Variety (Mar 1949)

Spring Slaps Hub But 'St. Loo' Neat I; 'Pacific' 21G, 'Happy' 14G • i* Boston, March 29. - finrini! lethargy seems to have Mt C around town this stanza "u», not too much activity repprt- "south of St. Louis" -at Met town ' with neat session, &k On Any Door." at Oi- 'tZrm and "Mother Is a Fresh- S^kt Memorial, are .holding up Srav in second stanzas. "Bed Can- yln" and "Canadian Pacific"' are 'average.., ^' ; Estimates for This W«ek Alitor (Jaycox) (1,200; 40-8,5)— «Got a Stay'Happy" (U). Nof bad *14 000. Last week, "Joan of Arc" fRKO) (m.o.) (7th wk). $6,000 m 0 rtavs and moved to Esquire. Rost'on (RKO) (3,200; 40-85)— .'Chioken Every Sunday" (20th and "Smokey Mountain Melody" ?rol) Mild $16,000. Last week, '•Lucky Stiff" (UA) with Louis Prima band topping stage show, Sice $28,500. Fenway (NET) (1.373; 40-85^— ••Canadian Pacific" (20th) and "The . Hideout" (Bep). About average Sooo. Last week "Johnny Be- linda" (WB) and "Sierra Madre' (WB) fair $6,000 on return date. Mayflower (ATC) (700; $1.2.=5)— "Portrait of Jennie" (SRO) (6th wk>. Down to $4,500 with nice $5,200 last. Memorial (3,000; 40-85)—"Moth- er Is Freshman" (20th) and "Black Eagle" (Col) (2d wk). Nice $22,- 000 after $28,000 for first. Metropolitan (NET) (4,367; 40- 85)—"South St, Louis" (WB) and "I Clieated Law" (20th). Leading town at neat $24,000, Last week, '.'Nick Beal" (Par) and "Henry, Rainmaker" (Mono). Disappoint- ing .$18,000, Orpheum (Loew) (3,000; 40-85)— "Knock On Any Door" iColi and "Blondie's Big Deal" (Col) (2d wki. Down to $19,000 after solid $27,800 first. Paramount (NET) (1,800; 40-85) —"Canadian Pacific" (20thi and "The Hideout" (Rep), Okay $13,- 000. Last week, "Johnny Belinda" (WB) and "Treasure of Sierra Madre" (WB), slim $9,000 for re- turn of these. Pilgrim (ATC) (1,800; 40-85)— "Red Canyon" (U) and "Shamrock Hill" (Indie)> About average $12,- 000. Last week, subsequent-run. State (Loew) (3,500; 40-85)— "Knock On Any Door" (Coli and "Blbndie's Big Deal" (Col) (2d wk). Okay $10,000 after nice $17,000 first. Key City Grosses Estimated Total Grosi This Week .. .$2,840,000 iBased on 25 cities, 201 theatres, chiefly jirst runs, in- cluding N, Y.). Total Gross Same Week Last Year ...... .$3,197,000 (Based on 22 cities, 214 theatres). Urge Wonderful $15,000 in L'vine Louisville. March 29. "That Wonderful Urge" at the Rialto is leader here this weelc at solid figure. Return of "Johnny Belinda" at the Mary Anderson, looks only mild. Advent of spring weather is not helpful to biz. Estimates tor This' Week Mary Anderson (People's) (1,000; 45-65)—"Johnny Belinda" (WB). Brought back coincident with Academy Awards release but looks mild $7,000. Last week, "Johii Loves Mary" (WB) (3d wk), perky $3 500. J • National (Standard) (2.400; 50-85) —"Loaded Pistols"' (Col) ' with Monte Hale, others, onstage. Mod- est .$5,000. Last week, "Shep Comes Homo" (SGi and Billy (Continued on page 18) fffigjLA. Stai Skidding; 'Kiss' Not Virile ' mm, 'Evil' Slight mm, Award Boosts 'Hamlet' to 8Ci, 'Door' 2% 3d Buffalo, March 29. "Kiss in Dark" and "Knock on Any Door" are best bets liere tliis week, both being sturdy, "Take Me Out to Ball Game" looks nice for second week,; Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Loew's) (3,500; 40-70)— "Ball Game" (M-G) and "Bad Luck Blackie" (Col) (2d wk). Down to nice $12,000. Last week, big $19,000. Great Lakes (Par) (3,400; 40-70) —"Nick Beal" (Par) and "Own True Love" (Par). Opens