Variety (Feb 1945)

Wednesday, February 21, 1948 PICTURE GROSSES tl Thin Man-Gray-Macs Stout 57G, Chi; Touth'-TareeVZSG, 'Burma 24G 9 HO. Chicago. Fob. 20. Newcomers and holdovers started out hefty, despite continued brown- nut, and look tor smash wlndup on Washington's birthday (22) at upped .scales. Best-looker is "Thin Man Goes Home" with Glen Gray's band and Merry Macs heading stage show at Chicago.- "House of Frankenstein" with In- ternational Sweethearts of Rhythm on stage is fancy $15,000 at Down- town. Dualer of "Dead Man's Eyes"- "Jade Mask" at Grand will do well at $10,000. "Youth on Trial" and A. B. Marcus' "La Vie Paree" on stage looks hot $28,000 at Oriental. "Suspect" and "She Gets Her Man" held over at Palace for okay $19,000. Estimates for This Week Apollo (B&K) (1,200; 55-95)— "To- gether. Again" (Col) (5th wk). Fine $10,000. Last week, grand $11,000. Chicago (B&K) (3,900; 55-"95) — "Thin Man Goes Home" (M-G) with Glen Gray orch and Merry Macs on stage. Big $57,000. Last week, "Hearts Young, Gay" (Par) and Car- men Cavallaro orch on stage (3d \vk), potent $46,000. Downtown (Barger) (1,600; 44-95) —"House of Frankenstein" (U) and "Sweethearts of Rhythm" on stage. Fancy $15,000. Last week, "Mile. Fill" (RKO) with Marva Louis and Noble Sissle orch heading stage bill, smash $20,000. Garrlck (B&K) (900; 55-95)'— "Something for Boys" (20th) (3d wk). Nice $9,000. Last week, $10,000. Grand (RKO) (1,150; 55-95) — "Dead Man's Eyes" (U) and "Jade Mask" (Mono). Elegant $10,000. Lost week, VGirl Rush" (RKO) and "Bowery Broadway" (U), 8 days, and "Eyes" (U) and "Mask" (Monol, 1 day, Dert $8,500, OrlenUl (Iroquois) (3,200; 44-95)— "Youth On Trial*' (Col) with "La Vie Paree" 'init on stage. Staunch. $28,- 000. Last week, "Lake Placid Sere- nade" (Rep) and Phil Spitalny orch on stage, wham $43,000. Palace (RKO) (2.500: 55-95) — "Suspect" (U) and "She Gets Her Man" (U) (2d wk). Oke $19,000. Last week, neat $22,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1.500; 55-95)— "Objective Burma" (WB) (2d wk). Great $24,000. Last week, colossal $27,000. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 55-95)— "Keys of Kingdom" (20th) (4th wk). Torrid $25,000. Last week, boffo $27,000. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 55- 95 >—"Partington" (M-G> (2d wk). Sturdy $27,000. Last week, smash $29,000.: . Wodds (Essaness) (1,200; 55-95)— "Princess and Pirate" (.RKO) (14th wk). Good $13,500. Last week, tidy $14,000. 'Ydyet'Smoblh $17,000 Leader in Offish KX^ 'Co-eds'Smash at 14G Kansas City, Feb. 20. Biz at flrstruns here is off slightly this week. Top newcomer is "Na- • tional Velvet" at the big Midland. "Here Come the . Co-Eds" opened great day-and-datc at the Esquire,' Uptown and Fairway. Estimates for This Week Esquire, Uptown and Fairway • (Fox-Midwest) (82L 2,043 and 700; 40-60)—"Here Come Co-Eds" (U). Lusty $14,000 or over. Last week, "Keys of Kingdom" (20th) (2d wk). steady $10,000. . Midland (Loew's) (3,500; 40-80)— "National Velvet" (M-G). Hefty $17,000. Last week, "Meet Me St. Louis" (M-G) (3d wk), nifty $14,000. Newman (Paramount) (1,900; 45- 65)—"Here Come. Waves" (Par) (2d wk). Hot $14,000. Lust week, torrid $20,500. Orpheum (RKO) (1,500; 46-65)— - "Bellc-of Yukon" (RKO) and "Crime by Night" (WB) (2d wk); Neat $7,000 for five-day ho. after fine $12,000 initialer. ' Tower (Fox-Joffee) (2,100; 39-60) —"Goin' to Town" (RKO) and "Dark Mountain" (Par) with vaude. Nifty $10,000. Last week, "Hi, Beautiful" (U) and "Murder in Blue Room" <U) with stage revue, about same. 