Variety (December 1950)

WedneBday, December 20, 1950 Hot Weather, Hdidays Hit LA But ‘Guerrilla’ OK $36,000; ‘Dance’ MiU 20G,‘Highway’26G, Los Angeles, Dec. 19. -f Soft biz gait is continuing here in the face of pre-Xmas shopping, with seven newcpmers very spotty. Hot weather also is no help. A satisfactory $36,000 shapes for “American Guerrilla" in five the- atres with some help from a small jJrice boost. But elsewhere biz is Dance" in two sluggish with even ‘‘Let's only getting mild $20,000 Paramount houses. “Two Weeks With Love" looks thin $20,000 in two sites. “High- way 301" is oiily light $26,000 in three locations. Price raise is proving no help to “Emergency Wedding” which is heading for sour $11,000 in two spots “Myste^ Submarine” is under $17,000 in five theatres while “Once a Thief" is dim $10,000 or less in three, Estimates for This Week Los Angeles, Chinese, Uptown, Loyola, Wilshire (FWC) (2,097; 2,- 048; 1,719; 1,248; 2,296; 70-$1.10)— “American Guerrilla in . Philip- pines” (20th). Okay $36,000. week, “All About Eve” (20th) C3d; Wk), $26,800. Hollywood^ Downtown, Wiltem (WB) (2,756; 1,757; 2,344; 60-$l) — “Highway 301" (WB), Light $26,- 000, Last week, “West Point Story" (WB) (3d wk), $16,700. Loew’s State, Egyptian (UA) (2,- 404; 1,538; 70-$ 1.10)—“Two Weeks With Love" (M-G) and ‘.‘Under Mexicali Stars" (Rep). Thin $20,- 000. Last week, “King Solomon’s Mines” (M-G) (4th wk), $20,800 Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week $422,000 (Based on 18 theatres.) Last. Year. ... ... .$451,2(10 {Based on 17 theatres) Downtown ing much of Cleveland, Dec. 19. houses are not feel- an upbeat in attend- ;,ance although the weather is bet- : ter and there appears to be a let- I up in Yule shoppers’ spree. “Min- _! iver Story” is not doing much for ! the State. Hipp’s “Highway . 301" shapes standbut with pkay sessipn; Estimates for This Week Allen (Warners) (3,000; 55-80)— “Southside 1-1000" (Mono). Oke $10,500. Last week, “Deported" (U), $11,500. Esquire (Community) (704; 55-80) — “Show Business” (RKO) and “Lady Takes Chance" (RKO) (re- issues). Sad $1,500. Last week, “Outrage” (RKO) (2d wk), $3,500. Hipp (Warners) (3,700; 55-80) — “Highway 3Q1” (WB). Biggest in Ilillstreet, Pantages (RKO) t2,-j town at okay $15,000. Last week, 890; 2,812; 60-$!) -— “Emergency "Midnight a n d D a w n” (Col), Wedding” (Col) and “Beyond Pur- ple Hills” (Col). Sour $U,QQ0. Last week, “Joan. Arc” iRKO) and “Counterspy Scotland Yard” (Col), $ 14 , 000 . Los Angeles, Hollywood Para- mounts (F&M) (3,398; 1,451; 50-$l) —“Let’s Dance" (Par) and “Trail Robin Hood” (Rep). Mild $20,000. Last week, “Tripoli” (Par) and “In- dian Territory” (Col) (L.A. only) (2d wk), $11,200. Orpheum, Hawaii, Beverly Hills Music Hall (Metropolitan) (2:,2l0; 1,106; 855; 50-$!)—“Once a Thief” (UA) and “Lightning Guns" (Col), Slight $10,000. Last week, “Three Husbands” (UA) and “Roll, Thun- der, Roll” (EL) (8 days), $12,000. United Artists, Ritz,i Vogue, Stu- dio City, Culver (UA-FWC) (2,100; 1,370; 885; 880; 1,145; 60-$l) — “Mystery Submarine” (U) and “Outlaw Gold” (Mono). Dull $17,- 000. Last week, “Undercover Girl” (U) and “Father’s Wild Game” (Mono), $14,000. Four Star (UA) (900; 60-$l) — “Thunder Rock” (Indie) (reissue) (2d wk). Small $1,000. Last week, $1,800; ’ Fine Arts (FWC) (677; $1.20- $2.40) — “Cyrano” (UA) (fith wk). Opened fifth frame today (Tues ). Last week, good $6,500. $14,000 Palace (RKO) (3,350; 55-80) — ‘‘Buffalo Stampede” (Indie) and “Hell Town” (Indie) (reissues). Fair $9,000. Last week, “Joan of Arc” (RKO), $8,500. State (Loew’s) (3,450; 55-80) -- “Miniver S t o r y” (M-G). Dreary $8,000. Last week,“Let’s Dance” (Par), $13,000. Stillman (Loew’s) (2,700; 55-80) -^“Let’s Dance” (Par) (m.o.). Good $6,000. Last week, “Dial 1119” (M-G), $6,200. ‘CITY’ TORONTO; ‘WIDOr 9G Toronto, Dec. 19. With Xmas shopping, plus lack of product appeal, only first-run house doing any outstanding busi- ness is “Dark City,” fine at Im- perial. Other attractions are only fair to light. Estimates for This Week. Downtown, Glendale, Mayfair, ScarborO, State (Taylor); (1,069; 955; 470; 698; 694; 35-57)—“Gilda” (Col) and “Platinum Blonde” (Col) (re- issues). Oke $11,000. Last week, ‘^Shakedown” (U) and “Hit Parade ’51” (Rep), $12,000. Eglinton, Victoria (FP) (1,180; 1 , 140 ; 38-77)—“Miracle 34th St." (20th) and “Adventures Sawyer" (SRO) (reissues). Fair $7,000. Last Week, “Tripoli" (Par) (2d wk), $ 6 , 000 . ' Imperial (FP) (3,373; 38-77)— “Dark City” (Par). Fine $13,000. Last week, “Odette" (EL), same. Loew's (Loew) (2,096; 48-67)^— “To Please Lady” (M-G). Fair $8,000. Last week, “Miniver Story” (M-G) (2d wk), $6,500. Nortown, university (FP) (959; 1,556; 38-77 )^“Breaking Point” (WB) (2d wk). Mediocre $8,000. Last week; $10,000. Qdeon (Rank) (2,390;. 50-90)— “Reluctant Widow” (EL). Light $9,000. Last week, “Harriet Craig” (Col), $11,000. . Shea’s (FP) (2,386; 38-77)—“Born to Be Bad” (RKO) (2d wk). Poor $6,500. Last week, $8,000. Uptown (Lpew) (2,'743; 38-67)— “Milkman" (U) (2d wk). Down to $4,000 after last week’s fair $6,500. K. C. Slow But Key City Grosso Estimated Total Gross This Week ., . $1,828,000 {Based on 24 cities, 195 the- atres, chiePy fixst runs, inclu^- ingNY.) Total Gross Same Week LaSt Year ...; $1,923,000 ( Based on 24 cities* a7id 196 theatres^) Prov. On Skids Albeit ‘Raiders’ Oke at $9,000; Reissues Get No Place Providence, Dec. 19. All houses are slipping here, with nothing to get excited about except the fact that Christmas is > only a week away; Majestic is do- ing fairly well with “Kansas Raid- ers.” Loew’s State has reissue combo of “Mutiny on Bounty” and “Day at Races,” but they are very SlpW; Estimates for. This Week Albee (RKO) (2,200; 44-65) — *‘Gilda” (Col) and “Platinum Blonde’^ (Col) (reissues). Below par $8,000. Last week, “Deported" (U) and “Appointment With Crime" (Lip), $9,000. Majestic (Fay) (2,200t 44-65) — “Kansas Raiders” (U) and “Father’s Wild Game” (U). Steady $9,000; Last week, “Undercover Girl” (U) and “California Passage” (Rep), $ 8 , 000 . Metropolitan (Snider) (3,100; 44- 65) — “Black Angel” (Indie) and “Tangier” (Indie) (reissues). Dim $5,000. Last week, “Woman on Run" (U) and “Palooka Squared Circle” (Mono), fair $7,000. State (Loew’s) (3,200; 44-65) — “Mutiny on Bounty” (M-G) and “Day at Races” (M-G) (reissues). Drab $9,500. Last week, “Miniver Story” (M-G) and “Next Voice” (M-G), $9,000. Strand (Silverman) (2,200; 744-65) —“Winslow Boy” (EL) and “Per- fect Lady” (EL). Opened Monday ^ (18). Last week. “Sun Sets at H Dawn” (EL) and “Two Lost ■ Worlds” (EL), sad $5,000. ■ .