Variety (Feb 1949)

pictviue; grosses Wednesday, February 2, I949 Holdovers Hamper LA.;'Past'Dark $2^500.'Verdict'Drab 23G,'Juan' . Virile 36G, 2d;'Words'Strong 3!)G, 3d Los Angeles, Feb, 1. Firstrun takes are on the spotty here side this frame with only two lightweight entries as newcomers. "Sealed Verdict" is staying only one week at the t\yo Paramounts, with lean $23,000 m frespect. "Dark Past" looks fair 23,500 in four theatres, mostly •small-seaters. „ Second session, of "Don J"?"' in three houses, is excellent $36,r CCD. "Words and Music" shapes pleasing $30,000 on third frame, three spots. "Red Shoes" continues to build, sighting nearly $11,000 in fifth week at the small Fine Arts, "Joan of Arc" shapes sturdy $16,- 5100 in two situations, being in sixth week at Palace and just starting extended-run at nabe Apollo. Estimates for This Week Apollo (FWC) (743; $1-$1.801— "Joan of Arc" (RKO). Good $6,500. This Hollywood nabe house set for continuous advanced-price run. Belmont (FWC) (1,532; 60-$l)— •'Dark Past'' (Col) and "Big Som- brero" (Col). Mild $3,000. Last week, "Unknown Island" (FC) and "Feathered Serpent" (Mono), $3,- 700. Beverly (FWC) (1,352; $1-$1.80) ^Closed out five-week run "Joan Arc" (RKO) with $4j700 on final ttamik.. Beverly Hills Music Hall (G&S- PriniGor) (834; 65-$l) — "Don't Trust Husband" (UA) (2d wk). Okay $5,000. Last week, $6,700. CartHay Circle (FWC) (1,518; 85- $1.25)—"Portrait Jennie" (SRO) (eth wk). Big $6,000. Last week, :$7,500. Chinese (Grauman-WC) (2,048; 60-$l)—"Yellow Sky" (20th) and "Alaska Patrol" (FC) (3d. wk-4 days). Nice $5,500. Last week; $10,400. Culver (FWC) (1,145; 60-$l)— "Dark Past" (Col) and ''Big Som- brero" (Col). Near $5,000. Last week, "Criss Cross" (U) and "Jiggs, Maggie in Court'' (Mono), neat $6,000. Downtown (WB) (1;757; 60-$l)— "Don .luan" (WB) (2d wk). Nifty $15,000. Last week, $20,400. , Downtown Music Hall (Prin-Cor) (902; 55-$l) —"Don't Trust Hus- band" (UA) (2d wk). Average $9,- 000. Last week, $11,700. Egyptian (FWC) (1,538; 60-$l)— "Words and. Music" (M-G) (3d wk). Good $9,000. Last week, $10,800. El Key IFWC) (861; 60-$l)— "Snake Pit"-(20th) (m o.) (Sd^final wk). Mild $2,500 in 5 days. Last week, okay $5,000. Esquire (Rosener) (685; .85-$1.20) —''Baker's Wife" (Indie) (rei.ssue) (2d wk). Oke $2,000. Last week, $2,500. Fine Arts (FWC) (679; $1.20-2.40) —^"Red Shoes" (EL) 5th wk). Great $11,000 or close. Last week, $10,- 300. Four Star (UA-WC) (900; $1.20- $2,40) "Hamlet" (U) (14th wk). Steady $6,5Q0. Last week, $6,800. Guild (FWC) (968; 60-$l)—"Criss Gross" (U) and "Jiggs, Maggie in : Court": (Mono) (2d wk). Light $2,- 500. Last week, $4,400. Hawaii (G&S-Prin-Cor) (1,106; 55-$l) — "Don't Trust Husband" (UA) (2d wk). Medium $4,000. Last week, $5,700. .Hollywood (WB) (2,756;'60-$l)— "Don Juan" (WB) (2d Wk). Nifty $11,000. Last-week, $18,800. Hollywood Music Hall (Prin-Col) (55-85) ^ "Don't Trust Husband" (UA) (2d Wk). Fair $3,000. Last - "week, $4,500. Iris (FWC) • (828; 60-85)—"Criss Cross" (U) and "Jiggs, Maggie in Court" (Mono) (2d wk). Slow $2,- 500. Last week, $4,200. La Tijera (Grimth-Coleman) (1,-1 520; 60-$l>—"Dear Secretary" (UA) <3d wk). Mild $2,500. Last week, $5,600. Laurel (Rosener) (890; $1.20)— "Symphonic Pastorale" (Indie) (6th wk). Good $4,000, Last week, $4,- 300. Loew's State (Loew's-WC) (2,404; 60-$a) — "Yellow Sky" (20th) and "AlSska Patrol" (FC) (3d wk-4 days). Oke $9,000. Last week, $17,- 700. Los Antreles (D'town-WC) (2,097; 60-$l)-^"Words and Music" (M-G) (3d wk). Good $12,500. Last week, $17,900. Loyola (FWC) (1,248; 60-$l)— "Yellow Sky" (20th) and "Alaska Patrol" (FC) (3d wk-4 days). Pleas- ing $4,000 or over. Last week, nifty $7,700. Orpheum (D'town-WC) (2,210; l50.