Variety (Sep 1946)

W«<lwc8day, Sepicmber 18, 1946 PICTURE GROSSES 'Bascomb-Howard Strong 65G in Chi; W Tall 35G/Slranger Stout 31G, Xrack-Up' Trim at 33G, 'Summer Chicago,; Sept. 17. Good week here with five new pic- tures bowing with the holdover o£ "Monsieur Beaiicaire," plus Andrews Sisters on stage, at the Chicago, Oo- iiig a strong $63,000. However, "Bad Bascomb," plus Eddy Howard orcn on stage, at the Orientali looks tops with .strong $65,000. .."Centennial Sunimoi ," at the Roosevelt, beads for $28,000. Firth Iraine of "Caesar and Cleopatra." at tlie Grand, still is good with $23,000. . . "The Stranger," bowing at tne, Woods, is stout $31,000. "Crack-Up" looks ol<ny at $33,000. "Easy to Wed" al.so looin.s fine with $35,000 at smalU sealer United Artists. v - , Estimates for This Week .\poHo (B&K) (1,200; 65-9,')) — "Always Lowed You" (Rep) (3d wlc) Okay $17,000. Last week, good $20,- ■ 000. ■ Chicaso (B&K) (3.900; 05-9;! )— "Monsieur Beaucaire" (Par) plus Andrews Sisters on stage (3d wk). Solid $(i3,000. Last week, strong $70,000. Civic (Wildberg) (900; $1.10-$2.40) —"Heiirv V" (UA) (7th wk). .tiiR $l(i,O0O. " Last week about the same Gari-ick (B&K) (900; 65-93; "Each His Own" (Par) (11th wk). Going right along with , a healtav $14,000. Last week, $17,000. Grand CRKO) (1,150; 65-95!— "Caesni- and Cleopatra" (UA) (!>tn wkl. Sock $23,000. Last week, $24,- ■ ,000. Oriental (E.ssaness) (3,240; 65-95) —"Bad Bascomb" (M-G) plus Eddy Howard orch on staffe. Lusty $05,: 000. La.st week, "In Old Sacra- mento" (Rop) plus Ink Spots on stage. l)tg $(i8.000. Palace (RKO» (2.500; 65-95 ) — "Grack Up" (RICO) and "My Pal Triggci" (Rep), Okay $33,000. Last week. "Make Mine Music" (RKO) and "Palooka Champ" (Mono), $23,- 000; Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500: 65-951— "Centennial Summer" (20th). Good $28,000. Last week. "Stolen Life' (WB) (Bth wk). keen $18,000. Stale-Lake (B&K) (2.700; 65-95)- "Nighl and Day" (WB) (3d wk). Holdin.s; its own with nice $32,010 La.st week. $35,000. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; b5- 95)—"Easy to Wed" (M-G). Rousing $3,'),000. Last week, "Green Years" (M-G) (8th wk), $21,000. Woods (Essaness) (1,200; 65-95)- "The Stranger" (RKO). Opened with sturdy $31,000. Last week, "Kid Prom Brooklyn" (RKO) (13th wk 1, $17,000. Arnaz-Blainellp^Annie' 32G,Mpls.;^SIeep'Wow 15G, 'Widow' Lusty lOG Minneapolis, .Sept. 17. Two important film newcomers, "The Big Sleep" and "Young Wid- ow." are bringing up the aggregate loop take to a dizzy height currently. They are being helped by the radio combo, the Desi Arnaz band, Vivian Blaine and others on stage plus "Rendezvous With Annie." Hold- over.s are "Caesar and Cleopatra" in its fii'th week, "Monsieur Beaucaire" in its third and "Two Guys from Milwaukee" and "Three Wise Fools" in the second. All have come through in a big way. Estimates for This Week Aster (Par) (900; 30-44)—"Game oE Death" (RKO) and "Dark Horse" tU). Neat $2,100 in D days.- Last week, "Adventurous Night" (U) and "Last Crooked Mile" (Rep), okay $1,900 in 5 da.ys. Ocntiiry (Par) (1,600; 50-70) — .'Beaucaire" (Par) (m.o.). Here after sock Radio City fortnight. Still fine St $6,000. Last week, "Casablanca" (UA) (2d wk), good $5,500. Goplier (Par) (1,100; 44-50)—"She Wrote Book" (U). Mild $3,200. Last week, "Faithful in Fashion" (M-G), $3,000, Lyric (Par) (1,100; 50-70)—"Three Wise Fools" (M-G) (m.O.). Modest $5,000 in prospect. Last week, O.S.S." (Par) (3d wk), $4,000. Orplieum (RKO) (2,800; 50-70) — 2 Guys Milwaukee" (WB) (2d wk). 