Variety (March 1950)

Wednesday, March 1, 1950 : Chicago, Feb. 28. Ppor weather all week is cutting Into most holdovers, but new films are doing excellent biz. “Cinder- ella’- opened by breaking house record at Palate last lyednesday (22) with $9,000 oh first day, and all-time high of $45,000 looms. “Intruder in Dust” looks fast $14,? 000 at United Artists, “Guilty of Treason” is snappy $13,000 at 4 Roosevelt. ' “Mule Train” and “Down Da- kota Way,” should bring a sharp $8,000 to Garrick. “Quicksand” and a disk jockey revue at Ori- ental is fair $40,000. Three holdovers continue okay. “Third Man” at Selwyn is shap- ing : up to tall $13,000 in second frame. “Bicycle Thief,” at World, is terrific $7,500* “Stromboli,” at Grand on second week, should do hefty $16,000, largely because ad- vanced admissions are in effect. “Battleground” continues crisp $17,000 in third week at State-. Lake.. “Chain Lightning” with. June Havoc onstage at Chicago is mediocre $33,000 for second Week. Estimates for This Week Chicago (B&K) <3,400; 50-98)— “Chain Lightning” (WB) With June Havoc onstage (2d wk), Light $33,- 000. Last week, $50,000. Garrick (B&K) (900; 50-98)^- “Mule Train” (Col) and “Down Da- kota Way” (Rep). Fine $8,000. Last week, “Dakota Lil” (20tjli> and “Blonde Bandit” (Rep), $5,000. Grand (RKO) (1,500; 98-$1.50)^- “Stromboli” (RKO) (2d wk). Socko $16,000. Last week, $27,500. Oriental (Booth) (3,400; 50-98)— “Quicksand” .(UA) With Eddie Hub- bard disk jockey revue onstage. Fair $40,000. Last week, “East Side, West Side” (M-G) with vaude (2d wk), $30,000. “Cinderella” (RKO). Soaring to new house record of $45,000. Last Palace (RKO) (2,500; 50-98)-r- week, “Gilda” (Col) and “Heat’s On” (Col) (reissues), $8,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 50-98) —“Guilty of Treason” (EL). Trim $13,000. Last week, “Capt. China” (Par) and “Davy Crockett” (UA) (2d wk), $7,000, . Selwyn (Shubert) (1,000; 98- $1.20)—“Third Man” (SRO) (2d wk). Socko $13,000 looming. Last week, record $17,000. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 50-98) —“Battleground” (M-G) (3d wk). Holding up nicely at $17,000. Last week. $23,000. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 50- 98)—“Intruder in Dust” (M-G). Solid $14,000. Last week, “Father Is Bachelor” (Col) Gorilla” (Col), $8,000. Estimate* Are Net Film gross estimates as re- ported herewith frofffthe* varP - 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- come. The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated, include the U. S. amusement tax. <fi • * Francis Denver. Feb. 28. . “Francis” is packing three houses currently with big session likely, and best total in town. It is sensa- tional at the Aladdin. Pic moyes from Denver to Paramount, being first to do ,this. “East Side” looms good at Orpheum. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,400: 35-74)— “Francis” (U) and “Chinatown Mid- night” (Col), day-date With Denver, Webber. Colossal $8,000. Last Week, “Without Honor” (UA) and “Apache Chief” (Dip), good $3,500. Broadway (Wolfberg) (1,500; 35- 74)—“Battleground” , (M-G) (4th wk): Fine $7,000, Holds again, i Last week, fine $7,500. Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 35-70) : —“Thelma Jordon” (Par). Fair i $10,000. Last week, “Samson and ! Delilah” (Par) (4th wk), $10,500. Denver 5 (Fox) (2,525; 35-74)— “Francis” (U) and “Chinatown Mid- night”. (Col), also Aladdin, Webber. Big $19,000. Last week, “Hasty Heart” (WB) and “Blonde Dyna- mite” (Mono), $11,000. Esquire (Fox) (742; 35-74)—“Tell to Judge” (Col) and “Mule Train” (Col), day-date with Paramount. Light $2,000. Last Week, “Hasty Heart” (WB) and “Blonde Dyna- mite” (Mono), $1,700. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 35-74)— “East Side, West Side” (M-G) and “Satan’s Cradle” (UA). Good $15,000. Last week, “Stromboli” and “Tattooed Stranger” PICTURE GROSSES , (RKO) “Mark (RKO), $12,500. _ n aQ . Paramount (Fox) (1,200; 35-74)— Woods ^ssaness)^ 1,073* 50-98) “Tell to Judge” (Col) and “Mule — My Foolish Heart” /RKO) <5th j Train” (Col), also Esquire. Thin wk). This final week is oke $11,-; $6,000. Last Week, “Sundowners” 000. Last week, $17,000. . | (EL)' and “Bodyhold” (Col),/ big Woil8 (Indie) (587; 80)-^ Bicycle i *i j 000 Vogue (Wolfberg) ‘"(600; 60-74)-^ Thief” (Indie) (2d wk). Great $7, 500; Last week, $8,700. In “Genius and Nightingale” (Indie) arid “Enchanted Lake” (Indie), Fair $1,700. Last week/ “Saraband” (EL), nice $2,500. v ; Webber (Fox) (750; 35-74)— “Francis” (U) and “Chinatown at Midnight” (Col), also Denver, Alad- din. Big $3,000* Last week, “Sim- and “Bodyhold” Washington, Feb. 28. Biz is on bright side here’ this round, with Walt Disney’s “Cin- derella” hitting new all-time rec- ord opening day at Keith’s, and holding near that high in second day, It will land terrific total on week, with night trade holding very well. “Willie Conies Home” with vaude is doing hangup trade at Capitol. “Chain Lightning” is rated fairly stout at the Warner, Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew’sV (2,434; 44-85)— “Willie Comes Home” (20th) plus vaude:- Smart $25,000, 'with big help of Washington birthday holi- day. . Last week, “Borderline” (U) ; plus vaude, $18,000. Dupont (Lopert) (350; 50-85)— “Rigoletto” (Indie) (2d wk). Very steady; $4,500 after big. $5,500 last week. Keith’s (RKO) (1,939; 44-80)— “Cinderella” (RKO): Shapes to hit terrific $28*000 in first week. Last week, “Stromboli” (RKO) (10 days), Only $19;000, slipping to less than $5,000 in final 3 days—so yanked* Metropolitan (Warner) (1,163; 44-74)—“Backfire” (WB). Average $6,000. Last week,. “Sands of Iwo Jima” (Rep) (2d run), good $6,000 on thfrd downtown week. National (Heiman) (1,600; 44-74) —'“Her Wonderful Lie” (Col). Okay $5,500, Last week, “Blossoms in Dust” (M-G) (reissue), $4,000. Palace (Loew’s) (2,370; 44-74)—t (Continued on page 20) downers”. (EL) (Col), $2,500. Indianapolis, Feb. 28. Biz here is being slugged by winter’s first blizzard and heavy interest in state highschool basket- ball. tournament. However, “Key To City,” at Loew’s, is strong enough, to hold. -“Montana,” at Indiana, and “Dancing in Dark,” with Eddy. Duchin show on stage at Circle both are disappointing* Estimates for This Week Circle (Gamble-Dblie)'(2,800; 50- 19:01—^Djincing-Sh-Dark” (20 th)jvith Eddy Duchin orch, Vivian Blaine, others onstage. Slow $17,000. Last Week, “Hasty Heart” (WB) and “Live By Night” (RKO), tepid $8,- 000 at 44-65C scale. Indiana (G-D) (3,300; 44-65)— ‘‘Montana” (WB) and “Sariimba” /Indie). Thin $8,000; Last Week, “Stromboli” (RKO) and “Tattooed Stranger” (RKO), $7,800. Keith’s (G-D) (1,300; 74-$1.20)— “Samson and Delilah” (Par) (2d wk). Fair $7,000 after healthy $14,- 000 Opener. Loew’s (Loew’s) (2,427; 44-65)— “Key To City” (M-G). Hefty $l4 r 000 and extra days) Last week, “Mrs. Mike”: (UA) and “Daring Caballero” (Col); $12,000. Lyric (C-D) (1,600; 44-65) — ‘•Dangerous Profession” (RKO) and “Mysterious D e s p e r a d o ’* (RKO). Thin $4,000. Last week, “Blonde Dynamite” (Mono) with Grand Ole Opry on stage, $15,000 at 50-85c scale. Severe winter weather, the start of Lent and continuance of the brownout all " are contributing towards generally da fir si-run business this session. The bogoffice had been very sluggish even before the state edict shutting off all advertising lights; but the