Variety (February 1950)

W^e^uesday, Feliniary 8, 1950 nCinURE Chicago,jFeb. 7. ■ ■ Biz is spotty this week aftev last week’s upsurge, With second-week holdovers pulling greatest receipts. *‘A11 King’s Men" is still potent at $23,000 at State-I^ake; “Malaya" and vaude looms okay $36,000 at Orierital. Standout is ‘‘My Foolish H6art’^ at Woods With , brisk; :$24,poo. \ i'.;.. New pies shape mild. "Mon- taha,’’ with Jack Carson onstage at Chicago, looks fairly good at $48,000. “Borderline" and "Rug^ ged O’Rlordahs" is moderate $lir OOO at Palace while ‘‘Tension’’ shapes neat $11,000 at United Att- iStS.'- '-' . Estimates for This Week: ' m (B&K) (3,400; ,50-98)-- VMontana" (WB) with Jack Carson onstage. Looks fairly good $48,- 000. , Last week,“Tell To Judge" (Col) with Hildegarde ..onstage, $52,000. Garrick (B&K) (900; 50-98)— “Wing and Prayer" (2Qth) and “Submarine Patrol" (20th) (reis- sues). Nice $6,000. Last week, *’Red River’’ (UA) and “Unexpect- ed Guest" (UA) .(reissues), $7,500. : Grand (RKO) (1,500; 5()-$i.20M “Outlaw" (RKO) (6th wk). Fading down to $8,000. Last week, good $14>000. Oriental (Essaness) (3,400; 50- 98)^“Maia5’'a’’ (M-G) with vaude (2d wk). Holding to good' $36,000v Last week, $48,000. v ^ ! Palace (RKO) (2,500; 50-98)-- “Borderline’’ (U) and “Rugged O’Riordans" (U). Average $11,- 000. Last week, “Eiffel Tower" (RKO), $14,000. . Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 50-98)— “Thelma Jordon” (Par) (2d wk). Light $7,000. Last week, oike $10,000. : Selwyn (Shubert) (1,000; $1.20- $2.40)—“Red Shoes" (EL) (60th wk). Oke'' $4,000.*” Last week, $4,500. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 50-9$) —“All King’s Men" (Gol) (2d wk). Stout $23,000. Last Week, big $36,000. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 50- 98)—“Tension" (M-G). Tidy $11,. 000. Last week, “Ambush" (M-G) (2d wk), fast $12,000. Woods (Essaness) (1,073; 50-98) —“My Foolish Heart" (RKO) (2d Wk). Bright $24,000. Last week, socko $36,000. World (Indie) (587; 80)—‘‘Open City" (Indie) and “Paisan" (Indie) (reissues). Neat $4,000. Last week, “Don Quixote" (Indie), $4,()00, Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re- ported herewith from the vari-- ous key cities, are; net, he., without the 20% tax. Diistribu- tbrs share oh het take, when playing percentage, hence the estimated figures; are net in- ■ come. The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated, include the U^ amusement tax. ... ‘Rib’ Smooth $18,000 In Mpk; ‘Traveling’ lifted By Vaude, Rousing 22G Minneapolis, Feb. 7. “Adam’s Rib" holds the major share of attention among current: newepmera and is big at Radio j City. Thanks to vaudeville, the I RKO-Orpheum looms heft.vWith j “Traveling Saleswoman." ‘‘Tliel- ] hia Jordon" shapes okay at State. Roadshow of “Samson and Pe- lilah" in third week at Century; continues profitably. Estimates for This Week I Gentiiry (Par) (1,600; 74-$I.26)— “Samson and Delilah" (Par) (3d wk). Still rolling at profitable clip with nice $11,500 likely. Last ■ \veek, strong $14,000. Lyric (Par) (1;000; 50r75)—“Red Light" (UA). Moderate $5.0()0 in- dicated. La§t wbek> “The HeircS.s" (Par) (3d wk), okay $4,500. : Radio City (Par) (4,6o(); 50-70)— ‘Adam’s Rib" (M-G). High praise for this oheV Big $18,000. Last week, “Battleground" (M-GV (2d^ wk), fine $12,000, giving it excel- lent $32,000 for the fortnight. . RKO-Orpheum (RkO) (2,800; 55- 77)—“Traveling SaleswOriian" (Col) and vaude. Most credit here gbCs to strong stage layout. Hefty $22,- PpO. Last v/eek, “Inspector Gen- eral" (WB), smash $15,000. ; . RKO-Pan (RKO) (2,600; 50^70)— Inspector •General" (WB) (m o.); Here after big Orpheum initial atanza. Hefty $8,000. Last 'week, ‘All King’s Men," (Col) (2d wk), good $7,800. State (Par) (2,300; 50-70)-^“Thel- ina Jordon" (Par). Well-liked but .lust okay $9,500. Last week, “Big Wheel" (UA), light $8,500. .World (Mann) (400; 74-$1.20)— Hamlet" (U) 2d run). Fancy $5,- OpO. Last week, “Imitation of Lite" (Indie) (reissue), irUId.