tomorrow (Wed.). Last week, "Kiss in Dark" (WB) and "Homicide" (WB), trim $16,000. Hipp (Par) (2,100; 40-70)—"South, of St. Louis" (WB) (2d wk). Off to $6,000. Last week, sock $12,000. Teck (Loew's) (1,400; 40-70)— "I Shot Jesse James" (SG) and "Highway 13" (SG). Oke $3,500. Last week, "Mother Is Preshroian" (20th) (m.o.), $3,700. Lafayette (Basil) (3,000; 40-70)— "Knock on Any Door" (Col) and "Blondie's Big Deal" (Col). Lusty $18,000. Last week, "Life of Riley" (U) and "Miraculous Journey" (FC), $19,500 in 10 days. Century (20th Cent) (3,000; 40- 70)—"Plunderers" (Rep) and "An- gel on Amazon" (Rep). Okay at $10,000 or more. Last week, "Dear to My Heart" (RKO) and "Jiggs, Maggie in Court" (Mono), $12,000. 'BaU Game'Wow $21,000 In Pitt; 'Kettle Lusty 9G, 'Belinda'-ladre'$11000 Pittsburgh. March 29. "Take Me Out to Ball Game" at Penn has things much to itself this week, and about the only thing in town makiilg much of an impres- sion. Even all the Academy bally- hoo is not helping "Johnny Be- linda" and "Sierra Madre" at Stan- II •O'lnAAA tr • JAPiltw. "Down to Sea ia Ships" looks Hot $18,000, CriSS DGi^o so at Hanis ^ ' ' ' Estimates for This week End of Paper Strike Boosts Port.; 'Mother' Estimated Total Gros» This Week ...... .$506,500 (Based on IC tneatres) Last Year .$900,500 (Based on 24 theatres) 'Belmda'-ladre' Hep $9,000. Cincy : Cincinnati, March 29. Overall score for major stands currently shows signs of spring fever. Only new bills, "diss Gross" and "Force of Evil," are in moderate temp>u, with former in lead. Support of Frances Langford, Jon Hall, others, has "Flaxy Mar- tin" landing town's biggest coin. Academy awards are helping "Johnny Belinda" and "Sierra Madre" at Grand. .. Estimates for "This Week Albee (RKO) (3,100; 60-94> — "Flaxy Martin" (WB) plus Frances Langfordi Jon Hall, others, on- stage. Pleasing $24,000. Last week, "Clay Pigeon" (RKO) with Frankie (Continued on page 181 'Ships'Smooth I, PhiUy Philadelphia, March 29. Film business here seems to be marking time, with big product reserved' for Easter holidays. Com- bination of Lent and spring weather cut down trade over the weekend, "Down to Sea in Ships" looks standout at the Fox. "Alias Nick Beal" is only so-so at the Stanley, ' ' - Estimates for This Week , Aldine (WB) (1,303; 50-99)— .Bed Pony" slowed down to $8,000, Last week, fine $12,800, Boyd (WB) (2,360; 50-99)— Woman's Secret" (RKO), Oke $13,600. Last Week, $18,500. Earle' (WB) • (2,700; 50-99)— Johnny Belinda" (WB) and "Si- en-a Madre" (WB) (2d runsi. Fair $14,500. Last week, "Shockproof" (Col), $15,000. Fox (20th) (2,250; 50-99)—"To Sea in Ships" (20th). Town's leader at brisk $28,000. Last week, "Let- ter Three Wives" (20th) (3d wk), fine $18,000. Goldman (Goldman) (1,200; 50- »»).—"Bribe" (M-G) (2d wk). Good t-ij.000 after $20,000 initial stanza. (Goldman) (1,000; 90- ?i of Arc" (RKO) (14th JL*''Picked up for closing week at ♦«,50(). Last week, $7,000. Keith's (Goldman) (1,300; .50-99) r: Iioi-ce of Evil" (M-G). Strong JIO.WO. Last week, "Command Oecisipn" (M-G) (6th wk), $0,500. t.J"«?f'»aMm (WB) (4,360; 50-99 *amily Honeymoon" (U) Okay $15,000. Last week J'?«ley (WB) (2,950; Nick Beal" (Par). Fair kvi, ^o*"?