Variety (Mar 1949)

Wcdnwday, March 28, lU^ Chi Better; Tony Martin Ups 'Smith' To Terrif $72,000, Ventura-Lutcher Lift1IIotlier'toi)0G,'Umiercover'32G nCTClIB GROSSES 11 Chicago, March 22. toon boxofflct is climbing out of list week's slump especially hypoed with Tony Martin personal coupled ffl '!whispering*;Smith'' at the rhlcaeo. This combo miy hit new hitdi lor last several months with inSo $72,000. "Mother Is Fresh- S?Sn" plus Nellie Lutcher and rharlie Ventura band onstage at oriental also looks lush at $60,000. Other new product also is strong. "iTtidcrcover Man'! at State-Lake is headed for great $32,000 "No Minor Vices" at United Artists "apes fairly trim at $17,000. Hold- overs are brighter also, with "Paisan" still breaking records at World being Iwsh $4,500 in ninth weik. "tied Shoes" at the Selwyn S doing smart $12,000. "Hamlet" in 17th week at Apollo is okay. Estimates for This Week Apollo (B&K) (1,400; $1.20-$2.40) —"Hamlet" (U) (17th wk). Fair $8,000. Last week, $7,000. rhicairo (B&K) (3,900; 50-98)— ,, , , = , .■W^ispimg SmithV.JPar)„„Plus |^^yX'^'&To "i^t^ Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re- 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. .■ The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated, include the U, S. amusement tax. Honepoon Hot $21,000 in Geve. Cleveland, March 22. with weather breaking favorably, Tony "Martin p.a. Ternf $72,000 Last week, "John Loves Mary' (WB) with Lawrence Walk orch and Harmonica Rascals onstage (2d Wk), $42,000. Garrick (B&K) (900; 50-98)— "Jungle Boy" (Indie) and"Big Fight" (Mono). Brisk $10,000. Last week, ''State Dept." (FC) and "Alaska Patrol" (FC) (2d wk). $6,000. Grand (RKO) (1,500; 50-98)—"It Ain't Hay" (U) and "Ghost Catch- ers" (U) (reissues). Neat $13,000. Last week, "Act-of Violence" (M-G) {2d wk), $10,000. Oriental (Essaness) (3,400; 50-98) —"Mother Is Freshman" (20th) with Nellie Lutcher and Charlie Ventura onstage. Big $60,000. Last week, "Kissing Bandit" (M-G) and Arthur Godfrey Scouts unit on^ stage (3d Wk), $27,000. Palace (RKO) (2,500; 50-98)— "Family Honeymoon" (U) (2d wk). Oke $13,000. Last week, $17,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 50-98)— "South of St. Louis" (WBi (2d wk). Solid $12,000 or over. Last week, nice $13,000. Selwyn (Shubert) (1,000;, $1.20- $2.40)-"Red Shoes" (ED (13th wk). Staunch $12,000. Last week, $13,000. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 50-98) —-"Undercover Man" (Coli. In groove at $32,000. Last week, "Tat- lock's Millions" (Par) (2d wk), $12,000, United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 50- 98)—'No Minor Vices" (M-G), Tldv $17,000, Last week, "Walking Hills" (Col) {2d wk), $8,000. Woods (Essaness) < 1,073; 98)— "Enchantment" (RKO) (4th-final wk). Okay $13,000. Last week, I IS giving Palace' nice trade to start two-week run. "South of St. Louis" at Hipp al.so looks smart. "Familj' Honeymoon," at State, Is getting top coin with breezy session. Estimates for This Week ! Allen (WB) (3,057; 55-701— 1 "Chicken Every Sunday" (20Ui), ! Modest $12,.')00. Last week, I "Mother Is Freshman" (20tli), I bright $15,000. 1 : E.squire (CQmmunit.v.) (700; $2.40) I—"Red Shoes" (EL) (13th wk). Stout $6,500 loUowing $7,000 last week. Hipp (Warner) (3,465; 55-70)— "South of St. Louis" (WB). Smart $20,000. Last week, "Life of Riley" (U), same. ' Palace (RKO) (3,284: 55-70)— "Down To Sea in Ships" (20lh). Sturdy $16,000, with h o. set. Last week, "Letter Three Wives" (20th) (2d wk), $12,000. State (Loew's) (3,450 ; 55-70)— "Family Honeymoon" (U), Breezy $21,000. Last week, "Sun Comes Up" (M-G) phis Frankie Lalne and Connie Haines onstage, excellent $30,000. 