Variety (May 1946)

14 PICTURE GKOSSKS Wrdneaday, May 22, )94« Trolley Strike Hits Downtown L A. For 25G Weekly, H'wood Holds Up; 'Virginian' 48 1 / ^G, love Me Big 49G Los Angclos. May 21. * The streetcar strike, continues ■ to slice downtown dim grosses by an estimated' $25,000 per week, but Hollywood theatres are maintaining their strides at the boxoffice. •The Virginian" in two spots is sighting a hefty $48,500 while "Do You Love Me" is knocking off a neat $411,500 in three spots, considering that the lake is off al Loew's State, "•postman Rings Twice" is pacing the holdovers with a very handsome $55;500 in its second frame at three houses, while "Spiral 'Staircase", is hitting a record second week in . thice spots. "Outlaws-is. still good at $31.0110 tor a si^cnth frame, in tour houses,' although beginning to fall off. ...... "Gilclr" is sighting $20,000 for its final week (6 days) in two theatres. Estimates For This Wr«k Beverly Hills Music Hall iblumen- f«lo-G&S) t824; 85-SW — ■Outlaw" *UA) 17lh wk). Nice $4,000. Last week, good ¥5,100. t,arlhay Circle (FWC) (1.51C; 50- $1)— "Madonna of Seven Veils" iU) <2d wk). Steady $0,500- Last week, neat ¥7,000. Chinese (Grauniari-WC) (2,048: 50- $1)—"Do You Love Me" (20th>. Stout $15,500. Last week, "Dark Comer" (20th). oke $12,100. . Downtown (\VB) (1.800; 50-$l)— "Her Kind of Man" (WB) (2d wk). Oke $12,500. Last week, lair $16,500. Downtown Music Hall (Blumcn- feid) (872; 1)5-51.20)—"Outlaw" (UA) 17th wk). Neat $17,500. Last week, nifty $18,000 despite strike. Egyptian (FWC) <1.5:jii: 50-S1)—■ 'Postman Rings Twice" 'MG) (2d wk). Big $14,500. 'Last week, solid $10,800. Four Star (UA-WC) (900: 50-$l)— '•Dark Corner" (20th) (iri.o.). Sturdy $5,500. Last week. "Dragonwyck" • 20th) (m.o.), stout $5,300. Guild I FWC) (968: 50-*!)—"Spiral Si^ircase" (RKO) (2d wk). Second • \i eck record at $9,500. Last week, record- smashing $12,100. Hawaii (G&S-Blumenfeld) <956: 65-$D—"Outlaw" (UA) c;th wk). Okay $5,500. Last week, dropped .slightly to $6,800 on sixth frame. • llcrUvwood (WB) (2.756;-50-$!)—. "Her Kind of Man" (WB) (2d wk). Near $10,000. Last week, oke $13,400. Hollywood Music Hull (Blumen- ftld) (475; 85)—"Outlaw" (UA) (7th wk). Steady $4,000. Last week, neat $4,600. Loew State (Loew-WC) 12.404; 50-$l>—"Do You Love. Me" (20th). Good $22,500 considering strike. Last week. "Dark Corner" (20th), dismal $17,000. Los Angeles (D'lown-WC) (2.097; 50-$l)—"Postman" (MG) (2d wk). Fine $28,000. Last week, very fancy $40,400. Orpheum (D'town) (2.000; 65-85)—' "Detour" (PRC) with Slim Gaillard Trio, Buddy Rich orch on stage. Good $24,000. Last week. "Under- cover Woman" (Rep) with King . Cole Trio, Johnnie Otis orch on stage, sock $31,600 considering street- car, strike. Pantages (Pah) (2.812: 50-$l) — "Gilda" (Col) (4th wk) and "Smooth as Silk" (U). Finales with $13,000 . lor 6 days. Last week, with "Blonde Alibi" (U) supporting, nifty $17,- 700. Paramount (F&M) 13.398: 50-$O— "Virginian" (Par) and "Tokyo Rose" (Par). Handsome $31,000. Last week, "Kitty" (Par) (3rd wk), closed with $15,100. Paramount Hollywood i F&M) (1- 451: 50-$l) — "Virginian" iPar). Fancy $17,500. Last week. "Kitty" <Par) (3d wk), solid $13,800. RKO