$l)_"Dark Past" (Col) and "Big Sombrero" (Col). Medium $12,- 500; Last week, "Unknown Island" (FC) and "Feathered Serpent" " (Mono), pleasant $15,600. Palace (D'toy^n^. ^,181; ,$1-1.80) -:"Joan Arc" (HKO) (6th wk). Neat $10,000. Last week, $10,600. Pantaees (Pan) (2,812; 60-$l)— "Return October" (Col) and "Blondie's SecreW (Col) (2d wk-5 days). Mild $10,000, Last week, $15,000. Paramount (F&M) (3.398; 60-$l) —"Sealed Verdict" (Par) and (Continued on page 13) 'Wftch'DX.Ace. Torrid Washington, Feb. 1. With only two newcomers along the main stem, it's another dull ses- sion her« this week. "Wake of Red 1 at $g,300. Witch," . at the Warner shines | — brightly in such setup with smash staiiza on tap/ In holdover class, ''Joan of Arc" continues to show strength. "Red Shoes" at Dupont stiH is going .great with hefty take oiiP lOth week in town. Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew's) (2,434; 44-80)^ "Own True Love" (Par) plus vaude. Very dim $16,000, new low for this! house. Last week, "Wonderful- Urge" (20th) plus vaude, so-so $23,- 000 for Inaugural week. / Columbia (Loew's) 11,263; 44-74) —"Wonderful Urge" (20th) (mo ). Okay $4,000 in 5 days. Last week, "In Navy" (U) and "Who Done It" (U) (reissues), fine $7,500. Dupont (Lopert) (376; $1.20- $2.40)—"Red Shoes" (EL)-(4th wk). Very steady $5,500 after strong $6,- 000 last week. Keith's (RKO) (1,939; 76-$1.50)-^ "Joan of Art" (RKO) (2d wk). Great $25,000 on normal S-a-day schedule, after a bit disappointingi but still strong $30,000 opener with seven shows daily. Little (Lopert) (287; $1.20-$2.40) -^"Hamlet" (U) (15th wk). Okay $3,500. Last week, $4,000. . Metropolitan (WB) (1,163; 44-74) —"Don Juan" (WB) (2d rurt). Satis- factory $7,000. Last week. "Ser- geant York" (WB) (reissue), stout $9,000 in 8 days. Palace (Loew's) (2,370; 44-74)— "Snake Pit" (20th) (2d wk). Sturdy $18,000 after better than expected !$21,000; great, first full week. Playhouse (Lopert) (432; 50-85)—- "Mr. Perrin, Mr. Traill" (Indie). Mild $3,000 for this Britisher after $3,500 last week. Warner (WB) (2,154; 44-74) W Wow f35,000Jot1 Montreal, Feb. 1. Big news here this week is ter- rific business being done by "Joan of Arc" at the Palace. "Three Musketeers" also is big on second frame after record in first session ajt Loews. ' Estimates for This Week Loew's (C.T.) (2,855; 40-65)— "Three Musketeers" (M-G) (2d wk). Big $19,000 after record- smashing week at $27,500. Capitol (C.T.) (2,412; 34-60)— "Tatlock's Millions" (Par). Good $15,000. Last week, "One Sunday Afternoon" (WB), fair $12,000. Palace (C.T.) 2,625; 34-$1.20)— "Joan ' of Arc" (RKO). Terrific $35,000. Last week, "Life With Father" (WB) (2d wk), $10,000. Vrincess (C.T.) (2,131; 34-60) "Johnny Belinda" (WB) Solid $12,500 following s ond session at $16,800. Imperial (C.T.) (1,839; 26-45)— "Loves of Carmen" (Col) and "Blondie's Secret" (Col), Okay $8,000. Last week, "Berlin Express" (RKO), dull $4,500. Orpheum (C.T.) (1,040; 34-60)—: "Red River" (UA) (5th wk). Down to $5;000 or near after fast fourth Pitt Goes for Cars^Show-Flaxy,' Record $41,000; 'Snn' Upcoming ^ Key City Grosses Estimated Total Grosa This Week $2,774,000 (Based on 22 cities, 223 tlieatrei, chiefly nrst runs, in- cluding W; y.)