Variety (July 1949)

20 PlCTlinES Wednesilay, July 13, 1949 Picture Grosses 'Stratton in Control Of Denver at $20,000 Denver, July 12. “Stratton Story” is topping the town, and is holding. Going into third weeks are “Sorrowful Jones” ^ «t Denham, “Tulsa” at Broadway and "Quartet” at Vogue. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Wolfberg) <1.500; 35* •74)_“Tulsa” <EL) •2d wk». Poor $5 000 but holding. Last w eek, good $7,000. Denham (Cockrill) “Sorrowful Jones” <Par> <2d wk*. Good $12,000 and holding. Last week, big $19,000. Denver (Fox) (2.525; 3.5-74)— “House of Strangers” <20th) and “Mutineers” (Col), day-date with Esquire. Fair $14,000. Last week. “Sand” <20th) and "Night Unto Night” (WB), fine $18,000. Esquire (Fox) (742; 3.5.-74)— ' “House of Strangers” <20th) and “Mutineers” (Col), day-date with Denver. Poor $2,000. Last week. “Sand” (20th) and “Night Unto Night” (WB), fine $3,500. Orpheum (RKO) (2.600; 3.5-74)—' “Stratton Story” (M-G) of Adventure” (Rep). Big $20,000. Last week. “Barkleys of Broadway” (M-G) and “Home in San Antone” (Col) (5 days. 2d wk). poor $7,500. I Paramount (Fox) (2,200; 35-74) — "Younger Brothers” <WB) and , “Manhattan Angel” (CoD. day-date with Webber. Poor $7,000. Ijist week, “Lucky Stiff” <UA) and “Siren of Atlantis” (UA). poor $5,000. Rialto (Fox) (35-74)— “Rim of the Canyon” (Col) and "Blazing Trail” (Col). Poor $2,500. Vogue (Wolfberg) (600; 60-74) — “Quartet” (EL) (2d wk). Fair $2,200 and holding. Last week fine $3 300. Webber (Fox) (750; 35-74)— “Younger Brothers” <WB) and “Manhattan Angel”' (Col), day-date with Paramount. Poor $2,000. Last week, “Sand” <20th) and “Night Unto Night” (WB). fine $3,500. I KANSAS CITY • Continued from page 9) ' • reissues). Opened Friday and .vhows moderate pace, $3,500. Last | week "G-Men” (WB) and "Casa-' blanca” (WB) (reissues) strong all i the wav and held an extra day. | Eight days, $5,500, big money in, this little house. Kimo (Dickinson) (.500; $1.20-^ $2 40) — "Red Shoes” 'ED (12th wk). Fine $2,200, and shows no j signs of letting up. Last week . tilth), fat $2,500. I Midland tLoew’s) (3.500; 45-65)-"Neptune’s Daughter” (MG) •2d' w k) w ilh "Some of the Best” replacing usual second feature. Continues big splash for $12,000. La.st week big holiday weekend boosted trade to sock $24,000, best house has had in months. Paramount (Paramount) (1,900; 45.g5) — "Sorrowful Jones” tPar) I (3d wk). Holding nicely at $9,000. ; Last week, with holiday prices on j Monday, held up for $12,000, very , nice second week. 1 Roxy (Durwood) (98©; 45-65) — j "Manhandled” (Par) and “Special | Agent” (Par). Moderate $3,500. Last week. “Lust for Gold” (Col) and "Riders of the Whistling Pines” <Col). $4,500. nifty. I Tower Uptown Fairway (Fox Midwest) <2,100, 2,043, 700; 43-65) —‘it Happens Every Spring • 20th). Opened Wednesday and strong from first day. Looks for $18,000 in eight days. Last week, I "Sand” (20th), started strong with personal appearances opening day by George Jessel, Coleen Nancy Guild and Barbara rence, but mild balance week for $13,000, average. The Switchcroo In a switch from the usual procedure, Brandt’s T i m e s Square theatre did not play up the fact that Larraine Day had a minor role in “Border G-Men.” which played there last week. The film made by RKO as a low-budgeter in 1938 billed Miss Day as Lorraine Johnson, which is her legitimate tag. The theatre is one of the string of 42d street grind hou.ses. where it is almost an established policy to exploit name players who appeared in bit roles before they hit the jackpot. One of the reasons for not using Miss Day’s name as a come-on was the feeling that the oater fans lay out their hard earned coin