Variety (January 1944)

Weiiesdayv Jariua^^ ^htrty^el^hth ^ PlCtPRES 27 on H. 0. Chicago, Jun. 1. ♦- . Loop theatos 'gplered ::the N Year \sith a ^tch drhbldoyers; Only tjew pictures are ‘Lady Take^ a Chance’ coupled with ‘Gangway for Tomorrow^ at Palace and ‘Never pull Moment,’ aided by Harry How- ard’s ■Kioliyyfood Pm-up. Girls’ revue on stage,: at' Oriental. ’Lady’, and ‘Cangway’’lbokS likely ehlry because -reseivang- ex:ti.a ,hjtplo itatinn prior . tO - opening Saturday (1); Also helped by special New Year’s eve showing oL’Higher and Higher’ Friday (31). , ’Riding High* cbupled,, With: stage : show shapes; as sock >i,n second Week at the' Chicago .after great,, $54,000 bpenihg session.: ‘Thousands Cheer’ also looms hefty on holdover. Estimates for Last Week;, Apollo (B&K) (1.200; !i0-85)— 'Northern Pursuit' (t^B) :;and ’Be- hind Big Top’, ,(WB): (3d Week in l^op.) Looks very good. Last week, fine $15,000. Ghicago (B&K) (4,000; 50.*85)-r ‘Riding High’ (Par), plus .stage show (2d Wk). Headed for, socko biz after : last Week’s great $54 000. ,Garrick, (B&K) (900; 50-85)—‘The Kansan’ (UA) and ‘Pistol Packii. Mamma’ (Ftep) (2d wk). Looks goon. Last week, bright $11,000. Grand (RKOl (1,150; 40-85)— ‘Flesh Fahtaisy’. (U) and ‘Moonlight Vermont’. (U)' (3d week in Loop), j Prospects okay. Last,week, ‘Spider i Woman’ (U) and ’Calling Dr. Death" ? (U) , -riice .$8,400 priental (Iroquois) (3,200; 31-69)— ‘Never :n Dtill Moment' (U,) and v’Hojly.vvbod Pin-Up Girl’ revue; Out 71 ; look ,is big. Last week, ‘So’s Your; Uncle’: (U) and yaude; corking $25,000. , : i : Palace (RKO) (2,500; 40-85),■—, T,ady: Takes Chance’ i RKO) arid ‘Gangway Toinorrow’ (RKO). Big biz on tap. Last: week, 'Flesh Fan-. . , ta.sy’': (U) arid ‘Moonlight, V'ernibnt’ (U); (2d wk). good $16,000. ;. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 50-85)— ;‘Sahara’;.’(Cql) r(3d‘-wk)y ^ Gontiriues Strong. Last - week, Vsparklirig; $23*000 for second sesh. i^tate-Lake (B&K) (2.700; 50-85)w ‘Thousands; Cheer’ (M-G) (2d wk). Hefty receipts on horizon. Last week; snappy $21,000. : ‘ ; , vGnited AfUsts CB&K) diVOOi idO- 85)—'Princess 'O’Hourke’ iWB) (3d Wk). Shapes up Well.: Last week, nifty $20,000. , ‘ ■ Woods (Essaness) (T.200; 50-75).— ‘Gangs, Iiic,’ (PRC) arid ‘Choo Choo; Swing’ (Wfi). (2d wk). Looks solid. Last week,; big $18,000. .; Stages Comeback; ‘Higher/ ‘Gang’s Here/ Kansas City, Jan. 1. ; Biz which began ia comeback' iast week, after a pre-Cihristn'ias slump, continues to skyrocket. “ The New Year got off to a rousing start here. Strong lineup of films ail around, with' tilted prices for .special,', NeiWl Year’s eVe shows, indicate sinash re-' : turns, Newebmers includes ‘Thou- sands Cheer,’ ‘Higher and Higher’ and 'Gang's All Here,’ and all ap- pear ; ciiciiing for sbekb grosses. Only holdover,. 'Radihg High,’ is Still i oll- ing ’ along after tbp :biz in: bity last week. ,, Estimates fbr Last Week Esquire, UptoWn and Fairway (Fox-Midwest): (8,20,' 2,043 and 700; 40-60)—‘Gang's All .Here' (20th). Opened With a bang arid scerns .head- ed for; extra Dig. coin. Last Week ■Hutlbr's Sister’ (U), strong $14,500, '. over expectations. : Midland (Loew’’s) (3 500; 35-55) — ‘Thousands Cheer’ (M-G). Going solo for likely; smasheroo total. Last ., Week 'Lassie- Come: Home’- (M-G),, , arid'Young Ideas’,('M-(3), husky .