Hillstreet (RKO) (2.890; 50- 80)— "Gilda" (Col) (4th wk) and "Smooth as Silk" (U). $13,000 for blowoff 6 days. Last week, with "Blonde Alibi" (U) supporting, stout $18,100. Bilr (FWC) (1.370; 50-$l)—"Post- man" (MG) (2d wk). Hefty $13,000. Last week, very fine $15,900. United Artists (UA-WC) (2.100- 50-$D—"Spiral Staircase" iRKO) (2d wk). Smooth $14,000. Last week bn'alit $19,000 despite strike Uptown (FWC) (1.790; 50-$l) — "Do You Love Me" (20th). Robust $11,500. Last week. "Dark Corner" , (20th), about average at $8,900. Vogue (FWC) (885: 50-$])—"Sev- f nth Veil" (U) (3d wk) (m.o.). Steady $5,000. Last week, stout $5.- Wilshire (FWC) (2.296: Sb-$1 "> "Spiral Staircase" (RKOi <2d wk) Great $13,500. Last week, suiralcd to record $17,000. Wilterh (WB) (2,300: 50-S1)—"Her Kind of Man" (WB) <2d wk). About $9,000. Last \veek. oke $12,600 Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Wcth ......... .$659,2«« (Based on 16 .theatres) Total Gross Same Week . Last" Year .. . .. .J554.8M (Based oil 15 theatres) D.C. Holding Up, 'Devotion 3$ Washington. May 21. Business is uniformly good on the main stem although top grosses were not reached due to several holdovers. Estimates for This Week Eaile (WB) 12:154: 44-85)—"Devo- tion" (WB). Good $22,500. Last week. "Road to Utopia" (Par), poor $14,500 for second week. Keiths (RKO) 11.838: 44-80) — "Little Giant" <U>. Very nice $17,000 and holds. Last week. "Spiral Stair- case'' (RKO), very good $14;500 for third week. ■ -. Metropolitan (WB) (1.503: 44-70) —"Enchanted Forest" (-PRC). Sad $7,000, and run cut to six days. Last week, "Bandit of Sherwood Forest" (Col), nice $7,500 for fourth down- town week. ''■'.• . ' ■ Capitol (Loew I "(3,434: 44-80) — '•Dragonwyck" (20th). with vaude. Fine $22,000 for 2d week. Last week, smash $31,000. Palace (Loew) (2.370; 44-70) — "Kitty" (Par). Excellent $21,000 for second stanza. Last week sock $30.- 000. Colombia (Loew) (1.263: 44-70)— "Ziegfeld Follies (M.G.) in.o. Hand- some. $11,000 and. holds five extra days. Last week, "Whistle StopV (UA).. poor $7,000. . fist wk). Slow going at only $4,800 L;:s( week "Forever" singly hit swell $5,»()0. . Music Hall (H-E) (2,200: 45.80)-- '■From This Day Forward" (RKO) and "Game of Death" (RKO). Look- ing for moderate' $8,500. Last week, 2nd of "Virginia" (Par) and "Murder My Business" (PRC). Good $9.1110. Orpheum H-E) (2,600: 45-801—. "Devotion" (WB). Paced ul medium $10,000. Last week, third of "Sara- toga Trunk" (WB), $14,000, great. Palomar (Sterling) (1,350: 45-80V —"Virginian" (Par) and "Murder is Mv Business" (PRC). Here ■ from H-E's Music Hall. Gaitcd. al okay $0,500. Last week, four days of sec- ond stanza,- "Wife of Monte Cristo" i PRC), big $4,500. . Paramount /H-E) (3.039: 45-80>— "Blue Dahlia" (Par) and "Hot Car- go" (Par) (2nd wk). Heading for lair $7,500 after getting immense $17,500. last week. Roosevelt (Sterling) (800: 45-80) — "Saratoga Trunk" (WB). (4lh wk). Moved from Orpheum. Expect good $5,500'. Last week, "Laura" (20(h) and "Wild Geese" (20th). (repeats). Slow and pulled after five poor days at $3,500. r Winter Garden (Sterling) (800: 25-50)—"Spellbound" (UA) and "Blithe Spirit" UA). (3rd run). Like- ly to get only $+,000. slender. Last week, 3rd run of "Lost Weekend" (Par) and "Doll Face" (20th), fair- ish $4,500. Roach Buys 'Winner' Hollywood. May 21. Hal Roach bought "Mr. Wilmer." a novel by Robert Lawson, and turned it over to Bcbe Daniels for film, production. Fantasy'is slated forsummer •tirt, wi<H ; Wiilia'm Tracy starring.