'Woman' Solid $22,000, Pitt; Tear'NMlliC Pittsburgh, Feb. 20. A Woman In the Window" is hot- shot of the town at Stanley's. Weakie is "Ministry of Fear," which wont go anywhere at the Penn: Estimates tor This Week .Fulton (Shea) (1.700; 40-65)—"Keys pf Kingdom" (20th) (2d wk). Still "as lots of stuff, at least $7,000. Last week, underestimated at big $11,000. "»f'[» (Harris) (2.200; 40-65)— Tonight, Every Night" (Col) (2d wk), Npt too bad at $9,000. Last week, nice $13,000. (Lo«w's-UA) (3,300; 40-65)— Ministry of Psar (par); Not doing welL and suffering from fact that "Woman In Window" (RKO) is up the street. Sad $11,500. Last week, "Have, Have Not" (WB), great $20,500 Rltz (WB) (800; 40-68)—"Guest In House" (UA). Moveover. Droopy $2,000. Last week, "Frenchman's Creek" (Par), $3,000 oh m.o. Senator (Harris) (1,750; 40-65)— "Mummy's Curse" (Ui- and "Enter Arsene Lupin" (U). Average $2,700. Last week. "Fighting Lady" (20th) and "Sunday Dinner" (20th) good $4,100 on m.o. in 11 days. Stanley (WB) (3,800; 40-65)— "Woman In Window'' (RKO). Ex- cellent: bally and fine notices help- ing to solid $22,000. Holds. Last week, "Guest in House" (UA), $10,000. Warner (WB) (2,000; 40-65)— "Have, Have Not" (WB). Moveover. Slick $10,000 or better. Last week, "Great Moment" (Par) and "Na- tional Barn Dance" (Par), $5,000. Waves Rolls Up Huge 41G, Philly Philadelphia, Feb. 20. Business continues on the bullish side in Philly, many pictures being holdover and long-run stages. New- comer, "Here Come the Waves," how- ever, is doing major biz. "I'll Be Seeing You" is runner-up. Estimates for ThU Week Aldlne (WB) (1,303; 40-85)—"Meet Me St. Louis" (M-G) (9th wk). Al- most setting longevity record with husky $15,000. Last week, big $16,500. Arcadia (Sablosky) (600; 40-85)— "30 Seconds Over Tokyo" (M-G) (2d run) (2d wk). Fine $6,000. Last week. $7,200. ' Boyd (WB) (2,560; 40-85)—"Na- tional Velvet" (M-G) (2d wk). Ta- pering tO fair $17,500 after solid $26,- 500 opener plus big $5,000 one-day stand at Earle. Earle (WB) (2,760; 50-95)-^"Lake Placid Serenade" (Rep) with Iha Ray Hutton orch. Modest $17,500 or near. Last week, "Enter. Arsene Lu- pin" (U) and Benny Carter orcb, solid $29,000. Fox (WB) (2,245; 40-85)—"Be See- ing You" (UA). Great $28,500. Last week. "Winged Victory" (20th) (3d wk). fine $16,500. Karlton (Goldman) (1.000; 40-85)— "Wuthering Heights" (FC) (reissue). Fine $9,000. Last week, "Together Again" (Col), $7,500 second run.' Keith's (Goldman) (2,200; 40-85)— "Keys of Kingdom" (20th) (2d run). Husky S10.D00 or close. Last week, "Merry Monahans" (U) (2d run), $4,- 800 in 6 days. Mastbanm (WB) (4.692; 40-85)— "Have, Have Not" (WB) (5th wk). Still perky at $18,000. Last-week, tall $23*500 SUnirv (WB) (2.760; 40-85)—"Here Come Waves" (Par). Setting torrid pace at,$35,500 plus sock $5,500 for one-day Sun. Earle show. Last week, "Now Tomorrow" (Par), three days 'of fourth week, $9,500. Stanton (WB) (1,475; 40-85)—"Sun- day Dinner" (20th). Good $12,50<X. Last week. "Ministry of Fear" (Par) (2d wk). fair $8,800.. H!0.S SLOW SEATTLE; 'W0MAN'1(HG0N2D . Seattle, Feb. 20. City is loaded with holdovers this week but holding up nicely. "Woman in Window" is pacing the second week lineup, with "To Have and Have Not" relatively bigger because gettjng the same total on its third frame. Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse '(Hamrick-Eveigr-een) (800; 45-80)—"NowTomorrow" (Par) and "Falcon Hollywood" (RKO) (4th wk). Good $5,500. Last week. $6,000. Fifth Avenue (H-E) (2,349; 45-80) —"Woman in Window" (RKO) (2d wk) and "One Body Too Many" (Par). Solid $10,500. Last week. "Window" solo was big $14,000. Liberty (J & vH) (1,850; 45-80)— "Tonight. Every Night". (Col) (3d wk). Dandy $7,000, Last week, hot $8,800. Music Box (H-E) (800; 45-80)- "Princess and Pirate"- (RKO) (6th wk). Fine $4,000 in five days. Last week, big $6,000. Music Hall (H-E) (2,200: 45-80)— "Naughty Marietta" (M-G) and "Take a Letter. Darling" (Par) (reissues), Fairish $7,000. Last week, "Hearts Young. Gay" (Par) and "Girl Rush" (RKO) (2d wk), $9,600. Orpheum (H-E) (2,600; 45-80)— "Have. Have Not" (WB) (3d wk). Sock $12,000 after terrlf $16,000 for second session. Palamar (Sterling) (1,330; 35-$D- "Navajo Trail" (Mono) with Johnny Mack Brown, others, on stage. Great S2,000 or near. Last week, "Swing ostess" (PRC) plus "Tropical Temp- tations" on stage, big $10,300. Paramount (H-E) (3,039; 45-80)— "Thin Man Goes Home" (M-G) and "Blonde Fever" (M-G) (2d wk). Big $8,500 in 5 days. Last week, $15,000. Roosevelt (Sterling) (800; 45-80)— "Hearts Young, Gay' (Par) (3d wk). From Music Hall. Good $5,500. Last week, "Cowboy and Lady" (FC) (re- issue), fairish $4,800. Winter Garden (Sterling) (800; 25- 50)—"Something for Boys" (20th) and "Thought of You" (WB) (3d run). Nice $4,000. Last week, "Since Went Away" (UA) and "Fish from Hell" (PRC) (3d run), $4,300. 'Sqoare'-BusseTrimnG, Mpls^ < Wa?es,'M.0.,7G, 'Have Not'Has It, 14G Minneapolis, Feb, 20. Despite sub-zero temperatures, biz continues near the same high level of recent weeks. With Henry Busse's. orchestra and acts on the stage, "Hangover Square" is landing the Orpheum a nice week. "Tonight and Every Night" is solid at Radio City, as is "To Have and Have Not" at the State. : Estimates for This Week Aster (Par-Sinner) (900; 15-25)— "Last Ride" (WB > and "Army Waves" (Mono). Good $2,200 in four days. "Deati: Man's Eyes" (U) arid "Moonlight Cactus" (U) open tomor- row (21). Last week. ''Dancing Man- hattan" (Col) and "Strange Affair" (Col) split with "40 Thieves". (Rep) and "Faces in Fog" (Rep), $2,000 in eight days. . Century (P-S) (1,600; 44-60)— "Here ' Come Waves" (Par) and "Fighting Lady" '(20th). Moved here after two boff weeks at Radio City. Still plenty potent at $7,000. Last week, "The Suspect" (U), $6,500. Gopher (P-S) (1.000: 40)—"Lake Placid Serenade" (Rep). Given big bally, but mild S2.500 is prospect. Last week, "One Body Too Many" (Par), $3,000: Lyric (P-'S) (1,100; 44-80)—"Meet Me St. Louis" (M-G). Moveover from State looks solid $7,000. Last week, "Be Seeing You" (Selznick-UA) (4th wk), okay $5,000. ' ' ■ , - Orpheum (P-S) (2,800; 44-70)— "Hangover Square" .