Variety (Feb 1949)

W^nesday, February 2, 1949 PICVmiB GBOSSRS Rain Lashes Chi Biz;'Boy'Blustery $18,000,'Fury'9G/Regimenn3G. 2d Chicago, Feb. 1. . chl felt the lash of rain which JaJSLa the city from the first of £2?k uptil Friday (28) followed by Ttwo-day cold wave.-None of new Product looks especially strong and holdovers continue mild in most '"'piMt newcomer seems to be "Boy With Green Hair" which is head- for trim $18,000 Pala'^^; •'Blanche Fury" and "End of pivpr" at Garrick shape okay Snno Roosevelt with "Shock- s' and ''Slightly French" Sd hit moderate $15,000 0£ the holdovers In second week, the Chicago with "Wonderful Urae" and Eddy Duchm band Jiiould do nice $45,000. Grand is King for tidy $13,000 with "Rogues' Regiment" but others are on weak sides, "Three Godfathers" St United Artists appears light tlOOOO in second round. Pacing the third-weekers is ' "Yellow Sky" at Oriental with ■ Jariis Paige onstage at staunch S40 000. In the longer hanger-on division, "Red Shoes" at the Sel- wyn has been growing fast under impetus of terrif folly and shapes to do big $14,000 in sixth week. Estimates for This Week Apollo (B&K) (1,400; $1.20-$2.40) ,^"Hamlet" (U) (10th wk). Excel- lent $9,000. Last week, $10,700. CMcaeo (B&K) (3,900; 50-98)— "Wonderful Urfe" (20th) plus Eddy Onchin orch (2d wk). Trim $45,000 Ust week, $55,200. Oarrick (B&K) (900; 50-98) — ."Blanche Fury" (EL) and "End of River" (U). Fine $9,000. Last week, "Jungle Patrol" (20th) and "Belle Starr's Daughter" (20lh) (2d wk), ' okay $6,000. Grand (RKO) (1,500; 50-98) — "Rogues' Regiment" (U) (2d wk). (Continued on page 13) BrQadvay Grosses Estimated Total Grost ,This Week $587,000 (Based on 18 theatres) Last Year $740,000 : .(Based, on 24 theatres) 'Joan Big Balto News, Huge 'Music' $15,000, Toronto; 'Shoes' Capacity 22G, 2d Toronto, Feb. 1. "Red Shoes" is still garnering top coin on turnaway business, with "'That Wonderful Urge" and "Words and Music" standout among newcomers. Estimates for TliisllVeek Hyiand (Rank) (1,354; 36-60)— "Blanche Fury" (EL). Light $4,000. Last week, "Hamlet" (0) (10th wk), near-capacity $8,500.: llttiperial (FP) (3,373; 36-66)—, - . . "Walk Crooked Mile" (Col) Okay holdovers are failing to hold up Heart' 6^ 27G Paces Spotty B'way, M Unlucky $10,000, 'Command' Neat 44G, lives'Strong 137G, 2d With only two new pictures opening during the past week, Broadway first-runs are currently on the spotty side. Many of the W Terrif $42,000, Frisco; 'My Love' Hot 20G, 'Bandit' Only 14G San Franeisco, Feb. 1. ■ Fair weather is giving most the- atres a boost here this session, with "Joan of Arc" way out in front at Golden Gate. With scale boosted to $1.40 top, it is racking up a : colossal session. "My Own True Love*' also shapes husky at the Paramount. "Shockproof" is only mild at the Orpheum. "Wake of : Red Witch" is doing sturdy trade to pace holdovers in. second round at Fox. ' Estimates for This Week Golden Gate (RKO) (2,844; 70- $1.40) _i "Joan of Arc" (RKO). Terrific $42,000 or near. Last week, "Boy With- Green Hair" (RKO) and "Close-Up" (EL) (2d Wk), fair $10,300, Fox (FWC) (4,651; 60 - 95) — "Wake Of Red Witch" (Rep) and "Incident" (Mono) (2d wk). Sturdy $16,000. Last week, big $29,500. Warfleld (FWC) (2,656; 60-85)^ "Kissing Bandit" (M-G) and "Grand Canyon Trail" (Rep). Fair $14,900 or . close. Last week; ■'Wonderful Urge" (20th) and "Christopher Blake" (WB) (2d wk), 5 days, mediocre $7,500. .