'Honeymoon* Sultry 270, Denver; 'Whiplasli' 9G . Denver, March 22. . Family Honeymoon" shapes as strongest boxofflce entry here this week, with fancy total In three spots. "Three Godfathers" also is nice. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Cinema) (1,500; 35- 74)—"Act of Murder" (U) and "Countess of Monte Crlsto" (U) (2d wk). Slow $5,000. Last week, good $8,500. Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 35-70) —"Own True Love" (Par). Dim $8,000 or near. Last week, "Whis- pering Smith" (Par) (2d wk), $8,000. Denver (Fox) (2,525; 35-74)— "Family Honeymoon" (U) and "Angel on Amazon" (Rep), day- date with : Esquire, Webber. Big $19,000. Last week, "John Loves Mary" (WB) and "Harpoon" (SG), fair $13,000. Esquire (Fox) (742; 35-74)— "Family Honeymoon" (U) and "Angel on "Amazon" (Rep), also Denver, Webber. Fancy $4;000. Last week, "John , Loves Mary" (WB) and "Harpoon" (SG). $2,500. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 35-74)— "Three Godfathers" (M-G)' and "Far Into Night" (M-G). Nice $16.- 000. or Close. Last week, "Boy Green Hair" (RKO) and "Sword of Avenger" (EL), $15,000. Paramount (Fox) (2,200; 35-74)— "Whiplash" (WB) and "Miss Muik 1949" (20th). Fair $9,000, Last week, "Canadian Pacific" (20lh) and "Blondle's Big Deal" (Col), also Webber, big $14,500, Webber (Fox) (750; 35-74)— I "Family Honeymoon" (U) and [ "Angel on Amazon" (Rep), also ' Denver, Esquire. Fine S4,000 or ! close: Last week, "Canadian Pa- : cific" (20th) and "Blondie's Deal" (Col), $3,900. B way Uneven; 'Inpct' MiM IS^/^G, 'Bandit' Ditto 15G, 'Women String 125G, 2d, 'Mother'-Vaude Fair 70G Favorable : boxofflce influences were about equally balanced by ad» verse factors during the last seven days on Broadway. St. Patrick's Day crowds (Thurs.) gave most theatres « hypo. All-day snow Fri- day (18), followed i by next-to^ coldest day of year (Sat.), hurt several theatres;: - but . springlike weather Sunday (first day of spring) handed many houses a nice lift. Only two newcomers this stanza, and neither; is big. "Impact", at Globe shapes best but Is only mild $15,500 or less. "Last Bandit" also Is light with $15,000 or under at Mayfair. Strongest holdover is "Little Women," just a step behind first week's pace at Music Hall with sturdy $125,000. "Mother Is Fresh- man," with Phil Baker and Cab Calloway topping stageshow, is fair at $70,000 for second Roxy ■round.'^- "Take Mp Out To Ball Game" is holding nicely with $38,000 after sock opening week at State. Open- ing of big league baseball season next month figures to help ex- tended-run of this film. • "Bad Boy" preems at Palace to- day (Wed.) after stage-film special Variety (RKO) and "Marine Raiders" (RKO) (3d wk-6 days), mild $8,000 after $12,200 for second round, with 40c-$l scale. Paramount (Par) (3,664; 55-$1.50) —"El Paso" (Par) with Louis Jor- dan Tympany Five, Ray Anthony orch, Pat Henning, Peggy Mann, Johnny Barnes onstage. Opens tof day (Wed.). Last week, "Nick Beal" (Par) plus King Cole Trio, Lany Storch, Elliot Lawrence orch (2d wk), mild $60,000 or less after very good $69,000. Park Avenue (U) (583; $1.20-. $2.40)—"Hamlet" (U) (26th Wk). Twenty-fifth week was $13,500, .iust a bit down from recent pace.