( i ; ( ‘ ( ‘Daughters’ Hep $18,000, Mout’l; ‘Capture’ $7,000 Montreal, Dec, 18. “Three Daughters” is pacing the field this round with nice take at Palace. Despite heavy censor- ing, “Joan of Arc” is way down in second Capitol stanza. “Capture” looms okay at Imperial. Estimates for This Week Palace (C.T.) (2,625; 34-60) — “Three Daughters” (M-G). Nice $18,000. . Last week, “Odette” (EL), $15,000. Capitol (C.T.) (2,412; 34-60) — “Joan of Arc” (RKO) (2d wk). Off to $8,000 following hefty opening session at $15,000. Princess (C.T.) (2,131; 34-60) — “Right Cross” (M-G). Fair $11,000. Last week, “Tripoli” (Par) (2d wk), nice $10,500. Loew’s (C.T.) (2,855; 40-65) — “Toast New Orleans” (M-G) (2d wk). Off to $16,000 after smash first week at $25,000. Imperial (C.T.) (1,839; 34-60) — “Capture” (RKO) and “Inter- rupted Journey” (RKO), Oke $7,000. Last week, “Dark City” (Par) and “Holiday Rhythm” (ParT, $9,500. Kansas City, Dec. 19. Biz is slow here with shopping activity at peak, and lightweight attractions generally the rule at first-runs. One of stronger magnets is “American Guerrilla” at three- house Fox-Midwest combo, topping the average for trio. Midland has pair of new pix, “Fuller Brush Girl” and “Last of Buccaneers,” but most others have reissues. Weekend weather was favorable. Estimates for This Week Esquire (Fox Midwest) (820; 45- 65)—‘?Dedee” (Indie) and “Good Time Girl” (EL). Best here in weeks, strong $3,300. Last week, “Return Jesse James” (Lip) and “Shot Billy Kid” (Lip), $2,500. Midland (Loew’s) (3,500; 45-65)— “Fuller Brush Girl” (Col) and “Last of Buccaneers” (Col). Light $10,000. Last week, “Harriet Craig” (Col) and “Midnight and Dawn” (Col), ditto. Missouri (RKO) (2,650; 45-65)— “Born to West” (Indie) and “The Thundering Herd” (Indie) (re- issues). Slim $7,000. Last week, “Outrage” (RKO) and “Rio Grande Patrol” (RKO), first 4 days, with “Gilda” (Col) and “Platinum Blonde” (Col) (reissues), second half, same. Paramount (United Par) (1,900; 45-65)—“The Buccaneer” tPar) and “Ladies Big House" (Par) (re- issues). Slow $7,500. Last week, “Highway 301" (WB), about same. Tower - Uptown - Fairway (Fox Midwest) (2,100; 2,043; 700; 45-65) — “American Guerrilla" (20th). Strongest entry in town, fairly good $14,000 or better for Tyrone Power opus. Last week, “Wyoming Mail" (U) and “Shakedown"* (U)^ slim $10,000. Detroit, Dec. 19. Another dismal Week is facing Detroit exhibs as Christmas shop- pers continue to hurry by the box- offices in quest of gifts. Only half-stable entry this round is “Breakthrough", which may come through with an okay session at the Michigaii. “Two Flags West" is shaping slow at Fox. “King Solom6n‘iS) Mines" is holding to; nice total in fourth round at Palms. “Undercover GUT’ is shap- ing weak at United Artists. Estimates for This Week . Fox (FoX-Detroit) (5,000; 70-95) — “Two Flags West" (20th) and “Eye Witness" (EL). Light $20,000. Last week, “Dial 1119" <M-G) plus pick Continb stageshow,^ $29,000. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 70-95)—“Breakthrough” (WB) and , “Revenue Agent" (Col). Okay i $17,000: Last week, “West Point Pittsburgh, Dec. 20. It’s the week before Xmas, and all through the film houses, the story’s about the same as in the past years—no biz. Penn has the lightest of the pre-holiday films in “Two Weeks With. Love" and will get what there is of the shopping crowds seeking relaxation. Other theatres are mainly very heavy. “Where Danger Lives" is going no- where at Stanley despite heavy campaign for Howard Hughes’ new stkr, Faith Domergue. Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,800; 45-80)^ “Southside 1-1000" (Mono). Hardly keeping above $5,500, slow. Last week, “Deported" (U), $6,500. Harris (Harris) (2,300; 45-80)— Midnight and Dawn" (Col). Noth- ing much for this one either at $6,000. Last week, “All About Eve" (20th) (3d wk), $8,000, Penn (Loew’s) (3,300; 45-80)— “Two Weeks With Love" (M-G). Fairly presentable $12,000. Last week, “King Solomon’s Mines" (M-G) (3d wk-8 days), niceu $8,500. Stanley .(WB) 3,800; 45-80)— “Where Danger Lives" (RKO). Building new Howard Hughes star. Faith Domergue, but all for naught. Puli '$9,000. Last week, “Let’s Dance" (Par) not too good at $11,000 in 9 days. Warner (WB) 2,000; 45-80)— “Outrage” (RKO). Off to slow start but picked up some oyer weekend and should hit okay $6,000. Last week, “West Point Story" (WB) (m.o.), $5,000. Boston, Dec. 19. Plenty of shoppers in town but the influx of reissues at most ma- jor houses are not much help. Biz is better oh the weekends than or- dinarily at this time of year be- cause of hypoing effect of down- town Xmas trimmings. “Southside 1-1000" at paramount and Fenway is not more than average, while “Between Midnight and Dawn" at Memorial looks mild. “State Se- cret" looks fair at Astor in fourth week. Elsewhere biz is mostly sluggish. Estimates for This Week Astor (B&Q) (1,200; 50-95) — “State Secret" (Col) (4th wk). About $4,000 after fair $5,000 for third. Fenway (NET) (1,373; 40-85) — “Southside 14000’’ (Mono) and “California Passage" (Rep). Fair $4,500. Last week. “Sun Sets' at Dawn" (EL) and “Two Lost Worlds" (EL), okay $6,000. Memorial (RKO) (3,500; 40-85)— “Midnight and Dawn" (Col) and “Last of Buccaneers" (Col). Mild $12,500. Last week, “Mad Wednes- day^’ (RKO), $18,000. Metropolitan (NE'T) (4,367; 40-? 85)—“Tars and Spars" (Col) and “Thousand and One Nights" (Col) (reissues). Mild $11,500. Last week, “Jackpot!’ (20th) and “Look Before You Love" (Indiei, $16,000. Orpheum (Loew’s) (3,000; 40-83) “Mutiny on Bounty" (M-G) and “Day at Races" (M-G) (reissues). Sluggish $10,500. Last week, “King Solomon’s Mines" (M-G). (3d wk), okay $11,500. Paramount (NET) (1,700; 40-85) —“Southside I-IOOQ" (Mono) and “California Passage" (Rep). Mild $9,5QQ. Last week, “Sun Sets at Dawn" (EL) and “Two Lost Worlds" (EL), neat $15,000. State (Loew) (3,500; 40-85) — ‘^Mutiny on Bounty" (M-G)’ and “Day at Races” (M-G) (reissues). Slim $6,000. 'Last Week, “King Solomon’s Mines" (M-G) (3d wk), oke $6,800. ‘2 Wetks’-Milk Bns. Sock $34,000 in Hpk. Story" (WB) and “Counterspy Scotland Yard" (Col), $10,000 in second week. Palms (UD) (2,900; 70-95) — ‘'King. Solomon’s Mines” rM-G) (4th wk). Nice $12,000. Last week, $15,000. Madison (UD) (1,800; 70-95) ‘— ♦‘Hamlet’’ (U). Slow $5,000. Last week, “Dark City" (Par) and “Stars Over Wyoming” (RKO)/$11,000. United Artists (UA) (1,900; 70- 95)—“Undercover Girl” (U). Weak $7,000. Last week, “I’ll Get By” (20th) (2d wk), $6,000. Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 70-95) —“Two Weeks with Love” (M^G) (2d wk). Slim $8,000. Last week, $9,700. Downtown (Balaban) (2,900; 70- 95) — “Ravaged Earth” (Indie). Poor $7,000. Last Week,“House of Frankenstein” and “House Dracula” (Ihdies) (reissues), $6,000. lOGHWAY’-'SOUTHSIDE’ OK $12,000 IN BUFF. Buffalo, Dec. 19. Film theatre biz is droopy here this stanza, with pre-Xmas lull on in eaiiiest. Probably the pest showing is being made by “High- way 301” paired with “Southside 1-1000” which looms okay at