Variety (Jul 1948)

VeclneMlay, |uly 2 8, 19|| Bob Crosby Hps'Punch' | Fine PO.OOO in Cleve.; 7 f Cteveland, July 27. This Lake Brie port's theatres are doing remarkably well, con- sidering adverse. wealJier factors. Bob Crosby's band on stage, is show- ing "Big Punch." to a smart gross for Palace and "Easter Parade" also IcolfS exd^Oent business at State. ••Feudin', Fussin' and a-Fightin'" will go away over Allen's average take. Odd angle puzzling exhibitors is that while evening attendance; has' ^owed a liit, matisee trade has Eoomed. Estimates'for This Week Alien (3,000; 55-70) — "Feudin," FussiB'" (U). 3B*eezy $12,500. .Last week, "Lttlu Belle" (C!ol)» $10,000. Hipp (Warners) (3,700; 55-70)— "Street No Name" (20th). Punchy $18,000 following big $27,000 for fast week. Lake (Warners) (800; 5570) — "Best Years" .USHCO) (Zd'w^y. Fme $3,500 after "nice $1^500 for four days last week. "Pantoaaidle". (Mono) (m.o.) was thin $880 in three days. Lower Mall (Community) (570; 55-70)—"Anna Karenina" (20th). (2d wk). Good $4,500 on top of lively $6,000 last week. '. - Ohio (Loew's) (1,200; 55-70) - •'Drums" (FC) and "Four Feathers' (FC) (reissues). Strong $9,000, and looks to hold. Last week, "Wings Over Honolulu" (U) and "Corvette K-225" (U) (reissues), dra.ggy $5,000. Pdace (KKO) (8,300; 65-90) — "Big Punch" tWB) plus Bob Crosby orch on stage. Getting better than passably good play at $30,000. l,ast week, "Return pf Bad Man" (RKO), average $16,500. State (Loew's) (3,450;. 55-70) — "Easter Parade" (M-G). Bright $26,000 and another stanza assured. Last week, "Emperor Waltz" (Par) <2d Wk), corking $17,500. StiUman (Loew's) (2,700; 55-70) "Emperor Waltz" (Par) (m.o.). Oke $9,000. La.<!t week, "Ruthless" (EL fair $8,000. BALTIMORE (Contbiued from page 8) 000 after very steady $17,600 last week. mppodmne (Rappaport), (2,240; 20-70)—"Thunderhoof" (Col) plus Horace Heidt virinners on stage. Strong flesh portion helpmg to build okay $15,000. Last week, 'Assigned to Danger" (BL) plus .p.a. of "Tex Bitter was aU right $14,700. Keith's (Schanberger) (2,460; 20 60) — "Feudin", Fussin'" (U). Opened today (Tues.) after So Evil My Love" (Par) inched out $7,000 for mild stanza. Mayfair (fflcks) (980; 35-55) "Crusades" (Pat) (reissue) (2d wk). Holding to nmd $3J300 after aver age &-st round of $4,900. New (Mechanic) (1,800; 20-60)- "Deep Waters" (20th). Drawing modest $11,000 or under. Last week, '.'Street Mo Name" (20th) (2d wk), held well at $7,900. Stanley (WB) (3,280; 25-75) 'Romance. High Seas" (WB). Trim $12,000 looms. Last week, "Em- peror Waltz" (Par) (3d wk), solid $8,800. Town (Rappaport) (1,500; 35-65) "Mdody Time" (RKO) (2d wk). Sturdy $^10,<J00 after strong $13,600 opener. , Afua Wofid Preem For Glory'RoHsmgP^OC HMs.; 'Meyy' Hep 12€ ItAY MIULAND ANN TODD OERAmmE EITZGERAIO. ■kttsm ROY DEI mnm sromr MARK STEVENS • RICHARD WI&MARK, "THE STREET WFTH NO IflME" A zntlT CHitury-Fox Plcti'rt ON VABIETY STAGE—CAB CALLAWAY JACKIE MILES • VIVIAN BLAINE ON ICE STAGE—CAROL LYNHE ARNOLD SHOOA • THE BRUISES ROXY Till A««. A, .jOtll'St. . - RADIO CITY MUSIC HAU Bockcfcller Center B!ng CROSBY • Jmhi fONTAMie- • 'THE EMPEftOR WALir; Oolair Itf TBC»ED]IGOI.0B A Pamniauni: dictum Sptel-aeular Stag* Awant^fion ^ ESTHER WItLttllS PETEil LilKFOItl ''ON AW/* ISLANDi ^ MmCRY MCIODV 5MSI, Minneapolis^. July 27. Aquatennial, local annual sum- .mer mardi gras, attracting transl ents and bringing home folks downtown, is the usual hoxoffice help here. WhUe the big free pa- rades and numerous other attrac- tions provide opposition for film theatres, the latter benefit never- theless from pervading carnival and spending spirit as well as the loop crowds; Biggest boxoifice lure is "Beyond Glory" having its Aqua world premiere at Radio City. The only other major newcomers arc "B.F.'s Daughter" and "Melody Time," both of which have got away to nice starts. » Estimates for This Week Century (Par) (1,600; 50-70)— "Mr. Blandings" (SRO) (m.o.). Here after socko initial stanza at Radio City where it had to make way for "Beyond Glory" (Par) world premiere. Fine $8,000. Last week, "Emperor Waltz" (Par) (3d wk), strong $7,500. Gopher (Par) (1,600; 50-70)— ".Gung Ho" (U) and "Eagle Squad-, ron" (FC) (reissues). Lusty $4,500" looms for combo. Last week, "Stole a-Million" (Indie) and "Can't Cheat Honest Man" (Indie) (reissues), $2,300. Lyceum (Nederlander) (1,900; 50-70)—"Two Muggs from Brook- lyn (Indie) and "Kelly the Sec- ond" (Indie) (reissues). Only serves purpose of keeping house, sans air-conditioning, open. Very dull $.1,000 or less. Last week, "The Pirate" (M-G) (3d wk). mild $4,000. Lyric (Par) (1,000; 50-70)—"ian.