Variety (Dec 1946)

PICTURE GROSSEST 11 IHargie'-'Carter Terrif K in Chi; 'Nocturne'Wham 30aM20G, 2d No oomplalntB from ftXhila h«r« w«9k «Hth «ood bU desplll* trownoiit which dented only th« late Biowi in a darkened loop. Thanks- Slvlng holiday did well for two new AntriM which ar« In t;h« big money, "Margie," at Oriental, with "Star and Garter" revue, tops them all with a t»rriflc $72,000. The other Is "Noc- turne" at the Grand. It. had long lines and looks great $30,000 for ini- tial frame. The Palace is doing well with "Magnificent Doll" in second round with $20,000. Rest of the Loop is Ailed with holdovers, topped by Ohi- caio's "Nobody Lives Forever," with Lena Home combo on stage, It will set biggest holdover dough, a lush |60,000 in six days of second week. ' Estimates f»r This Week AboUo (B&K) (1,200; 95)—"Big Sleep" (WB) (7th week). Worth the long run with Hue $14,000. Last week, *^Chi«iffo (B&K) (3,900; Q5-m)~ "Nobody Lives Forever" (WB) (2d wk) hypoed by Lena Hoi-ne and slage revue. Sock $60,000 for 6 days. LaiSt week, massive $70,000, Civic (Wildberg) (900; $1.10-$2.20^ -"Henry V" (UA) (18th wk). Doing well at $11,000. Last week about '*GarricU (B&K) (900; G5-9.'i)—"Dar- ling Clementine" (20th) (0th wk). Down to fair $12,000. Last week, so- so $14,000. Grand (RKO) (1,500; 65-9r))-^"Noc- tiinie' (RKO). Smash $30,000. Last week. "Notorious" (RKO) l9tli wk), tidv $14,000. Oriental (Essaness) (.S,400; 6^-95) —"Mariiio" (20th) hooked witb ' Star atid Garter" revue on stage. Looks sensalional $72,000. Last week, "Ren- dezvous with Annio" (Rcij) plus 'Frances Langford and .Ton Hall on- stage, flne $50,000 but below hopes. Palace (RKO) (2,R00; 6,->-9.=i)— "Magnificent Doll" (U> and "Sliahtly Scandalous" (U) (2d wk). Doins well at .$20,000. Last week, pleasing $25,000, Roosevelt (B&K) (1.500; 6.1-9.5)— "Cloak and Dagger" (WB) (3cl wkl. Stout $19,000. Last week, tasty $20,000. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700: 65-9,'-))-- "Deception" (WB) (4th wk). Nifty $23,000. Last week, solid $25,000. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 65- . 9,'))—"No Leave" (M-G) (5th wk). Tidv $18,000. Last week. $20,000. Woods (Essaness) ' (1,200:. 65-95)— "Dark Mirror" (U) (Cth wk). Siendy $18,000. Last week,, strong $20,000. lirror' Bright $29,000, Denver, 3 Snots; 'Mast' Colossal With $21,000 Denver. Dec. 3. Holiday .weekend trade is snap- ping up biz here, with "Two Years Before Mast'' standout. Closing of schools because of coal strike is boosthig trade a bit. Estimates (or This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 35-74 i — "Deception" (WB) and "North of Border" (SG) after week at Denver, Esquire, Webber. Big $0,50«. Last week, "Angel On Shoulder" (UA) and "Dangerous Money" (Monoi ■ (ni.o.V, good $5,500. :' ■ Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 35-70 )— Two Years Before Mast" (Par). Terrific $21,000 and holding. Last week, "Bride Wore Boots" (Par) (2tl wk), okay $9,000. Denver (Fox) (1,525; 35-74) 35- 74 • - "Dark Mirror" (U) and "Mys- tenons Mr. Valentine" (Rep), day- aate with Esquire, Webber. Bi« $18,0004 Last week, "Deception" (WBi and "North of Border" (SG). also Esquire* Webber, fine $16,000. Esquire (Fox, (742; 35-74)—"Dark ■ Mipor" (U) and "Mysterious Mr. Valentine" (Rep), also Denver, Web- ber. Great $6,000. Last week, ":De- , cephon" (WB) and "North ot Bor- der' (SG), good $3,500. „ Oriiheum (RKO) (2,600; 35-74i — Nocturne" (RKO) and "Genius at Work' (RKO). Big $19,500. Last week, "Lady Luck" (RKO) and Craek-Up" (RKO), fine $15,500. „/»ramount (Fox) (2,200: 35-74 )— ,wl Carroll Sketchbook" (Rep) 'Rendezvous With Annie" (Kep) Fine $12,000. Last weelc. .onadow of a Woman" (WB) and tM^I^'y Bombshell" (Mono), fine vU.UOO. .Riallo (Fox) (878; 35-74)—"An£(cl ^11 Shoulder" (UA) and "Dangerous aoney (Mono), after week at Den- fcr Lsquire, Aladdii). Fine $5,500. ^ai-t week, "Margie" (20th) and uecoy (Mono) (m.o.) good $4,500. ,Webber (Fox) (7,50; 35-74)—"Davk "urror. (U) and "The Mysteriou.s vi: yalentine" (Rep); also Denver, fiqun-e. Big $5,000. Last woeic, bliadow of Woman"' (WB) and $4 00o"^^-^" (Mono), good 1 ■ 11 . Grosses Are Net Film gross , estimates, as rfi- ported herewith from th« vari- ous key cities, are net, with- out the 20% tax. IDistributors share on net take, when playing percentage, hence the Estimated figures are net income. The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated, in- clude the U. S, amusement tax. largieWow22G, Pitt; 'Mirror' 14G . Pittsburgh, Dec, 3. ■ Holiday biz is perking Golden Triangle up a bit but it lulled two of them, "Deception" at Stanley, and "No Leave, No Love" at Penn, into a false security on strength ot Thanksgiving trade. Neither is hold- ing up as hoped. On the other hand,, both "Maroie" ^t Harris and "Dark •Mirror" at Fulton are great and both heading for sock Holdovers, Estimates for This Week FuHon (Shea) (1,700; 40-70) — "Dark Mirror" (U). Good notices, holiday and marquee strength com- bining to roll up very good $14,000, and that means h.o. Laist week, sec- ond of "Always Loved You" (Rep), under $6,000, and ,$16,000 on 12-day run. : ■ ,■ Hai-ris (Harris) (2,200; 40-70) — "Margie" (20th). This is easily the week's smasheroo. Should easily top $22,000, sensational here, and sounds like a good run. Last week, "Thrill ol Brazil" (Col), not so thrilling at $9,000, ^Penn'(Loew's-UA) (3,300; 40-70)— "No Leave'' (M-G), Began to peter out after sensational first two days and wilU get near $25,000, not bad but likewise not so good, Last week, "Two Years Before Mast" (Par) (2d wk). excellent $18,000. Rilz (WB) (800; 40-70)—"The Ver- dict'' (WB) (m.o.). Nice $4,500. Last weelc. "Nobody Lives Forever" (WB) (m.o.), weakish $2,000. Senator (Harris) 1,750; 40-70) — "Black -Angel" (U) and "Little Miss BiR" (U). It'll be lucky to grab $3,- 500, not so good for a holiday stan- za. Last week, "Scandal In Paris" (UA) and "Little Iodine" (UA), $3,>- 000 in 6 days. Stanley (WB) (3,800: 40-70)—"De- ception" (WB). Got away big but falling sharply since crix got hooks into it. Maybe $21,000, only fair for Bette Davis film with holiday help. Will likely hold over 5 extra days to get house on a Tuesday opening before Xmas. Last week, "Never Say Goodbye" (WB), about $17,000. Warner (WB) (2,000; 40-70) — "Never Say Goodbye" (WB) (m.o.). Doing fairly well at $8,500. Last week. "Verdict" (WB), $9,500, very big for pre-holiday session. last' Colossal 17iG, Omaha; 'Cbudia' 13G Omaha. Dec. 3. "Two Years Before Mast" is roll- ing up a smash session at the Para- mount for one of the biggest weeks this house ever had. Other spots are doipg well also, particularly Orphe- um with "Claudia and David." One of the surprises is the big biz being done by the Omaha with a pair of oldies, "Shepherd of the Hills"' and Beau Geste.", Estimates