^ Total Gross Same Week Last Year . .. $2,930,000 (Based on 20 cities, 211 theatres ). wk). sec- 'Joan' Colossal inM Buitalo, Feb. 1. Big magnet here this session is "Joan of Arc;" heading for a giant $32,000 at the Century with $1.25 top. Only other newcomer doing much is "Three Godfathers," okay at Buffalo. Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Shea) (3,500; 40-70)— "Godfathers" (M-G) and "Picca- dilly Incident" (M-G). Good $16.- 000. Last week, "The Accused" i (Par) and "Dynamite" (Par), $14,000. Great Lakes (Shea) (3.400; 40-70) —"Whiplash" (WB) and "High Fury" (UA). Opened today (Tues ). I Last week, "Snake Pit" (20th) (2d wk), nice $15,000 after sock $25,000 for first 9 days; Hipp (Shea) (2,100; 40-70) — "Siren of Atlantis" (UA) and "Girl | From Manhattan" (UA). Fine $10,000. Last week, "Dear Secre- tary" (UA) and "Out of Storm" (Rep), $11,000. ■Teck (Shea) (1.400; 40-70) — "Snake Pit" (20th) (m;o.). Opens today (Tues.). In ahead, "Accused" (Par) and "Dynamite" (Par) (m.o), $3,000 in 3 days. Last week, "Sun- day Afternoon" (WB) and "Ex- posed" (Rep) (mo), $4,500. : Lafayette (Basil) (3,000; 40-70)— "Shockproof" (Col) and "Thunder- hoof" (Col). Just okay $13,000. Last Wake of Red Witch" (Rep). Torrid I week, "Rogues' Regiment" (U) and $20,000 to top town. Last week, "Ladies of Chorus" (Col) (2d wk) "John Loves Mary" (WB), disap-; (4 days), $7,500. pointing $17,000. I Century (20th Gent) (3,000; 76- Trans-Lux (T-L) (650; 44-80)—I $1.25)—"Joan of Arc" (RKO). "Enchantment" (RKO) (6th wli). i Colo.ssal $32,000 or over. Last Very hot $9,500 thanks to hypo of a | week, "Last Days Pompeii" (RKO) giveaway contest. Last week, $8,r and "She" (RKO) (reissues) (8 500.- ■■ I days), solid $13,500 at 40-70c scale. 'Juan'Hot $17,000 Despite K.C. Cold Kansas City, Feb. 1. Strongest entry of the week is "Don Juan" at the Paramount with smart $17,000, and holdover. "Three Godfathers'' at the Midland shapes mild.. Others are moderate in face of miserable weather which continues as it has since first of the year. Coldest temperatures of UeasOn over weekend followed sleet, snow and rain. "He walked I by Night" in holdover at Roxy is surprisingly big, < Estimates for This Week Esquire (Fox Midwest) (820; 45- 65)-^"AU Baba" (Indie) Realart and "Phantom of Opera" (Indie) (re- issues). Nifty $4,000. Last week, "Crazy House" (Indie) and "Pardon My Sarong" (Indie) (reissuesli strong $6,000 in 8 days. Kimo (Dickinson) (550; 35-45-65) —"The Mikado" (U) (reissue). Changes house to English language film policy. Fancy $2,000. Last week, "Confessions of. -a Rogue" (Indie), slow $1,000. Midland (Loew's) (3,.500; 45-65)— "Three Godfather.s" (M-G) and »'No Minor Vices" (M-G). Mild $14,000. Last week, "Kissing Bandit" (M-G) and "Dear Secretary" (UA), $13,000. Orpheum (RKO) (1,900. 45-65)— "Boy With Green Hair" (RKO) and "Close Up" (Rep). Average $10,000. Last week, "One Sunday After- noon" (WB) and "The Trespasser" (Rep), $11,000. Paramount (Par) (1,900; 45-65)— "Don Juan" (WB). Lively $17,000, big considering and will hold. Last week, "Own Trw Love" (Par), $10,000. 1 Roxy (Durwood) (900; 45-65) — "Walked By Night" (EL) and "Par- ole, Inc." (EL) (2d wk). Ooe of first holdovers in long spell, and nice $3,000. Last week, surpris- ingly big $5,500. and great in view of conditions. Tower - Uptown - Fairway (Fox Midwe.st) (2,100, 2,043, 700; 45-65) —'"Countess Monte Cristo" (Ut. Bare $11,000. Last . week. "Snake Pit" (20th) (2d wk), fine $12,000 in 6 days. 