1. xcellent $11,000- after tremendous $19,000 first week. ^ Radio CHy (Par) (4.000; 50-85) — Rendezvous Annie" (Rep) and Desi Arnaz orqh., Vivian Blaine, others, 0" stage. Stage show is real pull here. Very big $32,000. Last week, «r,'^?i'5^''^'=" (I'ar) (2d wk), hefty Wl,O00. ..o*'^0-*'an (RKO) (1,600; 50-70) - Big, Sleep" (WB). Lusty $15,000 or ?J«r Last week, "End of Time" tKKO) (3d Wk), strong $6,000. i»rj ■* 'P^'') (2,300; 50-70)—"Young Widow" (UA). Nice $10,000 or over "Key Last week. "Three Wise tools" (M-G), $11,000.- UlHown (Par) (1,100; 50-55) — 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 5hare on net take, when playing percentage, hence the estimated figures are net income. The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated, in- clude the Uj S. amusement tax. Pitt Slides But 'KiUers'HotllG . Pittsburgh, Sept. 17. ■ Biz is only so-so this week,, com- potish from "Ice-Capades" and newly-resumed legit ijeihg a little too much. .Lone sock will be! "The Killers" at Harris, which seems sure to hold;, "Searching Wind," at Stan- ley, is just fair. "Monsieur Beau- caire" is falling oft sharply in sec- ond stanza-at Penn. Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 40-70) — "Runaround" (U). Giving house a sure runaround at $6,500 or near. Last week, "Anna"'(20th) (4th wk). fine $6,000. : .Harris (Harris) (2,200; 40-70) — "Killers" (U). Had a big build-up via- personal appearances here re- cently of Mark Hellirtger and Ed- mond O'Brien and erix raves are helping too. , Rousing $17,000. which means it holds. Last week, "If I'm Lucky" (20th) (2d wk), .$9,000, Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300: 40-70) —"Beaucaire" (Par) (2d ,wk).. Bob Hope starrer nose-diving to under $15,000. Had only one good week in it since last week: was strong $25,000. Ritz (WB) (800; 40-70)-^'2 Guys Milwaukee" (WB) (m.o.). Nice $3,500. Last week "Night and Day" (WB). okay $3,000 for fifth week downtown. Senator (Harri.s) (1,750: 40r70)— "Strange Triangle" (20th) and "Sun Valley Serenade" (20th) (reissue). Firm $4,000. Last week. "Walls Came-Tumbling Down" (Col) and "Sing While Dance" (Col), $3,500. Stanley (WB) (3,800; 40-70)-- "Searching Wind" (Par). Heavy drama isn't doing so well here, just getting by at $18,500. Last week, "2 Guys Milwaukee" tWB) (2d wk), oke $15,000. Warner (WB) (2,000: 40-70) — "Deadline at Dawn" (RKO» and "Shadow of a Woman" (WB). Fine $8,500. Last Week, "Easy to Wed" (M-G) (m.o.) only $7,000. 'Passage' Torrid 26G, Denver;'Wed'Sock 19G Denver, Sept. 17.; Biz is fine all over town. "Canyon Passage," day-date in three spots, will pace city. "Easy to Wed," how- ever, will be leader for single the- atre, beihiJ sock at the Orpheura. , Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 35-74) — "Claudia and David" (20th) and "The UnkKown" (Col) (m.o.). Big $4,i500. Last week, "Big Sleep" (WB) and "Cuban Pete" (U) vm.o.), fine $3,500. Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 35-70)— "The Plain.sman" (Par). (Re-issuc) Big $14,000. Last week, "Martha Ivers" (Par),' (3rd wk), fair $9,000, Denver (Fox) (2,525; 35-74) — "Canyon Passage" (U) and "Slightly SeaiuJalous" (U), day-date with Es- quire, Webber. Great $18,000. Last week, "Claudia and David" (20th) and "The Unknown" (Col), also Es- uuire, Webber, $15,000. . Esquire (Fox) (742; 35-74)—"Can- yon Passage" (U) and "Scandalous" (U) also Denver, Webber. Trim $4,000. ,L£>st week, "Claudia" (20th) and "The Unknown" (Col), also Den- ver, Webber, good $3,500, Orpheuin (RKO) (2,600; 35-74) — "Easy to Wed" (M-G) and. "Strange Conquest" (U). Socko $19,000. Last week, "Notorious" (RKO) ^d wk), good $13,500. Paramount (Fox) (2,200; 35-74) — "HuWian^ Bondage" .(WB),and "Pass- key to Danger" (Rep). Fair $9,000. Last week, "Black Beauty" ■ (20th), and "Sing" While Dance" (Col), good $11,000. Rialto (Fox) (878; 35-74) — "Big Sleep" (WB) and "Cuban Pete" (U) (m.o.) Fast $4,000. Last week, "2 Guys Milwaukee" (WB) and "Shad- ows Over Chinatown" ■ (Mono.) UTi.u,), fair $3,000. Webber (Fox) (750; 35-74)—"Can- von Passage" (U) and "Scandalous" '(U), also Denver, Esquire. Fancy $4,000. Last week, "Claudia" (20th) and - "The Unknown" (Col), also Denver, Esquire, fair $2,500. . Truck Strike, Schools Slow Up B'way; 'Homicide'- Hildegarde 83G, Taris 22G/Beaucaire'-Spivak Big lOOG, 2d 'Beaucaire' Huge 21G, K.C.;'Notorious'15G, 2d Kansas City, Sept. 17. Theatre row has a duo of new- comers and a brace of holdovers. "Monsieur Beaucaire' is way out in front. Bob Hope's latest giving the Newman a huge session. "Notorious" continues, to jam them in at the Orpheum on holdover. "Courage of Lassie" and "Swamp Fire" are the other new films. Estimates for Thi.s Week Esquire, Uptown, Fairway iFox Midwest) (820, 2.043, 700;, 45-65) — "Anna" , (20th) ;,(2d' wk). Pleasing ■$14;000. Last Weekj big $20,000. Midland (Loew's) (3,500; 45-65)— "Courage of La.ssie" (M-G) aiid. "Perilous Iloliday''; 'Col)., Modei:ate $15,000. , Last week. "Ea.sy To Wed" (M-G) (2d Wk), okay $ll,00D.- .■ Newman (Paramoiint) (1.900; 45- 65)—'Beaucaire" (Par). Leading: town at socko $21,000. one of best weeks here, Last week, "Martha Ivers" (Par) (2d wk). modest $9,000. Orpheum (RKO) (1.900: 45-65) — "Notorious" (RKO) (2d wk). One of few to play this house solo, strong $15,000. Last week, colassai $21,000. Tower (Fox-Joffee) (2.100: 39-60) —"Swamp Fife" (Par) and "Dark Horse" (U), Straight , picture:, here after, recent discontinuance Of vaude. Light $8,000, La.st week. "Home on Range" (Rep) and "Cow- boy Blues" (Col), $9,000. "Stolen Life" (WB). Good $4,000. Last week, "Easy to Wed" (M-G), $5,000.. ■ World (Par-Steffes) (350; 50-90)— ''Caesar and Cleopatra" (UA) (5lh Wk). Did well enough at RKO-Pan in two weeks to get this added downtown run. Has surprised every- body. Good $2,000. Last week, strong $2,500. 'Sleep' Big 28G Leads St. Louis St. Louis. Sept. 17. The big activity has shifted to midtown tjiis week where "The Big Sleep" is rolling up at big se.ssion at the Fox. "Searching Wind" looks stout at the Ambassador. The Mis- souri and Fox have joined the Am- bassador in the new admission tilt here. Autumn temperature is an aid to biz. Estimates for This Week Loew's (Loew) (3,172; 44-65) — "Renegades" (Col) and "Great To Be Young" (Col). Average $15,000, Last week. "Courage of Lassie" (M- G) and "Out of Depths" (Col), same. Orpheum (Loew) (2,000; 44-65) — "Courage of Lassie" (M-G) and "Out of Depths" (Col) (m.o,). Good $8,000. Last week, "Three Wise Fools" (M- G) and "Sing While Dance" (Col), $8,500. Ambassador (F&M) (.3,000;. 