Variety (May 1946)

Wrdurttdby, May 22, ,1946 Sinatra Has Vitamins to Spare in Chi, $ G, Overflow lipping Other Houses; 'Night Casablanca-Stage Show 50G PICTURE GROSSES IS Chicago, May 21. ♦ Chi overall biz is sock as a re- ...if til the Chicago theatre moving Imiards « terrific $89,000. "Up Goes Maisie'is the film but Frank .Sina- "on'stage is the magnet doing ■ Le'eii-a.dav on stage to straight.95c .m-lo-p.m. admishes. No children's rale bui teen-agers (together with their elders i are flocking to the Loop lust llio same. . . The Chicago s record business is «idin« oilier Loop houses, overflow- crowds shifting to othen- theatres , "Niarit in Casablanca, plus Chuck Fosters orch and Bob Eberly on Sane is doing a strong $50,000 nl the Oriental. "Badnian's Territory" is a heflv $38,000 at the Palace. "Follies' is still a good bet at the United Art- sis will) $22,000. "Saratoga Trunk" ii doing a strong, seronth^week at the State-Lake with $25,000. Estimates for This Week Aaollo (B&K) (1,200; 65M>— "Dragonwyck" 120th) (5th wk). Steady $20,000. Last ween, strong MS 000. Chlcaio (B&K > (3,900; .95)—"Up Goes Mai/.ie" (M-G) with Frank Si- natra heading stage biU. Hot $89,000. Lasl week. "Miss Susie Slagles (Par), with Sugar "Chile" Robinson on stage, excellent $59,000. Girrkk (B&K) (900:65-95)—"Ban- dit Sherwood Forest" (Col) '.511; \vk i. A repeat $19,000. Last week, the "Gnm» (RKO) (1.150: 65-95)— "House of Horrors" (U) and "The Spider Woman Strikes Ba:k" (U). Fair $7,500. Last week. "Wife of Monte Cristo" (PRC), neat $10,000. Oriental (Essaness) (3.240; 65-95)— "Nighl in Casablanca" (UA) plus .Chuck Foster's orcli and Bob Eberly. on stage. Hefty $50.000.. Last week. ."Danger Signal" (WB). .with Louis Jordun nich on stage, good $35,000. Palaet (RKO) (2.500; 85-951— "Badnian's Territory" <RKO) 'and 'Dressed to Kill" <U». Muscular. $38,000. Last week. "Goes My Love" (II i.Tiriii $28,000. Rooxevfll (B&K) (1.500: 65-951— "Devolion" t :id wk). Steady $23,000. Lust week, keen $26,000. Slate-Lake (B&K) (2.700: 65-85)— "Saratoga Trunk" IWB1 (7th wk). Sound $25,000. Last week, neat $27,000. United Artists (B&K) (1.70(1: 65- •5 i^ -Zicgfi ld Follies" (M-G > <4th wk). Hoalthv $22,000. Last week, excel len I $27,000. Woods (Essaness) (1.200: 65-95)— 'Tomorrow- Is Forever" (RKO' (5th wk). Niflv $22,000. Last week, firm $20,000. '<d]da'NoLilyat4G, 'Postman'Rings Plenty At $3,900m Lincoln Lincoln, Neb.. May -21. Overall good stock covers thea- tre row this week, with Varsity's "Gilda" and Stuart's "Postman Rings Twice" socko. Estimates for This Week Vanll» (NTC) (1,100; 35-50)— "Gilda" iColi. Sturdy $4,000. Last week. 'Tomorrow Forever". (RKO»;' cleared $3,900. Staarl (LTCi (1.800; 9-55>—"Post- ! man Rinprj Twice" (M-G). Will ! make $.1.9(10. . Last week. •Tangier" I (U). $3,700. > \ Llocolii (LTC) (1.500: 44-5f> >— | Sisters From Boston" (M-G». Film 1 Council Tavorite, $3,700. Last week. : $7»oi| entl "' e " (M " G) '- hold °ver. did I ^Nebrartii (LTG) (1,226: 9-43'- -Terroi-,by Night" (U) and 'Tarzan's ' P'«*rt Mystery" (RKO). Will hit i W.0M. Last week. "Birth of Blues" i ILV' ■ l,d "Step Lively" (RKO>. MMer Uian expected $2,000. Wale (NTC» . (830: 24-35)—"That JP*f: Jamboree" (Col ) and "Gav VJ«her' (Mono) split with "Holly- K Canteen" (WBi for good ♦WW. Last week, "Danger