Variety (July 1949)

PICTUIIB GIIOS.S» WcdnceJay, July 13, 194^ H.O^, Reissues Flood L A.; 'Sand’ Drifts, $40,08(1, W Reissue Nice Ditto, Africa Neat 35G, 'Jones OK 3d Los Angeles. July 12. Local fir.struns are maintaining an okay pace despite being heavy on holdovers and reissues. Grosses are generally running ahead of same week last year. “Wizard of Oz" is sighting a very pleasant $40,000 in three situations and same figure is looked for “Sand.” in four sites. ‘ Africa Screams” looking for neat $35,000 in four small-seaters. Reissue combo of “Trail of Lonesome Pine” and “Geronimo” is satisfactory at $26,000 in five houses, but another bill of oldies. “House on »2nd Street” and "My Gal Sal’ are In the red at $11,500 in four daydaters. Third round of “Fountainhead” is holding up nicely at possible $28,000 in three locations. “Sorrowful Jone.s” is pleasing on third week at $25,000 in two houses. “Big Steal” is taking moderate $23,000 for second session in two sites. In the art houses, “Quartet” is still strong in for seventh frame at Laurel; “Edward, My Son” is nifty for second session at Four Star, and 28th round for “Red Shoes.” at Fine Arts, is good. Estimatei for Thli Week Beverly Hllla, Downtown, Hawaii, Hollywood Music Halls (PrinCor) <834. 902. 1.106. 512; 55-$l)— “Africa Screams” <UA1. Smart ! $35,000. Last week, “Home of Brave” <UA) <5th wk), $14,600. Chinese, Loew’s State, Loyola. Uptown (FWC) (2.048, 2.404. 1,248, 1,719; 60-$l)— “Sand” (20th) and “One Last Fling” (WB). Medium $40,000. La.st week, “House Strangers” (20th) and “Amazon Quest” (FC) (8 days), $41,400, Downtown, Hollywood, Wiltem <WB) (1.757, 2,756. 2.344; 60-$l)— “Fountainhead” (WB) (3d wk). Nice $28,000. Last week, $38,800. Egyptian, Los Angeles, Wilshire <FWC) (1.538, 2.097. 2,296; 60-$l) "Wizard of Oz” (M-G) (reissue). Neat $40,000. Last week. “Bark. leys Broadway” (M-G) (3d wk), $27,800. ^ Orpheum (D’town) (z,210; 60-$l) —“Trail Lonesome Pine” (Par) and “Geronimo” (Par) (rei.ssues). Good $13,500 here, with $26,000 total in 6ve day-daters. La.st week, “White Savage” (FC) and “Cobra Woman” (FC) <6 days), $9,800 here, with $15,300 in four sites. Pantages, Hlllstreet (Pan-RKO) r2.812; 2,890; 50-$l) — “Big Steal” ^ (RKO) and “Air Hostess” (Col) (2d j s wk). Moderate $23,000. Last week, —‘Tulsa very nice $38,300. Los Angeles, Hollywood Paramounts (F&M) (3,398; 1.451; 60-$l) — “Sorrowful Jones” (Par) and “Shark God” (FC) (LA only) (3d wk). Pleasing $25,000. Last week, solid $33,700. United Artists. Rltz (UA-FWC) (2,100; 1.370; 60-$l (—“House 92d Street” (20th) and “My Gal Sal” (20th) (reissues). Scant $7,500 here, with $11,500 total in four daydaters. Last week, “Massacre River” (Mono) and "Bomba, Jungle Boy” (Mono) (8 days), $15,000 here, with $27,800 total in six situations. Esquire (Ro.sener) (685; 85-$1.20) — “Queen's Lover” (Indie) and *‘Blind Desire” (Indie) (3d wk). Under $2,000. Last week, oke $2,100. Fine Arts iFWO <679; $1.20$2.40) — “Red Shoes” (ED »‘28th) wk). Good $5,300. Last week, up to $6,200. Four Star lUA-WO <900; 74-$l) —“Edward, My Son” (M-G( <2d wk). Nifty $7,500. Last week, smash $10,600. Laurel (Rosener) <890; 85) — “Quartet” (EL) '7th wk). Steady $6.