Variety (Mar 1949)

Wedn eaday, March 30, 1949 9 Spring Weather Ups (%irCoinman(r Sock $31000, 'Joan' Terrif $35,0i. 'Belinda-ladre' Tidy 13G on Awards Chicago, March 29. + Soring breezes are blowing iipavv grosses for Loop houses this rnund. New product plus strong SSldovers will give downtown thea- fres their best week in months. "Command Decision" at Woods rt^pes soclco $31,000 while "Joan nf Arc" at Grand on grind policy •nil uDoed scalo should hit smash 5??000 "Canadian Pacific" at Hoosevcit looks excellent $20,000. "Sun Comes Up" at United Artists leems set for neat $18,000. Academy award honored "John- ♦iv Belinda" and "Sierra Madre" at Apollo are likely to hit tidy $13,- '"'lony Martin and "Whispering Smith" at the Chicago lead the gecond-weekers at nice $56,000. "Mother Is Freshman" with Nellie , LutcBer and Charlie Ventura band at Oriental still is big $45,000. "Palsan" at World in 10th week is holding amazingly well. Estimates for TWs Week Apollo (B&K) (1,400; 50-98)— "Johnny Belinda" (WB) and "Sierra Madre" (WB). Neat $13,000 on return dates. Last week, "Ham- let" (U) (17th wk). $6,000. Chicago (B&K) (3,900; 50-98)— ■ "Whispering Smith" (Par) with Tony Martin personal (2d wk). Hefty $56,000 in sight. Last week, $69,000 below hopes. Garrick (B&K) (900; 50-98)— "Bdmba" (Mono) and "Big Fight" (Mono) (2d Wk). Fine $7,500. Last week, $11,000. Grand (RKO) (1,500; 75-$l,25)— "Joan of Arc" (RKO), Sock $35,000. looms on grind policy. Last week,, "It Ain't Hay" (U) and "Ghost Catchers" (U) (reissues), $12,000. t . Oriental (Essaness) (3,400; 50-98) —"Mother Is Freshman" (20th) plus Nellie Lutcher. and Charlie ' Ventura orch onstage (2d yrk)^ Ex- cellent $45,000. Last week, big $59,000. Palace (RKO) (2,500; 50-98)— "Woman's Secret" (RKO) and I "Blackie's Chinese Hevenge" (RKO). Fair $15,000. Last week, "Family Honeymoon" (U) (2d wk), oke $12,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 50-98)— "Canadian Pacific" (20th). Fast $20,000. Last week, "South of St. Louis" (WB) (2d Wk), $13,000. Selwyn (Shubert) (1,000; $1.20- $2,40)—"Red Shoes" (EL) (14th wk). Standing up well at $12,000. Last week, $12,400. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 50-98) —'!Undercover Man" (Col) (2d wk). • Okay $20,000. Last week, $31,000. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 50- 98)—"Sun Comes Up" (M-G). Trim $18,000 . Last week, "No Minor Vices" (M-G), fair $14,000. Woods (Essaness) (1,073; 98)— 'Command Decision" (M-G). Socko $31,000, Last week, "Enchant- ment" (RKO) (4th wk), $12,000. SPRING CLIPS ST. LOO ALBEIT 'DOOr $17,500 ' St. Louis, March 29. Trade at firstruns Is on the skids with spring temperatures on tap. Knock On Any Door" Is Out in front among newcomers with "Kiss in Dark" a strong second. "South ot St. Louis" shapes just okay de- spite title calculated to stir local interest. , Estimates for This Week ^ Ambassador (F&M) (3,000; 50- 75)— "Kiss in Dark" (WB) and Flaxy Martin" (WB), Good $16,- 000. Last week, "Family Honey- and "Incident" (Mono), ♦lo.OuQ, Fox (F&M) (5,000; 50-75)— South of St. Louis" (WB) and tfenry. Rainmaker" (Mono). Okay tV.OpO, Last week, "Boy Green "air (RKO) and "Christopher Blake" (WB), $14,000. Loew's (Loew) (3,172; 50-75)— Knock On Any Door" (Coi). Fine Last week, "The Bribe" rc> Land "The Search" (M-G) (2d wk), $13,000. ..J"'s.s««ri (F&M) (3,500; 50-751— ;<i?'".''y Honeymoon" (U) and , *?P')on West" (RKO) (m.o.). Trim (itT'"°'^-, Last week, "Criss Cross" « ^"1 "Walked by Night" (RL) ta.o,), $6,500. Louis (F&M) {4,000; .50-75)— F ghting O'Flynnl'Nu) and "Kid- SHPed (Mono) (2d wk). Down to * eu ^after solid $10,000 opener. , Shady Oak (F&M) ($1.20-$2.40)— tn *U) (10th wk). Climbing J?