Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1947)

8 Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, February 18, 1947 Fair Income at NY lst-Runs; 'Pilgrim' Tops at $121,000 New York first-run gross business in the main is about fair. One big exception is the smash combination at the Roxy, "The Shocking Miss Pilgrim," and a stage show featuring Peter Lorre, Gil Lamb and Evelyn Knight, with business for the first week, probably reaching $121,000 plenty high. "Bedelia," which wound up its first week at the Victoria with $24,000, continues strong with $22,000 expected for the second week. At the Gotham, "San Quentin" also is doing nicely with $19,500 seen for the second week, after an initial week's take of $25,000. "That Way with Women," along with Alan Hale, Martha Yickers and Claude Thornhill's orchestra on the stage, had a mild opening at the Strand. The first week's gross is estimated at $56,000. At the Paramount, "Easy Come, Easy Go," with Ella Fitzgerald and the Ink Spots on the stage, drew a fairly substantial $70,000 in a second week. 'Yearling' Still High "The Yearling," with a stage presentation at the Music Hall, still is in the big money ; the fourth week figures to bring in $120,000. The theatre incidentally is considering pulling the the picture after the fifth week, bringing in "Sea of Grass" for five weeks. Thus the way would be cleared for an Easter booking of "The Late George Apley." "The Best Years of Our Lives" is probably the most amazing box-office performer in town. The film will provide the Astor with about §51,500 in its 13th week. Business has yet to fall below $50,000. At the Globe, "It's a Wonderful Life" fell off a little more, with indications pointing to a $18,500 gross for the ninth week. "The Strange Woman" will go in Feb. 23. "Swell Guy" at the Winter Garden also is showing signs of weariness, with a 315,000 probable gross for the final six days. "I'll Be Yours" will follow on Friday. "Sinbad the Sailor" is still drawing good money at the Palace where the fourth week's take looks like $35,000. The eighth week of "Humoresque" at the Hollywood is a fair one, estimated at $17,500; "Nora Prentiss" will bow in there on Thursday. 'California' Moderate "California" is headed for a $27,000 fifth week, which is moderate, at the Rivoli ; it continues. "Two Smart People" went over in undistinguished fashion in a first week at the Rialto, with an estimated $7,500 ; "Michigan Kid" runs next, starting Friday. "Dead Reckoning" is good for about $24,000 in a fourth week at the Criterion. "Beginning or the End" will make its debut at the Capitol on Friday, succeeding "Lady in the Lake." The latter with Tex Beneke's orchestra on the .stage will wind up its fourth and final week with about $56,000. "Stairway to Heaven" is losing a little ground at the Park, with $13,000 apparent for the current week, the eighth. An Italian film, "Before Him All Rome Trembles," will open at the Republic on Friday. Estimates of Key City Grosses TfOLLOWING are estimated picture grosses, exclusive of Federal tax, for current engagements in key cities as reported by Motion Picture Daily correspondents. BALTIMORE Only the new and important attractions are hitting worthwhile grosses. Holdovers apparently have worn-out their welcome, and regular program pictures are not drawing the crowds. Weather has improved. Estimated receipts for the week ending Feb. 19 : THE CHASE (UA) — CENTURY (3,000) (35c-44c-55c-60c and 65c weekends) 7 days. Gross: $14,000. (Average: $15,000) LADIES' MAN (Para.)