Variety (Mar 1949)

W«Jn e«aay, mofth 28, 1949 PICTIIRE GROSSES IS Prima Boosts M' to Hep $30,1 Hub;'Mother Fresb 25G, Door 41G '^Kn^M W.JMad Weather dips LA. But M Boy' Boston, Warch 22. Riz around town is fairly strong .1.^ «?anza with hew product at most, ^'"^^ging boosted by Louis S'L^ at HKO Boston to solid P'-l'?^,''MoVher Is Freshman" in town. strong. "Knock at ^^Tnoor" at Orpheum and State ^OoWce. "Rea Shoes" still is W'Tii^ioH, Mnifi.stiC we Memorial good in'Tsth Majestic weelc. Estimates for This Week Boston (RKO) <3,200; 40-85)- "Lucky Stiff" (UA) with Louis Prima orch, Three Nonchalants, ^ti ers, onstage. Leading town ?.,mi- big $30,000. Last week, TOn's Magic Fountain" (RKOi with Art Mooney, Henny Young- nTin neat $26,000. " Esq."i/c (ATC) (960; 40-85)- "Yank in Rome" (Indie). .So-so JoOO Last week. "Portrait Tpnnie" (SRO) (4th wkL $4,000. ^TnJy (NET) '1,,373- 40-85.- "lolinny Belinda". (WBi and "Sierra Madre" (WB) (reis.sues). Average $6,000 for rerun date, fast week, "Whispering Smith" (Par) and "Kidnapped" (SG) (2d wk) nice $7,000. Mayflower (ATCi (700; S1.251— "Portrait Jennie" (SROt (otii wk). Down to $4,500 after nice $5,600 fftr l&st ■ ■ '■ ■ Memirial (RKO) (3,000; 40-851— "Mother Is a Freshman' (20ln). Strong $25,000, and will hold. Last week "Letter Three Wives" (20th) and "Strange Mrs. Crane" (EL),' $16 ,500 in 8 days. Metropolitan (NET) (4.367); 40- 851—"Nick Beal" (Par) and "Henry, " (Mono). Fair $21,000. Key City Grosses Estimated Total GroM This Week .. ,, $2,641,000 ' . (Based on 24 cities, 202 theatres, chiejly nrst runs, itt- elvdiuff IV. y.). ., Total Gross Same Week Last Year $2,69,1.500 ( Based on 20 cities, 202 theatre's > 'Wives' Good 15G, Mpls.; 'Fury' 6G Minneapolis, Ulareh 22. "Letter to Three Wives," at Radio City, currently is making j week biggest boxoffice noise. It got off to a fast start but looks only pass- ably good. The only two other major newcomers are "South of St. Louis" and "Blanche Fury." Estimates for This Week Lyceum (Nederlander) (1,900; 90-$l.20)—"Blanche Fury" (EL). This British picture given big cam- I paign and boosted scale, but lack ' of names are hurting. Fair $6,000. I Last week; "Dark Past" (Col), light $4,000. Toronto. March 22. I Two sea pictures, "Wake of Bed ! Witch" and "Dowrf" to Sea in , Ships," are corralling most of coin here despite competing against each other. "Witch" is strongest even if in second week. Other new product is on mild side. ■ Estimates for This Week Imperial (FP) (3,373; 36-66)—"To Sea in Ships" (20th). Big $16,000. Last week, "Every Girl Married" (RKO) (2d wk), okay $10,000. Locw's (Loew) (2,096; 36-66)— "Command Decision" (M-G) (3d wk). Fine $8,000 after last week's $11,000. Odcon (Rank) (2,390; 35-$1.20)— "Wake Red Witch" (Rep) (2d wk). Still sock at $13,000 after last week's big $16,000. Shea's (FP) (2,386: 36-66)—"John Loves Mary" (WB). Okay $8;000. Last week. "Yellow Sky" (20th) (2d wk). good S6,000. ; Tivoli (FPJ (1.431; 3(5-66)—"Man , About House" (20th). Okay $3,000.1 Last week. "Boy Green Hair" (20th). sovso $4,500. Uptown. (Loew) (2,743; 36-66)—I "Piccadilly Incident" lU) and i Crime" (Indiel. Mild $8,000. Last I "Bad Men Tombstone" I Good $36,000; lother Not So Fresh, ), Tony' 25G, 'Honeymoon' 36G Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Grosw This Week $489,000 { Based m ic theatres) Last Year $881,900 (Based, on 23 tlieatres) 'Riley' Ropes