„*5,000 from sturdy $4,000 last, week on Academy laurels. Shubert (Ind) (1,500; 50-75)— wichantment" (RKO) (2d wk). 1 Sftial^e^er" 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- Gom'e. ■ The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated, include the U. S. amusement tax. CARSON UNIT LIFTS UW $31,000, CLEVE. Cleveland, March 29. Jack Carson's stageshow teamed with "I Cheated the Law" is smart at Loew's State and week's best bet. Hipp's "Johnny Belinda " and "Sierra Madre" are showing strength, Estimates for Thi$ Week Allen (WB) (3,057; 55-70)— "Walking Hills" (Col). Great $17,- 000. Last week, "Chicken Every Sunday" (20th), $12,000. Esquire (Community) (700; $2.40) —"Red Shoes" (EL) (14th wk). Fine $7,000, after $7,200 last stanza. Hipp (Warner) (3,465; 55-70)— "Johnny Belinda" (WB) and "Sier- ra Madre" (WB) (2d runs)." Hearty $18,000. Last week, "South of St. Louis" (WB), $20,000. Palace (RKO) (3,284; 65-70)— "Dear to Heart" (RKO). Medium $15,500. Last week, "To Sea in Ships" (20th), $16,500. State (Loew's) (3,450; 70-90) — "Cheated Law" and Jack Carson Stageshow with Marion Button, Robert Alda. Stage layout upplng to big $31,000. Last week, "Fam- ily Honeymoon" (U) oke $10,000, 'P^eon'-T. Dorsey Strong 19G, Balto Baltimore, March 29. Balmy- weather ■ over weekend nicked most downtown tills here, with the only entry beating thS opposition. "Take Me Out to Ball- game,'* at Loew's Century, shapes very big. Tommy Dorsey is help- ing "Clay Pigeon" at combo Hip- podrome to a strong, figure. Best of list is just fair. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew's-UA) (3,000: 20-, 60)—"Ball Game" (M-G). Reachingi out for wartime figure, with $21.- 000 likely. Last week, "Bride" (M-G), $11,200. Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,240; 20-70) — "Clay Pigeon" (RKO). Leaning on Tommy Dorsey orch for strong $19,000. Last week, "Parole, Inc." (EL), with big help from Woody Herman orch, $18,300, Keith's (Schanberger) (2,460: 20- 60)—"Red Canyon" (U). Fairish response $11,000. Last week, "Nick Beal" (Par), $9,800. Mayfair (Hicks) (980; 20r65) — "Own True Love" (Par), Mild $4,- 000. Last week, "Bed Pony" (Rep), $4,600. New (Mechanic) (1,800; 20-60)-' "Letter Three Wives" (20th) (3d wk). Holding well at $7,000 after good second round to $9,200. Stanley (WB) (3,280; 2S5-75)— "Johnny Belinda" (WB) (2d run). Not getting any place at .¥8.000. Last week, "South St. Louis" (WB) (2d wk), mild $7,770. Town (Rappaport) (1,500; 35-65) — "Mourning Becomes Electra" (RKO), Not big $9,000 possibility. Last week, "Dear to Heart" (RKO) {2d wk), oltay $7,100. 'Witch' Real Whopper In Denver at $25,000 Denver. March 29. "Wake of Red Witch" is showing the way here currently with a wow total in three spots. "Dear to My Heart" also is doing nicely at Or- pheum. "Nick Bcal" is getting sec- ond week at Denham but on fair side. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Cinema) il.oOO; 3,=5-74) ."Act of Murder" (tJi and "Coun- (Continued on page 18) 'Married' Stout $19,000, Mont'l.; 'Road House' 17G Montreal, March 29. „ "Every Girl Married" and "Boad House" will pace new entries here this week. Both are sock. "Snake Pit" is still holding strong in sec- ond week, Estimates for This Week Loew's (C,T.) (2,855; 40-65)— "Snake Pit" (20th) (2d wk). Fancy $20,000 after smash first session at $26,000. Capitol (C.T.) (2,412; 34-60)— "Yellow Sky" (2d wk). Trim $12,- OQO following okay first week at $17,500. Palace (C.T.) (2,625; 34-60)— "Every Girl Married" (RKO). Big $19,000. Last week, "Jassy" (EL), dull $10,000. Princess (C.T.) (2,131; 34-60)— "Road House" (20th), Great $17,- 000, Last week, "Beyond Glory" (Par) (2d wk), fair $7,500. Imperial (C.T.) (1,839; 26-45)— "Blood and Sand" (20th) (reissue) and "Gay Intruders" (20th), Nice $8,500, Last week, "Letter Un- known Woman" (U) and "Miss Mink '49" (20th), steady $7,500, Qrpheum (C.T.) (1,040; 34-60)— "Innocent Aff'air" (UA) and "Kings of Olympics" (UA). Oke $5,000. Last week, "This Is New York" (UA) and "Valiant Hombre" (UA) (2d wk); $4,800. 'St. Louis' Sturdy $25,000 Toils Det. Detroit, March 29. No stageshow this week at the Fox, and it is helping many other spots downtown. Best bet cur- rently looks like Michigan's "South of St, Louis" which shapes sturdy. Comparatively bigger is "Com- mand Decision" at the Adams. Estimates for This Week Fox (Fox-Mich) {5,000; 70-95)-^ "Mother Is Freshman" (20th) and "Intermezzo" (SRO) (reissue). Just okay $26,000. Last Week, "Chicken Every Sunday" (20th) with Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts unit on- stage, solid $40,000. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 70-95)—"South of St. Louis" (WB) and "Parole, Inc." (Mono). Sturdy $25,000. Last week, "John Loves Mary" (WB) and "Flaxy Martin" (WB), $19,000. Palms (UD) (2,900; 70-95) — "Walked by Night^' (EL) and "16 Fathoms Deep", (Mono) (2d wk); Fine $16,000. Last week, big $24,000, United Artists (UD) (2,000; 70- 95)—"Kiss in Dark" (WB) and "Homicide" (WB). Okay $14,000. Last week, "Mourning Becomes Electra" (RKO), oke $15,000. Madison (UD) (1,800; 70-85)— "Walking Hills" (Col) and "Song of India" (Col) (2d wk). Fair $14,000. Last week, good $17,000. Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 70-95)— "Command Decision" (M - G). Strong $15,000. Last week, "Fam- ily Honeymoon" ■ (U) and "High- way 13" (SG), (2d wk), $10,000. Dowiltown (Balaban) (2,800; 70- 95)—"Act of Violence" <M-G) and "Winner Take All" (Mono). Thin $8,000. Last week, "Kissing Ban- dit" (M-G) and "Feathered Ser- pent" (Mono) (2d wk), $7,000. KNIGHT T(J EKO- Arthur Knigiit, ass't curator of the Museum of Modem Art's film division, is moving into RKO. Knight will work along with Ar- thur Good in the domestic distribu- tion of 16m pix. He takes over his new job Mon- day (4). B'way MaHb Time; 'El Paso- Jordan 5^ Anthony Orch $70,0i, ICiss'-Lombardo I, 'Outpost-Jenkins'Cardini 64G - Despite six new bills, the first, really warm two-day weekend is cutting into Broadway flrstrun business this session. Lenten sea- son and slight recession in indus- trial activity also are factors but undoubtedly the trek of thousands outdQors, via auto or on foot, hurt most. Mercury soared above ' 70 Sunday (27) after a mild Saturday, and many of people jamming Broadway Sunday were just out for the stroll. Most houses had their cooling plants in operation as add- ed lure. Minor cuts in weekday admis- sions apparently exerted no Infiu- ence. In fact, those in forefront .of price trims are suffering most this week. Best showing of new pictures is being made by "El Paso," with Louis Jordan Five, Ray Anthony band at Paramount where very good $70,000 looms. "Outpost In Morocco" with Gordon Jenkins band and Cardinl heading stage- show shapes jijst okay $64,000 at Capitol. "Kiss In Dark," with an assist from Guy Lombardo band topping stage bill, is on disappointing side at around $52,000 at