()00. Last week, holiday trade shoved up to $6,500. Key City Grosses Estimated Total Grosa This Week $2,618,000 (Based on 25 cifie.s, 211 theatres, chiefly nrst runs, including N. Y.) Total Gross Same Week Last Year $2,507,000 (Based on 20 and 199 theatres ) Vaude Comeback Ups Cincy, 33G On ‘Jones’ Happy $17,500, ‘Daughter’ 14G, Omaha Omaha, July 12. “Sorrowful Jones” and “Neptune's Daughter” shot grosses up at the Orpheum and Paramount, respectively. . “Stratton Story,” in its second week at the little State, is main1 taining its torrid pace. “Fountain ! head” at the Brandeis will do fine ! biz. On the other hand, “Plunder | ers” shot Omaha downward. Estimates for This Week Orpheum (Tristates) (3,000; 16. (55) — “Sorrowful Jones” (Par) and “Alaska Patrol” (FC). Roaring $17. , .500, one of best grosses in years. ' Last week "El Paso” (Par) “Dis^ aster” (Par) light $10,000. j Paramount (Tristates) (2,800; 1665) — “Neptune’s Daughter” (M-G). Terrific $14,000, way above average , even for hits. Last week, “Sand” j (20th) good $10,500. | Brandeis (RKO) (1.500; 16-65)— | “The Fountainhead” (WB) and j “Law of Barbary Coast” (Col). Verv good $8,000. Last week. “Big Steal” (RKO) and “Rustlers”! (RKO) light $6,800. State (Goldberg) (865; 16-65) — j “The Stratton Story” (M-G) (2d i wk). Keeping its hot pace for $5,j 500. Last week, $6,500. Probably go third week or more Frisco Frisky; 'Stratton Big $28,000, 'Daughter Husky 3/^, 'Africa 19G Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Grot* This Week $550,200 (Based on 18 theatres) Last Year $629,500 ( Ba.sed on 16 theatres) Dennis Day Hikes ‘River to Rooney -'Judge ‘Fountainhead’ $25,000/ ‘Not Wanted’ Ditto to Pace Detroit; ‘Daughter’ 14G Cincinnati. July 12. Vaude’s wow comeback at the RKO flagship Albee is racking up Cincy’s biggest gross in many months and giving zing to the overall count for downtown houses. Gigantic count is remarkable |n face of burg’s worst heat spell in years, blamed for folding of scheduled sixweek summer opera season at the halfway mark, and night baseball, pools and other outdoor opposish. Eight-act bill is linked | with “Judge Steps Out.” Only other new bill this round is “Fountainhead,” a solid ringer. Holdovers are all rosy. Estimates for This Week | Albee (RKO) (3.100; 5.5-85)— j “Judge Steps Out” (RKO) plus i eight-act bill including Pat Rooney and Watson Sisters. Colossal vaude revival campaign and great reviews magneting a fantastic $33,000. House injecting stage fare every fourth w’cek. Last week, “Sorrowful Jones” (Par) and “Crime Doctor’s Diary” (Col) (2d wk), at 55-75C scale, very good $13,000. Capitol (RKO) (2.000; .5.5-75)— “Neptune’s Daughter” (M-G) (3d wk). Sprightly $6,500 after slick $10,000 second round. Grand (RKO) (1.400; 5.5-7114— ' “Stratton Story” (M-G) i2d wk). ; Fast $8,000 in wake of big $15,500 bow. (City Inv.) <1.542; 5.5-75) (EL) (2d wk). All right $6,000 following sturdy $10,500 opening sesh. Palace (RKO) (2.600; .5.V75)— “Fountainhead” (WB) and "Law of Barbary Coast” 'Col). Solid $13,000. Last week. “Big Steal” (RKO) and “Tucson” (CoD, moderate $10,500. Shubert (RKO) '2.100; 55-75)— “Sorrowful Jones” (Par) and “Crime Doctor’s Diary” (Col). I Moveover for third downtown ! stanza. Okay $5 500. La.st week. “Pygmalion” < Indie) 'rei.ssue), mild $4,000. Detroit, July 12, As the unprecedented heat and humidity continue to keep filmgoers away from theatres in droves, “Fountainhead” at ^e Michigan, “Neptune’s Daughter” at the Downtown, and “Not Wanted” at the Fox, are fighting it out for what biz there is. “Sorrowful Jones” shifted to the Madison for a third week, is showing surprising strength. The others are strictly out of the running. Estimates for This Week ‘Jones IIG, Wash. Washington, July 12. There’s more cheer in town’s downtown houses this week, thanks j to landoffice biz at Loew’s