Variety (December 1950)

Weclneeday, December 6, 1950 Chicago, Dec. 5, -f Bad weather and some weak new product, are giving the Loop pne of its minor biz seasons, with little support from holdovers. Best in town is Oriental entry of “Two Weeks With Love’* and Three Stooges, Eileen Barton aiid Sky- larks onstage, With two more weeks to go on the same attraction* it is heading for okay $42,000. Chi- cago entry of “Harriet Craig" plus Gil Lamb and Mary Small topping stagesliow is slow $35,000 in sight. Duo-bill of ‘The Miniver Story" and “Emergency Wedding" is shaping average $15,000 at the State-^Lake. Reissues combo of “Room Service" and "Show Busi- ness" look fairish $10,000 at Pal- 'acc. Sole bright spot this week is "King Solomon’s Mines," with solid $13,000 prospect in second turn at the Grand. "Two Flags West" and "Admiral Was a Lady" is lihishing at okay $11,000 in sec- ond week at Roosevelt. "Petty .Girl" with "Between Midnight and Dawn" is mediocre $10,000 in sec- ond round at United Artists, "American Guerrilla" is shaping very poor $8,000 in fourth stanza at the' Woods. "Macbeth" con- tinues firm at World with $3,200 in sight for fourth week. Estimates for This Week Ghicago (B&K) (3,900; 55-98)— "Harriet Graig" (Colt with Gil Lamb and Mary Small topping stageshovy. . Lean $35,000. Last AVeek, "The . Milkman" (U) and Carmen Miranda in p e r s o n, $38,000. Grand (RKO) (1,200; 55-98)— "King Solomon’s Mines” (M-G) f2d wk). Fast $13,000. Last week, $19,000. Qrienial (Indie) (3,400; 55-98)— ‘Two Weeks With Love" (M-G) and 3 Stooges, Eileen Barton, Sky- larks onstage. Okay $42,000. Last week, "West Point Story" (WB) with Yvonne DeCarlo heading - stageshow (2d wk), nice $33,000. Palace (RKO) (2,500; 55-98)— "Room Service" (RKO) and "Show Business" (RKO). (reissues), Good $10,000. Last week, "Where Danger Lives" (RkO) and "Pygmy Island" • (Col), $10,000. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,500; 55-98)— "Two Flags West" (20th) and "Ad- (Continued on page 24) Estimate^ Are Net Film gross estimates as re- ported herewith from the vari- ous key cities, are net, l.e., without the 20% tax. Distribu- tors share on net take, when playing percentage, hence the estimated figures are net ih- come. ; ^ The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated, include the, U. S. amusement 'tax.' p^mfr TARADE’^CUGAT FAIR 20G IN SLOW INDPLS. Indianapolis, Dec, 5. Another cold weekend plus ac- celerated Christmas buying has showbiz generally on the i^kids at first-riins.. "Hit Parade of 1951," [ with Xavier Cugat band onstage, will just get by at Circle, Best I straight-filmer is still "King Solo- 'mori’s Mines" in its second week at Loew’s. "Jackpot," at Indiana, is disappointing. Estimates for This Week Circle (Gamble-Dolle) (2,800; 50- 90)—"Hit Parade of 1951" (Rep) with Xavier Cugat orch onstage. Fair $20,000 as against stout $26,- PICTURE GROSSES 13 Rain, Holdovers Nip Broadway; ‘Let’s Dance , ‘Woman’ 15G, ‘Dial’ Broadway first-runs were labor- ing under enough handicaps thi.s week before the heavy rainfall of last Monday (4). But that down- pour, which lasted all day, dropped grosses sharply and in many cases to the lowest point in many weeks! The Street is largely holdover 000 when band played spot last; and'extended-run currently, which year. Last week, "Let’s Dance” [ ig a handicap, It also hai been Squared Circle" (Mono), j hurt by an early Christnias buy- i ing rush and intense interest in Pre-Xmas Slump Slaps Prov.; ‘Joan’ Oke $9,000, ‘Story’ Fine lOG in 2d Providence, Dec, 5. Biz is feeling the Christmas slump earlier than usual with'most houses below normal. Fay’s, a 1,400-seat.er which recently in- augurated a split-week policy with vaude, is shuttering Wednesday (6). Strand is offering to pick up one-half of downtown parking tab for theatre patrons. State’s "King Solomon’s Mines” is steadiest in second week, with nice total. "West Point Story" looks fine in hold- over at Majestic. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (2,200; 44-65)— "Joan of Arc" (RKO) and "Call of Klondike" (Mono). Oke $9,000, mostly on pop date of "Joan." Last week, “Where Danger Lives" (RKO) and "Rio Grande Patrol" (RKO), $10,000. ■ Fay’s (Fay) (1,400; 44-65)— "Dark Command’’ (Indie) arid Samniy White heading .stageshow. So-so $4,500. House closing down Wednesday (6). Last • week, “Blondic" (Col) and Arthur Lake onstage for 4-day split-week run, weak $5,000. Majestic (Fay)'^ (2,200; 44-65)— "West Point Story" (WB) (2d wk). Scheduled for better second sesh than first with nice $1Q,000. First week, scuttled by weekend stonii was so-sO $8,000. Metropolitan (Snider) (3,100; 44- 65)—‘Tripoli’* (Par) and "Hidden Gity" (Mono). Lively $8,000. Last week, "Breakthrough" v(WB) and “Modern Marriage" (Mono), $9,000. State (Loew) (3,200; 44^65)— "King Solomon’s Mines" (M-G) (2d wk). Nice $11,000. Last week, okay $17,000. Strand (Silverman) (2.200,; 44-65) —"Killor That Struck New York' (Col) and • “He’s A Cockeyed Wonder" (Col). Opened Monday (4). Last week, "Emergency Wed- ding" (Col) and "Revehuc .AgGnt" (Col), weak $6,0()0. • G ^ ' ‘ ' Seattle, Dec. 5. First-runs are beginning to feel irripact of Christmas buying, with purse strings tightening a, bit. "Tvvo Weeks with, Love”, shapes sock at Liberty while ‘‘Let’s Dance” looks big at Fifth Avenue. "King Solomon’s Mines" still is terrific in second Music Hall ses- sion after record opening week. Coliseum is dark because of big remodeling program^ which will take until Christmas week. Estimates for This Week B1 lie Mouse (Hamrick) (800; 65- 90)—“Deported" (U). Good $4,000. Last week, "Rio Grande" (Rep) and “Surrender" (Rep) (3d wk), big $4,400. Coliseum (Evergreen) (1,877; 65- 90)—Dark this week. Last week, "Jackpot" (20th) and “Hot Rod” (Mono) (2d wk), Nice $6,300 in 6 days. Fifth Avenue (Evergreen) (2,349; 65-90)—"Let’s Dance" (Par) and "The Torch” (EL). Big $11,000 or close. Last week, “Harriet Craig" (Col) and "Counter Spy Scotland Yard" (Col), $10,600i« 10 days. Liberty (Hamrick) (1,650; 65-90) —"Two Weeks With Love" (M-G) and "Dial 1119" (M-G). Sock $10,000. Last week, "Milkman" (U) and “2 Lost Worlds" (EL) (2d wk-5 days), $4,400. Music Box (Hamrick) (850; 65^ 90)—"Edge of Doom" (RKO). Good $5,500. Last week, "Next Voice" (M-G) (2d wk), $3,800. Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,200; 65- 90) — "King Solomon’s Mines" (M-G) and“Happy Years" (M-G) (2d wk). Wham $16,000. Last week, all-time record at $23,000. Orpheum (Hamrick) (2,600; 65- 90)_“West Point Story” (WB) (2d wk). Still good .at $7,000. ' Last week, great $16,000. Palomar (Sterling) (1,350; 50-84) — "Mister 880” (20th). (2d run) plus stage. Okay $5,000. Last week, “No Way Out" (20th) (2d run) plus stageshow, nice $6,500. Paramount (Evergreen) (3,039; 65-90) — “American Guerrilla’’ (20th) (3d wk). Down to $5,000 in 6 days. Last week, good $7,700. ‘Solomon’ Paces Buff. (Par) arid mild $9,000 at 44-65c scale Indiana (G-D) (3,200; 44-65) — “Jackpot" (20th) and “Texan Meets Calamity Jane" (Col). Thin $8,500. Last week, “West Point Story" (WB) and “Modern Marriage” (Mono), $10*500, not bad consider- irig blizzard. Loew’s (Loew’s) (2,427; 44-65)— “King Solomon's Mines” (M-G) (2d wk). Hefty $11,000 on top of sock $16,000 opener. Good enough to hold again but will get only j two days of third