Strand. "Casa- blanca" is nic~e $20,000 on reissue at Mayfair. "Bad Boy" is a baddie with $13,000 at Palace, and stays only three extra days.' "Daughter of West" will be lucky to reach $8,000 at Rlalto. Holdovers and extended - runs generally are hardest hit ' this round. Even "Ball Game" at State dipped s^harply to $27,000 in third week. "Knock On Any Door" skidded to $12,000 for sixth Astor frame. "Little Women" was off $10,000 to $115,000 on third session at Music Hall but enough to win a fourth week. Estimates, for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; 60-$1.80) —"Knock On Any Door" (Col) (6th wk). Still on slUds with only about $16,000 likely this round; fifth, mild $18,000. "We Were Strangers" (Col) opens April 26. Bijou (City Inv.) (589; $1.20-$2.40) —"Red Shoes" (EL) (23d wk). Holding well at $15,000 of near after $15,100 for 22d wk. Stays on indef._ ■ _ _ _ Cajpltoi (Loew's) (4,820; 8Q-$i.80) —"Outpost in Morocco" (UA) with Gordon Jenkins orch, Cardini heading stageshow. Initial week ending today (Wed.) shapes just okay $64,000 or less. Holds. In ahead, "3 Godfather!!" (M-6) with Sammy Kaye orch, others, onstage (3d wk), small $38,000. Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 50-$1.75) —"The Set-Up" (RKO). Opened yesterday (/Tues.). In ahead, "Criss Cross" (U) (3d wk-4 days), thin $8,000 after $16,000 for secoad round. Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 50-$1.20) —"Impact" (UA) (2d wK). Not holding well at $10,500 despite price cut, after mild $15,000 initial week. Stays another round, with "The Champion" (UA) scheduled to open April 9. h Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 50- $1.20)—"Casablanca" (WB) (re- issue). Getting $20,000'.or close, fine for reissue; Holds. Tin ahead, 'Kettle' htm in K.C Giant $30, 'Jennie'Big $6,000,'Kiss'Modest IIG "Last Bandit" (Rep), only lasted one week, doing slight $13,000. Palace (RKO) (1,700; 55-$1.25)—. "Bad Boy" (RKO) (2d wk-3 days). First week highly disappointing at $13,000, one of worst weeks here in some time for a firstrun, "Shot Jesse James" (FC) being pushed in Friday (1). Paramount (Par) (3,664; 55-$1.50) —"El Paso" (Par) plus Louis Jor- dan Tympany Five, Ray Anthony orch, Pat Henning heading stage bill (2d wk). First round ended last night (Tues.) hit very good $70,000. In ahead, "Nick Beal" (Par) with King Cole Trio, Elliott Lawrence orch (2d wk), $58,000. Park Avenue (U) (583; $1.20- $2.40)—"Hamlet" (U), (27th wk). Twenty-sixth week climbed up to $15,000, via Academy awards; ahead of last stanza. Continues. Radio City Music Hall (Rocke- fellers) (5,945; 80-$2.40) — "Little Women" (M-G) with stageshow (3d wk). Doing nicely at $115,000, and stays a fourth. Third was stout $125,000, very near initial week. "Connecticut Yankee" (Par) and Easter stageshow opens April 7. Rialto (Mage) (594; 44 - 98) — "Daughter of West" (FC). Modest $8,000 and does not hold. In ahead, "Alaska Patrol" (FC) and "The Judge" (FC), okay $7,500." RIvoH (UAT - Par) (2,092; 60- $1.25)—"Portrait of Jennie" (SRO). Opens today (Wed.) after benefit preview show last night (Tues.). in ahead, "Snake Pit" (20th) (21st wk-5 days), dim $3,500 after $8,400 for 20th week, below hopes. Roxy (20th) (5,886; 80-$1.80) — '-'Mother Is Freshman" (20th) plus Phil Baker, Cab Calloway, iceshow topping stage layout (3d-final wk). Down to light $56,000 or less after disappointing $68,000 for second. 