'Joan'Lights Up Hub, Mighty 'Sky' 25, 'Sun' Comes Up Slow 31G Boston. Feb. 1. "Joan of Arc," at Memorial fol- lowing heavy build-up and playing at increased prices, is. burning up the b.o. with a mighty session looming. "Yellow Sky" at the Bos- ton, also shapes big. "The Sun Gomes Up" at Orpheum and. State looks about average. Estimates forThis Week AStor' (Jaycox) (1,200; 44-85)— "Enchantment" (RKO) (6th wk). Holding to about $8,000. Last week, $9,800. Bostoii (RKO) (3,000; 44-85)— "Yellow Sky" (20th) and "Trouble. Preferred" (20th). Big $25;000 or near. Will hold. Last week, "Blood on Moon" (RKO) and "The Pearl" (RKO) (2d wk), neat $15,000 in 6 days. Exeter (Indie) (1.200; 44-75)— "Paisan" (Indie) (6th wk). Okay $6,000 after about $7,000 last. Majestic (Shubert) (l,.500; $2.40) —"Red Shoes" (EL) (11th wk). Great $8,500 or over. Last week, about $9,000. Memorial (RKO) (3.000; 76-$1.50) —"Joan of Arc" (RKO). Got mixed reviews by press but okayed by public with terrif $48,000 in view. Holds naturally. Last week, "Un- faithfully Yours" (20th) snd "Belle Starr's Daughter" (20th), thin $16,300. Metropolitan (NET) (4,367; 44- 85)-—"Don Juan" (WB). Opened strong Saturday (29). Last week, "The Accused" (Par) and "Who Killed 'Doc' Robbin" (UA), oke $2,'i.500 for 9 days. Orpheum (Loew) (3,000; 44-85)— "Sun Comes Up" (M-G) and "Blackie's Chinese Adventure" (Col). Fair $19,000. Last week, "Kissing Bandit" (M-G) and "Dear Secretary" (UA), about same. Paramount (NET) (1,700; 44-85) -—"One Sunday Afternoon" (WB) and "S.O.S. Submarine" (SG). Un- exciting $12,000. Last week, "Snake Pit" (20th) and "Trouble Mak»r" (Mono) (4th wk), nea $13,000. Pllgrrim (ATC) (1,800; 44-85)— "The Scar" (Indie) and "Parole, ^ , Inc." (EL). . Fine $16,000. Last I Good $10,000, week, "Walked by Night" (EL) and "Old Fashioned Girl" (EL) (3d wk). $5,500. State (Loew) (3.500; 44-85)— "Sun Comes Up" (M-G) and "Blackie's Chine.se Adventure" (Col). Average $12,000. La.st week, ■'Kissing Bandit" (M-G) and "Dear Secretaiy" (UA), $11,000. Below Zero, Snow Clip Omaha; 'Colorado' $7,500 '" Omaha, Feb. 1. Raging snowstorms and bitter cold (8 below zero) sloughed week- ! end opening dates, and dented biz I badly. Schools were closed and ' many businesses suspended for a I day or two while streets were [cleared of drifts.ir"Man From Col- orado" did comparatively well at .Brandeis. Estimates for This Week Brandeis (RKO) (1,500; 16-65)— ''Man from Colorado" (Col) and "Manhattan Angel" (Col). Doing comparatively well at $7,500. Last week, "Gallant Blade" (Col) and "Untamed Breed" (Col), $7,000. Paramount (Tristates) (2,800; 16- 65)—"Gotta Stay Happy" (U). Nice $9,000. Last week, "Fighter Squad- ron" (WB), $9,800. State (Goldberg) (865; 16-65)— "Wake Up Screaming" (20th) and "Merrily We Live" (Indie) (reis- sues) split with "Three Godfathers" (M-G) and "About Face" (Indie). Oke .$4,000. Last Week, "Chriis- topher Blake" (WB) and "Main Street Kid" (Rep), $2,800. Orpheum.(Tristates) (3,000; 16^ 65)^"Countess Monte CristoV (U) and "Another Part of Forest" (U). Last, week, "Pitfall' Pittsburgh, Feb i Jack Carson show, first staKebni Stanley has had in nearly fo,,, years, with "Flaxy MarUn'- shapes for all-time record at "WR deluxer following biggest weekend in its history. Third weeks of. "Snake Pit" at Harris and "Wakt of Red Witch" at Fulton are both big and, Penn getting more with ''The Sun Comes Up" than it bar- gained for after crix pans: Estimates for This Week - Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 44-76)— "Wake of Red Witch" (Rep) ofl wk). Pix usually, fall to pieces here at this stage of run but "Witch" is proving an exception and may hold again. Shooting for $8,500, big. Last week, socko $10,. 