Variety (Jul 1947)

PICTUItE fSHOSSES Vedneaclay, July 2, 1947 LA Steady; Tidbi' Paces New ffiUs, F^icymOOOataSpets.'UnfaiAfur Cimd 51CI 'Gimyrters 35G, OK Los Angeles, July 1. H t,6s Angeles firstruns are main- taining a steady pace, with "Fiesta outstanding among the new bills. Pic is sighting a very fancy $70,000 on the initial frame at three houses. "Unfaithful-'^iS- good-though. not^.big at $51,000, also at" three situations. ''Gunflghters" is heading, towards '« meat $33,000 at two houses and is holding Over for a second frame. Heissues of "Go Into Your Dance" and "Sing Love Sorsg" are moving to a slow $20,500 in four spots. "Ivy" is ishooting for an okay second frame, $33,500i at Ave theatres, while the six-day third weeli for "Miracle on 34th Street" is eyeing a nice $30;600, or close to it. Third and iftnal week for "Calcutta" is looking towards an okay $21,500 in two houses. "Ding Dong Williams" is being pushed to a fancy $25,000 at the Million Dollar theatre due to power generated by Cab Calloway's orch on stage. Estimates for This Week Belmont (FWC) (1,532; 50-$!)-^ "Go Into Dance" (WB) and "Sing I/)ve Song" (WB) (reissues). Light $3,000. Last week, "Road to Holly- wood" (Astor) and "Second Chorus" (Astor) (reissues), okay $4,000. Beverly Hills Music Hall (G&S- Blumenfeld) (824; 65-$l) — "Nevr •Orleans" (UA) (2d wk)."Slow $2,500. Last week, light $3,700. Carthay Circle (FWC) (1,518; 50- Ifl,)—"Great Expectations" (U) (4th ■wk). Pleasing $5,000. Last week, $6i90O, good. Chinese (Grauman-WC) (2,048; B0-$1)—"Miracle 34th Street" (20th) (3d wk-6 days). Finals with $9,000. Last week, sturdy $14,000. .Downtown (WB) (1,800; 50-$l)^ "Unfaithful" (WB). Good $20;000. Last week, "Cheyenne" (WB) (3d ■wk-5 dayis), oke $7,900. nowntown. Music Hall (Blumen- leld) (872; 55-$l)—"New Orleans" (UA) (2d wk). Okay $7,500. Last vre^, surprising $13,000. £Kyntian (FWC) (1,538; 50-$l)— "Fiesta" (M-G). Fancy $17,000. Last week, "Living Big Way" (M-G) ?2d wk), fair $7,600. El Key (FWC) (861; 50-$!)—"Go Into Dance" (WB) and "Sing Love tong" (WB) (reissues). Fair $4,000. ast week,' "Road to Hollywood" (Astor) and "Second Chorus" (As- ton) (reissues), nice $4,600. Esquire (Rosener) (685; $1.20)— "This Happy Breed" (U) (5th wk) Near $4,000, Last week, steady $4,400. Foitr'Stiir (UA-WC) (900; 50-$l)— "Great Waltz" (M-G) (reissue) (5th wk). Closing with good $4,500. Last week, smooth $5,100. Guild (FWC) (968; 50.$1)—"Ivy" (UI) and "Philo Vance's Gamble" (PRC)' (2d wk). Nice $5,000. Last •week, goM .$7,200. Hawaii (G&S-Biumenfeld) (956; B0-$1)—"New Orleans" (UA) -(26 wk). Only $3,000. Last week, light $4,200. , . , Hollywood (WB) (2.756; 50-$l)— "Unfaithful" (WB). Good $16,000. Last week, "Cheyenne" (WB) (3d . ■ lVk-5 days), $6,100. • Hollywood Mus'c HaJI (Blumen- ield) - (475; 50-85)—"New Orleans" (UA) (2d wk). Slow $2,500. Last •week, light $3,600. Iris (FWC) (828; 50-85)—"Ivy" (UI) (2d wk), $4,000. Last week, okay $6,800. liaurel (Rosener) (890; 85)-^"Toi'- Went" (Indie) ■ (2d wk). Nice $45,500. Last week, smart $5,400. Loew State (Loew-WC) (2,404; 6,a=$l)—"Miracle 34th Street" (20th) »nd "Sister's Secret" (PRC) (3d wk- 6 days). Finals with $4,000 or slight- ly more. Last, week, good $17,800. %,os Angelea (D'town-WC) (2,097: 50-$l) — "Fiesta" (M^G). Socko $36,000. La.?t -Week. "Living Big Way" (M-G) (2d wk), light $9,900. toyola, ■ (FWC) (1,248; ' 50-$l)— . ."Miractt ■ 34th street" (20th) (3d wk-.6. days). BlowoiT $5,000. Last week, nice $7,000. Marcal (G&S) (900; 90-1.80)— "Hfenry V" (UA) (4th wk). Steady IS.O0O. Last week, good $6,700. Orpheum (D'town-WC) (2:210; 50- .