Signal" "».B) and "Junior Prom" (Mono* (Kiv * ,lh "Bloiiclie's Lucky Day" S. $2,000. " Nie,,, Edit ° r (Co "' Grosses Are Net ■Film gross estimates, as re- ported herewith from the vari- ous key cities, are net, i.e.. with- out/, the 20% tax. Distributors share on net take, when playing percentage, hence the estimated figures arc net income. The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated/in- clude the U.S. amusement tax: 'Saratoga' 35G, Dragonwyck' 32G, Lead Del , Detroit. May 21. Biz all over town is strong. "Sara toga Trunk" at Palms-State, and "Dragonwyck" at Fox, are leading the parade. . Estimate* for. the Week Michigan (United Detroit) (4,034 60-85)—"Road to Utopia" (Par) and "Shadow Returns" (Mono). Stout $40,000. Last week. "Cinderella Jones" (WB) plus Glenn Miller orch led by Tex Beneke, others on stage, rousing $49,800. Downtown (Balaban) (2,683 ; 65- 95.)—"Avalanche". (PRC I .with Bev- erly Ann Cort. Georgie. Price and others on stage. Fair $12,000. Last week. "Blondie's Lucky Day" (Col) with Frank Sinatra. Skitch Hender- son, others on stage, tremendous $58,600. Fox (Fox-Michigan) (5.049; 60- 85) — "Dragonwyck" (20th) and •'Strange Triangle" (20th). Strong $32,000. Lnsl week. "Tangier" (U) and "The Man in Grey" (U), strong $30,000. .- United. Artists (United Detroit) (1.841: 60-H51 — "Ziegfeld Follies" (M-G i. and -'Made Me a Killer" (Pan. Strong $16,000 in 3d 'wcekk Second week $21,000. Palms-Stale (United Detroit) (2,- 976: 60-851 — "Saratoga "Trunk" (WBi. Great $35,000. Last week. "Abilene Town" (UA)' and "Ding Dong Williams" iRKOi, rousing $22,000. ■ : Adams (Balaban) (2.8G3: 60-85)— "Tangier" (Ui and '-The Man in Grey" iU> nn.o.i. Fine $14,000. Las| week. "Bandit Sherwood For- est" (Col i rti.o. i ..and "Spider Wom- an Strikes Back" (U). neat $12,000. Broadway-Capitol (United De- Iroil) 13.000:.-'60-85)' — "Rebecca^ (UA) (reissue) and "Undercover Woman" (Rep). Swell $14,000. Last week. "Wire of Monte.Cristo" (PRCi and "Danny Boy" (PRC), good $16,000. Madison (United Detroit) (1.858: 40-55)—"Duffy's Tavern" (Par) and "Dan»er Signal" (WB). Fair $2,500 for three days. Last week. "San Antonio" (WB) and "Swing Parade or 1H4<>" (Mono), strong $6,000 for live days. 'Postman* Tops Omaha With Neat $13,000 "iwi ~. Omaha. May 21. mom?i V"" 1 Rm « s Twice," at Paw- anrti;* 0 ^ tow ' n witn si3.ooo. "Er- ■S?rK2". Bi . ,,d and "Vacation from "aniagc givmg Orpheum only $9.- sThol W , . n . t 15.»- The ° mah * 1101 We" a 'I' 1 ..* 8 ' 50 , 0 t0T " So r '° e * My Branrfn j Gentleman Misbehaves." "Dpv«f- " 0,nfi oka >" al * 7 - 0 <'0 with -^ ,,on a»d "Notorious Lone imates for Thla Week 85u!?^°. unl instates i (3.000: 16- .S3g.. s i-H?«- Last week.. "Saralog _^(WB) (2d wk). fine S9.S00.' ^-"pS^" 1 " 'Tristates) (3.000: 16-65) *-i«i)' nani-s Raid" (aothi and (Continued on page 29) 'Dragonwyck' Hefty 15G, Bright 12G For 'Dark Corner/ Indpls. IndianapolLs. May 21. Tone of ftlm biz continues strong here this stanza, with grosses top- side on all decks, despite heavy weather. "Dragonwyck" at Indiana and "Dark Corner" at Circle both are over par. and "The Outlaw" is holding up : so well in second stanza al Locw-'s thai third week looks sure. "Outlaw" broke house record at present scale w ith terrific $21,000 in ■ first stanza. Estimates for This Week Circle (Katz-Dolle) (2,800: 40-60) —"Dark Corner" (20th) and "Johnny Conies Flying Home" (20th). Fine $12,000. Last week. "This Day For- ward" (RKO i and "Riverboat .Rhythm" (RKO). Oke $11,000. Indiana (Katz-Dolle i (3.300 : 40-601 —"Di-agonwytk" (20th i. Hefty $15.