^Paramount (Par) (2,646; 60-85)— Own True Love" (Par) and "In This Corner" (EL). Husky $20,000 or near. Last week, "One Sunday Afternoon" (WB) and "Dynamite" (Par), $17,000. St. Francis (Par) (1,400; 60-85)— Don Juan" (WB) (3d wk). Big . $14,000. Last week, fancy $17,000. Orpheum (No. Coast) (2,448; 55- 85)—"Shoekproof" (Col) and "Val- >ant Hombre" (UA). Thin $11,000. Last week, "Gotta Stay Happy" |U) and "Blackie's ' Chinese Ven- ture ' (Col), $12,500. ..'in ted Artists (No. Coast) (1,207; Pmr'/nT "Pon't Trust Husband" (UA) (2d wk). Good $8,000. Last week, sturdy $9,500, ti on In*?*' (Ackerman) (350; ||'2°-W.40-"Hamlet" (12th wk). *»ne $10,000. Last week, $10,500. ''^o. Coast) (955; 55-85) r^,„Ypt,ta Stay Happy" (U) and (m^ 1'^^ Chinese Venture" (Col) M.mii 9?°?. 'f'^'OOO. Last week, Jungle J,rn" (Col) and "Road To ri,°"?J; about same. ..o!;'*''. 'Roesner) (400; 65-85) — hymphome Pastorale" (Indie) (6th $2 700, "™ week, eoS^!'*"c^?"»"* <^WC) (1,149; Srah «nr5?¥ P"" <20th) (m.o.) town *t ;1?° ^"'L^lJ^*' week down- SUndiv ^a"/*' *2,133; 60-85)-"One *D?ntmit^%"r,"" .<WB) and 500 T ,I* '^^'^ <">-o >. Hefty $6,- aiid '^nf*^ T^)^< "Paleface" (Par) $9,600 <Par) (m.o.); big ; Baltimore, Feb. 1. : ■ The big news here currently is the preem of "Joan of Arc" at the Town with capacity biz from tee- off.: Shapes as huge at relatively small-capacity house. "Gotta Stay Happy" looks best of other new pix. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew'.s-UAl (3,000; 20- 60)—"Sun Comes Up" (M-G). Fair- ish $12,000. Last week, "Kissing Bandit" (M-G), $12,400. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,240; 20-70) — "Slightly French" (Ccl) plus vaude. Drawing 'some trade at $14,000. Last week, "Shock- proof?" (Col) and vaude, $13,800. Keith's (Schanberger) (2,460; 20- 60) — "Gotta Stay Happy" (U). Nicely received by crix and nice $13^000 looms. Last week, "Mex- ican Hayride''(U), $11,900 in 10 days.' ■ ■ ■ Mayfair (Hicks) (980; 20-65) -- "Wake Red Witch?" (Rep) (2d wk) Holding strongly at $7,000 after record-making opener with $9,800. New (Mechanic) (1,800; 20-60)— Snake Pit" (20th) (2d wk). Fine $11,000 after sock $16,300 opener. Stanley (WB) (3,280; 25-75) — Don Juan" (WB) (2d wk). Going well to $10,000 after rousing preem at $17,200. Town (Rappaport) (1,500; • 50- $1.25) — "Joan of Arc" (RKO) Upped scale and highly enthusi- astic trade reaching out for top figure, huge $30,000 or near. Last week, "Can't Take it With You" (Col) (reissue), $5,400. $12,000. Last week, "Paleface (Par) (5th wk), fancy $8,000. Loew's (Loew) (2,096; 36-66)— "Words and Music" (M-G). Big $15,000. Last week, "Three Mus- keteers" (M-G) (5th wk), satisfac- tory $6,500. Odeon (Rank) (2,390; 35-$1.20)— "Red Shoes" (EL) (2d wk). Capac- ity $22,000 after last Week's siYn- ilar figure. 'Still doing turnaway ■biz. ■■ •■ L^ea's (FP) (2,386; 36-66)-^"Won- derfUl Urge'" (20th). Hefty $12,000. Last week, "Accused" (Par) (2d wk), $7,500. TivoH (FP) (1,431; 36-66) well. Unusually favorable weather over the weekend helped some but failed to overcome sluggish busi- ness earlier in the week. Strongest newcomer is Walt Dis- ney's "So Dear to My Heart," which looks very good $27,000 at Palace; "Lucky Stiff" is going no place, with slim $10,000 likely at Globe despite plugs that Jack Benny is producer of film. Business is so disappointing film holds only one week. Top holdovers in second weeks are State and Music Hall. Ijatter is landing strong .$137,000 in ini- Detroit Slips on Ice; 'October' Brisk 17,000, 'Moon' Not High at 14G Detroit, Feb. 1. Business is slow here, holdovers and icy weather hurting. ''Snake Pit" it doing well in its third week at the Fox. Two new bills. "Return of October" at United Artists and "Blood on Moon'' at Madison shape fine. "Night Has Thou-sand Eyes" looks stturdy in second frame at Palms. Estimates for This Week Fox {20tli^Fox) (5,000; 70-95) — "Snake Pit" (20th) (3d wk). Holding (Continued on page 13) "Snake Pit" (20th) (4th wk). Still | J^'^l holdover stanza v^^ holding at good $4,500 after last week's $5,500. Uptown (Loew) (2,743; 36-66)— "Criss-Cross" (U). Fine $12,000. Last week, "Kissing Bandit" (M-G), good $8,500. 