Capitol, | where “Massacre River” is being ; hypoed into the upper brackets by lure of the Dennis Day troupe on stage. “Sorrowful Jones” is shap , ing solidly at the Warner, with first few days’ take topping that ! of recent months. ' Estimates for This Week j Capitol (Loew’s) (2,434; 44-85) — “Massacre River” (Mono), plus Dennis Day show on stage. Very hot $36,000, with all interest centered on radio star Day. Last week, j “It Happened Every Spring” (20th), plus vaude, better than expected $20,000. Keith’s (RKO) (1.939; 44-80)— j “Big Steal” (RKO) (2d wk). Satis ' factory $8,000 ,.fler firm $13,000 last week. | Metropolitan (WB) (1.163; 44-74)1 70-05) — “Long Voyage Home” (Indie) ! (reissue). Good $6,000. La.st week, I “Castle on ‘the Hudson” (WB) (reissue). thin $4,500. Fox (Fox-Mich) <5,000; “Not Wanted” (FC). Fair $25,000. Last week, “Sand” (20th), slow 1 $19,000. j Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; i Palace (Loew s) <2.370; 44-74)— 70-95)“Fountainhead” (WB) and I “Neptune’s Daughter” (M-G) (2d “One Last Fling” (WB). Oke $25. i wk). Steady $18,000 after fancy 000. Last week, “Sorrowful Jones” i $26,000 last week. (Par) and “C-Man” (Rep), $20,000 1 Playhouse (Lopert) <432; 50-85) in second week. i —’’Quartet” (ED dOth wk). Hy ! Palms (UD) (2,900; 70-95) — “Big t poed to $4,500 in final week after San Francisco. July 12. San Francisco first-runs arc fairly good biz. Sea.sonal city fol is somewhat responsible. The Fox* Paramount and United Artists arc standouts. Estimaiea for This Week Golden Gate (RKO) <2 844 an. 85)-“The Big Steal” (RKO)’ and “Rustlers” (RKO) )2d wk). Fair $12,000. Last week, sock $21,800. Fox (FWC) (4.651; 60-95)..! “Neptune’s Daughter” iM-G) Husky $26,500. Last week “The Fountainhead” (WB) (2d wk) i days, $8,500. ’ ® Warfield (FWC) <2.6.56; 60-85)— “Hellfire” * (Rep) and “Susanna Pass” (Rep). Weak $10,000. Ust I week, “Sand” (20th), nice $16,500. ' Paramount (Par) (2.646; 60-85)-! “The Stratton Story" 'M-G) and I “Daughter of West” (FC). Heftv $28,000. Last week, “Sorrowful I Jones” (Par) and “Amazon Quest" (FC) (2d wk), strong $18,500. St. Francis (Par) (1,400; 60-85)— “Edward, My Son” (M-G) i41h wk) Steady $7,500. Last week held to $8,000. Orpheum (No, Coast) '2,448; 5585) — “City Across the River” 'U) (2d wk). Thin $7,000. Last week good $20,000. United Artists <No. Coa.st) <1.207; 55-85) — “Africa Screams” (UA) and “Prairie Pirates” (U). Sock $19,000. Last week. “Home of tht Brave” (UA) (4th wk), fine $9,500. Stagedoor (Ackerman) (380* $1.20-$2.40)— “Red Shoes’ (EU (7th wk). Held nicely at $8,000. Last week, up to $8,000. Esquire (No. Coast) '955; .55-85) — “Illegal Entry” 'U) and “West of Laramie” (U) (2d wk). $5,000. Last week, husky $9,000. Clay (Roesner) (400; 6.5-85)— “Quiet Weekend” (Indie) and “(Concert Magic” (Indie) 'reissue) (2d wk). $2,400. Last week, $2,800. Steal” (RKO) and “Jiggs and Maggie in Court” (Mono) (2d wk). Dim $14,000. Last week. $17,000. United Artists (UD) (2,000; 70-95) — “My Gal Sal” (20th) and “House 92d Street” (20th) (reissues). Fair $12,000. Last week, “Cobra Woman” (FC) and “White Savage” (FC) (reissues), poor $8,000. Madison <UD) (1.800; 70-95)— “Sorrowful Jones” (Par) and “CMan” (Rep) (transferred from Michigan for 3d week). Swell $15.000. Last week, “Doolins of Oklahoma” (Col) and "Chinese Venture” (Mono), slow $10,000. Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 70-95) — “Lady Gambles” (UI) and “Arctic Manhunt” (UI). Slim $9,000. La.st week, “Barkleys of Broadway” (M-G), $5,000 in third week. Downtown (Balaban) <2.900; 7095) — “Neptune’s Daughter” (M-G) and “Lovable Cheat” (FC). Oke $14,000. Last week. “Stratton Story” (M-G), $6,000 in third week. $4,000 last week, and a boff run. Warner (WB) '2,164; 44-74)— “Sorrowful Jones” (Par). Opened big and looks like $17,000 or better. La.st week. “Fountainhead” (WB), surprisingly good $16,000. Trans-Lux (T-L) (654; 44-80)— “Forbidden Street” (Fox). Good i start. Expect $7,500. Last week, I “Tulsa” (ED '4th wk), $4,000. Carle-Mills Bros.’'Blonde Unbashful $40,000 in Mpis. Return to Vaude ‘Stratton’ Hot $12,000, ‘Promise’ 61G, Seattle Seattle. July 12. “Stratton Story," at the Liberty, with big newspaper blasts, and *‘Green Promise. ” at Coliseum, are lone openers at the big-seaters, the others having holdovers. Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse dl-E) <800; 50-84)— “Sand” '20lh) and “Secret of St. Ives” (Col) '2d wk). Pointed for good $3,000. Last week, 2d of “Colorado Territory” 'WB) and “Tuna Clipper” 'Mono). $3,100. Coliseum 'H-E) '1.877; .50-84)— “Green Promi.se” (RKO) and “Judge Steps Out ” (RKO). Likely $6,500, slow. La.st week. “Sand” (2()fh) and “.St. Ives” 'CoD. Personals by Mark Stevens, and others (Continued on page 20) Minneapolis, July 12. ' , With such boxoffice magnets as Frankie Carle’s orch and the Mills Bros,, the first combo stage and ' screen show in nearly a year here is infusing new life into .sagging busine.ss. Radio City presentation ' j has “Beautiful Blonde From Bash , ful Bend” on the screen, and it’s corralling real crowds. Otherwise, the straight film lineup is featured by such major newcomers as “The Fountainhead” and “Lust for Gold.” A more imposing array of holdovers than in recent weeks j includes “The Big Steal.” “Tul.sa,” “Sand” and “.Night Unto Night.” all in their second weeks. Estimates for This Week , ‘ Century (Par) '1.600; 50-76) — “Sand” '20th) 'm.o.). Here after fairly good Radio City first week. Puffing at light $3. .500 pace. Last week. "Night Unto Night” iWB). light $4,200. Lyric 'Par) <1.000; .50-70)— I “Tulsa” (ED im.o.). Moved from State, where it clicked moderately well. Fairly good $5,000 sighted. Last week. “Keep ’Em Flying” (FC) and “Ride ’Em Cowboy” 'FC), reissues, slow $4,000. Radio City '4.000; .50-85)— ' “Beautiful Blonde ” i20th) and Frankie Carle orch, Mill.ses on stage. First stage show here in many months and started packing ’em in opening morning and likely to zoom to smash $40,000. Carle a local favorite, and Mills Bros, have big following, too. La.st week, "Sand” (20th) (.50-70). fair $13,000. RKO-Orpheum (RKO) (2,800; 5070) — “Lust for Gold” (Col). Ford and Lupino good boxoffice team, and picture well regarded. Fair $10,000 sighted. Last week. “Big Steal” (RKO). fine $12,500. RKO-Pan (RKO) (1.600; 50-70)— “Big Steal” (RKO) (m.o). Still healthy at around $7,500 after hefty Orpheum initial stanza. La.st week, “Dumbo” (RKO) and “Saludos Amigos” (RKO) (rei.ssues), light $6,500. State (Par) <2.300; .50-70)— “Fountainhead” (WB). Divided opinions on this one. but Gary Cooper’s presence helps. Good $14,000. La.st week, “Tulsa” 'ED, good $11,500. World (Mann) <400; 50-70) — “Night Unto Night” (WB) 'm.o.). Here following very modest first canto at Century. Fairly good $2, .500 in prospect. I.,ast week, "Lucrezia Borgia” dndie) (2d wk). .vali.sfactory $2,000. ANDREWS SIS BOOST ‘AGENT’ TO 19G, BALTO Baltimore, July .12. Although mainly holdover, the ; downtowners here are in fairish shape and with a good weekend I under its belt should