week on account of booking jam. Lyric (G-D) (1,600; ' 44-65) “Wyoming Mail" (U) and "Can’t Cheat Honest Man” (U) (reissue). Okay $5,000. Last week, "South- side 1-1000" (Mono), $3,500. Korea war hews. Oddly enough, the slight rain Saturday (2) did not hurt, the day being the best for deluxers since the previous Sunday, and way ahead of any recent days. "Let’s Dance,’’ with Jimmy Dor- sey and Nat "King" Cole Trio topping anniversary stageshow at the Paramount, will get a big $74!000 bn the initial week; it holds for . three rounds. "Woman on Run,” one of the two straight-film- ers, is mild $15,000 at the Criter- ion. "Dial 1119" sounds like thin $10,000 in first Glpbe stanza. Monday’s rain is sloughing“King Solomon’s Mines” in final week at the Music Hall, Likely will not go over $100,000 in this fourth round, but making a smash total of $500,- 000 for the four weeks. $7,OOOJ6r fifth week f r. Buffalo, Dec. 5. in: mild ciiiTent Solomon's Buffalo. Mines, “Break- at the Doom" Outstanding V'eek is “King smash at the through" shapes . strong Paramount but “Edge of looks only okaj^ at Century. Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Loew’s) (3,500; 40-701— “King Solomon’s Mines" (M-G). Smash $17,500 or over. Last week, “American Guerrilla" (20th), $13,200. Paramount (Par) (3,000; 40-75>—• “Breakthrough’’ (WB) arid“Return Jesse Janies’’ (Lip). Strong $13,000, Last week,“Let’s Dance" (Par', $11,500. Center (Par) (2,100; 40-75)-— “West Point Story" (WB) i2d wk). Down to $7,500. Last week, rous- ing $14,000. Lafayette' (Basil) (3,000; 40-70)— “State Secret" (Col) and“Tougber They ComV’ (Col). Light $8,50() or near. Last week, “Harriet Craig’ (CoD and“He’s Cockeyed Wonder (Col), $10,400. ^ Century (20th Cent.) (3,000; 40- 70)—"Edge of Doom" (RKO) and “Palooka Squared Circle" (Mono). Okay $10,500. Last week, “Never : Dull i'Ibmcnt’;_, (RKO) apd Ibt Paradp I<961” ‘CR!€i^),*$9^,feOO. T Wasbington, Dec. 5. “King Solomon’s Mines" at Loew’s Palace currently is help- ing to brighten a generally mild session. Holdovers or moveovers at all but three of mid-town first- runs are keeping down the aver- age, though “Trio" at the Play- house and “Bitter Rice" at another Lopert arter, the Dupont, are showing fine staying power. “Mac- beth," in second week at Trans- Lux, continues surprisingly steady. “Mad Wednesday” at RKO Keith’s is better than average, but below hopes. Estimates for This Week Capitol (Loew’s) (2,434; 44-85)^— “Two Weeks With Love" (M-G) plus vaude. Pleasant $19,000. Last week, “I’ll Get By" (20th) plus vaude,. bright $21,000, consid- ering lacing from storm. Dupont (Lopert) (378; 50-85) -— “Bitter Rice" (Indie) (4th wk). Smart $4,500 after big $5,500 last week. Holds again. Keith’s (RKO) (1,939; 44-80) — “Mad Wednesday" (RKO). Nice $10,000, but not up to hopes. Last week, “Where Danger Lies" (RKO), $9,000. Metropolitan (Warner) (1,163; 33_73)_“Rio Grande" (Rep) (2d run). Average $5,000. Last week, “Last Buccaneers" (Col), same. Palace (Loew’s) (2,370; 44-74) ^— “King Solomon’s Mines" (M-G). Boff $24,000, soaring to year’s record breaker. Last week, “Ameri- can Guerrilla" (20th), tepid $15,000, Playhouse (Lopert) (485, 50-85) —“Trio" (Par) (3d wk). Steady $6,000 after $7,000 last week. Warner (WB) (2,164; 44-74) — “West Point Story" (WB) (2d wk). Okay $8,000 after better than hoped $14,000, fancy, last week. Trans-Lux (T-L) (654; 44-80) — “Macbeth" .(Rep) .