darkened condition of Broadway; along with near-zero cold, snow, rain and sleet, accentuated the slow trade. The storm on Wednesday (Wash- ington’s Birthday) pared the ex- pected take on this big holiday for theatres; with Thursday (23) turn- ing into the Worst day of the stanza. Slippery streets took a heavy toll, with. night trade dipping drasti- cally, ' Outstanding newcomer, ‘‘Cinder- ella,” is faring well in the face of all these, handicaps, with smash $53,000 likely in first Week at the frame Brown orch onstage. Opens today (Wed:). Last week, “Paid in Full” (Par) with Johnnie John-: i ston, Lina Romay, Boyd Raeburn "roadway i^orch Jieadin&jstageshow. (2d wk), was down to $50,000 or. near after fair $59,000 opening round. Park Avenue (U) (58ff; 90-$1.50L —“Astonished Heart” (U) (3d wk). * Second' week ended lest Monday (27) held very Well at $10,OQO after good $11,000. first frame. Radio City Music Hall (Rocke- fellers) (5,945; 80-$2.40) —“Stage Fright” (WB). and stageshow. Looks only fair $115,000, and holds; . Had tough break opening on stormy Thursday (23), but built somewhat after reviews came out. Last Week, : “Youhg Man With Horn” (WB), With stage bill (2d wk); mild $112,000, below expectancy, Rialto (Mage). (594; 44-98)— “Mafia” (Indie),. Opens today (Wed,). Last week, “peddling in Society” (Indie), mild $7,000 on Mayfair. Initial frame lias. been topped in recent years only by “Iwo ; ^fe'Wek! i Rivoli (UAT-Par) (2,092; 90-$l,80) “Three Came Home” also is do-1 “-“Samson and Delilah” (Par) (loth- iiig remarkably sock business m : wk). Slipped sharply to $20;000 or view of conditions, with $39,000 on under. Ninth week was $29,000, initial week ended Monday (27) at, Feb. 22 holiday failing to help as Astor. In contrast, “Malaya” with Blue Barron band, Benny Fields, Gene * Sheldon onstage* 1 likely won’t get more than $50,000, mild, at much as expected. Roxy (20th) (5,886; 80-$1.75)— “Willie Comes Home” (20th) plus ^ . TT ... „ . ... , Allan Jones, Betty and Jane Kean, Capitol. “Woman in Hiding” also is [Irving Fields Trio topping stage- swinging low, despite holiday open- ] show (2d-final wk). Despite favor- • _ ■' / A A \ * J.T - • gtk -4 A A /\ _ A-' ^4 1 i. 1 In Buff;‘12 O’Clock' . Buffalo, Feb. 24. “Francis” shapes as big leader this week at Lafayette, where sock. “12 O’clock High” looms fine at the Buffalo. “Foolish Heart” is good at Century; /Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Loew’s) (3,500; 40-70)— “Twelve O’Clock High” (20thK Fine $15,000* Last week, “Danc- ing in Dark” (20th) and Ink Spots onstage, $23,000. / Paramount (Par) (3,000; 40-70)— “Capt* China” (Par) and “Backfire” (WB). Okay $14,000 or near* Last week, “Dear Wife” (Par) and ‘‘Fly- ing Saucer” (FC), $1.7,000. Center (Par) (2,100; 70-$1.20)— “Samson and Delilah” (Par) (4th Wk). Still okay at $9,000. Last week; solid $12,000. . Lafayette (Basil) (3,000; 40-70)— “Francis” (U) and “Rugged O’Rior- dans” (U). Socko $17,000. Last week, “Borderline” (U) and “Girlf’ School” (Col). $12,500. Century (20th Cent.) (8,000; 40- 70)“-“My Foolish Heart” (RKO) and “Stampede’- (Mono). Good $13,000. Last week, “Stromboli” (RKO), $12,000. ' Philadelphia, Feb. 28. Snow late Sunday afternoon and icy roads cut heavily into weekend biz, with long list of holdovers also hurting on current session, “Willie Comes Marching Home,” getting most coin of newcomers, looms sturdy at Fox. “Francis,” with terrif ballyhoo, looks nice at the Boyd while “Dakota Lil” shapes mild at the Stanton. “Outside the Wall” is solid in second frame at Aldine. Estimates for This Week Aldine (WB) (1,303; 50-99)— “Outside Wall” (U) (2d Wk). Hefty $15,500 after smash $20,000 opener. Boyd (WB) (2,360; 50-99)— “Francis” (U). Big matinee trade with nice $19,000 likely. Last week, “Battleground” (M-G) (6th wk), neat $12,000. Earle (WB) (2,700; 70-$1.25)—. “Samson and Delilah” (4th wk). Sturdy $22,500. Last week, $28,000. ; ^ Fox (20th) (2,250; 50-99)—“Willie Comes Marching Home” (20th). Solid $21,000. Last week, . “12 O’Clock High” (20th), $12,000, Goldman (Goldman) (1,200; 50- 99)—“Stromboli” (RKO) (2d wk). Off. to $11,000 after great $18,700 opener, over hopes. Karlton (Goldman) (1,000; 50-99) —“Red Shoes” (EL) (6th wk). Good $6,000. Last week, $6,200. Mastbaum (WB) (4,360; 50-99)— “Chain Lightning” (WB) (2d wk). Dull $12,000 after light $18,000 opener. Randolph (Goldman) (2,500; 50- 99)—“Key to City” (M-G) (2d wk). Good $16,000. Last week; sturdy $25,000. \ Stanley (WB) (2,950; 50-99)—“All! King’s Men” (Col) (3d wk), to $13,000* Last week, nice, $22,000. < Stanton (WB) (1,475; 50-99)— “Dakota Lil” (20th). . Mild $7,000. Last week, “Backfire” (WB), $8,000. Trans-Lux (T-L) (500; 50-99)L- ing (22) with $12,000 at Criterion. Opening on the slowest day of current session (Thurs.), “Stage Fright” and stageshow is merely : able crix appraisal, failed to come through as hoped, with initial hold- over frame down to light $50,000) after moderate $78,000 Opener, fair $115,000 in first week at the:: “Mother Didn’t Tell Me” (20th) Music Hall. General downbeat ap- parently held this back despite some nice crix appraisals. Best holdover in a week that witnesses most second-week bills oh the skids is “Third Man,” which opens Friday, with Beatrice Kay, Buck & Bubbles, Beatrice Kraft and her dancers^ the Dunhills on- stage. • • . State (Loew’s) (3,450; 55-$ 1.50)— ‘Key to City” (M-G) (Sthrfinal wk). is heading for fine $28,000 in fourth ; Down to $10,000 or less in fourth round at the Victoria. Rivoli, Roxy ! stanza ended last night (Tues;) after 'm * >• ..•'*« A • 4 4 . . . . a • _• ■ A _ . -4.' A ' ’A V\ fX t* ■' _ • 'a 1 * . I ^ . 4 .« . ’ i,i and Strand all took drastic tum- bles from previous weeks. 4 . Biggest, news among newcomers opening this week is 1 start today (Wed.) of Bob Hope’s two weeks of personal appearances at the Para- mount with “Capt. China.” Hope has Jane Russell, who was with him in “The Paleface,’’ and Les Brown band in his supporting stageshow. He plans to have different stage, screen and radio personalities do- ing “guest shots” during his en- gagement; with Arthur Godfrey supposed to be on with Hope today,{Vi?i| len l t 01 S°* Roxy opens “Mother Didn’t Tell | week-end^Jjlondyy (.27,' this Me” Friday (3). $14,400 for third week, both very slow and disappointing. “Annie Get Your Gun” (M-G) was set to open here next but won’t be available until Easter, with house opening “The Outriders” (M-G) on March 8. Strand- (WB) (2,756; 55-$2)— i “Chain Lightning” (WB) and Latin Quarter Revue onstage (2d wk). Down to dull $31,000 or bit better this round after disappointing $45,- 000 opener.. Set to stay past second week. Sutton (R & B) (561; 90-$1.50)— [ “Fallen Idol” (SRO) (16th wk). For Estimates for This Week . Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; 60-$1.50) —‘Three Came Home’’ (20th) (2d wlOV. First week ended Monday (27) night hit rousing $39,000. In ahead; “Battleground” (M-G) (15th wk-4 days), $7,500 after okay $12,r 000 for 14th week. Bijou (City Inv.) (589; $1.20- $2.40) — “Red Shoes” (EL) (71st wk). Staying up very well in view j of conditions at around $8,500,, nice, after $8,800 in previous week, which was helped by holiday biz. Stays on. Capitol (Loew’s (4,820); 55-$1.50) —“Malaya” (M-G) plus Blue Bar- Dowrt i ron orch, Benny Fields, Gene Shelr 1 don (2d wk). Initial session ended last night (Tues.) was mild $50,000. In ahead, “Mrs. Mike” (UA) and Gordon Jenkins orch, Marion Hut- tori-Jack Douglas (2d wk), $30,000. held up to $8,200 with help of Washington’s Birthday trade after $8,700 last week. Continues on. Trans-Lux (60th St.) (453; 74- $1.50)—“Tight Little Island” (U) (10th wk). With some help from Feb. 22, doing nicely at $7,500 in ninth week ended last Saturday (25) after $8,000 for eighth stanza* Stays on. Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; 95- $1.50)—“Third Man” (SRO) (4th wk). Still doing strong business at $28,000 after big $33,000 for third round. Continues indef. .Criterion: (Moss) (1,700; 50-$l,75) Little Island” (U) (3d wk).: —“Woman in Hiding” (Ul (2d wk). of profit at $6,000. Last; First round ended last night (Tues.) L’ville Champ at 15G; ‘Lil’ Lands Big $7,000 Plenty week, great $8,000* Louisville, Feb. 28, . Strong lineup of product at all firstruns this week and biz is re- flecting it by big takes. Leading ...... . . - .... , . the parade is “When Willie Comes failed to help house out of slug- [Marching Home,” sturdy at the Ri- gish trend, with only slight $12,000 ; alto. “Dakota Lil” at the Strand or near. Saturday. (RKO), $19,000, cold hurting on . and “Chain Lightning” at Mary final t\yo days. j Anderson, are grabbing excellent Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 50-$1.20) second week biz. , —“The Outlaw” (RKO) (2d wk). • Estimates for This Week “Borderline” (U) opens i j s ipoving at a fast clip. Holdovers In ahead, “Stromboli /of “Key to City”; at Loew’s State ‘Heiress’ Toronto; ‘East Side’ 11G Toronto,*Feb. 28. ThrPA-Hnv hliywnfi has qlnwpri un 1 —“The Outlaw” ittlVUJ :WKI. • jcsiimaics ior inis ncca biz, but it pickef up^Tattel half o? i Holdinr^irl/well al: $26,000 after .Ma^ week, Leading and still in second smash $42,000 openei, besv here fod^wk) fn'o week is “12 O’Clock High” at Im- } in a y ear ‘ Continuesv ‘ lid perial. “Heiress” at two houses is’■ Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 50-$l,20) so !d $8,500, abp\ r expec big; ditto “ EaS l Side, West Side,;; ‘first" w^eek ^.to (Fourth. Avenue. (3,000; ende^ last night (TueO all the 45-65)-“Wiliie Matching Home" mote-r a rka ble in' vlew oi /20th) and/’Palooka Meets Hum- weeks at house. In ahead, Iwo Jima” (Rep) (8th wk-5 days), okay caugnt Dlg $10,000, to round out smash run. Holdover of “Jolson Sings Again” still is in chips. Estimates for This Week Downtown, Glendale, Scarboro, State (20th) (1,059; 955; 698; 694; 35-60)—“Savage Splendor’’ (RKO) and “Threat” (RKO). Okay $10,000, Last week, “Crash Dive” (20th) and “Man Hunt” (20th) (reissue), big $13,000. Stromboli” (RKO), press: comment and word-of-mouth but biz sagged after sock opening to dull $7,500, far Palace (RKO) (1,700; 55-$ 1.20)—'l gelow exp^tanev ‘Father is Bachelor” (Cot) and ! D ^e x ^ev?sK (3.' vaude. "Way off to fair $18,000 for . ‘‘j^ey to City” 000; 45-65)— (M-G) (2d. wk). Good Egllnton, Victoria (FP) (1,080, 1,- 8 days house going back to regular ; $n f ooo after last week’s fine 140; 40-70)-—“Heiress” (Par). Good $14,000* Last week, “Jolson Sings Again” (Col) (4th wk), nice $10,000 at University and Eglinton. > Fairlown, Odeon (Rank) (1,200; 2,390; 50r$l,2O)—“Hamlet” (J2L). (Continued on page 20) Thursday opening day tomorrow,/ *15 qqo Last week, “Mark of Gorilla” (Col) strand (FA) (1,200; 45-65)—“Da- with vaude (6 days), broke even at j ko t a Lil” (20th) and “Treasure $17,000* j Monte Carlo” andie). Big $7,000. Paramount (Par) (3,664; 55-1 Last week, “Dancing in Dark’' $1.50)—“Capt, China” (Par) with ] (20th) and “Tough Assignment” (In- Bob Hope plus Jane Russell, Les : die) f about aame.