In TaDSimPitt (Mono) and "Henrv, (Mono), mild $8,500. Bainmaker" ?i'rwelk "'John' Loves "^Mary" ! Lyric (Pai ) (1,000; 50-70)-"Wake rWB) and "Plunderers" (Rep),; Red Witch" (Rep) (3d wk). Deliv- Sl'^'iOO I ercd m surprising fashion and still Orplirum (Loew) (3,000; 40-85)— I good at $5,000. Last week, big "Knock on Any Door" (Col) and i $7,000. "Blondie's Big Deal" (Col). Nice Radio City (Par) (4,000; 50-70)— $25,000. Last week, "The Bribe" "Letter Three Wives" (20th). Men's (M-G) and "Bad Men of Tomb-i fashion show opening night helped stone" (Mono), about same. 1 land big start. Just good $15,000. Paramount (NET) (1,800; 40-85) | Last week. "Chicken Every Sun- —"Johnny Belinda" (WB) and day" (20th), fairly good $14,500. "Sierra Madre" (WB) (reissues) j RKO-Orplieum (RKO) (2,800; SO-.SO $11,000. Last week, 'Whis- 50-70)—"South of St. Louis" (WB). pering Smith" (Par) and "Kid-! napped" (SG) (2d wk), neat $12,000 Pittsburgh, March 22. First week in a long time that all of Golden Triangle's five first- runs have new pictures, and they're riding the Lenten slump about evenly. Best of the bunch looks like "Life of Riley'^ at Harris, which Jfs caishing in on a strong canipiign, "South of St, Louis" looks juSt SO-sflr at Stanley and tjiat^s also true of "Fainiiy Hopeyi moon" at ^Penn. Estimates for this Week ^ nptitinn from now n 2n0-spat rinrv I (Shea) (1,700; 45-80)— petit on Horn new ll,^UO-seatUincy|.,j^^j p„ , j^ooks .$6,500, ; Garden where the Shipstads and i very modest. Last week, "Enchant- i Johnson "Ice Follies" is landing a 1 ment" (RKO) (2d wk), $7,500. I fantastic gross for nine shows at I Harris (Harris) . (2,200; 45-80)— j $3 top. "Whispering Smith," top "Life of Riley" U). P.a.'s of Rich- filmer, is sturdy at Palace. Capitol's ard Long and Meg Randall, St Carle-MiUs Bros. Help Tigeon' $30,000, Cincy; 'Smith' Snappy $16,000 Cincinnati, March 22. Biz generally is shaping up ac- ceptable this stanza in view of com- Staip "Knock (Loew) on Any (3,500; 40-85)— Door" (Col) and week, light "Blondie's Big Deal" (Col). Nice $16,000. Last week, "The Bribe" (M-G) and "Bad Men of Tomb- stone" (Mono), $15,500. Philly yd, So Is Biz; 'Shockproof Dim $15,000, W Mtut $14,000 Philadelphia, March 22. Cold weather and some product- that left patrons even colder in- fused no warmth into firstruns this weekend. Earle is way off with "Shockproof." Another newcomer. "The Bribe," at Goldman shapes standout. "Red Pony" looks brisk at the Aldine. Estimates for This Week Aldine (WB) (1.303; 50-99)— "Red Pony" (Rep). Brisk $14,000 or better. Last week. "Own True Love" (Par), thin $11,500 in 10 days. ; Boyd (WB) (2,360; 50-99 )— •Woman's Secret" (RKOi. Mild $19,000. Last week. "Enchant- ment" (RKO) (5th wk), $13,000. , ^Jarle (WB) (2,700; 50 - 99)— rShockpioof" (Coll. Dim $15,000. Last week, "Peudin", Fussin'" (U) with Jack Carson onstage, sock $36,000. " ' Fox (20th) (2,2.i0; 50-99)—"Let- ter Three Wives" (20th 1 (3d wk). Holdmg up well at $18,000. Last week, sock $26,000. „„<"»|dman (Goldman) (1.200; 50- SHi~ Bribe" (M-G). Oke $20,000. m\ week. "Whispering Smith" irar) (4th wk), $10,000. Karlton (Goldman) (1,000; 50-99) Pin Arc" (RKO) (ISlh wk). *^»ne $7,500. Last week, $8,000. Keith Fairly good $12,000. Last "Woman's Secret" (RKOi, $8,000. RKO-Pan (RKO) (1,600: 50-70)— "Tarzan'.s Magic Fountain" (RKO). Still life in Tarzan. . moderate $8,000. Last week, "Act of