Variety (April 1950)

10 PICTITRB GROSSES April 5, 19«?0 it lOne’s Men’Fat First-runs continue at a moder- ate pace here although several sit^ nations are picking up with new feUls and Easter school holiday. ' ‘-Stage Fright”-*l0Dfcs good $35,000 Or oyer in' three . theatres While combo of ‘.‘Black Hand- and “GOh- spirator". shapes okay $27,000 in .. two .houses. ' ■ : • ‘^Under My Skin!' look s very disappointing with less than $24,- 000 in five spots. "Sundowners, ’ in two Paramounts, both with stagebills, is sighting $24,000, not big. "All King’s Men" is picking up a pleasant $23,000 in five small- : Beaters bn ; strength of Academy acclaim. “Cinderella" is still very strong^ with nearly $39*000 in two sites, second frame, Estimates for This Week Downtown, Hollywood* Beverly Hills, Hawaii, Forum Music Halls (Prin-Cor) (902; 512; 834; 1,106; 2,100; 55-$l) “All King’s Men" (Col) and “Traveling Saleswoman” (Col). Nice $23,000. Last week, "(jrreat Rupert" (EL) and “Killer Shark" (Mono), $15,600, LOs Angeles, Chinese* Uptown, Loyola, Wilshire (FWG) (2,097; 2,- 048; 1,719; 1,248; 2,296; 60^1) — “Under My Skin" (20th) and“Tar- nished” (Rep)., Disappointing; $24,- 000. Last week, “Four Day Leave" (FC) and “Guilty Bystander" (FC), $23;800. Hollywood, Downtown, Wilterh (WB) (2,756; 1*757; 2,944; 60-$l)-^ ‘‘Stage Fright" (WB). Good $35,000. Last week, "Barricade" (WB), $24,- 000 . ; Loew's State, Egyptian (UA) (2,404; 1,538; 60-$l)-^“BIaCk Hand" (M-G) and "Conspirator" (M-G). Okay $27,000; Last week* “Nancy To Rio" <M-G), $24,300, Hllistreet, Pantages^ (RKO) (2,- 890; 2,818; 50-$l) ^ “Cinderella” (RKQ) (2d wk), Sturdy $39,00(). Last week, sockp $47,0(10. Los Angeles, Hollywood Para- mounts (F&M) (3,398; 1,451; 40-$l) •—"Sundowners" (EL) With Toni Harper, Tennessee Ernie, onstage at L. A.; Herb Jeffries, Dick Wes- son at Hollywood. Medium $24,- OOO. Last week, ”House By River" (Rep) with Wesson, Gil Lamb at L. Ai Jeffries, Bedell dc Mattson at Holly wood, $19,000. United Artists, Ritz, Vogue, Studio City, Culver (UA-FWC) (2,- 100; 1,370; 885; 880; 1,145; 60-$l)— “Kid From Texas" (U) and “West- ern Pacific Agent" (Lip) (2d wk). Down to $14,000. Last week, nice $29,000. Orpheum (D'town) (2,210; 50-95) --"Palomino” (Col) (2d run) with “Fun On Wheels" revue, others, onstage. Thin $11,5Q0. Last week, “Brother Jonathan" (Mono) (2d run) with eight acts vaude, $13,100. Four Star (UA) (900; 60-$!)— “Gay Lady" (EL). Light $2,500. Last Week, “Vicious Years” (FC) (3d wk-5 days), $1,300, Fine Arts (FWC) (679; 85-$1.25) —"11. TroVatbre" (Indie) (3d wk). Slow $2^000. Last week, $2,90O. - ‘Conspirator’ Best Bet In Buff, Modest $12,500 Buffalo, April 4. “The Conspiratpr" lopihs as the best of lightweight newcomers this session. It ig only fair. Reissues are playing two spots and doing about as well as new product. Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Loew’s) (3,500; 40-70)—. “Conspirator" (M-G) and “Great Plane Robbery^’ (UA). Fair $12,500 Last week, "Mother Didn’t Tell Me" (20th), $11,500. Paramount (Par) (3,()00; 40-70)r^- “Monkey Business" (P a r) and VHorse Feathers" (Par) (reissues) Mild $8,000, Last week, “Davy Crockett" (UA) and "Guilty By- stander" |FC), slow $10,500. Center > (Par) (2,100; 40-70) —. “Dakota Lil" (2Gth) and "Cry Mur- der" (FC). Modest / $8,500. Last week, “Perfect Strangers" (WB), $9>500. Lafayette (Basil) (3,000; 40-70)— “Buccaneer’s