Variety (Jul 1947)

Wednesday, July 2, 19^7 PICtURB GBOSSES ^sorway' Ksappimiting ljviiig'25G,'Outlaw'RetiiniHot29G Chicago, July 1. •Pi'rst heat wave of summer hit Mtv late last week, almost every Cop house taking a beating. ^Stairway to Heaven at Apollo, which at first indicated excellent teles with major promotional cam- nait-n conducted, for entire weak Sreieediiig opening,-npw looks like *hflfUt $22,000, which, though strong ftir-house, still is disappointing. Of other newcomers, "Living in Big Wav" at United Artists seems least affected,, indicating a potent $25,000. "Bells of San Angelo". at Oriental, with Lionel Hampton heading stage show appears set to do just passing 440 000, and new twin hill at Palace, 'web" and "Millie's Daughter," will do a so-so $20,000. "Outlaw," at Rialto in first return showing here after leaving Oriental over a year ago, where it played eight weeks, is skedded for very hot $29000 "Great Waltz," oldie at World Playhouse, in third week, is -maintaining fancy pace, with this frame figured at $5,500. Estimates for TWs Week ■ Apollo fB3cK) (1,200; 95)—"Stair- way to Heaven" (U). After fat ad campaign, disappointing $22,000. Last week, "Jolson Story" (Col) (26th wk), longest run of any pic here this jear, closed at small $10,000. ChlcBgO (B&K) (3,900; 95)—"Blaze Of Noon" (Par) (2d wk), with Desi ,^rnaz on stage. Offish at $45,000.; Last week, top take in town, $60,000. Garrlck (B&K) (900; 95)—"Odd Man Out" (U) (2d wk). Down to $13,000. Last week, $20,000. 'Grand (RKO) (1,500; 95)—"I5gg «nd I" (XS) (5th wk) fading to $15,- 000. Last week, $17,000. Oriental (ESsaness) (3,400; 95)— "Bells of San Angelo" (Rep) with Lionel HamptoHi heading stage show for firm $45,000. Last week, "Copa- cabana" (UA) (2d wk) with Jayne Walton heading stage show, $30,000. P»Ia«e (RKO) (2.500; 95)—"Web" (U) and "Millie's Daughter" (Col). So-so $20,000. Last week, "Time Out of Mind" (U) and "Vigilantes Re- turn" (U) (1 wk), $22,000. WlaUo (Indie) U,700; 65-95)— "Outlaw" (UA). First sihowing after exsdus over year ago, after single S-week engagement at Oriental, in- dicates very hot business of about $29,000. Last week, "DilUnger" (Mono) and "Violence"' (Mono) (4th wk), $12,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 95)— "Cheyenne" (WB) (2d wk). Con- tinuing neat business with $lGiOO0. Last week. $20,000. - State-LaJie (B&K) (2,700; 95)— "Possessed" (WB) (2d wk). Level- ling off to $25,000. Last week, hefty $35,000. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 95) —"Living in Big Way" (M^), Looks very potent for $25,000. Last week, "George Apley" j(20th) (2d wk), $15,000. Woods (Essaness) (1,200; 95)-^ "Miracle on 34th St." (20th) (3d wk). Fading with $16,000. Irfisf week, $22,000 World (Playhouse) (Indie) (587; 75)—"Great Waltz" (M-G) (3d wk) (reissue). EUitire run is fancy so far, this week, $5,500. Last week, ^6,000. m' ROIUNG TO NEAT 19G, ST. LOUIS St. Louis, July 1. End of 14-day transit strike, cessa- ™n-ot rainy speU plus new screen • loader have comboed to hypo grosses at the big cinemas. "Egg and 1, running solo, was nicked by two - Fy\o£ rain after opening but will o? th^ No. 1 grosser. "Living in a Big Way," dualed with "Dark Delu- sion, will be the runnerup. Estimates tor This Week Ambassador (F&M) (3,000; 50-75) — The Egg and I" (U). Swell $19.