- Con- tinues. Radio Gity Music Hall (Rockefel- lers) (5,945; 80-$2.40) — "Little Women" (M-G) and stageshow (2d Wk). Helped, by St. Patrick's Day upsurge, holding near first week with $125,000; first was very good $127,000. Stays a third, and maybe longer, with "Connecticut Yankee'' (Par) due in next as film for Easter Show. ■ Rialto (Mage) (594; 44-99)— "Alaska Patrol" (FC) and: "The Judge" (FC). Looks modest $8,000 or under. Last week, "Bad Men Tombstone" (Mono), okay $7,000, 'Daughter 6'f West" (FC) opens Big 'Heart' Steady in Prov. Club launching last night i (Tues.). Paramount brings in "El i Friday, (25). Paso" today (Wed.) with Louis i Rivoli (UAT-Par) (2,092; 60- Jordan Five, Ray Anthony band, $1.25),—"Snake Pit" (20th) {20th Pat Henning, others on stage, wk). Down to $10,000 or less after C a p 11 o 1 open.-; "Outpost In $14,000 last week. Holds only 5 Morocco with Gordon Jenkins I days of 21st week with "Portrait of band, Cardini tomorrow (Thurs.). 1 Jennie" (SRO) opening March 30 MEY' RESOUNDING Buffalo, March 22. ^"Life^of"Riley" shapes up; as out-' standing with sock Lafayette sesr sion. >'Dear to Heart" looks trim at Geritury. Alsb nice Is "Ball Game" at Buffalo ahd"South of St, Louis" at Hipp. Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Loew's) (3,500; 40-70)^ "Ball Game" (M-G) and "Bad Luck Blackie" ((3ol). Fine,$17,500. Last Week, "Mother Is Freshman" (20th), $16,400. Great Lakes (Par) (3.400; 40-70) —"Kiss In Dark" (WB) and "Homi- cide'' (WB). Opens today (Wed.). Last week, "To Sea in Ships" (20th) (10 days), solid $23,000. Louisville, March 22. Hipp (Par) (2,100; 40-70)—"South Belated cold spell, with snow, of St. Louis" (WB). Brisk $12,000. 'long with state high school bask- i Last week, "Sgt. York" (WB) and etball tournament, are ganging up I "Castle On Hudson" (WB) (reis- 10 hold down grosses this week, sues), $9,000. Providence, March 22. RKO Albee's "So Dear to Heart" shapes lively in a fairly good all around session here: State's "Knock On Any Door" looks okay. Majestic's '-Down to Sea In Ships" is holding well in second stanza. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2.200; 44-65) — "Dear To Heart" (RKO) and "Clay Pigeon" (RKO). Good $15,000. Last week, "Joan of Arc'' {RKO) (3d wk); neat $14,000. Fay's (Fay) (1,400; 44-65) — "Angel On Amazon" (Rep) and George O'Hanlon heading stage- show. Fine $8,000 or near. Last Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; 70-81.50) —"Knock .On Any Door" (Col) (5th Wk). Continues to fade, with Lent and other factors hurting. Will be lucky to hold to $14,000 this round alter $16,500 for fourth session. Bijou (City Inv.) (589; $1.20- $2.40)—"Red Shoes" (EL) (22d wk). Currently holding well at around $14,000 after, $15,000 last week, highly profitable. Stays on. Capitol (Loew's) (4,820; 80-$1.50) —"3 Godfathers" (M-G) with Sam- my Kaye orch, others onstage (3d- final wk). Looks only $39,000 this frame after $42,000 for second week. "Outpost in Morocco" (UA), with Gordon Jenkins orch rfnd Cardlnl topping stage, bill, opens tomorrow (Thurs;). Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 70-$1.85) —"Criss Cross" (U) (2d-final wk). Off to slim $17,000 after okay $24, Cold, Snow Slap LVille; 'Smith' Strong $13,000, 'Honeymoon' Modest IIG , J .,„ ,,,-.-;,vt.??.t|..01)0-op£nei\.Likely-to hold^ wetac "Dude Goes West-' (Monor of ^^^^ ^ ^^^^^^ ^^^j .I^P $9 00? ' S?'