Girl" (U) and “Body- hold” (Col). Light $10,500. Last week, ‘‘Johnny Holiday" (UA) and “Mark Gorilla" (Col), good $14,000. Century (20th Cent.) (3,000; 40- 70)—"Back Bataan" (RKO) and “Marine Haiders” (HKO) (reissues). Fair $10,000.. Last Week, “Great Rupert” (EL) and “Kill or Be Killed”^} tEL), f luggjjish, $9^599,; Estimated Total Gross This Week .. $488,000 (Based on 19 theatres. ) Last Year ... . - . $511,000 (Based on to theatres.): With ho school and: three kid- appeal pix in town, biz is on up- beat currently. Brandpis, with “Cinderella,” is packing kids and adults in playing solo, and doing sock week. Orpheum also looks okay with “Ambush.” Estimates for This Week Brahdeis (RKO) (1,500; 16-65)— “Cinderella" (RKQ). Terrific $15,- 000. Doing eight shows ■ dally. Holds. Last week, “Navadah" (Col) and “Blondie’s Hero" (Colo), good $6,700. Orpheum (Tristates) (3,000; 16- 65)—“Ambush” (M-G) and “Treas- ure Monte Cristo" (Indie). Okay $11,000. Last week, "Blue Grass Kentucky" (Mono) and “Girl In Heart" (MPho), drab $9,000. Omaha (Tristates) (2,100; 16-65) —-"Wake Island" (Par) artd“Prpud- ly We Hail" (Har) (reissues). Light $8,000. Last week, “Big Wheel” (UA) and “ForgPtten Women" (Mono), $9,000. State (Goldberg) (865; 16-65)^ "Challenge, to Lassie” (M-G) and Twilight on Sahara” (Rep). Nice $5,000. Last week, “Cover Girl” (Col) and “Never Lovelier" v(Col) (reissues), $4,500. 'CINDEItElU' SMASH San Francisco, April 4. Summer weather is being blamed here for manner in which biz has sluffed off for this stanza. “Cin- derella" is outstanding, beating the sluggish trend, with sock session at the Golden Gate. It was backed by a Contest in one of dailies and ex- cellent bally. “Tight Little Is- land" looms trim at United Art- ists While “Francis” continues big in sixth week at Esquire. Else- where takings are mild to slim. Estimates for This Week '' Golden Gate (RKO) (2,844; 60- 85)—"Cinderella” (RKO). Sock $32,000 or hear. Last week, “Eiffel Tower" (RKO) and "Sariimba" (EL) disappointing $12,000. Fox (FWC) (4,651; 60-95)-^“Sing- ing Guns" (Rep) and “Tarnished" (Rep). Only $12,000. Last week, Guilty Bystander” (FC) and “Four Days Leave" (FC), mild $16,500. Warfield (Loew’s) (2,656; 60-85) “East Side" (M-G) (2d wk). Okay $9,000 lil 3 days. Last WCek, big $20,000. . Paramouilt (Par) (2,646; (60-85)— “Barricade" (WB) and "Cry Mur- der" (FC). ’ Oke $20,000 in 10 days. Last week, “Perfect Strangers" (WB) and “The Marauders" (UA), $16,500. St Francis (Par) (1,400; 60-85)-— “Conspirator" (M-G) (2d wk). Fair $10,000 in 9 days.. Last w^eek, big $18,000. ’ ® Orpheum (No. Coast) (2,448; 55- (Continued on page 26) ‘Cargo’. Nice t2G, Toronto Toronto, April 4. With the seasonal Holy Week slump plus plethora of holdovers* business is only so-so here this week. Among newcomers, “Per- fect Strangers” and “Glass MpUh- tain” are garnering nice returns and “Barricade” is fair. “Francis” is hplding a third week at Up- town.,, Estimates for This Week DoWhtoWn* Glendale* Scarboro* State (20th) (1,059; 955; 698; 694; 35-60)—“Cargp Capetown” (Col) and “Crime Doctor’s Diary” (Col); Nice. $12,000. Last week, “Back- fire" (WB) and “Alias Champ” (Rep), $13,000. Eglinton* Victoria (FP) (1,()80; 1,140; 40-70)—“Hasty Heart" (WB) (2d wk); Good $9,000 after last week’s $13,500. Imperial (FP) (3,373; 40-70)— “Chain Lightning”' (WB) (2d wk). Fair $8,500 after last week’s $ia,ooo.