^' "South of St WB) (2cl wk), $14,500. "Tnf?",*""; <WB) (1,475; 50-99)— Jesse James" (SG). Slim frn',, ;■ .'"P'* week, "Tarzan's Magic mountain" (RKO), $9,000. Mi'lMs-I-'Ux (T-L) (500: $1.20- W.40i--"Re(j Shoes" (ED (14th SRonn^}''*^"'* $8,000 after slipping ♦8.200 last week. Portland, Ore.. March 29. \ Settlement of month-old news- paper strike, goed weather and i good new pix are showing results at downtown houses this week. "Mother Is Freshman" is the big coingettcr. "Chicken Every Sun- day" and "Cn.ss Cross" also are shaping up well. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (1,832; 50-85) —"Criss Cross" tU) and "Angel in Exile ' (Rep). Strong $9,000. Last week, "Siren Atlantis" (UA) and "High Fury" (UA), $6,400. Oriental (H-E) (2,000; 50-85)-— "Mother Is Freshman" (20th) and "Amazing Mr. X" (EL), day-date with Or^euni. Torrid $7,000. Last week, "Canadian Pacific" (20th) and "Pardle, Inc." (EL), $5,400. Orpheum (H-E) (1.750; 50-85)— "Mother Is Freshman" (20th) and "Amazing Mr. X" (ED, also Orien- tal. Torrid $11,000. Last week, "Canadian Pacific" (20th) and "Pa- role, Inc." (EL), $9,500. Paramount (H-E) (3,400; 50-85)— "Chicken Every Sunday" (20th) and "Night Wind" (20th) (2d wk). Fine $8,000. Last week, excellent $9 200 ianited Artists (Parker) (895; 50- 85)—"ComcEiand Decision' (M-G) •(4th wk). Good $5,500. Last week, $6,600. Fulton (Shea) (1.700; 45-80)— "Ma and Pa Kettle" (U). Didn't open so big but climbing to tall $9,000. Last week. "Red Pony" (Rep). $5,500. Harris (Harris) (2,200; 45-80)— "To Sea In Ships" (20th >. Good notices but sluggish $13,000 lOoks all in 8 days. Last week. "Life, of, Rilev" (U), $13,200. Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 45-80) —"Ball Game" (M-G). Brisk $21,- 000. May hold. Last week, "Fam- ily Honeymoon" (U). $15,000. "Stanley (WB) (3,800; 45-80)— "■lohnny Belinda" (WBi and "Sierra Madre" (2d runs). All Academy Oscars not helping these, with depressing $11,000 likely. Last week,- "South of' St. Louis" (WB), neat $17,500. Warner (WB) (2,000; 45-80)— "South St. Louis" (WBi (m.o.). Okav $7,500. Last week, "Tarzan's Magic Fountain" (RKO). $6,000. 'Honeymoon' Happy In Seattle, 13G; 'Pony' 8G (3d wk>. , $16,000. 50-99)— $22,000. Louis" 'JOAN' SMASH $22,000, TORONTO;'KISS' $7,000 Toronto, March 29. "Joan of Arc," helped by the ap- peal of opening the University, new 1,556-seater, is strongest;entry here this week, "Kiss in Dark also is hefty at Tivoli. Top hold- over is "Wake of Red Witch m third Odeon week. , Estimates for This Week _^ Imperial (FP) (3.373; 36-66)— "Sea in Ships" (20th) (2d wk). Big $13,000 after last week's $17,000. Loew's (Loew) (2 096; 36-66;- "Force of Evil" (M-G), Fairish $12,000. La.st week, "Command Decision" (M-G) (3d wk). satisfac- '"^dlonTliank) (2.390; 35-$l,20)- "Wake Red Witch" (3d wk). Still ^ great .1;11,000 after last week's sock i ^^Shea's (FP) (2,386; 36-66)- ".Tohn Loves Mary" (WB) (2d wk) Okay $6,000 after la.st week s good ^^Tivoli (FP) (1,431; 36-66)-"Kiss j in Dark" (WB). Hefty $7,0(^0 Last, week. "Man About House" (20th), | .$4,500. -S'of'At'c'' (RKO). sock $22.. " subsequent-run Seattle, March 29. Town is mostly holdover this week, and few newcomers are strong. An exceptiljft to. the slug- gish tone is "Family Honeymoon' fancv at Fifth Avenue. " Estimates for This Week Coliseum (1,877; 50-84i — "Siren Atlantis" (UAf and "S. O. S. Sub- marine" (SG). Slow $7,000. Last week, "Fighting O'Flynn" (U) and "Urubu" (UA), nice $9,600. Fifth Avenue (H-Ei (2,349; 50- 84)—"Family Honeymoon"; (U) and "Clay Pigeon" (RKO). Fancy $13,- 000." Last week, "Enchantment" (RKO) and "Miss Mink" (20th), dull $7,000. Liberty (Ind) (1,650; 50-84)— "Knock On Any