(20th) and Henry Busse orch. others, on stage. Strong $17,000 is likely. Last week, "Three Is Family" (UA^ and Cab Calloway orch, big $19,000. Radio City (P-S) (4,000: 44-60)— "Tonight, Every Night" (Col). Mild $10,000. Last week, "Here Come Waves" (Par) and "Fighting Lady" (20th) (2d wk), terrific $14,000 after boffo $22,000 first week. State (P-S) (2.300; 44-60)—"Have, Have Not" (WB). Big $14,000: Last week, "Meet Me St. Louis" (M-G) (3d wk), corking $11,000. Uptown (Par) (1,100; 40-50)—"30 Seconds Tokyo" (M-G). First neigh- borhood showing. Fine $4!000. Last' week. "Frenchman's Creek" (Par), fair $3,000. W»rld (Par-Steffes) (350; 44-80)— "Guest in House" (UA) (3d wk). Fair $1,800. Last week, nice $2,400. THIN MAN'STOUT 17G, PROV.; XO-EDSVHOf 16G Providence, Feb. 20. Healthy is the word for grosses hereabouts. Loew's State's "Thin Man Goes Home" leads the list, but "Here. Come the Co'-Eds" is com- paratively stronger at the smaller Albee, the latest Abott-Costello comedy being as strong as usual here. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2,100; 44 - 60) — "Here Come Co-Eds" (U) and "Her Lucky Night" (RKO). Abbott-Cos- tello always are a hefty attraction here; looks strong ; $16,000. Last week, "Woman in Window" (RKO) and "Gal Loves Music" (RKO) (2d wk), $11,000. Carlton (Fay-Loew) (1,400; 44-55) —"Can't Help Singing" . (U) (3d downtown wk). Good $3.5.00. Sec- ond sesh, $4,500. Fay's (Fay i (2.000; 44-55)—"Very Thought of You" (WB) (and vaude on stage. Picking up to $7,000. Last week, "Nevada" (RKO) and vaude, so-so $6,000: ■ Majestic (Fay) C2,200: 44-60) — "Have, Have Not" (WBi (2d wk). Still strong at $15,000 after knocking off wow $18,000 on first. Metropolitan (Snider> (3,100; 44- 60)—"Right Man" (Indie) (reissue) and vaude on stage. Okay $6,000 for three-day weekend. Last week, "Big Bonanza" (Rep) and Tony Pastor orch, three-day stand, fairish $6,000. ■ State (Loew) (3.200; 50-60)—"Thin Man Home" (M-G) and "Dancing in Manhattan" (Col). Strong $17,000. Last week, "Meet Me St, Louis" (M- G i (2d wk). $9,000. Strand (Silverman) (2,000;. 50-60) '—"Here Confe Waves" (Par) and "Dangerous Passage" (Par). Second week started Monday . (19). First sesh was fairly food $14,500.. N.Y. Brisk; 'Guest'-Tnith'-G. Jean Big 71C Abbott-Costello Fancy 36G, SaT Big 14G, 'Song' Lustyil2G in 4th Wk. With the past weekend generally strong, favorable weather being a contributing, factor, Broadway cur- rently is in good condition. New at-, tractions as well as most holdovers range from satisfactory to very big. A killing is looked for on Washing- ton's birthday tomorrow (Thurs.), especially if show or rain doesn't interfere. Majority of downtown N.Y. houses will be on new weeks for the holiday. A deluxe opening of past week was "Guest in the House," at the Capitol, which has the Ralph Edwards' Truth or Consequences radio show "and Gloria Jean for support from the stage. Looks like excellent $71,000. Holds over, but only,for one more week, this being original booking. Abbott and Costello's latest, "Here Come the Co-Eds," came into the Criterion Saturday (17).' arid got away to a fast start, with a fancy $36,000 likely for the first week. Holds over. This is the second best gross for any A&C pi'/.ure. The bandbox Rialto has a winner in "Frisco Sal," which is pacing for a particularly big $14,000 or over, and also holds. State's new bill is "Na- tional' Velvet" on second-run, plus, in person, Cliff Nazarro, Molly Picon and team of Mario and Floria. Looks stout $32,000 or better. ..'