$15,-. . 000. above hopes. Newman (Parambunt) (l|9GO; 40- 60 )-.i‘Riding High’ .(Par) (2d : wk). Still riding; at vfabt , clip after lush $15;5,00 initial; round, best in city. \ Orpheum (RKO) (1,500; 40-60)— ‘Higher and Higher’ „(RKO)- and ‘Gangway Tomorrow’ (RKO). ‘The . .Voice’- is . charming . ihe;:bod.by“Sbck^^ and others. Last week ‘Lady Takes Chance’ (RKO) and ‘Ghost Ship’ (RKO) "(2d Wk)V pleasant $10,000 . after heaUhy ,$12,000 flrst'stanzai, : Tower (Fox-Joftee) (3,100; 35-50) . -r’Pistol Packin’ : idatna’;,' (Rep ) ■ with stage show featiifing Smiley Bur- nette in person arid D’Artega breh. Combo is a winnbr and heads for toKr ; rid . week,' Last week ‘Buckskin; Frontier’ (UA)., - .with" ■ Biackstone . magico act on stage, rugged $12,000 'Gang’s Here’ and ‘Riding. High' look to be the ace straight filmers. Estimates for Last *Week Orpheum (Tfistates) ( 3.000; 20-65), —‘Yoiing Ideas’: (M-G) and- ,.‘Hblly- wobd Cover. Girls’, oh stage. Excep-^. tidnal week looms with ejetra mid^ night .show New Year’s eve at $1.10 (Par). :and:. ‘Is^^^’ K Happy’- (Coll fit-55) solid $10,400, which is excellent on aU-filrn program. ■ Omaha (’Tristates) (2,000; 11-55)-— ‘Riding; High’ (Par) and' ‘Klondike Kate’ fCpll, - With "New Yea eve show at 75c top bught to run way ahead of feceht totals;; Last Week, ‘1 Dood , If (M-G) arid: ‘Petticoat Larceny’ (RKO), fair $7,300. Paramohnt (TristateS) ; (3,00(); 11-55) — ‘Gang's All Here’ (20th). Single-featured With special mid- night show vshbuld boost-into com- fortable five-figure mark. Last week, ‘Girl Crazy* (M-G), strong at $11,000. Brandeis fMbrt Singer) ; (1.500; 11-55)—‘Higher and ’Higher’ (RKO) opened Friday (31) and runs into new week with special, midnight show . New ■ Year's' eve. .: Unusually high total for size jbf house is likely. La.st week; ‘Government Girl’ iRKO) and ‘Rookies in Burma’ (RKO), fine $8,800 for nine days. BALTO BOFFO; TOKYO’TALL Baltimore, Jan. L Extra midnight shows all over the downtown sector New Year’s Eve; .(Fri'd:.; :hei;ped boost-■ dbings' .here th,i.S: week. In strongproduct lineup, ‘Thbdsarid's. Cheer.’ at Loew’s Cen- tury, and.‘Destination Tokyo,’ at the StanleY, look exceptionally fine, Rest ..of list-also is in the-'groove. .; \ : EsHmates for Last Week (Loew's-UA) (3.000; 17- ,55:)—’‘ThousandspCheer’ (M-.G). Aim-. ing at a top figure. ’ Last: Week ;‘Cro.?s itiorraine’ (Mt-G), uneventful $11,20(), : Hippodfonie .(Rappa'pbit) (2,240; 17-66)"—’’Government Girl’, (RKo) plus vaude. Nicely spotted for strong action, ’ way lip over, yecertt: totpls. 'Bast, .week .‘What a Wbmari’, (Col) arid vaiJde. okay $15,400. Keith's (Schanberger). (2,460; 17- 55)—‘Flesh Fantasy’ (U) (2d wk). Holdihg iexceptipnaily well and ’rriay equal first week’s action at big .$14,2()0..