— KEITH'S (2,406) (35c-44c-55c-60c) 7 days. Gross: $10,500. (Average: $12,000) 13 RUE MADELEINE (20th-Fox) — NEW (1,800) (35c-50c-60c-70c) 7 days, 3rd week. Gross: $8,500. (Average: $12,000) HUMORESQUE (WB)— STANLEY (3,280) (35c-44c-55c-60c-70c) 7 days. Gross: $20,000. (Average: $17,000) SONG OF THE SOUTH (RKO-Radio)— HIPPODROME (2,205) (35c-44c-60c-70c) 7 days, 3rd week. With stage show. Gross: $14,200. (Average: $18,000) IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (RKO Radio) —TOWN (1,450) (35c-44c-65c) 7 days, 4th week. Gross: $14,000. (Average: $14,000) ANGEL AND THE BADMAN (Rep.)MAYFAIR (1,000) (25c-35c-54c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $5,750. (Average: $6,000) I MET A MURDERER (Film Classics)— LITTLE (328) (35c-44c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $2,600. (Average: $3,500) CINCINNATI Moderate weather following the recent cold wave stimulated theatre attendance. With some exceptions, grosses are running in the plus-average column. Estimated receipts for the week ending Feb. 18-21 : 13 RUE MADELEINE (20th-Fox)— RKO ALBEE (3,300) (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c-75c) 7 days, plus a Saturday midnight show. Gross: $14,000. (Average: $15,000) TILL THE CLOUDS ROLL BY (M-G-M) -RKO CAPITOL (2,000) (50c-55c-60c-65c70c-75c) 7 days, plus a Saturady midnight show, 2nd week. Gross: $13,000. (Average: $10,000) RIDING THE CALIFORNIA TRAIL (Mono.) and DECOY (Mono.)— RKO FAMLY (1,000) (30c-40c-50c) 4 days. Gross: $1,700. (Average: $1,600) LADY CHASER (PRC) and SILVER RANGE (Mono.)— RKO FAMILY (1,000) (30c-40c-50c) 3 days. Gross: $1,100. (Average: $1,100) DEAD RECKONING (Col.)— RKO GRAND (1,500) (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c-75c) 7 days, 2nd week, plus a Saturday midnight show. Gross: $10,000. (Average: $8,000) THE MAGIC BOW (U-I)— KEITH'S (1,500) (50c-55c-60c-70c) 7 days, plus a Saturday midnight show. Gross: $5,500. (Average: $7,500) IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (RKO Radio) —RKO LYRIC (1,400) (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c75c) 7 days, 3rd week, on a moveover after two weeks at the Palace. Gross: $7,500. (Average: $5,000) SINBAD THE SAILOR (RKO Radio)— RKO PALACE (2,700) (50c-55c-60c-65c-70c75c) 7 days, plus a Saturday midnight show. Gross: $19,000. (Average, for 7 days: 515,000) BLUE SKIES (Para.)— RKO SHUBERT $305,000 Gross for 'Duel' In Seven Weeks on Coast Hollywood, Feb. 17. — David O. Selznick's "Duel in the Sun" remains Los Angeles' top roadshows as it grossed $44,200 in its seventh week at the Vogue and Fairfax Theatres. For the seven weeks at the Vogue, five at the Fairfax and two at the Egyptian, total box-office receipts are $304,973. The seventh week's gross was the highest since the opening week. Last week's gross was $44,000, according to spokesmen for Selznick. (2,150) (5Oc-55c-60c-65c-7Oc-75c) 7 days, 4th week, after two weeks at the Albee and a first moveover week at the Shubert. Gross: $8,500. (Average: $5,000) TORONTO Two Toronto houses offered new attractions for the week, the four other first-runs holding their programs for a second week because of satisfactory business in spite of continued rough weather and hard-to-navigate streets. Principal opposition came from pro hockey, for which there were long line-ups for tickets, and an ice-carnival roadshow. Estimated receipts for the week ending Feb. 19-20 : BEDELIA (British) — EGLINTON (1,086) (lSc-30c-4Sc-60c) 6 days, 2nd week. Gross: $4,200. (Average: $4,700) NOTORIOUS (RKO Radio)— IMPERIAL (3,373) (18c -30c -42c -60c -90c) 6 days, 2nd week. Gross: $13,300. (Average: $14,300) THE STRANGE WOMAN (UA) — LOEWS (2,074) (18c-3Oc-42c-60c-78c) 6 days. Gross: $15,300. (Average: $13,300) MARGIE (20th-Fox) — SHEA'S (2,480) (18c-30c-42c-60c-90c) 6 days. Gross: $16,600. (Average: $14,600) I'LL BE YOURS (U-I)— UPTOWN (2,761) (28c-30c-42c-60c-90c) 6 days, 2nd week. Gross: $10,400. (Average: $11,400) BEDELIA (British) — VICTORIA (1,240) (18c-30e-48c) 6 days, 2nd week. Gross: $6,000. (Average: $6,800) ATLANTA Business has been somewhat better this week than last. The weather has been good. Estimated receipts for the week ending Feb. 19 : THE RAZOR'S EDGE (20 thFox)— FOX (4,661) (55c-60c) 2nd week. Gross: $13,500, (Average: $13,000) THE PLAINSMAN (Para. reissue)— PARAMOUNT (2,447) (55c-60c). Gross: S8.40O. (Average: $8,200) BLACK ANGEL (U-I)— ROXY (2,446) 55c-60c). Gross: $5,800. (Average: $5, 600) DEADLINE FOR MURDER (20th-Fox) and INNER CIRCLE (Rep.) — CAPITAL (2,446) (44c-50c). Gross: $4,400. (Average: $4,200) THE MIGHTY McGURK (M-G-M) LOEWS GRAND (2,554) (55c-60c). Gross: $15,000. (Average: $15,000) MINNEAPOLIS A return of mild weather helped grosses to a better-than-average level, with "The Jolson Story" and "The Shocking Miss Pilgrim" having good first weeks. Estimated receipts for the week ending Feb. 20 : ABIE'S IRISH ROSE (UA)— CENTURY (1,500) (50c-70c) 7 days. Gross: $8,500. (Average: $7,500) DANGEROUS MILLIONS (2flth-Fox)— GOPHER (1,000) (44c-50c) 7 days. Gross: $j.4C0. (Average: $3,400) 13 RUE MADELEINE (20thFox) — LYRIC (1,100) (50c-70c) 7 days, 3rd week, on moveover from State. Gross: $8,000. (Average: $6,000) THE JOLSON STORY (Col.)— RKO OR PHEUM (2,800) (50c-70c) 7 days. Gross: $22,500. (Average: $11,500) THE SHOCKING MISS PILGRIM (20th Fox— RADIO CITY (4,000) (50c-70c) 7 days. Gross: $18,500. (Average: $18,000) MR. DISTRICT ATTORNEY (Col.) RKO PAN (1,500) (S0c-70c) 7 days. Gross: $8, 000. (Average: $8,000) CROSS MY HEART (Para.)— STATE (2,300) (50c-70c) 7 days. Gross: $14,000. (Average: $13,500) BUFFALO This has been a run-of-mine theatre week, with attendance balancing out to about average. Estimated receipts for the week ending Feb. 22: THE SHOW-OFF (M-G-M) and STRANGE JOURNEY (ZOth-Fox)— BUFFALO (3,489) (40c-50c-60c-70c) 7 days. Gross: $20,000. (Average: $19,000) THE RAZOR'S EDGE (ZOth-Fox)GREAT LAKES (3,000) (40c-50c-60c-70c) 7 days, 3rd week. Gross: $16,000. (Average$18,000) 13 RUE MADELEINE (2flth-Fox) — HIPPODROME (2,100) (40c-50c-60c-70c) 7 days, 2nd week, on a moveover. Gross: $10JV*? (Average: $10,000) (Ar:i", SWELL GUY (U-I) and SINGIN^ THE CORN (Col.) — LAFAYETTE (3,000) (40c-50c-60c-70c) 7 days. Gross: $20,000. (Average: $15,000) THE WESTERNER (Film Classics) and SPLENDOR (Film Classics) — TECK (1,500) (40c -50c -60c -70c) 7 days, 2nd week. Gross: $5,000. (Average: $6,000) SINBAD THE SAILOR (RKO Radio) and VACATION IN RENO (RKO Radio) TWENTIETH CENTURY (3.000) (40c-50c60c-70c) 7 days. 2nd week. Gross: $16,000. (Average: $16,000) OMAHA Downtown theatres are doing about average business during weather that is mild for February. Estimated receipts for week ending Feb. 19-20: STRANGE WOMAN (UA) and BELOW THE DEADLINE (Mono.)— OMAHA (2,000) (50c-65c) 7 days, 2nd week, for "Strange Woman" on moveover from Paramount. Gross: $8,600. (Average: $8,600) MR. ACE (UA)-ORPHEUM (3,000) (55c80c) 7 days. Connie Boswell's Stage Revue on stage. Gross: $21,000. (Average: $19,900) HUMORESQUE (WB) PARAMOUNT (2,900) (50c-65c) 7 days. Gross: $10,700. (Average: $11,000) NOCTURNE (RKO Radio) — RKO BRANDEIS (1,200) (50c-65c) 7 days. Gross:' $7.800. (Average: $8,600) B. & K. Closes Over Union-Matinee Tilt Chicago, Feb. 17. — A Balaban and Katz neighborhood theatre, the Admiral, located on the northwest side, is closed completely now because of a dispute between the circuit, and the local projectionists' union over reduction in the number of projectionists employed due to the desire of B: and K. to discontinue matinees at the Admiral. B. and K. recently announced that because of a lack of matinee business at the Admiral, it was decided to discontinue day-time showings. The union countered that if the circuit wanted to discontinue matinees, the projectionists dismissed as a result of the move would have to be absorbed elsewhere in the circuit. This the circuit has refused to do and, as a result, the Admiral is now completely dark. B. and K. also recently abandoned matinees at the Drake. Here again the union requested that projectionists dismissed as a result of this move be absorbed in other circuit houses. B. and K. also refused to do so. At present, matinees have been abandoned at the Drake and projectionists there who work the night shift are refusing to accept their pay pending final settlement of the dispute. Five RKO Tradeshows RKO-Radio's "The Farmer's Daughter" will be trade-screened at the Normandie Theatre here this morning ; "Trail Street" and "Beat the Band" will be shown on Wednesday, at the RKO-Radio New York exchange, and "Code of the West" and "The Devil Thumbsa Ride"' will be shown on Thursdya, also at the exchange.