- 'Boots'Fair $13,500, 'Devotion' 10G, Seattle Seattle. May 21. New fare this week is a'ntidote tor the hot weather but weekend biz was affected: "Adventure" is in third wk. .on moveover to the Blue Mouse while "Pinnochio" is in' its third session at Liberty. Both sic doing well. "Tomorrow Is Forever" is in its third Week, but has "One Way to Love" for added measure. "Blue Dahlia" is only fair on hold- over at the Paramount.. Palomar, former vaudefilmer, is doing okay with straight pixes. This house has "Virginian" on moveover from the Ham rick-Evergreen Music Hall. About once a month similar moveover from an H-E house is like- ly, with the Sterling Roosevelt due to have quite steady moveovcrs of this type. ' ■ Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (H-E) (.800: ,45-80)— "Adventure" (M-Gl (3rd wk). An- ticipates $6,200, good. Last week, "Road to Utopia" (Par), (6th wk), nice $5,300. Fifth Avenue (H-E) (2.349: 45-80) —"Bride Wore Boots" <Par). Ex- pecting fair $13,500. Last week, "Adventure" (M-G), in 2nd stanza, great $14,400. Liberty (J&vH) (1.650: 45-80)— "Pinnochio (RKO) (reissue) (3rd wk). Looks to get $8,000, good. Last week landed great $13,600. Music Box (H-E) (850: 45-80)— Tomorrow is Forever" (RKO) (3rd wk) and "One Way to Love" (Col) 'Chambermaid' Good 17G,'Devotion'17G,Balto Baltimore, May 21. Fairish trade here this week' with most of the downtown sector hold- ing over. New entries, "Diary of a. Chambermaid," at Loew's Century, and "Devotion," at the Stanley, are doing steady biz. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew's-UA) (3.000: 20- 60)—"Diary of Chambermaid" i.UA). Attracting good response at $17,000. Last week. "Hoodlum Saint" (M-G), only fair at $12,900. Hippodrome (Rappaporl) (2.240: 20-70)—"Gilda" (Col) (2d wk) plus h.o. of vaude. Maintaining' okay $15,000 after rousing getaway to $21,200. Keith's (Schanberger) (2.460: 20- 60)—"Kitty" (Par) (2nd wk). Boom- ing $16,000 after bango $23,700. Maryland (Hicks) (1.500; 25-5-f)— "Piluri" (Indie). Average $3,500. Last week, second of "Ravished Earth" ilndie). held mildly at $2,900. Mayfair (Hicks) (980; 25-55)— "Blithe Spirit" (UA). Bettering house average with good $5,000. Last week, third of "Monte Cristo" (PRC), wound, up good run al $3,700. New (Mechanic) (1.680: 20-00)— "Dark* Corner" (20lh) (2nd wk). Holding nicely at $11,000 after steady initial round to $13,800. Stanley (WB) (3,280; 26-70)—"De- votion" (WB). In good position, with strong $17,000 a good possibil- ity. Last week, fourth of "Saratoga Trunk" (WB), ended a memorable run at $13,600. Valencia (Loew's-UA) (1.860; 20- 60)—"Ziegfeld Follies" (M-G) (2nd <vk) im.o.). Good $4,000 after flue previous round to $5,200, all on top of two equally strong weeks imme- diately preceding in the downstairs Century. . AFL Warns Lots About Film Machine Workers Los' Angeles, May 21. Major