total some : fairish figures. Among newcomers, i “House of Strangers” is drawing ! some response to the New, and ! “Special Agent.” leaning entirely j on vaude topped by the Andrews I Sisters, is heading for strong total at the combo Hippodrome. ! Estimates for This Week Cenutry (Loew’s-UA) (3.000; 2060) — “Neptune’s Daughter” (M-G) I (2nd wk». Holding well at $13,000 latter fine getaway $18,800. Hippodrome (Rappaport) <2,240; 20-70) — “Special Agent” (Par) plus j vaude headed by Andrews Sisters. Stageshow getting ail the credit for rosy $19,000 po.ssibility. La.st week. “Massacre River” (Mono) cashed in on ballyhoo built around ‘JONES’ WHAM 22G, ST. L; REMAINDER H.O. St. Louis, July 12. With holdovers predominating, “Sorrowful Jones.” with vigorous nods from the crix, is headed for the best gross at the downtown Ambassador in many moons. Rainstorm Saturday (10) in midst of heat wave crimped biz. '’Neptune’s Daughter” is still a hefty draw. Estimates for This W’eek Ambassador (F&M) (3.000; SOTS)— “Sorrowful Jones” 'Par) and “Temptation Harbor” 'Mono), $22,000. Last week, “Mr. Belvedere to College” (20th) and “Colorado Territory” (WB) (m.o.), $13,000. Loew’s (Loew) '3,172; .50-75)— “Neptune’s Daughter” 'M-G) 'ho ), $16,500 following $26,000 for first smash stanza. Missouri (F&M) (3..500: .50-75)— “Mother Is a Freshman” '20th) and “The Forbidden Street ” '20th) (h.o.), $10,000 after $15,000 for initial session. St. Louis (F&M) (4,000; .50-75)— “Fountainhead” (WB) and “A Man About the Hou.se” '20th( 'h.o), $9,000 after $13,000 for fir.M stanza. Indpis. Building; Top IS^G to ‘Fountainhead’ Indianapolis, July 12. Biz is up a little at most first-run spots here this stanza, first signs 0/ return of •'big lime ’ vaude of eJght i acts to Bood $14 700 Fountainhead i.s getting P money at the Circle, followed by acts to good $14,700, j Keith’s (Schanberger) (2,460; 2060) — “Sorrowful Jones” (Par) (3rd \yk). Starting third round today ( Fues, ) after second sesh drew okay $9,200. Mayfair (Hicks) (980; 20-65) — “Champion” (UA) (2nd wk). Maintaining fine pace at $6,500 after rou.'sing opener to $8,700; fine figures for limited capacity at hand. New (Mechanic) (1.800; 20-60)— I “House of Strangers” (20th). In good position again.st surrounding h.o.s.. and pointing to nice $11,000. Last week “Sand” •20th) was fair I $8,200. ' Stanley (WB) '3.280; 2.5-7.5) — “Fountainhead” (WB) (2nd wk). Good continuing action at indicated $10,000 after .solid preem to $16,300. Town 'Rappaport) (1..500; 3,5-65) — “Stagecoach” and “Long Voyage Home” (RKO) (reissues). Tielng up of John Ford hits started off well but weakened, with $8,.500 looked for. Last week. ’The Big Steal” t (RKO) failed to click at $7,200. ’’Tulsa” with a moderate lake at the Indiana. "Neptune’s Daughter” is fair in holdover at Loew*. Estimates For This Week Circle (Gamble-Dolle) <2.800; 4465) — "Fountainhead” 'WB) and "Racing Luck” (Col). Nice $13.5M in nine days. La.st week. “Chicken Every Sunday” i20th) and ’’MV Own True Love” (Par), dull $4,500 in five days. „ Indiana (Gamble-Dolle) '3.300, 44-65)— "Tul.sa” 'ED and “SlerP; ing Car To Trieste” 'ED. Modest $11,000. Last week. "Sorrowful Jones” (Par) and "Gun Smuggle*’* • RKO), big $14,000. Loew’s (Loew’s) '2.450; 44-65^ “Neptune’s Daughter” '2d wk). Oke $8,000 on top of dandy $14,000 for firct \&/pplr Lyric (Gambje-Dolle) O.60(): 4^ 65)— “Ghost 0/ Fianken.vtein and “Son of Dracula” 'U> "’'JJ .sues), Oke $6,000. Last wees. “Walking Hills” (CoD and ’ Song o» India” (Col). Tepid $5,000.