Mur- der" (U) split with "Canon Pass- age" (U) and "Kiontier Gal" (U) (reissuesl. $7,000. State (Par) (2.300; 50-70)—'Com- mand Decision" (M-G) i2d wk). Still forte at $10,000 after bofl' $16,000 initial stanza. " ■lVorranMann)""i4W; $i:20-$2."40) -"Red Shoes" (ED i4tli wk). Sock $5,500 on top of excellent $5,600 third canto. St. Louis fairly big 'Hair' Smooth $17,000, St. Loo; 'GTIynn lOG . St. Louis, March 22. Holdovers predominate here cur- rently and even spring weather will not help the slow . pace. • Of new fare, best money is going to "Boy With Green Hair," though not smash at the Fox. "Fighting O'Flynn" looks good at while "Enchantment" is at Shubei't. Estimates for This Week Ambassador (F&Mi (3,000; 50-75) —•'Family Honeymoon "Incident" .(Mono) to $13,500 after fancy $19,i>00. Fox (F&M) (5,000; 50-75i—"Boy Green Hair" (RKO) and "Christo- pher Blalie" (WBi. Modest $17,000. Last week, "Station West" (RKO) and "Taiwan's Magic Fountain" (RKO). $16,500. 'Locw's (Loew) (3,172; 50-751— "The Bribe" (M-G) and "The Search" IM-G) (2d wk), OS to slow $13,000 after first session's strong I "Down To Sea In Ships" looks mild i Frankie Carle band and Mills Bros, 1 are boosting "'Clay Pigeon" to sock I week at .Mbee. Estimates for This Week i .-Vlbce (RKO) (3.100; 60-94) — : "Clay Pigeon" iRKOi plus Frankie ! Carle orch. Mills Bros., others, on- stage; Rollicking $30,Qa0. Last ■ week, "Dear Secretary" (UA) with I Eddv Duchin orch. Marilvn Max- ; Well. $27,000. ^ Capitol (RKOi cum: 5,o-75) — "To Sea In Ships" (20lhi. Mild .$8,000 in 8 davs. Last week, "Don Juan" (WB) (2d wk'. $6,000. i Grand (RKO) (1,400; 55 - 75) — I "Bad iMen Tombstone" (Mono), i Snappy $8,500. Last week, "Life of Riley" (U) (2d wki. big S7.300. Guild (Indie) (278; $1.20-$2.40)— ; "Red Shoes" i-EL)-(3d wk). Holding clo.sc to $4,500 pace about same as last week. ' Keith's (City Inv.) (1,542; 55-75) — 'Family Honeymoon" (Ul (2d wk), Plent.V of big $14 other round Palace (RKO) (2.600; .55-751 — | "Whi.spering Smith" (Par). Sturdy j SKi.OOO. Last week, "Mother In Freshman" (20th). $12,000. Patrick's opening day, radio show of same name and advance via local columnists' attendance at world preeni in Cincinnati all add- ing up to excellent $13,500 or near. Last week, "Letter Three Wives" (20th) (2d wk), fine $10,000 in 5 I days.. - ■ I Penn (Loew's-UA) (3.300; 45-80) 1-—"Family Honeymoon" (U). In- ! different notices aren't this, fairish ] $14,500. Last week. "The Bribe" I (M-G), over hopes at $16,000. 1 Stanley (WB) (3,800; 45-80)— 1 "South of St, Louis" (WB). Little I action here at around $16,000. Last week. "Dear to Heart" (RKO), I $15,000. . Warner (WB) (2,000; 45-80) "Tarzan's Magic Fountain" (RKO). Last-minute booking but fairly nice. $8,000 or closet -Last weckr couple of reissues, "Castle on Hudr son" (WB) and "Sgt. York" (WB) (reissues), $9,000. • -•f Los Angeles, March 22. Ideal spring weather is cutting into, weekend theatre takes here this week, with nothing outstand- ing in firstrun combos. "Mother Is Freshman" . shapes pleasing, but nothing more at $49,000. In four houses. Same applies to "Family Honeymoon," which is getting $36.- 000 in five spots. "Bad Boy'' is strong at down- town Orpheumj but light to okay in other four houses, with $36,000 for live spots. "Red Pony" is on just okay in two Paramounts with $25,000. Good second week of $30,- 000 looms for "Knock On Any Door" at two locations. Estimates for This Week Beverly Hills, Downtown. Ila»- waii, Hollywood Music Halls (Prin- Cdr) (834: 902; 1,106; 512; 55-$!)