•"■■. Holdovers include the b.o. plum, "Princess.and Pirate," at the straight- film A&tor. Picture hit near $45,000 on- first' week, new high for theatre, and on second is heading for $42,000, which still tops the record of $39,700 formerly established. Begins a third week Friday (23). .Roxy remains' potent with "HangOver Square" and Milton Berle, second round through last night (Tues.) having been $84,- 000. Holds one more-week^ One of the most consistent attrac- tions' the Music Hall has ever, had, "Song to Remember," continues at a tremendous gait, with $112,000 or bet- ter anticipated this week, its fourth.' Present plan Is to retain'it for a total of. seven weeks. Another holdover that continues to pack 'em in is Strand's bill of "Objective Burma'' and the. Artie Shaw band, with the fourth week pushing, for-a very big $53,000 or more. Goes a fifth frame. Estimates for This Week Aator (City Investing) (1,140; 60- $1.25)—"Princess and Pirate" (RKO) (2d wk). Washington's birthday, fall- ing in second week, should kite total to sock $42,000, still higher than any- thing else has ever done before at this house. Last week was alltime high at near to $45,000. , Capitol (Loew's) (4,820; 60-$1.20)— ''Guest In House" (UA), Ralph Ed- wards' Truth or Consequences radio, show and Gloria Jean. Support from stage will probably push this to an excellent $71,000. Holds one- addi- tional week. Third stanza'for^"Thin Man Goes Home" (M-G), .plus Fran- kie Carle orch, Marilyn Maxwell and Johnny Morgan, was stout $63,700. Criterion (Loew's) (1,700; 60-$1.25) —"Here Come Co-Eds" (U). Opened at fast pace Saturday (17), with big $36,000 sighted on first week, second best ever scored by any Abbott and Costello picture. Holds over. .Final three days beyond a second week for "The Suspect" (U) was $4,500, light, though second frame was okay $21,- 000. Globe (Brandt) (1,416; 60-$1.20)— "Three Caballeros" (RKO) (3d wk). Continues to pull- heavily, with ex- tremely fine $33,000 looked for this week (3d), same as for second, and holds. Gotham (Brandt) (900; 60-$1.20)— "Mr:. Emmanuel" (UA) (7th wk). Remains steady at this small-seater, a sturdy $11,000' being anticipated, and remains on. Sixth stanza was $12,000. Hollywood (WB) (1,499; 50-$1.20) —"Roughly Speaking" (WB) (4th wk). Not in the uiJpcr brackets but shows suitable profit' at $19,000 on third week ended last night (TUes.). Close to $22,000 garnered the second. No departure date as yet set." Palace (RKO) (1,700: 60-$l.l0)-> "Woman in Window" (RKO) (4th wk). Strong $31,000 or near this semester (4th), while third was mighty $38,000 * Holds. Paramount (Par) (3.664: 60-$ 1.20) —"Ministry of Fear" (Par). Johnny Long orch, Louis Jordan's Tympany Five, Lorraine Root an and Jan Mur- ray (3d-flnal wk).. Dropped to $58,- 000 on second chapter, ended last night (Tues.) but still okay, and goes another. Initial seven days hit ro- bust $72,000. "Bring on Girls" (Par) and all-colored show, including Ink Spots, Ella Fitzgerald and Cootie Williams' band due next Wednesday (28). , ■ ■. -~' Radio City Music Hall (Rockefel- lers) (5,945; 60-$1.10)—"Song to Re- member" (Col) and stageshow (4th wk). Remains' steady at the b.o. with smash $112,000 or over seen for this week (4th) and holds, present plan being run totaling seven weeks. Third frame went to $124,000, better than for the first and second. Republic (Brandt) (1,064; 50-$1.10) —"Chicago Kid" (Rep) (2d-flnal wk). Doing, poorly on holdover, with only about $4,200 looked for. First week was $5,500, weak. "Big Bonanza" (Rep) opens Saturday (24). Rialto (Mayer) (594; 40-85)—"FrU. co Sal" (U). Pacing for a big $14,000 or over, and holds. Last week, sec- ond for "Destiny" (U), finished better than had been expected at $7,100, oke. , Blvoll (UA-Par) (1,092;. 