- 000 single. Last week, "Tomorrow Is Forever" (RKO). Extra good $14,500. Keith's (Indie i (1.200: 35-65)— Last week. "Crime of. Century" (Rep» plus vaude' on stage. Nifty $5,000 in weekend run. Closed until Aug. 30. I.oew'a (Loew'si (2.450: 35-55)— ' The Outlaw" (UA). Solid $15,000 in scoond stanza after smash $21,000, practically capacity, for new house record in opener. Lyric (Katz-Dolie) (1.(100: 40-60)— "Toniorrow Ls Forever" (RKO>. Nice $6,300 on moveover f'-om Indiana. IjisI week.-,,"Virginia' " (Par) and "SIrange Im'nersonatio'i" (Rep). Ex- tra good $6,500 at old 35-55 scale. 'Ziegfeld Follies' Smash $22,000, H O. in Denver Denver, Mav 21. "Ziegfeld Follies" is ■ copping the big money in town, at the Orpheum. and holds. Heavy rain and inter- mittent snow over weekend hurt most business. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 35-74-)— ■'Dcolion" (WB) and "Smooth -as Silk" (V), after week at each. Den- ver, Esquire. Webber. Good $4,500. Last week. "Gilda" (Col) .and "Night Editor" (Coli rmo.). big $6,000. Denham (Cockrill) (1.750; 35-74)— "Kitty" (Par) (2d wk). Fine $14,000 and holding. Last week big $17,500. Denver (Fox) (2,525: 35-74) — "Night in •■■Paradise" (U) and "Just Before Dawn" (Col), day-date with Esquire. Poor $121000. Last week. "Devotion" (WB) and "Smooth as Silk" (U). also a} Esquire. Webber, good $17,000. Esquire (Fox) (742; 35-74) — "Night- in Paradise" and "Just- Be- fore Dawn" (Col), dav-date with Denver. Poor $2,500. Last week. "Devotion" (WB) and "Smooth, as Silk" (Ui. also at Denver. Webber, nice $3,000. Orpheum (RKO) (2.600: 35-74)— "Ziegfeld Follies" (M-G). Smash $22,000 and holding. ■ Last. week. "Tarzan and Leopard Woman" (RKO) and "Deadline at Dawn" (RKO i good $14,000. raramonnl (Fox) (2^00: 35-74)— "Abilene Town" (UA), and "Ma- donna's Secret" (Rep), dav-date with Webber. Big $11,000. Last week. "Murder Music Hall" (Rep) .and • "Caiman Paris" (Repi, fine $10,000. Rialto (Fox) (878: 35-74)—"Gilda" (Col.) and "Night Editor" (Col), afler week at each. Denver. Esquire. Webber. Aladdin. .Big $6,000. Last week. "Dragonwyck" (20th) and "Gay Blades'' (Rep), (m.o.) good $4,000. Webber (Fox) (750; 35-74)—"Abi^ lene Town" (UA) and "Madonna's Secret' - ' (Rep), day-date with Para- mount. Big $4,000. Last week. "De- votion" ( WB) and "Smooth as Silk" (U). also-Denver and Esquire, fair $3,000. Jupe Pluve Droops B way Groove; 'Cat Creeps' No B.O. Creep at 9G, Lana-Garfield Still Ringing 'Em Up 'Outlaw'No Bust In St. Louis H.O., 20G St. Louis. May 21. "The Outlaw" is the best b:o. draw currently, closely followed by "In Old Sacramento" and "Along the Navajo Trail." "Saratoga Trunk" also steady. Week of almost con- tinuous rain clipped grosses. Estimate! for This Week l.oew'.i (Loew) (3.172: 44-651— The Outlaw"- (UA) lh:o.). Swell $20,000 after whamm'o $30,000 for first stanza. Orpheum (Loew'i (2.000: 44-65)— Ziegreld Follies" (M-G). H O. good for $7,500 afler $0,000 for the initial session. Ambassador (F&M) (3.000: 44-65) —"Saratoga Trunk" (WB'i (3d wk). Looks $10,000: $15,000 for second week. Fox (F&M) (5.000: 44-65)—"In Old Sacramento" (Repi and "Along the Navajo Trail" (Rep). Ok SI8.000 Last week. .'The Little Giant" (U) and "Col; EfTingham's Raid" (20lh), $22,000. Missouri (F&M) (3,500: 44-G5)— So Goes Mv Love" (U i and "Talk About Lady" (Col). Okay $17,000. Lasl week. "The Wife of Monte Cristo" (PRC) and "Dragonwyck" (20thi. $13,000. St. Louis (F&M) (4,000: 50-60)— 'Cilv ror Conquesl"' (WB) and'"'No Time for Comedy" (WB). Slim S9.000. Lasl week. "Spiral Staircase" (RKO) and "Because of Him" (U>. $9,500. Rain ' five days during the past week has inlerfeired with grosses in most downtown New York film houses, it being estimated that the unfavorable weather nicked box- offices an average of around 10"i. Total tally is further affected by. the fact that only two hew shows were placed on display. Rialto came in with' "Cat Creeps." which is doing .very well at $9,000 but won't be held. Other ehlry of the past week was "Lost Weekend/' on second-run at the Stale,■.'with Harry Savoy and Ciro Rimac orch on stage. Going here is fast, indi- cations pointing to a probable $34,- 000 or belter. Cerlv'in holdovers compare very favorably this.Week with what was registered on the prior frame when the brownout, and other factors are believed to have hurt. Paramount's "Blue Dahlia." with the Duke El- lington orch and Mills Bros, on stage, is among . those holding up stoutly, second week for show hav- ing ended last night (Tues.) at a big $97,000. Capitol is also still very strong, current (3d) .week 'wilh "Postman Always Rings Twice" (Turner-Garfield) and the Guy Lombardo orch looking a strong $86,000. "Dark Corner." at the Roxy wilh George Jessel. Mei'ry Macs. Rosario and Antonio in person, closed out the second week last night (Tues.) at a. thoroughly satisfactory $73,000 and goes .two more days on which an extra $15,000 is anticipated. Though show otherwise would have gone three full weeks. Roxy man- agement cut it to .16 days so that Jessel could be in Chicago Saturday (25) to serve as loastmaslei- at ban- quet installing Jack. Kirseh as new i president of Allied States Assn. I Estimate! For This Week 'Altar (City Inv.) (1.300: 70-$1.40j ! —'Kid From Brooklyn" (RKO ) (5th > wk). Remains strong, this week j looking towards $46,000, near- to i fourtlVs $48,000. Capitol (Loew's) (4,820: 60-$t.)0> : —"Postman Always Rings Twice" i (M-G) and Guy Lombardo orch (3d . wk). Holding up very well, current- j ly. being on way to $86,000. while lasl j week (2d) was $94,700. "Two Sisters I From Boslon" (M-G). with Ritz ! Bibs, and Buddy Morrow orch on ! stage, moves in June 6. ■ , Criterion (Loew's) (1.700: 60-$1.2'> i 1 —"Bad Bascomb" (M-G) opens.here : loday (Wed.) after two disappointing - weeks with "Lillle Giant" (U), i second being $16,000. the first $28,000. 1 Globe (Brandt) (1.416: B0-$1.50)— ■ "Make Mine Music" iRKO) i5tli '. wk>. A good $22,000 in sight this i week (5th). The fourth was $23,000. j Remains on. ! Gotham (Brandt) (900: 60-$l.20)— ; "In Old Sacramenlo" (Rep) -(4th- 1 final wk>. Fair enough at $7,000 or 1 bit over. Lasl week (3d) ended I under hopes at $7,800. Paramount. I whic.h conies into this house fori three pictures, opens "O.S.S." on [ Saturday (25). j Hollywood (WB) (1.499:. 