$2,000. ‘Capt. Clma' Tasty lOG Monti; ‘Jplson’ 18G, 2d Montreal, Feb, 7. Town is loaded' with holdovers, With“Jol$ori Sings Again” topping ihese, big in second session at Loew’s. Ace new entry is “Gapt. Chiha,’’ fine at ImperiaL H Estimates for This Week • Loewis (C.t,) (2,855; 40-65)— “Jolpon Sings” (CoD (2d wk). Still big at $18;000 aftPr smash opener at $21,000.; Capitol (C.T.) (2,412; 34-60)^ ‘‘Dancing in Dark” (20th); , Fair; $13,000. Last week, ‘‘Eiffel Tower” (RKO) (2d wk), nice $14,000.; Palace (C.T.) (2,625; 34-60)-- “Adam’S Rib";(M-G) (2d Wk). Stout $12,000 foilpwing fancy $17,500 for; nrsL Princess (CT;) (2,131; 34-60)— “Battlegrbund" (M-G) (2d wk). Great $12,000 after first Session at $13;500,:' Imperial (C,TJ (1,839; 26-45)r- ebina" (Pax’) and “Surrend- Last and fair . Broadway first-runs developed; a surprise sinking spell the middle of last week, and it is being rei- flected in the total business for the current session, Colder weather the Italian having directed this Italp production;^. - RivoU (UAT-Par): r2;092; 90- $1,80) VSamson. and Delilah’* (Par) (7th wk). Present session and snow seemed to help theatres a continues very big jilbeit off from later in the week, PittSbui’gh, Febi 7; Stanley is leading the pack here by wide: margin this week with “The putiaw,’’ which pulled away to a sensational start and looks set for a $tay. Downtown’s crowded with sock attractions and they’re all riding herd oh the impetus of the Jane Russell picture. “All King’s Men" at Harris looks big, while, h.b.’s of “Red Shoes" at! Barry and “Battleground" at Penn are going strong. Estimates for This Week . Barry (Skirball) (1,100; 45-80)— “Red Shoes" (EL) (3d wk). Very little let-up in popular price run of this, smasheroo $10,000, almost same as last week. Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 45-80) “My Foolish Heart" (RKO) (2d wk). Down to $7,000 after last week’s bke $9,000; Harris (Harris) (2,200; 45-80) — “All King’s Men" (Gol). Big $15,- 000 and holds. Last week, “Whirl- pool’’ (20th), $8,000 in 6 days. Penn (Loew’s) (3,300; 45-80) ^Battleground" (M-G) (2d wk), Better than any hclaover here in a long time and may ,go a third. Brisk $18,000 on top of sizzling $28,0()0 last week. Ritz (Loew’s) (800; 50-$1.20) — “Hamlet" (U) (2d wk). Starting to show signs of life here on pull of school trade, with oke $4,000 likely. Last week, $3,500. Stanley (WB) (3,800;. 45-80)— “Outlaw" (RKQ). This one’s great surpi'ise of all time. Some heavy sugar dished out on campaign, and it’s paying off. Looks terrific $32,000 or Over, unbelievable since two years ago, same pip played small Fulton and did $26,000, new house I'ecord. Last week, “Heiress" (Par)} $15,000. Warner (WB) (2,000; 45-80)— “Heiress" (Par) (m.o.). Olivia De Havilland starrer had been holding steady at Stanley previously and pace is being maintained here. But gets only 5 days because Par wants house for about Feb. 22 for “Samson and Delilah" and Warner has its own picture, “Blackfire" to. play first. In abbreviated session, looks $6,000, almost as “Montana" (WB) did last week in seven days. 