-UP" (RKO) can come In March Whispering Smith" is out front at Rialto. Stage fare at Natioiwl IS depending on local moppet Bity rJT % "^"'PS pa- with "Shep tm.pl^ !?o'ne,",ln which he is fea- r^rt»* family Honeymoon" looks modest at State. Estimates for This Week i^R^V .Anderson (Pebple's) (1.000; i^A r: ^2^^ l>ove& Mary" (WB) r.i^f"*'SS"' 'Standard) (2.400; 45- Ri i7 °n«P Comes Home" (SG) and K Last week. "Corvette ^•iii (U and "Wines Over Peirt J™" <Hep) and Minnie i Rii'i* stase, about same. _Kialto ,(FourNi Avenue) (3.000' -(Par) I Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 44-65) — I "Sea In Ships" (20th). (2d wk). ' Fairly hep $12,000 after wow $19,- I 000 first. 1 Metropolitan (Snider) (3,100; 44- I 65)—"Cover-Up" (UA) and "This I Is N.Y." (UA). Even $7,500. Last week, "Bad Boy" (Mono) and I "Strike It Rich" (Mono). $7,800. i State (Loew) (3,200; 44-65) — i "Knock Any Door" (Coll and "Valiant Hombre" (UA). Okay $18,- 500. Last week, "Red Pony" (Rep) and ''Blondie^s Big Deal" (Rep), so-so $15,000. Strand (Silverman) (2,200; 44- 65)—"Nick Beal" (Par) and "Rusty Saves Life" (Col). Opened Monday I (21). Last week, "Walking Hills" ■ India" (Col), Lafayette (Basil) (3,000; 40-70)-I <Col) and ''Song of "Ufe of Riley" (U) and, "Mlracu-! $1^,500. lous Journey" (FC), Socko $18,000 > or near. Last week, "Northwest ] Stampede" (EL) and "Let's Live; Little" (EL), $13,000. I Century {20lh Cent) (3,000; 40- ' 70)„"Dear to Heart" (RKO) and "Jiggs, Maggie in Court" (Mono). Trim $13,000. Last week, "En- chanted" (RKO) and "Clay Pigeon" (RKO) (2d wk), fine $9,000. I 29. Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 90-$1.50) —"Impact" (UA). Initial week looks only $15,500, slow. In ahead, "Moonrise" (Rep) f2d wk). $10,000. "The Champion" (UA) not due. to open until April 9, but may be pushed in earlier if 'Mmpact" fails to hold up. Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 60-$1.25) —"Last Bandit" (Rep). First stanza slim $15,000. Holds. Last week, "Red Pony" (Par) (2d wk-4 days), only $6,000. Palace (RKO) (1,700: 50-$1.25)— "Bad Boy" (Mono). Opens today (Wed.) after special preview stage- film show under Variety Club auspices and benefit last night {Tues.). Audie Murphy, Jane Wy- att, Lloyd Nolan from film in p.a.'s today. In ahead, "Back to Bataan" K.C. Blames Product For Slow B.O.;'Siiip$'Oke 16G Godfrey Unit Tilts Thicken Fancy $40A Del; talked' Fast $24,000 after special Milk Fund benefit preview night of March 29. Roxy (20th) (5,886; 80-$1.80)-r "Mother Is Freshman" (20th) with Phil Baker, Cab Calloway, iceshow onstage (2d wk). Doing fairly okay at $70,000 or near after disappoint- ing first week at $80,000, below hopes. Set to hold a third. State (Loew's) (3,450; 70-$l.i50)— "Ball Game" (M-G) (3d wk). Starts today (Wed.). Initial holdover ses- sion slipped to $38,000, stlir very handsome after big $54,000 first. Stays on indef. Strand (WB) (2,756; 76-$1.50)— "South of St. Louis" (WB) with Desi Arnaz orch topping stage- show (3d-flnal wk). Off to light $26,000 in 5 days after modest $38.- 000 for second. "Kiss in Dark" (WB), with Guy Lombardo, orch, Frank Marlowe, Hoctor & Byrd on-, stage, opens Friday (25). --Victoria -(City Inv.)' -(-1.060^-9.5- $2.40)—"Joan of Arc" (RKO) (19th wk). - Present stanza reaching for $16,000, very fine for length of rua after $17,000 for 18th round. ^li.Ri^T^'.nifi'?"'"' venue) (3.000; Alan T Smith" (Par). Alan Ladd packing strong b.o. at.-!;: "Wakli p'l^"^Ci"•00O. Last week, "Ffrnfiv ^'iSew's) (3,000; 45-65)— "BH^ltl. Honeymoon" (U) and (Cofi L*., ^''^nese Adventure'- dm,? T^':']'* <M-G) ! tetllV (K'4V.