Variety (August 1950)

Wednesday, August 9, 1950 PICTURE GROSSES ‘Words’-Chico Wow $60,000 in Chicago; Chicago, Aug. 8, . New loop openers will rocket grosses substantially above last • frame, despite pleasant weekend weather, with ^Oriental entry of “Three Little Words” plus Chico Mark, Paul Gray, and Yvette top- ping stageshow, spearing a wow $60,000. Palace's “Treasure Island” looks stout $17,000. “Stella” with “If This Be Sin” looms equally bright at United Artists with $12,000. Only lean opening is Grand entry of “Wom- an on Pier 13” and “State Peniten- tiary,” light $8,000. Woods holdover: of “711 Ocean Drive” continues hot pace in sec- ond round at $33,000. “Friend Irma West,” in second week at Chicago, with Peggy Lee, Dave Barbour and Myron Cohen onstage, looks brisk $48,000. Second ses- sion of State-Lake’s “Where The Sidewalk Ends” is slow $10,000. Estimates for This Week Chicago (B&K) (3,000; 50-98)— “Friend Irma West” (Par) plus Peggy Lee, Dave Barbour quartet, Myron Cohen onstage (2d wk). Brisk $48,000. Last week, $52,000. Garrick (B&K) (900; 50-98) — “Back To Bataan” (RKO) and “Marine Raiders” (RKO) (reissues) (2d wk). Smart $6,000. Last week, about same. Grand (RKO) (1,200; 50-98) — “Woman on Pier 13” (RKO) and “State Penitentiary” (Col). Light $8,000. Last week, “Winchester ’73” (U), (3d wk), solid $8,200. Oriental (Indie) (3,400; 50-98)— “Three Little Words” (M-G) and Chico Marx, Paul Gray, and Yvette heading stageshow. Smash $60,000. Last week, “Crisis” (M-G) (2d wk) and Dick Contino unit onstage, $36,000. Palace (RKO) (2,500; 50-98) — “Treasure Island” (RKO). Excels lent $17,000. Last week, “Cactus Creek” (U) and “Captive Girl” (U), $9,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 50-98)—, '‘Great Jewel Robber” (WB) and “Once Thief” (UA) (2d wk). Dull $7,000. Last week, $9,000. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 50-98) “Where Sidewalk Ends” (20th) (2d Wk). Light $10,000. Last week, $13,000. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 50- .'98)—“Stella’* (20th) and “If This Be Sin” (UA). Fast $12,000. Last week, “Convicted” (Col) and “The Palomino” (Col) (2d wk), $8,000. Woods (Essaness) (1,073; 98) — “711 Ocean Drive” (Col) (2d wk). Strong $32,060. Last week, $42,000. Philly Cool, Biz Torrid; Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re- ported herewith from the vari- ous key cities, are net, he., 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. Holdovers Hobble Hub; Philadelphia, Aug. 8. Cool weather over weekend is giving a shot in the arm to first- run biz here currently. New prod- uct coupled with strong holdovers is building surprisingly big trade. Pacing newcomers is “Our Very Own,” socko at Boyd. “In* Lonely Place” also is nice at the Earle. Estimates for This Week Boyd (WB) (2,360; 50-99)—“Our Very Own” (RKO). Terrific $25,- 000 or over, Last war/:, “Treasure Island” (RKO) (2d wk), $10,200. Earle (WB) (2,700; 50-99) — “In Lonely Place” (Col), Nice $15,000. Last week, “Quiet on Western Front” (Indie), $11,200. Fox (20 th) (2,250; 50-99) — “Broken Arrow” (20th) (3d wk). Hefty $18,000. Last week, $20,000. Goldman (Goldman) (1,200; 50- 99)—“Furies” (Par). Sturdy $17,- 000 or less. Last wc^k, “Crisis” (M-G) (2d wk), $10,000. Karlton (Goldman) (1,000; 50-99) “Annie Get Gun!’ (M-G). Neat $8,- 000. Last week, “Wake Island” (Par) and “Proudly We Sail” (Par) (reissues), dull $5,000. • Mastbaum (WB) (4,360; 50-99)— “Admiral WaS Lady”'(UA). Slow $15,000. Last week. “Flame and Ar- row” (WB) (3d wk), $12,000. Randolph (Goldman) (2.500; 50- 99)—“Duchess of Idaho” (M-G) (2d Wk). Strong $20,000. After boff $26,- 000 for first stanza, 4 Stanley (WB) (2.950; 50-99) — ‘Rogues Sherwood Forest”. (Col) (2d wk). Dim $8,500. Last week, fair $15,000. . Stanton (WB) (1,475; 50-99) — ‘Modern Marriage” (Mono). Light, $7,500. Last week, “young Daniel Boone” (Mono) and “ K 0 Years Be- fore Eyes”. (WB), r 8 ono. . Trans-Lux (T-L) 50-99) — “Kin* Hearts, C**~. ” (EL) (3d Uk). Holding w' . $6,000 or near. Last week, $7,500. Boston, Aug. 8. ■ Weak new product and holdovers are not much help this stanza, re- sulting in Only moderate grosses at major houses. ‘‘The Men” in second round at Astor still is oke as is “Treasure Island” in second Week at Memorial. “Flame and Arrow'’ is Only fairly good in sec- ond week at Met. “Rogues of Sher- wood Forest” at State and Or- pheum shapes slim with “Cariboo Trail” at Boston only fair. “So Young, So Bad” at Paramount and Fenway, is disappointing. Estimates for This Week Astor (Jaycox) (1,200; 50-95) — “The Men” (UA) (2d wk). Still up there with oke $14,000 after nice $16,000 for first week. Boston (RKO) (3,200; 40-85) • — “Cariboo Trail” (20th) and “Good Time Girl” (FC). Fair $10,500. Last week; “The Torch” (EL) and “Rid- er From Tucson” (RKO), $9,000. Fenway (NET) (1,373; 40-85) — “So Young, So Bad” (UA) and “Trigger, Jr,” (Rep). Thin $3,500. Last week, “Great jew r el Robber” (WB) and “50 Years Before Eyes” (WB), $3,800. Memorial (RKO) (3.500; 40-85)— “Treasure Island” (RKO) (2d wk). Oke $17,000. Last week, nifty $21,- 500. Metropolitan (NET) (4,367; 40- 85)—“Flame and Arrow” (WB) and “Music in Moonlight” (Indie) (2d wk). Light $12,500. Last week, $16,000. Orpheum (Loew) (3,000; 40-85)—» “Rogues Sherwood Forest” (Col) and “Shadow on Wall” (M-G). Mild $12,000. Last week. “Duchess of Idaho” (M-G), good $13,000 for second week. Paramount (NET) (1,700; 40-85) —“So Young. So Bad” (UA) and “Trigger, Jr. (Rep). Slim $7*000. Last week. “Great Jewel Robber” (WB) and*“50 Years” (WB), $7,500. State (Loew) (3,500; 40-85) “Rogues Sherwood Forest” (Col) arid “Shadow on Wall” (M-G). Tepid $7,000. Last week, “Duchess of Idaho” (M-G) neat $9,500 for second round. ‘Furies’ Modest $10,000, Balto; ‘Arrow’ 9G, 2d Baltimore, Aug. 8. Trade In the downtown sector here is in fairish groove and some- what under figures of recent weeks. Of new crop, “The Furies,” is mod- erate at Keith’s while “Lady With- out Passport” looks light at Cen- tury. New's “Broken Arrow,” and Stanley’s “Flame and Arrow,” re- main very steady. Izzy Rappaport’s combo Hippodrome . will reopen Thursday (10) followirig an eight week period, of repairs. “Woman on Pier 13” with Vaude is opening pic. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew’s-UA) (3,000; 20r 60) — “Lady Without Passport” (M-G). Mild $7,000 or near. Last week* “Duchess Idaho” (M-G) (2d Wk) held well at $10,700. Keith’s (Schariberger) (2,460; 20- 60)—“Furies” (Par). Modest $10,- 000. Last week, “So Young, So Bad”; (UA), $9,700. Mayfair (Hicks) (980; 20-65) — “So Proudly We Hail” (Par) (re- issue). Average $4,000. Last week, “Mystery Street” (M-G). $3,800* New (Mechanic) (1,800; 20-60)— “Broken Arrow” (20th) (2d wk), Going well at $9,000 after pleasing $13,600 opener. * Stanley (WB) (3,286: 25-75) — “Flame and Arrow” (WB) (2d wk). Maintaining steady pace at $10,- 000 after bright $14,400 opener. Town (Rappaport) (1,500; 35-65) —“Rpgues Sherwood Forest” (Col). Not getting far at $6,000. . Last week, “Treasure Island” (RKO) (2d wk), $7,200. <• ‘TREASURE’ LUSH 20G, WASH* WORDS’ 14G, 2D Washington, Aug. 8. Downtown theatres generally are doing good business, with Keith's getting the biggest crowds with “Treasure Island” plus Disney's “Beaver Valley” and his cartoons, Warner is also pulling them in for second week of “Flame and Ar- row.” “Three Little Words” shapes okay at Palace in second round. Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew’s) (2,434; 44-85)— ,ady Without Passport” (M-G) plus vaude. ,• ,Fair $20,000, Last week, “Duchte6s of Idaho” (MrG) (2d wk), $1*7,000b - Dupont (Lopert) (386; 50-85) — “Lawless” (Pan). Fair $4,000. Last week, “D.Q.A;!' (UA) (2d wk), $3,- 000 . Keith’s (RKO) (1,130; 44-80) — “Treasure Island” (RKO) and “Beaver Valley” (RKO). Socko $20 ,t 000. Last week, “Winchester ’73” (U) (2d wk), excellent $11,000, Metropolitan (Warner) (1,163; 44- 74)—“G.I. Joe” (EL) (reissue). Ter- rific $8,500. Last Week, “House By River” (Rep) and “This Side of Law”. (WB), $5,400. Palace (Loew’s) (2,370; 44-74) — “Three Little Words” (M-G) (2d wk). Nice $14,000 or near after nifty $21,000 in opener. Playhouse (Lopert) (485; 50-85) —“Henry V” (UA) (reissue) (2d wk). Looks $5,500 or better after hefty $6,600 opener. Warner (WB) (2,164; 44-74) — “Flame and Arrow” (WB) (2d wk). Okay $11,000 after nifty $15,500 opening round. Trans-Lux (T-L) (650; 44-80) — “Kind Hearts” (EL) (4th wk). Still steady at $7,000. Last week, about same. Cleveland,^ Aug, 8. Convention trade is jacking up key house takes somewhat, with flashiest fireworks displayed by “Three Little Words,” going strong enough to cop holdover at Loew’s State. “Treasure Island” looks nice at Palace. “Cariboo Trail” at Hipp and “Stella” at Allen are just trailing along. Estimates for This Week Allen (Warners) (3,000; 55-75)— “Stella” (20th). Fairish $12,000 or less. Last week, “711 Ocean Drive” (Col) (2d Wk), good $8,500. Esquire (Community) (704; 55- 75) — “Quiet On Western Front” (reissue) (2d Wk). Oke $4,500 fol- lowing good $8,000 for last frame. Hipp (Warners) (3,700; 55-75)— “Cariboo Trail” (20th). Mild $14,- 000. Last week, “Flame and. Ar- row” (WB), $10,000. Lower. Mall (Community) (505; 55-75)—“Facts of Love” (Indie). Fair $2,000, Last week, “Spectre of Rose” (Rep) and “Always Loved You” (Rep), $1,900, Ohio (Loew’s) (1,205; 55-75) — “Annie Get Gun” (M-G) (3d wk). Pleasing $6,000 after $6,200 last week. Palace (RKO) (3,300; 55-75) — “Treasure Island” (RKO). Big matinee biz spelling nice $18,500. Last week, “Rogues Sherwood Forest” (Col), $12,500. State (Lo6w's) (3,450; 55-75) — “Three Little Words” (M-G). Breezy $19,500, and skedded for stayover. Last week, “Irma West” (Par), fine $14,000.' Stillman (Loew’s) (2,700; 55-75) —“Irma West” (Par) (m.o). Fairly neat $6,500. Last week, “Eagle and Hawk” (Par), $6,000. 'WORDS’ LOUD $16,000, BUFF.; ’LEGION* $15,000 Buffalo, Aug. 8. Stronger fare is boosting trade all along line this stanza. “Three Little Words” shapes standout, husky at the Buffalo, “In Foreign Legion” also appears fancy at La- fayette. “Our Very Own” looks sock at Century. Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Loew’s) (3,500; 40-70)— “Three Little Words” (M-G). Husky $16,000. Last week, “Crisis” (M-G) and “Destination Big House” (Rep)* fair $11,000. Paramount (Par) (3,000; 40-70)— “Stellri” (20th). Good $12,000. Last week, “Furies” (Par) and “Hum- phrey Takes Chance” (Mono), , oke $13,500 in 9 <lays. Center (Par) (2,100; 40-70) — “Flame and Arrow* (WB) (2d wk). Sturdy $10,000, Last week, solid $16,500. Lafayette (Basil) (3,000; 40-70)— “In Foreign Legion” (U) and “One Way Street” (U). Nearly $15,000, fancy. Last week, “711 Ocean Drive” (Col) and “Isle of Samoa” (Col), neat $14,000, B way Up; lima-Prima Wow $98,000, ‘Kiss’-Vaude Big 65G, Tame-Stage Break in the heat wave last Wednesday (2), plus several rainy days arid much cooler weather, is spelling improved trade at most Broadway key 1 film theatres this Session. -Seven new bills were im- portant (iontrijbiiting factors to. the Upbeat; Pickup in business