80-$l. 101 I —"Siolen Lire." (WB) (4th wk). Gail 1 steady at stout $35,500 for third I week ended last night (Tues.). while' second was $39,000. I Palace IRKO) (1.700: 60-$1.20)— I "Heartbeat" (RKO > (2d wk).'Off to j $28,000 bul good enough. Initial seven days finished al robust $38,000. ! "Without Reservations" (HKO> is; due here June 7. 1 Paramount (Par) ($3,664: 70-$l.20i j —"Blue Dahlia" (Par). Duke Elling Ion orch and Mills Bros. (3d wk). Pulling heavily, second rouitd : ended last night .(Tues.) having hit big $97,000. First was a sensational $112,000. '. Badlo Clly Music Hall (Rockefel- lers^ ; (5,945; 70-$1.20) — "Green Years" (M-G) and slageshow (7th- llnal wk). Goes out al a probable, exlra fine $102,000. Last week (6lh) rounded to a terrific $110,000 for a grand total, on engagement of $8UB.- 000. "To Each His Own" (Pari opens tomorrow (Thurs.).. . Blallo (Mayer) (594: 35-85)—"Cat Creeps" (Uj. Doing verv well at $9,000 but won't. hold. Last week, fourth for ."Bedlam" (RKO i. was a suitable $6,300. Flvoli (UA-Par) (2.092: 60-$1.25*— "Kitty" (Par) (8th wk). Slowing up quile a bit but strictly okav al likelv $23,000. The prior (7th) round was $25,000. "Cluny Brown" , (20th) moves in June 1. Roxy <20th/>' (5.886 : 90-$l.20i — "Dark Comer" (20lh). 'with GeorRe Jessel. Merry Macs and Rosario and Antonio on stage (3d-fihal wk). Finished second full week lasl night (Tues.) at satisfactory $73,000 and 'u'pes I wo. more days for total for nine days • of probably $88,000. Initial frame was a strong $90,000. "Do You Love Me?." with Count Basic orch on stage, opens Friday (24), Slate (Loew's) (3:450: 43-M.10)— "Lost Weekend" (Par) (2d run), with Harry Savoy and Ciro Rimac orch in person. . Hitting a speedy pace for probable $34,000 or over. Last week "Spellbound" fUA) (2d rum. with Buck and Bubbles. Patri-! cia Bowman, others on stage was okay $25,000. Strand (WB) (2,756: 75-$1.20)— "Her Kind of Man" (WBi and Car- men Cavallaro orch (3d-final wk)'. On windup will be good $47,000 or over, close to the pace set on second week when $49,700 was scored. "One More Tomorrow'' (WB) and* Tommy Tucker orch open Friday (24). Victoria (Maurer) (720: 70-$1.20> —"Well Groomed Bride" (Par) (2d wk). Withered badly in stretch oh fu\sl week to finish al disappointing ' $16,000 but won't be far from that currently at about $13,000. "Bad Man's Territory" (RKO) has , been booked for Thursday (30i. Winter Garden (UA) (1.312: 60- $1.50)— "Madonna of (he Seven Moons" , (U). English-made, opens here today Wed.) after a 21-day run. with "So Goes My Love" (U). Ini- tial week was. strong at $32:000 but second dropped to $22,000 and third, ■ ended last night (Tues.) slid further to mild $15,000. Newspaper Strike Belts Philly B.0.s; 'Kitty Kites to 'Abilene 1SG . . Philadelphia. May 21. Newspaper strike, which started Thursday (16), is cutting in on downtown film grosses this week. Continuous downpour. over the weekend didn't help. Warner houses trying lo salvage business by heavy buying of spot an- nouncements on local outlets, bul find spots no substitute for news- paper advertisements. Couple of houses bucking the slump, however. They are Boyd, which is featuring "Kilty." and the Mastbaiim. wilh "Bride Wore Bools." "Abilene Town' 1 also doing nice business. Estimate* for This Week Aldlne (1.300; 40-85)—"Tomorrow Is Forever" ■ (RKOi (5th wk (. Fair $11,000. Fourth scsh neat $14,000. Arcadia (Sablonskyi (700: 40-85' —"Meel Me St. Louts" (M-G). Sour $3,000 for live days of this oldie. I.asl week. "Cornered" (RKO' so-so S4.