'Accused'Lively $22,000 in Philly Philadelphia, Feb. 1. A week of almost continuous rain is holding grosses down here, "Tatlock's Millions" shapes sturdy on break-in at the Boyd. "Whip- lash" also is snappy at the Earle. ."Accused" will land ia winning ver- dict on first Goldman week "Snake Pit," at Fox, still is sma^h in sec- ond week. Estimates for Tliis Week Aldine (WB) (1,303; $1.20-$2.40) —"Hamlet" (U) (10th wk). Sus- taining well at $11,000. Last week, $11,800. Arcadia (S&S) (700; 50-94) — "Sunday Afternoon" (WB). Dull 1 $4,000. Last week, "Unfaithfully ' Yours" (20th), $4,200. Boyd (WB) (2,360; 50-99)—"Tat- lock's Millions" (Par). Sturdy S23,- 500. Last week, "Gotta Stay Hap- py" (U) (3d wk), okay $12,900. Earle (WB) (2,700; 50-99) — "Whiplash" (WB). Nice $22,000 or near. Last week, "Words and Mu- sic" (M-G) (5th wk), $13,000, fine. Fox (20th) (2,250; 50-99)^ "Snake Pit" (20th) (2d wk). Best thing iiutown with $33,000 after sock $42l500 opener. Goldman (Goldman) (1,200; 50- 99)—"Accused" (Par). Wham $22^- 000. Last week, "Paleface" (Par) (4th wk), great $15,000. Karlton (Goldman) (1.000; 90- $1.80)-^"Joan of Arc" (RKO) (6th wki. Sock $15,000. Last week, $18,- 000. Keith's (Goldman) (1,300; 50-99) Th ree Wives'? .and' stageshow, virtu ally the same as the first week. State's "Command. Decision" con- tinues big with $44,000 albeit down sharply from initial frame. Both "Joan of Arc" and "Snake Pit" are holding up remarkably well for extended runs. Former at Victoria still is great at $21,500 or over in 12th round, while "Pit," at Rivoli looks smash $26,000 for 13th session, both near previous .weeks. , Starting with the. Roxy's new lineup yesterday (Tues.) five new bills open this week. "Yel- low Sky," with Danny Kaye and Georgia Gibbs topping stageshoW;- teed off in smash style yesterday at; Roxy. Paramount launches "Own True ' Love" with Three Suns, Monica Lewis, Boyd Raebuni band today (Wed), after three nice: weeks with "Accused" plus Mills Bros., Ray McKinley band onstage.: Capitol opens "The Bribe" With Arthur Godfrey and Talent Scouts show tomorrow (Thurs.). Strand . brings in "John Loves Mary" with Jack Carson and his stageshow Friday (4) after six big weeks with "Don Juan" and Tom- my Dorsey band. "He Walked by Night" starts Saturday (5) at Cri- terion after two mild weeks of "Act of Violence." Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1.300; 70-$1.50) —"Enchantment" (RKO) (6th wk). Present round ending next Friday (4) holding extreme)y well at $21.- OOO after nice $22,000 for fifth week. Stavs on, Biiou (City Inv.) (589; $1.20-2,40) —"Red Shoes" (EL) (15th Wk). i Current session ending toihorrow (Thurs.) looks 'to hit great $16,- 40O as against $16,000 for 14th week. Tickets going on sale soon for 40th week, with theatre due to get air-conditioning for summer months if "Shoes" continues to hold up. Capitol (Loew's^ (4.820; 80^$] .50) —"Man From Colorado" (Col) with Ink Spots. Blue Barron orch, Alan I Carney (2d-final wk). . Down to $2.40)—"Hamlet" (U) (I9th wk). Eighteenth week ended last (Tues.) night climbed up to $16,000 or near; 17th was $15,300. Stays in- def. Radio City Music Hall (Rocke- fellers) (5,945; 80^2.40).—"Letter To Three Wives" (20th) and stage- show (2d wk). Picture is showing sustained strength with initial holdover week being surprisingly strong $137,000; first was very good $137,500. Stays a third and pos-. sibly longer if current gait keeps up. Rlalto (Mage) (694; 44-$1.20) —y. "Dead of Night" (U) and "Beauty and Beast" (Indie) (reissues).