-. ' V--,'..’: , I.,.;": Maryland (Hicks) (1,240: 25-50)- (Wbrneri in Bbridage' (Mono). (2d wk). : Holding, good pace and posr ;sibly . better than $3,900 on imtial week.. '.'b: Mayfair (Hicks) (980; 25-50)4 ‘Hostages' : (Par). Seemingly set for better than average. Last week ‘Son of Dracula’ (G), fairish $3,800. . New (Mechanic) . (1.680; 17-55) — ‘Gang’s All Here’ (20th) (2d wk). Maintaining. v.sWell’ gate to indicate topflight. business . after mopping . up on first round to $12,200. Stanley (WB), (3,280; ,20760)-i-‘Des- tination Tokyo’: : (WB). Shooting for lofty session. Last week , ‘Northern Pursuif (WB). ’ (.2d wk), fairish $9,700 ■ ■■■ ■' ’■■''■ti'’'-'- , Valencia; (Loew's-UA) (1;.486; 17- 55)—‘Cross l.ori'aine’ ■ (M-.G) i move- over). So-so week: i.s in prospect. Last week ‘Spider Woman’, ’(U), meagre $3,700 ; * First Runs on Broadway '(Subject to. pharise) Week of Jan. 6 ,- Asior4‘Life Boaf (20th). Capitpl—‘A Guy Named. Joe’ (M-G) (3d week). iRevieiced tn ‘Variety’. Dec. 29) . Griteribn—‘His Butler's Sister’ (U) (2d week I. , ■ (Remewed m ‘Variety’ Nov. 10)- Globe—‘Where Are Your Chil- dren?’ (Mono) (8). . : (Reviewed in-;.‘Variety* Dec, 1) c- ‘ HbiiyWqod—‘The Desert Song’ i.\VB) (4‘.h week). ■ (Reviewed iit ‘Var iety’ Dec. 15): Miisic: Hail 4‘Madame Gune’ (M-G) (4ih week). (Reweteed in ‘Variety’ Nou; 24) ’Palace — ‘Government Girl’ (RKO), iRcmeiued Ml 'Variety' Now. 10) ; Paramount—‘Ridm’High’ (Par) :’(3d week) ; (Ret'icuied tn ‘Variety’ Nov. 10), . Rialto— ‘The Spider Woman’ ■ .(G)vt7). Rivoli — For Whom the Bell Tolls’ (Par) (26th week). r( Reviewed :ih ‘Variety’ July 21) Roxy— The Gang’s All Here’ . . i20‘.h) (.3d w'cek). iReviewed in ’Variety* Dec;: 1) ; Strand—" ‘Destination Tokyo' (WB) (2d week). - (Rctneuied in 'Variety' Dec. 22) Toky^BarneL Omaha Outlook Bright; ‘Ideas’-Unit in Money . '. . Omiilia. Jan. 1 :. .Gontiri.tied :■ upsw-cep in businb.fe 'is looked :.',fpr , with '. the ..new piclur'es, .epmi'ng, in to tee -.bff the, N.pw Year’s- ,Week.- ‘ klidnight: .shPtea.N.Pwi.:Year‘,s . 'eve /all ■ had .big, advarice ’siilo.s' iiidib'U.Sl); (Par), smash $21,000 or-slightly over, windirig up last Friday (31) night. Hipp (Shea) (2,100; 35-65)—‘No .Time,: Love’ ' (Pai-);, , .and-. ,‘Aldrich Haunts .■House.’: , (Par). ; (2'd-.wk-i.;:)VIoyed,; here from Great Lakes where, it just; fin Ish'bd a highly successful :.'-se'ssibn,:, and takings' ibom s,tQUt.'-..Last ' week,. ‘Crirne School’ (WK) ; arid ‘Girls on Probatipft’ (WB) .:(;reissUes.), rugged. $13,5()0 fpr this bombo. NEWARK UPSWING ON; ‘GANG’S’ IN ACE SLOT Newark, Jan.'1. : High-powered: marquee setups in ail first-runs, coupled with increased scales over the holiday stretch, pre- sage'a banner week to kieik. pff the New Year,' Downto'Wri houses likely- Will be limited only by their overall; seating capacity, with the; biggest seaters slated, to;grab :off the fanciest 'biz'.---. :■■: Proctor’s, with ‘Gang’s /All Here’ fplibWing up the Friday night (31). pi-eerri of ‘Higher and Higher’ at $2.20 top, looks tb .;l,ead |bWn- ‘North- ern Pursuit,’; at Bfanford, also prom- ises ■ tall 'returris, as doek .the State with ‘Thousands Gheer.’ Also look- ing for top figures is the Adams with ‘Screatri in Darlf,’ boosted by the Ink Spots' oh stage -plus Milt Britton's band and additional acts. : EStimatek fbr Last IVeek ; . Adams (Adaths-Par) (1,950; 35-99) — Campus Rhythm’ (Mono) and :Stage show including Ink Spots, Milt Brit- ton orch, Grace McDohald: arid Shaw and,::,,Lee, ; Setrip -fig;Ur6s,'.for- smasb biz. Last week, ‘Mr; -Muggs Steps: Ouf (Rep),and Wbody; Herlnan orch, Paul Winchell, others. On stage, nice ,$19',000.'f Branford (WB) (2.800; 30-90)— ‘Northern Pursuif (WB): and 'Never.' Dull Momehf: (U), Bangup week; Seehlk likely, Erbbl Flynn being very pop here; Last week; ‘Gid; Acquaint- ance’; (WB) and ‘Charice ; Lifetime’ (Col): ;(2d. wkL /eomfortable $14,000, , : g (.I,300;: 20-55)—'True' Life’ (Par) and ‘Dr. Gillespie’s Crim- inal dase’ (M-G). Should finish in lofty figures, with .99c top New Year's Eve sparkirig gross. Last Week, Broadway - theatres, . rbundirig , out another, year of wartime prosperity; had their third .Christmas bhu; New, .Year’s, since U- S,. entered, the cop- flic-t, fer.v-eritly hoping " it would ,;be the: last. :: Most all dowrilown fli’;‘it-. runs—-ijeld overtheir Christmas: shows. Only ■ ; three .houses :carne forth with hew .bills foVNeW, ■Year’s, week, iheiudirig: the State, wkich; has ‘Sahara’ on secbhd-shbt in- the Tirnes Square area, together .with a vaude layout headed by Patricia MoristSp a id Eric? Blore, Housb teed oil very strongly Thursday (.30). : The following day. .Friday (31), the Strand brought in ‘Destination Tokyo’ and the Charlie Bafnet band, plus Elia Mae Morse and others in person. Opening the doors at 8 a.m. for the long New Year's eve grind, house was in high gear, from the start. Only other arrival of the pas- week was ‘His ButUn ’s Sister,' which; moved into the Criterion Wednesday (29), giving this straight-filmer one of its strongest .opening days, : / Christmas week was very big this year, though ■ not , rebord-breaking. New Year’s ;; week. is always much larger, with a large Pibpbftiori of, the i .crease m grbss, coming from,, :-lri- brea'sed scales, arid,■grindiri.g pa.5t mid- night'-,until daybrbak or even, longer,: as, with the.-, .little Rial.to- .unden its . policy to go , around the clock;.; ,Scales: .set" up .fpr. New. Year’s' eve ranged from $1,10 for. a few* houses to .a; top. of .$2.20 .at the' Paramount,. Roxy:and Strand,. witji;bfher.s in .be- tween; Capitol charged an even $2. Music .Hall refused tb :veer- away irom its customary price of $1.10 for general admission and $1.65 for the loges.,, -, Playing ‘Madame Cune,’, no w;, iri .itS' -third, week,. house’s ,ioge was sbld ' put: .for-. New Year’s three days, in advance,,Extra i stageshows' wete -put on -at' .all;: bombirtation houses; ;P:k'r a rn b u n't and. Strand topped others by . scheduling seven ..shows, the last: going on around,■2:3,1) o’clock in the iribrnirig Saturday (11, Koxy- and: Music Hall went to six; shows, while the Capitol and State played five. . G ; An. :uriusual .expbn was the .showing dri Friday (31), for the .orie day only, of‘Higher and Higher’ in 50 neighborhood theatres of the RKO circuit at $1.10 to $1.65 scale. Pic- ture was thrown into the houses in Buff. B.O. Jumping For ‘Higher/ ‘Tokyo/ ‘Cheer’ Buffalo, Jan. 1. Theatre boxofti.ee., .returns are jumping, with week bpehing Satur- day .'