50-75) —"Searching Wind" (Par) and "Hearts Growing Up" (Par). Solid .■619.000 or near. Last week, "Heart- beat" (RKO) and "Dark Horse" (U), $21,000. Fox: (F&M) , (5,000; 50-75) —"Big Sleep" (WB) and "The French Key" (Rep). Big $28,000. Last week, "Beau- caire" (Par) and "Danger Woman" (U). $30,000. , :Missouri (F&M) (3,500; 50-75) — "Anna" (20th) arid"Martha Ivers" (Par) (2d run). Nice $17,500. Last week. "Canyon Passage" ,(U) and 'The Runaround" (U) (2d run), $13,000. St. Louis (F&M) (4,000: .50-60): — ["Plainsman" (Par) and , "Jungle I Princes.s" (Par) (reissues) (2d, run). Trim $12:000. Last week. "Beau Geste":. (Par) and "Shepherd ■ Of Hills" (Par), (reissues) (2d run) (2d wk) $8,300. 'Kid' Sock 18G. Mont'l ■ • • Montreal Sept.";,17, New film.s arc in mnin .stern soots this week except "Night in Cusa^ blanca.," -which is in third Week a* the Princess: ,■ Estimate.s f6r This Week: Palace (CT) (2.700; 35-62)—"Cluny Brown" (20th), Good $13,000. Last week. "Each His Own' (Par) (3d vi-k). $12,000. Capitol (CT) (2.700: 35-62)—"Tn! End of Time" (BKO). Strong $14.- 000. Last week, "Smoky" (20th), big $15,300, , Loew's (CT) (2.800; 35-(>7)—"Kid From Brooklyn" (RKO). Big $18.- 000. Last week, "Green Years" (M- G) (2d wk), nice $13,200 Princess (CT) (2,.W0; 35-53)-- "Night in Casablanca" (UA) ind; "Man Who Dared" (RKO) (3d wk) Trim $7,000. Last week, sock $8,500. Imperial (CT) (1.8.50: 25-45)—"In- side Job" (U) and ''Dressed to Kill" (U). Neat $4,500. Last week, "B,id- man's Territory" (RKO) and "Genm.s at Work" (RKO) (2d wk), $4,700 New York's. 1'7-day-old truck strike plus the longshoremen's tieup of all Manhattan shipping is being reflected this week at, Broadway first-runs. Number of holdovers and slightly below-par product also is crimping the overajl total. Loss of considerable juvenile patronage ,via •the reopening : of schools,, too, is taking its toll. Only surprising thing is that Times Square theatres have been able to hold up as well as they have despite all these handicaps. Biggest new entry is "Home Sweet Homicide" plus Hildegarde, Patsy Kelly, Jan Murray and others on stage at the Roxy. B.ut the initial week ended last (Tues.) night was' considerably below., recent. opening stan/.as here, being a very moderate $83,000. Bulk of drgW ; stems from stage layout topped by: the salbn chantoosey. ,In for two weeks only. "Scandal in Paris" also started mildly at the Globe, last Saturday (14), with only fairish $22,000 like- ly, reviewefs not giving film much Of a break. Only other new film is "Last Crooked Mile," which is trim $8,500 at the Rialto. ''Notorious" is evidencing the greatest resistance to the current downbeat, with smash $138,000 in view for fifth session at the Music Hay, return of youngsters to school apparently not hurting the Hall as much as anticipated. "The Killers," at the Winter Garden, also is hom- ing up well, with $52,000 reported for third, week end,ed last (Tues.) night., : . Also still sock is "Beaucaire" plus Charlie Spivak & Co. at the Para- mount. Shows $100,000 for second round concluded last (Tues.) night, remarkable in view of conditions, ''Sivanap Fire" is winding up a nice engagement at the Gotham this week, with "Rendezvous With An- nie" coming in- next Saturday (21). Elsewhere biz will be consi(Jerably lower than recently registered, "Black Beauty." at Victoria, diving to $8,500 on final (third) week. "If I'm Lucky" opens at this house to- morrow (Thurs.) ''Crack-Up'' also is .slipping badly to $22,000 on first holdover frame at the Palace, but stavs a tliird. "Sister Kenny" opens on Sept 27. Estimates for This Week Astor <Gity Inv.) (1,300; 70-$l,40) -"Cleopatra" (UA) {2d wk). Way off from opening week, but -still big at $52,000 or near. First week hit new non-holiday record mark of $65,000. Continues indef. Capitol (Loew's) (4.820; 60-$1.10) —"Holiday in Mexico" (M-G) plus Gene Krupa orch, Mitzi Green, Ben Beri on stage (5th wk). Fairly ' steady after big dip last week, being around $70,000, strong for this time of run; fourth was $72,500, much below expectancy. "Three Wise Fools" (M-G) is due in next but no date set. Criterion (Loew's) (1,700; 60- $1.25)—"Always Loved You" (Rep) (2d wk). Second stanza ending to- morrow (Thurs.) will be only $20,- 000 or near after nice $29,000 initial round. "Black Angel" (U) is due in next Saturday (21), Globe (Brandt) (1.500; 70-$1.20)— "Scandal in Pari.s" (UA). Teed off here last Saturday (14) but far from smash. Fairish $22,000 or close is about all, r ix not giving film much break. Holds. In ahead; fifth week of "Casablanca" (UA), robust $18,500; Gotham (Brandt) (900; 70: $1.40) —-"Swamp Fire" (Par) (4th wk). Has shown marked staying power but off on this frame to $11,000; third was tailcy $14,500. Golden (769; $1,20-S2.40)—"Henry j V." (UA) (3d wk). Second session ended last Monday (16) night dipped .slightly, to $15.0O0: but not far firom: near-capacity $l'7,00O Opener, Matir nees are off but nights nearly sell- out. Continues, this making the 14th week for the Bank epic first-run in N. Y., played 11 weeks at City Cen- ter, Hollywood (WA) (1,499; 70-$1.10) —"Night and flay" (WB) (8th \yk).- $till rnaking money albeit down from recent pace, being $24,C00 this stanza after $25,500 last week. Con- tinues. Palace (RKO) (1.700; 60-$1.20) — "Crack-Up" (RKO) (2d wk). First holdover frame is way off from first week with $22,000, still okay, how-, ever; first week was sweet $31,000. Stays a third, ''Sister Kenny" (RKO) coming in Sept. 27. Paramount (Par) (3,664; 70-$1.20) —"Beaucaire" (Par) plus Cliarlie Spivak orch, Peggy Lee, Bob Evans, John & Jean Arnaut (3d wk). Sec- ond week ended last (Tues.) night showed a remarkable $100,000, es- pecially fancy in view of biz oh Broadway; first hit $124,000, new non-holiday week higli.. Radio City Music Hall (Rocke- fellers) (5,945; 70-$1.25)—"Notori- ous" plus stageshow (5th wk). Down a bit from first four weeks' phenom- enal gait but still great at $138,000; second hit terrific $145,000 while third was $161,000. Continues, and looks likely to go eight weeks at ■ present pace. Republic (Brandt) (1,064; 75-:$1.20) ■ "Specter of Rose" (Rep) (3d wk). Okay $7,500 after fine $10,000 on- second. Stays a fourth session. Rialto (Mayer) (594; 35-85 — "Last Crooked Mile" (Rep). Back to meller tare which goes best here, and will do sturdy $8,500 or over. May hold. Last week, "Shouldn't Happen Tp Dog" (20th), it hap- pened to this house, with only $7 200 Rivoli (UA-Par) (2,092; 60-$l,i..'