— "Lticky Stiff" (UA) and "Riders Pines" (COD. Slight $13,000 or near. Last week, "Cover-Up" (UA) (2d wk), $13,200. Chinese. Loew's State, Loyola, Uptown (FWC) (2,048; 2,404; 1.248; 1,719; 60-$!)—"Mother Is Fresh, man" (20th) and "Lone Wolf and Lady" (Col).. Pleasing $49,000. Last week, "Letter Three Wives" (20th) and "Henry, Rainm.iker" (Mono) (3d Wk-8 days), $27,100. Downtown, Hollywood, Wiltern (WB) (1,757; 2,756; 2,344; 60-$!)— "South St. Louis" (WBI (2d wk). , Fair $29,000. Last week, just good $43,700. ■ Egyptian, lios Ansreles, Wilshire (FWC) (1,538; 2,097; 2,296; 60-$l) —"Sun Comes Up" (M-G) and 'Bribe" (M-G) (2d wk). Medium $26,000. Last week, good $47,600. Orpiieum (D'town) (2,210; 60-$l) —"Bad Boy" (Mono) and "Joe Pa- looka in Big Fight" (Mono). Strong $19,000 or better, but just okay $36,000 for 5 theatres where day- dating. Last week, ^'Boy Green Hair" (RKO) and "Gun Smug- glers" (RKO) (2d wk-5 days). $6,- 900 here, with $14,400 total in. 4 houses. Pantag:es. RKO Hillstreet /Pan- RKO) (2,812; 2,890; 50-$l)-^ "Knock Any Door" (Col) and "Blondie's Big Deal" (Col) (2d wl(). (Continued on page 18) JI'Heart'Fast $18,000 in Frisco;'Beal' BoffoHG, 'Door'$22,000,'Sun'14G IIUIIC^UIUUII . (^U . ... :5rp\4r°l4Vfn!!'Wives' Paces Indpts., Fair $12,000;'Brihe'llG ; San Francisco, March 22. I Despite St. Patrick'ii parade up I Market street on Sunday (20), biz I is holding well here this week. "So j Dear to Heart" shapes big at I.Golden Gate While "Nick Beal" Indianapolis, March 22. I is heading for sock St. Francis at flrstrun houses here this I session. "Knock On Any Door" is in doldrums, spring | looks big at Orpheum, backed by (U) and (2d wk). Down initial stanza's „ * (Goldman) (1,300; 60-99) 1 $19,000, «,.lr> Decision" (M-G) (6th ' Missouri (F&M) (3.500; 50-75)— $7,000. Last week, : MCri^^s Cross" (U( and "Walked by S)'!- Mild I Night" (EL)' (m.o.). Fine at $9.!50() "v*,??r*X"> <WB) (4,360; 50-99)— Last week, "John Loves Mary AJ^^y'i'oo'^" (U) (2d \vk). (WB) and "Every Girl Married iiTili^*" $15,500, Last week, slim (RKO) (m.o.) (2d wk). $8,000. I St. Louis (P&M) (4.000: 50-75)— .(WB) (2,950; ^0-99)-* I "Fighting O'Flynn" (Ui and "Kid- $19,500. propped to $14!500 file $23,000. '^*'''""' Stanto .South ot St. ■lVu7s"""(WB). napped"" TmV^^ Good $10,000. ■Last week, Last week, "Cheated Law! (20th) and stageshow. stout $17,000. "Tarv^n"" (1,475; 50-99)-i Shady Oak (F&Mi '676; $1.20- Ten H *l«!;^?8ic Fountain" (HKO). $2.40)—"Hamlel" (U) (8th wki. Oft rr!.?,"* *9.000. Last week, "Cover-: to $2..5O0 after oke $3.s00 last (LA), 59,800.. ,.oi,nd. S2 4n'"''"T?'",* 'T-L' (500; $1.20- Shubert (Indi (1.50();. l^rP^Z: wk) iTi^^^'*, Shoes" (ELi (13lh "Enchantment" (RKO'. Big S12._0M. solid *n?nS^ "8,000. Last week,; Last week, "Joan of Arc """a $9,500, . ; j5t), vikp. great $7,500, (RKOi 'O'Flynn' Socko $11' Seattle; 'Door' Huge 16G Seattle.. March 22. Standout newcomers this week are "Fighting O'Flynn" at Coli- seum and "Knock on Any Door" at Libertv. Major holdovers are "Joan of Arc" at Music Hall and "Canadian Pacific" at Orpheum, both solid. Estimates tor This Week Blue Mouse (H-Ei (800: .50-84)— "John Loves Mary" (20th) and "Girl Manhattan" (UAi (5th wk). Slow $2,500. Last week. $3,300. Coliseum (H-E) 11.877: .50-84)—*. "Fighting