Variety (Mar 1948)

S4 Picture Grosses NEW YORK (Continued from page 13) In for run. Final 6 days o£ fourtii week on ^Albuquerque" (Par), $7,000. Warner (WB) (1,499; 90-¥1.50)— "Robin Hood" (WB) (reissue) (4th* final wk). Third session ended last (Tues.) night held well at $16,000 after soUd $18^00 for second. Show«d such strength in second Irame that it was held a fourth week, with "Winter Meeting" (WB) opening set back until April 7. Winter Garden (UA) (1,312; 80- $1.20)—"Man of EvU" (UA). First week ending today (Wed.) was highly disappointing at $10,000 or under, with ctix taking It over .bumps. , Btowever, holds second stanza. Third week (8 days) of •Bfack Bart" (U) was $11,000. IHAMA'CHEERS BUFF^ . $m,000; ^DA'13G Buffalo, March 30. Big . news this week is the big Iwsiness being done by "Remem- ber Mama" at Century. "IStcudda Hoo" is on. disappointbig side at the Buffalo. • Estlaafw twt Ibiai tVcA Bi^HWk) .{Shear (3,500; 40-70)— Smem Hoo" {20th) and "Lees Live Again" (20tb). Fait-iy good $13,000 or better. Last week, "Al- buquerque" (Par) and '^aged Fuiy" (Par), ditto. Great Lakes (Siea) (3.400; 40-70) —"Robin Hood" (WB) (reissue). Nice $13,500 or near. Last week, "Saigon" (Par) and "Mr, Heckless" <Par>« $13^000. • mg» (Shea) «,100; 40-70)— "Alias a Genttooaaif Off-G) and "li^toag Forert?* (K-G). TMm or over. Last week, "Par- zan's Secret Treastoe" (M-6) and "Tarzan's N. Y, Adventure" (M-G) (rrjssues), $7^00. Teck (Shea) (1,400; 40-70)— "Tarzan!s Secret Treasure" (M-G) and "Tarzan's N. Y. Adventure' (M-6) (reissues). Okay' <^,500. Last wecdSf "Black Cat^ OJ) and "Blac*: FridJtjr (TO (lelssuesK $3,500. . ' . Lafajrette (Basil) (8.000; 40-7il»— "Black Bart" (U) aBd'"WomaE?s Vengeance" (U). Gooa $13,000. Last week, "Secret Beyond Bow" (U), thin $10,500, ZOai Century (20th Cent) fAMSi 40-70) — "I Bemember Afama" (RKO). Big $19,000 or better. Last week, "Foreign Correspondent" <Mast) aM "Blockade" .iliidie) (re- issues) ii)7,500. in e .ds^. PITTSBURGH (Continuea from pajge 12) "J^ontier Marahal" (20th) (reissues), $5,500. Harris (Harris) (2,200; 44-76)— "Naked aty" (U), Biggest Friday (26) opening any picture ever had Jiere, all more remarkable since house didnt get going that day until 2 p.m. on account of Good Friday. Smash $194)00,. mi grts at least Hnsee we^. Last .week, "Heaven Only Knows" (HA), $5,500 Jn 6 days. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 44-76) —"Tarzan's Secret •ft'easure" (M-G) and "Tarzan's N, Y, Adventure" (M-G) (reissues). Heavy kid trade helping this to sorso $11,000 in 6 days. Last week, "Alias a Gentle- man" (M-G), $13,500." Jlitz (Loow's) (aoO; 44-76)—"Alias a. Gentleman" (M-G) (m.o.). TWn $1,500. Last week, "Let Us Live" (Col) and "Adam Four Sons" (Col) (reissues) $2,500. - Senator (Harris) (1,750; 44-76)— "Gentlanan's Agreement" (20th) (2d wk). Re-release date cashing in on Academy Award. Should do $6,500, exactly wliat it got last ■we'ik, terrific for Holy Week. Stanley (WB) (3,800; 44-76) — "April Showers" (WB). Light musi- cal doing nicely via holiday trade, okay $18,000. May hold few extra days. Last week, "Night Song" (RKO), fair $13,000. Warner (WB) (2,000; 44-76) — "Miracle of Bells" (RKO). Sock campaign, including p.a.'s of Jesse L. Lasky, Russell Janney, Leo Car- rillo, Ruth Warfick and Charles Coburn, together with miner's preem in nearby coal'mining town of Library, Pa., all good for plenty of space. Adding up to slick $17,- 000, and looks like a nicerun. Last week, "Robin Hood" (WB) (reissue) (m.o.), fine $d,000. ^Winter' No Hot Tamak I&MplsJ9,000; Cooper TaU 19G, 'Eambr 14fi Minneapolis, March 