^) "Till End of Time" (RKO) <9th Wk). Still tnaking coin eighth;stanza ended last Monday (16) being $23,000; s.eventh was $25,000. Sti vs only one week longer, ..with '"Two Years Before Mast'' (Par) opening on Sept. 24. ■ Roxy. (20th) (5,8K6; 90-$1.20)—, ''Home Svveet Homicide" (20th),:jiid, on stage, Hildegarde, Patsy Kelly, Jan Murray, others '(2d wk). Goes : into second round today (Wed).' n-, itial week was, very moderate 5;83,- OQO, With, most of draw coming from obviously fine stage layout. Crix didn't like film as adult fare. This combo is in only for two weeks. In ahead, "Claudia and David" (20th) plus Vivian Blane, Jerry Colonni, others on stage (4th' wk), u\t $75,000. State (Loew's) (3.450; 43-$1.10) — "Thrill of Brazil" (Col) (1st run), and, in person, Ed Sullivan and Harvest Moon Dance Winners, .Tohnny Burke, Jane Kean, Howell & Bowser, others (2d wk). Draw if Daily News Harvest Mooners, .ner usual, ,holding this layout over. Looks stout $25,000 after big $35,000 opener. Strand (WB) (2,756: 75-$1.20)— "Big Sleep" (WB I and Bob Crosby orch. Town Criers, others on stage (4th wk). Still a winner with $58,000 or thereabouts this round after strong $60,000 last week. Set for six weeks here. Victoria (Maurer) (720; 70-$1.20) —"Black Beauty" (20th) (3d wk). Sloughed to bare $8,500 this frame, sad. Second week was okay $14,000. "If I'm Lucky" (20th) comes in hera tomorrow (Thurs.). Winter Garden (UA) (1,312; 00- $1.20)—"The Killers" (U) (4th wk). Third session ended last (Tues.) night was big $52,000 after terrifie $58,000 for second week. Part of all- night grind policy has been elim- inated, with house opening at 9 a m., and final show going on at midnight. Stays indefinitely. : Ivers Rousing 38G, Det. Topper Detroit, Sept. 17. "Strange Love of Martha Ivers* and"Thril! of Brazil" look like top new entrie.s this week, with former doing smash biz at the Michigan. "Caesar and Cleopatra" also shapes as stout on second week at the United Artists.' Estimates for This Week Miohisan (United Detroit) (4,034; 60-85)—"Martha Ivors" (Par) and "God's Country" (PRC). Terrific $38,000. Last week, "Ea.sy to Wed" (M-G) and "Below Deadline* (Mono) (3d wk), loud $26,000. ■■ Fox (Fox-Michigan) (4,049; 60-85) —"Thrill of Brazil" (Col) and"Phan- tom Thief" (Col). Strong $30,000. Last week. "Anna" (20th) (2d wk), powerful $24,000. Palms-State (United Detroit) (2- 976; 60-85)—"Outlaw" (UA) and "Fred-die Steps Out" (Mono) (6th vvk). Still lusty at $2O,O0O..Last week, climbed to $24,000 on scare of yank- ing picture. : United Artists (United Detroit) (1,941; 60-84)—"Caesar and , Cleo- patra" . (UA) and ' "Fast Company" (Mono) (2d wk). Fast $18,000. Last week, .strong $25,000. Broadway-Capitol (United Detroit)' (3,400; 60-85)—"O.S.S." (Par) and "Swamp Fire" (Par) (4th wk). Good $14,000. Last week, loud $23,000. Adams (Balaban) (2,863; 60-85)-^ "Canyon Passage" (U) and "Mysteri- ous Mr. Valentine" (Rep) (2d wk). Lofty $18,C00. Last week, socko $20,- 000, day-date with Downtown. Downtown (Balaban) (2,683; 60-^ 85)—"Song of Arizona" (Rep) plus Ink Spots, Ida James. Peg Leg Bates, Eddie V'nson orch, others, on stage. Strong $18,000. Last week, "Canyon Passage" (U) and "Mysterious Mr. Valentine" (Rep), big $15,000. Madison (United • Detroit) (1,8!)6: 40-55)—"Three Sisters from Boston" (M-C) and "Perilous Holiday" (Col). Oke $2,200 in 3 davs. Last Ueelc, "Bad Bascomb" (M-.G) and "So Goes Love" (U). $2,100 in 3 days.