'The 'Fan" tZOth) with Ginny Simms, Arnaut Bros., "Merry Widow" iceshow with Joan Hyl- doft, Arnold Shoda onstage, opens Friday (1). State (Loew's) (3,450; 50-$1.50)— "Ball Game" (M-G) (4th wk). Starts today (Wed.). Third stanza fell off sharply to $27,000 or Jess after nice $37,000 foF Second week. Con- tinues. Strand (WB) (2,756; -'70-$1.75)— "Kiss in Dark" (WB) plus Guy Lombardo Orch, Frank Marlowe, . Hoctor & Byrd onstage. WTith plug for Jane Wyman as Academy win- ner talking in"Dark,'! this is mod- erately good $52,000 or near, Holds. Last week, "South of St. Louis" (WB) with Desl Amaz orch (3d wk-5 days), slim $24,000.' Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; 95- $1.80)—"Joan of Arc" (RKO)- (20th wk). Current session is holding fairly well at $13,500, after $16,000 for 19th week. Stays on. Kansas City, March 29, World preem of "Ma and Pa Ket- tle" with stars of film in for per- sonals pushed Tower, Uptown and Fairway' to terrific total. "Portrait of Jennie," day-and-date at Kimo and Dickinson with $1 top shapes big. "Knock On Any Door" at Midland is just okay. Weather, showing signs of spring, makes it easier on theatregoers. Estimates for This Week Kinio — Dickinson (Dickinson) (550, 735; 61-75-$l)—"Portrait of ■Jennie" (SBO). Two smaller houses in roadshow run. Big $6,000, with Kimo doing bulk of biz. Last week, "Day of Wrath" (Indie), Kimo only, fair $1,200. Midland (Loew's) (3,500; 45-65)— "Knock on Any Door" (Col) and "Miraculous Journey" (FC). Just okay $14,000. Last week, "En- cliRortment" (RKO) and "Blondie's Big Deal" (Col), $12,000. Orpheuwl (RKO) (1,900; 45-65)— "Kiss in Dark" (WB) and "Homi- cide" (WB) moderately good $11,000. Last week, "Tarzan's Magic Fountain" (RKO) and "Em- braeeable You" (WB), ,$10,000. Paramount (Par) (1,900; 45-65)— "South of St. Louis" (Par) (2d wk). Down to $8,000 from good $13,000 opening. Roxy (Durwood) (900; 45-65)— '^Arkansas Swing" (Col) and"Can't Take It With You" (Col) (reissue). Usual $3,000. Last week, "Bad Men Tombstone" (Mono) and "Strike It Rich" (Mono), same. Tower - Uptown - Fairway (Fox Midwest) (2,100; 2,043; 700; 45-65) —"Ma and Pa Kettle" (U) World preem with p.a.'s of Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, Meg Randall and Richard Long opening day boost- ing "this to terrif $30,000., Last week "Sea in Ships" (20th)i sturdy $16,000. 'DOOR' SWINGS SOCKO $19,000 IN FAIR MPLS. Minneapolis, March- 29. Major newcomers continue scarce, with only a trio of them currently on deck. In order of boxoffice importance, they are "Knock on Any Door," "Kissing Bandit" and "Countess of Monte Cristo." The muchin - evidence holdovers include the roadshow "Red Shoes" in its fifth week at World, where big, and "Letter to Three Wives." Rain hurt week- end biz. Estimates for This Week - Century (Par) (1,600; 50-70)—. "Countess Monte Cristo" (U). Good $6,500. Last week, "Chicken Every Sunday" (20th) (2d wk), okay $6,- 000. Lyric (Par) (1,000; 50-70)— "Johnny Belinda" (WB) and "Sier- ra Madre" (WB) (2d runs). Brought back on strength of Oscar show- ings, and big $7,000 looms. Last week, "Wake, Bad Witch" (Rep) (3d wk), good $6,000, and boff $27,000 for run. Radio City (Par) (4,000; 50-70)— "Letter Three Wives" (20th) (2d wk). Still healthy at $13,000 af- ter neat $16,000 opener. RKO-Orpheum (RKO) (2,800; 50- 70)*-"Knock Any Door" (Col). Sock $19,000. Last week, "SoUth of St. Louis" (WB), $12,500. RKO-Pah (RKO) {1,600; SO-70)—- "South St, Louis" (WB) (m.o.). Fine $9,500. Last week, "Tar- zan Magic Mountain" (RKO), $7,- 500. . State (Par) (2,300; 50-70)—"Kiss- ing Bandit" (M-G). Fair $10,000. Last weeki "Command Decision" (M-G) (2d wk), healthy $10,000.