30. faster week is bringing the Loop cmly one major newcomer, "If Winter Comes," somewhat a weak sister at the State. Otherwise it's second-runs, holdovers and reis- sues. "Unconquered" holds forth at Radio City on initial regular price run, shapes sturdy. The Or- pheum lias brought Jback "Bambl," to .cash in on juvenile trade this week.' "Call iJorthside" shapes big on inoveover at tite Century. An- other stretch of bad weekend weather that brought snow, sleet and IS above zero cold hurt. Estimates for This Week Gentnrjr (Par) (1,600; 50-70) Call Northside" (2()th) (m.o.). Rig $10,000. Last week, "10th Ave, Angel" (M-G), light $5,000, Gkq^ (Pat-) (1,000: 44)—"Joe P^owBk sCnockout" (Mono) and 'Jigg^ Maggie in Society" (Mono) Li^ $3,500. - Last week, "Gay Ranchero" (Rep) and "Angel's Al ley." (Rep), $4,000, Lyric (Par) (1,000; 50-70)—"Sai gon" (Par) (3d wk). Still satisfac- tory $6,000. Last week, big $8,000, Radi« aty (Par) (4,400; S0-70)r- Uncooqaered" (Par). E^rst time at pop prices. Sturdy $19,000 for Gary Cooper starrer. Last week, C^l Northside" (20th). smadi $21,000. KKO-Orph^na- (RKO) (2,800; 50-70):—"Bambi" (rkO) (reissue). Jove scale boosted to 25c for this onle whidb has the youngsters flock- ing iv. Smaslv $14,000. Last week "Secret Beyond Dooc" (U), $8,500, KKO-fte (RKO) (1,600; 50-70)— Foreign Correspondent" (Mast) and "Trade Winds" (Mast) (reis- sues). Satisfactory $7,000. - Last week, "Woman'4 Venseance" (U), mild $6,000. State (Par) (2,300; 50-70)—"If Winter Comes" (M-G). Moderate 00. Last week, "GM T!sa" (WB) $87DOa Vptoim (Par) (1,000; 44-60)- "Time. for Keeps" (M-G). First naberun. Fair $4,000. Last week, "Captain Castile" (20th), $4,500. World (Mann) (350; 50-85)— "Bishop's Wife" (RKO) (Oth wk). Good $2,500 after virile $2,«)0 pre- ceding <eantOt > . 'Daughters'Takes Bow For Rousing $35MD.C Washington, March 30. Holiday weekend gave . town's flrstruns a badly needed shot in arm, with cold weather helping to drive tourists into theatres. Cap- itol getting lion's share o{ bonanza, with "Three Daring Dauj*iter4" plus vaude. "Gentleman's Agree- ment," at Loew*s Palace, also Is sock to pace sfraight-iilmers. ' Estimates ttfr This Week Capitol (Loow's) (2,434; 44-80) —"Three Daring Daughters" (M-G) plus vaude. Smash biz, with film taking bows, at $35,QpO. Last week, "Weal Husband" (20th) plus vaude, thin $20,000. Columbia (Loew's) (1,263' 44-70) ■ "Tarzan's Secret Treasure" (M-G) (reissue). Fine $8,500. Last \ivfeek, "Bride Frankensteia" (U) and "Sofa Frankenstein" (XJ) (re- issues ), $10,000 in 9 days. Keith's (RKO) (1,939; 44-80)— "Senator Indiscreet" (U) {2d wk) (3 days), and "I Remember Mama" (RKO) (4 days). Fine $1T.000,' with "Mama" doing sock weekend biz. Last week, "Senator Indis- creet" (U), solid $16,000. Metropolitan (WB) (1,183; 44-70) —"BUI and Coo" (Rep) and "Cali- forniari Skies" (Rep). Twin bill doing fine $7,000. Bulk of admis- sions paid by kids. Last week, "Saigon" (Par) (m.o.), $6,000. Palace (Loew's) (2,370; 44-74)— 'Grentleman's Agreement"' (20th). Sock $26,000 or better. Last week, "Bride Goes Wild" (M-G), $18,000. Warner (WB)-(2,15*; 44-74)— 'April Showers" (WB). Nice $16,- OOQ. Last week, "Robin Hood" (WB) (reissue) (9 days), «oUd $16,000. San F^randsco, March 30. Rainy Easter Day helped trade here this session but it was not enough to overcome the slump dur- ing Holy Week. Plethora of hold- overs also is hurtingi Best new en- try is "April Showeis" which looks in for a big stanza at the Para- mount. "Naked City" shapes sturdy on second week in two houses. Estimates for Hiis WeA Golden Gate (RKO) (2,844; 60-85) —"Bishop's Wife" (RKO) (4ttt wk). Thin $13,000, Last week, $16,000. Fox (FWC) (4,651; 60-95)—"Gen- tleman's Agreement" (20th) (2d wk). Skidded to $12,500 in 6 days. Last week, okay $21,500. Warfield (FWC) (2,656; 60-85)— "Sittmg Pretty" (20th) (2d wk). Held up to strong $17,500. Last week, soeko $20,000. Faramouttf (Par) (2,646; 60-85)— "April Showers" (WB). Big $25,000. Last week, "Robin Hood" (WB) (re- issue), $31,000.. St. Francis (Par) (1,400; 60-85)— "Saigon" (Par) <4th wk). Down to $7,500. Last week, good $9,500. Orphenm (Blumeofeld) (2,448; 55-85)—"Naked City" (U) (2d wk). Hefty $14,000.' Last week, big $19,000. United Artists (Bluraenfeld) (1,- 207; 55-85)--"Sign of Ram" (Col) (3d wk). Okay $6,000 in 5 days. Last week, good $8,500. ■ Esquire (Blumcnfeld) (952; 55- 8.'))—"Naked City" (U) (2d wk). Strong $9,500. Last week, terrific $14,000. State (Par) (2,133; 60-85)—"Robin Hood" (WB) (reissue) (m.o.). Oke $9,500. Last week, "Frontier Mar- shal" (20th) arid "Belle Starr" (20th) (reissues), $9,000. Larkin (Roesner) (400; 65-85)— "Furia" (Indie) (2d wk). Hefty $4,- 000. Last week, sock $4,400. United Nations (FWC) (1,149; 60- 85)—"Sitting Pretty" (20th). Good $4,000 or near. Last week, "Meant for Me". (20th) (2d wk) (m.o.), $3,500. 'Agreement' New Record, Denver, $24,000, 2 Spots Denver, March 30. "Gentleman's Agreement" will break the Paramount house record this week, and is also big at the Esquire. "Uncoaq;»eief shapes fine, at Denham. . Estimates for Thi« Week Denham (Cockrill) '(1,750; 35-70) —"Unconquered" (Par). Fine $14,'< 000, and holds. Last week, "Sai- gon" (Par) (2d wk), solid $12,000. Denver (Fox) (2,525; 35-74)—"I Love Trouble" (Col) and "Bill and Coo" (Rep), day-date with Webber. Thin $13,000. Last week, "Scudda Hoo" (20th) and "Dock New Or- leans" (Mono), big $17,500. Esauire (Fox) (742; • 35-74)— "Gentleman's Agreement" (20th), day-date with Paramount Big $5,000, and moves to' Webber. Last week, "Scudda Hoo" (20th) and "Docks New Orleans" (Mono), fine $3,500. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 35-74)— "High Wall" (M-G) and "Sprmg- time" (Indie). Slow $12,500. Last week, "If Winter Comes" (M-G) and "Killer Dill" (SG), same. Paramount (Fox) (2,200; 35-74)— "Gentleman's Agreement" (20th), also Esquire. Record $19,000. Holds. Last week, "Black Narcis- sus" (U) and "Secret Beyond Door" (U), big $13,000. Bialto (Fox) (878} 35-74)— "Scudda Hoo" (20tb) and "Docks New Orleans" (Mono), after week at Denver, Esquire, Webber. Fine $3,500. Last week, "Ends of-Earth" (Col) .and "Let's Live Again" (20th) (m.o.), $3,700. Webber (Fox) (750; 35-74)—"! Love Trouble" (Col) and "BiU and CoO" (Rep), also , Driver. Thin $2,000. Last week, "Scudda Hoo" (20th) and "Docks New Orleans" (Mono), $4,00o: Vtsitine Hollywoodite*. who have been much in evidence in th* audience of "Joy to the World" since the legiter opened on Broadwav a couple of weeks ago, are getting a special, kick out of the show Written by Coast writer Allan Scott about a boy-wonder v.p. In charir* of production, it's full of "Insiders'" lines and business. All three slSm take place In the exec's office and the assorted characters are an carefully type-cast, providing a special source of amusement to thtuw who know their way through the studio jungle, Pteture people viewing th« shiow do a good bit of mental gymnastics of course, trying to figure exactly who Scott had in mind as the originalii of his ^aracters; ActuaUy, moat of them appear to be made up 4 Wts and pieces of real people, with lots of characteristics of hidividuai Hollywoodites recognizable. Only