$1)—"Go Into Dance". (WB) and "Sing Love Song" (WB) (reissues). lieht $10,000. Last week, "Road to . Hollywood*'. (Astor) and "Second : Chorus" (Astor) (reissues), oke $12,800. Palace (D'town) (1,237; 50-$l)— Back to newsreel policy after finish- ing 6-day m.o. of "CJreat Expecta- tions" (U) with '$5,400. Fantasres (Pah) (2.812; 50-$l)— "Gunlighters" (Col) and "Love of , Rusty" (Col). Pleasant $15,000. Last week, "Honeymoon" (RKO) and "Dick Tracv's Dilemma" (RKO) (2d wk)i nice $10,800. •Paramount (F&M) (3,398; 50-$l)— "Calcutta" (Par) and "Fear in Night'' (Par) (3d wk). Bettering $13,000 on final frame. Last week, bright $24,000. Psramount Hollywood (F&M) (1.451; 50-$l)—"Calcutta" (Par) and "Fear in Nijrtit" (Par) (3d wk). Closing with $8,S00, Last week, good $13,700. BKO HUIstre«t (RKO) (2,890: 50- «0)—"Gunflghtcrs" (Col) and "Love Estimated Total Gross This Week $663,000 ' "(Basea—oTTlfl-tfieotres) Last Tear $710,000 (Based on 18 theatres) moon" (E-L). Not much action for this pair and it'll be lucky to grab •$3,000, Last week, "Alexander's Rag- time Band" (20th) (reissue) and "Back Lash" (20th), in the dumps at little more than $2,750. Stanley (WB) (3,800; 40-70)—"Hap- pened on 5th Ave." (Mono), Notices fine and lot of good word-of-mouth, but it's suffering along with the rest of them. Maybe about $13,500. Last week, "Cheyenne" (WB), climbed to $15,000. Warner (WB) (2,000; 40-70)— "Blaze of Noon" (Par). Little better than house has been doing lately, but $8,000 isn't exactly out of ordinary. Last week, "Perfect Marriage" (Par), little above WQOi Pitt Hot, But It s Only the Weather; '5th Ave.'$M Pittsburgh, July 1. Heat's knocking the bottom out of everything around here this week, together with terrific competition from outdoor opera company. Hot- test Sunday (29) of the year cut into grosses on the day when they expect to go to town, and that'll hold every- thing down. Best will be "It Hap- pened on 5th Ave." at Stanley, and that's nothing to write home about. "Living in a Big Way" disappointing at Penn, Warner doing fair with "Blaze of Noon," with "Duel in Sun" drooping In m.o, to Ritz at advanced prices after fortnight at Penn. Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 45-70)— "Homestretch" (20th) (2d wk). Hold- ing over for 5 extra days and'^n ab- breviated session won't get more than $3,000. "Great Expectations" (U-I) opens tomorrow (Wed.). Last week, "Homestretch', did about $7,500. Hanis (Harris) (2,200; 40-70)- "Miracle on 34th St." (20th) (3d wk) StUl holding: up pretty well and in 4 days ought to get close to $6,000, good, and may move to Senator^ Second week of "Miracle" was $11,000. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 40-70)— "Living in Big Way" (M-G). .Not nearly up to expectations. Figured to do well since Gene Kelly's a local boy and this is his first picture in some time. But about $12,000 will be it, and that's bad. Last week, second of "Duel in Sun" (SRO), above $26,500. Biiz (Loew's) (800; 90-$1.25)— "Duel in Sun" (SRO) (m.o.). At- tendance figures at small-seater are pretty constant, and this one will play to just about as many people as house usually gets, with the upped scale accounting for close to $6,500. Last week, 4th downtown and second here of "The Yearling" (M-G), all right at $3,500. > Senator (Harris) (1,750; 40-70)-- "Bedella" (E-L) and "Lost Honey- 'Gh<'Living'Both 14Ci Kansas Cityj July 1. Biz'is about holding its own, no better, no worse. Best money likely is at the Fox Midwest, _with "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir," and at the Midland, with "Living in a Big •Way." Only holdover is "Perils of Pauline" following a hangup pre- miere with a so.-so second stanza. Rainfall has let up somewhat oiily to have weather turn suddenly hot, a quick' change which is no help to biz. ■ ■ Estimates: for This Week mg iDb mim ler iiipis. egg naicn, 'UnfaithfiiT Untrue to B.O. at $12, Key City Grosses Estimated Total Gross : This Week .... . ..... $2,737,000 {Based on 21 cities, 207 thea- tres, chiefly Jtrst runs, including N. Y.) Total Gross Same Week Last Year... .-;-rTT-rr-.-$2;900,000 iBased on 22 cities,. 187 theotrcs) 'Espctations' OK 2%, Rest EsQuire (Fox Midwest) (820; -45- 65)—"Bells of San Angelo" (Rep) and Twilight on Rio Grande" <Rep1. Singing cowpokes getting moderate $5,000. Last., week "Meet John Doe" (WB) (reissue), sad $3,500. Kimo (Dickinson) (550; 65)—"The Overlanderi!" (U). In with little ex- ploitation behind it and couldn't whip up much trade. Slow $2,000. Last week. "The Raider" (Indie) not much better, mild $2,500.: Midlarid (Loew's) (3,500; 45-65)— "Living in a Big Way" (M-G) And "Dark Delusion" (M-G). Pretty good $14,000. Last week "Duel in the Sun" (SRO) (2d wk) feU Off last few days; so-so $14,000, ,at , prices of ;90c. for mats and $1.20 evenings. Orpheum (RKO) (1,900; 45-65)"— "Love and Learn" (WB) and "Beast With Five Fingers" (WB). Average $9,500. Last week "Great Expecta- tions" (U) and "Daneer Street" (Par) no bargains, $9,000. Paramount (Par) (1,900; 45-65)-^^ "Perils of Pauline" (Par) (2d wk). Fairish $10^000. Last week film did well-rounded $16,000 with Mvorld premiere and Alan Ladd, William Demarest and Veronica Lake doing p.a'.'s. ■ 'Souihtown (Elmer) (950; 65)— "Carnival' in Flanders" (Indie) and "Thunder Rock" (Indie) (opeiied Sunday). Week may see $2,500. Last week "Great Mr. Handel" (Indie) and "Jeannie" (Indie) i^n 9 days for $3,000, inaugurating new policy of English and foreign •fllms. Tower-Uptown-Fairway (Fox Mid- west) (2,100, 2,043, 700; 45-65)— "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" (20th). Doing fairly well at $14,000. Last week "Buck Privates Gome. Honie" (U), mild $12,000. Tradt Strike s Eiid No Aid to Frisco; 'Ghost' Sad llYii^ 'Expectations' 15G San Francisco, July 1. Despite settlement of bay bridge transit strike, biz has not brightened locally. Estimate for This Week Golden Gate (RKO) (2,844; 65-$l) —'Dick Tracy's Dilemma" plus vaude headed by Donald O'Connor and Gloria DeHaven. Fair $25,000. of Rusty" (Col). Good $20,000. Xa.st week, "Honeymoon" (RKO) and "Dick Tracy's Dilemma" (^KO) (2d wk), neat $13,400. Kitz (FWC) (1,370; 50-$l)—"Ivy" (UI) (2d wk). Good $8,500. Last week, sturdy $12,100.. Studio City {FWC) (880; 50-$l)— "Ivy" (UI) (2d wk). Fair $4,000. Last