^5r..Un-! -d-'\TungTe-p I a rl^V^I^ ""^^^^ --; 39-4.5-65) ^-^and^^ma-^^^^^^ Kansas City, March 22. Lineup of new films is mediocre, and biz likewise. Only bills to top average are "Down to Sea in Ships" at three Fox Midwest houses and "South of St. Louis' Paramount. , -, , Estimates for This-Week Esfluire (Fox Midwest) (820; 45- 65i_"Wake Up Screaming" (20th) and "You're Sweetheart" (20th) $3,000. ^^i"'"^&^^f^''^^^^^^^ Wives" (20th) pJ,^^.(H.. (20th) (m,0,), H500. Detroit, March 22. 1 Stageshow at Fox is boosting that house into chips for second straight week. Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts unit will lift "Chick^ en Every Sunday" to solid $40,000. "He Walked By Night" at Palins looks big while "John Loves Mary" at Michigan is .iust good. "Walk- ing Hills" shapes nice at Madison.; Estimates for This Week ; Fox (Fox-Mich) (5,000; 85-$!)-^- "Chicken Every Sunday" '(20th) with Arthur - -Godfrey's Talent Scouts unit on stage. Solid i $13,000. .$40,000 or over. Last week. "Blanche Fury" (EL) with Lionel Last'Hampton orch, same. Michiffan (United Detroit) (4,000; 70-95)—"John Loves Mary tWB) and "Flaxv Martin" (WB). Good $22,000, Last week, "Whispering Smith" (Par) (2d wki, fine,$20,000. Palms (UDi (2,900; 70-95)-^ Fathoms Deep" (Mono). Big $24,000. Last week. "Joan of Arc" (RKO) (4th wk), steady $16,000 at upped prices. United-Artists (UD) (2,000; 70- 95)—"Mourning Becomes Electra" (RKO). Oke $16,000. Last week, "Red Pony" (Rep) and "Last Bandit" (Rep), fine $18,000. Madison (UDi (1.800; 70-95)— "Walking Hills" (Col) and "Song India" (Col). Excellent $19,000. Last week, "Boy Green 'Hair' (RKO) and 'bungle Goddess^' <SG),+$5,500 afterTiot $6,000 last-week. I (Continued oh page. 18) I "Walked By Night" (EL) and "16' slim $10,000. Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 70-95)— "Family Honeymoon" (U) and "Highway 13" (SG) (3d wk). Fad- ing to $10,000. Last week, nice $11,000. Downtown (Balaban) (2,800; 70- 95)—"Kissing Bandit" (M-G) and "Feathered Serpent" (Mono) (2d wk). Slow $8,000. Last week, D.C. Drab But 'Pacific' Brisk $20,000; 'Murder' $10,000, 'O'Hynn' Ditto Washington, March 22; .It's a dull session currently, with little interest-'in newcomers. Of latter, "South Of St. Louis" at the Warner, and "Act of Murder'! at National; look best, but both are disappointing. "Canadian Pacific'' with vaude is okay at Capitol. Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew's) (2,434; 44-80)— "Canadian Pacific" (20th) plus vaude. Satisfactory $20,000, but below average for house. Last week, "Force of Evil" (M-G) with Vaude, dim 817,000. Keith's (RKOi (1.939; 44-80)— "Fighting O'Flynn" (U). Disap- pointing $10,000. Last week. "Dear to Heart" (RKO) {2d Wk), nice $10,000. Metropolitan (WB) (1,163; 44-74) —"Walking Hills" (Col). Average $6,500 in 8 days. Last week, "Lucky Stiff" (UA), very duU $4,000 and yanked after 6 days. ^ National (Heiman) (1,600; 44-74) —"Act of Murder" (U). Nice $10,- 000. but below hopes. Last week, "Slightly French" (CoD; $4,000. Palace (Loew's (2,370; 44-74)— "Letter Three Wives" (20th) (2d wk). Steady $16,000 after sturdy $21,000 opener. Playhouse (Lopert) (432; 50-85)— "Saraband" (ELi (2d wk). Fine Trans-Lux (T-Li (650; 44-80)— "Paisan" (Indie) (3d wki. Steady lines holding this to terrific $11,- 500; about same last week. Warner (WB) (2,154; 44-74)— "South St. Louis" (WBi. Nice $14,000, but not up to expectancy. Last week, "Flaxy Martin" (WB), plus Jack Carson Hollywood unit onstage, sizzling $32,000 at upped {Scale.