- »l|0. Last week, "The Trouble With *«<i "Born to Speed" (PJIC), $10,000. -*oK (P&M) (5,000; 50-75)—"Mir- acle on 34th Street" (20th). $18,000. iwL*®^'?' "Ghost and Mrs. Muir" $15000'* Vacation Days" (Mono), Loew's (Loew) (3,172; 50-75)— "niT® Way" (M-G).and ■t«S.^ J?elusion" (M-G). $18,000. wst week, "Copacahana" (UA) and $13 800 ■mi"T' F-^^ <3,500; 50-75)- T}^?f^„Rose" (20th) and "Western Union- (20th) (reissue). $17,000. an? "Homestretch" (20th) WO., $fo,000:^ ^''^ "Th»'*'SI''"u'", ^^°^w) (2,000; .50-75)— "kin» A^J?,"^ Dorseys" (UA) and La'fS °I Wild Horses" (UA). $8,000. "lor *.!ek, "The Chase" (UA) and $4,000. °* ^"^y" ^'^'>^^' "IWr'*^!u.(^*'M) <4.'>'>0; 50-75)- FliEht" m , and' "Jungle .JsoOfl f;^!.^^''' wk). $7,000 after 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 are net income. . The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated, in- clude the U.S, amusement tax. Wash, on Lowgrade Though'Miracle'21G, 'Beach' Cozy $14,000 Washington, July 1. Film biz continues in the dol- drums throughout the midtown. "That's My Man" curled up its toes so badly at the showcase Earle that it was yanked after four days. War- ners threw its own "Unfaithful" into the breach to fill out the week and run over a second week. "Woman on the Beach'' and "Mir- acle on 34th Street" are the best looking bets in town this week^ Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew's) (3.434; 44-80)— "Moss Rose" (20th) plus vaude. Moderate $22,000. Last week, "Af- fairs of Bel Ami" (UA), With vaude, thin $19,000. . Columbia (Loew's) (1,263; 44-70) —"Homestretch" (20th). Fading on homestretch for $6,500. Last week, "Last of the Mohicans" (PRC) (re- issue), fine $9;500 for an oldie. Earle (WB) (2,154; 44-85)—"That's My Man" (Rep), Worst week house ■has had in long timei $12,000, with "Man" withdrawn after four days and "Unfaithful" (WB) thrown into breach. Last week, "Dear Ruth" relatively good $18,000. Hippodrome (Lust) (365; 44-85)— "Ivan the Terrible:' (Indie) (2d wk). Average $2,500. Last week, good $3,000. Keith's (RKO) (1,838; 44-80)— "Woiiian on the Beath" (RKO). Cozy $14,000 for these days. Last week, "TM Web" (U), $14,000. Metropolitan (WB) (1.153; 44-70) —"Cheyenne" (WB). $7,500 for first week of this theatre's return to for- mer moveover policy after session of 1st runs and revivals. Last week, "Smashup" (U) (2d wk), good $7,000 for the final stanza. Palace (Loew's) (2,370; 44-70)— "Miracle on 34th Street" (20th). Moneymaker at $21,000. Last- week, "Sea of Grass" (M-G), $23,000 for eight days. 'Calcutta' Just Fair At $11,500 in Omaha Omaha, July 1. Among the local draws this week are "Honeymoon"' and "Bulldog Drummond at Bay" at the Brandeis, aided by customers seeking to cool off via air-conditioning. "It Hap- pened on Fifth Avenue" and "King of Wild Horses" got away to a slow start. "Calcutta," despite Alan Ladd's popularity, was a weather victim at the outset. Estimates for This Week Brandeis (RKO) (1,500; 16-65)— ''Honeymoon" (RKO) and "Bulldog Drummond at Bay" (RKO). Good $8,000 and may go $500 more. Last week, "Framed" (Col) and "Little Miss Broadway" (Col), satisfactory $8,500. Paramount (Tristates) (2,800; 16- 65) — "Calcutta" (Par).Okay fair: $11,500. Last week, "My Favorite Brunette" (Par), ejttra fine $14,000. Orpheum (Tristates) (3,000; 16-65) — "It Happened on 5th Avenue" (Mono) and "King of Wild Horses" (Col). Light $10,500. Last week, "Fabulous Dorseys'' -(UA) and "Lit- tle Mr. Jim" (M-G), not bad $11,000, Omaha (Tristates) (2,000; 16-65)— "Stanley and Livingstone" (20th) and "Meet John Doe" (Indie), Very bad $5,500. Last week, "Carnival in Costa Rica" (20lh) and "The Big Fix" (PRC), only fair .