O'Flynn" (U) and "Urubu" (UA). Big $11,000. Last week. "Act of Violence'' (M-G) and "HarDoon"(SG). $7,200. Fifth Avenue (H-Ei (2.349; 50- 84)—"Enchantment" (RKO) and "Mi.ss Mink" (20thi. Slow $7,000. Last week. "Command Decision" (M-G) (3d wk-8 days), nice $6,000. Liberty dndi (l,6.i0; 50-84)— "Knock On Any Door" (Col) and "Lone Wolf, Lady" (Coll. Terrific $16,000. Last week. "Sun Comes Up" (M-G) and "Blackie Chinese Adventure" (Col). fine $8,400. Music Hall (H-E) (2.200; 80- $1.25)—"Joan of Arc" (RKO) (2d wk). Solid $10,000 after great $15,- 000 opener. „ „. Orpheum (It-F.i i2.600; 50-84'— "Canadian Pacific" i20th> and "Big Fight" (Mono) (2d wk'. Big $8,- 006 after solid $13,600. ^^^^^ Paramount iH-E) i3.039; '50-84i —"Mother Is Freshman" (20th) and "Alaska Patrol" iFC' (2d wk- 6 days). Fair $7,000. Last week, great $12,300. Biz week weather, hockey finale, basketball and first television trade show ] keeping public's mind " off' pix. { "Letter to Three Wives" at Indiana [ and "Bribe" at Loew's are only ; fair. Lyric pulled "Mickey" after, four days. | Estimates for This Week I Circle (Gamble-DoUe) (2,800; 44-65)—"Station West" (RKO) and; "Velvet Touch" (RKO). Thin $9,000. Last week, "Life of Riley" (U) and "This Is N. Y." (UA), dandy I $13,000. Indiana (G-D) (3.300; 44-65)— • "Letter Three Wives" (20th) and • "Caravan" (Col), Moderate $12,000. i Last week, "Rogues' Regiment" (U) and "Saxon Charm" (U), about same. ; Loew's (Loew's) (2,450; 44-651— "Bribe" (M-G) and "Piccadilly In- I cident" (M-G). Slow $11,000. Last I week, "Act of Violence" iM-Gi and ' "Dark Past" (Col), tepid $8,000 in i 5 days. Lyric (G-D) (1,600; 44-651— "Micke.v" (EL) and "The Scar" I (EL). Only $1,.')00 in four days. ; "Sgt. York" (WB) and "Castle on ! Hudson" (WB) reissues). Oke ; $5,000 in 4 days. Last week, "Tar- ' zan's Magic Fountain" (RKO) and i "The Pearl" (RKO). modest $6,000. A. M. Loew Ganders Europe for Metro Arthur Mi Loew, Metro's vpepee 1 in charge of the foreign field, I planed to France over the week- end for a couple of weeks. Loew is inspecting Continental operations during his stay in Eu- t rope. major ad and promotional cam- : paign. "Red Stallion in Rockies" . is doing nicely at Paramount. Estimates for This Week Golden Gate (HKOi (2.844- 60-95)—"Dear to Heart" (RKO) and "Gun Smugglers" (RKO). Big $18,000 or over. Last week. "Clav Pigeon" (RKO) plus Red Skelton onstage, tremendous $52,000 at upped scale. Fox (FWC) (4,651; 60-95)— "Canadian Pacific" (20th) and "High Fury" (UA) (2d wk). Fair $10,500 in 5 days. Last week, big $22,500. Warfield (FWC) (2,656; 60-85)-^ "Sun Comes Up" (M-G) and"Act Of Violence" (M-G). Fine $14,000. Last week, "Chicken Every Sun- day" (20th) (2d wk). $ll,ij00. Paramount (Par) (2,646; 60-85)— "Red Stallion Rockies" (EL) and "Shamrock Hill" (ED. Nice $13,000 or close. Last week, "Sgt. York" (WB) and "Castle on Hud- son" (WB) (reissues), husky : $17,500. St. Francis (Par) (1.400; 60-85)— "Nick Beal" (Par). Sock 817.000. Last week, "Whispering Smith" (Par) (4th wk), $10,500. Orpheum (No. Coast) (2,448; 155-8,5)-:-"Knock On Any Door" i (Col) and "Gallant Bess" (ED. Big ■ $22,000. Last week, "Fighting O'Flvnn" (U) and "Gay Amigo" (UAi. okay $12,000. United Artists (No. Coast) (1,207; 8i)-$1.20) — "Enchantment" (RKO) ;(2d wk). Strong $8,000. Last I week. $10,500. Stagfedoor (Ackerman) (370; : $1.20-$2.40)—"Hamlet" (U) (19th . (Continued on page 18)