>-'v Loew’s. (LPew) (2,Q96; 40-70) “Key To City” (M-G) (2d wk),. Fair $8,500 after last week's $10,000. . ^ , Kortown* University (FP) (959: 1,556; 40-'70)—Ferfect Strangers’* (WB). Okay . $8,000. Last week, “Mother Didn’t TeU Me" (20th) (2d wk), $9,000. Odeon (Rank) (2,390; 50-$l.20)— ‘‘Glass • M^^ Nice $9,000. Last week, San Carlo Opera Co. Shea’s (FP) (2^386; 40r70)—“Bar- ricade" (WB). Fair $8,000. Last week, “Paid in Full" (Par), $9,500. ^ Uptown (Loew) (2j’743; 40-70)^ “Francis" (U) (3d wk). Holding at $6,000 afer last week’s fine $8,500., Cincinnati, April 4. Pre-Easter week is sans usual egg-laying at downtown cages hath extra help from five new bills. “East Side, West Side,”, in nine days at big Albee, is several paces ahead of “Perfect Strangers" for front money. "Barricade" is nice at Grand. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3*100; 55-75)— “East Side” (M-G). Bright $15^00 in 9 days. Last week,“Cinderella" (RKO) (2d wk), fancy $14,000. Capitol (Mid-States) (2,000; 55- 75)H‘Vhc|pr (jl0th)/^4 $7,000. Last week, “Mother Didn’t Tell iyi6!’ (20th), $8,500. Grand (RKO) (1,400; 55-75)— “Barricade” (WB). Nice $9,000. La.st week, ‘.‘Nancy to Rio” (M-G) (2d wk), $7,000. Keith’s (Mid-States) (1,542; 55- 75)—"Backfire" (WB). So-so $5,- 500. Last week, "Guilty Bystand- er" (FC). $4,500. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 55-75)-^ "Perfect Strangers" (WB). Gke $10,000. Last Week, “Man With Horn" (WB), pleasing $12,000. Shubert (Mid-States) (2,100; 55- 75)—"Mother Didn’t Tell Me” (20th) .(m.o.). Fairish $4,500. Last week, “Dakota Lil" (20th)i $fi,6904g Estimated Total Gross This Week.;. .; .$$,156*000 (Based on 22 cities, 203 theatres, chiefly first runs, in- cluding N. Y.) ‘ Total Gross Same Week Last Year;. ... $2,670*000 (Based on 25 cities and, 202 theatres.) Seattle, April 4. Big noise here this week is “Cinderella," doing terrific biz at Music Hali, being northwest preeih for Disney opus. ElsWhere it is not so good excepting some of hold- overs. “Francis” still is big on fourth week downtown, Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (800; 59- 84)--“Franeis" (U) and “Molly X" (U) (m.o.). Fourth week downtown. Big $5,000: Last week, “Act of Murder" (U) (2d wk) and “Outside Wall" (U), nifty $3,000. ^ Coliseum (Evergreen) (1,877; 59-J 84)—“Father Is BaGhelor" (20th) and “Palomino" (Goli Okay $7,- 000. Last week, “Nevadan” (Col) and “Mark of Gorilla" (Col) (2d wk), $6,100.; Fihh Avenue (Evergreen) (2,349; 59-84)—“Paid In Full" (Par) and “Blonde Dynamite" (Mono). Dim $6,500. Last week, “Red Shoes" (EL) (3d wk), good $6,600. Liberty (Hamrick) (1,650; 59-84) -^“East Side" (M-G). Mild $9,000. Last week, “Crockett" (UA) and “Federal Agent” (Rep), good $9,400. Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,200; 59- 84) — “Cinderella” (RKO). North- west preem. Scale for Children lifted to 34c, which helps to land terrific $20,000. Last week, “Mal- aya’’ (M-G) (2d wk), $6,300. Orpheum (Hamrick) (2,600; 59- 84)—“Man With Horn” (WB): Oke $10,000 or close. Last week, “FMncis” (U) and “Molly X" (U) (3d wk), great $9,800. Palomar (Sterling) (1,350; 40^60) --7“Dumbo" (RKO) (reissue) plus Dailey’s Circus onstage. Great $10,000. Last week, “Big Wheel" (UA), (2d run), plus stage, fair $5,000, Paramount (Evergreen) (3,039; 59-84) — “Outlaw" (RKO) and “Traveling Saleswoman" (Col) (3d wk). Fancy $7,000 after $9>600 last week.' ; ■ ^ Minneapolis, April 4. Major new fare is limited this week but it curries boxoffice Weight. Mogt important entry that has turnstiles clicking is “Gindep- ella." It did biggest two days biz for any straight film here Satur- day-Sunday. Other good grossers IncludeTiAmbush" and “Backfire.” Second loop week for “Francis" on moveover to RKO-Paii is smUsh af- ter nine days at Orpheum. Bad weather and Lent continue to hurt, Estimates for This Week Century (Par) -(i,600; 50-70) — “12 O’clock High" (20th) (m.o:>. Big $8,000. Last week, “Whirlpool” (20th), light $4,500, Lyric (Par) (1,000; 50-70) — “Backfire" (WB). Fair $5,000. Last week, “Dakota Lil" (2()th), $4,200. Radio City (Par) (4*000; 50-70)—i “Perfect Strangers" (WB). iMild $12,000. Last week, “12 O’ClOck High" (20th), big $l7>8p(). RKO-Orpheum (RKO) (2,800; 50- 70) — “Cinderella" (RKO), Ideal Easter yacation attraction. Chil- dren’s admissions upped to 25c for this. Good exploitation and big ad canipaigh helping. Tie-up with WLOL on “Cinderella" contest and ball for contestants particularly noteworthy. Terrific $20,000. Last week, “Francis” (U)* $18,000’ in nine days.. RKO-Pan (RKO) (1,600; 50-70)— “Francis" (U) (m.o ). Still going strong after, nine big days at Or- pheum. ’ Fancy $9,000, Last week, %an With Horn" (WB) (2d wk), okay $7,500. State (Par) (2,300; 50-70)—“Am- bush" (M-G). Okay $11,000. Last week, “Hasty Heart" (WB), light $8,500.' World (Mann) (400; 50-85) -- “Tight Little Island" (U) (3d wk). Has made a profitable run of it. Fine $2,000. Last week, $3,200, ‘Mike’ $15,000 in petayer; ‘Cindereila’ Wham 25G Denver, April 4. “Cinderella" is way out in front this stanza with packed Orpheum houses spelling smash total. “Key To City" also very big at Broad- way. Both hold. “Jeepers Creepers ” is fair at Rialto. Estimates for This Week Broadway (Wolfberg) (1,500; 35- 74)—“Key To City" (M-G)' Big $13,0()0, and holding. Last week, “Ambush" (M-G) (2d wk), $7,500. Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 35-70) —“Proudly We Hail" (Par). Poor $6,000. Last Week, VDear Wife" (Par), (2d wk); fair $9,000, Denver (Fox) (2,525; 35-74) -- “Mrs. Mike” (UA) and “KUler Shark” (Mono), day^atc with Es- quire, Webber. Fair $12*000. Last week, “Man With Horn" (WB)^and ‘Tarnished" (Rep), $13,000. V Esquire .(Fox) (742; 35-74) — “Mrs. Mike” (UA). and “Killer Shark" (Mono), also Denver, Web- ber, Mild $1,600^ Last week, “Man With Horn" (WB) and “Tarnished" (Rep), $2,000. ^ Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 35-74)— “Cinderell^’ (RKO). Smash $25,- 000. Holds over. Last w^eek, “Black Hand" (M-G) and “Daring Cabal- lero” (UA), $10,500. Paramount (Fox) (2,200; 35-74)^ “Baron of Arizona" (Lip) ' and “Everybody’s Dancing” (Lip). Light $7,000, Last week, ^Backfire" (WB) and “Blue Grass Kentucky’* (Mono), SdIX10 Rialto (Fox) (8’78; 35-74)—“Jeep- ers Creepers” (Rep) and “Joan of. Ozark” (Rep); Fair $2,500 or near. Last week, on reissues. Webber (Fox) (750; 35-74)—“Mrs, Mike" (UA) and “Killer Shark” (Mono), also Denver, Esquire. Slow $1,400. Last week* “Man With Horn” (WB). and “Tarnished" (Rep), $1,700. . i '; >; i 8 < (C; ^ Philadelphia,^ April 4. Return of stageshows to the Earle is proving a real tonic, despite generally bearish trend of pre- Easten Ersklne Hawkins band topping stagebill will boost “Side Street’^ to fine session at Earle. Other exceptions to