500. Harris (Harris) (2,200; 44-75)- "Snak? Pit" (20th) (3d wk). No slackening off here'. Great $11,000 and may go a fourth. Last weeli, rousing $16,500. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3.300; 44-78) —"Sun Comes Up" (M-G). Crix gave this one .the boot but big crowds at Stanley are helping everyone, and Penn's getting itj share. Nice $14,000. Last week, "Kissing Bandit" (MvG) and "Dear Secretary" (UA), mild $11,000'. Riti (Loew's) (800; 44-76)-^ ,'Kiss- ing Bandit" (M-G) and "Dear Sec- retary" (UA) (m.o ). Weak $2,000.. . Last week, "The Accused" (Par), $3,000 on m.o. from Penn. ' Senator (Harris) (1,750; 44-76)- "Next Time We Love" (U) arid ; "Met My Love Again" fU) (ri-: Issues). Lot of marquee pull in ' this pair, fine $3,500. Last week, , "Johnny Apollo" (20th) and "Show . Them No Mercy'! {20th), 'same in six days. Stanley (WB) ,(3.800; 55-$l)— "Flaxy Martin" (WB) and Jack Carson on stage. Town's hungry for flesh and this is its first in nearly four years. Looks like new house record. First two Aflgys topped $16,000, biggest weekend house ever had and about $41,000 or ovfer looked for. Last week, "Boy With Green Hair" (RKO), ordinary $14,500. Warner (WB) (2,000; 44-76)- "BOy With Green Hair" (HKO) (m.o.). In for only six days since "Joan of Arc" .opens Thursday (3) for a run-at advanced price.s. In abbreviated; session, "Boy" looks thin $5,000. Last week, • "Pale* face" (Par), moved here after fort- night at l^tanley. ' Helped by Bob- Hope's p.a, locally to .sock $9,500. Prov. Steady; 'Boy' Loud 17iG, 'Squadron' 18G, 'Sun' Not Up High 19G . Providence, Feb.-1. Grosses aren't hitting the high peaks they once did but this week shows a fairly steady trend to give all ho.uses healthy takes. Majes- tic's "Fighter Squadron," and RKO Albee's "Boy With Green Hair" look standout. "The Sun Comes Up." is passable ' at the State. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2,200; 44-651-- "Boy With Green Hair" (RKO) and "Behind Locked Doors" lEW* Eight-day week looks sturdy $17r 500. Last week, "Kiss Blood Off Hands" (U) and "Sons of Adven- ture" (Rep) (2d wk), $9,.500. Carlton (Fay) (1,400; 44-65)- -I'Gotta Stay Happy" (U) and 'Po-^ lice Reporter" (SG) (2d runi. Oke $4,500. Last week, "Yellow Sky (20th) and "Trouble Preferred (20th), good $4,000. Fay's (Fay) (1;400; 44-65)—; "Good News" (M-G) (reissued anfl Dick Foran heading stage show. Neat $8,000 or near. Last week,: "Far Frontier" (Rep) and vaude onr stage, $7,000. Majestic (Fay) (2,200 : 44-85)--; "Fighter Squadron" <WB) "Christopher Blake" (WB). LlvW $18,000. Last week, "Gotta Happy" (U) and "Police Reporter (SG), same. . Metropolitan (Snider) 'P'^'UK (UA) and "Texas, Brooklyn" (UA). $10,300. Omaha (Tristates (2,100; 16-65)— "Fighter Squadron" (WB) (mo.) and"The Golden Eye" (Mono) (1st run). Light $7,000. Last week, "Red River" (UA) (m.o.) and "Money Madness" (FC), good $9,000, . '(Who Ain't Hay" 65)—"Kidnappe-d" (Mono) and Fathoms Deep" (Mono) ireisr Fair $8,500. Last week Done It" (U) and "It (U) (reissues), $7,500, State (Loew) (3,200; 44-65)-; "Sun Comes Up" (M-G) and lant Legion" (R^P .•ev,„,Sof' $19,000. Last week, "Shockproo (Coi) and "Slightly French (t-o"- $19,000. gt\ Strand (Silverman) <2,200; 44-© —"Accused" (Par) i2d wk'- J;", too heavy $8,50P. Last week vefJ nice $15,000.