week, $6,200. .United Artists (UA) (2,100; 50-$l) —"Ivy" (UI). and "Philo Vance's Gamble" (PRC) (2d %vk). Neat $12,000. Last week, $17,200. Uptown (FWC) (1,719; 50-$l)— "Miracle 34th Street" C20th) : (3d wk-6 days). $5,500. Last week, fine $9,000. Vogue (FWC;) (885; 50-$l)—"Go Into Dance" (WB) and "Sing Love Song" (WB) (reissues). Fair $3,500. Last week; "Road to Hollywood" (Astor) and "Second Chorus" (WB) (reissues), good $5,000. Wilshire (FWC) (2,296; 50-$l)— "Fiesta" (M-G). Fancy $17,000. La.st week, "Living Big Way" (M-G) (2d wk), $6,400. Wiltern (WB) (2.300; 50-$l)— "Unfaithful" (WB), Good $15,000. Last week, "Cheyenne" (WB) (3d wk-5 days), fair $5,000. Million Dollar (D'town) (2,122; 55-98) — "Ding Dong William-s" (RKO) with Cab Calloway orch on stage. Sighting smart $25,000. Last •week, subsequent run fllraa. Last week, "Desperate" (RKO) plus vaude headed by Dick I-Iaymes and Helen Forrest, powerful, $40,000. Fox (FWC) (4,651; 60-95)—"Ghost and Mrs. Muir" (20th). Sad $17,500. Last week, "Miracle On 34th Street" (20th). colorles.? $15,000. Warficid (FWC) (2,656; 60-85)— "The Unfaithful" (WB) (5 days). Okay $5,500. Last week, "Moss Rose" (20th) weak $13,500. Paramount (Par) (2,646; 60-85)— "Perils of Pauline" (Par) (2d wk): Fine $18,500. Last week, husky $23,000. Guild (Lippert) (400; 35-85)— "Great Waltz" (M-G) (4th wk) (re- issue). Nice $5,300. Last week; same. St. Francis (Par) (1,400; 60-85)— "Trouble With Women" (Par). Strong $13,500. Last week, "Dear Ruth" (Par) (3d wk) oke S9,000. . Orpheum (Blumenfeld)- (2,448; 55- 85)—"Gunfighters" (Col). Good $18,- 700. Last week, "Copacabana" (UA) (2d wk), tepid $8,500. - United ArtiEts : (Blumenfeld) (1.207; 65-85)—"Great Expectations" (U). Pleasing $15,200. Last week, "New Orleans" (UA) (5d wk) (5 days) weak.: $4,500. Stafrcdoor (Ackerman) (350; 60- 85)—"Storm in a Teacup'' (Indie) (2d wk). Lively $2,500. Last week, nice $2,300. United Nations (FWC) (1,149; 60- 85)—"Miracle On 34th Street ' (20th) (2d wk) (m.o.). Colorless $4,000. Last week, "It Happened On 5th Avenue" (Mono) (2d wk) fair $2,700. Clay (Roesner) (400; 65-85)— "Stormy Waters" (Indie). Strong $2,100. Last week, "This Happy Breed" (U) (9th wk) nice $1,700. Larkin (Roesner) (400; 65-85)— "I Live As I Please" (Indie). Husky $2,600. Last' week, "Appassionaia" (Indie), pleasing $2,200. Boston, July 1. J' Only bright spot on an otherwise gloomy picture is "Great Expecta- tions'' at the Memorial. Outdoor sea- son under way in earnest now, with the Esplanade concerts draining Off a good 25,000 people nightly and the night ballgames snagging 30,000 per frame. Add to this a really sad prod uct situation, and the result'is worst week in years. Estimates for This Week . Boston (RKO) (3,200; 40-80)— "The Web" (U^I) plus "Under Ton- to Rim" (RKO). Awful $18,000. Last week ''Odd. Man Out" (U-I) and "Tracy Dilemma" (RKO), $23,000, Center (E. M. Loew) (1,500; 30-74) ■—"This week subsequent runs. Last week "Discovery" (Indie) and "Va' cation Days" (Mono), $7i000, second ■week. Esquire (M-P) (1,200; $1.80)— "Carnegie Hall" (UA). Second''week way off $8,000 after $12,000, first. Fenway (M-P) (1,373; 40-80)— "Mr. District Attorney" (Col) and "Northern- Outpost'' (Rep). Fair-tO middling $8,000. Last week "Trouble With Women''- (Par) and -"Little Miss Broadway" (Col). $9,000. Majest'c (Indie) (1,500; 30-74)-- "Dolly Sisters (20th) and "Laura" (20th) (reissue). Fairly good $7,000. Last week "Guilt Janet Ames" (Col) and "Swing Western Way" (Indie), $6,000. Memorial (RKO) (2,900; 40-80) ^'Great Expectations" (U-I) and "King Wild Horses" (Rep). Only one getting a play; okay $23,000. Last week "Ghoist Mrs. Muir" (20th) and "Child of Divorce" (RKO). Nine days, excellent $26,000. MetropoUtan (M-F) (4,367; 40-80) —"Unfaithful" (WB) and "Black, mail" (Col). Should do better; $18,- 000, terrible. Last week, "Cheyenne'' (WB) and "Cover Big Town" (Par), $22,000. Old South (Siritzky) (700; 30-74) "3 Hour.s for Love" (Indie) and "Harvest" (Indie) (reissue). $3,000, okay. Last week subsequent runs. Orpheum (Loew) (2,900; 40-80)— "Living Big Way" (M-G) and "Dark Delusion" (M-G). Few-takers; off, $20,000. La.st week "Yearling" (M-G), Second week, $22,000. Paramount (M-P) (1.700; 40-80)-- "Mr. District Attorney" (Col) and "Northern Outpost" (Rep). Slim $14,000. Last week "Trouble With Women" (Par) and "Little Miss Broadway" (Col), $16,000. State (Loew) (3,200; 40-80)^ "Living Big Way" (M-G) and "Dark Delusion" (M^G). Trim $10,000. Last week "Yearling" (M-G). $11,000 (2d week). TraitKlux (Translux) (900; 30-74)— "Frankenstein" (U) (reissue) and "Dracula" (U) (reissue). Standard horror hou^e back in saddle for tall $6,500. Last -week. "Guilt Janet Ames" (Col) and "Swing Western Way" (Indie), $4,000. 'Farmer's Daughter' , Neat $14,000, Seattle Seattle, July 1. Summer weather, alternating-with coolish nights, is producing mixed b.o. returns, but ace pix are in the groove. "Egg" holds at Orpheum but bows out at Palomar after nice 11-day run there. "Ghost and Mrs. Muir" is at Blue Mouse for second .stanza. "Diiel in Sun" wound up swell sev- en-week run here, at roadshow prices. "Yearling" is through after six big weeks. "Calcutta" goes Into second big week at Liberty. "Farm- er's Daughter" is top newcomer, curv rently at Fifth. Estimates for This Week Blue Mousip; (H-E) (800; 45-80)— "Mrs. Muir" (20th). Released from Fifth. Expect mild $3,7.00. Last week, 3d Of "Cheyenne" (WB>, slow $3,600. Fifth Avenue (HiE) (2,349; 45-80) —"Farmer's Daughter" (RKO). Hit- ting for .swell $14,000. Last week, "Mrs. Muir" (20tb). moderate $7,900. Liberty (J f- VH) (1.650; 45-80)— "Calcutta" .(F r) and "Miss Broad- (Continued on page 18) Minneapolis, July 1, Bottom dropped out of business this and last week. There's an assortment of new- comers again currently, but only one, "The Egg and I," of any con- siderable boxoffice importance. "Duel in the Sun" is holding over at only one of the two theatres, the Lyric, where it opened. The first Week was over-e.«timated, but it • still chalk-ed up smashing grosses, grabbing off a terrific $35,000 in the pair of spots. The lone other hold- over is VStairway to Heaven," also ■ in its second week. Eiftlmates for This Week Astor (Par) (900; 30-44) "Foi Love of Rusty" (Col) and "Philo Vance Returns" (PRC), dual first-runs. Okay $2,200 in five days. "Code of West" (RKO), fiirst-run, and VDevil Bat" (Indie) ^ reissue, duals, opened yesterday (1). Last week, "Danger- ous Venture" (UA), first-run; and "Chump .at Oxford" (Indie)j reissue, neat $2,400 in five days. Century (Par) (1,600; 50-70)— "Dark Delusion" (M-G). Latest "Dr. Kildare" release^ pretty much light- weight as far as this house is con- cerned^ Bad $4,500 indicated. Last week, "Duel in Sun" (SRO) (90- $1.23), terrific $21,000. Gopher (Par) (1,000; 44)—"That Brennan Girl" (Rep). Well-liked picture, but bOx»office cast names lacking. Mild $3,000 in prospect. Last week, "Kit Carson'' (PRC) (re- issue), good $3,600. Lyric (Par) (1,100; 90-$l.2S)— "Duel in Sun" (SRO) (2d wk). Helped by terrific exploitation and advertising campaign and boxoffice cast names, this one has been going like house afire. Zooming to big $10,- 000 after boff $14,000 initial canto. Fix (Corwin) (300; 50-70)—"The Westerner" (FC) (2d run). Good enough $1,800 indicated. Last week, "Outlaw" (UA) (9th wk), finally finished to -good $1,500,. giving it huge $60,000, including $43,000 for three weeks at .Lyceum, legit road- show house, and $17,000 here. • Radio' City (Par) (4,000; 50-70)— "The Unfaithful" (WB). Star names plus sex angle and title attracting interest' But, oply $12,000 antici- pated. Last week, "Homestretch" (20th), mild $12,000. RKO-Orpheum (RKO) (2,800; 50- 70)—"Egg and I" (U). Has advan- tage of fine exploitation, advertising ; campaign and book's prestige, as well as cast draw names. Rolling to big $16,000. Last week, "Framed? (Col),-mild $8,000. BKO-Fan (RKO) (1,600: 50-70)— "Guilt of Janet Adams" (Col). Mixed opinions on this one. with Russell- Doi^las combo snaring n^. $4r 000. Last week, "Two' Mrs. Car- rolls" (WB) (2d wk), light $7,000 after strong $13>O0O initial stanza at Orpheum. State (Par) (2,300; 50-70)—"Car- nival in Costa Rica" (20th). Musical doesn't carry much boxoffice weight, $8,000. Last week,. "Stairway to Heaven" (U), disappointing $8,500. Uptown g>aT)' (1,000; 50-55)— "Late George Apley" (20th). First neighborhood showins;. Fair $3,500 in prospect. Last week. "Farmer's • Daughter" (RKO) very big $5,000, World (Mann) (350; 50 -99)— "Stairway to Heaven" (U) (m.o.). Should be built to order for this house, although It failed to deliver in- satisfactory way first week ?t State. Doing only fair $2,000. Last- week. "Dead Of Night" (U), good $2,500. TIESTA' TOPS 13G IN BUFF OPENING Buffalo, July 1. Takings are not too bad this week. "Fiesta" at Great Lakes is topping the . newcomers, ' though "Duel in Sun," in third week, is leading the town. Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Shea) (3,500: 40-VO)— "Living in; Big Way" (M-G) and "Brasher Doubloon" (20th). Over $10,000. Last week, "Dishonored Lady" (UA) and "Fun on a Week- end" (UA), $11,700. Great Lakes (Shea) (3,500: 40-70) —"Fiesta" (M-G). Over $13,00(^. Last week, "Trouble With Women (Par) and "Seven Were Saved" (Par), $11,000. , Hipp (Shea) (2,100r 40-70)—"Duel in the Sun" (3d wk). $15,000. Last week, over $20,00Q. Teck (Shea) (1,400: 40-70)—-'Alex- ander's Ragtime Band" (20th) and "Western Union" (20th) (reissues). $3,500. Last week, "Homestretch. (20th) and "Violence" (IVlono) (m.o.), ditto, Lafayette (Basil) (3,100; 40-70)— "Buck Privates Come Home" lU) and "Boston Blackie and the Law (Col). $13,000. Last week, "Mr. Dis- trict Attorney" (Col) and "King of Wild Horses" (Col), $5,000. 20th Centnry (20th Cent. Inc.) (3,- 000; 40-70)—"Angel and Bad Man (Rep) and "Calendar Girl" (Rep)- Over $10;000. Last week. "Born to Kill" (RKO) and "Likely Story (RKO), .18,500.