one who's clearly unmistakable is" producer "Sam BLumenfeld," who has a son named Sam, Jr,, and gives out with a Goldwynlsm or two as he speaks. As played by Moiris CTanfovsliy, the interpretation of the part is sympathetic. Marsha Hunt, imported from Hollywood for the top fcmme role incidentally fared very well in the notices and is apparently rating high in audience response. She's second young femme Coast fugitive to ring up a personal buUseye on Broadway this season. Previously June Lockhari in "For Love oe Money" won aisle-sitters' plaudits and an Antoinette Ferry award Sunday (28). Death of Federal Judge John Bright last week necessitates appoint* ment of another jurist to the tliree-man statutory court, which retains jurisdiction of the Government anti-trust action against the majors Judge Bright, along with Judges Augustus Hand and Henry Goddard handed down the original decision in the suit and the decree that implemented the court's opinion. While the action is now before the U. S. Supreme Court on appeal the statutory court still t«m^s as a permanent body to consider modi-^ fication of the decree and contempt proceedings to enforce it. Hence, the U. S. circuit court which named the original makeup of the trio will designate another judge' to fill the vacancy. Judge Bright died hi Middletown, N. Y. last Wednesday (24) at the age of 63. He's been on the bendi since April, 1041. Edward Golden, currently in New York for confabs with United Artists, is having title trouble with "Texas, Heaven and Brooklyn," his second production for UA release. Wary of the current b.o. damper on pix with supernatural themes, Golden polled SO leadtaig exhibs on their reaction to the title and received an overwhelming nix. Film was taken from the novel, "Eddie and Archangel Mike." Next on Golden Productions' slate will be "What Every Bride Should Know," starruig Shirley Temple. It will be Aiade for Selznick Releasing Organization. . - GI baseball, Introduced into far-off lands during the war and the sub- sequent occupation, is figured by Metro as a plug for two of its pic- tures. Hitherto the American pastime meant-nothing in the foreign filin maii^ Hocsehide stories coming up oh Hie Metro lot are "The Story <tf'Monte Stmtton" anS "Jn the Good Old Summertime." TOIUMPM Tiff On P. R. Covtimnd from page 4 { PHILADELPHIA (Continued from page 13) (M-G) (3d wk). N6at $19,000 after $23,000 last week. Karlton (Goldman) (1,000; 50-94) —"Bambi" (RKO) (reissue). Mod- erate $8,000. Last week, "Bishop's Wife" (RKO) (6th Wk), solid $9,000. Keith's (Goldman) (1,300; 50-94) —"Gentleman's Agreement" (20th) (2d run). Great $11,000, helped by Academy publicity. Last week, "Ni.?ht Song" (RKO) (2d run), sad $4,000. Mastbaum (WB) (4,360; 50-94)— "Robin Hood" (WB) (reis.sue) (2d wk). Fair $16,000 after olte $28,- 000 opener.' Pix (Cummins) (500; 50-94)— "Outlaw" (UA) (9th wk). Mild $5,000 after last week's $6,000. Stanley (WB) (2,950; 50-94)— "Naked City" (U). Smash .$40,000. Last week, "Smugglers" (EL), $15,- 000. Stanton (WB) (1,475; 50-94)— "Albuquer,-ixn" (Par). Good $13,- 000. Last w "k, "Became a Crim- inal" (WB), $9,500. member presented a list of bis company's top product -and 34 films were agreed on. Titles of these were contained in the press release which went out the next day. ' TOA committee was incensed at seeing the release in Monday's papers and called an emergency session that afternoon. It was dur- ing this huddle, TOA claims, that a copy of the release arrived'With a note that the 34 films named were the ones compiled -at the TOA's request. TOA was not men- tioned, however, in the release.