Para- mount. Elsewhere grolSses range from moderate to drab. “I’ll Get By” is not doing too badly in sec- ond round at the Center. Estimates for Thi^ IVeek Buffalo (Loews) (3,500; 40-70)-^ “Mrs. O’Malley and Mr. Malone” (M-G) and “Three Husbands” (UA). Light $10,000 or less.' Last week, “King Solomon’s Mines” (M-G) (2d wk) (9 days), nice $11,000. Paramount (Par) (3,000; 40-75)— “Highway 301” (WB) and "“South- side 1-1000” (Mono). Passable $12,000. Last week,“Fireball” (20th) and Arthur (Godfrey Unit with Billy Gilbert and Bill Law- rence, $13,500. Center (Par) (2,100; 40-75)—“I’ll Get By” (20th) (2d wk). Down to $8,500. Last week, fancy $13,000. Lafayette (Basil) (3,000; 40-70)— “Emergency Wedding” (Col) and “Pygmy Island” (Col). Drab $6,- 000 or less. Last week, “Kansas Raiders” (U) and “Paper Gallows” (U), $9,000. Century (20th Century) (3,000; 40-70)-^“Mr. Lucky” (RKO) and “Lady Takes a Chance” (RKO) (re- issue). Modest $7,500. Last week, “Outrage” (RKO) and “California Passage” (Rep), $8,000. , Hollywood, Dec. 19. Spencer Tracy will play three separate roles in “Jealousy,” a threercplsode picture, at Metro, slated for filming in spring when he completes his job in “'The Peo- ple vs. O’Hara.” Don Hartman will produce “Jeal- ousy,” which consists of a comedy, a drama and a tragedy. Minneapolis, Dec. 19. Week before Christmas, tradi- tionally the film theatres' worst, finds Radio City engiaged in a dar- ing experiment. Trying to whip adverse seasonal and severe weather, the big Paramount has an expensive stageshow headed by Mills Bros, and Ethel Smith, coupled with “Two Weeks With Love.” Paying off with big total, way ahead of recent film biz there. Radio City upped Its scale to $1 after 5 p.m. against 85c formerly for such stage-film layouts. Otherwise, the spotlight is mostly monopolized by holdovers. It’s the fifth week for “King Solo- mon’s Mines” and third for “All About Eve.” Estimate& for This Week Century (Par) (1,600; 50-70) “All About Eve" (20th) (3d wk). Good $5,000 after excellent $7,500 preceding stanza. Gopher (Berger) (1,000; 50-70)—^ “King Solomon’s Mines" (M-G) (5th wk). One of the season’s top grossers here. WilLgo still an- other week. Satisfctctory $4,000. Last week, $4,500. Lyric (Par) (1,000; 50-70)—“Rio Grande" (Rep) (m.o.L Here after Radio City break4n. Well-liked, but under a handicap; Fair $4,000. Last week, “If This Be Sin" (UA) and “Once a Thief" (UA), light $3,000. Radio City (Par) (4,000; 65-$!)— “Two Weeks With Love” (M-G) and stageshow, headed by Mills Bros, arid Ethel Smith. Entertain- ment bargain even at new high scale (i5c and 20c Over previous tariff). But seasonal and weather handicaps are hurting somewhat. Despite this, looks sock $34,000. Last week, “Rio Grande” (Rep), $8,500 at 50c-70c. RKO-Orpheum (RKO) (2,890; 35-70)-^“Gilda“ (Col) and“Plati- num. Blopde” (Col) (reissues) split with, “Midnight and Dawn” (Col) and “Last Buccaneers” (Col). Oke $5,500. Last week, “Breakthrough" (WB), okay $8,000. V RKO-Pan (RKO) (1:600; 35-70) —“Breakthrough" (WB) (m.o.)* Okay $5,000. Last week, “Girls Under 21" (Indie) and. “Girls of Road” (Indie) (reissues), $4,500. Stale (Par) (2,300; 50-70) — “Desert Hawk" (U). Okay $6,000. Last week, “Panic in Streets’* (20th), $6,000. World (Mann) (400; 50-85)—• “Ecstasy" (Indie) (reissues). So-so ! $2,000. Last week. “Toast New j Orleans" (M-G) (2d wk), tepid 1 $1,900. t > I 1 >' ( . ./ ■) > (