Door" (Coli and "Lone Wolf, Lady" (Col) (2d wk). Big $10,000, getting great $14,000 last week. orpheum (H-E) (2,600; 50-8*)— "Red Pony" (Rep) and "High Fury" (UA). Slim $8,000 or less. Last week, "Canadian'Pacific" (20th) and "Big Fight" (Mono) <2d; wk), big $8,300. Paramount (H-E) (3.039; 50-84)— "South of St. Louis" (WB) and "Jiggs, Maggie in Court" (Mono). Slight $8,000. Last week, "Mother Is Freshman" (20th)'and "Alaska Patrol" (FC) (2d wk), 6 daySi oke $7,000. „ . Kooseveli (Sterling) (800;, 50-84) —"Johnny Apollo" .(20th) and "This Mv Affair" (20th) (reissuesi. (1 556' 75-$1.20) i Okay $4,000. Last week, "Count of (i.aDO, /o->i;^y Ij^^nte Cristo" (ED and "Son of Monte Cristo" (ED (reissues', hot 'Chicken' Tasty $18,000, Prov.; 'Electra' Bright $16,000,'Bear Fair IIG Providence. March 29. Majestic is riding high and lead- ing main stemmers with "Chicken Every Sunday." Also good is RKO j Albee's "Mourning tra." State returns policy Thursday (31) when Sammy Kaye comes in, Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2,200; 44-65)—r "Mourning- Becomes Electra" (BKO) and "State Dept.-File 649" (FC). Trim $16,000. Last week, "Dear To Heart" (RKOi and "Clay Pigeon" (RKO), $15,000. Fay's (Fay) (1,400; 44-65) — "Calcutta" (Indie) (reissue) and Keye Luke heading stageshow. Nifty $8,000. Last week, "Angel On Amazon" (Re^) and George O'Han- lon on stage, same. Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 44-65)— "Chicken Every Sunday" (20th) and "The Judge" (20th). Strong $18,000. Last week, "Sea in Ships" (20th) (2d wk), good $12,000. Metropolitan (Snider) (3,100; 44- 65)—"Bad Men of Tombstone" (Mono) and "Big Fight" (Mono). Meek $7,200, Last week, "Cover- Up*' (UA) and "This Is N. Y." (UA), $7,500. State (Loew) (3,200: 44-65) — "Knock Any Door" (Col) and "Valr iant Hombre" (UAi (2d wk>. Healthy $14,500. First week Was steady $19,000. Strand (Silverman) (2,200: 44-65) —"Shot Jesse James" (SGi and "Shep Comes Home" (SG). Opened Monday (28). Last week, "Nick Beal" (Par) and "Rusty Saves Life" (Col), so-so $11,000. Los AngeleSi . March 29. Firstrun trade here still is coast- ingi with no outstanding dirawsi currently. Holdovers also are slow- ing down pace. However, Academy Award win by "Hamlet" is boosting it to $8,000 on 22d week at small- seater Four Star. "Kiss In Dark," among hew-- comers, shapes medium $43.0()O In three tlieatres despite Jane Wy- man's Oscar as best actress. "Foi-ca , of Evil" also is only fair $36,000 in three sites, "Knock On Any Door" Is Sighting nice $25,000 final (3d) frame, two houses. Slecoind Weeli of ''Mother Is Freshman" looks modest $33,000 in four situations, while "Family Honeymoon" is slow $25,000 in five spots, also second. , Of extended-runs, "Red Shoes" is holding well at $8,500 in 13th week at Pine Arts, "Paisan" hit okay $6,400 in fifth El Bey frame, and "Joan of Arc'- Is $2,200, ninth Apollo week. Estimates for This Week Beverly Hills, Downtown, Hawaii, Hollywood Music Halls (Prin-Cor) (834; 902; 1,106; 512; 5.5-$l)—"Lady of Burlesque" (UA) and "Guest in House" (UA) (reissues). Slim $14,500. Last week. "Lucky SOff'? (UA) and "Riders WhiStUng Pines" (Col), $12,800. Chinese, Loew's State, Loyola, Uptown (FWC) (2,048; 2.404; 1,248; 1,719; 60-$l)—"Mother Is Fresli- man" (20th) and "Lone Wolf Lady" (Col) (2d wk). Moderate $33,000. Last week, pleasant $48,100. • Downtown, Hollywood, Wilterli (WB) (1,757; -2,756: 2,344; 60-$l)—v "Kiss m Dark" (WBi and "Flaxy Martin" (WB): Mediirai' $43,000. La-st week, "South St. Louis" (WB) (2d wk), $26,300. Egyptian, Los Ang'ele% Wilshire (FWC) (1,.538; 2,097: 2,296; 60-$l)-^ "Force of Evil" (M-Gi and "Man About Hou.se" l20th). Fair $36,000. La.st week. "Sun Comes Up" (M-G) and "Bribe" (M-Gi l2d wki, $26,000. „ I Orpheum (D'town) (2,210: 60-$l) Becomes Elec- g^y" (Monoi and "Joe Pa- to slage-nim | i^gj^j, j„ gig Fight" (Mono) (2d wk). Down to $7,500 here, with $17,000 for 5 houses where day-dating. Last week, sturdy $18,500 here but just okay $34,500 in 5 spots. Patatages, RKO Hillstreet (Pan- RKO) (2,812; 2.890; 50-$l)—"Knock Any Door" (Coli and "Blondie's Big Deal" (Col) (3d wk). Neat $25,- 000. Last week, good'$28,600. Los Angeles, HolIyM'ood Para- mounts (F&M) (3,398; 1,451; 60-$l) —''Red Pony" (Rep) afld^"Angel lit- Exile" (Rep) (2d wk)s-^ Dniy $16,- OOO. Last week, slight $24,700. United Artists, Riti (tJA-FWC) (2,100; 1,370; 60r%V ^ "Family Honeymoon'' (Ui and "Valiant Hombre" (UA) (2d wk). Mild $14.- 000, with $25,000 for 5 day-dating houses. Last week, okay $21,200 here, with $36,900 in 5 sites. Four Star (UA-WC) (900; $1.20- 2.40)—"Hamlet" (U> (22d wk). Solid $8,000. Last week, $5,600-. Weems-Boswell Shoot 'Pigeon' to Dandy 20G, Indpk; 'Honeymoon' 15G Indianapolis. March 29. Mild weather and Lenten slump are clipping film biz here, with spotty results at firstruns. Ted Weems-Connee Boswell stage com- bo is boosting "Clay Pigeon" to' hefty take at Circle and ''Family Honeymoon'' at Indiana is strong. 'Riley' $12,000 Best Bet kn t in, I • » >7/i Sut "Knock on Any Door" at Umana! Ot. Louis l U i Loew s is below expectations an* •Red Canyon „^ of Arc" (RKO- (Uf and "Crime'' | wkt. Good $7,000 after trnn $10,- $10,000 or near, cadilly Incident" 80- (3d (Indie), tepid $7,000. ; 1000 last week, Omaha, March 29. Boxoffice generally shapes color- less this week. "Family Honey- moon" at the Paramount and "Life of Riley" at Orpheum look best. Estimates for This Week Paramount (Tristates) (2,800; 16- 65) — "Family Honeymoon" (U), Okay $11,000. Last week,"Mother Is Freshman" (20th), $11,500. Brandcis (RKO) (1,500; 16-65)— "South of St. Louis" (WB) and "Blondie's Big Deal" (Col i. Nice $7,000. La.st week. "Dear to Heart" (RKO) and "Loaded Pis-i tols" (Col), smash $9,500. Orpheunt (Tristates) (3,000; 16- 65)—"Life of Riley" (U) and "Re- turn of Wildfire" (SG). Good $12,000 or over. Last week, (20- 80), "Love of Mary" (U», with Gene Krupa orch on stage,' not sock $18,000. State (Goldberg) (865; 16-65)— "The Bribe" (M-G) and "Violence" (Mono). Opened Sunday (27). Last 1 week, "Kissing Bandit" (M-G) and I "Blackmail" (Rep), good $4,800, smaller spots are just marking time. Estimates for This Week Circle (Gamble-Dolle) (2.800: 60-90)—"Clay Pigeoii" (RKO) with Ted Weems orch, Connee Boswell, others, onstage. Dandv $20,000. Last week, "Station West" (RKO) and "Velvet Touch" (RKO), thin $9,000 at 44-65 scale. Indiana (G-D) (3,300; 44-65),^ "Family Honeymoon'' (Ui and "Marvelous Journey" (FC). Ex- tra good $15,000. Last week, "Let- ter Three Wives" (20thJ and "Caravan" (Col), $12,000. Loew's (Loew's) (2,4.50; 44-65)— "Knock On Any Door" iCol) and "Rusty Leads Way" (CoK, Fair $12,000. Last week. "Bribe" (M-G) and "Piccadilly Incident" (M-G), $11,000. Lyric (G-D) (1,600; 44-65)-^ "Urubu" (UA) and "Texas, Brook- lyn" (UA). Thin S4,500. Last week, "Castle on Hudson" (WBi and "Sgt. York" (WB) (reissues), oke $5,000 in 5 days.