76-$1.25)— "Keys of Kingdom" (20th) (8th wk). Outlook is for good $30,000 this Week (8th). Seventh pushed to a nice $35,000. . . Roxy (20 th) (5,886: 60-$1.20)— "HangOver Square" (20th) and Mil- ton Berle (3d-flrial wk). Holding up stoutly, with $84,000 on second week ended last night (Tues.) First ended at near $103,400, exceptionally big. "Tree Grows in Brooklyn" (20th) and, on stage, Victor Borge and Joan Edwards, open next Wednesday (28). . State (Loew's) (3,450: 43-S1.10)— "National Velvet" (M-G) (2d runi. Cliff Nazzaro. Molly Picon and team of Mario and Floria. A virile $32,000 or over sighted. Last week, "She Gets Her Man" (U) (1st run) and Earl Carroll's "Vanities of 1945" wa» strong $35,000.. Strand (WB) (2,756: 60-$1.20)— "Objective Burma" (WB) and Artie Shaw orch (4th wk). Maintains a socko pace, this week appearing $53,- 000 or better, near the terrific $58,000^ registered on third. Holds.: Victoria (Maurer) (720; 70-$1.50)— "Fighting Lady" (20th) (6th wk). Holding up exceptionally well, fifth wee"k having wound up last night at $17,000, good, while previous stanza was $21,000. Run indefinite. 'Guest' Good 37G In 2 Hub Spots Boston, Feb: 20. "Guest in House," "Experiment Perilous" and "Hangover ■, Square," three crime pictures, are competing . for biz against each" other this weeM. Estimatet for This Week Boston (RKO) (3.200; 50-$1.10>— '•Belle Yukon" (RKO) (2d wk) plu« Ann Cork)', "Gay Nineties" unit, others, on stage. Okay $26,000. Last week, with Ina Ray Hutton orch, One $28,000. Fenway (M-P) (40-74)—"Hang- over Square" (20th) and "Big Sh'ow- off" (Rep). Terrlf $8,000 looms. Last week, "Here Come Waves" (Par) and ''Dangerous Passage"- (Par), big $6,000 after two weeks at Met. Maiettlo (Shubert) (1,500; 40-74)— "Dark Waters" (UA) (3d wk). Okay $4,000. Last week, fine $5,000. Memorial (RKO) (2,900; 40-75)— "Experiment Perilous" (RKO) and "Her Lucky Night" (U). Husky $26,000. Last week, "Can't Help Singing" (U) and "Enter Arsene Lupin" (U) (2d wk). sock $22,000. Metropolitan (M-P) (4,367 ; 40-74) —"Keys Kingdom" (20th) (2d wk). • Potent $25,000. Last week, $29,000. Orpheum (Loew) (2,900; 35-75)— "Guest in House" (Ufc) and "Blonde Fever" (M-G). Satisfactory at $24,- 000. Last week, "Sons Remember'' (Col) (3d wk), $22,000, - Paramount (M-P) (40 - 74)— "Hangover Square" <20th) and "Big. "Showofr (RepV. Wow $17,500. hear capacity. Last week. "Here Come Waves" (Par) and "Dangerous Pas- sage" (Par), nice $15,000 here after fortnight at Met. State (Loew) (3,200: 35-75)— "Guest in House" (UA) and "Blonde Fever" (M-G). Looks good £13.000. Last week, "Waterloo Bridge" (M-G) (reissue) and "Main St. After Dark" (M-G), oke $8,500. Translux (Translux) (900; 30-74) —"Big Bonanza" (Rep) arid "Mc- Guerlns Brooldyn" (Mono) (re- issue). Average $6,000. Last ,week. "Mummy's Curse" (U) and "Dea4 Men's Eyes" (U) (3d wk). $4,000. Santell Gets 'Mexicana' Hollywood, Feb. 20. Alfred Santell takes over; "Mexi- cana" as the first chore under his. new producer-director contract at Republic. Musical had been assigned to Al- ■ bert J. Cohen before he moved to Columbia. i NO REST FOB CABSON ': Hollywood, Feb. 20. Without a day's rest, Jack Carson moves from male topper in "Mildred Pierce" to a similar chore in "Th» Time, the Place and' the Girl" M Warners this week. . David Butler directs and AM* Gottlieb produces. • •' -