to see the action and gunplay rather tljan a name star. Inside Stuff-Pictures In one of the Ripleys of the film business, Metro’s “The Search.” bewailed as an instance of an adult pic which caught on with the critics but not the public, is now proving to be a big profitmaker for the comI pany handling it. The film, acquired for M-G by Arthur Loew, Metro’s foreign chief, lias spurted to a $850,000 domestic take and is still grossing $7,500 weekly in the U. S. after a full year’s distribution. Moreover, in the foreign market. "Search” is doing even better with a series of house records shattered behind it. ■ While the $850,000 domestic gross is minor compared to the revenues : which M-G customarily ritcks us, “Search” has proven a real earner ' against its cost to the company of less than $300,000. That figure was ! paid Lazar Wechsler, Swiss producer, for all rights to the film, j Hence, Metro homeoflice staffers are at a loss to explain what all the I shouting is about. "Search” cropped up again as a subject of debate on whether the American public wants adult films in the recent roundtable discussion sponsored by Life mag. At that time, it was cited by film industryites as a disappointment to Metro boxoffice-wi.se when critics’ raves failed to bring in the customers. i On the basis of strong word-of-mouth, film is getting plenty of dales at the present time. The likelihood is. Metorites say, that the company will eventually capture a .sensational $1,000,000 profit on a $300,000 investment. “Lust for Gold” (CoD and “Search for Danger” (Mono), excellent $8,800. United Artists (Parker) (895; 508.",i — "Neptune’s Daughter” (M-G) (3d wk). Nearly $6,000. Last week, terrific $9,200. Gray, Lawof the ‘Lady Gambler’ 15G; Rest of Buffalo H.O. Buffalo, July 12. Mostly holdover this week, with “Neptune’s Daughter,” in its .second week, still doing well. Ditto “Jones.” “Lady Gambler” is the lone newcomer, dualed with "St. Ives.” Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Loews) •3.500; 40-70)— “Neptune’s Daughter” •M-G) •2d wk). Around $12,000 after good $19,500 last week. Great Lakes (Par) (3.400; 40-70) —"Sorrowful Jones” •Par) (2d wk). Fine $14,000 after $22,000 last week. Hipp (Par) (3,400; 40-70) — "My Gal Sal” <20th) and "House on 92nd Street” (20th) (reissues). $7 000. Last week, “Special Agent” <Par( and “Bomba” (Mono), $8,000. Lafayette (Basil) (3.000; 40-70)— “Lady Gambler” (UI) “Secret of St. Ives” (Col). $15,000. Last week. “Calamity Jane and Sam Bass” (U) and "Crime Doctor’s Diary” iCoD, $11,000. Century (20th Cent.) <3.000; 4070) — “Red Menace” (Repi and “Grand Canyon Trail.” Maybe $8.000. Last week, $10,000. ‘Manhandled’-Ink Spots Nifty $25,000 in Cleve. Cleveland, July 12. Elks’ convention, cool weather and vaude are hypoing boxoffice to season’s best, with State’s Ink Spots latching on for fat $25,000 on heels of Palace’s hefty $30,000 in vaude return. “Wizard of Oz” | is soaring in reissue as it goes into third week at smaller Ohio. "Neptune’s Daughter” is holding its own in second week, as is "Fountainhead,” with “Illegal i Entry” moving into top figures. Estimates for This Week Allen (Warners) (3,000; 55-70) — "Illegal Entry” (WB). Neat $11,000. Last week "Not Wanted” (FC), $7,000. 1 Hipp (WB) (3.700; .55 70) — "Fountainhead” (WB) (h.o.), $12, 000 after $18,500 last week. I Palace (RKO) (3.300 55-70) — "Hoii.se of Strangers” (20th). $15.1 .500. Last week “The Judge Steps Out” and 8 acts vaude, smashing $30,000. State (Loew's) (3,500; 55-85) — "Manhartdled” (Par), with Ink Spots on stage. Neat $25,000, Last week "Neptune’s Daughter” (M-G) $21. .500. 