$8,000. 'Buck Privates,' Dualed, Neat 19iG in Denver Denver, July .1. "Buck Privates Come Home," with "Time Out of Mind," showinj; day- date at the Denver and Webber, are having no trouble leading the town. ' Estimates for Tliis W«ek Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 35-74)— "The Egg and I" (U-I). after four weeks at each the Paramount and Esquire. Big $6,500. Last week, "Two Mrs. Carrolls" (WB) and "Bacldash" (20th-Fox), after week at each Denver ;and Webber, fine $5,500. Broadway (Cinema) (1,500; 35-74) —"Her Sister's Secret" (PRC) and "Terror House" (PRC). Poor $4,000, Last week, "Little Mister Jim" (M-G) "Boom Town" (M-G) (2d wk), good $6,500. Denbam (Cockrill) (1,750; 35-70) —"Dear Ruth" (Par) (3d Wk). Fair $8,500. Last week $13,500, much bet- ter than first. Denver (Fox) (2,525; 35-74)— "Buck Privates Come Home" (U-1), and "Time Out of Mind" (U-I), day- date with Webbpr, Good $16,500. ■Last week, "The Homestretch" (20th) and "Little Miss Broadway" (Col), same as Webber, good $16,000. Esqnire (Fox) (742; 35-74)—"It Happened on Fifth Avenue" (Mono) and "Bulldog Drummond at Bay" (Col), day-date with Paramount. Fine $4,000. Last week. "The Egg and I" (U-I), 4th week, same as Paramount, good $3,000. Orplieum (RKO) (2,600; 35-74)— "Undercover, Maisie" (M-G) and "Dark Delusion" (M-G). Poor $9,000. Last week, "Living in a Big Way" (M-G) and "Desperate" (RKO), good $15,000. Paramount (Fox) .(2.200: 35-74)— "It Happened on Fifth Avenue" (Mono), and "Bulldog Drummond at Bay" (Col), day-date with E.squire. Fine $11,000, Last week, "The Egg and I" (U-I), 4th week, same as Esijuire, good $8,000. Rialto (Fox) (878; 35-74)—"The Homestretch" (20th) and "Little Miss Broadway" (Col), after week (Continued on page 18) : Tauline Big 27G In Droopy Detroit Detroit,' July 1; As business continues on the skids, all downtown houses list subnormal boxoftice. "Perils of Pauline" at the Michigan is doing best, with ''Buck Privates Come Home" a close run- nerup at the Fox, Surprise of the week is the occasional, lineups at the United Artists to see "Dear Ruth." . Estimates for This Week Adams (Balaban) (1,740; 70-95)— "The Yearling"' (M-G) (6th wk). Tepid $7,000. Last Week, dwindling $9,000. Broadway-Capitol (United Artists) (3,309; 70-95)—"The Outlaw" (UA) and "Johnny in the Clouds" (Col). Weak $9,000. Last week, "Calcutta" (Par) and "Big Town" (Par) (3d wk), slick $14,000. Cinema (Marten) (2$0; 60-90)— "100 Men and a Girl" (U) (reissue) and "The Vigilantes Return" (U) (rei.<isue). Fair $1,200. Last week, "Fantasia" (Indie) (4th wk), accept- able $1,200. . Downtown (Balaban) (2,683; $1- $1.50)—"Best Years" (RKO) (13th wk). Down to $6,000. Last week, weiak $8,000. Jf-ox (Fox-Michigan) (5,100; 70-4)5) —"Buck Privates Come Home" (U) and "The Vigilantes Return" (U). Okay $21,000. Last week, "Moss Rose" (20th) and "Brasher Doub- loon" (20th),. soUd $22,000. Madison (United Detroit) (1,866; 50-60)—"The Locket" (RKO) and "That Way With Women" (WB). Fair $2,100 in 3 days. Last week, "Blaze of Noon" (Par) and "It Hap- pened on 5th Ave." (Mono), weak $2,000 