- First week ending: tomorrow (Thurs.) will reach big $11,000.' Holds. RlvoH (UAT-Par) (2,092; 60- $1.25) —"Snake Pit" (20th) (13th wk). Present session ending today (Wed.) is continuing very strong at $26,000 or near after big $27,000 for 12th week. Long run continues. Roxy (20th) (5,886; 80-$1.80) ~ "Yellow. Sky" (20th) with Danny , Kaye, Georgia Gibbs, topping stageshow. Opened in great fashion yesterday (Tues.). Iceshow dropped for this engagement. Second week (6 days) of "Chicken Every Sun- day" (20th), plus Tony Martin. Dean Murphy, Beatrice Kraft dancers plus iceshow, ■ held UP nicely at $82,000 after fairish $105,- 000 for first eight days. State (Loew's) (3,450; 80-$1.50). —"Command Decision". (M-G) (3d Wk), First holdover stanza ending yesterday (Tues.) held up nicely at big $44,000 or close after smash $61,500 for. opening week. Holds. Strand (WB) (2.756; 76-$1.50)— "Don Juan" (WB) with Tommy Dorsey orch heading stageshow. (6th-final wk). Falling to mild $35,- 000 or less in final round aftet' okay $40,000 for fifth, making it a highly successful- six weeks.: "John Loves Mary'! (WB) with Jack Carson, one of film's stars, Bob Alda. and Carson stage unit opens next Friday (4). Victoria (City Inv.) (1.060; 95- 'She" (RKO) and "Last Days | $50,000 or less after, mild $99,000 BUSSE UPS TROUBLE' SOCK $21,000, INDPLS. Indianapolis, Feb. 1. Zero wave, worst of winter, hit town over weekend and held cur- rent grosses to modest level. Henry Busse band with Vivian Blaine is j "yij^^^ Red helping "Trouble Makers"' to a , goiid smash figure at Circle. .3 Ood- fathers," at Loew's, is okay to lead straight filmers. Estimates for This Week Pompeii" (RKO) (reissufs) (2d wk,l. Fine $8,000. Last week, great $12,000. Mastbaum (WB) (4.360; 50-99)— "Every Girl Married" (RKO) (3d wk). Nice $18,000, Last week, solid $23,000. Princess (WB) i "Paisan" (Indie) 1 $3,500. Last week, Stanley (WB) 80)— Oke Circle (Gamble-Dolle) (2,800; 60- , ■ (Mono) R"" (450; 35 " (5th wk). $4,000.- (2,950; 5()-99)— Witch'" (Rep) (3d $16,000. Last week, socko $21,500. - - ' - Stanton (WB) (1,475; 50-99)— "Walked by Night" (EL) (4th wk). Trim $9,000: Last week, great $12,- ooener. VThe Bribe" (M-G) with Arthur Godfrey and His Talent Scouts opens tomorrow (Thurs.). Criterion (Loew's) (1,700; 70- $1.85)^"Act of Violence" (M-G) (2d-final wk). Looks to dip to dim $12,500 or less after mild $18,000 opener. "Walked by Night" (EL) opens Saturday (5). Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 90-$1.50) —"Lucky Stiff" (UA). Far from lucky with very slim $10.000,. and being yanked after single week. "Tarzan Magic Fountain" (RKO) is replacing "Stiff"' Saturday (5). Third week of "Belle Starr's Daughter" (20th) was dim $9,000. Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 60-$1.2S) 90)wj."Xrouble Makers"' with Henry Busse orch, Vivian Blaine, others onstage. Sock $21,- 000. Last week, : "Accused (Par), and "Dynamite" (Par);"Fair $10,000 at 44-65C scale. Indiana (G-D) (3,300; 44-65)-- "So Dear to Heart" (RKO) \2A wk). Ok* $10,000 after smash $20,000 opener. .. Keith's (G-D) (1,300; 44-65)-- "Blood and Sand" {20th) and "Wake Up Screaming issues). Good $5,500. "Gotta Stay Happy' "Strange Mrs. Crane'; ^*Loew's (Loew's) (2,450; 44-65)— "3 Godfathers" <M-G) and No Minor Vices" (M-G). Tall $14,000 Last week, "San Francisco (M-G) and "Night at Opera'' (M-G) (re- issues), sturdy $12,000. Lyric (G-D) (1.600: ,44-65)— "Belle Starr's Daughter" (20th) and "Jungle tatrol" (20th). Aver- age $6,000. Laist week, "Whiplash (WB) and "Christopiier (WB), same. ,n^ T^ /cAA „n '—"Wake of Red Witch" (Rep) (4th ! *o?m"*:.o"^ cl^'^. ,^?