1 Stillman (Loew’s (2.700; 55-70)— “Neptune’s Daughter” (M-G), in switch from State $14,000. Last week. “Wizard of Oz” (M-G) $12,500. Ohio (Loew’s) (1.200; 55-70) — "Wizard of Oz” (M-G) in switch from Stillman. $7,500. Last week, "Edward my Son” (M-G), switch from Slate, $5,000. Edward Small’s project to film the life story of Rudolph Valentino Is being threatened by Jan Grippo, producer of the “Bowery Boys ” series at Monogram, who says he'll make a Valentino picture himself and claims material about the late star is in public domain. Small has been working on his "Life of Rudolph Valentino,” off and on, for the past 12 years. He’s ^pent about $250,000 on story. Sheridan Gibney is now putting his last licks. wn on a final screenplay and will produce for * i Small, who has announced a late summer or early fall start. Numerous lonpq’ Tlist writers worked on the story before Gibney was signed .some months ago. I / • ra Small is also reported to have an unknown actor for the Valentino A Title, I772G in Frov. role, but he’s keeping him under wraps until the cameras roll. Grippo Providence, July 12. , says he will go to New York within two or three weeks to find an un Breaking house records in first , known for his film, Charles Marion is doing the screenplay for the sesh and carrying over into second producer of the Leo Gorcey series stanza is Strand’s “Sorrowful Jones.” Just fair are other stands with first-runs. Ixiew’s State put hold on "Neptune's Daughter” for second. Heat wave has moderated but is far from over. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2,200; 44-65)— “Big Steal” (RKO) and “Search for Danger” (FC) •2d wk). Good $10,000 with first sesh catching nice $15,000. Fay’s (Fay) (1,400; 44-65) — “Green Dolphin Street” (M-G) and I "Brooklyn Orchid” (reissues). SoI so $6,000. Last week, “Easter ; Parade” (M-G) and “Killer McCoy” (M-G) (reissues), same $6,000. Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 44-65)— "Sand” •20th) and "Streets San Francisco” (Rep). Weak $8,000. 1 Last week. “Fountainhead” (WB), single bill, nice $15,000. Metropolitan (Snider) (3,100; 44-65) — "True Glory” and “You’re a Sweetheart” (U) (rei.ssue). Poor $3,800. Last week, “California Straight Ahead” •U) and "Idol of Crowds” (FC) (reissues), also slow $4,100. State (Loew) (3.200; 44-65) — "Neptune’s Daughter” (M-G) (2d wk). Very nice $16,000 after hefty $23,000 in opening sesh. Strand •Silverman) (2,200; 44-65) — "Sorrowful Jones” (Par) <2d wk started Monday ID. First sesh was terrific $17. .500. That fine couplet of Ogden Nash’s “Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker,” could be adapted by some local poet to describe new-typ« I breakaway glass developed at Universal for use in the studio's "Bag' dad.” In scene where Paul Christian knocks John Sutton through a I window, the old type of candy glass was replaced by a transparent subi stance made of cellulose acetate and resin. The new stuff smashes more realistically than candy glass and will probably make confectionery windows obsolete. Candy glass has a tendency to become runny in I extreme heat and frequently has cut playei’s in scenes of violence. New material isn’t bothered by heat and won’t cut or scratch. Bill providing for a Government film storage building or buildings, to be erected at Suitland, Md.. southeast of Washington, has been introduced by Senator Herbert R. O’Conor (D., Md.). Ceiling cost of the project would be $5,125,000. The building would be attached to the National Archives. This is similar to the Library of Congress Film Project, shelved by Congress two years ago. That also called for the erection of a motion picture film storage and projection building for the library’s own collection and for the films of other