- 800 for second run. Boyd .(WBi. (2.350: 40-851—"Killv" (Pan. Bright $33,000 plus line $4,500 for one-day showing at Earle Sun- day (19). Lasl week, "Devotk)n": (WBi fairish $18,500 for second sesh. Earje (WBi (2.760; 50-95) — "Mas- querade in Mexico" (Pan wilh stage show headed by Eddie Bracken. N.s.h. $19.000: Lasl week. "Diary of- Chambermaid" (UA> pallid $16,000 for third canlb. with entire show on screen. Fox (20th) (2.250: 40.851—"Dark Coi ner" '20th") (2d wk I. Dropping lo $22,000 after husky $30,500 ror open- er lasl week. Karllon (Goldman) (1,000: 40-85 > —"Gilda " (Col) (2d run). Trim $13.- 000. Last week. "Ziegreld Follies'" (M-Gi nice S8.O00 for necond .week of second run, Kellh't (Goldman) (2.200: 40-85 i— "Virginian" (Pai.-i (2d riun.- Sour $4,700. Last week. "Road to Utopia"' i Par) neal $8,000 ror second week of second run. Mastbauot iWBi (4.387; 40-85■ - "Bride Wore Bools" (Pai-i, Okav $30,000. Lasl'.w-eek. "Saraloga Trunk" (WBi bogged dow-n in stretch wiih so-so $18,000 for fourth round. Stanley (WBi (2.950: 40-85 >—"Her Kind, or Man" (WB) (2d wk>. Putrid $13,500. Opener rail- $112,500. Stantea (WB> (1.475; 40-85' — "Abilene Town" (UA). Great fll.- 000. Last week. "Bad Bascomb" (M-G i )io| too rorle al $10,000 for holdover. 'VIRGINIAN'-'THIS DAY' LEAD L'YILLE AT 13G Louisville. May 21. ''Virginian." at the Rialto. is set- ting the puce this week. Successful Spring race meel al Churchill Downs closed. Saturday (18) and town. is. settling down to normal-for the summer months. Biz generally is fair, although, calibre of product is none too forte. Estimates for Thin Week Brown (4th Ave.-Loew'si (40-60) —"So Goes My Love" (U' (m.o.). Off lo nice start on m.o. session, ahd looking for neat $4,500 after healthy session at the Rialto. Lasl week, "Dragonwyck" (20tli• (m.o.'. mildish $3,520. "' .-Kentucky (Switowi 1.200: 30-40"!—. "Bandit Sherwood Forest" (Col) and -Because of Him"' (U). Okav $1,800. Lasl week. "Doll Face" (20lh) and "Effingham's Raid" (201 li). medium $1,700. I.oew's Slate (Loew'si (3,:<00: 40- 60)—"Outlaw" (UA ) (2d wk). Still lusl.v on h.o. session, although not as vigorous, as initial week.--Should cop sizable $16,000 or more, good enough ' afler first week's sock $28,1)00. Mary Anderson (People's' (1,000; 40-60>—"City For Conquest" (WB) 'reissue): Fairish $5,501).- Last week. "Devotion" (WBi (2d wk > brisk $6,000. National (Standard) (2.400: 40-00) —"Road to Alcatra-/." (Repi and "Girls Big House" (Repi (reissues). Pulling in usual trade for this type of bill, and looks Tor slurdv $4,500. Lasl week. 'Bells St. Marv's" (RKO) rtrsi bill of straight film after 10- week' dramatic, slock season, and xood ror oke $5,000. . . Rlallo (Fourth Avenue' 13.400; 40- 60)—"Virginian" (Pan and "From This Day Forward" (RKOi. Looks- like, one of the best this week: likelv good $13,000. Last week. "Goes My Love" (Uj solid $14,000 and m.o. Strand (Fourth '.-Avenue) (1.400; 40-80) — "Seventh Veil" (U) and "Strange Conquest" (Ui. Cur- rent frame none too bumper, aiming at fair $4,300. Last week, "Deadline- at Dawn" (RKO) and "Ganiw of Death" (RKO >, all right $5,000.