for This Week Brahdeis (RKO) (1,500; 16-65) — "Deception" (WB) arid "Genius at Work" (RKO). Good $8,500 : after slow. - start. Last week, "Gallant Journey" (Col) and "Walls Tum- bling Down" (Col), mild $6,800. Omaha (Tristates) (3,000; 16-65)— "Shepherd of Hills" (Par) and "Beau: Geste" (Par), (reissues). Exceptional r$ll,500. La.st week, "Margie" (20th) 1 (m.o.) and "The Unknown" (Col) I (1st run), $9,000. Orpheum (Tristates) (3,000; 16-65) —"Claudia and David" (20ih) and "Little Miss Big" (U), Strons* $13,- 000 or close. Last week, "I£ I'm Lucky" (20th) and "Strange Tri- angle;' (20th), $10,000. . Paramount (Tristates) (3.000: 16- 05)—"Two Years Before Ma.-it" (Par). Sensational $17,500. Last week. - "Nobody Lives Forever" (WB). $11,800. ■ State (Goldberg) (865: 15-50) — "City for Conquest" (WB) and "No Tlin'e for Comedy" (WB) (reissues). Good $3,000 or near. La.st week. "Holiday in Mexico" (M-Gl (3d run) and "Get Along Little Zombie" (Coi), fair $3,200. , " ^Goodbye' $24,000, D.C.; 'Undercurrent' Ditto Washington, Dec. 3; Thanksgiving' holiday weekend hypoed business all along the line in downtown Washington this week, with first days of brownout failing to do much harm. "Notorious" still is smash in its second week. "Under' current" and "No Leave, No Love" looks to make the best showings of new films. . Estimates for This Week Keith's (RKO) (1,838; 44-80)— "Notorious" (RKO) (2d wk), Sock $24,000, Last week, terrific $27,000 for non-holiday week record. E«rle (WB) (2,154; 44-85)—"Never Say Goodbye" (WB). Good $24,000. Last week, "Dark Mirror" (0), $20,- 000, falling off after good start. Capitol (Loew) (3,434; 44-80)—"No Leave" (M-G) with vaude. Nice $30,000. Last, week, "Angel on Shoulder" (UA) plus vaude, modest $22,000, Little (Miller) (285; $1.20-$2.40)— "Henry V" (UA) (4th wk), Capacity at .$6,500. Last week, about same. Metropolitan (WB) (1,513; 44-70) —"Plainsman" (Par) (reissue). Stout $10,000. Last week, "Nobody Lives Forever" (2d run), below average at $6,500. Palace (Loew) (2,370; 44-70)— "Undercurrent" (M-G). Fine $24,- 000. Last week, "Margie" (20th) (2d wk), poor $15,000. Columbia (LOew) (1,263; 44-70)— "Margie" (20th) (m.o.). Good $9,000. Last week, "3 Wise Pools" (M-G) ('2d run), so-so $6,000. Hepburn-Taylor Hefty 22G.L'viHe Louisville, Dec. 3. Nearly all spots-ar« doing well this week. The brownout Is not depress- ing grosses to any noticeable extent. National has discontinued stage shows for the present and showing straight films, with "Dark Mirror" looking good currently. "Undercur^ rent" at the State is shooting for big week, while "Margie," at the Rialto, is only a step behind, also great. Estimates for This Week Brown (4th Ave.-Loew's) (1,000; 40-60)—"Two Years Before Ma.st" (Par) (m.o.) (3d downtown wk). Solid $5,000; Last week, "If I Had My Way" (U) and "Shadow of Doubt" (U) (reissues), about same. Kentucky (Switow) (1,200; 30-40) —"Canyon Passage" (U) and "O. S. S;" (Par). Stout $3,600. Last week, "Boys' Ranch" j[JVt-G) and "Beau- caire" (Par), juaat $3,400. Mary Anderson (People's) (1,100; 40-60)—"Never Say Goodbye" (WB) (2d wk). Maintaining okay pace at $6,500, Last week, excellent $8,000. National (Standard) (2,400; 40-60) —"Dark Mirror" (U) and "Waltz Time'' (Indie). Teeing off well on straight film policy at good $1I,S0Q: Last week, "Gas House Kids" (PRC) and "Star and Garter" revue on stage, strong $16,000. Eialto (Fourth Avenue) (3,400; 40- 60)—"Margie" (20th). Wicket is plenty busy despite darkened streets and theatre fronts, Brisk $19,000. Last week, "Two Years Before Mast" (Par) (2d wk), $11,000. State (Loew's) (3,300; 40-60)— "Undercurrent" (M-G) and "Betty Co-Ed" (Col). Making surprisingly fine showing, with strong $22,000 in prospect. Last week, "Two Smart People" (M-G) and "Cockeyed Mir- acle" (M-G), fairish $15,000. Strand (Fourth Avenue) (1,400; 40-60)—"White Tie and Tails" (U) and "Wild Beauty" (U). Mild $4,500. La,?l week, "Home Sweet Homicide" (20th) and "Out California Way" (Rep), bright $5,500. Thanksgiving No B way Turkey; 'Razor's Edge Cuts Still Higher Roxy Record, 166G; *Song Wow 52G Broadway deluxers did landoffice , being- very, disappointing $22,000. or business over the long Thanksgiving under for first week ended last holidaj- weekend, helped by young- (Tues.) night. "Magnificent, Doll" stcrs out of school. But the bitter cold and high wind Monday (2) and the continued cold weather yester^ day (Tues.) cut,^deeply into normal Monday-Tuesday biz reducing what might have been the best totals in weeks. ' Only the frigid weather will pre- vent "Song of South" from establish- ing a new record at the Palace, where it looks like a photo-finish as to whether the new Walt Disney will beat the $52,000 high hung up by "The Stranger" this year. Cold wave akso cut into "Under- current" and stageshow headed by Frankie Carle and Slate Bros, at the Capitol. With a big opening day and heavy patronage over the weekend, this combo likely will Ijit a sock $99,000 or close. This is not a record but terrific takings, especially in view of biz done recently at the house. Only two other new pictures fin- ished their initial weeks, both being on the disappointing side. This is particularly true of "Time of Lives" which hit only $22,000, or under, at the Criterion. It holds but three days of second frame, making way for "Magnificent Doll" next Satur- day (7). "Kings Row," reissue, also was far from startling with $14,000 at the Victoria. "Darling Clemen- tine" teed off yesterday (Tues.) at the Rivoli, after 10 remarkably fine weeks with "Two Years Before Mast." The two big guns of the holdover array are "Razor's Edge" and "Best Years of Lives." Former, with stage- show headed by Antonio and Rosario, at the Roxv will beat the first week's $164,700 with. $166,000 or better as- sured. Both are new all-time records for any picture house in world. "Lives," at the Astor, is heading for terrific $62,000 in initial holdover stanza, or $1,000 over first week's figure. Long running time undoubt- edly is keeping this from a record, theatre being able to get in only six shows daily instead of eight or nine usually done on a hit film. Holiday splurge is enabling "Blue Skies" with stageshow topped by Stan Kenton band at Paramount to hit big $90,000 in seventh session, better than sixth week's total. It also is boosting "Jolson Story" to strong $132,000 in eighth and final week at the Music Hall, or $14,000 greater than seventh. "Till Clouds Roll By" and annual - Christmas spectacle opens at the Hall tomor- row (Thurs.). Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; 95-$2.40) —"Best Years of Lives" (RKO) (2d wk). Powerful at boxofflce. with chance that it may hit terrific $62,000 this week, better than smash $81,000 garnered opening stanza. Neither are new records but remarkable in view of film's length. Only able to get in six shows daily by running from 9 a.m. until 3 o'clock next morning. Capitol (Loew's) (4,820; 7O-$1.30) — "Undercurrent" (M-G) plus Frankie C^arle orch, Slate Bros., Val Setz on stage. Opened big and looks sock $99,000, not a record but very big. Holds, of course. Last week, '"'Rage in Heaven" (M-G) (reissue) and Enric Madriguera 6rch, Murtah Sisters heading stageshow (3d wk), $45,000. Criterion (LoeW's) (1,700; 60-$1.25) —"Time id Lives" (U) (2d wk). Goes only three days In holdover session, Rooney Dps Takon to Record 42G, Cincy; DoH' 1% Dndercurroit' 1?G Cincinnati, Dec. 3. Turkey Day Upswing, setting of a new high for the Albee by Mickey Rooney stage show and reopening of Keith's under management of Uni- versal Pictures with a terrific cam- paign and p.a. of Ginger Rogers, are cliief contributors to a humper week at downtown houses, coal strike blackouts to the contrary. Keith's unveiling is on- "Magnificent Doll," a solid entry, Albee film with Roo- ney stage show is "Falcon's Adven- ture." CJlher newcomers are "Under- current," big for the Capitol, and ''Nocturne," nice at Palace. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,100; 55.95) r- "Falcon's Adventure" (RKO) and Mickey Rooney, others, on stage. Rooney the magnet for colossal $42,- 000, a new house record. Last week, "Cockeyed Miracle" (M-G) and An-; drews Sisters, others, sock $35,000. Capitol (RKO) (2,000; 55-70) — "Undercurrent" (M-G). Big $17,000. Holds. Last week, "Deception" (WB) \ I'M wk). fairi.* $7,000. : Grand (RKO)' (1,430: 55-70) — l"Dark Mirror" (U) (2d wk). Mod- erate $7,500 after swell $12,000 tee- off. ■ -v ■ Keith's (UP) (1,542; 55-70)—"Mag- nificent Doll'' (U). New lessee. Uni- versal Bictures, reopened theatre aft- er remodeling on Thanksgiving eve with benefit preview, highlighted by p.a. of Qinger Rogers and bigtime vaude show by top acts ^rom^ nearby Kentucky niteries, Preem show was for War Nurses National Memorial Fund and capacity. Plump $13,000. Holds. Last week, house was closed. Lyric (RKO) (1,400; 55-70)—"De- ception" (WB) (m.o.). Dull $4,500. Last week, "Plainsman" (Par> and "Jungle Princess" (Par) (reissues), tcrrit $9,000. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 55-70) "Nocturne" (RKO). Nice $14,000. Last week, "Jolson Story" (Col) (3d wk), boff $15,000 to boost total to smash $66,000 and near-top biz fqr Cincy. Shubert (RKO) (2,100; 55-70) — "Jolsoji Story" (Col). From. Palace for fourth week on main line. Great .SICOOO.' La.<it week, "Adam Had Four Son.-;" and Mr. Smith to Wa.shing- ton" (Col) (reissues), $3,500, no dice. (U), opens Saturday (7). In ahead, "Dark Mirror" (U), final five days of sixth week okay $16,000. Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 70-$1.20)-t- 'The Chase" (UA) (3d wk). Near $17,000 after $18,500 for second frame. Holds another week. Gotham (Brandt) (900; 70-$1.40)— "Man From Morocco" (Indie) (2d- flnal wk). Only $7,000 after mildish $10,000 opener. ' Golden (767; $1.20-$2.40)—"Henry V" (UA) (14th wk). Continues steady gait with $13,000 for 14th stanza ended last Saturday (30) night; 12th week was $12;000. Stays indefinitely. • Hollywood (WB) (1,499 ; 70-$1.10) —"Deception" (WB) (7th wk). Nice $16,000 in prospect this week after .$18,000 for sixth round. Continues on.