(2d wk). Sur- prisingly firm $5,000 after 1 $7,000 last week. ‘Eve’Paces Omaba, Hep $li*0()0;‘ Omaha, Dec. 5. “All About Eve" Shapes stand- out With best gross here this week. Biz is off from previous seven days. “Tripoli" also is guod at larger Orpheum. “King SolO! Mines" at State in its second \v. .k is holding great. Actually. “Breaks through" shapes as the real sock at the Brandeis, with toll takings I at a smaller house. Estimates for This Week Orpheum (Tristafes) (3,000; 16- 65)—“’Tripoli" (Par); Good $11,- 000. Last week, “Let’s Dance" (Par)* $11,500. Paramount (Tristates) (2,800; 16- 65)—“All About Eve’^ (20th). Fine $11,000 or over looms. Last week, “Jackpot" (20th), $10,000. ‘ Brandeis (RKO) (1,500; 16-65)— “Breakthrough" (WB). Sturdy $7,000. Last week, “Where Danger Lives’* (RKO), $6,000. State (Goldberg) 1865; 20-75) — “King Solomon’s Mines” (M-G) (2d wkl. Still fancy at $7,000, Last week, smash $10,500. Flolds third round. Makes smash $500,000 for four weeks, this one being, first session , to dip below $127,000. “Kim" (M-G) and annual Xmas stageshow and pageant opens to- morrow, Thurs.). Rialto (Mage) (594; 44-98)—“In- ternational Burlesque" (indie) (5th wk). Continues surprisingly well, with current session solid $7,00() after $7,500 for fourth round. Ilolds a sixth. Rivoli (UAT-Par) (2,092; 90- $1.25) — “Never Dull Moment" (RKO) (2d wk). Off to around $9,000 after mild $13,000 opener. Roxy (20th) (5,886; 80-$1.75) — “Jackpot" (20 th) plus Philhar- monic Piano Quartet, Paul Remos and Toy Boys, iceshow topping stage bill (2d wk). Dipping with the others, with sluggish $50,000 likely. Stays a third. Last week, barely good $72,000, and below expectancy. Stale (Loew’s) (3,450; 55-$1.50) —“Harriet Craig’’ (Col) (5th wk). Off to $9,000 or near after oke $12,- 000 last round. “Operation X" (Col) opens next Saturday (9). Strand (WB) (2,756; 55-$2) -^ ‘^Breakthrough’’ (WB) with Mimi Benzell, Herb Shriner topping of “International Burlesque,” is holding this pic for a sixth ses- sion. Sexy ballyhoo has paid off. New bill of “Farewell To Yester- day," with vaude, is suffering with the others, with not more than $17,000 likely at the Palace. .“Cyrano" is holding near capac- ity in second full week with $15,000 at the Bijou, advance sale indicat- ing a longrun. “Red Shoes" looks like good $20,000 in second round of pop-scale run at the Victoria. Second weeks for the Capitol and Roxy are taking a beating as are many other houses. Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; 55-$1.50) — “American Guerrilla" (20th) (5th wk).- Fourth stanza ended Monday (4) slipped to $10,000 after $15,000 for third week. Continues, with “Harvey" (U) slated to open Dec. 21 following Heart Fund benefit Dec. 20. Bijou (City Inv.) (589; $1.20- $2.40)—“Cyrano" (UA) (2d wk). Initial holdover session ended last night (Tues.) held to about $15(000 after great $18,000, virtual capacity, in initial full week which included extra matinees besides usual Saturday - Sunday extra shows. In for run. Capitol (Loew’s) (4,820; 55- $1.50)_“Two Weeks With Love" (M-G) with Skitch Henderson orch, the Vagabonds, Kay Armen head- ing stageshow (2d wk). Frame end- ing today (Wed.) is slipping to light $32,000 or near after fair $51,000 opening week. Stays only Jour days of third week, with “Watch Birdie" (M-G) opening Dec. 11. “Pagan Love Song" (M-G) is scheduled for Dec. 25 as house’s Crite?ibn (Moss) (1,700; 50-$1.75) —“Woman on Run" (U) (2d wk). First week ended last night (Tues.) [only reached modest $15,000 or under. In ahead, “Right Cross" (M-G) (2d wk), $6,200. s Glbbe (Brandt) (1,500; 50-$1.20) i—“Dial 1119" (M-G). First week looks to go only to slim $10,000. In ahead, “Tripoli" (Par) (2d wk), $6,0Q0. Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 50- $1.20)—“Rio Grande" (Rep) (3d wk). Off to $11,000 after nice $16,- 000 for second. “Cheer Box"^ ex- ploitation stunt, tieup with Repub- lic and N. Y. Daily Mirror, prov- ing fine plug for pix. Holiday and comfort gifts for troops in Korea being collected, via campaign. Palace (RKO) (1,700; 55-$1.20)— “Fare wel 1 to Yesterday’ ’ (20th) with vaude. Lagging with re.st of Street* and shapes up for mild $17,000. Last week, “Saddle Trar f>” (U) With vaude, $18,000, below hopes. .k!, Paramount (Par) (3,664; 55-$1.50) —“Let’s Dance" (Par) plus Jimmy Dorsey orch, Nat “King" Cole and Trio toi>pirig stageshow (2d wk). slide down to $25,000 this stanza after mild $36,000 last week. “Highway 301” (WB) with Dave Apollon, Peggy Mann, others on stage opens Friday (8). Sutton (R&B) (561; 90-$1.50)— “Trio" (Par) (9th wk). Eighth stanza ended Monday (4) held strong with $10,700 after $12,400 last stanza. Stays indef. Trans-Lux 60th St, (T-L) (453; 74-$1.50) — “Kind Hearts" (EL) (26th wk). Off to $3,200 after okay $3,400 last frame. “Rapture" (EL) supplants oh Dec. 13. Trans-Lux 52d St. (T-L) (540; 90-$l.50)—“Prelude To Fame" (U) (4th wk). Continues sturdy at $5,- 000 after fine $7,000 last session. Continues. Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; 95- $1.50)—“Red Shoes" (EL) (3d wk). initial holdover round ended yesterday (Tues.) held nicely at $20,000 or near after rousing $26,- 000 in first week. Stays on. “Born Yesterday" (Col) opens Dec. 25. First week of Par flagship's anni bill ended last ..night (Tues.), hit big $74,000. In fp^ three., weeks. Last week, “Copper Canyon” (Par) and Dick Conti no, Bill Snyder oi-ch, Patti Page heading stage bill (2d wk), $43,000. Radio City Music Hall fellers) (5,945; 8d-$2.40)—“King Solomon’s iMnes" (M-G) . with stageshow (4th-firial wk.). Ofl’ to $100,000 in final session, after fine a third week. /•(: , 1 $128,009, • ‘ bit below i hopes/; for Xmas Buying Hurts Det.; ‘Story’ Mildish $17,000, ‘Solomon’ Rich 21G, 2d Detroit, Dec. 5. The Chri.stmas-buying rush is making its first inroads at the box- office here this round, with all comers suffering. “King Solo- mon’s Mines" still is leading the entries in second Palms stanza with a fine total. “Killer Stalked New York” is being, helped co-okay session by Duke Ellington band onstage at the Broadway-Capitol. “West Point Story" looks mild at the Michigan. Estimates for This Week Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5,000; 70-95) —“American Guerrilla" (20t.h) and “Experiment Alcatraz" (RKO) (2d wk). Dull $17,000. Last week, $26,000, With snow burying -early expectations. Michigan (United Detroit ) (4,000; 70-95)—“West Point Story’’ (WB) and “Counterspy Scotland Yard’’ (Col), Mildish $17,000. La.st week, “Let’s Dance" (Par) (2d wk), $ 12 , 000 . Palms (UD) (2,900; 7i)-95)— “King Solomon’s Mines" (M-G) ,(2d wkl. \ Rich $21,000. Last week, $30,000 Madison (UD) (1,800; 70^95) ^ “Midnight and Dawn” (Col) and “Rusty’s Birthday” (Co|). Slow $8,000. Last weekr “Sleeping City" (U) and“Blues Busters" (Mono), same. Broadway-CapiloT (UD) (3 400; 70-95)—‘‘Killer Stalked New York’' (Cpl) arid Duke Ellington orch on- stage. Oke $16,000. Last'week, “Johnny One-Eye" (UA) plus stage* show with Illinois Jacquet orch, $ 20 , 000 . United Artists (UA) (1,900: 70- 955^“ril Get By” (20th). Slow $10,000. Last week, “Jackpot" (20th) (2d wk), 8,000. Adams (Balaban) 1,700; 7.0-95)— “Joan of Arc" (RKO) (2d wk). , [Holding at $7,000. Last week, nice (Rocke-j $10,000. Downtown (Balaban) (2,900; 70- 951—“Deported’’ (U) and “Wyom- ing Mail" rU). Poor $5,000. - Last week. “Outrage” (RKO) and “Holi- day Rhythm? (Lip)/$6*500:1'. y ; >■ a •• I . ■ >■ I S 1 ' . ) :• 4^- f'4 .( ■ . i.- ■( . ■ i ? 1:- t ^ )■ •i’. j* .4 ( ] . 1 < n f .i i. .J 1 V ; V • - ‘V (' '.r • ’t