in 3 days. Midiisan (United Detroit) (4,039; 70-95)—"Perils of Pauline" (Par) and "Danger Street" (Par). Slick $27,000. Last wedk, "Cheyenne" (WB) and "That's Mjr Gal" (Rep) (2d wk), swift $19.,000. Palms-State (United Detroit) (2,- 976; 70-95)—"Kit Carson"^ (PRC) (reissue) and "Last of Mohicans" (PRC) (reissue) (2d wk). Slow $10,- 000. Last week, surprising $17,000. United Artists (United Detroit) (1,941; 70-95)—"Eteat' Euth" (Bar) and "Undercover Maisie" (M-G). Stout $22,000. Last week, "Great Ex- pectations" (U) and "Sarge Goes to College" (Mono) <3d wk), lOfty $16,000. Heat Melts B'way H.O.S But Can t Scare *Ghost', 144C; Tiesta'-Hwne 72G, 'UnfaithfuMMonroe Orcb, 66G Broadway sweltered under the most humid heat of the year last week, which cut heavily into the groiise.s of the holdover films in the street's 18 first run houses. Nine new entries, however, showed good strength, some of them ^tciualling the top grosses rung up during last .year's peak boxoffice period. As a result, the street rose more than $41,000, hitting a nifty $663,000 for all the first runs. "Ghost sind Mrs. Muir" (20th) paced the newcomers, witli hefty $144,000 in sight for the opening frame at Radio City Music Hall. Strand: also saw a steady_ stream of patrons.; iiito its airconditioned in- terior, where "Unfaithful" (WB) should roll in near-peak $66,000 for its. rteeofi frame. "Fiesta''; (M-G) ranked among the top cqin-puUers with stalwart $72,000 in prospect for its opening stanza at the Capitol. Lena Home on stage, an asset. "Ivy" (U).at the Criterion opened strongly, with good $31,000 in sight and "Ramrod" ' (Ent) showed fair strength for its opening round at the Globe, Sighting about $20,000. "Rift-RafI" (RKO) teed oif only miiaiy to about $22,000 at the Palace. "Dear Ruth" at the Paramount continued to set the pace for the holdovers, gunning for hefty $82,000 for its third week. Also rolling steadily in the holdover ranks was "Duel in the Sun" (SRO), aiming for nice $15,000 at the Victoria for third frame of its first Broadway run at popular prices, a dip of $7,000 from previous week. "New Orleans" (UA) also dipped, with about $31,000 in sight for its second round at the Winter Garden. ''Dark Delusion" (M-G) stumbled to meek $4,000 in four-and-a-half days at the Rialto and was, pulled in favor of "Vigil- antes Return" (U). Ensuing week should continue the rise, with "Repeat Performance" (E-L) replacing "Happened on Fifth Avenue" (Mono) at the Rivoli and "Moss Rose" (20th) succeeding "Mir- acle on 34th Street" (20th) at the Roxy. Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; 95-$2.40) —"Best Years" (RKO) (32d wk). Heat hasn't hurt this marathoner. Continuing well at $21,500, only slight drop from previous frame's $22,300, Holds. Broadway (UA) (1,895; 70-$l.S0) "Jlenry V" (UA) (4th wk). Showing good staying power in pop price run with about $15,000. Last week, okay $19,000. Holds one more session, with "Copacabana" (UA) coming in July 11. Capitol (Loew's) (4,820; 70-$1.50) —"Fiesta" (M-G), plus Lena Horne, George Paxton orch on stage (1st wk). Opened well and should do stalwart $72,000 for frame ending tonight (Wednesday). Last week, 4th and final session of "High Bar- baree" (M-G),. plus Guy Lombardo orch headlining stagebill, disap- pointiag $42,000. Criterion (Loew's) (1,700; 60-$1.25) —"Ivy" (U) (2d -wk). Teed Off strongly and should do good $31,000 for opening frame ending last (Tuesday) night. Last week, third and final session of "Web" (U), thin $15,000. Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 70-.$1.2O)— "Ramrod" (Ent) (1st wk). Another fairish newcomer, should do oke $20,000 for opening frame ending Friday (4) night. Last week, sec- ond and final stanza of "Bel Ami" (UA) slipped to very thin $10,000. Gotbam (Brandt) (900; 70-$1.40)— "Corsican Bros." (PRC) and "South of Pango-Pango" (PRC) (reissues) PhiHy DoUwns Thoi^'Perils'3^ llnfcWd,' Ditto, Plenty Muscular Philadelphia, July 1. Biz is off all over town this week with only a couple exceptions. Only exceptions are "Perils of Pauline" and "Unfaithful." Opening of "Miracle of 34th Street," "Living in Big Way" and "New Or- leans" getting only scant attention. Estimates for This Week Aldine (WB) (1,803; 50-94)—"Odd Man Out" (2d wk). Off at $8,500. Fir.st week bright $15,000 plus nice $3,500 for Sabbath showing at Earle. Arcadia (Sablosky) (700; 90-$1.80) —■'Best Years" (RKO) (13th wk). Winding up long run with fair $7,500. La.st week. $8,000. Boyd (WB) (2,350; 50-94)—"Great Expectations" (U) (3d wk). Skid- dinn to so-so $14,500. La.st week, fair $18,000, Earle (WB) (2,760; 50-94)—"New Orleans"' (UA). Mild $18,000. Last week, "Hit Parade of 1947" (Rep) and Loui.s Jordan Orch, fine $30,000. Fox (20th) (2,250; 50-94)—"Miracle oh 34th Street" C20th). Not up to ex- pectations with fairish $22,000. Last week. "Duel in Sun" (SRO) (4th wk) at hyped prices (90-$1.25) finished four-week stand with $18,000- Goldman (Goldman) (1,300; 50-94) —"Perils of Pauline" (Par). Fine $30,000. Last week, "High Barbatee" (M-G) finished with fair $14,000 lor third sesh. ■ , Karlton (Goldman) (1,000; 50-94)— "Yearling" (M-G) (6th wk). Olcay $10,000. Last week, good $15,000. Keltii's (Goldman) (1,300; 50-94)— "Two Mrs. Carrolls" (WB) (2d run), Nice $7,500, Last week, "Calcutta" (Parj, .slow $6,500 for second runi Mastbaum (WB) (4,360; 50-94)— "Unfaithful" (WB). Oke $30,000, Last week. "Cheyenne" (WB), pallid $16,- 000 for second week. Fix (Cummins.) (500; 90-$l.'2S)^ "Duel in Sun" fSRO) (moveover from Fox). Look.s like fair $9,000. Stanley (WB) (2.950; 50-94)—"Liv- ing id Big Way" (M-G). Poor $17,- 000. La.st weelc. "Copacabana" (UA) (2d wk). scant $14,000. Stanton (WB) 0,475; 50-94)— "Blaze of Noon" (Par) (2d wk). Blah $7,000. La.st week, neat $14,000, (1st wk). Fairish $12,000 in sight for opening frame ending tomorrow (Thursday) night and holds. Last week, second and final stanza ot "Drums Alolig Mohawk" (20th) and "Swanee River" (20th) (reissues): mild $7,400. Hollywood (WB) (1,499; 70-$1.10) —"Possessed" (WB) (5th wk). Fiftd round dipped .slig.htly but .still goo4 $18,500 and holds. Last week, mild" $22,500. Palace (RKO) (1,700; 60-$1.20)-^ "Riff-Raff" (RKO) (1st Wk). Open- ing mildly, with about $22,000 in sight for session ending Friday C4) night. Last week, third and. final frame of "Woman on Beach'' (BKQ), disappointing $15,000. Paramount (Par) (3,664; 70-$1.50) —"Dear Ruth". (Par). With fei-ry Como Lloyd " Shaefer orch. Larry Storch, others on stage (4lh wk). Rolling along at fast clip with .ro- bu.st $82,000 for Week ending: last (Tuesday) ijight. Previous week'sSw.