> peror Waltz" (Par) (m.o.). Fourth downtown week for this b.o. high- stepper. Satisfactory $4-,500. Last week, "Hatter's Castle" (Par) (2d wk), fair $4,800. Iladio City (Par) (4,400; 50-70)— "Beyond Glory" (Par). Tie-up with Aquatennial resulted in world preem and p.a. of Alan Ladd and Sue Carol opening day here. Heaps of wonderful gratis publicity in consequence, and it all is helping biz. Great $20,000 in sight. Last week, "Mr. Blandings" (SRO); smash $20,500, RKO-Orphcum (RKO) (2,800; 50- 70)—"Melody Time" (RKO). Beat- received of any recent Disney pic- I ture. Kiddies' priced upped to 25g I for this one. Good ,$12,000 looms. iLast week, "Feudin', Fussin'" (U), $11,500. » . RKO-Pan (RKO) (1,600; 50-70)— "Flowing Gold" (WB) and "Woman in White" (WB) (reissues). Reach- ing for $7,090. Last week, "Fuller Brush Man" (Col) (Sth wk), fine $6,500, giving it terrific $50,000 for downtown run. State (Par) (2,300; 50-70) — "B.F.'s Daughter" (M-G). Fairly good $12,000. Last week, "Noose Hangs High" (EL), moderate $9,- 000. • Uptown (Par) (1,000; 44-60)— "Regards to Broadway" . (20th). First neighboriltmd showing. Light $3,000. Last wedc, "Foct Apa<£e" (RKO), $3,500. World (Mann) (350; 50-S5) — "Noose Hangs High" (EL) (m.o.). Slow $18,000. Last week, "Up in Central Park" (U) (2d wk), oke'$2.- 000- OMAHA (Continued from page 9) Texas" (EL) with Mills Bros, and Sonny Dunham band - show on stage, fine $19.2C0 at 20-80c. Brindeis (RKO) (1,500; lfr^,65)-- Betum of Bad Men" (RKO) and "Blondie's Reward" (Col). Stout $7,000. Last week, "Puller Brush Man" (Col) (2d wk) and "Port Said" (Col), sock $8,200. State (Goldberg) (865; 16-65)— Summer Holiday" (M-G) and Ex- posed" (Rep). Okay $5,500. Last week, "Homecoming" (M-G) (3rd wk), big $4,000, Omaha iTristates) (2,100; 16-65 —"Romance High Seas" (WB) (m,o.) and "Meet Me at Dawn (20th). Fairly good $7,000. Last week, "Feudte' FightH;i'"_(U) (m.o.) and "Arthur Takes Over" (20th), so lid $9,200. Doris Day P.A. Boosts ^Seas'High (21,000 in Frisc<^ 'ffibffl-Eater' 7G San Francisco, July 27. Cooler weather here this week is helping to overcome the plethora of holdovers. Personal by Doris Day helped "Romance on High Seas" at Paramount opening day, this newcomer landing a fancy total. "Man-Eater of Kumaon"" is doing nicely at the small Esquire while "Four Faces West" looks okay at iJnited Artists. "Easter Parade"' is ^ttmg top com among holdovers at Fox, and "Return of Bad Men" and "Island WiOi You" aD^ are holding weU in second session, •. Bstimates for niis WeiOt Golden Gate (BXX)) (2,844; 65- 1.00)—"Return Of Bad Men" (RKO) (2d wk). Okay $12,000 or over. Last week, nice $18i500. Fox (FWC) (4,651T 60-95)—"East- er Parade" (M-G) (2d wk). Stout $20,000. Last week, big $34,500. Warfield (FWC) (2,656; 60-85)- "Island With You" (M-G) (2d Wk), Fine $15,000 or close. Last week, big $21,500. Paramount (Par) (2,646; 60-85) "Romance High Seas'' (WB) plus opening day p,a. by ^ Doris Day. Fancy $21,000. Last week, "Em- peror^altz" (Par) (4th wk), husky $13,500. St. Francis (Par) (1,400; 60-85)— "Paradine Case" (SRO) (6th wk). Trim $9,000 or close. Last week, $10,000. „ Orpheum (Blumenfeld) (2,448; 55-85)—"Black Arrow" (Col). Oke $.16,500. Last week, "Central Park" (U), $11,500. linited Artists (Blumenfeld) (1,207; 55-85)—"Four Faces West" (UA). Okay $9,000. Last week, "Another Part Forest" (U) (2d wk), $6,200. XaikiB (Roesner) (400; 90-$1.20) —"Henry V" (UA) (2d wk). Good $3,500. Last