'Borderline’ Hot $12,00(), Indpls4 ‘Capri’ tepid 5G Indianapolis, Feb. 7. Biz has tapered down from last week’s Smash . figures . at firstruns here; but overall tone is still strong. ‘IBattlegrburid," in second week at Loew’s, remains hottest thing in town, ‘’Borderline," pepped by Claire Trevor per.sbnals opening day, is nice ait; . Circle, ‘‘Bagdad" is mild at Indiana. Estimates for This Week ; Circle (Gamble-Dplle) (2,800; 44- 65)—“Borderline" (U) and “Un- masked" . (Indie).■ Nice $12,000. Last week, ‘‘Undertow’’ (U) with Sammy Kaye brch on stage, good 1 $19,0()0 at 50-90'Scale. I Indiana (G-D) (3,300; 44-65)— “Bagdad" (U> and “Blonde Baiidit" (Rep). Mild $11,000; Last week, “Pinky.’’ (20th), sock $18,000. Loew’s (Lbew’s) (2,427;. 44^65)-^ “Battleground" (M-G) (2d wk). Hefty $12,500 on top of smash $20,000 first week. Lyric (G-D) (1,800; 44-'65)'-. “Pirates Of Capri" (FC) and “Fly- ing Saucer” (FC). Tepid $5,000. Last week} “Blue Lagoon” (EL) and ‘‘Rugged O’Riordans" (U), $6^ 000 . er" (Par), Fine $10,000. week, “Stool Pigeon" (U). “Rusty’s Birthday" (Col); $6,500v ; ^ Orpheum (C.T.) (1,040; 34-60)-^ “Indian Scout" (UA) and “Mary Ryari" (GoDv Okay $6,500. Last week,“Mrs. ; Mike" ; (UA) and “Threat" (RKO), $5,500. , the larger houses reporting a big trade pickup Saturday and Sunday. Few Of the new bills are getting takings. Outstanding. riew- cbmer is "Third -Man" at the Vibtoi’ia with the best showing since “Joan pf Arc" at this house. Helped by generally strong crix appraisal, it; looks; to hit $40,000 or thereabouts, terrific in view of recent weeks at $37,000 or under, smash. Sixth week was $42,000. Stays on indef, . Roxy (20th) (5,886; 80-$2)—“12 O’clock High" (20th) with Dean Murphyi Betty Bruce, Rplly Rolls topping stage bill (2d wk). Not holding very well With $78,000 after big $104,000 in first week, which was way off from expect- ancy, because of midweek sliihip. 55-$t,50)— what other pictures currently ate i (LOew’s) .(3,450;^55-$l.^)—- doing. This is not far from what i Philadelphia, Feb. 7. ' “Samson and Delilah" playing to standees at virtually every per- formance over weekend, is break- ing the house record for straight film fare at the Earle this session, .House generally runs vaude, but I has dropped shows for the rim of De Mille opus. “Woman in Hid^ ing" looms sturdy at Hhe Aldine but “Montana" is slim at Mart- baurh. /Holdover' fare is doing well at most firstruns, Estimates for This Week Aldine (WB) (1,303; 50-99)—“Wb- man in Hiding" (U). Nice .$14,- 006. Last week, “Boi’derline’’ (U), mild $9,500 in 10 days. Boyd (WB) (2.360; 50-99)^“Bat- tlegrouiid" (M-G) (4th wki. Neat $18,000. Last, week, $20,000; Earle (WB) (.2,700; 50-99)—“Sam- son and Dehlah" (Par). Mighty $45,000. Last week, “Brute Force" (U) and “Killers" (U) (reissues), $8,000. Fox. (20th) (2.25.0; 50-99)—“12 O’clock High" (20 th) (2d wk) Great $25,000, after temf opener at $34;00a Goldman (Gbldman) (1,200; 50- 99)—“Dear Wife" (Par) (2d wk). Okay $14,0()0. Last week, nice $19,000. Karlton (Goldman) (1,000; 50-99) ^“Red Shoes" (EL) (3d wk). Hbld- ing nice pace at $12,000. Last week, big $15,000. ‘Joan" did opening week} with the Ingrid Bergman stai'Cer getting $1.50 in afternoon, higher than “Man" is; receiving. ; “Dear Wife;’’ with Celeste Holm and Buddy Rbgei’s band topping stageshow, looks fairly good $62,- 000 at Parambunt, “Montana,’’ plu^ stbge bill headed by Frank “SugaC Chile” RbbinsOn and Alah • Young, looks only moderate at I $48,000 or less in first week; at Strand. “P’ort of New York" is i lightwe.ight with. $15,000 or Under at the Globe. “Key To City" shapes up barely okay $30;000 at the Stjate,/disappointing for new Clark Gable starrex’. ■ “12 O’clock High,’’ with Dehn Murphy arid Betty Bruce topping stageshow, is down to just good $78,000 bn second week at the Roxy; “Eiffel