(l) expected tO' top .sturdy , busi- ness registered during Christmas scs- ..sibn,'. ■ ■: : Estimates for Last Week . Buffalo (Shea) (3,500; 35-65)— ‘Thousands Cheer’ (MrG):, , This big Metro special,,:opening' Saturday (1), looks in line for .pro.spserpus, sessibri. Last week, ‘True to Life’; (Par) and' ‘Iraq’ (WB), satisfactory ;at’ $13,000; Lafayette (Basil) (3,300; 35-65)"7; ‘What a Woman’ (Col) and ‘Qoo’d Luck Yates’ (Col). Expectations arc for even stronger stanza than last week. 'Last .Week, 'Top .Man’ tU) .and ‘Fired': Wife’.; (U). rousirig . $15,000, with .’Top Mari^ the real draw;.;.. - ,, '2,()tli Gentiiry .(Ind.) ,(3,OGO; ,,35'‘65)— ‘Higher and Higher’ (RKO) and ‘Sailors All’ (RKO). Set fbr.a-.strbhg week with appeal ol Frank Sinatra in ‘Higher’ expected to carry bill along at rapid clip. Friday mid- night show will help. LaSt, week, ,‘Arbun.d W'drid’ .CRKO )■ ari.d'’Lcbpa;r.d Man- (RKO), lolly $14,000;.; , . Great Lakes (Shea) O.OOOj: 33-65!, ,-’4.‘D‘est;i,natibh Tbkyb' ' ( WB).' .Rbbii.st- taki'rigs.jare;-:in .prospect for. th;i's new, war.'. thiAUer, ;With. total,; likely, to be "helped ' by , ';rt) id'night. - sliO'W / Friday (.r 1 j/Las't'. w:.cbk, .'■ ’No' Time Lb-vc’' Detroit. Jan. 1* After the earlier setback from ;fiu, and Christmas shopping,- Detroit is moving'.back- to its, boomish. dayS;- in- the first runsb'. .‘N'ev.'r Y^ week hypoed the grosses to the former high levels, nearly ail spots upping scale per usual on midnight shows Friday (31). The Michigan is-batch- ing the top spot with a stage show with the Ina Ray Button brch and Kim Loo Sisters Combined- with ‘Fallen Sparrow.’ Tiie . Fox also : soared back into . big figures with ‘Gang's All Here ’ Estimates for Last Week ,;,Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 55-75)—; ‘Happy Land’ (20th) and ‘Pistol Packin’ Mama’ (Rep)., Moveover from Fox looking tor fine Week. Last ■week ‘Heat's Ori’’ (Col).:and'‘Holmes 'Faces Death' (U),■ .strong $9,200. ; :: ^ :■ Broadway-Gapilol ' (Uriiled;- C.e-/ (roil) i2,800; 3.3-7,3 I—‘No Time Love’ I Par) and ‘Aro.'.md Wbrld’" ’RKO) (2d wkK . Bangup total likely, in- cluding .specia; -'-'Nbw- Y’ear’s Eve show bicycled: over, from .'Mibh igari, Last',.week ‘Around World’ (RKO). ■ and ‘Buckskin Fronlier’ (UA.),, ex-. eating sello'dls. ‘Higher inid .iliglicr.' : '.Par), and. ‘Aldricii Haunl.s }Io‘,i.'/c‘ N. Y., Brooklyn; Queens, Westchester county and Newark at 5 p.ni. for ■ '■ grinding to as late as, business " ju.stificd. The film, starfin,'- Frank Sinatra. Michele Morgan, and Jack Haley,, will have its ■ firsl-run; open- ing later in a downtow'n theatre, ' probably the Palace. Estimates for Last Week ..-.;:Astbr ,',.