^ hefty $92,000. Continues. Park Aveu.ue (U) (583; $1.20-$2.40) —"Lady Surrenders" (U) (3d wk). Third frame starts torhorrow (Thur^. day) after thin $8,000 sighted for current round; . Last week, disap- pointing opener at. $6,000- Gontinues. Radio City Music Hall (Rocke- fellers) (5,945; 70-$2.40)—"Ghost and Mrs, Muir" (20th) with stage show (1st wk). Looks like best of tha new entries with very strong $144,~ 000 expected for opening frame end- ing tonight (Wednesday). Last week, fifth and final stanza o( "Great Expectations" (U) with stageshow, surprisingly good $123,000. Rialto (Mayer) (594; 35-85)— "Vigilantes Return" (U) (1st wk). Shoved in Sunday (29) night after four-and-a-half days of "Dark Delu- sion" (M-G) Sand should do mildish $6,500. "Delusion" altered to meek $4,000, necessitating the pull. »iv«li (UA-Par) (2,092; 60-$1.25) —"Repeat Performance" (E-L) (1st wk). Opened yesterday (Tueiiday) after six days of third round of "Happened on Fifth Avenue" (Mono) drifted to disappointing $6,000. Last week, second round of "Avenue," of- fish $17,000. Roxy (20th) (5,886;. 80-$1.50) "Moss Rose" (20th), with Olsen Se Johnson revue on stage opens today- (Wednesday). Last week, fourth and final frame of "Miracle on 34th Street" (20th) with Salici Puppets, Jerry Lester, Art Lund, others on stage, looks like potent $71,000. Pre* vious'week, hefty $94,000. State (Loew's) (3,450; 43-$1.10)— "Calcutta" (Par) (2d run), with Fred & Elaine Barry heading stageshow. Fair $22,000' in prospect. Last week, mild $19,000 for "Lost Honeymoon'* (E-L), plus Bert Wheeler headlining stageshow. "Egg and I" (U), with Luba Malina topping stage layout, opens tomorrow (Thur.sday). Strand (WB) (2,756; 75-$1.50)— "Unfaithful" (WB), plus Vaughn Monroe orch, Frank Fontaine, Beryl Davis on stage. Opened Friday (27) to big response, should do near-peak $66,000. Last week, third and final frame of "Cheyenne" (WB), plus Ted Lewis orch heading stageshow, oke $35,000. Victoria (Maurer) (720; 70-$1.20) —"Duel in Sun" (SRO) (.3d wk). Dipping slightly to $15,000 for third frame of first pop run on Broadway, after previous week's 'nice $22,000; Still good and hold.s. Winter Garden (UA) (1.312; 60- $1.20)—"New Orlean.s" (UA) {3d wk). Lost ground in the heat wave, with about $31,000 in sight. Last week, fair $39,000. Continues. Heat Coois Prov. B.O.; 'Expectations' Slow UYzG Providence, July 1. Hot weekend hit town and as temp rose b.o. dropped. Couldn't all leave town so conditioned houses caught enough to. keep rolling, though below par: Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2.200; 44-65)-^ "Great Expectations" (UI) and "Thunder Mountain" (RKO). Slow $12,500. Last week, "Odd Man Out" (U) and "That Brennan Girl" (Rep), nice $14,500. Carlton (Fay-Loew) (1,400; 44-85) —"Egg and ,I" (UI) (2d wk). Good $6,000... HaadSOme $8,000 in first sesh. ' Fay's (Fay) (1,400; 44-65)—"Ad- venturess" (EL) and "My Dog Shep" (SG). Mild $5,000. Last week, "Twi- light on the Rio Grande" (Rep) and vaude, fair $6,500. Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 44-65)— "Egg and I" (UI), day-date with Carlton (2d wk). Interesting $15,- 000 after very nice $18,000 in opener. State (Loew) (3,200; 44-65)—"Liv- ing in Big Way" (M-G) and "Dark Delusion" . (M-G). Fair $18,000, Last week, "Yearling" (M-G) (2d wk), nice $15,500. Strand (Silverman) (2,200; 44-65) —"TrouWe With Women" (Par) and "Jungle Flight" (Par). Opened Monday. Last week, "Calcutta** (Par) (2d wk>,.so-sQ $12,500.