-^ Handout announced a variety of plans for nationwide ballyhoo of the "great days ahead." Tops among them was an idea for a trailer consisting of plugs for all the best pix coming up, regard- Jless'of company and without studio designation. « MPAA's Stance^ Thinking behind the MPAA group's announcement,' it was said by a spokesman^ was to broaden the campaign by getting the purely TOA label off of it. It was thought thaT if it were sponsored by tiie MPAA and the distribs, Allied and other indie thcatremen would co- operate, whereas they might not with a competitive exhib organiza- tion. - Gamble's group, on the other hand, wanted to keep control of the choice of the "super-pix" to be ballyhooed. They feared that the MPAA, by its very nature, would have to give a more-or-Iess even break »to each major company, with the result that some films un- worthy of the campaign tnight be included and take the edge off it. They pointed to some of the pix named in the MPAA release as proof of their contentibn. One of their ideas was to Iiave final selec- tion made by an exbtb panel. TOA had planned to issue the first story to the lay press to break next weekend on its campaign. Feeling now is that announcement has been blunted by the MPAA release and there' may be a shift in plans. The 34 FilniB List of 34 pix. approved for MPAA- campaign include six each from RKO and 20th-Fox; four each from Columbia, Metro, Paramount, Uni- versal and Warner Bros., and two from United Artists. They are: Columbia—"Lady from Shang- hai," "Man From Colorado." "Lulu Belle" and "AU the King's Men," Metro—"State of the Union," "The Pirate," "Easter Parade" and "Homecoming." Paramount & "Emperor Waltz," "Foreign Allah:," "Paleface" and "Dream Girl." RKO — "I Remember Mama," "Fort Apache," "Velvet Touch," "Good Sam," "Rachel and th« Stranger" and "Miracle of Bells.'* 20th-Fox—"The Iron Curtata," "Green Grass of Wyoming," "Deep Waters," "Wails of Jericho,'^ Shamrock Touch" and "Lady in Ermine." . Universal—"All My Sons," "An- other Part of the Forest," "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and "Tap Roots." United Artists—"Thne of Your Life" and "Arch of Triumph." Warner Bros.^—"Winter Meet- ing," "Key Largo," "Romance of the High. Seas" and "Rope." Ang!o-U. S. Pix Canttnned from page • of a typical Hollywood buildup. Screenplay was by Philip Dunne ("Forever Amber," "How Green Was My Valley") from the play by John, Galsworthy. William Perl- berg produced and Joseph L. Mankiewicz directed. "Phrst ^tentleman" was com- pletely produced by Columbia, but with an enth-ely English cast and technicians except for .Tean-Pierre Aumont. He rates as a secondary Hollywood name through appear- ance In a number of pix in this country. Reviewer says of the film: "With 20 minutes cut, it may find a place in prestige theatres in America.'' "Snowbound" is the second of a two-picture partnership deal be- twepn RKO and J. Arthur Bank. RKO put up part of the flnanemg, but had little to do with the pro- duction. It was made by a KanK unit, Sidney Box-Gainsborough, with all British- players. It's rated only for duals in the U. S. . New film pact provides tliat a principal means for thawing Amer- ican coin shall be U. S. production there, thus the great current ii^ terest. While plans arc going ahead for making films abroad, many execs hold the viewpoint that "no matter what you do to make them look like Hollywood they stilThave that forei<;n navor. It's "that foreign flavor" that dis- tribs say hurts a film's b.o. chances outside miajor U. S. cities.