Tower" also is off at $19,000 for second Criterion session but as gobd as many recent fii’st stanzas at this house; “Sarrison and Delilah,” with stanza only hit good $30,000, albeit far fi’orii hopes. In ahead, “East Side. West Side’’ (M-G) (6th-wk), $8,000v Strand (WB) (2i756; 55-$2) —- “Montana" (WB) with Frank “Sugar Chile" Robinson, Alan Young, Callahan-Lee, Others, pn- stage, Getting moderate $48,000 or near. Holds, In ahead, “Hasty Heart’’ (WB) with Gordon MacRae, Mimi Benzell heading stage bill (2d wki, $36,000. Sutton (R & B) (561; 90-$1.50)— ‘’Fallen Idol" (SRO) :(13th wk). Twelfth frame erided Monday (6) Was down to $9,000 after big $10,- 000 in previous round. Continues. Trans-Liix 60th; Si.) (T-L) (453; 74-$1.50)—-“Tight Little Island’* (U) (7th wk). Held very strongly at $10,000 in sixth session ended lart Saturday (4) after $11,000 in preceding week.;: Stays on indef. Victoria (City Tnv.) (1,060; 95- $1.80)—“Third Man" (SRO); Initial week ending today (Wed.) looks to register smash $40,000, and riat- $37,000 for seventh week at Rivoli, { ahead “All King’s and “IwQ Jima," with $24,000 fox* Men" sixth week at the .Mayfair, are the $13 OOO rti'pngest, extended-i'un films. “My ■ ^ ’ Foolish Heart" winds up its third week at the Music Hall at $100,000, with “Young Man With Hox'ri" coming in tomorrow (Thurs.). The Palaces Swinging low in current session for second week in row, with about $15,500 likely for “Girls’ School" and vaudeville bill; This is not far from house low of j $15,000 registered last round. Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; 95-$1.50) —“Battleground" (M-G) (13th wk). I Holding very well for this stage of rim and in view of general down- 1 beat with around .$18,000 after solid 1 week. Stays, with Home" (20tli) bpen-^ (Col) (12tli wk-8 days). $21,000 last “Three Came I ing Feb. 20. i Bijou $2.40)-r-“Red (589; (EL) $ 1 . 20 - (68th Inv,) Shoes" wk), Present session still very good at $9,000, after $9,500 last week. Continues indef. I Capitol (Loew’s) (4,820; 80-$l.50) l---“Mrs. Mike" (UA) with Gordon ' Jenkins GX'ch, Maxiori Hutton-Jack Mastbaum (WB) (4,360; 50-99)— I Houglas topping staigeshow. Opens “Montana" (WB). This is leaving : today (Wed.). Last week, “Ambush" plenty wide open spaces in house: (M-G) with Ink Spots, Sam Leven- drab $20,000. Last week, “Hasty 1 son, Bobby Sherwood heading stage Heart" (WB) (2d wk), $14:500. bill (3d wk), only $45,000, after Randolph (Goldman) (2,500; >50- $49,000 for second, below hopes. 99)—“Ea.st Side, West Side" (M-G) Criterion (Moss) (LTOO; 50-$1.75) - ^ (2d wk). Solid $17,000. Last;-^“Eiffel Tower” (RKO) (2d wk). W^ek, ‘ South Sea Sinner (U) and week, $24,000. I Holding nicely at $19,000 or near“Ur*'fi®lt0w’/ $13,500. Stanley (WB) (2,950;. 50-99)— after nice $26,000 bpenei’. “Strom- ; “Sands Two Jima" (Rep) (3d wk). boli" (RKO) opens Feb. 15. Tapering but still solid at $14,000; Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 50-$1.20). after $18,000. for second round. [ — ‘Port of New York" (EL); Get-1 Stanton (WB) (1,475; 50-90)— 1 ting modest $15,000 or less. Holds. | “Ambush" (M-G) (2d wk). Fair in ahead. “Backfire" (WB), $9,000. : $8,500 after spek ; $15,000. first ; Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; ;50-$1.20) | stariza.. —“Two Jima". (Rep) (6th wk). Still, I Trans-Lux (T-L) (500; 90 t$ 1.25) strong with $24,000, after socko j —“Hamlet" (EL) (4th wk). Gopd $27,000 for fifth round. Continues i $5,000 for la.st Week of pop price indefinitely. In Buff, ‘Tower* Lofty 14G, ‘Shoes’ Fancy 13G . Buffalo. Feb. 7. “Samson Delilah" is the big noise here this week with terrific take at