is enabling some Oxtended-rUns to equal or come near-preceding week figures. Paramount is doing the outstand- ing trade of the Street with “Friend Irma Goes West” and stagesho^ headed by Louis Prima, Gary Morton and Modernaires. It wound up the first week last night (Tues.) with great $98,000, best for Par flagship in many weeks and the biggest summer session this year. New James Cagney starrer, “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye,” with stage bill topped by ' Billy Vine, Toni Harper and Lind Bros., is giving the Strand its peak summer trade and biggest at the house in months. Starting off strongly, it built via fine reviews, with sock $65,000 probable for first stanza. Roxy also is soaring to big $85,- 000 with “Panic in Streets” and expanded ice show plus Frances Langford, Peg-Leg Bates, Joe Jack- son, JrT “Edge of Doom,” which started off smash, looks to wind up initial week at Astor with solid $27,000 after strong teeoff. “Lady Without Passport.” with Pearl Bailey arid Jack Fina band topping stageshow, is the laggard of the new bills, with light $42,000 probable at the Capi- tol. “Mask of Korea” is giving the Rialto $6,000, better than recent takes there. Palace, with usual weekly vaudfilm change, also is improved oyer recent weeks. Showing remarkable holdover strength is “Our Very Own” with rousing $25,000 or better in second frame at the Victoria. “The Men” with stageshow is winding qp its third and final ses- sion at the Music Hall with a fine $123,000, same as second week. General upbeat is enabling “Annie Get Your Gun” to finish its run at the State with big $15,600 for 12th week. “Three Little Words” is opening there today (Wed.). Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; 60-$1.50) —“Edge of Doom” (RKO). First week ending 0 today (Wed.) is not getting as much as its big opening indicated but still very nice with around $27,000. Holds. “Edge” teed off with special benefit show Wednesday (2) night, reopening the house, which had been shut- tered several weeks for facelift- ing. Bijou (City Inv.) (589; $1.20- $2.40) — “Red Shoes” (EL) (94th wk). Long-runner still holding near $6,000. rainy and cooler weather enabling it to hold near previous week’s $6,200. Continues. Capitol (Loew’s) (4,820; 55-$1.50) —“Lady Without Passport” (M-G) with Pearl Bailey/ Kirby Stone Quintet, Jack Fina orch, Jay Mar- shall. Not doing well with light $42,000 or near. But is holding one week. Last week, “Duchess of Ida- ho” (M-G) with Bert Wheeler, Toni Arden, Sonny Dunham orch (2d wk), slumped to $32,000. Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 50-$1.75) —“So Young, So Bad” (UA) (3d- final wk). Staying up very well with $10,000 or thereabouts. Last week, fine $11,300. “In Foreign Legion” (U) opens Saturday (12). Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 50-$1.20) —“Mutiny on Bounty” (M-G) and “Day at Races” (M-G) (reissues) (5th wk); Still nice profit at $12,- 000, ahead of last week’s sturdy $11,000. Stays. , - Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 50-$L20) —“Destination Moon” (EL) (7th wk). Sixth session ended Monday night (7) perked to fancy $15,000 after $14,000 last week. “Treasure Island” (RKO) opens Aug. 15. Palace (RKO) (1,700; 55-$1.20)— “Great Jewel Robber” (WB) and vaude. Looks solid $21,000 or over. Last week, “Mystery Street” (M-G) with vaude, $17,000. # Paramount (Par) (3,664; 55-$ 1.50) —“Friend Irma West” (Par) With Louis Prima orch, Gary Morton, Modernaires topping stage bill (2d- final wk). First stanza soared to smash $98,000, biggest here in many weeks. Stage layout a real help and picture is pleasing audi- ences. In ahead, “711 Ocean Drive” (Col) , with stageshow (2d wk), $62,000. , ,1 Park Avenue (U) (583; 90-$1.50) —“Quiet on Western Front” (In- die) (reissue) (3d wk). Second round ended last night (Tues.) held to sock $9,000 after big $10,- 500 opener. Radio City Music Hall (RockefeK lers) (5,945; 80-$2.40)—“The Men’’ (UA) and stageshow (3d-final wk). Holding even with second-week figure at fine $123*000 in final frahie; same total for last week. “Sunset Boulevard” (Par) with new stageshow opens tomorrow (Thurs.). Rialto (Mage) (594; 44-98)— “Mask of Korea” (Indie). Doing better than recent pix here, with over $6,000 likely. “The Ape” (In- die) and “Return of Zombie” (In- die) (reissues) open tomorrow (Thurs,). Rivoli (UAT-Par) (2,092; 90- $1,80)—“Underworld Story” (UA) (3d wk). Down to $8,000 currently after light $9,500 last week. Roxy (20th) (5,886; 80-$1.75) — “Panic in Streets” (20th) with Frances Langford, Peg-leg Bates, Joe Jackson, Jr.* and expanded<ice- show on stage. Did remarkably strong trade over the Weekend, and looks big $85,000 or over, with stage layout taking a bow. Holds one Week. Last week, “Broken Arrow” (20th) with Andrews Sis- ters, iceshow (2d wk) okay $66,000. State (Loew’s) (3,450; 55-$1.90)— “Three Little Words” (M-G). Opens today (Wed.). Last week, “Annie Get Gun” (M-G) (12th wk) pushed to big $15,000, remarkable for final round after $13,000 last week. Makes longest run for any film under current policy. Strand (WB) (2,756; 55-$2) — “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” (WB) plus Billy Vine, Toni Harper, Lind Bros, onstage. Started off big and may hit very strong $65,000, one of best sessions here in some time. Especially fine for season of year. Crix praise helping.' Holds. Last week, “Flame and Arrow” (WB) with Jane Pickens, Buddy Lester headlining stageshow (4th wk), okay $30,000. Sutton HR & B) (561; 90-$1.50)— “Winslow Boy” (EL) (10th wk). Looks okay $6,000 after $6,500 last frame. Stays on. Trans-Lux 60th St (T-L) (453: 74-$1.50)—“Kind Hearts, Coronets’’ (EL) (9th wk). Still great with $8,000 after $8,300 last week. Con- tinues indef. Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; 95- $1.50)—“Our Very Own” (RKO) (3d wk). Second sessiori ended last night (Tues.) held in excellent fa- shion at rousing $25,000 or better after big $28,000 opening week. Pitt Perks as ‘Words’ ‘Sidewalk’ Okay $8,000 Pittsburgh, Aug. 8. Penn theatre's string of summer clicks is continuing with “Three Little Words,” which is leading town by Wide margin and Will stick, around for another week. “Where Sidewalk Ends,” also is doing okay at Fulton and holds for an extra three days. “Flame and .Arrow” still is showing strength in h o. at Stanley. Abbott ahd Costello “In Foreign Legion” merely hanging on at Harris. Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 45-80) — /‘Where Sidewalk Ends” (20th). Notices mixed but biz is okay $8,000. It’ll stay until Saturday (12) when <‘Our Very Own” (RKO) opens ori heels of Joan Evans’ two- day ballyhoo visit in town. Last week, “Winchester ’73” (U) (2d wk), fine $6,000. Harris (Harris) (2,200; 45-80) — “In Foreign Legion” (U).' Abbott and Costello starrer doing only weak $7,000. Last Week, “711 Ocean Drive” (Col) (2d wk-5 days), $ 6 , 000 . Penn (Loew’s) (3,300; 45-80) “Three Little Words” (M-G), Hit- ting top brackets again with $22,- 000, and cinch h.o. Last week, “Crisis” (M-G), $8,000 in 5 days. Stanley (WB) (3,800; 45-80) — “Flame and Arrow” (WB) (2d wk- 6 days). Burt Lancaster starrer should do an all right $9,000 on ,top of big $18,000 last week. Warner (WB) (2,000; 45- r .0) — “Cargo Capetown” (Col) arid * "for- tunes Capt. Blood” (Col). Fair $5,500 in 6 days. Last week, “No Man of Own” (Par), healthy $8,000.