week, solid $4,200. United Na6ons (FWC) (1,149; 60^ 85)—"Street With No Name" (20th) (m,o.) (4th wk). Hefty $4,000. Last week, $4,500. Esqnire (Blumenfeld) (955; 55- 85)—'Man-Eater Of Kumaon" (U). Trim $7,000. Last week, "Central Park" (U), okay $5,500. State (Par) (2,133; 60-85)—"Em- peror Waltz" (Par) (m,o.). B^ $8,000 or near for fifth downtown week. Last week, "Hellzapoppin" (FC) and "Argentme M^ts" (FC) (reissues), $6,500. * Britain's $20,000,000 Doli Continucct from pace A ; over the spenduig to satisfy the Parliamentary critics. Financial experts are frankly critical of the project and take tne government to task for riskmg pub- money on what they consider is n™t a commercial proposition, it fs pointed out that the estab- li<ihment of a separate histitution Se finance of the hidustry may lead to a more careless standard of operation, which might have been avoided if the government had used existing organizations to nrovide the finance. The unions, of course, are de- ligM.^ Tthe news, but like OUver Twist, wUl probably ask for mpre. To them, $20,000,000 is a begm- nuig. but inadequate to .see the in- dustry put on its feet in the next five years. It was the labor side of the industry which first began the agitation for a Films Bank, and conducted theur campaign with re- lentless vigor for a number ot government to step in and do wii,t the city could not w would not Z At this juncture ChurchUl joCfl in the argument, and wanted to know if the government was eoine to step m, without any question of profit-making, and invest public money in what was, on the face of it, a losing adventure. Then Churchill demanded an assurance that there would be no attempt to exercise political control over the character of the films produced and apparently accepted the ex- planation that he would be com- pletely satisfied when he saw die names of the members of the Finance Corp. Replying to further questions W,ilson explained that the scheme was designed to help the whole group of independ«3te outside the Rank organization, but the Finance Corp. could help the Bank organ- ization also if it applied' and the corporation thought fit. It was to be expected that Wil- son's announcement in Parliament, slipped in after the traditional hour for questions to Ministers, would meet with some criticism, but he was quite unprepared for the formidable Imeup against him, which was headed by Winston Churchill and Oliver Lyttleton, the latter an ex-President of the Board of Trade who served imder ChurchUl during the war. ' Making his announcement, Wil- son contended that the present position was abnormal for the in- dustry, and independent- producers who were building up their produc- tion had not yet had a chance to establiis^ ihe necessary workuig capital after the dislocation caused by the war. The Film Finance Corp., with its capital of $20,000,- 000, would have power to lend money on reasonable Commercial terms. ■ Legislation would be introduced as .soon as possible, but in the in- terim he was arrangmg, wiUi the agreement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stafford Cripps, for half the cash to be made imme- diately available. A company was being formed, which would be ad- ministered by an organizing, com- mittee to be set up immediately," and the chairman wauld be J. H. Laurie of the Industrial\ & Com- mercial Finance Corp. " : 'Hazardous Undedaking'. Lyttleton. was critical of the Minister because he was not treat- ing the House with respect by pledging public money for "so haz- ardous and novel an undertakmg" without Parliamentary discussion, and refuted the suggestion that- the emergency had only just arisen. Wilson would not accept the view that It was a hazardous undertak- mg, because there was an assured home market with a high quota. The inability of the industry to ob- tain money from normal sources had driven the government iiito taking abnormal and emergency measures. It was essential for the Anti-Raiding' Continaeil iiom paec S s into promoting an often unsaitahle ; employee