film studios w.ere notified by Ihe L.A. Central Labor Council that Cinetechnicians' Union 23968 is solely enfranchised by the Ameri- can Federation to perform machine work on film lots. Members of AFL .have been or- dered iiot to handle any equipment which has been worked on by mem- bers of Lodge 1185, International Association of Machinists. . which recently withdrew from AFL. Frisco Up; 'Kitty' Nifty $36,000; Territory -Vaude 30G, Walk Sun' 23G San Francisco, May 21. Business has picked up with bad weather keeping customers in town. "So Goes My Love" at the Orpheum is doing nice $18,500. ■"Badman's Territory,' with stage .show, excel- lent at $30,000 while "Kitty" is lead- | mg town with $36,000. ! Paramount (FWC) (2,046; 55-85)— 'Walk in the Sun" (20th) (5 days). Mediocre $23,000. Last week. "Blue Dahlia" iPar) (2d wk), good $22,500. St. Frauds (FWC) (1.400; 55-851— 'Ziegfeld Follies" (M-G) (3rd wk) $12,000. Last week.. Talcs Estimates Tor This Week Golden Gate (RKO) (2.844: 60-95) —"Badman's Territory" (RKO) plus vaiide headed by John Calvert, Ruth Terry and Kcyc Luke (2d wk >, Ex- cellent $30,000. Last week, Henry King orch. husky $36,000. Fox (FWC) (2.651; 55-85)—"Kitty" (Par). Very good $36,000. Last week, "Ziegfeld Follies' (M-G) (2d wk), a fair $20,500. WarfleW /lFWC). (2,65.6; 55-85)- 'Suspense" (Mono) (2d wk). Fair $18,000. Last week, mediocre $27,5d0. of Manhattan" (20th) (repeal) poor $8,500. Slate (FWC) (2,133; 55-85W"Blue Dahlia'' ipar) (m.o.). Looks $12,000. Last week. "Road to. Utopia" (Par) <5th wk) (m.o.), okay $11,500. Orpheum (Blumcnfcld) (2.448. 55- 85)--"So Goes My Love" (U). Nice $18.500.. Last week, "Gilda" (Col) '3rd wk), strong $16,500. United Artists (BlumcnteJd) (1.207: 55-85)—"Breakfast in Holly- wood" (UA) (3rd wkj. Sad $7,500. Last wcclr, $8,500. 'Veil' Good $10,500, "Whistle Big 12G In Mpls. As Town $ Lone Newcomers Key City Grosses Eollmated Total Groin This Week . .I2,I86,M« . (Ba.ted oil 21 cities, 182 (lien- tres, cdic/ly /irs£ runs, iiii'ltidiiiff N. Y.) Total Gross Same Week I.aiit Year ........ . .$i,698,lM (Bnserf oh 24 cities, 189 theatres^ M Sun'No B O. Stroller In flub At $27,500 . Boston, May 21. General letdown all around town this week, largely through h.o.s but also attributed to uncertainty of rail: situation, unseasonable weather, and baseball hysteria. "Suspense," with stage show, at RKO Boston, is on top. with "Walk in Sun," day-date at Par- Fen, making best all-around piav. "Dragonwyck," "Gilda" and "Kitty,", all holdovers, sagging on second. Estimates for Last Week - Boston (RKO) (3,200; 50-$1.10)— "Suspense'' (Mono), with Minevilch Rascals. Rose Marie; others on shine. Good $32,000. Last week, "Swing Parade 46" (Mono) plus Louis Prima on stage, $40,000. Esquire (M-P) (1.20P; $2.40)— "Henry V" (UA). Sharp offbeat this week (7lh). dropping to $7,000, esti- mated, on 11 shows. Last week about $10,000. ' Fenway (M-P) (1.373; 40-80)— "Waik in Sun" (20lh) and "Col. Ef- fingham" (Par). . Very we'l liked, nice $9,000. Last week, "Saratoga Trunk" (WB), $9,000. Majestic (Brand-Mage) (1.500: 40- 80)—"Breakfast in Holiywood" (UA) and "Strange Voyage" (Mono). Opeocd here Sal. (18) and aiming for about $20,000. maybe 'more. Last week. "Diary of Chambermaid" (UA ) and "Song Old Wyoming" (PRC, $7,000. Memorial (RKO) (2,900: 40-80)— "Dragonwyck" (20th) and "Ding Dong Williams 7 (RKO). Three ex- tra days added bring final .uross for second week (third) to $28,000 after wham $32,000. first. Metropolitan (M P) (4.3G7; 40-801 — Kitty" iPar) and "Dark .Alibi" (Mono t. Wav off second ' week to $22,000 after fine $31,000, first. Orpheum (Loew) (2.900: 35-80)-r- "Gilda" (Col). Second week nsh, off" to $23,000. arter $30,000 first. Paramount (M-P) (1,700: 40-80)— "Walk in Sun" (20lh) plus ■"Effing- ham" i Par I. Big $18,500. Last week. "Saratoga Trunk" (WB), $18,000. Stale (Loew) (3.200: 40-BO)—"Gil- da" (Col). Second week otr. $11,000, alter $18,000, first. Tianstux iTranslux) i900; 30-74)— "Murder Music Hall" (Rep) and "Cat Man Palis' '(Rep). Nice $6,500. Last week. "Wife Monte Cristo" i PRC) and "Shadow Returns" (Mono) (2d wk I, $5,000. Treroonl (Brand-Mage) (1.500: 40- 80)—"Breakfast Hollywood" (UA> and "Strange Voyage" (PRC). Opened here Sat. (18), >vilh esti- mated $23,000 in view. Last week. "Diary Chambermaid" (UA) and "Song Old Wyoming" (PRC), $7,000. fifth week. Prov. NSG; 'Gilda' Sets Pace at $26,000 Providence, May 21. Glosses are generally not. up to par this week with a couple excep- tions. Strand's "Blue Dahlia" is nice in.'its third sesh, while Loew's Stale leads the town with "Gilda." ' Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2,200; 45-05) —■ "Wife of Monte Cristo" (PRC) and "Blonde Alibi" (PRC). Fair $9,500. Last week "Seventh Veil" <U) and "Tangier" (U), nice $13,000. Carlton (Fay-Loew) (1,400: 44-65) —"Devotion" (WB) (2d run). Good $5,000. Last week, "Murder in Mu- sic Hall" (Rep) and "Caiman of Pans" (Rep), sturdy $6,000. Fay's (Fay) (1,400; 44-05) — "Shock" (20th) and vaude. Satisfac- tory $6,500. Last week, "Effingham's Raid 120th 1 and vaude. good $6,000 Majestic (Fay) (2,200: 44-65) — '•Dragonwyck" (20lh). Fairly healthy *!.,£ 00 - Last week . "Devotion" (WB), swell $15,000. Metropolitan (Snider) (3,100: 65- 85, J '~"", Passke y 10 Danger" (Mono) and Ray McKinley orchestra on stage. Fair $6,000 in three-day weekend. Last week. "Undercover Womiin" (Rep) and. Eddie Bracken hcHding stuge show with Tony Man- ' , Minneapolis, May 21 H s pretty slim picking for fans in quest of ne^v screen fare. The Ion* major newcomers, aside from the re issued "Rebecca," are "Seventh Veil" and '■"Whistle Stop." Except for holdovers and minor contenders they have the loop to themselves.' and neither is causing loo much boxoffice excitement. Holdovers include the very hinh stepping "Saratoga Trunk." -in V second week, and "Gilda." "Kitlv" and "Night in Paradise," in their fifth, third and second canto<; re- spectively. At the Century, one of the leading downtown and moveover houses "RebeccR" is giving a good account of itself., Estimates for This Week Aster (Par) (900; 25-35)—"Under- cover Woman" (Rep) and "Night Editor" (Col), dual first-runs, okay IV 400 . J !J three days- "Galloping Thunder" (Col) and "Junior PionV 5 (Mono), also dual first-runs opened yesterday (20). Last week. "House of Horrors" (U) and "Talk About a Lady" (Col), big $2,400 