*'w«^^ ^ I; . wic). Still a coin-getter with $22,- I $2.40)—"Red Shoes'* (EL) (6th wk). after solid $27,000 for third. Holding up m big style at $10,000. stays a fifth session, with "Dear Last week, about same. <20th) (re- Last week. ' (U) and (EL) (m,o.). Harry Zeitels has resigned as sales manager for Mayer-Burstyn, foreign film distribs, to become national sales rep for a group of foreign pix: outfits. He was with RKO for 17 years before joining Mayor-Burstyn two years ago. Blake" Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as rcfr ported herewith from the vari- ous key cities, are net, i.e., without the 20% tax. Distribu- tors share on net take, when playing percentage, hence the. estimated figures are net in- come. .iThe parenthetic admission prices, however, as Indicated, include the U. S. amusement tax. ■■.■ Secretary'" (UA) set to open Feb. 12.:.' ■■: Palace (RKO) (1,700; 50-$1.40)— "So Dear to My Heart"' (RKO). Started very strongly Saturday (29) and will wind with very good $27,000 on first week ending Fri- day (4). Hou.se installed special 50c price for youngsters for first time on preem of Walt Disney picture on Broadway. Holds. Last 10 days of second week for "Boy With Green Hair"" (RKO) was only S21,000 Paramount (Par) (3,664; 55-$1.50) —"My Own True Love" (Par) with Three Suns; Monica Lewis,. Boyd Raeburn orch topping stageshow^ Opens today (Wed.). Last week, "The Accused" (Par) plus Mills $2.40)^"Joan of Arc"" (RKO) (12th wk). Current session ending today (Wed.) holding up remarkably at fancy $22,000 or .near after solid $24,000 for nth week. Continues, lOON' $18,000, m 20G, HIGH IN ST. LOO St. Louis. Feb. 1. City is slowly emerging from a solid week of atrocious weather which saw the mercury dip down nearly: to zero. Biz at most big mainstemmers, with one exception, is not too robust. "Sun Comes Up," despite some frowns from crix, looks top coin grabber with "Blood on Moon'" also fairly good. Estimates for This Week Ambassador (F&M) (3.000; 50-75) —"Blood on Moon"' (RKO) and "Mystery in Mexico" (RKO). Big $18,000. Last week, "Snake Pit" (20th) (2d wk) (4 days). $9,000. Fox (F&M) (5,000; 50-75)—"Ac- cused"" (Par) and "Disaster"' (Par). Good $19,000. Last week, "Wake of Red Witch"' (Rep) and "Parole, Inc."" (EL) (2d wk) (4 days), $10,500. Loew's (Loew) (3,172; 50-75)— "Sun Gomes Up"" (M-G) and "Four Faces: West" (UA). Very strong $20,000. Last week, "Return of Oc- tober"" (Col) and "Piccadilly Inci- dent'" (M-G), $18,500. Missouri (F&M). (S.OOO; 50-75)— "Snake Pit" (20th) (m.o.). Great $10,000. Last week,"Man From Colorado" (Col) and "Gotta Stay Happy" (U) (m.o.) (2d wk), $9,500. Oi-pheum (Loew) (2,000; 50-75)— "Return of October" (Col) and "Piccadilly Incident" (M-G) (m.o.). Okay $7,500. Last week, "Franken- stein Meets Wolf Man" (SG) and "Dracula's Daughter" (SG) (reis- sues), $7,000. St. Louis (F&M) (1,500; 50-60)— "Dark Past" (Col) and "Racing Luck" (Col). Good $6,500. Last week, "Canyon Passage"/ (U) and "Frontier Gal" (U) (reissues), $7,- 000. Shubert (Ind) (1,500; 40-60)— "Wake of Red Witch" (Rep) and "Parole, Inc." (EL) (m.o.). Great $6,000. Last week, "Paleface'" (Par) and "Dynamite"" (Par) (m.o.). (4th wk), $3,500. Mason in •Wall' Hollywood, Feb. 1. me ^uuuseu ii-ai, pius iviiiis Walter Wanger signed Jamps Bros, Jean Carroll. Ray McKinley Mason to co-star with Joan Ben- : ' .: . ' . . ... ;a . « r ntt^t. iM *'rrha .nionlr Wall". . 1in(i<»^ orch. heading stage bill (3d wk), okay $56,000 after good $62,000 for second. Park Avenue (U) (583; $1.20- nett in "The Blank Wall," under a one-picture deal at Columbia. Filming starts in three weeks, with Max Opuls as director.