-' Palace (RKO) (1,700; 60-$1.5O)— "Song of South" (RKO-Disney) (2d wk). Preem week for new Walt Disney feature, ending,last (Tues.) .. night, is soaring to $52,000 or better. If it tops $52,000 mark, will mean new high for house now held by "Stranger" (RKO). Holds indef. In ahead, last four days of third week for "Nocturne" (RKO). remarkably firm $17,000. , Paramount (Par) (3,664; 70-$1.5e) —"Blue Skies" (Par) and Stan Ken- ton orch, Kin.g Cole 3, Dean Murphy, Lane Bros, oii stage (8 th »wk). Seventh round concluded last (Tues.) night climbed to sock $90,000, beat- ing sixth week's nice $82,000. Wind* ' up record-smashing run at Par flag- ship after nine weeks, moving out on Dec. 17 to make way for "Cross My Heart" (Par) and stageshow headed by Andrews Sisters. Radio City Music Hall (Rockefel- lers) (5.945; 70-$2.40) — "Jolson Story" (Col) and stageshow (8th- final wk). Picked up materially from previous week to reach big $132,000 or better; seventh was $118,- 000. Makes over $1,200,000 for rim. "Till Clouds Roll By" (M-G) and annual Xijaas stage spectacle opens tomorrow (Thurs.). Republic (Brandt) (1,064; 75-$1.20) "Fantasia" (RKO) (reissue) (l,Otli wk). Remains in about the. same, groove, this week being $6,500 while last was $7,500. "Story of Pope" (Indie) opens here on Dec. 19. Rialto (Mayer) (594; 35-85)-t- "Dick Tracy Vs. Cueball" (RKO) (2d wk). Moderately on holdover at $6,000 after stout $8,500 opener. "So Dark the Night" (Col) opens next Friday (6). Bivoli (,UA-Par) (2,092; 60-$1.25)— "Darling Clementine" (20th). Opened here yesterday (Tues.) after 10 re- markably strong weeks with "Two Yerfrs Before Mast" (Par). Final session okay $27,000 after nice $28,- 000 for ninth week, Roxy (20th) (5,886; 80-$1.80)— "Razor's Edge" (20th) and stageshow headed by Rosario & Antonio (3d wk). Sensational is the word for this combo. Initial holdover week ended last (Tues.) night looks to beat $166,000 or better than first week's $164,700. Both are all-time highs for any house in world. Man- agement wisely is overcoming long running-time of film by qpndensing stage layout. Upped scale" naturally is helping considerably to make this coin po.ssible. State (Loew's) (3,450; 43-$1.10)-r- "Killers" (U) (2d run) (2d wk) plus Ralph Slater, Murtah Sisters head- ing vaude. Big $30,000 likely. Last week, "Killers'' with Benny Fields, - Willie West Si McGinty, Murphy Sis- ters, strong $36,000. Strand (WB) (2,756; 75-$1.50)— "Never Say Goodbye" (WB) plus Ray McKinley orch, Lorraine Rog- nan, Miguel i to Valdes on stage (2d wk). On disappointing side at $42,- 000, not far behind only fairly good $47)000 oiiening week, Victoria (Maurer) (720; 70-$1.20) —"Kings Row" (WB) (reissue). On first week ended last (Tues.) nighi will do $14,000, not too bad for aft oldie but far from big. Holds. In ahead, "Westerner" (FC) (reissue), last six days o£ seventh week hit $9,000. "Wanted for Murder" (20th) comes in Dec. 11 on two-week book- ing. Winter Garden (UA) (1,312; 60- $1.20 — "Notorious Gentleman" (U) (4th wk). Third stanza finished last (Tues.) night held up to brisk $28,r 000, being helped by late shows; sec- ond week was fine $28,500. Rep To Roll Trio Hollywood, Dec. 3. Three pictures will get the green light at Republic this month, mak- ing a total of six in production on the lot. Starters are "Slippy McGee," "Virginia City Raiders" and "Bells of Sa:i Angclo." Holdovers from No\eniber are ' Wyoming," "Gallant Man" and the Nelson Eddy-Ilona Massey co-slarring, still untitled.