in five days. Century (PaT) (1,600; 44-60)—-R e . becca" (UA) (reissue). Headed for spiffy $7,300. Last week. "Blithe Spirit" (UA), disappointing $5,000. Gopher (Par) (1,000; 44) — "City for Conquest" (WB) i reissue V Oldies go well in this ordinarily first-run house. Reaching for good $4,200. Last week, '.'Behind Green Lights" (20th), light $2,500. r.yrlc (Par) (1,100; 44-60)—'Kitiv" (Par) (m.o.) Holding forth here afler smash fortnight at State. Con- tinues plenty good at $6,000. Last week.: "Virginian" (Par) i4th wk) bowed out to good $4,000. giving it huge $33.000.for downtown run, in- cluding State's two weeks. Orpheum (RKO) (2.800: 44-00)— "Seventh Veil" (U). Lack of cast names a handicap for this one. Good $10,500 indicated, however. Last week. "Night in Paradise" (U-\ fair $7,500. Radio City (Par) (4.000: 44-60)— 'Saratoga Trunk" (WB) i2d wk). Big $13,000 after huge $22,000 in first week. RKO-Pan (RKO) (1.600; 44-60)—. "Gilda" (Col) (5th wk). This one', has delivered in a very big wav and will bow out to fine $6,000. ' Last week (4th), great $6,500. Slate (Par) (2,300: 44-60) — "Whistle Stop" (UA). Mixed opin- ions holding down pull. However, : stretching toward big $12,000. Last i week. "Kitty" (Par), immense j $10,000. after sock $16,000 first week.; Uptown (Par) (1.100; 44-60)—"To- | morrow Is Forever" (RKO). Looks : like dandy $4,000 for first neighbor- | hood run. Last week. "Sailor Takes I Wife" iM-G), mild $3,000. . t. World (Par-Steffes) (350: 44-80)— "Nighl in Paradise" (U) (m.o.). ] Here after pretty good flrsl canlo at i Orpheum. Mild $1,800 in prospect. ! Last week, "Vacation rrom Mar- riage" (M-G), neat $2,800. 'HOODLUM'SPIVAK LOFTY 28G IN BUFFALO Buffalo, May 21. Buffalo theatres arc holding up nicely, with mostly holdovers: The only- newcomers are "Hoodlum Saint" at the Buffalo, with Charlie Spivak orch on stage, and . "So Goes My Love." dualled with "Smooth As Silk," at the Lafayette. Kodmales for This Week Buffalo (Shea) (3,500:' 40-70)— . "Hoodlum Saint" (M-G). Charlie Spivak orch on stage. LoPy $28,000. Last week, "Kitty" (Par) (2d wk). Satisfactory $15,000. Great Lakes (Shea) (3,000: 40-70.) — "Dragonwyck" (20th) (2d wk). Brisk $15,000. Last week, nifty $21,000. Hipp (Shea) (2,100; 40-70)—"Kilty" (Par) (m.o.). Healthy $8.500.i^Last week. "Ziegfeld Follies" (M-G) tin. o.) (3d wk), droopy $7,000. Teck (Shea) (1,400; 40-70)—"Re- becca" (UA) (reissue) and "Strange Mr. Gregory" (Mono) (2d wk > Un- der soft $6,000. Last week, fair $7,- 000; Lafayette (Basil) (3,300: '40-70)— "So Goes My Love" (U) and "Smooth As Silk" .(U). Sharp $14,500. Last week. "Gilda" (4th wk) and "Notori- ous Lone Wolf (Col), strong $10,000. 20th Century (20th Cent.. Inc.) i3> 000: 40-70)—"Badman's Territory' iRKO) and "Game of Death" iRKO) , 12d wk). Bettering snug $10,000. Last week beat fancy $16,000. . dell orch. steady $6,000 in three-day weekender. Slate (Loew) (3,200: 44-65) — "Gilda" (Col). Terrific $26,000. Last week. "Whistle Stop" i UA) and "Portrait of Maria" (M-G), solid $15,000. Strand (Silverman.) (2.200; 44-65) —"Blue Dahlia" (Par) and "Blon- dic's Lucky Day" (Col)- (3d wk). Rolling along to solid $10,000. Sec- ond sesh hit swell $13,000.