathe Cinema) (568; 90- $1.80) — “Bread, Love, Dreams" (IFE) (13th wk). The 12th frame ended Sunday (12) was okay $6,500 after $8,000 in 11th week. Stays on, with “Animal Farm" (Indie) due in next, probably right after Xmas day. Rivoli (UAT) (2,092; 85-$2)— "Carmen Jones" (20th) (7th wk). Current frame ending tomorrow (Thurs.) is heading for good $12.- 500 after $19,000 in sixth week. “Prince of Players" (20th) set to come in as Christmas pic. Radio City Music Hall (Rocke- fellers) (6.200; 95-$2.75)—"Deep In My Heart" (M-G) with annual Christmas stageshow. Soaring to wow $172,000 in first session end- ing today (Wed.). Holding, natch! Had biggest opening day of any Christmas show while Saturday, which hit $35,000, was near peak for non-holiday Saturday. In ahead, “White Christmas" (Par) and stageshow’ (8th wk), $122,500. Roxy (Nat’l. Th.) (5,717; 65-$2.40) —“Desiree" (20th) (4th-final wk). This round concluding today (Wed.) looks like fair $36,000 after $40,- 000 for third week. Helped over weekend by overflow from Hall. State (Loew’s) (3,450; 78-$1.75) —“Phffft” (Col) (6th wk). Fift^h stanza ended last night (Tues:) Was mildish $11,000 after $13,500 for fourth week. “3-Ring Circus" (Par) opens Dec. 24. Sutton (R&B) (561; 90-$1.50)^- “High and Dry" <U) (16th wk). The 15th frame ended Monday (13) was oke $4,500 after $5,000 for 14th week. "Romeo and Juliet" (UA) opens Dec. 21. Trans-Lux 60th St. (T-L) (453; $ I -$ 1.50) — "Little Kidnappers" (UA) <15th-final'wk). Current round of eight days winding today (Wed.) looks like good $3,700 after $3,600 for 14th week. “Hunters of Deep" (DCA) opens tomorrow (Thurs.). Trans-Lux 52d St. (T-L) (540; $ 1 -$1.50)—“Lili” (M-G) (93d wk). The 92d week ended Monday (13) was nice $3,900 after $3,800 in 91st week. “Tonight’s the Night" (AA) opens with gala preem (open to public) night of Dec. 22, with regular run starting Dec. 23. Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; $1-$2I —“Star Is Born" (WB) (10th wk). Held with sturdy $27,000 in ninth round ended Sunday (12). The eigth- week was $30,600. Continues on. Warner (Cinerama Prod.) (1,600; $1.20-$3.30) — “Cinerama" (Indie) (80th wk). The 79th week ended Saturday (11) was big $34,000 after $35,000 in 78th week. Stays on. Next “Cinerama" pic is due here in February. Pre-Xmas, Cold Slough Mpls.; Tonight’ Okay 9G ‘Bengal’ 7G, ‘Jungle’ 6G Minneapolis, Dec. 14. As Christmas grows nearer, pix grosses continue to diminish. Bad weather also is helping downward trend here. Such sturdy newcom- ers as “Tonight’s the Night," “Il- licit Interlude” and "Bengal Bri- gade" will suffer from both condi- tions currently. However, “To- night," helped by a great cam- paign, and “Interlude," aided by its daring, promise to come through respectably. It’s the 35th week for the still high-flying “Cine- rama." Other holdovers comprise the amazing “Karamoja,” in its fourth week, and “Phffft” and “Track of the Cat" in their second ones. Estimates for This Week Century <S-W> (1,140; $1.75- $2.65)—“Cinerama" (Indie) (35th wk). Holding to remarkably fine pace. Apparently not too much hurt by pre-holiday and weather. Tall $16,000. Last week, $17,500. Gopher (Berger) (1,600; 65-85)— (Continued on page 26)