from their own raids'be- cause they won't bring another , over from a competing distributor. Promotions from within are usual-' iy on a basis of seniority, with the result that older men, often not too capable, are upped into spots where it would be much more val- uable to the industry to have a younger and more hot-shot exec. Anti-raiding, of course, among other'things, serves to keep sala- ries from skyrocketing as a result of competition for manpower. Those in favor of a more liberal ■ policy on cross-hiring declare that the added pay would be well worth- while in improved sales and-for the permanent good of all com- panies in developing younger execs. Some companies have been espe- cially hard hit in recent years by their anti-raiding rule because of the number of eniployees they . have lost and have had to replace from wittiin their own ranks. The war took Some and the start of several new distrib outfits, such as Selznick Releasing Organization and Eagle Lion, which haven't ob- served the no-raiding rules in get- ting started, took many other.s. In addition, higher salaries in other lines of business dramed off quite a few sales employees. De- spite the general .idea, because of association with Hollywood pub- licity, that salaries arc high, it is pointed out that salesmen average only about $75 a week and branch managers only $140. Result, it is said, is that "new faces" are not attracted, while many ol^hnew choose to txy for more coin hi other lines. 'Key Largo' ^ News h Denver, Sturdy $23,^0 Denver, July 28. • In a fair to middling week, "Key Largo" wiU cop higli money here. "Up in Central Park" shapes mild Best holdover is "Best Years" which will get a sixth week. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 35-74) — "Romance High Seas" (WB) and "Winner's Cu-cle" (20th) (m.o.). Fair $3,000. Last week, "Noose Hangs High" (EL) and "Assigned to Danger" (EL) (m.o,), same. Broadway (Cinema) (1,500; 35- 74-)—"Best Years" (RKO) (5th wk). Okay $7,000. Last week, good $8,000. Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 35-74) —"Emperor Waltz" (Par) (Sth wk) and "Big Town Scandal" (Par). Down to $7.,000. Last week, "Waltz" alone, trim $9,500. Denver (Fox) (2,525; 35-74) — "Key Largo" (WB) and "Stage Struck" (Mono), day-date with Esquice, Webber. Fancy $17,000 or over. Last we^, "Romance High Seas" (WB) and "Winner's Circle" (20th), fine $15,500. Esquire (Fox) (742; 35-74) — "Key Largo" (WB) and "Stage Struck" (Mono), also Denver, Web- ber. Good $3,000. Last week, "Romance High Seas" (WB) and "Winner's Circle" (20th), fair $2,500. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 35-74) "Homecommg" (M-G) (2d wk). MUd $11,000. Last week, big $21,000. Paramonnt (Fox) (2.200; 35-74) —"Central Park" (U) and "Coun- terfeiters" (20th). Thin $10,000 or near. Last week, "Canon City" (EL) and "Lady at Midnight" (EL) (2d wk), $8,000. Webber (Fox) (750; 35-74) — "Key Largo" (WB) and "Stage Struck" (Mono), also Denver, Web- ber. Nice $3,000. Last week, "Romance High Seas" (WB) and "Winner's Circle" (20lh), $2,500. WASHINGTON (Continued from page 8) run). Average .$6,000. l,ast week. Street No Name" (20th) (m.o,), nice $6,500 for third midtown week. Dupont (F. W. Mann) (440; 50- 85)—"Tosca" (Indie). Okay at $3,080. Last week, "The idiot" (Indie) (3d wk), fancy $2,500. Keith's (RKO) (1,939; 44-74) — Melody Time" (RKO). Hefty $16,. 000, especially big in view of large number of juve admissions. Last we«*, "Return of Bad Men" (RKO), nuld $9,500 and below estimate. Metrowntan (WB) (1,163; 44-70), « J^'SS^ (W») (reissue).' Hot $(^00. Last week, "Noose Hang* mgH" (EL), $8,000. Palace (Loew's) (2,370; 44-74)— J^^,-.^^^^" 'M-O (2d wk) S»Ud $19,000 after sock 28,000 oiiener. • Warner (WB) (2,154; 44-74) — "Emperor Waltz" (Par) (2d wk) Holdmg firmly at $17,000, Last week, smash $23,000. FiVE-'STAX K-4 HA6SI«>5 LOS 11 faoors, 101 3^ hours Phone HA»e«ieyer 6-5<00 or your tiiawel of«»t Ticlie/Officet: A'r/mes Termfnal RociefeHerCinfor • Hofe/New/w** J20 Broadway • Hole/ St. Georg* AUSMS