U. S. departments and agencies. New series of film camera lenses, said to be able to focus better than the human eye, are being used for the first time by cameraman Jo.se ph Biroc on both exterior and interior shots for United Artists’ “Mis. Mike.” Lenses, known as the "Garutsa” for the man whe developed them, reportedly can pick up simultaneously action taking place within six feet of the camera and background carrying into infinity, keeping the entire picture in absolute sharp distance at all degrees of distance. Lenses also, according to Biroc, capture full value of all scenery photographed. New Pix Up Montreal; ‘Bride’ 15 '/JG, ‘Street’ 14G Montreal, July 12. New entries in all but one of the deluxers is pointing up returns despite hot weather. Only holdover is Metro’s “Barkleys,” which is still up with the leaders. Estimates for This* Week Loew’s (C.T.) (2,855; 40-65) — “Barkleys of Broadway” •M-Gt •2d W'k). Neat $14,500 following a sock first of $18,500. Capitol (C.T.) (2.412; 34-60)— “Bride of Vengeance” (Par). $15.500. Last week, “Bribe” •M-G), $14,500. Palace (C.T.) (2,625; 34-60)— “Forbidden Street” (20th). $14,000. I.4ist week. “It Happens Every Spring” •20th). $9,000. Princess (C.T.) (2.131; 34-60)— “El Pa.so” (Par). $13,500. l.ast week, “Knock” (Col) (2d wk). $7.,500. Imperial (C.T.) (1,839; 26-45)— .“Big Jack” (M-G) and "Affairs of Rogue” (M-G). $5,000. Last week. “Fighting O’Flynn” (U). $7..500. Orpheum (C.T.) (1,040; 34-60) — “Africa Screams” (UA* and “Gay Amigo” (UA). $10,000. La.st week. “Champion” (UA) and "Seal Island” (UA) (5th wk), slow $3,000. ‘Jones’ 21G Day-Date In Port., Ore.; ‘Sand’ $9,400 Portland, Ore., July 12. Big name transient attraction.^ are cutting deeply into boxoffice receipts of first-run houses this week. “Sorrowful Jones” and "Sand” are faring well. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (1.832; .5085'"Ma and Pa Kettle ” (UA) and "Smoky Mountain Melody” (Col) • 3rd wk). Good $7,000. Last week, big $12,400. Mayfair (Parker) (1..500; 50-85) — "Red Menace” (Rep) and "Duke of Chicago” (Rep). So-.so $3,800. Last w eek. "The Younger Brothers” (WB) and "Boston Blackie’s Chinese Adventure” (Col) • 8 days). Okav $5,700. Oriental (H-E) (2.000; 50-85)— "Sorrowful Jones” (Par) and "Hold That Baby” (Mono), day-date with Orpheum. Excellent $6,700. Last week. “Cover Girl” (Col) (reissue) and "You Were Never Lovelier” • Col) (reissue), fair $4,300. Orpehum (H-E) (1,7.50; 50-85) — ".Sorrowful Jones” (Par) and "Hold That Baby” (Mono), al.so at Oriental. Sock $13,400. Last week, "The Window” (RKO) and "A Woman’s Secret” (RKO), good $7,000. Paramount (H-E) <3.400; 50-85) — "Sand” •20th) and "Lost Tribe” (Col). Big $9,400. Last week, SEATTLE (Continued from page 8) in pic. on premiere night helped roll up nice $10,300. I Fifth Avenue (H-E) (2,349; 5084) — "Neptune’s Daughter” (M-G) and "Man About House” •20th). (Jrd W'k). Indicated good $6,000. Last wk.. big $9,200. Liberty (Theatres, Inc.). (1,650; 50-84) — "Stratton Story” (M-G) and "Some of Best” (M-G) short. Paced at big $12,000. Last wk., 2nd £>f "Lust for Gold” (Col), oke $8,100. Music Box (H-E) (8.50; 50-84) — “Ma and Pa Kettle” (U). (7111 wk). Long run continues steady. Fine j $3,000. Nice $3,100 last .stanza. ' Music Hall (H-E) (2,200; 50-84) — "Happens Every Spring” (20th) and "Night Unto Night” (WB). • 4th wk). Fair $3„500. Neat $6,800 1 ACt Orpheum (H-E) (2,600; .50-84)— "Fountainhead” (WB) and “Alimony” (EL), •2nd wk). Headed for nifty $7,500. Last w k., nice $12,300. I Palomar (Sterling) (1.350; 40-65) — "Lucky Stiff ” (UA) and “Last Bandit” 'Rep). (2nd runs), plus stage show. Indicated fair $4,500. Last week. "Younger Bros.” (WB) and "Impact” (UA). plus stage show, upped take to oke $5,700. Paramount dl-Ei (3,039; 50-84) — ".Sorrowful Jones” (Par). •2nd wk). Expect sturdy $7,500. Last week, $16,700. Roosevelt (Sterling) (800; 50-84) -"Casablanca” (WB) and “G-Men” • WB). •2nd runs). Paced at $3,500, fair. Last wk.. 2nd runs of "Laredo" (Par' and “Dream is Yours" (WBi. oke $3,800. Twentieth-Fox, for t]ie second time within a few months, has promoted publication of a novel to break simultaneous with relea.se of a film. Latest is "Slattery’s Hurricane,” on which American magazine is running a 20-page novelization in its current (July) issue. Picture goes into release this month. Company also promoted publication of "It Happens Every Spring,” with book reviews breaking at the .same time the film was released. In addition, the N. Y. Post serialized the story during the picture’s run at the Roxy, N, Y. Veterans Administration has invited eight' film distributors to submit bids on 16m features and shorts with super-imposed Spanish titles to be screened at the hospital in Puerto Rico. Pix would be exhibited in the fiscal year which began July 1, 1949. Distribs include Loew's, Monogram, Republic, RKO, Warners, United World, Columbia and Paramount. Brit. Film Producers In Initial Steps To Hypo Export Setup London, July 12. Following swiftly on Harold Wilson’s “export or die” advice to British producers, steps are being taken to develop the export organization of the British* Film Producers Assn. Two important appointments are to be made for the immediate future. First, which is expected to be announced in a few day.s. will is that many stars of former days 1 be for a representative on the Con Extempore, Where Lorre ^ Began, Still OK in Vienna I Vienna, July 7. I Vienna still has three Extempore theatres. Actors there do not have to learn their parts, as in legit; j they simply are told what the story is all about, hop on the stage and start talking. Vienna’s three are Tschauner, Walcher and Fretzer, all in Ottakring, the W’orkers district. Just how they managed to exi.st. is another miracle. Fact, however. began their career extemporizing. Peter Lorre was one of them. Schunzel’s Pic Chore Frankfurt, June 30, Rcinhold Schunzel. back in Germany from acting in U. S. legit, will team up with Guenther Stapenhorst in producing films. He formerly directed here. One of their first offerings will be "Rape of the Sabine Women,” taken from the stage play. 3D QUEBEC PROD. Montreal, July 12. With two modest succe.s.ses behind them, "La Fortresse” and "Un Homme El Son Peche,” Rene Germain, president of Quebec Productions, last week announced a third pic. to be called ’ Le Cure de Village.” Production is to start this month and Robert C'hoquette has been contracted to script "Village,” which is based on a popular French Canadian radio serial, Lise Roy, Ovila Legare and Denis Drouin. all local talent, have I been signed to leading roles. tinent who will act as per.sonal liaison officer between the BFPA ! and British embassies and foreign I governments. Second appointment will be for a London officer to take control of the export department at the London h.q, who w ill be responsible, among other things, for briefing the man on the Continent. Decision to expand export-wise, notwithstanding the fact that the .sellers’ market is over, was taken because, in the main, British producUons cannot recover their negative costs on the home maik«‘t. BFPA execs are confident that substantial results should be seen in a short while. Top priority for the new exp<>rt experts will b«^the tackling of the French marketr in which Britisn pix are restricted to a maximum ni 20 a year as again.st the 121 , Hollywood.