(Loew's) (1,140; 55-Sl.lO)— ‘Ciy Hayoc’ (M-G) (7th-final wk), . Goes off tonight (Wednesday), fol- lowing fairly profitable run. ' Last week (6th) pepped up somewhat by ’b Christmas biz to hit $16,500, good. ‘Life Boat’ (20th) opens liere tomor- row (Thursday). Capitol (Loew’s) (4,820; SS-gHO) —‘Guy Named Joe’. ' iM-G) plus,: Kathryn Grayson, Richard Himber orch. Lou Hoitz and ‘Rags’ Ragland on stage (2d wk). Inaugurated sec- ond stanza Thursday i30) in a big way '; after building-’ on,first to a "W mi.ghty $79,500. all the more remark- ; able in that the week included two days, of, ■ pretChristmas; Suffering from flu. Miss Grayson was off the show Tuesday and Wednesday'. (28- 29'. returned Thur.sday (30) but again was ab.sent Friday (31). . Gritsrif.n (Loew's) (l.foO; 33-S1.25) — ‘Butler’.s Sister (U) (2d wk). Came in last Wednesday i29) and was : away from the barrier in . very ., speedy fashion, opening day for the , Deannc Durbin starrer bein,g one of the best the house ever had. Over Xmas. . marking . second week of ‘Crazy, Hbrise’. lU), biz; was slow at. only $12,000. - ' Globe (BruniVt) (1.41f; 35-83)— ‘Tarzan's Desert My.stery’ i RKO) (2d wk).' This one doing, well;here, last , week, picture's first, scoring very strong , $28,000. , '• ■ Hollywood (WB) (1.499; 44-81.25) —‘Desert Song’ (WB) (3d'wk). . Not ■ an out.standing smash, but showing . substaritial . profit; last week upped Christmas trade pushed figure to $33,500, good. Remains hero indefi- : nitely. Palace (RKO) (1.700; 75-81.65)— ■North Star’ iGdldwyn-RKp) (9th- final wk). Continues at an okay pace; la.st week (8th) went to $20,000 with aid of the first of year-end holidays.Clo.ses : the , run tonight . (Wednosda.v), with ‘Government', Girl’ (RKO) coming in tomorrow (Thursday) at pop scales. Paramount (P,ar) (3,664; 35-81.10) —‘Riding High' (Par) and Tommy i; Dorsey (2d wk). Went to a .socko $80,000 on the first week over Christ- ,; mas and teed off the New Year stanza i Wednesday) (29) in sensa- Uonnl sl.vle, with house that day : grossing fancy. $12,500 at custornary ' scales. ... The initial frame included three days winding, up the Xmas - ' shopping period, when a show h.as to have plenty, on the ball in order tq get anywhere. It had it here. / Radio City Music Hall i Roekefel- lers) (5.945; 44-$1.65)—‘Curie’ (.M-G). i Xmas stage spectacle. ‘Good; Cheer' ’ and supplementary stage -presciita- ' tidh (3d wk). Terriflo. at-boxoffiice,"; • third frame .starting off very heftily Thursday (30).' Last week, a Ire-, rnendous Xmas play pushed take to I $117,000, immense. , -. 1 Rialto (Mayer) (594; 28-65)—“Ghost’ Ship’ (RKO) ,(2d: wk)-: Holding .'tip stoutly : after an initial seven ’ days’; gross of $12,000,.excellent. Rivoli (UA-Par) (2,092; 75-$:i.65)—• ‘Boll Tolls’ (Par) (12th wk). Very consistent on draw, with last lyeek (llth) going to $26,000. ;:..Rexy (20th) 15.886: 55-Sl.lO)-r:, ‘Gang’s All Here’ (20th) and Jimmy Dorsey orch, Bill, Robinson, others, •on stage i2d wkl. ■' In the big-time smash class and starting New Year’s |, week Wednesday ,.