Center. “Eiffel Towei’" looks. tall at Century and “Red Shoes" shapes fa.st at Lafayette. Esiiimates for This Week ' Buffalo (3,500; 40-70) — “Battle- ground" (M-G) (2d wk>. Down to about $11,000 in 4. da 3 'S. Last week, smash $21,000. , Paramount (Pari (3,000; 40-70)— “Montana" (WB) and “Radar Secret Service" (WB^. Okay $13,- 000 Or near. .Last week,“Whirl- poor’ (20th) and “Hollj'Wo.od Va- rieties" (Lip), same. ; Center (Par) (2,100; 70-$1.25)— “Samson and Deiiiah" (Par). Co- lossal $30i000 OX' close. Last week, “Hasty Heart" (WB) (2d, wk - 4 days), thin $4,000. Lafayette (Basil) (3,000; 40-70)— “Red Shoes" (EL) arid“Amazon Quest" (FC). Fine $13,000. Last Century (20th Cent) (3,000; .40- 70)—"Man bn Eiffel Tovver" (RKO) and “Master Minds" (Mono). Climbing to about $14,000, trim. Last, week, “Sands Iwo Jirna" (Rep) and “Belle Old Mexico" (Rep); (3d wk-4 days). Solid $7,000. ibn. Last week, $5,200. ^Montana^ Lusty $11,000, Omahai ^Danuhe’ $10,000 Orrtaha, Feb. 7. “Mdntaria"; at Paramount with $11,000 doing best business in town but overall total is off. Of the holdovers, “Battleground" at the State is very‘s healthy in its third week, and “All the King’s Men’’ at Brandeis in second ;wbek continues stout:'.. Estimates for This Week Parainount (Tri.st.ates) (2,800; 16-' 65)—“Montana". (WB). Stout $11.- 000. Last week. “Hasty Heart" (WB), slender $8,500. Orpheum (Tri.states) (3,000; 16- 65)-^“Red Danube" (M-G) and; “Tensipn’: (M-G). Fair $10,000. Last week, ^‘South Sea Sinner" (U), $9,500. Brandeis (RKO) (1,500; 16-65)— “AU King’s Men’’ (Col) and “Girls’ School’’ (Col) (2d wk). Fine $8,000. Palace (RKO) (1,700; 55-$i.20)— i “Girls’ ScHopl" (Cbl) and vaude i bill. Light .$15,500, near house low .under current boHey. . Last week}“Blue Grass : Keritucky*’ (Mono) with vaude, $15,000,. new all-time low. Paramount (Par) (3:664; 5.5- $1.501—“Dear Wife’’ ..(Par) with Celeste Holm. Buddy Rogers orch headirig stage bill (2d-final wk). Seattle, Feb. 7. Milder weather is helping here this week, with trade on ^ upbeat. Standout are ‘’Oh Town" at Liberty arid“Big Wheer’ at Coliseum, both great. “Dear Wife’’ shapes nice at Fifth Avenue. "“Battleground" still i.s big in. second Music Hall session. “Willie Cornes" Marching Horne" Fir.st week ended last riight (Tues.) shapes dull at Pararnpunt. was fairly good $62.000.. In dhead. ‘IThelma Jordon" (Pari and Jean Carroll,; Jerry Wald orch (2d wk), $48^000; Radio City Music Hall (Rocke- feller.s) (5,945; 80-$2.40) — ‘‘My Foolish Heart" (RKOv and stage- Esiimgtes for This Week Coliseuiri (Evergreen) (1.877; 59- 84)—“Big Wheel" (UA) and ‘.‘Silent Conflict" iUA).; Fast $12,000;. Last week, “Dakota Lil"; : (20th) and “Tillie’s Purictured Romance" (Indie) (reissue), oke $7,000. show (3d-'firial \vk). Off t6 $100,- Fifth Avenue (Evergreen) (2,349; 000 in final stanza after okay .$112,- 59-84) — “Dear Wife" (Par) and 000 fbr second,“Young Man With “Live by Night" (RKO). Fancy Horn" (WB) and new stageshow $12,500: 'La.st week, “Whirlpool" opens tomorrow (Thurs ). i (20th) and “Radar Secret" (Lip), Rialto (Mage) (594; 44^98)—“My ! mild $6,900. Ecstasy" (Indie) (rei.s.siie) (2d wk). Liberty (John Harnrickt (1,650; Initial holdover round is slipping 59-84)—“On The Town" (M-G) and to $8,500, very good. First week . “Terision" (M-G). Great $11,000 or big $11,000. “Woman"' near. Last vveek,“Roseaiiria Me- lif aaIt capIt'^Q state (Goldberg) (865; 16-65)-^! Was very big $11,000. “Woman” ' near. “Battleground" (3d wk). Still big at i (Indie) coriies in this week, cash-1 Coy" (RKO) and ‘‘Hollywood 46>500. Last week, $7,200. ‘ing in on Roberto Rossellini name, v (Continiied on page 27>