downbeat are ”Wabash Avenue’* with great Fox stanza, and “Cinderella” still play- ing to standees at the Trans-Lux on second round* “The Nevadan’’ was way below par at Stanley. ‘‘Gun Gr8zy” created little excite- ment at the Stanton. Estimates for This Week Aldine (WB) (1,303; 50-99)— “GuiltyV Bystander" (FC). Weak $8,000. Last week, “Never Fear" (EL), $7,500. Boyd (WB) (2;360; 50-99) —. “Nancy To Rio" (M-G) (3d wk). Fair $14,000; Last week, okay $18,000. Earle (WB) (2,700; 50-99)^“Side Street" (M-G) with Erskine Haw- ktns orch. Erroll Garner trio, Sa- vannah Churchill onstage. Fine $25,000. Last week, ‘’Samson ahd Delilah” (Par). (8tK wk), $12*000. Fox (20th) (2,250; 50-99)^“Wa- bash Avenue" (20th). Getting good . E lay fojr great $25,000' on week, .ast week,“Three Game Home" (20th) (2d wk), $16,000. I Goldman (Goldman) (1,200; '50- 99)—‘Conspirator" (M-G) (2d wk). Okay $10,500 after solidr $14,000 for opener: Karltbn (Goldman) (1,000; . 50-99) •^“Black Hand" (M-G) (2d wk). Neat $8,000 after nice $12,6O0 for tee-off.: / Mastbaum (WB) (4,360; 50-99)— “Perfect Strangers” (WB) (2d wk). Down to $12,000. Last week, slim $18,000. Randolph (Goldman) (2,5()0; 50- 99)—“Foolish Heart” (RKO) (3d wk). Holding nice pace at $11,000. Last week, $15*000. Stanley (WB) (2,950; 50-99) -- “Neyadan” (Col). Dull $14,000. Last week, “Buccaneer’s Girl" (U), $13,000. Stanton (WB) (1,475; 50-99) — “Gun Crazy" (UA). Real blank at $7,500. Last week, “Barricade" (WB), $8,000. Trans-Lux (T-L) (500; 50-99) — “Cinderella" (RKO) (2d wk). Only size of house holding down total, giant $16,000. or near. Last Week* wow $16,500. ‘Conspirator’ Nice 161G, ‘Crockett’ Dull $7,500 PrQvidence, April 4. Holy. Week is being observed fairly closely hereabouts with all stands, off. Best of the lot is State’s“Conspirator’’ but it will not be big. “Outside Wall" shapes fairish at Albee. Estimates for This Week : Albee (RKO) (2,200; 44-65) — “Outside Wall" (U) and “Square Dance Jubilee” (Lip), Fairish $10,- 000 for 8-day stand. “Buccaneer’s Girl" (U) opens Wednesday. Fay’s (Fay) (1,400; 44-65)—“Yel- low Sky" (reissue) and vaUde on- stage. Fair $6,000. Last week. Whole Town’s Talking" (Col) (re- issue) and vaude onstage, $6,200. Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 44-65) — “Perfect Strangers" (WB) and “Western Pacific Agent" (Lip). Slow $9,000. Last week, “Three Came Home” (20th) (2d wk), nice $ 10 , 000 . Metropolitan (Snider) (3,100; 44- 65)—“Davy Crockett” (UA) and “Guilty Bystander" (FC). Dull $7,- 000 in 8 days. Last week, “G.T. Joe" (EL) and “Change of Heart " (Rep) (reissues)* $6,200. State (Loew) (3,200; 44-65) “Conspirator” (M-G) and “Mark Gferilla” (Col). Fairly steady at $16,500. Last week, “Naiicy To Rio" (M-G) and “Girl San Lorenzo" (Col), $18,000 in 9-day run. Strand (Silverman) (2,200; 44-65) -^“Song To Rememher'V.(Col) (re- issue). Started Monday (3). Last week, ‘’Father Is Bachelor" (Col) and “Palomino" (Col), light $9,000. IN >V VVJ Louisville, April 4. Moderate business is on tap this week. .New entry,“Big Wheel,” at Loew’s State is shaping fairly good, as is holdover of “Samson and Delilah” at Rialto. Two weeks is a rather stiff assignment for that big house, but “Samson" looks to justify its remaining bver. Estimates for This Week Mary Anderson (People’s) (1,200; 45->85)-—“Barricade" (WB): Perk- ing somewhat, to . $7,500, okay. (Continued on pugle, 26) ' ‘ v