(29) powerfully. ' Show closed out first seven days over , , , Xmas,.,at $104,000, terrific. . —‘Gang’s All Here’ i20th). Musical | makes this aii the more'Oulstdiidiug .l^s ofl^tb'great''ktart'aird with added I IS ' thar'tiie initial- week'-inciuded- .shows and holiday sights sock biz. Last "Week ‘Happy Land' (20th) and ‘.So's Your Uncle’ (U),.; fell off from ’Strange Death Hitler’ (U) and ‘Top Man’ (U), weakish $2,600. Paramount (Adarns-Par) (2,000; 35-85) — ’Riding High’ (Par) and ‘Scream in Dark’ (Rep) (2d wk). Only downtown first-run With hold- over, but .should not be far off from bright $18,000 of initial se.sh. Proctor’s (RKO) (3.400; 35-$1.10)— Gang's All Here! (20th) and Ghost Ship’ (RKO). Aiming for great six- day week,; extra Ihctor being $2.20 top New Year's Eve for one-shot preein ol ‘Higher and Higher.’- Cur- rent bill came in Saturday (1) at holiday rates. Last week. ‘Claudia’ 1 20th) and ‘Gangway for Tomorrow’ iRKO), so-so $18,000 in eight days, bowing out Friday evening (31) prior to Sinatra fiim. State (Loew's) (2,600; .30-85) — ‘Thousands Cheer’ (M-G) and ‘Yanks; Ahoy’ (UA). Swank takings loom. Last week, ‘I; Dood It' (M-G) and 'Crime Doctor's Strangest Case’ (Col), cheerlul $16,000. Hus Huttoa Lady,’ ‘Gangs’ in Cim !< expectations to $28,000. . Madison; (United Artists) (1,800; 55-75 )"i"‘Le:t’s!Face .ItV(Par) and ‘OJe-, lahoma Kid’ (WB) (rei.ssuo). Strong prospects:;Last week Heaven Can Wait’ (20th) and . ‘Bombardiers’ (RKO). good $5,100. Michigan (United Detroit) (4.000; 55-75)—‘Fallen .Sparrow’ ,(RKO) with Ina Ray H'-ilton orch and Kim. Loo Sisters on stage. Great out-, look and may top city. La.st week ‘No Time Love’ (Pari and . ‘Aldrich Haunts House’ il’ar) (2d wk), strong 825,000. Palnis-State (United Detroit). (3,'- 000: 55-75)—‘Lady 'fakes Ci-.ance’ (RKO);.and ‘Secret ,Enemies’ (WB). .Ban.g-up week in sight. I.ast week 'True, to Life’, (Par,i and, ;‘Falcon Co- ed.s' (RKO) 1 2d ’Wk). .robust $18,000. United Artists-,(United. Detroit' (2.000; 55-75' — ‘Thousands Ckeer’ iM-Ct)■;■ and ■ ‘Murder , Waterfront' !WB). ',Great ou'.iook.* La.st week Lassie ; Come Homo’ ' .M-G) and three days prior to Chfistmas, .. State I Loew's) 1 3.450: 35-Sl 10)— ‘Sahara’ (Col) (2d run) and. in per- son. Patricia Mori.son..': Eric ■, Blore, others. New bill brought in.Thurs- ; day ' (30). and aw'av; str 0 h»].y.. Last- ■ week,. .‘Thousands Cheer’, (M-G) - 1 2d,- run) and Georgie Auld orch, Phil Brito and Johnnie Burke on stage, a fine .$35,000 was struck. Strand (WB) (2.7.56: 35-Sl.lO) — ’B,eStina.tidri.Tb.kyo.’ (WB) and Char-, . lie Barnet orch, Elia Mae Morse, others, in person. Game in Friday (31) and was off in a very big way,'> with a long line at the theatre by 8 a.m.. when the’doors were thrown ; onen. ‘Northern Parsuit' (WB), with Gicn Gray and Willie Howard on stage, rbunded out its fifth week over Xmas. Kettiau a good $38,500. with an ’extra day Thursday '■(30.)getting ■ .$4,800. ; ,v' , V . Vict:oria;(.Maui‘ei‘,)! i72,0:;.'5S-$l.;10)r-, ■’North'., Star’ 'Goldwyn-RKO) (9th wk); Going from a roadshow iiolicy ,tb continuous .run .last week in time for Xma.s.' house's b'.isiness jumped to;.' nearly' $ 20 . 000 .,. rxceilen't for this sffl.a:il-‘.seater. ...''Will remain on.'.here, ' cel'icn; Sl'o'iOftO. :'‘;l'’A4che'.Trdif’; ihc Palace to- '■'■ Fox iFox-Mich:'gan) '5,000; 53-75) : Sll,000;' .;■',■;■ 7 '■ ,1, ni.uhl i Wcdnc.scUiy ).